Parametric Analysis of the Factors Influencing Airborne Infection

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of the various factors such as airborne pathogen type, space magnitude, ventilation rate and exposure time on the airborne infection risk. The parametric study is performed by airflow network simulation tool, CONTAMW 3.2. In addition, Wells-Riley equation is adopted to calculate airborne infection probability in a controlled volume. The results indicate occupancy time of infector significantly influence the airborne infection probability. In addition, smaller room size also affected to the increased infection risk. Especially, in the case of infector reside in a small room (30 m2) for 4 hours with 6 ACH of ventialtin rate, Tuberculosis infection risk of inpatient around infector increased to 21.0% (Influenza: 90.6%). Even though ventilation rate of 6 ACH looks appropriate in general condition to prevent airborne infection, increased ventilation over 6 ACH must be implemented to these critical environmental conditions involving smaller room size and long occupancy time.