Effect of HVAC Systems on Pathogen Transmission and Indoor Air Quality in Buildings

The COVID-19 pandemic and airborne transmission of the virus put focus on theimportance of maintaining a healthy and safe environment in high-occupancy buildings andindoor air quality (IAQ). In particular, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC)systems have been recognized as crucial to maintaining healthy conditions for occupantsand limiting the transmission of pathogens. The increased importance of IAQ in buildingsresulted in revised guidelines for HVAC systems, which include increased ventilation,improved filtration systems, and indoor monitoring. The goal of this Research Topic is to assess the effects of HVAC systems on thetransmission of pathogens in buildings, such as offices, schools, hospitals, healthcarefacilities. Contributions can, for example, examine the dynamics of pathogen transmission,the effects of temperature and humidity control, the effectiveness of filtration systems, theuse of antiviral and antibacterial materials, the effect of the revised HVAC guidelines onmaintaining a healthy environment for building occupants, and innovative technologies thatcould limit or suppress pathogen transmission.Potential themes of this Research Topic might include but are not limited to:• The identification of factors affecting the risk of pathogen transmission, such astransmission routes as well as the effects of temperature and humidity;• The effects of HVAC configuration on the risk of pathogen transmission;• Strategies to limit the transmission of pathogens such as ventilation (includingcomputational fluid dynamics simulations), use of filters and lights, air qualitymonitoring systems;• Innovative technologies to suppress pathogen transmission, such as liquid desiccanttechnology;• Case studies on the effects of the revised HVAC guidelines for buildings and IAQ. Topic editors: Alessandro Giampieri, Apostolos Michopoulos Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/64750/effect-of-hvac-systems-on-pathogen-transmission-and-indoor-air-quality-in-buildings