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Haddrell A, Oswin H, Otero-Fernandez M, Robinson JF, Cogan T, Alexander R, Mann JFS, Hill D, Finn A, Davidson AD, Reid JP. Ambient carbon dioxide concentration correlates with SARS-CoV-2 aerostability and infection risk. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3487. [PMID: 38664424 PMCID: PMC11045827 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
An improved understanding of the underlying physicochemical properties of respiratory aerosol that influence viral infectivity may open new avenues to mitigate the transmission of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that an increase in the pH of respiratory aerosols following generation due to changes in the gas-particle partitioning of pH buffering bicarbonate ions and carbon dioxide is a significant factor in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. We show here that a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 aerostability results from a moderate increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (e.g. 800 ppm), an effect that is more marked than that observed for changes in relative humidity. We model the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission on the ambient concentration of CO2, concluding that even this moderate increase in CO2 concentration results in a significant increase in overall risk. These observations confirm the critical importance of ventilation and maintaining low CO2 concentrations in indoor environments for mitigating disease transmission. Moreover, the correlation of increased CO2 concentration with viral aerostability need to be better understood when considering the consequences of increases in ambient CO2 levels in our atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Haddrell
- School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Henry Oswin
- School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Joshua F Robinson
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tristan Cogan
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, UK
| | - Robert Alexander
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jamie F S Mann
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, UK
| | - Darryl Hill
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Adam Finn
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Andrew D Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Jonathan P Reid
- School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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