Evaluation of airborne transmission risk in university towns based on IEQ surveys

Yufan Chang; Xiaochen Zhang; Ge Song; Jing Liu; Chen Lin; Jinjun Ye; Jie Hu; Lei Tang; Zhengtao Ai

Energy and Built Environment (Oct 2023)

Evaluation of airborne transmission risk in university towns based on IEQ surveys

Yufan Chang,
Xiaochen Zhang,
Ge Song,
Jing Liu,
Chen Lin,
Jinjun Ye,
Jie Hu,
Lei Tang,
Zhengtao Ai

Affiliations

Yufan Chang: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Xiaochen Zhang: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Ge Song: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Jing Liu: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Chen Lin: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Jinjun Ye: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Jie Hu: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Lei Tang: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
Zhengtao Ai: Department of Building Environment and Energy, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Center for International Research Collaboration in Building Safety and Environment, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Corresponding author at: Built Environment and Energy, Hunan University, Lushan South No.2, Yuelu district, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 5
pp. 493 – 505

Abstract

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This study aims to evaluate airborne transmission risk in university towns during the COVID-19 pandemic based on surveys of indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Both on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys were carried out in public buildings in university towns in Changsha, China. Air temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration in one library, ten classrooms, eight canteens, seven restaurants, and sixteen malls were measured. 2220 valid questionnaires concerning occupants’ sensation on thermal environment, air movement, and indoor air quality were collected. A 3-level evaluation method of airborne transmission risk that is dependent on building type and indoor CO2 concentration was developed. Excessive CO2 concentration is found in library (1045 ppm), classrooms (1151 ppm), restaurants (1242 ppm), and malls (1057 ppm). The percentage time of “high risk” accounts for 18–100% in these buildings. The results reveal a serious problem: numerous public buildings in China and probably other resource limited countries are not basically prepared and equipped to cope with airborne transmission. This fact should be taken into account when developing guidelines and formulating mitigation measures. Real-time monitoring and displaying IEQ and thus the transmission risk level should be an important way to be widely implemented in public buildings.

Published in Energy and Built Environment

ISSN: 2666-1233 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; Technology: Building construction
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/energy-and-built-environment/

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