Title: Airborne Influenza A Virus and Rhinovirus Transmission in a Shared Children’s Bedroom (2025 - Submitted)
Authors: Amanda M. Wilson, Ngan Pham, Paige Spicka, Megan M. Fryd, Madeline S. Haas, Dana M. Falbo, Huan Jiang, Ahamed Ashraf, Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: Environment International
Title: Viral and Bacterial Reduction During Cold Water Machine Washing and Drying of Cotton Fabrics (2025 - Accepted)
Authors: Paulina M. Valenzuela, Peter B. Gundy, Kelly A. Reynolds, Charles P. Gerba
Published in: Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Title: The Interconnection of High-Touch Surfaces in a Public Setting Drives Pathogen Spread (2025 - Accepted)
Authors: Lisa Ackerley, Stephanie Cooper, Sophie Upson, Lucas Gent, Adrian Paskey, Carolyn Buckley, Mary Spitzer, Jonathan Sexton, J. Lance Picton, Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: Perspectives in Public Health
Title: The Role of Fomites in Virus Transmission in the Built Environment: Workshop Assessment (2025 - In Print)
Authors: Sarah E. Abney, Sally Bloomfield, Stephanie Boone, Timothy Cutts, Charles P. Gerba, Khalid Ijaz, Alison Lyons, Jean-Yves Maillard, Kristina D. Mena, John Mckinney, Gregory W. Park, Elizabeth Scott, Kelly A. Reynolds, William Rutala, Syed Sattar, David Weber, Marc P. Verhougstraete, Mark Williams, William Furin, Amanda M. Wilson, Carl Whitworth, Bardia Zargar
Published in: mSphere
Title: Quantifying Fomite Hotspots and Targeted Hygiene Impacts in a Hotel Lobby (2025)
Authors: Mary E. Spitzer, Yoonhee Jung, Jonathan D. Sexton, Amanda M. Wilson, J. Lance Picton, Brandon Toshio Miura-Akagi, Carolyn Buckley, Sophie E. Upson, Lisa M. Ackerley, Lucas Gent, Adrian C. Paskey, Stephanie Cooper, Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Summary: This study evaluated how viruses spread on surfaces in a hotel lobby and tested the effectiveness of a Targeted Hygiene intervention to reduce contamination. Researchers used a harmless virus tracer and observed how it spread through typical guest interactions. Within four hours, the tracer was found on 50% of sampled surfaces. After implementing a targeted cleaning strategy, viral concentrations dropped by 97.36%, and cross-contaminated surfaces dropped from 13% to 2%. Infection risk modeling (QMRA) showed that Targeted Hygiene reduced infection risk by over 97% for all modeled pathogens, bringing risks below U.S. EPA and WHO health benchmarks. This is the first study to combine real-world behavior, surface contamination tracking, and risk modeling in a hospitality setting. Results support using focused hygiene strategies that target the right surfaces at the right times to sustainably reduce infection risk in public spaces.
Title: A Risk-Risk Tradeoff Approach for Incorporating the Public's Risk Perceptions into Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (2025)
Authors: Amanda M Wilson, Irene Mussio, Marc P Verhougstraete, Yoonhee Jung, Ahamed Ashraf, Susan Chilton, Kerry A Hamilton
Published in: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Summary: This study introduces a novel method for applying behavioral microeconomics to integrate individuals’ risk preferences into risk assessment. Focusing on healthcare settings, the research explores a risk-risk tradeoff (RRTO) scenario involving the competing risks of increased asthma from intensified cleaning and disinfection (C&D) and increased infection risks from reduced C&D. By using RRTO survey data, the study captures the levels of risk healthcare workers are willing to accept to balance these competing health outcomes. Critical concentrations of viral loads on surfaces were calculated to match these risk preferences for single surface touches and entire work shifts, with significant differences noted between the two scenarios. The findings highlight the utility of incorporating individual risk tolerances into risk assessments to design more effective and acceptable health interventions, especially in environments where tradeoffs between different health risks must be carefully managed. This methodology could significantly impact how risk thresholds are set and interventions are designed, ensuring they align more closely with the values and preferences of those affected.
Title: Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Tool for Modeling Pathogen Infection Risk to Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers (2024)
Authors: Ashley Heida, Rasha Maal-Bared, Marc Veillette, Caroline Duchaine, Kelly A. Reynolds, Ahamed Ashraf, Olusola O. Ogunseye, Yoonhee Jung, Lester Shulman, Luisa Ikner, Walter Betancourt, Kerry A. Hamilton, Amanda M. Wilson
Published in: Water Research
Summary: This study developed a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) tool to estimate infection risks for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers who may be exposed to pathogens through inhalation or ingestion. Researchers measured pathogen levels in aerosols near various WWTP processes and modeled risks for nine pathogens across seven different job tasks. The highest ingestion risk was found for workers performing general walk-throughs of the plant, involving contact with splashes, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces. Risks were significantly higher during peak operating hours (early morning), assumed to be five times greater than during off-peak times. Use of N95 respirators reduced median respiratory risk by 77%. The web-based QMRA tool helps estimate infection risks under various exposure scenarios and can guide occupational health strategies. However, additional data are needed, particularly on pathogen concentrations during different times of day, to reduce uncertainty in the model’s estimates.
