Skip to main content
Download PDF
Download ePub

Modeling the airborne survival of influenza virus in a residential setting: the impacts of home humidification

Environmental Health volume 9, Article number: 55 (2010) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Laboratory research studies indicate that aerosolized influenza viruses survive for longer periods at low relative humidity (RH) conditions. Further analysis has shown that absolute humidity (AH) may be an improved predictor of virus survival in the environment. Maintaining airborne moisture levels that reduce survival of the virus in the air and on surfaces could be another tool for managing public health risks of influenza.

Methods

A multi-zone indoor air quality model was used to evaluate the ability of portable humidifiers to control moisture content of the air and the potential related benefit of decreasing survival of influenza viruses in single-family residences. We modeled indoor AH and influenza virus concentrations during winter months (Northeast US) using the CONTAM multi-zone indoor air quality model. A two-story residential template was used under two different ventilation conditions - forced hot air and radiant heating. Humidity was evaluated on a room-specific and whole house basis. Estimates of emission rates for influenza virus were particle-size specific and derived from published studies and included emissions during both tidal breathing and coughing events. The survival of the influenza virus was determined based on the established relationship between AH and virus survival.

Results

The presence of a portable humidifier with an output of 0.16 kg water per hour in the bedroom resulted in an increase in median sleeping hours AH/RH levels of 11 to 19% compared to periods without a humidifier present. The associated percent decrease in influenza virus survival was 17.5 - 31.6%. Distribution of water vapor through a residence was estimated to yield 3 to 12% increases in AH/RH and 7.8-13.9% reductions in influenza virus survival.

Conclusion

This modeling analysis demonstrates the potential benefit of portable residential humidifiers in reducing the survival of aerosolized influenza virus by controlling humidity indoors.

Peer Review reports

Background

Annual influenza epidemics exhibit a strong seasonal cycle in temperate regions. Due to the cyclical nature, it has long been assumed that environmental factors played a role in the seasonal epidemics [1]. Numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated that aerosolized influenza virus survival in the air and on surfaces is affected by temperature and more importantly, relative humidity (RH) [2–9]. These studies, carried out using a variety of methods, show that aerosolized influenza virus survives substantially longer at low RH levels. For example, the results of the study conducted by Harper, show that aerosolized influenza survived best when the RH was below 36%, with a sudden decrease in survival of the virus when the RH was raised above 49% [7]. While the data are more limited, studies have also shown RH impacts influenza virus survival on surfaces [10–12].

RH, the ratio of the vapor pressure of water to the saturation vapor pressure at a prescribed temperature and pressure, has been the parameter of interest in past influenza survival and transmission studies. In a reanalysis of influenza survival and transmission data Shaman and Kohn show that compared to RH, absolute humidity (AH), the mass of water per volume of air, has a much stronger statistically significant relationship with influenza virus survival [13]. These results have been extended in an epidemiological model that indicates that AH, as a modulator of influenza transmission, drives seasonal variations of influenza transmission in temperate regions [14].

Indoor moisture levels are dependent on outdoor moisture loads, indoor moisture sources and ventilation rates. Studies conducted in Finland, Canada and Wisconsin have shown that heating season indoor RH levels are low, ranging between 15 and 45% with mean levels of approximately 35% [15–17] which corresponds to 8.1 millibar (mb) AH (at 20°C and standard pressure). The laboratory studies discussed above suggest that increasing the moisture levels above typical indoor AH and RH may mitigate the spread of influenza viruses in the air and on surfaces during the influenza season [13, 18].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using portable humidifiers on AH levels and influenza virus survival in Northeast United States residences using the CONTAM multi-zone indoor air quality model.

Methods

The CONTAM multi-zone indoor air quality model (National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD), was used to estimate moisture levels (i.e., RH and AH) and indoor influenza virus concentrations indoors [19]. CONTAM generates dynamic simulations of inter-zonal airflows, ventilation rates, and concentrations of gaseous and aerosol contaminants. The performance of the model has been evaluated extensively. Estimated inter-zonal airflows and air exchange rates have been shown to be within 15% on average of actual measurements and modeled fine particle levels within 30% of measured values [20–23].

