The Need
We urgently need to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental controls in buildings to reduce viral transmission and to prioritize resources. In 2021, $200 billion dollars was allocated in the US to improving ventilation in schools in response to COVID-19, but without reliable quantitative measure of human microbial respiratory emissions, it is nearly impossible to predictably control infection risk. Fecal indicators in water systems have been used successfully for over 150 years for risk characterization, source attribution, and impact evaluation, but no similar indicator exists for human respiratory emissions in indoor spaces.

The Technology
OSU inventors have developed a novel indicator to quantify the presence of microbes from human respiratory emissions in indoor spaces. The indicator is a microbe in high concentration in human emissions that mirrors the fate of both known and unknown respiratory pathogens.

Commercial Applications
This novel indicator benefits industries concerned with quantifying infection risk from respiratory pathogens in indoor spaces and preventing future epidemics, such as:
• Public Health & Healthcare: Protecting vulnerable populations in hospitals and nursing homes.
• Building Management: Ensuring healthy indoor environments for occupants in offices, schools, and transportation hubs.
• Event Venues & Travel Industry: Passenger safety in airports, cruise lines, and event spaces.
• Defense: Surveillance of bioterrorism activities.
• Insurance Companies: Reducing healthcare costs by preventing outbreaks through proactive risk assessment.

Benefits/Advantages
This technology offers several compelling benefits and advantages:
• Ease of use: Indicator can be quantified with existing air sampling and genetic testing equipment.
• Broad applicability: Indicator is not specific to any one pathogen.
• Compatible with air filters: Other indicators such as carbon dioxide cannot quantify the effectiveness of air filters.