Event Type
Research Presentation
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:30 PM
Description
Under the direction of Dr. Abubakarr Jalloh, Chanlee Luu, James Miller
This study focuses on monitoring indoor CO₂ levels as a way to assess ventilation quality and potential risk for airborne disease transmission on the Hollins University campus. Because humans exhale carbon dioxide, elevated CO₂ levels in enclosed spaces can serve as a proxy for poor airflow and increased potential for the spread of airborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Using portable CO₂ sensors (Aranet4), we collected data from a variety of campus buildings with different room sizes, layouts, and ventilation systems. These included newer or recently updated spaces, such as the Wyndham Robertson Library and the Visual Arts Center, as well as older buildings including West (constructed 1890–1901), Pleasants Hall (built in 1914), and DANA (constructed in phases between the early 1970s and early 2000s). Readings were taken every 5 minutes over 30-minute sessions to track how CO₂ levels changed based on occupancy and environmental conditions, as well as factored door or window closures and the presence of mechanical ventilation, temperature, and humidity. Preliminary results show that older buildings like West and Pleasants tend to accumulate and retain CO₂ more quickly, particularly when windows and doors remain closed. In contrast, newer or better-ventilated buildings maintained lower and more stable CO₂ levels. These findings highlight the importance of accessible, low-cost CO₂ monitoring tools in buildings to identify under-ventilated spaces and support evidence-based decisions around classroom use and public health policy. Future steps may include expanding data collection to high-traffic areas and observing how ventilation patterns are affected by time of day, seasonal changes, temperature, and humidity.
Breathing Easy: Ventilation and Long COVID Risk in Indoor Spaces
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Under the direction of Dr. Abubakarr Jalloh, Chanlee Luu, James Miller
This study focuses on monitoring indoor CO₂ levels as a way to assess ventilation quality and potential risk for airborne disease transmission on the Hollins University campus. Because humans exhale carbon dioxide, elevated CO₂ levels in enclosed spaces can serve as a proxy for poor airflow and increased potential for the spread of airborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Using portable CO₂ sensors (Aranet4), we collected data from a variety of campus buildings with different room sizes, layouts, and ventilation systems. These included newer or recently updated spaces, such as the Wyndham Robertson Library and the Visual Arts Center, as well as older buildings including West (constructed 1890–1901), Pleasants Hall (built in 1914), and DANA (constructed in phases between the early 1970s and early 2000s). Readings were taken every 5 minutes over 30-minute sessions to track how CO₂ levels changed based on occupancy and environmental conditions, as well as factored door or window closures and the presence of mechanical ventilation, temperature, and humidity. Preliminary results show that older buildings like West and Pleasants tend to accumulate and retain CO₂ more quickly, particularly when windows and doors remain closed. In contrast, newer or better-ventilated buildings maintained lower and more stable CO₂ levels. These findings highlight the importance of accessible, low-cost CO₂ monitoring tools in buildings to identify under-ventilated spaces and support evidence-based decisions around classroom use and public health policy. Future steps may include expanding data collection to high-traffic areas and observing how ventilation patterns are affected by time of day, seasonal changes, temperature, and humidity.