The release of microbes from humans into indoor environments can occur either through direct contact with surfaces or airborne release. The airborne release pathway is poorly studied. In this project, we aim to improve our understanding of the type of particles released by humans, and the variation in human emission in different scenarios.
We deploy state-of-the-art microbiological techniques to characterise the quantity and speciation of microbial species and endotoxins in controlled and uncontrolled indoor spaces. We also probe the influence of various personal and environmental factors, such as occupancy density, type of clothing, activities, use of personal care products, etc.