Coronavirus And Air Conditioning

Some experts warn that the coronavirus can be spread through ventilation systems, and that means this summer could require a major rethinking of how often we turn on the air-conditioning.

Central air conditioners take warm air and cool it (and vice versa for heaters); a mechanism that can transmit viral particles from one apartment or office to another via passage of air between units.

For commercial spaces where opening a window is not an option, Chen recommends people wear masks and companies install glass partitions to separate workers in both office and factory settings who shared airspace pre-coronavirus.

The most essential practice around air-conditioning and COVID-19 is to avoid hanging out near air conditioning exhaust, as this is where COVID-19 particles may be trapped.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexand...indows-instead


Coronavirus could be spread by air-conditioning and may be more contagious than previously thought, scientists believe after finding traces of the virus in hospital air-duct

It is standard practice for buildings and cruise ships to use recycled air through air-conditioning systems.


The problem is that these systems can't filter out particles smaller than 5,000 nanometers.


The size of the coronavirus is not yet known, but a similar respiratory illness, Sars, was recorded at just 120 nanometres.

Airlines have already sought to reassure passengers that their air-conditioning systems are fit to prevent the coronavirus spreading in the cabin, with Etihad suggesting their system is as watertight as a hospital operating theatre.

'In any confined area, there is a risk of contracting illnesses from other people,' an airline statement reads.


'However, the risk is considered lower on aircraft because of the use of high efficiency particulate air filters, which are effective in capturing more than 99 per cent of airborne microbes in filtered air.'

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