Indoor Air Quality in Tujia Dwellings in Hunan, China: Field Tests, Numerical Simulations, and Mitigation Strategies

Fupeng Zhang, Lei Shi, Simian Liu, Jiaqi Shi and Mengfei Cheng
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Fupeng Zhang: School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Lei Shi: School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Simian Liu: School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Jiaqi Shi: School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Mengfei Cheng: School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-27

Abstract: Air pollution is a major health hazard. The traditional habits and unique ethnic fire culture in Hunan Tujia region result in the long-term exposure of residents, especially elderly people, to pollutants. In this study, we conducted field monitoring and assessment of indoor pollutants in the residential houses of Hunan Tujia families and subsequently visualised and simulated fire pollutants in representative residential houses by using fire-dynamic-simulator software. Pollutant-control strategies, using passive smoke collectors and resizing windows, were proposed and simulated for validation. The results revealed that passive smoke collectors reduced the pollutant concentration in the hall house by 43.96%. Furthermore, the optimal window size was 1500 mm × 1500 mm, and the most reasonable windowsill height of the firepit was 1800 mm. The results of the study can be used to improve the indoor air quality of Tujia dwellings and mitigate the adverse health effects of exposure to indoor air pollution without restricting ethnic beliefs and traditional customs.

Keywords: indoor air quality; firepit emissions; pollutant-dispersion simulation; passive mitigation strategies; Hunan Tujia region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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