Risk in the mist? Deriving data to quantify microbial health risks associated with aerosol generation by water-efficient devices during typical domestic water-using activities

摘要

The aim of this study was to address existing data gaps and to determine the size distributionnof aerosols associated with water-efficient devices during typical domestic activities.nThis information is important to assist in understanding infection spread during water-usingnactivities and in designing water regulations. Three water-using scenarios were evaluated:ni) showering using a water-efficient showerhead; ii) use of a high pressure spray unit for cleaningncars and iii) toilet flushing using a dual flush low volume flush device. For each scenario a controlncondition (conventional lower efficiency device) was selected for benchmarking purposes.nShower module results highlighted the complexity of particle generation and removal processesnand showed that more than 90% of total particle mass in the breathing zone was attributed tonparticle diameters greater than 6 mm. Conversely, results for car washing experiments showednthat particle diameters up to 6mm constituted the major part of the total mass generated bynboth water-efficient and conventional devices. Even under worse case scenario conditions forntoilet flushing, particle measurements were at or below the level of detection of the measuringninstrumentation. The data provide information that assists in health risk assessment and inndetermining future research directions, including methodological aspects.