CO-TRACE Work Packages
To achieve the aim of gaining generalisable understandings for the best ways to occupy and operate schools safely in the light of possible COVID-19 infections, the research on this project was divided into 3 work packages:
- Experiments and numerical modelling,
- Assessment of relative and absolute risks of COVID-19,
- Dissemination, design for risk and reporting of risk.
Work Package 1: Experiments and numerical modelling
Work Package Aim: We will conduct full-scale field measurements, and small-scale laboratory experiments on flows within schools, initially focused on classrooms. These will be supplemented by simulations of these buoyant turbulent airflows, and the aerosol transport within, for a range of indoor school environments.
WP2 Assessment of relative and absolute risks of COVID-19
Work Package Aim: Tools and techniques will be developed and deployed to quantify the risk of airborne spread within indoor spaces in schools based on usage, occupancy and ventilation. Scenario testing will be enabled that informs beneficial changes within schools, alongside informing design and retrofitting of spaces. We will work closely with the DfE, school building contractors, ventilation providers and school senior leaders to develop test scenarios and oversee the implementation of any chosen mitigation and monitor/report the effectiveness thereof.
WP3. Dissemination, design for risk and reporting of risk
Work Package Aim: Outputs will be developed so teachers and school leaders can assess the risks in their schools and take appropriate measures using a spreadsheet and online tools. Online and in room ‘traffic light’ warning systems will be developed reporting real-time and scenario-based risk. In addition, the new knowledge acquired (WP1&2) will be communicated to the DfE, school building contractors, ventilation providers and directly to school leaders at quarterly partner meetings and via a project website and social media.
Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools
Rawat, N., Kumar, P. (2023) Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools. Science of The Total Environment, Volume 858, Part 2.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159813
Using empirical science education in schools to improve climate change literacy
Kumar, P., Sahani, J., Rawat, N., Debele, S., Tiwari, A., Emygdio, A. P. M., Abhijith, K. V., Kukadia, V., Holmes, K., Pfautsch, S. (2023) Using empirical science education in schools to improve climate change literacy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 178.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113232
Impact of ionizers on prevention of airborne infection in classroom
Ren, C., Haghighat, F., Feng, Z., Kumar, P., Cao, S.J. (2022) Impact of ionizers on prevention of airborne infection in classroom. Building Simulation.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-022-0959-z
A global challenge for smart and healthy care homes for the elderly.
Wu, H., Kumar, P., Yu, C. W., Cao, S. (2022) A global challenge for smart and healthy care homes for the elderly. Indoor and Built Environment.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X221103381
A parent-school initiative to assess and predict air quality around a heavily trafficked school
Kumar, P., Omidvarborna, H., Yao, R. (2022) A parent-school initiative to assess and predict air quality around a heavily trafficked school. Science of The Total Environment.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160587
Micro-characteristics of a naturally ventilated classroom air quality under varying air purifier placements
Kumar, P., Rawat, N., Tiwari, A. (2022) Micro-characteristics of a naturally ventilated classroom air quality under varying air purifier placements. Environmental Research.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.114849
The ventilation of buildings and other mitigating measures for COVID-19: a focus on wintertime.
Burridge, H. C., Bhagat, R. K., Stettler, M. E. J., Kumar, P., De Mel, I. Demis, P., Hart, A., Johnson-Llambias, Y., Felipe King, M., Klymenko, O., McMillan, A., Morawiecki, P., Pennington, T., Short, M., Sykes, D., Trinh, P. H., Wilson, S. K., Wong, C., Wragg, H., Davies Wykes, M. S., Iddon, C., Woods, A. W., Mingotti, N., Bhamidipati, N., Woodward, H., Beggs, C., Davies, H., Fitzgerald, S., Pain, C., Linden, P. F. (2021) The ventilation of buildings and other mitigating measures for COVID-19: a focus on wintertime. Proc. R. Soc.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2020.0855
Predictive and retrospective modelling of airborne infection risk using monitored carbon dioxide
Burridge, H. C., Fan, S., Jones, R. L., Noakes, C. J., Linden, P. F. (2021) Predictive and retrospective modelling of airborne infection risk using monitored carbon dioxide. Indoor and Built Environment.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X211043564
The nexus between in-car aerosol concentrations, ventilation and the risk of respiratory infection
Kumar, P., Omidvarborna, H., Tiwaria, A., Morawska, L. (2021) The nexus between in-car aerosol concentrations, ventilation and the risk of respiratory infection. Environment International.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106814
Efficacy of facemasks in mitigating respiratory exposure to submicron aerosols
Sharma, A., Omidvarborna, H., Kumar, P. (2021) Efficacy of facemasks in mitigating respiratory exposure to submicron aerosols. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Available online 8 August 2021, 126783.
Access the Open Access article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126783
Seasonal variation in airborne infection risk in schools due to changes in ventilation inferred from monitored carbon dioxide
Vouriot, C. V. M., Burridge, H. C., Noakes, C. J., Linden, P. F. (2021) Seasonal variation in airborne infection risk in schools due to changes in ventilation inferred from monitored carbon dioxide. Indoor Air, 31 (4), pp. 1154-1163
Access the Open Access article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ina.12818