Our analysis utilized a two-story 88 m3 detached residential building template developed by NIST (Template DH-28). Simulations were conducted for two types of heating systems: a forced hot air system and a radiant heating system. The primary difference between the two systems for purposes of this analysis is that forced air systems provide more rapid mixing of indoor air throughout a residence than radiant heating. The forced air system provided 0.18 m3/min/m2 of air to each room in the house. The air handler duty schedule was simulated with 1 hour resolution based on output from the EnergyPlus Energy Simulation Software [24]. In general, the fraction of each hour devoted to forced air heating was proportional to the difference between ambient temperature and a set point of 17.8°C (64°F) from 10 PM to 5 AM and 22.2°C (72°F) from 5 AM to 10 PM. Additional details of the residential template and heating systems are described elsewhere [25, 26].

Indoor moisture sources and their generation rates were based on published data [27]. Indoor moisture sources included cooking, dishwashing, bathing, and both waking and sleeping occupants. After inclusion of these sources, the model was calibrated to achieve average indoor RH levels reported for homes during the heating seasons [15–17]. A humidifier moisture source with a generation of 0.16 kg/hr (Model V4500, Kaz, Inc., Southborough, MA) was added to either a single bedroom or all the bedrooms and the family room depending on the modeling scenario.

Meteorological information is used by CONTAM to simulate force convection, radiant leakage, and corresponding air exchange rates. We used National Renewable Energy Laboratory TMY2 typical meteorological year meteorological data during the Northern hemisphere influenza season (October to March), including hourly wind direction and speed, dry and wet bulb temperature, relative humidity, and cloud cover data, obtained from the National Weather Service for Boston, Massachusetts (WBAN 14739 Boston Logan International Airport). The Boston area was chosen because, similar to other areas of the Northern US, Boston experiences long periods of cold, dry weather during the winter months and is therefore likely to have low indoor moisture levels.

Our modeling assumed a single influenza case in the bedroom and evaluated the levels of the virus in the bedroom and outside the bedroom. Emission rates for influenza virus were derived from our previous studies with regard to particle counts, particle sizes, and influenza virus RNA concentrations in persons with confirmed flu and were used as input into the CONTAM model [28–30]. In these previous studies, tidal breathing, particle counts and influenza virus RNA concentrations were measured using an Exhalair device (Pulmatrix, Lexington, MA), which records particle counts between 0.3 um and >5 um with an optical particle counter, and collects exhaled breath particles on Teflon filters. In our prior research for coughs, influenza virus RNA was collected with the Gesundheit II device [31], which collects particles by impaction in two size fractions: fine (< 5 μm) and coarse (> 5 μm). Influenza virus RNA was measured in these previous studies by a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The relationship of 300 viral RNA copies per infective virus particle (determined via cell culture assays), determined in laboratory studies, was used to convert the concentration of influenza virus RNA copies in each particle to infective virus particles per particle size bin [30].

We modeled tidal breathing as a constant emission source of influenza particles per minute in four different particle sizes. Coughing emissions were modeled as one second bursts of infective influenza particles in fine and coarse particle sizes. A frequency of 15 coughing episodes per hour was based on experimental data of subjects with respiratory illness [32]. Influenza emissions were limited to the evening hours (7 PM to 10 AM) as the evening was assumed to be the period in which a person was most likely to be in a bedroom and most likely to be operating a portable humidifier. Emission rate details are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 Infective Influenza Virus Emission Rates
Full size table

To estimate the decrease of influenza virus in the air (i.e., biological decay) due to the increase in AH, the modeled airborne influenza virus levels, which accounts for the physical decay of the viral particles, were adjusted based on laboratory test data originally published by Harper and reanalyzed by Shaman and Kohn which exhibited a strong statistical relationship between AH and one hour loss of live virus [7, 13]. Briefly, the adjustment was based on the regression of log (percent surviving after one hour) and AH (p-value< 0.0001) presented as Figure three, part F in Shaman and Kohn (2009). Presentations of results with RH assume an indoor temperature of 17.8°C (64°F).

Results

In the models without humidifiers, the median night hour indoor bedroom moisture level was 33% RH (range: 12 to 65% RH) and 35% RH (range: 7 to 75% RH) for the radiant heat and forced air heat models, respectively. The RH levels translate into median AH levels of 7.5 mb for the radiant heat model and 8.2 mb for the forced air heat model.

