Aerosol transmission almost impossible
Aerosol and CO2 measurements by the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute at the Dortmund Concert Hall provide facts on the risk of coronavirus infection when visiting concert halls and theaters.
On behalf of the Konzerthaus Dortmund, the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute in Goslar and the measurement technology company ParteQ have experimentally investigated the spatial dispersion of aerosols and CO2 in a concert hall. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Environment Agency and hygiene experts. It is the first published study with the aim of obtaining experimental data to assess the potential risk of coronavirus infection during visits to concert halls.
Extensive measurements were taken in the auditorium and foyers of the concert hall on November 2/3 and 20, 2020. The evaluations of the experimental investigations show that the risk of transmission of infections through aerosol transmission can be virtually ruled out, especially in the auditorium under the given conditions. In particular, the existing central ventilation system and the wearing of a face mask greatly reduce aerosol and CO2 exposure, meaning that it would theoretically be conceivable for the auditorium to be fully occupied.
However, taking into account the access routes and foyers, a checkerboard seating pattern is recommended, i.e. 50 percent of the hall capacity. In addition to concrete results for a visit to the Konzerthaus Dortmund, the study can also be used to make statements for other concert halls or theaters of a similar size.
Original article: https://www.konzerthaus-dortmund.de/aerosolstudie/
