Informing Building Strategies to Reduce Infectious Aerosol Transmission Risk by Integrating DNA Aerosol Tracers with Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment

Using aerosol-based tracers to estimate risk of infectious aerosol transmission aids in the design of buildings with adequate protection against aerosol transmissible pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. We propose a method for scaling a SARS-CoV-2 bulk aerosol quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model for impulse emissions, coughing or sneezing, with aerosolized synthetic DNA tracer concentration measurements. With point-of-emission ratios describing relationships between tracer and respiratory aerosol emission characteristics (i.e., volume and RNA or DNA concentrations) and accounting for aerosolized pathogen loss of infectivity over time, we scale the inhaled pathogen dose and risk of infection with time-integrated tracer concentrations measured with a filter sampler. This tracer-scaled QMRA model is evaluated through scenario testing, comparing the impact of ventilation, occupancy, masking, and layering interventions on infection risk. We apply the tracer-scaled QMRA model to measurement data from an ambulatory care room to estimate the risk reduction resulting from HEPA air cleaner operation. Using DNA tracer measurements to scale a bulk aerosol QMRA model is a relatively simple method of estimating risk in buildings and can be applied to understand the impact of risk mitigation efforts.

Automated summary

Using aerosol-based tracers, a method is proposed to scale a SARS-CoV-2 bulk aerosol quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model, allowing estimation of risk of infectious aerosol transmission and evaluating the impact of risk mitigation efforts. By measuring aerosolized synthetic DNA tracer concentrations and accounting for pathogen infectivity loss over time, the inhaled pathogen dose and risk of infection can be scaled with time-integrated tracer concentrations. Scenario testing is conducted to assess the effectiveness of ventilation, occupancy, masking, and layering interventions on infection risk.