Ventilation, humidity are key to limiting virus spread, says Oregon study

(FEBRUARY 18, 2022) The University of Oregon recently shared the results of important research about the transmission of COVID. Researchers learned that ventilation, filtration, and humidity are very important to limit the spread of the virus.

• • Ventilation is the movement of air in and out of a building.

  • Filtration is the process of using a filter to remove things from air, water, etc.

  • Humidity is the amount of water in the air.

The researchers made a special building where they controlled the air. The building had special equipment to measure the air. Researchers asked 11 students with COVID-19 to enter the building one at a time. They sat, talked, coughed, and walked.

The researchers then measured the virus in the air and on the surfaces. They also measured the amount of virus in the students' nose and mouth. The researchers wanted to learn the importance of three things: ventilation, filtration, and humidity.

The results? Ventilation, filtration, and humidity substantially reduced the number of virus particles in the air inside buildings. The researchers suggest these are important ways to improve health and safety.

Ventilation and filtration removed viral particles from the air and on surfaces. Humidity caused viral particles to drop out of the air and onto surfaces where they are less likely to spread disease. Interestingly, though, ventilation and humidity sometimes work against each other. More ventilation reduces humidity. So building managers must find the right balance.

The researchers learned something else interesting. Social distancing is helpful, but less important. The amount of time in the same room matters more, said the researchers.