Experts isolated the SARS-Cavi-2 in the first aerosols back in March, but the scientific world is still evaluating the extent to which the virus spreads in the air. In the meantime, it is important to understand some of the differences between respiratory drops and aerosols.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define droplet transmission because “when drops containing infectious agents are run a short distance from the air (e.g., by coughing, sneezing or talking) and accumulate in the eyes, nose or mouth of a sensitive person. “Airborne transmission, meanwhile,” is described as the proliferation of airborne triplet nuclei. [5 micrometers or smaller] Drops of evaporation containing microorganisms that remain suspended in the air for a long time) or dust particles containing infectious agents. “
The CDC further states that these tiny particles are widely dispersed by airflow and are inhaled by sensitive hosts in the same room or over long distances from the source patient, depending on environmental factors. “
Dr. Donald, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Maryland. Donald K. Milton gives further details. Milton tells Yahoo Life, “Aerosols are dots that are suspended in the air and float on air currents for many seconds to many minutes and more.”[Respiratory] Will land on you and have little chance of hitting a sensitive target like your eye. If aerosols float in your breathing area they can be inhaled. “
While scientists agree that COVID-19 is aerated, groups such as the CDC and the World Health Organization have been slow to outline specific guidelines for reducing risk. On September 21, the CDC added an update to its COVID-19 page, noting that the virus was spread by aerosols, but soon removed it, the organization wrote, “updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission.” The page notes that after the process is complete, a new language will be posted.
The WHO, which has not even posted a specific guideline, details the differences between the two in a March 29 scientific brief. In it, droplets are transmitted when a person is in close contact (within 1 m / 3 feet). With which there are respiratory symptoms (e.g. coughing or sneezing) and therefore exposure to potential respiratory tract infections (mouth and nose) or risk of conjunctivitis (eyes). “
In contrast, he noted that airborne transmission “drops” refers to the presence of microbes within the nucleus, which are commonly considered particles. [less than 5 micrometers] In diameter, can stay in the air longer and can be transmitted to others at a distance of more than 1 meter. Briefly in July, the WHO noted that the organization, “in collaboration with the scientific community”, also actively discussed and evaluated whether the Saras-CoV-2 was also spread by aerosols, especially in the absence of aerosol generating procedures. Has been. Settings with poor ventilation. “Er Rosol producing processes are those that produce more aerosols than are traditionally released by things like talking.
Differences in the way aerosols and respiratory drops are spread require different prevention strategies. Shelley Miller, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, highlights the importance of air flow. “The main difference is that in order to reduce the risk from aerosol inhalation you need to increase the outside air ventilation rate in addition to a mask and the process of reducing time outside the social distance and indoors in addition to all other protocols.”
He urges individuals to be aware of other factors as well: “You should not spend too much time in a place where you share air with asymmetry and many other people who may be infected, wearing a mask indoors, to see if the windows are open. . Be adequate ventilation (not warm or stuffy), make sure the business is minimal and there is a social distance within each home. “
Milton agrees. “Keeping a mask and physical distance are the first lines of defense,” he says. “Someone is far away, their exhaled breath will enter your breathing area and they are less likely to breathe. For greater protection against er rosols away from people, ventilation is important to remove infectious particles in the air. Ventilation prevents these particles / drops from rising to dangerous levels inside the building. “
