The pathogenic burden potential of airborne particles in emanating from the respiratory area of COVID-19 patients (a case study).

The pathogenic potential of airborne particles carrying the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome was examined by considering the size distribution of airborne particles at given distances from the respiratory zone of an infected patient after coughing or sneezing with a focus on time, temperature, and relative humidity. The results show an association between the size distribution of airborne particles, particularly PM and PM, and the presence of viral genome in different stations affected by the distance from the respiratory zone and the passage of time. The correlation with time was strong with all the dependent factors except PM.