RWTH Involved in Study on Air Quality in Frankfurt Exhibition Halls

The air quality in Frankfurt's exhibition halls was investigated in a study. 

The RWTH Institute for Energy Efficient Buildings and Indoor Climate at RWTH Aachen University, Messe Frankfurt, and Heinz Trox Wissenschaft gGmbH were involved in the project. Headed by Professor Dirk Müller, measurements were taken in the supply air and exhaust ducts of the ventilation systems as well as at visitor head height during the trade fair.

The concentration of CO2 was taken as an indicator for the viral load of the room air since the aerosols significant in the pandemic and potentially contaminated with viruses are emitted through breathing in the same way as CO2. The goal should be not to exceed a CO2 level of 1,000 ppm (parts per million).

All CO2 concentrations measured were well under 1,000 ppm – in some cases, they were just over 400 ppm, which is almost on a par with outdoor air quality. It was also possible to demonstrate that the fresh air volumes specified by Messe Frankfurt were sufficient to guarantee good and hygienically safe air quality.