Brass, woodwind instruments emit respiratory particles: Study

NEW YORK: Just like coughing, sneezing, talking and singing, playing wind instruments -- particularly those in the brass section -- can spread respiratory particles that may carry the Covid-19 virus, according to a study.

Early in the pandemic, researchers at Colorado State University teamed up with musicians and performers to try and quantify respiratory particle emissions from various activities like singing and music-playing. They were seeking to provide insight into just how much performance arts could spread Covid-19 and to inform safety measures moving forward.

The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that brass instruments, on average, produced 191 per cent more aerosols than woodwinds. Being male was also associated with a 70 per cent increase in emissions from instrument-playing, probably due to lung size and capacity, the researchers think. For the instruments study, they had 81 volunteer performers of both sexes and varied ages -- between 12 and 63. The volunteers played wind instruments including the bassoon, clarinet, French horn, oboe, piccolo, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and tuba.

Louder playing of brass instruments was associated with higher particle counts, but louder playing of woodwinds didn't increase emissions. The researchers also took measurements with performers using bell covers in an attempt to mitigate the particle spread, which seemed to work. The use of bell covers reduced emissions from trombone, tuba and trumpet players, with average reductions of 53-73 per cent, but not for oboe or clarinet. (IANS)

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