Correlation between beverage consumption and droplet production during respiratory activity using interferometric Mie imaging experiment

This study investigates the effects of beverage consumption on droplet production during coughing and speaking. Interferometric Mie imaging (IMI) measures particle size using the diffraction characteristics of light and was used to examine the particle size distribution and particle count concentration of exhaled droplets without water (WW), with still water (SW), and with carbonated water (CW). The parameters of the IMI technique were calibrated using glass beads and respiratory droplets were measured for 16 subjects, which showed that drinking beverages had a significant impact on the particle size distribution during coughing and speaking. Another important aspect of this study was the variability in particle emissions among individuals. The results showed that the consumption of SW and CW led to a significant increase in total particle count concentrations in the coughing condition when compared with WW, with no significant difference among beverage type. Individuals with relatively high particle emissions WW showed more particle generation when consuming SW and CW. When speaking, SW ingestion significantly increased the total particle count concentrations when compared with the WW condition, whereas CW consumption did not increase the total particle count concentrations to the same extent as that in the SW condition. These results emphasize that the consumption of beverages such as SW and CW have the potential to significantly increase particle production during respiratory activities, amplifying the potential risks associated with infection transmission.