ABSTRACT
Aerosolized viruses have been of public health interest for many years. Once viruses have been aerosolized and have survived the initial shock or impact of aerosolization, there are a number of factors which affects the concentration of those viruses at any point downwind from the source. Commonly, airborne viruses are quantified in terms of the number of infectious units per unit volume of air. In general, airborne viruses are more concentrated under stable atmospheric conditions including moderate wind speeds, moderate temperatures, moderate to high relative humidities, and extensive cloud cover or darkness. Aerosols are any solid or liquid materials that remain suspended in air for any appreciable time. That is, aerosols act like gases in air. Aerosols are generated through a number of wastewater treatment unit processes. Determining virus concentrations of environmental aerosols must be relegated to the category of special studies or research.
