AUTHOR=Braggion Axelle , Dugerdil Adeline , Wilson Olwen , Hovagemyan Francesca , Flahault Antoine 

TITLE=Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19: A Scoping Review

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=44

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2023.1605803

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2023.1605803

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major public health concern for the past 3 years. Scientific evidence on the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and indoor air quality still needs to be demonstrated. This scoping review aims to study the association between air quality indoors and COVID-19.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A scoping review analyzing the association between indoor air quality and epidemiological outcomes was conducted. Papers published between 1 January 2020 and 31 October 2022 were included. Hospital settings were excluded from the study.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Eight relevant articles met the inclusion criteria. Indoor settings included workplaces, schools, restaurants, and public transport. Types of ventilation used to improve indoor air quality were dilution methods (opening windows) and mechanical systems with or without filtration or purifier. CO<sub>2</sub> sensors were employed in one study. All the studies showed a positive association between indoor air quality and its improvement and epidemiological indicators.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The findings of this scoping review indicate that indoor air quality, which can be improved with ventilation methods, may reduce the risk of developing COVID-19. Ventilation could thus be viewed as a possible effective mitigating method.</p>