scholarly journals The impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus: a systematic review of ventilation and coronavirus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail M. Thornton ◽  
Brian A. Fleck ◽  
Emily Kroeker ◽  
Dhyey Dandnayak ◽  
Natalie Fleck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Virus Particle ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Transmission Probability ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
Particle Removal ◽  
Virus Removal ◽  
Ventilation Rates ◽  
Risk Infection

AbstractAerosol transmission has been a pathway for virus spread for many viruses. Similarly, emerging evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2, and the resulting pandemic as declared by WHO in March 2020, determined aerosol transmission for SARS-CoV-2 to be significant. As such, public health officials and professionals have sought data regarding the effect of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) features to control and mitigate viruses, particularly coronaviruses. A systematic review was conducted using international standards to identify and comprehensively synthesize research examining the effectiveness of ventilation for mitigating transmission of coronaviruses. The results from 32 relevant studies showed that: increased ventilation rate was associated with decreased transmission, transmission probability/risk, infection probability/risk, droplet persistence, virus concentration, and increased virus removal and virus particle removal efficiency; increased ventilation rate decreased risk at longer exposure times; some ventilation was better than no ventilation; airflow patterns affected transmission; ventilation feature (e.g., supply/exhaust, fans) placement influenced particle distribution. Some studies provided qualitative recommendations; however, few provided specific quantitative ventilation parameters suggesting a significant gap in current research. Adapting HVAC ventilation systems to mitigate virus transmission is not a one-solution-fits-all approach but instead requires consideration of factors such as ventilation rate, airflow patterns, air balancing, occupancy, and feature placement.Practical ImplicationsIncreasing ventilation, whether through ventilation rates (ACH, m3/h, m3/min, L/min) or as determined by CO2 levels (ppm), is associated with decreased transmission, transmission probability/risk, infection probability/risk, droplet persistence, and virus concentration, and increased virus removal and efficiency of virus particle removal. As well, professionals should consider the fact that changing ventilation rate or using mixing ventilation is not always the only way to mitigate and control viruses as varying airflow patterns and the use of ventilation resulted in better outcomes than situations without ventilation. Practitioners also need to consider occupancy, ventilation feature (supply/exhaust and fans) placement, and exposure time in conjunction with both ventilation rates and airflow patterns. Some recommendations with quantified data were made, including using an air change rate of 9 h-1 for a hospital ward; waiting six air changes or 2.5 hours before allowing different individuals into an unfiltered office with ∼2 fresh air changes (FCH) and one air change for a high-efficiency MERV or HEPA filtered laboratory; and using a pressure difference between -2 and -25 Pa in negative pressure isolation spaces. Other recommendations for practice included using or increasing ventilation, introducing fresh air, using maximum supply rates, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, assessing fan placement and potentially increasing ventilation locations, and employing ventilation testing and air balancing checks.

Computation of zone-level ventilation requirement based on actual occupancy, plug and lighting load information

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Anand ◽  
David Cheong ◽  
Chandra Sekhar
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Data ◽  
Variable Air Volume ◽  
Air Volume ◽  
Ventilation Rates

This paper presents a case study to compare the zone-level actual supplied ventilation rate with minimum required ventilation rate for a typical variable air volume (VAV) operation. The minimum required ventilation rate was computed using zone-level actual occupancy, plug and lighting load data. Two different algorithms were adopted to collect the actual zone-level occupancy information using camera-based technology which are (a) area-based occupancy counting and (b) row-based occupancy counting. Similarly, zone-level Plug, lighting and air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) system-related energy data were taken from the energy submeters and BTU meters. The median values of actual supplied ventilation rates are 0.16, 0.14, 0.14 and 0.12 m3/s for the classroom, computer room, open office and closed office, respectively. For the same zone, the computed minimum required ventilation rates are 0.10, 0.09, 0.10 and 0.08 m3/s, respectively. This case study shows that except during evening classes in classroom and computer room, the actual ventilation supplied is much more than the minimum required ventilation. These over and under ventilation scenarios have been identified as an indicator for energy wastage and poor indoor environmental quality, respectively.

