Journal article
Dismantling myths on the airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
University of Leicester1
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University2
Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark3
Indoor Environment, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark4
University of California at Berkeley5
Aalborg University6
McGill University7
Edinburgh Napier University8
Pennsylvania State University9
Delft University of Technology10
University of Cassino and Southern Lazio11
University of Colorado Boulder12
Tallinn University of Technology13
The University of Hong Kong14
National University of Singapore15
Queensland University of Technology16
...and 6 moreThe Covid-19 pandemic has caused untold disruption and enhanced mortality rates around the world. Understanding the mechanisms for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is key to preventing further spread but there is confusion over the meaning of "airborne" whenever transmission is discussed. Scientific ambivalence originates from evidence published many years ago, which has generated mythological beliefs that obscure current thinking.
This article gathers together and explores some of the most commonly held dogmas on airborne transmission in order to stimulate revision of the science in the light of current evidence. Six 'myths' are presented, explained, and ultimately refuted on the basis of recently published papers and expert opinion from previous work related to similar viruses.
There is little doubt that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via a range of airborne particle sizes subject to all the usual ventilation parameters and human behaviour. Experts from specialties encompassing aerosol studies, ventilation, engineering, physics, virology and clinical medicine have joined together to present this review, in order to consolidate the evidence for airborne transmission mechanisms and offer justification for modern strategies for prevention and control of Covid-19 in healthcare and community.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. |
Year: | 2021 |
Pages: | 89-96 |
ISSN: | 15322939 , 01956701 and 14759594 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.022 |
ORCIDs: | Melikov, Arsen Krikor and Wargocki, Pawel |