The addition of a humidifier in one bedroom increased the median night hour bedroom moisture level to 47% RH (median AH: 10.4 mb) for the radiant heat model and 41% (median AH: 9.4 mb) for the forced air heat model. The effect of the single humidifier on RH levels for a typical 24-hour period (November 14 to 15) is depicted in Figure 1. Prior to activating the humidifier, both models show room RH to be approximately 30%. After the humidifier is turned on (6 pm), RH levels increase to 40-60% RH (approximately 15-20% above baseline) and remain elevated for the duration of humidifier operation. The spike in RH depicted in the figure is due to an outdoor air event, and not related to an increase in moisture generated indoors. In the scenario with humidifiers in the four bedrooms and the family room, the whole house median moisture level increased to approximately 42% (AH: 10.0 mb) for both the radiant and forced air heat models.

Figure 1
figure 1

Impact of humidifier on typical day (November 14 to November 15) on relative humidity in bedroom with humidifier operating from 6 PM to 7 AM.

Full size image

Cumulative distributions of modeled hourly bedroom indoor AH levels over the entire modeling period (i.e., October to March) are shown in Figures 2A and 2B. For radiant heat, humidification increased the AH approximately 4 mb, while the increase was approximately one-half as large for the forced air heat.

Figure 2
figure 2

Cumulative percentiles of hourly AH comparing rooms with and without humidifiers in the single humidifier in bedroom scenario in (A) model with radiant heat and (B) model with forced-air heat.

Full size image

The benefit of decreased influenza virus survival due to humidification for the single and multiple humidifier scenarios are presented in Table 2. Estimates of the change in influenza virus survival ranged from 17.5% to 31.6% reduction in rooms with a humidifier operating. The largest decrease in influenza virus survival was in the home with radiant heat due to the larger increase in moisture levels in the room. When multiple humidifiers are employed, the rooms with humidifiers have similar reductions to the single humidifier scenario, but the decrease in virus survival on the entire first and second floors are more modest.

Table 2 Decrease in Influenza Virus Survival due to Humidification, based on CONTAM Output
Full size table

While the reductions in influenza virus survival due to humidification were greater for the radiant heat model, the concentration of viruses surviving in the bedroom was 1.9 fold greater in this model compared to the forced air model. The difference in concentration is due to greater air movement between rooms in the forced air model. Virus concentrations outside the bedroom was substantially lower than in the bedroom, with viral concentrations 27 and 77 fold lower in the hallway compared to the bedroom for the forced air and radiant heat models, respectively.

Discussion

Results from this modeling analysis demonstrate that the use of portable residential humidifiers increases RH and AH to levels that can potentially decrease the survival of airborne influenza virus in a residential setting. This effect is more pronounced in rooms where the humidification is located. While this study evaluated the impacts in a residential setting, the expected benefits of humidification are likely to be larger in places where larger populations of people with the flu and people susceptible to the flu congregate.

Increasing low indoor moisture levels may have benefits beyond reducing survival of the influenza virus. Low RH has been associated with a number of symptoms including dry skin, throat and mucous membranes and eye irritation in office and hospital workers [33–35]. In a home humidification intervention, the authors reported a decrease in dryness of the nose and throat and improved breathing in patients with allergies [36].

While there are apparent benefits to residential humidification for control of influenza virus in the air and on surfaces and temporary relief from cough and cold symptoms, excessive indoor humidity can lead to unattended consequences such as mold and mildew growth [37]. This study shows that meaningful reductions of airborne influenza virus are possible at indoor moisture levels that are generally acceptable in terms of overall indoor air quality. However, the model demonstrated that the RH in the humidified bedroom can exceed 60%, an upper level limit recommended in widely accepted guidance manuals [38], especially in the radiant heat model. In most cases the time above 60% RH were short. However, care should be taken to follow humidifier manufacturer's guidance to ensure that moisture levels are maintained at acceptable levels. The risk of mold and mildew growth can be further reduced by raising the temperatures of surfaces through the addition of insulation or other means on condensing surfaces, such as windows and doors [39].

