Performance analysis of portable HEPA filters and temporary plastic anterooms on the spread of surrogate coronavirus
Autor: | Ehsan S. Mousavi, Krystal J. Godri Pollitt, Jodi D. Sherman, Richard A. Martinello |
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Rok vydání: | 2020 |
Předmět: |
Environmental Engineering
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Isolation (health care) Geography Planning and Development 0211 other engineering and technologies 02 engineering and technology 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences Article Unit (housing) Hospital Door opening Cabin pressurization HEPA Air purifier Negative pressure room 021108 energy Air quality index 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Civil and Structural Engineering Waste management COVID-19 Building and Construction Coronavirus HEPA filter Air quality Isolation room Environmental science ARS-CoV-2 |
Zdroj: | Building and Environment |
ISSN: | 0360-1323 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107186 |
Popis: | The outbreak of COVID-19, and its current resurgence in the United States has resulted in a shortage of isolation rooms within many U.S. hospitals admitting COVID-19-positive cases. As a result, hospital systems, especially those at an epicenter of this outbreak, have initiated task forces to identify and implement various approaches to increase their isolation capacities. This paper describes an innovative temporary anteroom in addition to a portable air purifier unit to turn a general patient room into an isolation space. Using an aerosolization system with a surrogate oil-based substance, we evaluated the effectiveness of the temporary plastic anteroom and the portable air purifier unit. Moreover, the optimal location of the portable unit, as well as the effect of negative pressurization and door opening on the containment of surrogate aerosols were assessed. Results suggested that the temporary anteroom alone could prevent the migration of nearly 98% of the surrogate aerosols into the adjacent corridor. Also, it was shown that the best location of a single portable air purifier unit is inside the isolation room and near the patient's bed. The outcome of this paper can be widely used by hospital facilities managers when attempting to retrofit a general patient room into an airborne infection isolation room. Highlights • Temporary anteroom and portable HEPA filter were used to make an expedient isolation room. • The anteroom alone prevented nearly 98% of aerosols from migrating to adjacent corridor. • The HEPA filter unit was most effective when placed inside the isolation space next to patient bed. • The combination of anteroom, HEPA filtration, and negative pressure is an effective isolation strategy. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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