This article describe’s a scientist’s attempt to figure out where the 5 micron number, and general belief that most respiratory diseases weren’t airborne, came from. She eventually traces it back to a particular number developed for a very different purpose.
I have not fact checked it extensively, but last winter I did try to look into the general state of knowledge on airborne transmission vs fomites and found it weirdly empty, in ways that are consistent with this article.
Where did the 5 micron number come from? Nowhere good. [Wired.com]
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This article describe’s a scientist’s attempt to figure out where the 5 micron number, and general belief that most respiratory diseases weren’t airborne, came from. She eventually traces it back to a particular number developed for a very different purpose.
I have not fact checked it extensively, but last winter I did try to look into the general state of knowledge on airborne transmission vs fomites and found it weirdly empty, in ways that are consistent with this article.