Our modeling effort focused on airborne influenza virus. One can be exposed to influenza by exposure to contaminated aerosols, large droplets, and direct contact with contaminated secretions or fomites. However, there is disagreement in the scientific community as to the relative importance of the various exposure routes [40–42]. A modeling study by Nicas and Jones, showed that the relative contribution of the airborne route of exposure may be modulated by the viral concentration in the salvia, with the higher the concentration the more likely that the airborne route is an important mechanism of exposure [43]. If the relative contribution of aerosol route of exposure is small, the impacts of humidification at minimizing airborne influenza survival may be similarly small. There is data, however, that indicates that increased humidification decreases survival of influenza virus on surfaces [40–42]. Therefore, while the focus of our modeling effort was on airborne influenza virus, humidification may reduce survival of the virus on household surfaces.

No studies were identified in which RH modeled by CONTAM or other models were used to address the impact of moisture levels on biological contaminants [44–46]. However, previous studies have employed CONTAM to assess humidity levels [45, 46]. Using an earlier version of the CONTAM model, researchers from NIST compared model data with indoor RH measurements in two short time periods. While the data was preliminary, the model and measured results has a reasonable agreement [45], indicating the utility of CONTAM in modeling moisture levels.

This modeling study demonstrated differences in the impacts of humidification between forced air and radiant home heating methods. The median air exchange rate of the models was essentially the same, approximately 0.22 air changes per hours (ACH). However, due to lower air movement between rooms, radiant heat models showed larger increases in moisture levels, and therefore larger decreases in influenza virus. In a similar way, home characteristics such as the room volume and air exchange rate should be considered when evaluating the type and amount of humidification to be added to a home. ACH observed in our modeling effort are lower than previous modeling efforts primarily due to modeling only the winter months where windows are typically closed. Geographic areas should also be considered when interpreting these results. In areas with lower outdoor AH than the meteorological data we employed from Boston, MA, more humidification may be necessary to have a meaningful impact on indoor AH levels.

Conclusions

Our results build upon previous efforts to evaluate the impacts of moisture on influenza virus survival [2–9, 13, 47]. These laboratory studies have consistently confirmed that survival of the influenza virus in the air and on surfaces is modulated by moisture levels, with the majority showing the lowest level of survival in the range of 40 to 60% RH. While field studies are necessary to confirm our modeling results, our findings suggest that indoor humidification will increase AH and RH to levels shown to reduce levels of the influenza virus. In this way, humidifiers may be an important tool to reduce survival influenza virus in the home. The effects of humidification on influenza virus survival, however, should be further evaluated with careful and controlled laboratory and field studies.

Abbreviations

AH:

absolute humidity

ACH:

air changes per hours

mb:

millibar

NIST:

National Institute of Standards and Technology

RH:

relative humidity

RT-qPCR:

reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

References

  1. Thompson WW, Comanor L, Shay DK: Epidemiology of seasonal influenza: use of surveillance data and statistical models to estimate the burden of disease. J Infect Dis. 2006, 194 (Suppl 2): S82-91. 10.1086/507558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Edward D, Elford W, Laidlaw P: Studies of air-borne virus infections. J Hyg (Lond). 1943, 43: 1-15. 10.1017/S0022172400035828.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Lester W: The influence of relative humidity on the infectivity of air-borne influenza A virus, PR8 strain. J Exp Med. 1948, 88: 361-368. 10.1084/jem.88.3.361.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Loosli CG, Lemon HM, Robertson OH, Appel E: Experimental air-borne influenza infection. I. Influence on humidity on survival of virus in air. Proc Exp Biol Med. 1943, 531: 205-206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hemmes JH, Winkler KC, Kool SM: Virus survival as a seasonal factor in influenza and polimyelitis. Nature. 1960, 188: 430-431. 10.1038/188430a0.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Shechmeister IL: Studies on the experimental epidemiology of respiratory infections. III. Certain aspects of the behavior of type A influenza virus as an air-borne cloud. J Infect Dis. 1950, 87: 128-132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Harper G: Airborne Micro-organisms - Survival test with 4 viruses. J Hyg (Lond). 1961, 59: 479-10.1017/S0022172400039176.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hood AM: Infectivity of Influenza Virus Aerosols. J Hyg (Lond). 1963, 61: 331-335. 10.1017/S0022172400039619.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schaffer FL, Soergel ME, Straube DC: Survival of airborne influenza virus: effects of propagating host, relative humidity, and composition of spray fluids. Arch Virol. 1976, 51: 263-273. 10.1007/BF01317930.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Edward DG: Resistance of influenza virus to drying and its demonstration on dust. Lancet. 1941, 241: 664-666. 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)72189-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Buckland FE, Tyrrell DA: Loss of infectivity on drying various viruses. Nature. 1962, 195: 1063-1064. 10.1038/1951063a0.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. McDevitt J, Rudnick S, First M, Spengler J: The Role of Absolute Humidity on the Inactivation of Influenza Viruses on Stainless Steel Surfaces at Elevated Temperature. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2010, 76 (12): 3943-3947. 10.1128/AEM.02674-09.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Shaman J, Kohn M: Absolute humidity modulates influenza survival, transmission, and seasonality. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009, 106: 3243-3248. 10.1073/pnas.0806852106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Shaman J, Pitzer VE, Viboud C, Grenfell BT, Lipsitch M: Absolute humidity and the seasonal onset of influenza in the continental United States. PLoS biology. 2010, 8 (3):

