New Research Shows Building Strategies Can Reduce Risk of Airborne Transmission of Pathogens
Carrier and Syracuse University create assessment tool to quantify risk reduction in buildings
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Carrier Global Corporation and Syracuse University have co-developed an assessment tool that can evaluate buildings for airborne pathogen transmission risk and provide custom strategies to help ensure healthier and safer environments for building occupants.
The research with Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science assessed how effective different mitigation strategies are in reducing the risk of transmission airborne pathogens in buildings. Specifically, the study evaluated individual components in buildings and how they work together. Results showed that customized, layered mitigation strategies can reduce the risk of airborne transmission of pathogens by up to 80%. Tactics such as managed occupancy, increased filtration and ventilation, air scrubbers, and air purifiers can help to create healthier and safer indoor environments. Primary support for the study came from Carrier.
In the study, Syracuse University estimated virus generation rate based on published case studies for SARS-COV-2 outbreaks, defined the baseline space conditions for different type of buildings, and then applied the widely adopted Wells-Riley equation to estimate the baseline risks.
“Applying this aggregated data and risk calculation, we then quantified the potential for reducing airborne transmission risk by using various indoor air quality control strategies including source control, ventilation, and air cleaning,” said Syracuse University mechanical and aerospace engineering Professor Jensen Zhang. “It is encouraging to know that significant risk reduction can be achieved.”
“Our new assessment tool provides a new and innovative way for Carrier experts to examine individual components in buildings and how they work together, to recommend a layered strategy that ultimately reduces risk of airborne transmission of pathogens,” said Rajan Goel, senior vice president, Carrier Building Solutions Group and leader of Carrier’s Heathy Buildings Program. “The tool provides us a very effective mechanism for improving our customers’ overall indoor air quality and efficiency.”
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