Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 exhibits airborne aerosolized transmission

by Tommy Underhill
July 8, 2020

A recent manuscript on the potential of airborne, aerosolized transmission of the virus that causes Covid-19 that has been signed by 239 experts was accepted by the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Numerous news outlets, including the New York Times and Fox News, have published reports on this letter.

The experts explain, “There is significant potential for inhalation exposure to viruses in microscopic respiratory droplets (microdroplets) at short to medium distances (up to several meters, or room scale), and we are advocating for the use of preventive measures to mitigate this route of airborne transmission.”

Numerous studies conducted and cited by the scientists in the letter have repeatedly demonstrated “that viruses are released during exhalation, talking, and coughing in microdroplets small enough to remain aloft in air and pose a risk of exposure at distances beyond 1 to 2 m from an infected individual” (emphasis added).

Effects of aerosolized transmission

Aerosolized transmission may be partly responsible for the increased number of Covid-19 cases reported and traced back to people visiting bars. The letter states, “This problem is especially acute in indoor or enclosed environments, particularly those that are crowded and have inadequate ventilation relative to the number of occupants and extended exposure periods”.

The WHO is reviewing the findings and reports the body will issue additional guidance in the near future. Until then, the scientists suggests the following mitigations:

• Provide sufficient and effective ventilation (supply clean outdoor air, minimize recirculating air) particularly in public buildings, workplace environments, schools, hospitals, and aged care homes.
• Supplement general ventilation with airborne infection controls such as local exhaust, high efficiency air filtration, and germicidal ultraviolet lights.
• Avoid overcrowding, particularly in public transport and public buildings.

GreenTech Heat suggests one additional precaution: periodically heat treating the structure to sanitize and reduce all fomite, surface, and aerosolized transmission potentials.

Thorough heating reduces microbials

Studies consistently demonstrate a minimum of 133˚F held for 15 minutes is required to deactivate most viruses. In treatments taking place inside a regular structure such as an office building, a room of a house, a hotel room, an airplane, or a medical facility, we recommend 140˚F of convected heat maintained for 1 hour. You’ll want to measure the temperature at the hardest-to-heat location and start the clock once you’ve hit the target temperature. Convected heat is much more efficient and effective at ensuring the entire item reaches temperature more consistently than radiant heat like you would find in a typical kitchen oven.

During a microbe-focused heat treatment, be sure to run the HVAC fan (not A/C!) during the heat treatment process to get lethal levels of heat inside this system should it house any viral contamination. Convected heat is the only methodology that can quickly and efficiently sanitize the entirety of a structure.

The GreenTech Heat solution

From cars and closets all the way up to office buildings and medical facilities, GreenTech Heat Solutions has the equipment to allow you to self-treat with heat.

Our ePro 400, ePro 400XP with PTAC converter for hotels, ePro 600, and ePro 1400 electrical heaters sanitize furnishings, surfaces, electronics, and the air within a structure and achieve lethal temperatures by recirculating air repeatedly through the heater. Treating a structure with a Titan 450 or Titan 800 provides the additional benefit of flushing the treatment area with up to 5,000 cubic feet per minute of heated air.

You can find a more complete discussion on heat and microbes in our white paper.

GreenTech Heat technology is also 100% effective for bed bugs, cockroaches, and all other insects. As recently advocated by Ford Motor Company, heat kills microbes, viruses, and bacteria. GreenTech Heat equipment allows you to self-treat with heat on your schedule and as your needs demand. Our certified training lets you do it right and do it safely the first time. Heat safely kills insects and microbes everywhere they may be found in a single one-day treatment. Call us at 888-699-3944. We have bed bug heaters for sale to get started with heat today.

What People Say

My team treats one unit a week. I wouldn’t trade my GreenTech Heat Titans for anything!

Glen Hayes
East Georgia Housing Authority