Airflow and Air Velocity Measurements While Playing Wind Instruments, with Respect to Risk Assessment of a SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Claudia Spahn, Anna Maria Hipp, Bernd Schubert, Marcus Rudolf Axt, Markus Stratmann, Christian Schmölder and Bernhard Richter
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Claudia Spahn: Freiburg Institute of Musicians’ Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Music Freiburg, Medical Faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg i.Br., Germany
Anna Maria Hipp: Freiburg Institute of Musicians’ Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Music Freiburg, Medical Faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg i.Br., Germany
Bernd Schubert: Tintschl BioEnergie und Strömungstechnik AG, Tintschl Unternehmensgruppe, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Marcus Rudolf Axt: Bamberg Symphony, Bavarian State Philharmonic Orchestra, 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Markus Stratmann: Bamberg Symphony, Bavarian State Philharmonic Orchestra, 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Christian Schmölder: Bamberg Symphony, Bavarian State Philharmonic Orchestra, 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Bernhard Richter: Freiburg Institute of Musicians’ Medicine, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Music Freiburg, Medical Faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg i.Br., Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: Due to airborne transmission of the coronavirus, the question arose as to how high the risk of spreading infectious particles can be while playing a wind instrument. To examine this question and to help clarify the possible risk, we analyzed 14 wind instruments, first qualitatively by making airflows visible while playing, and second quantitatively by measuring air velocity at three distances (1, 1.5, 2 m) in the direction of the instruments’ bells. Measurements took place with wind instrumentalists of the Bamberg Symphony in their concert hall. Our findings highlight that while playing, no airflows escaping from any of the wind instruments—from the bell with brass instruments or from the mouthpiece, keyholes or bell with woodwinds—were measurable beyond a distance of 1.5 m, regardless of volume, pitch or what was played. With that, air velocity while playing corresponded to the usual value of 1 m/s in hall-like rooms. For air-jet woodwinds, alto flute and piccolo, significant air movements were seen close to the mouthpiece, which escaped directly into the room.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; performance studies; dispersion of airborne transmission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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