Particulate matter (PM2.5) as a potential SARS-CoV-2 carrier

Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor; Chee Wai Yip; Nazlina Ibrahim; Mohd Hasni Jaafar; Zetti Zainol Rashid; Norlaila Mustafa; Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid; Kuhan Chandru; Mohd Talib Latif; Phei Er Saw; Chin Yik Lin; Kemal Maulana Alhasa; Jamal Hisham Hashim; Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81935-9

Scientific Reports (Jan 2021)

Particulate matter (PM2.5) as a potential SARS-CoV-2 carrier

Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor,
Chee Wai Yip,
Nazlina Ibrahim,
Mohd Hasni Jaafar,
Zetti Zainol Rashid,
Norlaila Mustafa,
Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid,
Kuhan Chandru,
Mohd Talib Latif,
Phei Er Saw,
Chin Yik Lin,
Kemal Maulana Alhasa,
Jamal Hisham Hashim,
Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir

Affiliations

Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor: Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM
Chee Wai Yip: Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM
Nazlina Ibrahim: Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM
Mohd Hasni Jaafar: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centre
Zetti Zainol Rashid: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centre
Norlaila Mustafa: Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Medical Centre
Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid: Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Kuhan Chandru: Institute of Climate Change, Space Science Centre (ANGKASA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Mohd Talib Latif: Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Phei Er Saw: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Chin Yik Lin: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya
Kemal Maulana Alhasa: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Jamal Hisham Hashim: Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Selangor
Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir: Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81935-9
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in the COVID-19 pandemic had raised questions on the route of transmission of this disease. Initial understanding was that transmission originated from respiratory droplets from an infected host to a susceptible host. However, indirect contact transmission of viable virus by fomites and through aerosols has also been suggested. Herein, we report the involvement of fine indoor air particulates with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as the virus’s transport agent. PM2.5 was collected over four weeks during 48-h measurement intervals in four separate hospital wards containing different infected clusters in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our results indicated the highest SARS-CoV-2 RNA on PM2.5 in the ward with number of occupants. We suggest a link between the virus-laden PM2.5 and the ward’s design. Patients’ symptoms and numbers influence the number of airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA with PM2.5 in an enclosed environment.

Published in Scientific Reports

ISSN: 2045-2322 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine; Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/srep/

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