Abstract
Since the first outbreaks of COVID-19, research has focused on how to minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission indoors. SARS-CoV-2 has three identified transmission routes: (1) direct transmission of virus-carrying droplets between people in close proximity, by coughing, sneezing or talking; (2) indirect transmission via deposited, or transmitted, infectious droplets via surfaces; (3) airborne transmission through virus-carrying, small, airborne droplets, also called aerosols, emanating from infected individuals. To reduce direct transmission from large infectious droplets, physical distancing of individuals is promoted, and for indirect transmissions, the cleaning of surfaces, washing of hands and sneezing/coughing in the elbow are advocated. For people who need or tend to come close to (possibly) infected persons, personal protective equipment is used, including facemasks and gloves. For airborne transmission, the use of ‘proper’ ventilation measures has been recommended to decrease the risk. In this chapter, the background of airborne transmission research is outlined and measures to reduce transmission are discussed. It is concluded that to provide pathogen safe, and comfortable, buildings in the future, we are in urgent need of both a better understanding of how pathogens spread within buildings, and reliable and resilient new ways of ventilating indoor spaces that are flexible, affordable, efficient and effective.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Routledge Handbook of Resilient Thermal Comfort |
| Editors | Fergus Nicol, Hom Bahadur Rija, Susan Roaf |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Publisher | Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group |
| Chapter | 32 |
| Pages | 531-550 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781003244929 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-careOtherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.