scholarly journals The impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design features on the transmission of viruses, including the 2019 novel coronavirus: a systematic review of filtration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A Fleck ◽  
Gail M. Thornton ◽  
Lexuan Zhong ◽  
Lisa A Hartling ◽  
Dhyey Dandnayak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Hvac Systems ◽  
Airborne Transmission ◽  
Virus Removal ◽  
Filter Efficiency ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Historically, viruses have demonstrated airborne transmission. Emerging evidence suggests the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 may also spread by airborne transmission. This is more likely in indoor environments, particularly with poor ventilation. In the context of potential airborne transmission, a vital mitigation strategy for the built environment is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC features could modify virus transmission potential. A systematic review following international standards was conducted to comprehensively identify and synthesize research examining the effectiveness of filters within HVAC systems in reducing virus transmission. Twenty-three relevant studies showed that: filtration was associated with decreased transmission; filters removed viruses from the air; increasing filter efficiency (efficiency of particle removal) was associated with decreased transmission, decreased infection risk, and increased viral filtration efficiency (efficiency of virus removal); increasing filter efficiency above MERV 13 was associated with limited benefit in further reduction of virus concentration and infection risk; and filters with the same efficiency rating from different companies showed variable performance. Increasing filter efficiency may mitigate virus transmission; however, improvement may be limited above MERV 13. Adapting HVAC systems to mitigate virus transmission requires a multi-factorial approach and filtration is one factor offering demonstrated potential for decreased transmission.

scholarly journals Estimation of the Inhaled Dose of Pollutants in Different Micro-Environments: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Francesca Borghi ◽  
Andrea Spinazzè ◽  
Simone Mandaglio ◽  
Giacomo Fanti ◽  
Davide Campagnolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Pulmonary Ventilation ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Atmospheric Pollutants ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Future Studies

Recently, the need to assess personal exposure in different micro-environments has been highlighted. Further, estimating the inhaled dose of pollutants is considerably one of the most interesting parameters to be explored to complete the fundamental information obtained through exposure assessment, especially if associated with a dose-response approach. To analyze the main results obtained from the studies related to the estimation of the inhaled dose of pollutants in different micro-environments (environments in which an individual spends a part of his day), and to identify the influence of different parameters on it, a systematic review of the literature was performed. The principal outcomes from the considered studies outlined that (i) exposure concentration and residence time are among the most important parameters to be evaluated in the estimation of the inhaled dose, especially in transport environments. Further, (ii) the pulmonary ventilation rate can be of particular interest during active commuting because of its increase, which increases the inhalation of pollutants. From a methodological point of view, the advent of increasingly miniaturized, portable and low-cost technologies could favor these kinds of studies, both for the measurement of atmospheric pollutants and the real-time evaluation of physiological parameters used for estimation of the inhaled dose. The main results of this review also show some knowledge gaps. In particular, numerous studies have been conducted for the evaluation (in terms of personal exposure and estimation of the inhaled dose) of different PM fractions: other airborne pollutants, although harmful to human health, are less represented in studies of this type: for this reason, future studies should be conducted, also considering other air pollutants, not neglecting the assessment of exposure to PM. Moreover, many studies have been conducted indoors, where the population spends most of their daily time. However, it has been highlighted how particular environments, even if characterized by a shorter residence time, can contribute significantly to the dose of inhaled pollutants. These environments are, therefore, of particular importance and should be better evaluated in future studies, as well as occupational environments, where the work results in a high pulmonary ventilation rate. The attention of future studies should also be focused on these categories of subjects and occupational studies.

scholarly journals Proposing Alternative Solutions to Enhance Natural Ventilation Rates in Residential Buildings in the Cfa Climate Zone of Rasht

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Roya Aeinehvand ◽  
Amiraslan Darvish ◽  
Abdollah Baghaei Daemei ◽  
Shima Barati ◽  
Asma Jamali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Passive Strategies ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Ventilation Rates ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Today, renewable resources and the crucial role of passive strategies in energy efficiency in the building sector toward the sustainable development goals are more indispensable than ever. Natural ventilation has traditionally been considered as one of the most fundamental techniques to decrease energy usage by building dwellers and designers. The main purpose of the present study is to enhance the natural ventilation rates in an existing six-story residential building situated in the humid climate of Rasht during the summertime. On this basis, two types of ventilation systems, the Double-Skin Facade Twin Face System (DSF-TFS) and Single-Sided Wind Tower (SSWT), were simulated through DesignBuilder version 4.5. Then, two types of additional ventilation systems were proposed in order to accelerate the airflow, including four-sided as well as multi-opening wind towers. The wind foldable directions were at about 45 degrees (northwest to southeast). The simulation results show that SSWT could have a better performance than the aforementioned systems by about 38%. Therefore, the multi-opening system was able to enhance the ventilation rate by approximately 10% during the summertime.

