Aerosol persistence in relation to possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Scott H Smith; G Aernout Somsen; Cees van Rijn; Stefan Kooij; Lia van der Hoek; Reinout A Bem; Daniel Bonn

doi:10.1063/5.0027844

Aerosol persistence in relation to possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Phys Fluids (1994). 2020 Oct 1;32(10):107108. doi: 10.1063/5.0027844.

Authors

Scott H Smith¹, G Aernout Somsen², Cees van Rijn¹, Stefan Kooij¹, Lia van der Hoek³, Reinout A Bem⁴, Daniel Bonn¹

Affiliations

¹ Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
² Cardiology Centers of the Netherlands, 1073 TB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 leading to COVID-19 occurs through exhaled respiratory droplets from infected humans. Currently, however, there is much controversy over whether respiratory aerosol microdroplets play an important role as a route of transmission. By measuring and modeling the dynamics of exhaled respiratory droplets, we can assess the relative contribution of aerosols to the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. We measure size distribution, total numbers, and volumes of respiratory droplets, including aerosols, by speaking and coughing from healthy subjects. Dynamic modeling of exhaled respiratory droplets allows us to account for aerosol persistence times in confined public spaces. The probability of infection by inhalation of aerosols when breathing in the same space can then be estimated using current estimates of viral load and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. The current known reproduction numbers show a lower infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 compared to, for instance, measles, which is known to be efficiently transmitted through the air. In line with this, our study of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 suggests that aerosol transmission is a possible but perhaps not a very efficient route, in particular from non-symptomatic or mildly symptomatic individuals that exhibit low viral loads.