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Study: Respiratory Viruses & Air Re-Circulation In Cars

 

 

 

# 5460

 

 

Two weeks ago a neighbor with a raging upper respiratory infection called me from the hospital Emergency Room and asked if I’d pick him up and take him home. 

 

A reasonable enough request, so I agreed.  But I did take a couple of precautions.

 

I brought a surgical mask for my coughing passenger to wear, and I drove him the five miles home with the windows rolled down.

 

Turns out, not only did I not catch whatever bug my neighbor had, according from a new study out of Australia, my instincts were right as well.

 

We don’t have a published study (one may show up eventually), but we do have a news report from 9NEWS on a presentation made to the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting in Perth this week.

 

The study compared the air flow and recirculation of viruses between a late model automobile and an `old clunker’ from 1989, and concluded that the `air-tightness’ of new cars could increase the risks of contracting a respiratory virus from a fellow occupant.


Dr. Scott Bell, Director of Thoracic Medicine at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane is quoted as saying:

 

"Put simply, if you are travelling for around 90 minutes in a relatively modern car with air circulation on low, you are almost certain to catch influenza from another infected passenger.

 

The key message is that high risk people should be cautious of who they travel with in passenger cars during outbreaks of influenza."

 

 

Running a newer automobile’s air conditioner with it’s ventilation set to high (not re-circulating) was the functional equivalent of driving with a window partly down, which sucked a large number of viral particle out of the vehicle.

 

While lacking somewhat in scientific detail, you can read the entire article at:

 

Old cars safer than new to avoid the flu

17:47 AEST Mon Apr 4 2011

Travelling in old "clunkers" rather than late-model cars could protect people from catching the flu, new medical research shows.

 

But of course, you don’t have to buy an old clunker for car pooling during flu season.  You can reduce your risks by simply remembering to roll down a window, or run the a/c or heat on high ventilation.


Turns out, your Mother was right, after all.

 


A little bit of fresh air is good for you.

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Influenza

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