Influence of particle size and operating parameters on virus ultrafiltration efficiency

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Angayar K. Pavanasam ◽  
Ali Abbas ◽  
Vicki Chen
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Filtration Efficiency ◽  
Transmembrane Pressure ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Particle Removal ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Virus Removal ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Effect Of Particle Size

In water treatment, virus removal using ultrafiltration is a major step towards better water quality. In this paper, we study virus filtration efficiency using surrogate virus particles and via statistical surface-response approach. We focus on the effect of particle size (20–100 nm range) as a key factor along with the effects of transmembrane pressure (20–60 kPa range) and feed flowrate (0.3–1.0 L/F;min range) on the filtration virus removal efficiency (LRV). The particle size is shown to impart a great deal of influence on surrogate particle removal. The effect of particle-to-pore-size ratio is reported for comparison of membrane molecular weight cut off (MWCO) performance. It was shown experimentally and through the developed empirical regression model that transmembrane pressure plays a major role in controlling the filtration efficiency along with flowrate. In the studied experimental range, higher LRV values are obtained at lower transmembrane pressure (20 kPa) and at higher feed flowrate (1 L/F;min). Further the effect on LRV of the interaction between transmembrane pressure and particle size seems to be more significant than that of the interaction of flowrate with particle size.

Abstract 264: Automatic Detection of Ventilations Using the Thoracic Impedance Signal During Lucas Chest Compressions

Circulation ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 140 (Suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xabier Jaureguibeitia ◽  
Unai Irusta ◽  
Elisabete Aramendi ◽  
Pamela Owens ◽  
Henry E Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Lung Ventilation ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Thoracic Impedance ◽  
Chest Compressions ◽  
Signal Processing Algorithm ◽  
Ventilation Rates ◽  
Mechanical Cpr

Introduction: Resuscitation from out-of-cardiac arrest (OHCA) requires control of both chest compressions and lung ventilation. There are few effective methods for detecting ventilations during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Thoracic impedance (TI) is sensitive to changes in lung air volumes and may allow detection of ventilations but has not been tested with concurrent mechanical chest compressions. Hypothesis: It is possible to automatically detect and characterize ventilations from TI changes during mechanical chest compressions. Methods: A cohort of 420 OHCA cases (27 survivors to hospital discharge) were enrolled in the Dallas-Fort Worth Center for Resuscitation Research cardiac arrest registry. These patients were treated with the LUCAS-2 CPR device and had concurrent TI and capnogram recordings from MRx (Philips, Andover, MA) monitor-defibrillators. We developed a signal processing algorithm to suppress chest compression artifacts from the TI signal, allowing identification of ventilations. We used the capnogram as gold standard for delivered ventilations. We determined the accuracy of the algorithm for detecting capnogram-indicated ventilations, calculating sensitivity, the proportion of true ventilations detected in the TI, and positive predictive value (PPV), the proportion of true ventilations within the detections. We calculated per minute ventilation rate and mean TI amplitude, as surrogate for tidal volume. Statistical differences between survivors and non-survivors were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: We studied 4331 minutes of TI during CPR. There were a median of 10 (IQR 6-14) ventilations per min and 52 (30-81) ventilations per patient. Sensitivity of TI was 95.9% (95% CI, 74.5-100), and PPV was 95.8% (95% CI, 80.0-100). The median ventilation rates for survivors and non-survivors were 7.75 (5.37-9.91) min -1 and 5.64 (4.46-7.15) min -1 (p<10 -3 ), and the median TI amplitudes were 1.33 (1.03-1.75) Ω and 1.14 (0.77-1.66) Ω (p=0.095). Conclusions: An accurate automatic TI ventilation detection algorithm was demonstrated during mechanical CPR. The relation between ventilation rate during mechanical CPR and survival was significant, but it was not for impedance amplitude.

Abstract P101: Comparison of Ventilation Rate Measured with Thoracic Bioimpedance and with Capnography during Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahamed H Idris ◽  
Sarah Beadle ◽  
Mohamud Daya ◽  
Dana Zive
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
Rater Agreement ◽  
Chest Compressions ◽  
Intra Class Correlation ◽  
Automated Software ◽  
Ventilation Rates ◽  
Patient File ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Manual Review

