PHO Rounds: Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19

This webinar intends to provide an evidence-based discussion on current COVID-19 transmission knowledge and how it relates to buildings and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. There is a particular focus on the opportunities to reduce transmission risk and to connect research evidence to practical guidance. The first portion of the webinar explores the main transmission routes for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and their interaction with HVAC systems. The second portion provides practical guidance on using HVAC strategies to reduce transmission risk while focusing on the context for these measures and why the same general approach (e.g., a high-efficiency filter) can lead to varying impact and transmission across different buildings. The third portion of the webinar addresses specific technologies utilized in buildings; including unipolar and bipolar ionization, hydroxyl radicals, ultraviolet irradiation, photocatalytic oxidation, and plasma air cleaning, to inform guidance on such technology use.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe basic building HVAC systems and their role in COVID-19 transmission risk.
2. List the factors that impact the efficacy of filtration and ventilation strategies.
3. Critically evaluate marketing claims about air cleaning technologies to inform decision-making and technology selection.