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Effects of Surface Material, Ventilation, and Human Behavior on Indirect Contact Transmission Risk of Respiratory Infection

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  • Gin Nam Sze‐To
  • Yang Yang
  • Joseph K. C. Kwan
  • Samuel C. T. Yu
  • Christopher Y. H. Chao

Abstract

Infectious particles can be deposited on surfaces. Susceptible persons who contacted these contaminated surfaces may transfer the pathogens to their mucous membranes via hands, leading to a risk of respiratory infection. The exposure and infection risk contributed by this transmission route depend on indoor surface material, ventilation, and human behavior. In this study, quantitative infection risk assessments were used to compare the significances of these factors. The risks of three pathogens, influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus, in an aircraft cabin and in a hospital ward were assessed. Results showed that reducing the contact rate is relatively more effective than increasing the ventilation rate to lower the infection risk. Nonfabric surface materials were found to be much more favorable in the indirect contact transmission for RSV and rhinovirus than fabric surface materials. In the cases considered in this study, halving the ventilation rate and doubling the hand contact rate to surfaces and the hand contact rate to mucous membranes would increase the risk by 3.7–16.2%, 34.4–94.2%, and 24.1–117.7%, respectively. Contacting contaminated nonfabric surfaces may pose an indirect contact risk up to three orders of magnitude higher than that of contacting contaminated fabric surfaces. These findings provide more consideration for infection control and building environmental design.

Suggested Citation

  • Gin Nam Sze‐To & Yang Yang & Joseph K. C. Kwan & Samuel C. T. Yu & Christopher Y. H. Chao, 2014. "Effects of Surface Material, Ventilation, and Human Behavior on Indirect Contact Transmission Risk of Respiratory Infection," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(5), pages 818-830, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:34:y:2014:i:5:p:818-830
    DOI: 10.1111/risa.12144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark Nicas & Rachael M. Jones, 2009. "Relative Contributions of Four Exposure Pathways to Influenza Infection Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9), pages 1292-1303, September.
    2. Mark Nicas & Gang Sun, 2006. "An Integrated Model of Infection Risk in a Health‐Care Environment," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(4), pages 1085-1096, August.
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