Risk assessment of airborne transmission of COVID-19 by asymptomatic individuals under different practical settings

The lack of quantitative risk assessment of airborne transmission of COVID-19 under practical settings leads to large uncertainties and inconsistencies in our preventive measures. Combining in situ measurements and computational fluid dynamics simulations, we quantify the exhaled particles from normal respiratory behaviors and their transport under elevator, small classroom, and supermarket settings to evaluate the risk of inhaling potentially virus-containing particles. Our results show that the design of ventilation is critical for reducing the risk of particle encounters. Inappropriate design can significantly limit the efficiency of particle removal, create local hot spots with orders of magnitude higher risks, and enhance particle deposition causing surface contamination. Additionally, our measurements reveal the presence of a substantial fraction of faceted particles from normal breathing and its strong correlation with breathing depth. •Provide in situ characterization of particle generation through normal breathing.•Reveal presence of droplet and crystalline particles generated through breathing.•Risk assessment of airborne transmission of infectious diseases through virus-containing particles.•Inappropriate ventilation enhances the risk of airborne disease transmission.