COVID-19: Research Directions for Non-Clinical Aerosol-Generating Facilities in the Built Environment

Law, Roger C. K. and Lai, Joseph H. K. and Edwards, D.J. and Hou, Huiying (Cynthia) (2021) COVID-19: Research Directions for Non-Clinical Aerosol-Generating Facilities in the Built Environment. Buildings, 11 (7). e282. ISSN 2075-5309

Preview	Text buildings-11-00282-v3.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)
	Archive additional-files.zip - Additional Metadata Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (220kB)

Abstract

Physical contact and respiratory droplet transmission have been widely regarded as the main routes of COVID-19 infection. However, mounting evidence has unveiled the risk of aerosol transmission of the virus. Whereas caution has been taken to avoid this risk in association with clinical facilities, facilities such as spa pools and Jacuzzis, which are characterized by bubble-aerosol generation, high bather loads, and limited turnover rates, may promote aerosol transmission. Focusing on these non-clinical facilities in the built environment, a review study was undertaken. First, the typical water disinfection and ventilation-aided operations for the facilities were illustrated. Second, cross comparisons were made between the applicable standards and guidelines of the World Health Organization and countries including Australia, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The similarities and differences in their water quality specifications, ventilation requirements, and air quality enhancement measures were identified; there were no specific regulations for preventing aerosol transmission at those aerosol-generating facilities. Third, a qualitative review of research publications revealed the emergence of studies on potential air-borne transmission of COVID-19, but research on built facilities posing high risks of aerosol transmission remains scant. This study’s results inform key directions for future research on abating aerosol transmission of COVID-19: the development of bespoke personal protective equipment and engineering and management controls on water quality, ventilation, and air quality.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** From MDPI via Jisc Publications Router ** History: accepted 24-06-2021; pub-electronic 30-06-2021. ** Licence for this article: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11070282
Dates:	Date Event 24 June 2021 Accepted 30 June 2021 Published
Uncontrolled Keywords:	aerosol, air quality, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, ventilation, water quality
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-02 - building
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Built Environment
SWORD Depositor:	JISC PubRouter
Depositing User:	JISC PubRouter
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2021 14:09
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2024 11:45
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11881

Actions (login required)

View Item