Ventilation Strategies for Highly Occupied Public Environments: A Review

Abstract

In urban public transportation and highly diversified air environments, air pollutant exposure is becoming an increasing concern in terms of public health and personal safety. Herein, the scientific literature on air quality and virus transmission in densely crowded environments is reviewed to determine effective control methods. The research results are classified on the basis of different crowded environments. Much research has been conducted on pollutants in subways and buses. High particulate matter concentrations in public transportation are still a serious problem, but few studies on the spread of viruses exist. With existing types of ventilation systems, increasing local exhaust may be an efficient way to remove pollutants. Air quality sensors should be distributed in densely crowded spaces to achieve real-time display of pollutant concentration data. When pollution levels exceed the safe values, scientifically designed ventilation and filtration schemes should be implemented to reduce the pollution levels. Occupant activities are among the important factors that make pollutant transmission more complex. The analysis results herein contribute to the assessment of indoor pollutant concentrations and the protection of occupants from cross-infection.