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The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is transmitted by airborne droplets, so the main carrier of pathogens contained in saliva or nasal secretions is air. Does this mean air conditioning may be conducive to the spread of coronaviruses in the air? Or maybe better air circulation reduces the risk of infection? It is good to know when the heat does not let go.
The answer to the question about the possibility spreading the coronavirus through air conditioning is not unequivocal. People staying in closed rooms – especially during quarantine – should ensure good ventilation. It is recommended to open windows and air the apartment on the occasion of various infections, not only COVID-19 disease. This is because the droplets that come out of the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing stay longer in the still air. They fall faster on the surrounding surfaces with adequate air circulation.
The above dependence may indicate the beneficial effects of air conditioning in the face of the threat of coronavirus. However, as US News reports, a lot depends on the type of air conditioning. One professor at Purdue University in the US, Qingyan Chen, noted that some systems mix the outside air with that in the room to conserve energy. This type of air conditioning is blamed for the spread of the coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Such systems are not able to filter out very small particles, including coronaviruses.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
According to the reports of Gazeta Krakowska, air conditioning using a closed or semi-closed circuit does not seem to be an ideal solution in the face of the coronavirus epidemic. We can find them in some buildings, as well as on board some planes and coaches. Air conditioning that is not connected to other rooms is safer, forcing air inside and then expelling it outside the room.
A few days ago, a question appeared on the WHO Facebook profile «Can I use air conditioning during the COVID-19 pandemic«? What was the answer?
A well-maintained and operated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system can reduce indoor spread of COVID-19 by increasing outdoor air exchange. However, air recirculation, i.e. circulation in a closed circuit, should be avoided.
Another point is possibility of coronavirus transmission for longer distances due to air conditioning. Under normal conditions, the safe distance from an infected person is already 1-1,5 meters. The situation changes slightly in a room with air conditioning, which forces the air to move. An example may be the reports of a Chinese patient suffering from COVID-19, who infected his fellow passengers on a bus with air conditioning. People who were sitting up to 4,5 meters from the infected person were infected with the infection.
Air conditioning dries the air
The effect of air conditioning on the respiratory system is a separate issue. Air in air-conditioned rooms it becomes dry. When we inhale it for a long time, it leads to the drying out of the mucous membranes that line our airways. Dry mucosa becomes more prone to irritation and infections. It may also facilitate the entry into the body of the coronavirus, which is transmitted by droplets.
CheckCoronavirus pandemic best practices – drinking water and humidifying indoor air
The increased incidence of infections of the upper respiratory tract is observed in people working with the air conditioning on. Office workers staring at monitors for hours may experience dry eye mucosa more acutely in such circumstances. Humidifiers are used to reduce dryness of air in air-conditioned rooms. The way to moisturize the mucous membranes is to keep the body properly hydrated.
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