Developing simplified models for the exhaled airflow from a cough with the mouth covered

Chun Chen, Chao Hsin Lin, Qingyan Chen

Research output: Unpublished conference presentation (presented paper, abstract, poster)Conference presentation (not published in journal/proceeding/book)Academic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Covering a cough can be useful in reducing the transmission of airborne infectious diseases. However, no simple method is available in the literature for predicting the exhaled airflow from a cough with the mouth covered. This investigation used smoke to visualize the airflow exhaled by 16 human subjects. Their mouths were covered by a tissue, a cupped hand, a fist, and an elbow with and without a sleeve. This study then developed simplified models for predicting the airflow on the basis of the smoke visualization data. In addition, this investigation performed numerical simulations to assess the influence of mouth coverings on the receptor's exposure to exhaled particles. It was found that covering a cough with a tissue, a cupped hand, or an elbow can significantly reduce the horizontal velocity and cause the particles to move upward with the thermal plumes generated by a human body. In contrast with an uncovered cough, a covered cough may prevent direct exposure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages12-19
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Event13th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 2014 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 7 Jul 201412 Jul 2014

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 2014
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period7/07/1412/07/14

Keywords

  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Infectious disease
  • Particle
  • Smoke test

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution
  • Building and Construction
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
  • Computer Science Applications

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