The size distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in airborne particles sampled in hospital and home care environments occupied by COVID-19 positive subjects

Abstract

Characterizing the size distribution of airborne particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 virus is essential for understanding and predicting airborne transmission and spreading of COVID-19 disease in hospitals as well as public and home indoor settings. Nonetheless, few data are currently available on virus-laden particle size distribution. Thus, the aim of this study is reporting the total concentrations and size distributions of SARS-CoV-2- genetic material in airborne particles sampled in hospital and home environments. A nanoMOUDI R122 cascade impactor (TSI, USA) was used to collect size-segregated aerosol down to the sub-micron range in home and in three different hospital environments in presence of infected patients in order to provide the concentration of airborne SARS-CoV-2 genetic material for each particle size range at different sampling locations. Providing one of the largest datasets of detailed size-fractionated airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA to date, we found that 45.2 % of the total sub- and super-micrometric fractions were positive for SARS-CoV-2 with its genetic material being present in 17.7 % of sub-micrometric (0.18–1 μm) and 81.9 % of super-micrometric (>1 μm) fractions. The highest concentration of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in total suspended particles (5.6 ± 3.4 RNA copies m−3) was detected in the room occupied with patients with more severe COVID-19 symptoms collected during the patients' high flow nasal oxygen therapy. The highest concentration at certain particle size fraction strongly depends on the sampling environment. However, the contribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was in favour of super-micrometric compared to sub-micrometric particle size range. The evaluation of the individual risk of infection was carried out on the basis of the obtained data considering a hypothetical exposure scenario. The obtained results indicate the necessity of the protective masks in presence of infected subjects, especially while staying for longer period of time in the hospital environments.