Reading the Score of the Air—Change in Airborne Microbial Load in Contrast to Particulate Matter during Music Making

Birte Knobling, Gefion Franke, Lisa Beike, Timo Dickhuth and Johannes K. Knobloch ()
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Birte Knobling: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Gefion Franke: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Lisa Beike: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Timo Dickhuth: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Johannes K. Knobloch: Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: The potential impact of music-making on air quality around musicians was inferred at the outset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from measurements on individual musical instruments and from theoretical considerations. However, it is unclear to what extent playing together in an orchestra under optimal ventilation conditions really increases infection risks for individual musicians. In this study, changes in indoor air quality were assessed by measuring common parameters, i.e., temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide, along with particle counting and determining the presence of airborne pharyngeal bacteria under different seating arrangements. The study was conducted in cooperation with a professional orchestra on a stage ventilated by high volume displacement ventilation. Even with a full line-up, the particle load was only slightly influenced by the presence of the musicians on stage. At the same time, however, a clear increase in pharyngeal flora could be measured in front of individual instrument groups, but independent of seat spacing. Simultaneous measurement of various air parameters and, above all, the determination of relevant indicator bacteria in the air, enables site-specific risk assessment and safe music-making even during a pandemic.

Keywords: indoor air quality; pharyngeal flora; orchestra; particulate matter; displacement ventilation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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