Sources of Aerosol Dispersion During Singing and Potential Safety Procedures for Singers

Westphalen, Caroline; Kniesburges, Stefan; Veltrup, Reinhard; Gantner, Sophia; Peters, Gregor; Benthaus, Tobias; Jakubaß, Bernhard; Köberlein, Marie; Döllinger, Michael; Echternach, Matthias

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.03.013

Cited by 10 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Similar to previous experiments 14, [19][20][21][22][23] , the video footage was converted into negative black and white. The subjects were asked to wear black clothes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They were asked to avoid any motion after finishing the tasks. As in previous experiments 14, [19][20][21][22][23] , the measurements were conducted in a Bavarian Television Broadcasting Studio with the dimensions of 27 m x 22 m x 9 m. Three synchronized high-definition television cameras (Sony, Tokio, Japan, resolution 1920 × 1080 pixels, 25 fps) recorded the tasks from a side view (C1), a front view (C2) and a top view (C3). The studio was aerated before and after each task with opposed doors open for a minimum of 2 minutes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impulse dispersion of aerosols during playing the recorder and evaluation of safety measures

Köberlein

Hermann

Gantner

et al. 2022

Preprint

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IntroductionGroup musical activities using wind instruments have been restricted during the CoVID19 pandemic due to suspected higher risk of virus transmission. It was presumed that the aerosols exhaled through the tubes while playing would be ejected over larger distances and spread into the room due to jet stream effects. In particular, the soprano recorder is widely used as instrument in school classes and for beginners of all age groups in their musical education, as well as in contexts of leisure activities and in professional concert performances.Understanding the aerosol impulse dispersion characteristics of playing the soprano recorder could assist with the establishment of concepts for safe music-making.MethodsFive adult professionally trained soprano recorder players (4 female, 1 male) played four bars of the main theme of L. van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” in low and in high octaves, as well as with 3 different potential protection devices in the high octave. For comparison they spoke the corresponding text by F. Schiller. Before each task, they inhaled .5 L of vapor from an e-cigarette filled with base liquid. The vapor cloud escaping during speaking or playing was recorded by cameras and its spread was measured as a function of time in the three spatial dimensions. The potential safety devices were rated in practicability with a questionnaire, and their influence on the sound was compared, generating a long-term average spectrum from the audio data.ResultsWhen playing in the high octave, at the end of the task the clouds showed a median distance of 1.06 m to the front and .57 m diameter laterally (maxima: x: 1.35 m and y: .97 m). It was found that the clouds’ expansion values in playing the recorder with and without safety measures are mostly lower when compared to the ordinary, raised speaking voice of the same subjects.The safety devices which covered the instrument did not show clear advantages and were rated as unpractical by the subjects. The most effective reduction of the cloud was reached when playing into a suction funnel.ConclusionThe aerosol dispersion characteristics of soprano recorders seem comparable to clarinets. The tested safety devices which covered holes of the instrument did not show clear benefits.

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“…Similar to previous experiments 14, [19][20][21][22][23] , the video footage was converted into negative black and white. The subjects were asked to wear black clothes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impulse dispersion of aerosols during playing the recorder and evaluation of safety measures

Köberlein

Hermann

Gantner

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…8 , 32 , 33 To not trigger convectional flows, the subjects were standing still on the same marked point on the stage during inhalation and exhalation. Similar to previous studies, 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 18 , 34 the study was conducted in a Bavarian Television Broadcasting Studio with the dimensions of 27 m x 22 m x 9 m. Three synchronized high-definition Sony television cameras (Sony, Tokyo, Japan, resolution 1920 × 1080 pixels, 25fps) recorded the tasks from a side view (C1), a front view (C2), and a top view (C3). Before and after all tasks and each subject the hall was aerated via opposing doors opened for a minimum of 2 minutes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The analysis was performed similarly to previous investigations, 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 18 , 35 where the video footage was edited and set into a coordinate system to measure the aerosol cloud's expansion over time. The video editing included converting the footage into negative black and white, and objects that could have led to segmentation errors were masked.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a consequence, safety concepts, such as distancing, singers’ masks, room aeration systems, plexiglass walls, etc have been invented and evaluated, in order to assess and reduce the transmission risks as much as possible and to make musical gatherings, ie, lessons, rehearsals, and performances, possible and safe. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Water Resistance Therapy on the Impulse Dispersion of Aerosols During Sustained Phonation

Köberlein¹,

Hermann²,

Gantner³

et al. 2022

Journal of Voice

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SARS-CoV-2 infections in professional orchestra and choir musicians—a prospective cohort study

et al. 2022

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, rehearsal and concert activities of professional orchestras and choirs were severely restricted based on the assumption of particularly high infection risks associated with wind instruments and singing. Therefore, our primary objective was to determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in orchestra and choir musicians compared to controls. We also assessed influenza, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, and course of illness. Musicians from professional orchestras and choirs and controls from 23 institutions throughout Germany were included in a prospective cohort study. Data were collected from October 2020 to June 2021 by weekly online surveys. A mixed-effects cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the effect of exposure by professional activity on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 1,097 participants (46.7 years (SD 10.3); 46.8% female; 705 orchestra, 154 choir, and 238 control subjects) 40 SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred. Cases per person-years were 0.06 in orchestras, 0.11 in choirs, and 0.03 in controls. Hazard ratios compared to controls were 1.74 (95% CI 0.58 to 5.25, p = 0.320) for orchestra musicians and 2.97 (0.87 to 10.28, p = 0.087) for choir singers. Infection source was suspected predominantly in private contexts. Disease courses were mild to moderate. Other respiratory infections were reported in 6.1% of study weeks in orchestras, 10.1% in choirs, and 8.0% in controls. Sick leave days of total study days were 0.5, 2.1 and 1.3%, respectively. This epidemiologic study during the pandemic in professional musicians indicates no increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections in orchestra musicians and a trend towards increased risk in choir singers compared to controls. However, the exact routes of infection could not be validated. If appropriate hygiene concepts are adhered to, safe orchestra and choir activity appears possible in pandemic times.

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Sources of Aerosol Dispersion During Singing and Potential Safety Procedures for Singers

Cited by 10 publications

References 21 publications

Impulse dispersion of aerosols during playing the recorder and evaluation of safety measures

Impulse dispersion of aerosols during playing the recorder and evaluation of safety measures

The Effect of Water Resistance Therapy on the Impulse Dispersion of Aerosols During Sustained Phonation

SARS-CoV-2 infections in professional orchestra and choir musicians—a prospective cohort study

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