Risk assessment of COVID-19 infection in a biosafety laboratory based on a Dose-Response model

Biosafety laboratories are buildings designed to handle highly infectious microorganisms and toxins. However, due to improper operation, laboratory-acquired infections often occur. Based on the recent outbreak of COVID-19, in this study, Dose-Response model was used to analyze the pathogenicity of the novel coronavirus, and then computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology was used to predict the concentration distribution of pollutants in a typical BSL-3 laboratory. Finally, the Dose-Response modified equation was used to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of infection risk, and explore the effects of increasing the ventilation rate and wearing personal protective equipment on reducing the risk of infection. The results showed that within 1 minute of aerosol release, the room reached a relatively high level of infection (1.6%), and that wearing personal protective equipment (such as a mask) effectively reduced the risk of infection (down to 1/20) at the same level of exposure. The results also show that the high-risk area is closely related to the layout of the laboratory, and adjusting the layout of the laboratory can control the high-risk area of infection within a small range. The findings could help reduce the risk of infection when people leave the laboratory after a leak.