BACKGROUND
Increased understanding about the importance of air transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has raised up the urgent need for safe indoor environments globally. In addition to adequate general ventilation systems, corona-safe indoor air requires sophisticated local ventilation solutions to provide clean breathing air to occupants and exhaust contaminated air efficiently from the room. Also recycling, filtrating and purifying the indoor air efficiently can increase the amount of clean air provided to the occupants. At the same time, the requirements for energy savings, CO2
emission reductions, sustainability and economical aspects are valid, meaning that the air has to be distributed, exchanged and cleaned in an energy efficient way. To meet the challenge, there are several clean air technologies capable to provide efficient solutions for mitigating the
spread of pandemics. Wider utilization of these technologies require multidisciplinary and multi-actor co-operation and knowledge transfer between the scientific community, companies, authorities and end users.
AIMS AND SCOPE
The workshop concentrates on discussing about novel technologies for biocontamination control in indoor environments. The main objective is to present scientific background behind the technologies and their applicability to solve the airborne contamination problem.
The aim is to discuss and find answers to the following questions:
1) What is the role of airborne biocontamination control technologies in overall control of pandemic threats?
2) How the (varying) target level for the mitigation technologies can be assessed?
3) What scientific evaluation methods are available to compare efficiency, cost/benefit and impact of the technologies?
4) What new strategies and technologies are needed towards paradigm change?
5) How better utilization of technology can be recognized in the society?
The technological scope is on novel ventilation and air distribution strategies, air filtration and air purification/inactivation solutions. Masks and personal protective devices are considered as part of protection concepts. Emphasis is on countermeasures that reduce the exposure to airborne pathogens significantly, taking account other important features like energy efficiency, applicability and effect on indoor air quality (e.g. reduction of fine particles).
The workshop is targeted to scientists, company representatives, authorities and end users in indoor air area. We encourage the attendees to bring up your own views and discuss about the challenges whether it be technical, economic, social or human. How would your innovation tackle the challenges?
PRESENTATIONS
Ventilation and other engineering control measures to reduce COVID-19 airborne transmission
Jarek Kurnitski Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
Recommendations related to COVID-19 and buildings in Sweden
Lars Ekberg Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Efficiency of technological countermeasures against airborne respiratory infections
Aku Karvinen VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Espoo, Finland
The role of room air purifiers and personal protective solutions in pandemic management
Minna Väkevä Lifa Air Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
Introduction of a novel air disinfection method
Sandy Seth, LUV Systems Inc., Gardena, United States