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

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.