Objective: To determine the ability of thoracic bioimpedance to measure ventilation rate during cardiac arrest and CPR. Methods: Philips MRx devices monitored 32 patients during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and CPR. The devices recorded chest compressions with an accelerometer, continuous 1-lead EKG, thoracic bioimpedance, and continuous capnography. Of the 32 files, 4 were not used in this study because of incomplete recording. Two reviewers manually annotated ventilation waveforms independently using Laerdal QCPR software, which also automatically annotated ventilation through the bioimpedance channel. Reviewers manually measured ventilation rate (number of breaths/min) recorded with capnography for each 1 minute epoch, which were matched and compared with those measured through bioimpedance for each patient file (N = 28). A total of 585 1-minute epochs were measured and compared. We assessed intra-class correlation for 2 individual raters for ventilation rates measured with capnography and with annotated bioimpedance to establish inter-user reliability of measurements. Ventilation rate measured with capnography vs. bioimpedance was compared with simple regression. Results: The majority (60%) of ventilation rates measured with capnography and with automated software bioimpedance were within 2 breaths/min of each other. After manual annotation of the bioimpedance channel, 81% of 1-min epochs were within 2 breaths/min of rates measured with capnography. Ventilation rate measured with capnography had good correlation with bioimpedance (r = .82, p < .0001). Inter-rater agreement is estimated to be 0.96 for ventilation rate measured with capnography and 0.93 for rate measured with bioimpedance. Discussion: The software occasionally missed obvious ventilation waveforms and occasionally annotated waveforms obviously caused by chest compressions. Manual review and annotation improved the accuracy of ventilation rates measured with bioimpedance. Approximately 75% to 90% of recordings made with the Philips MRx device are expected to be useful for measurement. Conclusion: Ventilation rate measured with thoracic bioimpedance alone is acceptable using the Philips MRx device. Inter-rater agreement for measurements is excellent.

Ventilation of Wind-Permeable Clothed Cylinder Subject to Periodic Swinging Motion: Modeling and Experimentation

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ghaddar ◽  
K. Ghali ◽  
B. Jreije
Keyword(s):  
Cotton Fabric ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Ventilation Rate ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Motion Modeling ◽  
Tracer Gas ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Air Speed ◽  
Local Thermal Comfort ◽  
Ventilation Rates

Abstract A theoretical and experimental study has been performed to determine the ventilation induced by swinging motion and external wind for a fabric-covered cylinder of finite length representing a limb. The estimated ventilation rates are important in determining local thermal comfort. A model is developed to estimate the external pressure distribution resulting from the relative wind around the swinging clothed cylinder. A mass balance equation of the microclimate air layer is reduced to a pressure equation assuming laminar flow in axial and angular directions and that the air layer is lumped in the radial direction. The ventilation model predicts the total renewal rate during the swinging cycle. A good agreement was found between the predicted ventilation rates at swinging frequencies between 40rpm and 60rpm and measured values from experiments conducted in a controlled environmental chamber (air velocity is less than 0.05m∕s) and in a low speed wind tunnel (for air speed between 2m∕s and 6m∕s) using the tracer gas method to measure the total ventilation rate induced by the swinging motion of a cylinder covered with a cotton fabric for both closed and open aperture cases. A parametric study using the current model is performed on a cotton fabric to study the effect of wind on ventilation rates for a nonmoving clothed limb at wind speeds ranging from 0.5m∕sto8m∕s, the effect of a swinging limb in stagnant air at frequencies up to 80rpm, and the combined effect of wind and swinging motion on the ventilation rate. For a nonmoving limb, ventilation rate increases with external wind. In the absence of wind, the ventilation rate increases with increased swinging frequency.

scholarly journals Using the Systematic Review Methodology To Evaluate Factors That Influence the Persistence of Influenza Virus in Environmental Matrices

2010 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 1049-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Irwin ◽  
K. J. Yoon ◽  
C. Wang ◽  
S. J. Hoff ◽  
J. J. Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Virus Concentration ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Systematic Review Methodology ◽  
Human Influenza Virus

ABSTRACTUnderstanding factors that influence persistence of influenza virus in an environment without host animals is critical to appropriate decision-making for issues such as quarantine downtimes, setback distances, and eradication programs in livestock production systems. This systematic review identifies literature describing persistence of influenza virus in environmental samples, i.e., air, water, soil, feces, and fomites. An electronic search of PubMed, CAB, AGRICOLA, Biosis, and Compendex was performed, and citation relevance was determined according to the aim of the review. Quality assessment of relevant studies was performed using criteria from experts in virology, disease ecology, and environmental science. A total of 9,760 abstracts were evaluated, and 40 appeared to report the persistence of influenza virus in environmental samples. Evaluation of full texts revealed that 19 of the 40 studies were suitable for review, as they described virus concentration measured at multiple sampling times, with viruses detectable at least twice. Seven studies reported persistence in air (six published before 1970), seven in water (five published after 1990), two in feces, and three on surfaces. All three fomite and five air studies addressed human influenza virus, and all water and feces studies pertained to avian influenza virus. Outcome measurements were transformed to half-lives, and resultant multivariate mixed linear regression models identified influenza virus surviving longer in water than in air. Temperature was a significant predictor of persistence over all matrices. Salinity and pH were significant predictors of persistence in water conditions. An assessment of the methodological quality review of the included studies revealed significant gaps in reporting critical aspects of study design.

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