Airborne infection probability in relation of room air distribution: an experimental investigation

The objective of this study was to investigate the importance room air distribution in airborne cross-infection. Tracer gas measurements were performed a field lab arranged as an office with two breathing thermal manikins. ventilated mixing operating at constant supply airflow rate 60 L/s (4 ACH) under different discharge scenarios: 2-way, 3-way and 4-way. Room temperature kept 22.0±0.2°C. Respiratory-generated pathogens simulated by N 2 O dosed into exhaled manikin acting like infected person. concentration measured inhaled second (simulating susceptible person), exhaust occupied zone. Measured values used calculate infection probability modified Wells-Riley method. zone depended on scenario. highest 2.9-3.9% obtained exposed all experimental cases. results reveal that is major for Therefore, during ventilation design operation, should be carefully considered practice. Infection calculated using original method underestimated compared through measurements.