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Building Services Engineering l March/April 2020
‘Indoor air not coronavirus-ready’ Public building occupants are being exposed to increased risk from viruses, such as the coronavirus, because the regulations on indoor air quality (IAQ) are falling short of current scientific knowledge, writes Oliver Zimmermann, CEO of Condair Group. Maintaining IAQ at above 40%RH has been scientifically shown to reduce viral cross infection, including coronavirus and influenza. However, out-of-date regulations on the topic result in buildings such as hospitals, offices, schools and other public buildings experiencing dangerously-low humidity levels every winter. Studies, such as Casanova et al 2010 1 have specifically examined humidity’s role in coronavirus transmission. This study showed that coronavirus was deactivated fastest when exposed to a mid-range humidity (50%RH), rather than dry (20%RH) or damp (80%RH) air. There are many other studies, dating from the 1940s to now, that indicate that an indoor humidity of 40-60%RH has a positive impact on cross infection and peoples’ susceptibility to viruses. Alongside Casanova et al 2010, summaries of 25 other such studies are listed on condairgroup.com The building services sector accepts this indoor humidity level as being best practise, with many professional organisations endorsing a midrange humidity for health in their recommendations. However, there are no official regulations that set an acceptable range of indoor humidity for public places. Therefore, building designers, who are driven to reduce energy consumption and costs, do not commonly include humidity control in their plans.
Condair edit.indd 1
The seasonality of viruses, such as coronaviruses and influenza, are further evidence of humidity’s role in their transmission. Indoor air is much drier in the winter months and this corresponds to the rise of infections. Strategies to contain the spread of the virus frequently cite the assumption that infections will probably drop as warmer weather returns, and indoor humidity levels naturally return to a midrange 40-60%RH. It doesn’t need to be this way! A healthy indoor humidity can be maintained during winter if buildings incorporate humidification as part of the ventilation system. This would significantly reduce seasonal flu transmission and save thousands of lives globally every year. Advice on mitigating the risk from coronavirus largely focuses on hand hygiene and avoiding unwell people. However, viral cross infection occurs via the air as well as from physical contact. As the general public are largely helpless to manage this important aspect of infection
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control, government advice ignores this topic. The responsibility to manage IAQ ultimately falls on building owners and operators to safeguard occupant health. This is particularly true with regard to healthcare facilities where people are most vulnerable and at risk to airborne infections, such as coronavirus and influenza. The general public are being failed in this respect with no health authority in the world specifying a minimum humidity level in waiting rooms or wards. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence for indoor humidity of 40/60%RH being an effective infection control mechanism, and the current viral pandemic, regulatory bodies must listen to the science and set acceptable indoor humidity levels for health. Q Reference 1. Effects of Air Temperature and Relative Humidity on Coronavirus Survival on Surfaces. Lisa M. Casanova, Soyoung Jeon, William A. Rutala, David J. Weber, Mark D. Sobsey. Applied and Environmental Microbiology Apr 2010, 76 (9) 2712-2717; DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02291-09/.
Building designers, who are driven to reduce energy consumption and costs, do not commonly include humidity control in their plans.
24/03/2020 16:35