  15. Kalamees T, Korpi M, Vinha J, Kurnitski J: The effects of ventilation systems and building fabric on the stability of indoor temperature and humidity in Finnish detached houses. Building and Environ. 2009, 44: 1643-1650. 10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.10.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. TenWolde A: Ventilation, humidity, and condensation in manufactured houses during winter. ASHRAE Transactions. 1994, 100 (1): [http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1994/tenwo94c.pdf]

    Google Scholar 

  17. Weichenthal S, Dufresne A, Infante-Rivard C, Joseph L: Indoor ultrafine particle exposures and home heating systems: a cross-sectional survey of Canadian homes during the winter months. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2007, 17: 288-297. 10.1038/sj.jes.7500534.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lipsitch M, Viboud C: Influenza seasonality: lifting the fog. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2009, 106: 3645-3646. 10.1073/pnas.0900933106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Walton G, Dols WS: CONTAM 2.1 Supplemental user guide and program documentation. 2006, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Google Scholar 

  20. Emmerich S, Nabinger S: Measurement and Simulation of the IAQ Impact of Particle Air Cleaners in a Single-Zone Building. 2000, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology, [http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis/docs/NISTIR6461.pdf]

    Google Scholar 

  21. Emmerich SJ, Nabinger S, Gupte A, Howard-Reed C, Wallace L: Comparison of measured and predicted tracer gas concentrations in a townhouse. 2003, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology, [http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis/docs/NISTIR_7035_final11-CC.pdf]

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  22. Howard-Reed C, Nabinger S, Emmerich SJ: Predicting the performance of non-industrial gaseous air cleaners: measurements and model simulations from a pilot study. 2004, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. Lansari A, Streicher J, Huber A, Crescenti G, Zweidinger R, Duncan J, Weisel C, Burton R: Dispersion of automotive alternative fuel vapors within a residence and its attached garage. Indoor Air. 1996, 6: 118-126. 10.1111/j.1600-0668.1996.t01-1-00008.x.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. US DOE: EnergyPlus Version 2.1.0. Washington, DC. 2007, [http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/features.cfm]

    Google Scholar 

  25. Myatt TA, Minigishi T, Allen JG, MacIntosh DL: Control of asthma triggers in indoor air with air cleaners: a modeling analysis. Environmental Health. 2008, 7: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-43.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Persily A, Musser A, Leber D: A Collection of Homes to Represent U.S. Housing Stocks. 2006, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  27. Howard-Reed C, Polidori A: Database tools for modeling emissions and controls of air pollutants from consumer products, cooking and combustion. 2006, I. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  28. Fabian P, McDevitt J, DeHaan WH, Brande M, Milton DK: Influenza virus in fine particles exhaled during tidal breathing and coughing. 2009, American Thoracic Society International Conference. Poster Session. San Diego, CA

