FACT BRIEF

Are men more likely to spread viral particles than women?

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

By Lisa Freedland

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

YES

A 2021 study from Colorado State University suggests that men's biology and speaking patterns make them more likely to spread viral particles, with implications for coronavirus transmission, which spreads through respiratory droplets.

The study found that males produced 62% more droplets than females, adults 62% more than minors, and singing 77% more than talking.

The study did note that after accounting for participants' voice volume and exhaled carbon dioxide, "age and sex differences were attenuated and no longer statistically significant." However, practically speaking, males appear to emit more droplets due to their larger lung capacity.

The study was inspired by a previous finding that singing and talking loudly emit more droplets than speaking and talking quietly, respectively.

Female voices tend to higher and breathier, giving the appearance of being quieter due to how the human ear perceives sound. However, it is unclear whether the female voice is actually quieter.

Sources

Colorado State University Study finds that singing, being male, and being an adult tend to produce more respiratory aerosols

American Chemical Society Publications Respiratory Aerosol Emissions from Vocalization: Age and Sex Differences Are Explained by Volume and Exhaled CO2

Colorado State University Enter, cautiously: CSU study looks at how the performing arts can return in a healthy manner during COVID-19 pandemic

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association The Unheard Female Voice

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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.