Aerosol transmission of human pathogens: From miasmata to modern viral pandemics and their preservation potential in the Anthropocene record

Ongoing uncertainty over the relative importance of aerosol transmission COVID-19 is in part rooted history medical science and our understanding how epidemic diseases can spread through human populations. Ancient Greek theory held that such illnesses are transmitted by airborne pathogenic emanations containing particulate matter (“miasmata”). Notable Roman medieval scholars as Varro, Ibn al-Khatib Fracastoro developed these ideas, combining them with early germ concept contagion. A widely but vaguely defined belief toxic miasmatic mists a dominant causative agent disease propagation was overtaken 19th century microbiology epidemiology, especially study cholera, which proven to be mainly contaminated water. Airborne came viewed burdened dubious historical reputation difficult demonstrate convincingly. breakthrough classic mid-20th work Wells, Riley Mills who proved expiratory aerosols (their “droplet nuclei”) could transport still-infectious tuberculosis bacteria ventilation systems. The topic respiratory assumed new dimension mid-late 20th “Great Acceleration” an increasingly hypermobile population repeatedly infected different strains zoonotic viruses, has taken centre stage this response outbreaks infections include coronaviruses. From geoscience perspective, consequences pandemic-status COVID-19, produced viral pathogens utilising infect currently approaching 8 billion, far-reaching unprecedented. obvious sudden impacts on for example waste plastic production, water air quality atmospheric chemistry accelerating awareness current environmental challenges. As such, “anthropause” lockdown enforced may come seen harbinger change great enough preserved Anthropocene stratal record.