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  29. Fabian P, McDevitt JJ, DeHaan WH, Fung RO, Cowling BJ, Chan KH, Leung GM, Milton DK: Influenza virus in human exhaled breath: an observational study. PLoS ONE. 2008, 3: e2691-10.1371/journal.pone.0002691.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Fabian P, McDevitt JJ, Lee WM, Houseman EA, Milton DK: An optimized method to detect influenza virus and human rhinovirus from exhaled breath and the airborne environment. J Environ Monit. 2009, 11: 314-317. 10.1039/b813520g.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Milton DK, Fabian P, Angel M, Perez DR, McDevitt J: Influenza Virus Aerosols in Human Exhaled Breath: Particle Size, Culturability, and Effect of Surgical Masks. 2010, American Thoracic Society. Poster Session. New Orleans, LA

    Google Scholar 

  32. Loudon RG, Brown LC: Cough frequency in patients with respiratory disease. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1967, 96: 1137-1143.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Reinikainen LM, Jaakkola JJ, Seppanen O: The effect of air humidification on symptoms and perception of indoor air quality in office workers: a six-period cross-over trial. Arch Environ Health. 1992, 47: 8-15. 10.1080/00039896.1992.9935938.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Nordstrom K, Norback D, Akselsson R: Effect of air humidification on the sick building syndrome and perceived indoor air quality in hospitals: a four month longitudinal study. Occup Environ Med. 1994, 51: 683-688. 10.1136/oem.51.10.683.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. McIntyre DA: Response to atmospheric humidity at comfortable air temperature: a comparison of three experiments. Ann Occup Hyg. 1978, 21: 177-190. 10.1093/annhyg/21.2.177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Sale CS: Humidification during the cold weather to assist perennial allergic rhinitis patients. Ann Allergy. 1971, 29: 356-357.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. IOM: Damp Indoor Spaces and Health. 2004, Washington: National Academy Press

    Google Scholar 

  38. ASHRAE: Standard 62.1-2007: Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality. 2007, Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers

    Google Scholar 

  39. CPSC: Biological Pollutants in Your Home. 1997, Bethesda, MD: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, [http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/425.html]

    Google Scholar 

  40. Tellier R: Review of aerosol transmission of influenza A virus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006, 12: 1657-1662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Tellier R: Transmission of influenza A in human beings. The Lancet infectious diseases. 2007, 7: 759-760. 10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70269-4. author reply 761-753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Brankston G, Gitterman L, Hirji Z, Lemieux C, Gardam M: Transmission of influenza A in human beings. The Lancet infectious diseases. 2007, 7: 257-265. 10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70029-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Nicas M, Jones RM: Relative Contributions of Four Exposure Pathways to Influenza Infection Risk. Risk Anal. 2009, 29: 1292-1303. 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01253.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Glass S, TenWolde A: Review of moisture balance models for residential indoor humidity. Proceedings of the 12th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology. 2009, 1: 231-245. [http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2009/fpl_2009_glass001.pdf]

    Google Scholar 

  45. Emmerich SJ, Persily A, Nabinger S: Modeling moisture in residential buildings with a multizone IAQ program. 2002, Gaithersbur, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology, [http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build03/PDF/b03007.pdf]

    Google Scholar 

  46. Emmerich SJ, Howard-Reed C, Gupte A: Modeling the IAQ impacts of HHI interventions in inner city housing. 2005, Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology, [http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build05/PDF/b05054.pdf]

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  47. Lowen AC, Mubareka S, Steel J, Palese P: Influenza virus transmission is dependent on relative humidity and temperature. PLoS pathogens. 2007, 3: 1470-1476. 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030151.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Kaz, Inc., Southborough, MA and Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc., Needham, MA.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc, Needham, MA, USA

    Theodore A Myatt, Matthew H Kaufman, Joseph G Allen & David L MacIntosh

  2. Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA

    M Patricia Fabian & James J McDevitt

Authors
  1. Theodore A Myatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthew H Kaufman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Joseph G Allen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David L MacIntosh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M Patricia Fabian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. James J McDevitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Theodore A Myatt.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

MHK carried out the modeling analysis. JGA and DLM assisted in the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. MPF provided emissions information and helped to draft the manuscript. JJM participated in its design, provided emissions information and helped to draft the manuscript. TAM conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Authors’ original file for figure 2

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Myatt, T.A., Kaufman, M.H., Allen, J.G. et al. Modeling the airborne survival of influenza virus in a residential setting: the impacts of home humidification. Environ Health 9, 55 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-9-55

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-9-55

Keywords

Environmental Health

ISSN: 1476-069X