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Review of the research status on the transmission and diffusion characteristics of indoor viral aerosol particles

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Abstract

This study reviews the generation and diffusion characteristics of indoor viral aerosol particles, numerical simulation methods for the diffusion process of viral aerosols, and related research on the impact mechanism of different ventilation methods on the diffusion process of viral aerosols. Research has shown that the selection of initial conditions such as exhalation mode, initial airflow velocity, particle size, turbulence model, and calculation method for the generation of aerosol particles by the human body is of great significance for the numerical simulation of the diffusion process of viral aerosol particles. At the same time, on the basis of selecting appropriate ventilation methods, the reasonable setting of ventilation parameters (temperature, speed, height, etc.) can effectively suppress the spread of viral aerosols. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the study of related respiratory diseases, as well as technical and theoretical support for the selection of indoor ventilation methods to reduce the risk of human exposure caused by viral aerosols in the construction field. It also provides guidance and reference for aerosol transport and environmental protection in indoor atmospheric environments.

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Data availability

The data used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [52006172], the Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Basic Research Program [2024JC-YBMS-280], the National Funding Program for Postdoctoral Researchers [GZC20232228], and the Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Basic Research Program-Youth Fund Project [2022JQ-506].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resource Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, Shanxi, China

    Yaxin Huang

  2. School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, Shanxi, China

    Jie Wan

  3. School of Environment and Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, Shanxi, China

    Sen Han

  4. School of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054, Shanxi, China

    Yu Li

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  1. Yaxin Huang
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  2. Jie Wan
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  3. Sen Han
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  4. Yu Li
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Contributions

Yaxin Huang: manuscript writing, data collation. Jie Wan: revise manuscript. Sen Han: manuscript writing, revise manuscript. Yu LI: manuscript writing, data collation.

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Correspondence to Yaxin Huang.

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Huang, Y., Wan, J., Han, S. et al. Review of the research status on the transmission and diffusion characteristics of indoor viral aerosol particles. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 22308–22318 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32239-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32239-8

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