New research out of Japan suggests that airborne coronavirus particles travel farther in dry environments, potentially making humidifiers a valuable tool for fighting contagion.
The study is the latest from Japanese research institute Riken, which has been using the world’s top supercomputer, Fugaku, to model how the coronavirus spreads in different scenarios. Partnering with Kobe University, the institute analyzed different indoor settings to determine how microscopic virus particles travel after being discharged by an infected person, according to Reuters.
At higher humidity levels, particles hung in the air for shorter periods and were less likely to reach someone seated on the opposite side of a dining table, the researchers found. The simulations showed that the amount of particles in the air was more than twice as high when humidity was below 30 percent than when it rose above 60 percent.
The findings suggest that dry indoor conditions could make the winter months particularly dangerous, the researchers said Tuesday, according to Reuters. They also proposed that humidifiers could be used to lessen — though not eliminate — the risk of transmission in poorly ventilated spaces.
Previous simulations using Fugaku prompted Riken to recommend keeping windows open on commuter trains and using masks instead of face shields.
