Airflow and Air Velocity Measurements While Playing Wind Instruments, with Respect to Risk Assessment of a SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Claudia Spahn,Markus Stratmann,Anna Maria Hipp,Marcus Rudolf Axt,Bernhard Richter,Christian Schmölder,Bernd Schubert

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105413

Abstract

Due to airborne transmission of the coronavirus, the question arose as to how high the risk of spreading infectious particles can be while playing a wind instrument. To examine this question and to help clarify the possible risk, we analyzed 14 wind instruments, first qualitatively by making airflows visible while playing, and second quantitatively by measuring air velocity at three distances (1, 1.5, 2 m) in the direction of the instruments’ bells. Measurements took place with wind instrumentalists of the Bamberg Symphony in their concert hall. Our findings highlight that while playing, no airflows escaping from any of the wind instruments—from the bell with brass instruments or from the mouthpiece, keyholes or bell with woodwinds—were measurable beyond a distance of 1.5 m, regardless of volume, pitch or what was played. With that, air velocity while playing corresponded to the usual value of 1 m/s in hall-like rooms. For air-jet woodwinds, alto flute and piccolo, significant air movements were seen close to the mouthpiece, which escaped directly into the room.

Highlights

The coronavirus pandemic has had and continues to have a grave impact on music making, especially concerning the playing of wind instruments and singing
To airflows that escaped at the bell of the brass instruments, further air movements were seen while deflating the instrument, which concerned mainly the trumpet and trombone
While the trumpet and trombone players were playing an excerpt of a music piece, only very small air movements were made visible, which mixed with the surrounding room air velocity quickly

Summary

Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic has had and continues to have a grave impact on music making, especially concerning the playing of wind instruments and singing. Airborne transmission plays an important role in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus [1]. Forms of musical sound generation that involve breathing are suspected of being risky. In this regard, it is important to learn more about airflow and air velocity produced by playing wind instruments and singing that could contain infectious droplets or aerosols and spread them in indoor situations. It is necessary to first understand the basics of air dispersion in individual musicians in order to adapt risk assessments during playing. Research to date has looked into air dispersion while playing wind instruments or singing using different methods of measuring

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