Airborne Respiratory Diseases and Mechanical Systems for CONTROL OF MICROBES

diseases in indoor environments remains a problem of indoor air quality (IAQ) with few engineering alternatives and for which performance goals and design parameters are unclear. The engineer who attempts to deal with microbial IAQ finds that pertinent microbiological information exists in abundance but not in easily digestible forms. This article summarizes the relevant literature of medical microbiology and aerobiology in a manner that engineers may find useful and informative and that will facilitate the design of HVAC systems intended to reduce the threat. The general principles presented here can be applied to any indoor environment, including office buildings, schools, residences, hospitals, and isolation wards.