Top 5 Ventilation Interventions to Reduce Viral Spread in Your Facility

This week the CDC updated its outlook on the transmission of COVID-19 and recommended a layered approach to reduce exposures to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, within facilities. This approach includes using multiple mitigation strategies, including improvements to building ventilation, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, redesigning workspaces and common area spaces to allow for physical distancing, advocating the wearing face of masks and hand hygiene, and encouraging employees to get their vaccination.

Since SARS-CoV-2 viral particles spread between people more readily indoors, the CDC has determined that air quality and ventilation are now characterized as more important than surface disinfection, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially within commercial facilities.

For COVID-19 to infect someone, a certain number of particles need to enter the body. When the concentration of virus particles is lowered, it is less likely viral particles can be inhaled into the lungs (potentially lowering the inhaled dose); contact eyes, nose, and mouth; or fall out of the air to accumulate on surfaces. When you incorporate protective ventilation practices and interventions, it can reduce the airborne concentrations and reduce the overall viral dose in the air, helping to keep your occupants safer and healthier.