RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the indoor and outdoor areas of urban public transport systems of three major cities of Portugal in 2021
A1 Gomes da Silva, Priscilla
A1 Gonçalves, José
A1 Nascimento, Maria São José
A1 Sousa, Sofia I. V.
A1 Mesquita, João
K1 SARS-CoV-2
K1 COVID-19
K1 Airborne transmission
K1 Environmental pollution
K1 Contaminación ambiental
K1 Indoor air quality
K1 Calidad ambiental interior
K1 Indoor air pollution
K1 Outdoor air pollution
K1 Contaminación del aire
K1 Air sampling
K1 Air - Pollution
K1 Aire - Contaminación
K1 Public transport
K1 Transporte público
K1 Medical care -- Portugal
K1 Public Health
K1 2509.02 Contaminación Atmosférica
K1 3308 Ingeniería y Tecnología del Medio Ambiente
K1 3212 Salud Publica
AB Airborne transmission is mainly associated with poorly ventilated and crowded indoor environments where people stay for long periods of time. As such, public transport is often perceived as having a high risk for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Considering that data on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in public transport systems are scarce, we performed air sampling for SARS-CoV-2 in indoor and outdoor spaces of public transport systems in Portugal. Air (n = 31) and surface (n = 70) samples were collected using a Coriolis® Compact microbial air sampler and sterile flocked plastic swabs, respectively. Samples were extracted and analyzed through RT-qPCR. Only two air samples from an outdoor and a partially open space were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. No positive surface samples were detected. These results indicate that the viral concentration in ambient air in public transport systems is linked to the number of people present in that environment and whether they are wearing properly fitting masks. Considering the current lifting of COVID-19 restrictions around the world, it is essential that people continue to wear masks in both indoor and outdoor environments, especially in crowded spaces. More studies on this topic are needed to fully elucidate the real risk of infection in outdoor spaces.
PB MDPI
SN 1660-4601
YR 2022
FD 2022
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62727
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/62727
LA eng
NO International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, Vol. 19, Nº. 10, 5955
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 12-sep-2024