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Research Article
Particulate matter (PM2.5) as a potential SARS-CoV-2 carrier
Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
Nazlina Ibrahim
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
mohd shahrul mohd nadzir
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0925-3998
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The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic had raised questions on the route of transmission of this disease. Initial understanding was that transmission originated from respiratory droplet from an infected host to a susceptible host. However, indirect contact transmission of viable virus by fomites and through aerosols has also been suggested. Herein, we report the involvement of fine indoor air particulate with the diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as the transport agent of the virus. PM2.5 was collected over four weeks during a 48 hours measurement intervals in four separate wards containing different infected clusters in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our results indicated highest SARS-CoV-2 RNA on PM2.5 in the ward associated with a lavatory. We suggest a link between the virus-laden PM2.5 and the ward’s design. Patients’ symptoms and numbers that govern the magnitude of viral shedding may also influence the number of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA on PM2.5 in an enclosed environment.
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2 and PM2.5
Figure 1
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This is a preprint. It has not completed peer review.
Research Article
Particulate matter (PM2.5) as a potential SARS-CoV-2 carrier
Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
Nazlina Ibrahim
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
mohd shahrul mohd nadzir
The National University of Malaysia
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0925-3998
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
Version 1
Posted 05 Jun, 2020
No community comments so far
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic had raised questions on the route of transmission of this disease. Initial understanding was that transmission originated from respiratory droplet from an infected host to a susceptible host. However, indirect contact transmission of viable virus by fomites and through aerosols has also been suggested. Herein, we report the involvement of fine indoor air particulate with the diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as the transport agent of the virus. PM2.5 was collected over four weeks during a 48 hours measurement intervals in four separate wards containing different infected clusters in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our results indicated highest SARS-CoV-2 RNA on PM2.5 in the ward associated with a lavatory. We suggest a link between the virus-laden PM2.5 and the ward’s design. Patients’ symptoms and numbers that govern the magnitude of viral shedding may also influence the number of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA on PM2.5 in an enclosed environment.
Figure 1