A new study of airflow patterns inside a car’s passenger cabin has offered suggestions that will potentially reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission while sharing rides with others.
A team of Brown University researchers used computer models to simulate the airflow inside a compact car with various combinations of windows open or closed. Results showed that opening windows created airflow patterns that dramatically reduced the concentration of airborne particles exchanged between a driver and a single passenger.
The researchers found that using a car’s ventilation system to circulate air was not as effective as opening a few windows. “Driving around with the windows up and the air conditioning or heat on is definitely the worst scenario, according to our computer simulations,” said Asimanshu Das, co-lead author of the research.
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