Is ventilation in grocery stores adequate to minimize the risk for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2?

Evaluating airflow dynamics in common vertical circulation spaces of a multi-floor apartment building for mitigating airborne infection risks: A CFD modeling study

As more people increasingly inhabit indoor spaces, the importance of interior environment design has grown significantly. The focus of this research is to assess the air flow and air change per hour (ACH) within common service vertical circulation spaces in apartment buildings, emphasizing the potential role of these spaces in mitigating airborne infections. The intricate relationships between the design parameters of these spaces and variables related to air circulation are examined. To achieve this goal, the investigation employed a simulation-based approach, utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to scrutinize the prevalent design of common vertical circulation spaces. The simulation outcomes unequivocally reveal that the design of these spaces has a direct impact on air circulation patterns, often influencing suboptimal conditions. Armed with these insights, this research advocates for a reevaluation of design considerations of common service vertical circulation in forthcoming housing projects. Furthermore, this research proposes innovative design solutions and strategies aimed at enhancing natural ventilation and overall air flow within common service vertical circulation spaces while evaluating their performance.

High technology and low technology measures to reduce risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a variety of low technology and high technology measures have been proposed to reduce the risk for transmission. Identifying those measures likely to be useful in reducing viral transmission without undue expense or potential for adverse effects has been a challenge for infection control programs. The challenge has been compounded by the lack of tools that can be used to assess the risk for viral transmission in different settings. This review discusses practical tools that can be used to assess ventilation and airflow and evaluates some of the low technology and high technology measures that have been proposed as control measures for COVID-19. Some typical questions posed to infection control programs during the pandemic are presented to illustrate real-world application of the concepts being discussed.