SCANVAC: A petition for measures against airborne transmission of infectious diseases
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound global consequences. Borders and workplaces have closed, and entire nations have imposed lockdown to slow the rate of transmission. The physical distance between people and handwashing has been prescribed as the primary method to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the population, recognizing that the main route of transmission is through droplets.
Yet, the scientific evidence to date does not rule out that the transmission can also take place through virus-laden aerosol suspended in air and moving within the air currents, especially in the built environment. This route is called an airborne transmission and has been documented for the outbreak of SARS, influenza, measles, etc. Its likelihood has been underpinned by the newest research of aerosol scientists and by modeling, but not fully acknowledged for the spread of COVID-19. Ignoring this route of transmission would be irresponsible because several practical solutions for reducing the spread may be overlooked, among others, the role of ventilation.
We, a group of Nordic scientists gathered together under auspices of SCANVAC call for recognition of airborne transmission of COVID-19 and implementation of adequate measures to prevent it. We appeal additionally for strong support by research funding agencies and industry to develop effective technical and non-technical solutions allowing sufficient protection against airborne transmission and the preparedness of buildings, other built environments, transportation means, and the society against the future epidemic.
REHVA has recently recognized the airborne spread of COVID-19. In their COVID-19 Guidance, they recommend that numerous actions should be undertaken concerning the ventilation of buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including, among others, adequate ventilation of indoor spaces with outdoor air and avoidance of recirculation. Also ASHRAE stated that airborne transmission is sufficiently likely and requires changes to the operation of ventilation systems.
We advocate to follow this guidance in all spaces with human occupancy, such as supermarkets, malls, schools, kindergartens, day-care centers, and public offices, and to apply more stringent precautions in healthcare facilities that are not covered by this guidance. Also, to achieve high ventilation efficiency, we recommend that the air distribution should be carefully designed so that pathogens are effectively removed, and the risk of cross-contamination is kept at a minimum. We also advise reducing the density of occupation in buildings. These all actions should, of course, be taken in addition to the general guidance from WHO.
The proposed actions are safety precautions that are adopted and advised to deal with the current pandemic considering the current capacity of ventilation systems and the ventilation solutions installed in buildings. More far-reaching actions are required to ensure further reduction of the spread of COVID-19 and any other viral diseases. Future buildings will need considerably improved ventilation systems to tackle cross-contamination, air distribution, and outdoor air ventilation capacity aspects. Further development and implementation of air distribution systems and ventilation solutions designed primarily to efficiently reduce the risk of airborne cross-infection in buildings, especially healthcare facilities and public buildings, as well as public transportation, are therefore strongly recommended.
In preparation for the potential next disease outbreak, we consequently call for the revision of building codes, standards, guidelines, and operational procedures to better address the preparedness for future epidemic and protection of individuals against the transmission of infectious pathogens in our societies. These revisions will additionally bring benefits for population health. To achieve these changes will require the involvement of governments, support from the industry, the modification of current practices, and considerable investment in research. Without this significant change, we will not be able to confront future outbreaks efficiently and relax the very rigorous restrictions imposed on society.
In summary, we propose that:
Petition signees, listed by country and organization
Denmark
Prof. Pawel Wargocki
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Arsen Krikor Melikov
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Mariya Bivolarova
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Emeritus Peter V. Nielsen
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Per Kvols Heiselberg
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Alireza Afshari
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Assoc. Prof. Chen Zhang
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Norway
Prof. Peter G. Schild
Dept. of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology
Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Guangyu Cao
Dept. of Energy and Process Engineering
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Hans Martin Mathisen
Dept. of Energy and Process Engineering
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Sweden
Prof. Ivo Martinac
Dept. of Civil And Architectural Engineering
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
Adj. Prof. Lars Ekberg
Dept. of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Chalmers University of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
Assoc. Prof. Dennis Johansson
Dept. of Building and Environmental Technology
Lund University
E-mail: [email protected]
Finland
Prof. Emeritus Olli Seppanen
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Aalto University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Risto Kosonen
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Aalto University
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Panu Mustakallio
Halton Oy,
Kausala, Finland
E-mail: [email protected]
Hannu Koskela
Dept. Construction Industry
Turku University of Applied Science
E-mail: [email protected]
Pertti Pasanen
Dept. of Environmental Sciences
The University of Eastern Finland, director, Finland
E-mail: [email protected]
Estonia
Prof. Jarek Kurnitski
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Tallinn University of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
(Also an adjunct professor at Aalto University, Finland)
Yet, the scientific evidence to date does not rule out that the transmission can also take place through virus-laden aerosol suspended in air and moving within the air currents, especially in the built environment. This route is called an airborne transmission and has been documented for the outbreak of SARS, influenza, measles, etc. Its likelihood has been underpinned by the newest research of aerosol scientists and by modeling, but not fully acknowledged for the spread of COVID-19. Ignoring this route of transmission would be irresponsible because several practical solutions for reducing the spread may be overlooked, among others, the role of ventilation.
