EXP COVID-19 Offices White Paper

with varied humidity levels, the infection rates were lowest when indoor relative humidity was between 40-60% for respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Figure 9. U.S Department of Homeland Security SARS-CoV-2 Airborne Decay Calculator (15)

To further global efforts to identify virus decay, The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has developed a predictive model based on laboratory data to estimate decay of SARS-CoV-2 in airborne particles across a range of temperature, relative humidity and sunlight levels (UV Index). The model has been integrated into a web-based application, which allows users to estimate time needed for decay of SARS-CoV-2 under combinations of these environmental conditions. A strategy to allow higher or lower space temperatures could allow other beneficial changes to the HVAC system. For example, higher quality filtration and the associated increase in static pressures would force a lower airflow in an existing system. The change in space design temperatures would allow these lower airflows.

A strategy to allow higher or lower space temperatures could allow other beneficial changes to the HVAC system.

Figure 10. The chart right indicates the effect of relative humidity on the decay of the virus within a building with no sunlight (UVI of 0) utilizing the DHS S&T predictive model (15)

SOLUTIONS TO EFFECTIVELY COMBAT COVID-19 IN OFFICES

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