sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Interactive Ventilation Tool
Updated Nov. 24, 2021
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Small particles that people breathe out can contain virus particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19. If a guest visits your home, improving ventilation (air flow) can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air. Good ventilation, along with other preventive actions, like staying 6 feet apart and correctly wearing masks, can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19.
How can I decrease the level of virus particles during and after a guest visits my home?
Select the options below to see how particle levels change as you adjust ventilation settings.
(To create additional scenarios, including to adjust the length of the visit and size of the home, see the expanded model from the National Institute of Standards and Technologyexternal icon.)
HVAC OperationOff/Not applicableAUTO/IntermittentON/ConstantFilter (Skip if no HVAC system)PremiumRegularPortable HEPA Air CleanerNoYesOpen WindowNoYes
86%particle reduction achieved in your home by using ventilation.
The risk of getting COVID-19 varies according to individual susceptibility and the number of virus particles to which a person is exposed. The fewer virus particles in the air, the better.
You can decrease particles even more by continuing to ventilate for an extra hour after the visitor leaves.
Model assumptions
Download Data excel icon[CSV – 2 KB]
Last Updated Nov. 24, 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...tion-tool.html
Updated Nov. 24, 2021
Small particles that people breathe out can contain virus particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19. If a guest visits your home, improving ventilation (air flow) can help prevent virus particles from accumulating in the air. Good ventilation, along with other preventive actions, like staying 6 feet apart and correctly wearing masks, can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19.
How can I decrease the level of virus particles during and after a guest visits my home?
Select the options below to see how particle levels change as you adjust ventilation settings.
(To create additional scenarios, including to adjust the length of the visit and size of the home, see the expanded model from the National Institute of Standards and Technologyexternal icon.)
HVAC OperationOff/Not applicableAUTO/IntermittentON/ConstantFilter (Skip if no HVAC system)PremiumRegularPortable HEPA Air CleanerNoYesOpen WindowNoYes
86%particle reduction achieved in your home by using ventilation.
The risk of getting COVID-19 varies according to individual susceptibility and the number of virus particles to which a person is exposed. The fewer virus particles in the air, the better.
You can decrease particles even more by continuing to ventilate for an extra hour after the visitor leaves.
Model assumptions
Download Data excel icon[CSV – 2 KB]
Last Updated Nov. 24, 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...tion-tool.html