Title: Removal, Kill, and Transfer of Bacteria from Hands by Antibacterial or Nonantibacterial Soaps After Handling Raw Poultry (2024)
Authors: Jonathan D. Sexton, Jack L. Picton, Brandon Herdt, Elaine Black, Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: Journal of Food Protection
Summary: This study evaluates the effectiveness of antibacterial and non-antibacterial soaps in reducing E. coli contamination after handling raw poultry. Participants washed their hands using either type of soap or water alone, and the effectiveness was measured by the reduction in E. coli levels on the hands and the amount of bacteria transferred to a sterile object post-wash. Results showed that antibacterial soaps achieved a greater reduction in E. coli compared to non-antibacterial soaps and water. Additionally, antibacterial soaps resulted in lower bacterial counts in rinse water and on transferred surfaces, although the differences in transfer were not statistically significant. These findings highlight potential differences in specific food handling environments and provide valuable insights on choosing effective hand hygiene products.
Title: Transmission of Viruses from Restroom Use: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (2024)
Authors: Sarah E. Abney, Ciara A. Higham, Amanda M. Wilson, M. Khalid Ijaz, Julie McKinney, Kelly A. Reynolds, and Charles P. Gerba
Published in: Food and Environmental Virology
Summary: This study used quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to estimate the chance of getting sick from touching contaminated surfaces in single-user restrooms, such as toilet seats and door handles. Researchers looked at three viruses (SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, and adenovirus) and tested eight different user behaviors, including what happens when people touch multiple surfaces and whether they sanitize their hands afterward. The analysis showed that norovirus posed the highest risk of infection in all scenarios. Touching the toilet seat and exit door both contributed to increased infection risk. However, using hand sanitizer from an automatic dispenser after restroom use showed potential to lower risk by up to 99.75%, reducing it below common public health benchmarks.
Title: Grappling with the Trade-offs of Cleaning and Disinfection: A Call for Targeted Hygiene (2023)
Authors: Amanda M. Wilson, Yoonhee Jung, and Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: Environmental Science & Technology
Summary: This paper explores the shift in environmental hygiene practices prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As research highlighted airborne transmission as a more significant threat than surface contamination, concerns about the efficacy and safety of intensified cleaning protocols arose. Targeted Hygiene is a promising approach that focuses on disinfecting high-contact points and critical times to maximize safety and effectiveness, offering a balance between maintaining rigorous hygiene and minimizing chemical exposure risks. Frameworks such Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) and the Swiss cheese model can be used to guide safer, more strategic hygiene practices. Continued cross-disciplinary and collaborative research is essential to validate these approaches for improved public health.
Title: Targeted Hygiene Reduces Surface Transmission and Infection Risk for Respiratory Viruses (2023)
Authors: Lisa Ackerley, Yoonhee Jung, Stephanie Cooper, Sophie Upson, Lucas Gent, Carolyn Buckley, Mary E Spitzer, Jonathan D Sexton, Kelly A Reynolds, Amanda M Wilson
Published in: European Journal of Public Health
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of Targeted Hygiene interventions in a hotel lobby on reducing the transmission risk of respiratory diseases linked to surface contamination. Results showed a significant decrease in viral spread—from 50% of surfaces contaminated at baseline to 13% after intervention—and a significant reduction in tracer concentrations. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) modeling indicated a 97% reduction in the risk of infection from respiratory viruses. These findings highlight the potential impact of timely and focused hygiene practices on mitigating surface transmission risks in public spaces, demonstrating that such interventions offer effective strategies for facility managers aiming to reduce public health risks.
Title: What Risks Does the Residential Laundry Process Pose?: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Study (2022)
Authors: Yoonhee Jung, Amanda M. Wilson, Charles P. Gerba, Kelly A. Reynolds
Published in: American Journal of Infection Control
Summary: This study evaluates the risks associated with laundering potentially contaminated work clothes in residential and healthcare settings through quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). By simulating exposure events during laundry processes, the research assesses infection risks from handling dirty laundry and the effectiveness of handwashing interventions at different stages. Implementing handwashing after transferring dirty clothes to the washing machine reduces infection risks, more so than handwashing after transferring washed clothes to the dryer. Washing hands twice (after loading and unloading the washing machine) shows further risk reductions. These results underscore the importance of timely handwashing and reducing hand-to-face contacts to mitigate infection risks during laundry handling in settings where garments may become contaminated by contact with infected patients. Further research is needed to refine these findings based on real-world behaviors and pathogen viability.