Inhalation exposure to particulate matter in rooms with underfloor air distribution

Gao, J., Cao, C., Luo, Z. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2082-3958 and Zhang, X. (2013) Inhalation exposure to particulate matter in rooms with underfloor air distribution. Indoor and Built Environment, 23 (2). pp. 236-245. ISSN 1420-326X doi: 10.1177/1420326X13482478

Abstract/Summary

This work investigated the personal exposure to indoor particulate matters using the intake fraction metric and provided a possible way to trace the particle inhaled from an indoor particle source. A turbulence model validated by the particle measurements in a room with underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system was used to predict the indoor particle concentrations. Inhalation intake fraction of indoor particles was defined and evaluated in two rooms equipped with the UFAD, i.e., the experimental room and a small office. According to the exposure characteristics and a typical respiratory rate, the intake fraction was determined in two rooms with a continuous and episodic (human cough) source of particles, respectively. The findings showed that the well-mixing assumption of indoor air failed to give an accurate estimation of inhalation exposure and the average concentration at return outlet or within the overall room could not relate well the intake fraction to the amount of particle emitted from an indoor source.