The role of air conditioning in the diffusion of Sars-CoV-2 in indoor environments: A first computational fluid dynamic model, based on investigations performed at the Vatican State Children's hospital

Abstract

Background About 15 million people worldwide were affected by the Sars-Cov-2 infection, which already caused 600,000 deaths. This virus is mainly transmitted through exhalations from the airways of infected persons, so that Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems might play a role in increasing or reducing the spreading of the infection in indoor environments. Methods We modelled the role of HVAC systems in the diffusion of the contagion through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of cough at the “Bambino Gesù” Vatican State Children’s Hospital. Both waiting and hospital rooms were modeled as indoor scenarios. A specific Infection-Index (η) parameter was used to estimate the amount of contaminated air inhaled by each person present in the simulated indoor scenarios. The potential role of exhaust air ventilation systems placed above the coughing patient’s mouth was also assessed. Results Our CFD-based simulations of the waiting room show that HVAC air-flow remarkably enhances infected droplets diffusion in the whole indoor environment within 25 seconds from the cough event, despite the observed dilution of saliva particles containing the virus. At the same time also their number is reduced due to removal through the HVAC system or deposition on the surfaces. The proper use of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems (LEV) simulated in the hospital room was associated to a complete reduction of infected droplets spreading from the patient’s mouth in the first 0.5 seconds following the cough event. In the hospital room, the use of LEV system completely reduced the η index computed for the patient hospitalized at the bed next to the spreader, with a decreased possibility of contagion. Conclusions CFD-based simulations for indoor environment can be useful to optimize air conditioning flow and to predict the contagion risk both in hospitals/ambulatories and in other public/private settings.

Methodology for risk assessment of COVID-19 pandemic propagation

“…In addition to social distancing against direct droplet transmission and periodic surface cleaning against indirect droplet transmission, the airborne transmission has to be limited to effectively face the spread of COVID-19. There are strong evidences that demonstrate the association between ventilation, air recirculation in buildings and the transmission/spread of infectious diseases ( Aliabadi et al, 2010 ; Borro et al, 2020 ; Dhakar, 2019 ; King et al, 2015 ; La and Zhang, 2019 ; Thatiparti et al, 2017 ; Zhao et al, 2005 ). Given the high number of droplet nuclei expelled through a sneeze, the design of the best and safest configuration and the position of the ventilation/aspiration is of crucial importance.…”

“…Several authors proposed CFD simulation of bioaerosol dispersion in indoor scenarios studying the effect of ventilation, sources position and air recirculation on far-field dispersion (distance above 1–2 m) ( Aliabadi et al, 2010 ; Borro et al, 2020 ; Dhakar, 2019 ; King et al, 2015 ; La and Zhang, 2019 ; Thatiparti et al, 2017 ; Zhao et al, 2005 ).…”

Risk analysis of different transport vehicles in India during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Energy intensive recirculation units in personal cars could also be replaced with inexpensive solar car air purifiers that are available at < $50. The usage of localized exhaust ventilation can also be an efficient strategy to remove SARS-COV-2 aerosol droplets from indoor environments ( 38 ). Another solution to the problem is the use of mass transit systems with centralized ventilation system, which may be a preferred mode of transport than personal vehicles ( Figure 3 ).…”

Diffusion modeling of COVID-19 under lockdown

“…Also, Borro et al proposed a computational fluid dynamic model. 24 These authors evaluated the impact of ventilation and air conditioning systems on increasing or reducing the spreading of the infection in indoor environments. 24 …”