We, a group of Nordic scientists gathered together under auspices of SCANVAC call for recognition of airborne transmission of COVID-19 and implementation of adequate measures to prevent it. We appeal additionally for strong support by research funding agencies and industry to develop effective technical and non-technical solutions allowing sufficient protection against airborne transmission and the preparedness of buildings, other built environments, transportation means, and the society against the future epidemic.
REHVA has recently recognized the airborne spread of COVID-19. In their COVID-19 Guidance, they recommend that numerous actions should be undertaken concerning the ventilation of buildings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including, among others, adequate ventilation of indoor spaces with outdoor air and avoidance of recirculation. Also ASHRAE stated that airborne transmission is sufficiently likely and requires changes to the operation of ventilation systems.
We advocate to follow this guidance in all spaces with human occupancy, such as supermarkets, malls, schools, kindergartens, day-care centers, and public offices, and to apply more stringent precautions in healthcare facilities that are not covered by this guidance. Also, to achieve high ventilation efficiency, we recommend that the air distribution should be carefully designed so that pathogens are effectively removed, and the risk of cross-contamination is kept at a minimum. We also advise reducing the density of occupation in buildings. These all actions should, of course, be taken in addition to the general guidance from WHO.
The proposed actions are safety precautions that are adopted and advised to deal with the current pandemic considering the current capacity of ventilation systems and the ventilation solutions installed in buildings. More far-reaching actions are required to ensure further reduction of the spread of COVID-19 and any other viral diseases. Future buildings will need considerably improved ventilation systems to tackle cross-contamination, air distribution, and outdoor air ventilation capacity aspects. Further development and implementation of air distribution systems and ventilation solutions designed primarily to efficiently reduce the risk of airborne cross-infection in buildings, especially healthcare facilities and public buildings, as well as public transportation, are therefore strongly recommended.
In preparation for the potential next disease outbreak, we consequently call for the revision of building codes, standards, guidelines, and operational procedures to better address the preparedness for future epidemic and protection of individuals against the transmission of infectious pathogens in our societies. These revisions will additionally bring benefits for population health. To achieve these changes will require the involvement of governments, support from the industry, the modification of current practices, and considerable investment in research. Without this significant change, we will not be able to confront future outbreaks efficiently and relax the very rigorous restrictions imposed on society.
In summary, we propose that:
- Airborne transmission of infectious diseases through virus-laden micro-droplets should be recognized as a valid route of transmission in occupied spaces (buildings and transportation).
- The measures given in the REHVA COVID-19 Guidance should be immediately applied to reduce the infection risks related to the present pandemic.
- Research funding agencies and industry should invest in developing practical technical solutions protecting against the airborne transmission of infectious diseases in indoor environments, buildings, and transportation means.Building codes, standards, and guidelines should be revised and updated to improve preparedness for future epidemics.
- The proposed actions will provide concurrent benefits for reducing the risk of airborne transmitted viral diseases and general health in times between epidemics.
Petition signees, listed by country and organization
Denmark
Prof. Pawel Wargocki
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Arsen Krikor Melikov
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Mariya Bivolarova
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Emeritus Peter V. Nielsen
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Per Kvols Heiselberg
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Alireza Afshari
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Assoc. Prof. Chen Zhang
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Aalborg University
E-mail: [email protected]
Norway
Prof. Peter G. Schild
Dept. of Civil Engineering and Energy Technology
Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Guangyu Cao
Dept. of Energy and Process Engineering
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Hans Martin Mathisen
Dept. of Energy and Process Engineering
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
E-mail: [email protected]
Sweden
Prof. Ivo Martinac
Dept. of Civil And Architectural Engineering
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
Adj. Prof. Lars Ekberg
Dept. of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Chalmers University of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
Assoc. Prof. Dennis Johansson
Dept. of Building and Environmental Technology
Lund University
E-mail: [email protected]
Finland
Prof. Emeritus Olli Seppanen
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Aalto University
E-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Risto Kosonen
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Aalto University
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Panu Mustakallio
Halton Oy,
Kausala, Finland
E-mail: [email protected]
Hannu Koskela
Dept. Construction Industry
Turku University of Applied Science
E-mail: [email protected]
Pertti Pasanen
Dept. of Environmental Sciences
The University of Eastern Finland, director, Finland
E-mail: [email protected]
Estonia
Prof. Jarek Kurnitski
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Tallinn University of Technology
E-mail: [email protected]
(Also an adjunct professor at Aalto University, Finland)