This document, written in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, is intended for public building managers, building owners, and all organizations and individuals wishing to learn more about the topics covered in this overview of the scientific and grey literature. This document discusses the current knowledge on carbon dioxide (CO₂), its health effects, sources, and relation to building ventilation, as well as the different approaches used to measure this parameter and ways of interpreting the results. The methodology applied to produce this brief overview is set out in Appendix 1 of the full version (in French) of this document.

The purpose of this document is to present the current knowledge on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in indoor and outdoor environments, specifically in residential settings and public spaces and excluding healthcare facilities and other healthcare settings, as well as on health issues related to cleaners and disinfectants and the suggested “quarantining” of objects. The information summarized in this document is based on a non-comprehensive review of the grey and scientific literature. The sections in yellow are significant updates made on the indicated date, based on the grey literature available as at April 26, 2021. Complete information on the methodology used to create this document is presented in Appendix 1.

Les climatiseurs et les ventilateurs électriques demeurent des moyens de rafraîchissement jugés appropriés en période de pandémie lorsqu’ils sont utilisés adéquatement et que certaines précautions sont mises en application.

This rapid synthesis, presented in the form of a question and answer document, reviews the current state of knowledge on the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in outdoor environments. More specifically, the document discusses modes of transmission of the virus in the outdoor environment and factors that may influence its persistence or its culturability and its transmission.