Environmental and Health Effects of Ventilation in Subway Stations: A Literature Review

Yueming Wen, Jiawei Leng, Xiaobing Shen, Gang Han, Lijun Sun and Fei Yu
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Yueming Wen: School of Architecture, Future Underground Space Institute, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
Jiawei Leng: School of Architecture, Future Underground Space Institute, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
Xiaobing Shen: School of Public Health, Station and Train Health Institute, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
Gang Han: School of Architecture, Future Underground Space Institute, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
Lijun Sun: School of Architecture, Future Underground Space Institute, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
Fei Yu: School of Architecture, Future Underground Space Institute, Southeast University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-37

Abstract: Environmental health in subway stations, a typical type of urban underground space, is becoming increasingly important. Ventilation is the principal measure for optimizing the complex physical environment in a subway station. This paper narratively reviews the environmental and health effects of subway ventilation and discusses the relevant engineering, environmental, and medical aspects in combination. Ventilation exerts a notable dual effect on environmental health in a subway station. On the one hand, ventilation controls temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality to ensure human comfort and health. On the other hand, ventilation also carries the potential risks of spreading air pollutants or fire smoke through the complex wind environment as well as produces continuous noise. Assessment and management of health risks associated with subway ventilation is essential to attain a healthy subway environment. This, however, requires exposure, threshold data, and thereby necessitates more research into long-term effects, and toxicity as well as epidemiological studies. Additionally, more research is needed to further examine the design and maintenance of ventilation systems. An understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and aerodynamic characteristics of various pollutants can help formulate ventilation strategies to reduce pollutant concentrations. Moreover, current comprehensive underground space development affords a possibility for creating flexible spaces that optimize ventilation efficiency, acoustic comfort, and space perception.

Keywords: subway; ventilation; environmental effect; health effect; mitigation measure; review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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