« Previous AbstractExploring Sn(x)Ti(1-x)O(2) Solid Solutions Grown onto Graphene Oxide (GO) as Selective Toluene Gas Sensors    Next AbstractA novel VOC breath tracer method to evaluate indoor respiratory exposures in the near- and far-fields; implications for the spread of respiratory viruses »

Res Sq

Title:		A novel VOC breath tracer method to evaluate indoor respiratory exposures in the near- and far-fields
Author(s):		Parhizkar H; Fretz M; Laguerre A; Stenson J; Corsi RL; Van Den Wymelenberg KG; Gall ET;
Address:		"Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, Oregon. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. Energy Studies in Building Laboratories, University of Oregon, Portland, Oregon. College of Engineering, UC Davis, Davis, California"
Journal Title:		Res Sq
Year:		2022
Volume:		20220311
Issue:
Page Number:		-
DOI:		10.21203/rs.3.rs-1437107/v2
ISSN/ISBN:
Abstract:		"Several studies suggest that far-field transmission (> 6 ft) explains the significant number of COVID-19 superspreading outbreaks. Therefore, quantitative evaluation of near- and far-field exposure to emissions from a source is key to better understanding human-to-human airborne infectious disease transmission and associated risks. In this study, we used an environmentally-controlled chamber to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from a healthy participant who consumed breath mints, which contained unique tracer compounds. Tracer measurements were made at 2.5 ft, 5 ft, 7.5 ft from the participant, as well as in the exhaust plenum of the chamber. We observed that 2.5 ft trials had substantially (~36-44%) higher concentrations than other distances during the first 20 minutes of experiments, highlighting the importance of the near-field relative to the far-field before virus-laden respiratory aerosol plumes are continuously mixed into the far-field. However, for the conditions studied, the concentrations of human-sourced tracers after 20 minutes and approaching the end of the 60-minute trials at 2.5 ft, 5 ft, and 7.5 ft were only ~18%, ~11%, and ~7.5% higher than volume-averaged concentrations, respectively. Our findings highlight the importance of far-field transmission of airborne pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, which need to be considered in public health decision making"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEParhizkar, Hooman Fretz, Mark Laguerre, Aurelie Stenson, Jason Corsi, Richard L Van Den Wymelenberg, Kevin G Gall, Elliott T eng Preprint 2022/03/17 Res Sq. 2022 Mar 11:rs.3.rs-1437107. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1437107/v2. Preprint"