Short-range airborne transmission of expiratory droplets between two people.
Indoor Air
; 27(2): 452-462, 2017 03.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27287598
The occurrence of close proximity infection for many respiratory diseases is often cited as evidence of large droplet and/or close contact transmission. We explored interpersonal exposure of exhaled droplets and droplet nuclei of two standing thermal manikins as affected by distance, humidity, ventilation, and breathing mode. Under the specific set of conditions studied, we found a substantial increase in airborne exposure to droplet nuclei exhaled by the source manikin when a susceptible manikin is within about 1.5 m of the source manikin, referred to as the proximity effect. The threshold distance of about 1.5 m distinguishes the two basic transmission processes of droplets and droplet nuclei, that is, short-range modes and the long-range airborne route. The short-range modes include both the conventional large droplet route and the newly defined short-range airborne transmission. We thus reveal that transmission occurring in close proximity to the source patient includes both droplet-borne (large droplet) and short-range airborne routes, in addition to the direct deposition of large droplets on other body surfaces. The mechanisms of the droplet-borne and short-range airborne routes are different; their effective control methods also differ. Neither the current droplet precautions nor dilution ventilation prevents short-range airborne transmission, so new control methods are needed.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio
/
Secreciones Corporales
/
Exposición por Inhalación
/
Espiración
/
Microbiología del Aire
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Indoor Air
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido