The role of airborne particles and environmental considerations in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Longyi Shao; Shuoyi Ge; Tim Jones; M Santosh; Luis F O Silva; Yaxin Cao; Marcos L S Oliveira; Mengyuan Zhang; Kelly BéruBé

doi:10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101189

The role of airborne particles and environmental considerations in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Geosci Front. 2021 Sep;12(5):101189. doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2021.101189. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Authors

Longyi Shao^{1

2}, Shuoyi Ge^{1

2}, Tim Jones³, M Santosh^{4

5}, Luis F O Silva⁶, Yaxin Cao^{1

2}, Marcos L S Oliveira^{6

7}, Mengyuan Zhang^{1

2}, Kelly BéruBé⁸

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
² College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
³ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3YE, UK.
⁴ School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
⁵ Department of Earth Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
⁶ Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, 080002 Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
⁷ Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Arquitectura, Universidad de Lima, Avenida Javier Prado Este 4600 - Santiago de, Surco 1503, Peru.
⁸ School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK.

Abstract

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus, results in an acute respiratory condition coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is highly infectious. The recent spread of this virus has caused a global pandemic. Currently, the transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 are being established, especially the role of environmental transmission. Here we review the environmental transmission routes and persistence of SARS-CoV-2. Recent studies have established that the transmission of this virus may occur, amongst others, in the air, water, soil, cold-chain, biota, and surface contact. It has also been found that the survival potential of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is dependent on different environmental conditions and pollution. Potentially important pathways include aerosol and fecal matter. Particulate matter may also be a carrier for SARS-CoV-2. Since microscopic particles can be easily absorbed by humans, more attention must be focused on the dissemination of these particles. These considerations are required to evolve a theoretical platform for epidemic control and to minimize the global threat from future epidemics.

Keywords: Aerosol; Airborne particles; COVID-19; Environmental media; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review