Atmospheric CO2 monitoring to identify zones of increased airborne pathogen transmission risk in hospital settings

Am J Infect Control. 2025 Feb;53(2):266-268. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.10.001. Epub 2024 Oct 5.

Abstract

Measures to reduce airborne pathogen transmission in health care settings, such as increased air exchange, air decontamination, and reductions in peak occupancy, can be expensive and disruptive, particularly when employed in an untargeted manner. We report the empirical identification of high transmission risk zones in a tertiary hospital, using carbon dioxide-based assessments of air exchange. This rapid, cost-effective, and unobtrusive approach led to the targeted remediation of a high transmission risk zone.

Keywords: Airborne transmission; Outpatient care; Respiratory pathogens; Ventilation.

MeSH terms

  • Air Microbiology*
  • Carbon Dioxide* / analysis
  • Cross Infection* / prevention & control
  • Cross Infection* / transmission
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide