Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments

N. P. Gao; Jianlei Niu; L. Morawska

Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments

N. P. Gao, Jianlei Niu, L. Morawska

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceeding › Conference article published in proceeding or book › Academic research › peer-review

Abstract

Dispersion characteristics of respiratory droplets in indoor environments arc important in controlling transmission of airborne diseases indoors. This study investigates the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0~10.0μm in an office room with three air distribution methods, specifically mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD). The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets with diameters up to lO.Oiim from normal respiration process are uniformly distributed in MV. However, they become trapped in the breathing height by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD, resulting in a high droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other occupants. Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV. Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009
Pages	53-61
Number of pages	9
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2009
Event	1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong Duration: 5 Jun 2009 → 6 Jun 2009

Conference

Conference	1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009
Country/Territory	Hong Kong
City	Hong Kong
Period	5/06/09 → 6/06/09

Keywords

Airborne disease
Displacement ventilation
Respiratory droplets
Transmission
UFAD

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Building and Construction
General Environmental Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

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title = "Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments",

abstract = "Dispersion characteristics of respiratory droplets in indoor environments arc important in controlling transmission of airborne diseases indoors. This study investigates the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0~10.0μm in an office room with three air distribution methods, specifically mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD). The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets with diameters up to lO.Oiim from normal respiration process are uniformly distributed in MV. However, they become trapped in the breathing height by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD, resulting in a high droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other occupants. Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV. Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.",

keywords = "Airborne disease, Displacement ventilation, Respiratory droplets, Transmission, UFAD",

author = "Gao, {N. P.} and Jianlei Niu and L. Morawska",

year = "2009",

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day = "1",

language = "English",

isbn = "9789881731128",

pages = "53--61",

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note = "1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009 ; Conference date: 05-06-2009 Through 06-06-2009",

}

Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments. / Gao, N. P.; Niu, Jianlei; Morawska, L.
Proceedings of the 1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009. 2009. p. 53-61.

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceeding › Conference article published in proceeding or book › Academic research › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments

AU - Gao, N. P.

AU - Niu, Jianlei

AU - Morawska, L.

PY - 2009/12/1

Y1 - 2009/12/1

N2 - Dispersion characteristics of respiratory droplets in indoor environments arc important in controlling transmission of airborne diseases indoors. This study investigates the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0~10.0μm in an office room with three air distribution methods, specifically mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD). The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets with diameters up to lO.Oiim from normal respiration process are uniformly distributed in MV. However, they become trapped in the breathing height by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD, resulting in a high droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other occupants. Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV. Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.

AB - Dispersion characteristics of respiratory droplets in indoor environments arc important in controlling transmission of airborne diseases indoors. This study investigates the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0~10.0μm in an office room with three air distribution methods, specifically mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD). The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets with diameters up to lO.Oiim from normal respiration process are uniformly distributed in MV. However, they become trapped in the breathing height by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD, resulting in a high droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other occupants. Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV. Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.

KW - Airborne disease

KW - Displacement ventilation

KW - Respiratory droplets

KW - Transmission

KW - UFAD

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M3 - Conference article published in proceeding or book

SN - 9789881731128

SP - 53

EP - 61

BT - Proceedings of the 1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009

T2 - 1st International Postgraduate Conference on Infrastructure and Environment, IPCIE 2009

Y2 - 5 June 2009 through 6 June 2009

ER -

Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Cite this