Proper use of a low-cost air cleaner can help reduce COVID-19 transmission in classrooms

Graduate student, Ruichen He, led the research project collaborating with Ford for smoke particulate testing and aerosol modeling. Our results clearly show that improvements in air filtration of poorly ventilated spaces through the proper use of a portable air cleaner can help reduce the chance of breathing in contaminated aerosols. This study is published in Physics of Fluidics and featured in Washington Post.

He, R., Liu, W., Elson, J., Vogt, R., Maranville, C., & Hong, J. (2021). Airborne transmission of COVID-19 and mitigation using box fan air cleaners in a poorly ventilated classroom. Physics of Fluids 33, 057107. (Featured Article)

News link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/09/ford-clear-face-mask-air-filters/