---
title: "Susceptibility of an Airborne Common Cold Virus to Relative…"
description: "The survival of airborne common cold virus (HRV-16) is significantly higher when aerosols are in a solid, effloresced state or within a specific humidity…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33332096.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33332096.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d33332096.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d33332096"
journal: "Environ Sci Technol"
year: 2020
pmid: "33332096"
doi: "10.1021/acs.est.0c06197"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Susceptibility of an Airborne Common Cold Virus to Relative Humidity

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Environ Sci Technol |
| Year | 2020 |
| PMID | [33332096](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332096/) |
| DOI | [10.1021/acs.est.0c06197](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c06197) |
| Study key | d33332096 |

## Takeaway

The survival of airborne common cold virus (HRV-16) is significantly higher when aerosols are in a solid, effloresced state or within a specific humidity range, compared to a liquid, deliquesced state.

## The question

How does relative humidity (RH) affect the viability of airborne human rhinovirus-16 (HRV-16), and what mechanism underlies this dependence?

## Hypothesis

The 'efflorescence/deliquescence divergent infectivity' (EDDI) model accurately predicts the RH-dependent survival of airborne human rhinovirus-16 (HRV-16).

## Methods

The efflorescence and deliquescence RH of aerosols nebulized from a protein-enriched saline carrier fluid, simulating human respiratory fluid, were measured. The RH range of the aerosols' hygroscopic hysteresis zone was found to be 38-68%. Carrier fluid containing HRV-16 was nebulized into sub-hysteresis (effloresced/solid) or super-hysteresis (deliquesced/liquid) zone air before transitioning the RH into the intermediate hysteresis zone. Surviving fractions (SFs) of the virus were measured 15 minutes post nebulization. SFs were also measured for aerosols introduced directly into the sub-hysteresis, super-hysteresis, and hysteresis zones without transition.

## Results

For transitioned aerosols in the hysteresis zone, SFs were higher for effloresced aerosols (0.17 ± 0.02) than for deliquesced aerosols (0.005 ± 0.005). For non-transitioned aerosols, SFs were 0.18 ± 0.06 in the sub-hysteresis zone, 0.05 ± 0.02 in the super-hysteresis zone, and 0.20 ± 0.05 in the hysteresis zone, showing a V-shaped SF/RH dependence.

## Conclusion

The EDDI model's prediction of enhanced survival in the hysteresis zone for effloresced carrier aerosols was confirmed. The viability of airborne HRV-16 is significantly influenced by the effloresced or deliquesced state of the aerosol, with higher survival observed when aerosols are in an effloresced state or within the hysteresis zone.

## Limitations

The study used a simulated human respiratory fluid and measured survival at a single time point (15 minutes post nebulization).

## Verbatim from the abstract

> the viability of airborne respiratory viruses varies with ambient relative humidity

## HRV-16 Surviving Fractions in Different RH Zones

| Measure | Surviving Fraction |
| --- | --- |
| Effloresced (Transitioned) | 0.17 |
| Deliquesced (Transitioned) | 0.005 |
| Sub-Hysteresis (Non-Transitioned) | 0.18 |
| Super-Hysteresis (Non-Transitioned) | 0.05 |
| Hysteresis (Non-Transitioned) | 0.2 |

*Surviving fractions of HRV-16 after 15 minutes in different relative humidity conditions, showing higher survival for effloresced aerosols and a V-shaped dependence for non-transitioned aerosols.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smart Humidity Monitor | Moderate evidence | [Smart Humidity Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/193.md) |

## Reference

1. **Susceptibility of an Airborne Common Cold Virus to Relative Humidity**
   Environ Sci Technol 2020 · [PMID 33332096](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332096/) · [DOI 10.1021/acs.est.0c06197](https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c06197)

   > the viability of airborne respiratory viruses varies with ambient relative humidity

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Smart Humidity Monitor](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/193.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: tracks indoor relative humidity](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s193.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).