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Perspectives on human movement considerations in indoor airflow assessment: a comprehensive data-driven systematic review

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Abstract

Understanding particle dispersion characteristics in indoor environments is crucial for revising infection prevention guidelines through optimized engineering control. The secondary wake flow induced by human movements can disrupt the local airflow field, which enhances particle dispersion within indoor spaces. Over the years, researchers have explored the impact of human movement on indoor air quality (IAQ) and identified noteworthy findings. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review that systematically synthesizes and summarizes the research in this field. This paper aims to fill that gap by providing an overview of the topic and shedding light on emerging areas. Through a systematic review of relevant articles from the Web of Science database, the study findings reveal an emerging trend and current research gaps on the topic titled Impact of Human Movement in Indoor Airflow (HMIA). As an overview, this paper explores the effect of human movement on human microenvironments and particle resuspension in indoor environments. It delves into the currently available methods for assessing the HMIA and proposes the integration of IoT sensors for potential indoor airflow monitoring. The present study also emphasizes incorporating human movement into ventilation studies to achieve more realistic predictions and yield more practical measures. This review advances knowledge and holds significant implications for scientific and public communities. It identifies future research directions and facilitates the development of effective ventilation strategies to enhance indoor environments and safeguard public health.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Zamalah Grant (Q.J130000.4551.00N04) provided for this study. The Ocean Cleanup Interception also supported this research under the VOT. No of R.J130000.7324.4B815.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Hong Yee Kek & Keng Yinn Wong

  2. Faculty of Chemical & Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Huiyi Tan

  3. Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman & Pei Sean Goh

  4. Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

    Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma

  5. Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Syie Luing Wong

  6. Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, Hunan, China

    Xiaorui Deng

  7. Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Pau Chung Leng

  8. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, 16424, Depok, Jawa Barat, Indonesia

    Ardiyansyah Saad Yatim

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  1. Hong Yee Kek
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  2. Huiyi Tan
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Contributions

Conceptualization, methodology, writing, and review and editing: HYK; conceptualization, methodology, funding acquisition, and review and editing: KYW; methodology, review and editing: HT, MHDO, SLW, BBN, methodology and reviewing: PSG, XD, PCL; review and editing: ASY.

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Correspondence to Keng Yinn Wong.

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Kek, H.Y., Tan, H., Othman, M.H.D. et al. Perspectives on human movement considerations in indoor airflow assessment: a comprehensive data-driven systematic review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 121253–121268 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30912-y

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