Experimental characterization of speech aerosol dispersion dynamics.
Sci Rep
; 11(1): 3953, 2021 02 17.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1087496
ABSTRACT
Contact and inhalation of virions-carrying human aerosols represent the primary transmission pathway for airborne diseases including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Relative to sneezing and coughing, non-symptomatic aerosol-producing activities such as speaking are highly understudied. The dispersions of aerosols from vocalization by a human subject are hereby quantified using high-speed particle image velocimetry. Syllables of different aerosol production rates were tested and compared to coughing. Results indicate aerosol productions and penetrations are not correlated. E.g. 'ti' and 'ma' have similar production rates but only 'ti' penetrated as far as coughs. All cases exhibited a rapidly penetrating "jet phase" followed by a slow "puff phase." Immediate dilution of aerosols was prevented by vortex ring flow structures that concentrated particles toward the plume-front. A high-fidelity assessment of risks to exposure must account for aerosol production rate, penetration, plume direction and the prevailing air current.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Speech
/
Aerosols
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Sci Rep
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S41598-021-83298-7
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