Aerosol emission, transmission, and mitigation from performing singing and wind instruments

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about potential airborne virus transmission and exposure during musical performances were raised. Past studies suggest that aerosols are emitted from exhaling and talking with varying magnitudes. Meanwhile, little was known about aerosol emissions from singing and playing wind instruments. The objective of this study was to examine the spatial and temporal build-up of aerosol concentration in a typical studio room where singing, talking, and playing wind instruments are involved, to represent musical practicing and teaching scenarios at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Four condensation particle counters were strategically placed throughout a room at various distances from the performer. Besides singing, musical professionals played seven instruments (clarinet, flute, French horn, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and tuba). Two types of tests were conducted for each instrument: 10 min of playing and 10 min of combined playing and talking to mimic the teaching session. The results show that singing increased aerosol concentration to 3.9 × 10³ cm^-3 at the performing point, more than double the background (1.2 × 10³ cm^-3). Most wind instruments had minimal but detectable emission of aerosols over time, suggesting instruments could provide wall deposition for aerosols compared to singing. Particle concentrations decreased further from the performing point; however, they were still detectable over the background level at 10 feet away. Use of a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration reduced aerosol concentrations developed during musical performances to below background level. These findings suggest that there are risks associated with aerosolized transmission of infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2 from musical performance if the performer is infected. Distancing beyond the 6 ft distancing recommendation and proper room and local ventilation combined with disinfecting procedures are needed to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious aerosols.