Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center
Abstract Fitness centers are considered high risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to their high human occupancy and the type of activity taking place in them, especially when individuals pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19 exercise in the facilities. In this study, air (N = 21) and surface...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210106 |
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| author | Hongwan Li Sripriya Nannu Shankar Chiran T. Witanachchi John A. Lednicky Julia C. Loeb Md. Mahbubul Alam Z. Hugh Fan Karim Mohamed Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez Chang-Yu Wu |
| author_facet | Hongwan Li Sripriya Nannu Shankar Chiran T. Witanachchi John A. Lednicky Julia C. Loeb Md. Mahbubul Alam Z. Hugh Fan Karim Mohamed Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez Chang-Yu Wu |
| author_sort | Hongwan Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Fitness centers are considered high risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to their high human occupancy and the type of activity taking place in them, especially when individuals pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19 exercise in the facilities. In this study, air (N = 21) and surface (N = 8) samples were collected at a fitness center through five sampling events from August to November 2020 after the reopening restrictions were lifted in Florida. The total attendance was ~2500 patrons during our environmental sampling work. Air samples were collected using stationary and personal bioaerosol samplers. Moistened flocked nylon swabs were used to collect samples from high-touch surfaces. We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR analyses in any air or surface sample. A simplified infection risk model based on the Wells-Riley equation predicts that the probability of infection in this fitness center was 1.77% following its ventilation system upgrades based on CDC guidelines, and that risk was further reduced to 0.89% when patrons used face masks. Our model also predicts that a combination of high ventilation, minimal air recirculation, air filtration, and UV sterilization of recirculated air reduced the infection risk up to 94% compared to poorly ventilated facilities. Amongst these measures, high ventilation with outdoor air is most critical in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. For buildings that cannot avoid air recirculation due to energy costs, the use of high filtration and/or air disinfection devices are alternatives to reducing the probability of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 through inhalation exposure. In contrast to the perceived ranking of high risk, the infection risk in fitness centers that follow CDC reopening guidance, including implementation of engineering and administrative controls, and use of personal protective equipment, can be low, and these facilities can offer a relatively safe venue for patrons to exercise. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df7471d59c3e41feba2f3c738969bae2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-df7471d59c3e41feba2f3c738969bae22025-02-09T12:20:26ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092021-09-01211111410.4209/aaqr.210106Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness CenterHongwan Li0Sripriya Nannu Shankar1Chiran T. Witanachchi2John A. Lednicky3Julia C. Loeb4Md. Mahbubul Alam5Z. Hugh Fan6Karim Mohamed7Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez8Chang-Yu Wu9Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, University of FloridaDepartment of Environmental and Global Health, University of FloridaDepartment of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of FloridaJ. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of FloridaAerosol Dynamics Inc.Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of FloridaAbstract Fitness centers are considered high risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to their high human occupancy and the type of activity taking place in them, especially when individuals pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19 exercise in the facilities. In this study, air (N = 21) and surface (N = 8) samples were collected at a fitness center through five sampling events from August to November 2020 after the reopening restrictions were lifted in Florida. The total attendance was ~2500 patrons during our environmental sampling work. Air samples were collected using stationary and personal bioaerosol samplers. Moistened flocked nylon swabs were used to collect samples from high-touch surfaces. We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR analyses in any air or surface sample. A simplified infection risk model based on the Wells-Riley equation predicts that the probability of infection in this fitness center was 1.77% following its ventilation system upgrades based on CDC guidelines, and that risk was further reduced to 0.89% when patrons used face masks. Our model also predicts that a combination of high ventilation, minimal air recirculation, air filtration, and UV sterilization of recirculated air reduced the infection risk up to 94% compared to poorly ventilated facilities. Amongst these measures, high ventilation with outdoor air is most critical in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. For buildings that cannot avoid air recirculation due to energy costs, the use of high filtration and/or air disinfection devices are alternatives to reducing the probability of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 through inhalation exposure. In contrast to the perceived ranking of high risk, the infection risk in fitness centers that follow CDC reopening guidance, including implementation of engineering and administrative controls, and use of personal protective equipment, can be low, and these facilities can offer a relatively safe venue for patrons to exercise.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210106COVID-19Airborne transmissionInhalation exposureRisk assessmentBiohazard risk |
| spellingShingle | Hongwan Li Sripriya Nannu Shankar Chiran T. Witanachchi John A. Lednicky Julia C. Loeb Md. Mahbubul Alam Z. Hugh Fan Karim Mohamed Arantzazu Eiguren-Fernandez Chang-Yu Wu Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center Aerosol and Air Quality Research COVID-19 Airborne transmission Inhalation exposure Risk assessment Biohazard risk |
| title | Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center |
| title_full | Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center |
| title_fullStr | Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center |
| title_short | Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center |
| title_sort | environmental surveillance and transmission risk assessments for sars cov 2 in a fitness center |
| topic | COVID-19 Airborne transmission Inhalation exposure Risk assessment Biohazard risk |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210106 |
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