Elevated carbon dioxide lets Sars-CoV-2 live far longer in droplets
Study explains why good ventilation lowers transmission of Covid-19
The Covid-19 virus is more stable in air containing high levels of carbon dioxide, typical of poorly ventilated indoor spaces, new research claims. This means it lasts longer and is more likely to infect people. Even a moderate rise in carbon dioxide results in a significant increase in risk of disease transmission, confirming the importance of good ventilation.
Most people contract Covid-19 after inhaling aerosol-containing droplets of the Sars-CoV-2 virus from the surrounding air. However, aerosolised viruses become less infectious over time, mainly because the exhaled aerosol becomes more alkaline, explains Allen Haddrell, an aerosol scientist at the University of Bristol and lead author on the paper.