3
Airborne Risk
Aerosolized Virus Transmission
Though we are mainly concerned with mitigation strategies for SARS-COV-2 there are additional
risks that were a part of our everyday lives well before the global pandemic. These risks, though
unseen, pose a significant health threat both pre- and post-COVID-19.
There are many ways that a virus is transmitted,
but airborne aerosolized droplets are the
primary form of spread. When these micro-
sized droplets are released, they remain
suspended in the air for several hours (or
longer). Even worse, they are recirculated
through a building's ventilation via the return
and supply vents.
Unfortunately, these tiny droplets wreak havoc
on our bodies—particularly our respiratory
systems—as they are inhaled deep into our
lungs. Our bodies are incapable of filtering
these tiny particles out, leading to lower
respiratory tract infections and increasing the
severity of the disease.
However, because these droplets are so
small, there has to be a fairly high "viral load,"
or concentration, of droplets for transmission
to occur. This will affect every individual
differently, which means that we can never
truly know what a safe environment is.
Therefore, the best course of action is to put
proper air treatment solutions in place to
ensure cleaner, safer air for everyone.
