[RISK ASSESSMENT FOR AEROSOL INFECTION BY THE NEW CORONA VIRUS AND PROTECTION BY RESPIRATORS]

Harefuah. 2020 Jun;159(6):391-393.
[Article in Hebrew]

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is dispersed from patients by talking, coughing and sneezing. The generated micro-droplets aerosols can travel up to 8 meters, stay suspended for long periods and preserve viral infectivity for a median of 2.7 hours. An unprotected person exposed to this cloud, might inhale a considerable amount of infectious viral doses, which will attach to the ACE 2 receptors on alveoli epithelium, resulting in infection. N95 respirators and surgical masks block 95% and 50-60% respectively of inhalable particles and protect the wearer from infection. Surgical masks and N95 without exhalation valve, protect both the wearer and the environment from carriers and sick people.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols*
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission*
  • Respiratory Protective Devices*
  • Risk Assessment*
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Aerosols