The research will be carried out at the Powerhouse Energy Campus at Colorado State University.
Project Objective: The goal of this project is to reduce the risk of human exposure and co-infection to SARS-COV-2 aerosol during performing arts activities. Our research aims to:
1. Establish the magnitude and variability of aerosol release rates, as a function of particle size,
from: regular breathing during percussion and string instrumentation, heavy breathing under exertion (dance), and vocalizing across a range of volume and pitch during singing and speaking. These data will be collected for n = 100 performers of varying age and gender to represent a more valid statistical sample of the performing arts population.
2. Establish the magnitude and variability of aerosol release rates, as a function of particle size,
from wind instruments, including flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, recorder, trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium, horn. These data will be collected for n = 100 performers of varying age and gender to represent a more valid statistical sample of the performing arts population.
3. Determine the efficacy of active control techniques to prevent human aerosol release (in
relation to Objectives 1 and 2) to include: wearing surgical/homemade masks, wearing N95- certified respirators, wearing face shields, utilizing low-resistance filtering mouthpieces. 4. Model the efficacy of passive control techniques to prevent exposure to infectious aerosol, to include social distancing and isolation, room ventilation and filtration, and use of personal protective equipment.
Impact: The project will develop two primary outputs. The first output is a robust and scientifically rigorous dataset on endogenous particle release rates (stratified by gender, age, and activity type). This dataset will be published in the open science literature and in a manner that is accessible and understandable by stakeholders in the performing arts community. The second output will be a guidelines document that outlines the efficacy of various strategies to control emissions and reduce exposures to infectious bioaerosols. This guidelines document is envisioned to provide the scientific basis for a “safe to perform” position statement to be developed in collaboration with national/international governance bodies in the performing arts.
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