Home » Covid, against the contagion Plexiglas barriers that are not very useful and in some cases counterproductive

Covid, against the contagion Plexiglas barriers that are not very useful and in some cases counterproductive

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We probably remember, a year ago, the Plexiglas boom in restaurants, supermarkets, clubs and shops, immediately after the first lockdown wave in the pandemic. Many have seen in the screens and in the plastic plates one of the solutions against the coronavirus. Today, several researches take stock of dividers, estimating if and how much they can actually be effective. Even if there is no univocal answer, in some cases the use of barriers was even counterproductive with respect to reducing the infection. Let’s see why.

What the studies say

Various studies highlight the potential effectiveness of Plexiglas in blocking droplets, the largest droplets of saliva, emitted mainly by coughing or speaking. For example, a model made by British researchers shows this: large particles are trapped, while smaller ones, always produced when speaking and which remain suspended in the air (the famous aerosol), can still bypass the obstacle and reach the interlocutor. . However, there may be some advantages: a study by Southeast University in Bangladesh indicates that, in a crowded open space, the presence of protective screens at least 70 centimeters high, together with good ventilation, could significantly reduce – up to 72 % – the risk of infection.

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A recent school simulation revealed that plastic screens could significantly reduce, under specific conditions, the transmission of aerosols, containing small (1 micrometer) saliva particles, between students. But the study indicated that the Plexiglas barriers were still not sufficient to hinder the circulation of the aerosol.

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How are things then?

So much so that another online survey, published in Science and always relating to the school environment, indicates that this garrison could also worsen the situation, increasing the risk of contagion. “This can happen: it is not unreasonable to think that the use of Plexiglas can even be counterproductive, in specific cases”, comments Daniele Contini, research director at the CNR Institute of Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, who other studies the dynamics of aerosol diffusion. “In some situations, in fact, the presence of numerous dividing screens, oriented in an often random way, can favor the stagnation of air and channel the air and aerosol into certain spaces. likelihood of becoming infected “. In short, for a better performance, Plexiglas should be positioned according to certain rules. “It is not easy to understand how it should be oriented to have a good effectiveness”, adds Contini. “Notwithstanding that in some circumstances it can be a useful additional measure, in others it doesn’t make a big difference.”

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When Plexiglas is useful and when not

There are scenarios where large plastic screens are actually very efficient. “Let’s think of plates that completely cover the entire contact area,” emphasizes the researcher. “An example concerns the Plexiglas applied from the floor to the roof of coaches, buses or cars, which are used to protect drivers and taxi drivers”. Full coverage blocks both droplets and aerosol and is effective. But sometimes even in offices open to the public and in pharmacies we find protective plastic screens. “In this case you have to see how high the screen is”, remarks Contini, “and remember that part of the aerosol can still reach the interlocutor. It is therefore better to use masks, keep distances and ventilate the rooms. And, only after having once all these measures have been applied, also adopt Plexiglas “.

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And at school?

A widespread use of Plexiglas inside the classrooms may not be conclusive. “Putting dividers between students, between one station and another, is not decisive and could lead you to mistakenly think you are protected”, specifies the expert. “Better then to invest in air intake or ventilation systems with recirculation. And once again, remember to open the windows often, if possible every 20 minutes: this is a zero cost and effective system to reduce the concentration of droplets and aerosols “.

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