SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles
Background: Poorly ventilated enclosed spaces pose a risk for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses. Limited information is available on ventilation in motor vehicles under differing driving conditions. Methods: We cond...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Case Western Reserve University
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Pathogens and Immunity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.paijournal.com/index.php/paijournal/article/view/493 |
| _version_ | 1798039403910660096 |
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| author | Muhammed Haq Jennifer Cadnum Matthew Carlisle Michelle Hecker Curtis Donskey |
| author_facet | Muhammed Haq Jennifer Cadnum Matthew Carlisle Michelle Hecker Curtis Donskey |
| author_sort | Muhammed Haq |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Poorly ventilated enclosed spaces pose a risk for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses. Limited information is available on ventilation in motor vehicles under differing driving conditions.
Methods: We conducted carbon dioxide measurements to assess ventilation in motor vehicles under varying driving conditions with 2 to 3 vehicle occupants. During routine driving, carbon dioxide produced by the breathing of vehicle occupants was measured inside 5 cars and a van under a variety of driving conditions with or without the ventilation fan on and with windows open or closed. Carbon dioxide readings above 800 parts per million (ppm) were considered an indicator of suboptimal ventilation.
Results: Carbon dioxide levels remained below 800 ppm in all vehicles if the ventilation fan was on and/or the windows were open while parked or during city or highway driving. With the ventilation system set on non-recirculation mode, carbon dioxide levels rose above 800 ppm in all vehicles when the fan was off and the windows were closed while parked and during city driving, and in 2 of the 6 vehicles during highway driving. With the ventilation system set on recirculation mode, carbon dioxide rose above 800 ppm within 10 minutes in all vehicles tested.
Conclusion: Carbon dioxide measurements could provide a practical and rapid method to assess ventilation in motor vehicles. Simple measures such as opening windows, turning on the fan, and avoiding the recirculation mode greatly improve ventilation.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:53:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c53cb60942a447f080463c4e51ebcb56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2469-2964 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:53:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Case Western Reserve University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens and Immunity |
| spelling | doaj.art-c53cb60942a447f080463c4e51ebcb562022-12-22T04:01:11ZengCase Western Reserve UniversityPathogens and Immunity2469-29642022-02-017110.20411/pai.v7i1.493SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor VehiclesMuhammed Haq0Jennifer Cadnum1Matthew Carlisle2Michelle Hecker3Curtis Donskey4Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioResearch Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioResearch Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Infectious Diseases, MetroHealth Medical Center; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OhioCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine; Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio Background: Poorly ventilated enclosed spaces pose a risk for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viruses. Limited information is available on ventilation in motor vehicles under differing driving conditions. Methods: We conducted carbon dioxide measurements to assess ventilation in motor vehicles under varying driving conditions with 2 to 3 vehicle occupants. During routine driving, carbon dioxide produced by the breathing of vehicle occupants was measured inside 5 cars and a van under a variety of driving conditions with or without the ventilation fan on and with windows open or closed. Carbon dioxide readings above 800 parts per million (ppm) were considered an indicator of suboptimal ventilation. Results: Carbon dioxide levels remained below 800 ppm in all vehicles if the ventilation fan was on and/or the windows were open while parked or during city or highway driving. With the ventilation system set on non-recirculation mode, carbon dioxide levels rose above 800 ppm in all vehicles when the fan was off and the windows were closed while parked and during city driving, and in 2 of the 6 vehicles during highway driving. With the ventilation system set on recirculation mode, carbon dioxide rose above 800 ppm within 10 minutes in all vehicles tested. Conclusion: Carbon dioxide measurements could provide a practical and rapid method to assess ventilation in motor vehicles. Simple measures such as opening windows, turning on the fan, and avoiding the recirculation mode greatly improve ventilation. https://www.paijournal.com/index.php/paijournal/article/view/493Ventilation;carbon dioxide;transmission;aerosol;SARS-CoV-2;COVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Muhammed Haq Jennifer Cadnum Matthew Carlisle Michelle Hecker Curtis Donskey SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles Pathogens and Immunity Ventilation; carbon dioxide; transmission; aerosol; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 |
| title | SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles |
| title_full | SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles |
| title_fullStr | SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles |
| title_full_unstemmed | SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles |
| title_short | SARS in Cars: Carbon Dioxide Levels Provide a Simple Means to Assess Ventilation in Motor Vehicles |
| title_sort | sars in cars carbon dioxide levels provide a simple means to assess ventilation in motor vehicles |
| topic | Ventilation; carbon dioxide; transmission; aerosol; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 |
| url | https://www.paijournal.com/index.php/paijournal/article/view/493 |
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