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Novel measurement system for respiratory aerosols and droplets in indoor environments
Author(s) -
Lommel Michael,
Froese Vera,
Sieber Moritz,
Jentzsch Marvin,
Bierewirtz Tim,
Hasirci Ümit,
Rese Tim,
Seefeldt Josef,
Schimek Sebastian,
Kertzscher Ulrich,
Paschereit Christian Oliver
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/ina.12860
Subject(s) - aerosol , environmental science , tracer , indoor air , covid-19 , ventilation (architecture) , meteorology , environmental engineering , infectious disease (medical specialty) , physics , medicine , disease , pathology , nuclear physics
The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has created a great demand for a better understanding of the spread of viruses in indoor environments. A novel measurement system consisting of one portable aerosol‐emitting mannequin (emitter) and a number of portable aerosol‐absorbing mannequins (recipients) was developed that can measure the spread of aerosols and droplets that potentially contain infectious viruses. The emission of the virus from a human is simulated by using tracer particles solved in water. The recipients inhale the aerosols and droplets and quantify the level of solved tracer particles in their artificial lungs simultaneously over time. The mobile system can be arranged in a large variety of spreading scenarios in indoor environments and allows for quantification of the infection probability due to airborne virus spreading. This study shows the accuracy of the new measurement system and its ability to compare aerosol reduction measures such as regular ventilation or the use of a room air purifier.