Daniel, D., Lin, M., Luhung, I., Lui, T., Sadovoy, A., Koh, X., … Tan, C. K. (2021). Effective design of barrier enclosure to contain aerosol emissions from COVID‐19 patients. Indoor Air. doi:10.1111/ina.12828
Abstract:
Facing shortages of personal protective equipment, some clinicians have advocated the use of barrier enclosures (typically mounted over the head, with and without suction) to contain aerosol emissions from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. There is, however, little evidence for its usefulness. To test the effectiveness of such a device, we built a manikin that can expire micron-sized aerosols at flow rates close to physiological conditions. We then placed the manikin inside the enclosure and used a laser sheet to visualize the aerosol leaking out. We show that with sufficient suction, it is possible to effectively contain aerosol from the manikin, reducing aerosol exposure outside the enclosure by 99%. In contrast, a passive barrier without suction only reduces aerosol exposure by 60%.
License type:
Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the A*STAR - A*CRUSE
Grant Reference no. : SC25/20-8R1640
Description:
"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Daniel, D., Lin, M., Luhung, I., Lui, T., Sadovoy, A., Koh, X., … Tan, C. K. (2021). Effective design of barrier enclosure to contain aerosol emissions from COVID‐19 patients. Indoor Air. ], which has been published in final form at [doi:10.1111/ina.12828]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."