Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Olivero-Verbel, T. Moreno, J. Fernandez-Arribas, C. Reche, M. C. Minguillon, V Martins, X. Querol, B. Johnson-Restrepo, E. Eljarrat
Summary: In this study, concentrations of 19 organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in subway stations in Barcelona, Spain. The results show that newer subway stations have higher levels of OPEs compared to older stations. The health risks associated with OPE inhalation were found to be much lower than the threshold risk values, indicating that subway inhalation exposure is not considered dangerous for commuters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit, Shanon Lim, Alice Hickman, Chris Baker, Benjamin Barratt, Xiaoming Cai, Anna Font, Mathew R. Heal, Chun Lin, John E. Thornes, Michael Woods, David Green
Summary: Many railway station workers are exposed to harmful diesel exhaust, and factors such as station design, job role, and frequency of diesel trains contribute to the occupational exposure. Mitigation measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of occupational health impacts for workers with higher exposure levels.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yue Zhang, Xiaofeng Li
Summary: This research focuses on energy conservation in ventilation and air-conditioning systems of subway stations through developing operation strategies based on load calculation. By applying the methodology to subway stations with different characteristics in 3 climate zones, daily operation modes were given and analyzed, leading to lower levels of energy consumption. The significance lies in proposing a generalizable process for developing operation strategies tailored to specific conditions of subway stations.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sungho Hwang, So-Yeon Kim, Sangjun Choi, Sangwon Lee, Dong-Uk Park
Summary: This study evaluated the exposure levels of airborne endotoxin and heavy metals in three different South Korean subway environments and found that subway characteristics can influence these levels. Endotoxin and heavy metal levels varied in different areas of the subway, with higher levels in the morning compared to at night. Positive correlations were also found between endotoxin and certain heavy metals. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to identify the correlation between airborne endotoxin and heavy metal levels.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Md Aminul Islam, Atsuo Ikeguchi, Takanori Naide
Summary: There is increasing pressure to find solutions to reduce emissions of pollutants from occupational settings. In this study, an air cleaner device was tested and showed significant reduction in aerosol numbers and airborne bacteria. However, after stopping the device, there was an increase in these indicators.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chen Ren, Haofu Chen, Junqi Wang, Zhuangbo Feng, Shi-Jie Cao
Summary: This study aims to optimize the design of subway carriage ventilation systems. Through questionnaire surveys and simulation predictions, it was found that increasing the ventilation rate is beneficial for reducing infection risk, but it can lead to worsened environmental quality and increased energy consumption. By optimizing the supply air parameters and ventilation modes, a more comfortable and healthier carriage environment can be achieved, along with better comprehensive benefits.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Haidong Wang, Qianru Chen, Yan Liu
Summary: Unsteady airflows in ventilated enclosures are found to enhance mixing and pollutant dispersion. This study investigates the flow characteristics of an air jet ventilated enclosure, demonstrating the advantages of quasi-periodic fluctuation in airflow for ventilation efficiency.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jianjian Wei, Sirui Zhu, Feiwu He, Qianfang Guo, Xinxin Huang, Jianxiang Yu, Lirong Zou, Tao Jin, Jie Wu
Summary: This study used computational fluid dynamics modeling to investigate the airflow patterns and infection risks in an underground subway platform. The results showed that the interaction between ventilation jet and breathing jet posed the highest exposure risk to front passengers. However, pathogens were efficiently diluted as they traveled further. Different ventilation modes had an impact on infection risks, with the second mode minimizing the risks. Based on data of COVID-19 and influenza infectors, the predicted infection risks for passengers in the same crowd were sensitive to ventilation rate and exposure time.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Huiyi Tan, Keng Yinn Wong, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Hong Yee Kek, Wah Yen Tey, Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma, Guo Ren Mong, Garry Kuan, Wai Shin Ho, Hooi Siang Kang, Desmond Daniel Chin Vui Sheng, Roswanira Abdul Wahab
Summary: The ventilation system in an operating room is crucial for reducing the risk of infection. This study examines the effectiveness of a mobile air supply unit in reducing particle settlement on a patient. The results show that a velocity of 0.5 m/s provides the best wiping effect for removing airborne particles.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zohaib Ul Hassan, Hana Cho, Changwoo Park, Yong-Hyeon Yim, Seil Kim
Summary: In this study, the seasonal airborne microbial diversity profiles at SMRT stations were determined using sequencing. The results showed that the microbial composition varied depending on the season, station, and lifestyle of commuters. Major elements present at the subway stations were from aerosols generated between wheels and brake cushions and between the catenaries and the pantographs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dae Hoon Park, Jungho Hwang, Dongho Shin, Younghun Kim, Gunhee Lee, Inyong Park, Sang Bok Kim, Keejung Hong, Bangwoo Han
Summary: In this study, a new antiviral method was developed for subway station air-filtration systems. A high-performance antiviral air filter was created using a dry aerosol coating process, spark discharger, and carbon-brush-type ionizer. The filter was coated with silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. The filter's filtration efficiency and antiviral ability were tested against aerosolized bacteriophage MS2 virus particles during dust loading. A novel method was suggested to regenerate the antiviral effect of the filter contaminated by dust particles. Additionally, a mathematical model was used to analyze the antiviral ability and regeneration of the filter's antiviral effect under dust loading conditions.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Saaya Mori, Sakura Ishiguro, Satoru Miyazaki, Torahiko Okubo, Ryosuke Omori, Ayako Kai, Kyohei Sugiyama, Airi Kawashiro, Masato Sumi, Jeewan Thapa, Shinji Nakamura, Chietsugu Katoh, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
Summary: A handmade 3D-printed air sampler was created to collect live airborne bacteria effectively, and the study found that the captured bacteria made up most of the airborne bacteria and mainly originated from soil. The presence of correlations between bacterial CFUs and environmental factors such as humidity, wind speed, insolation, and rainfall was revealed, indicating that airborne bacteria can change in number according to environmental changes.
RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zihan Wu, Xiang Ji, Xi Zhou, Shuai Tong
Summary: This study establishes an evaluation system for the environmental suitability of transfer spaces and uses the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method to evaluate eight samples in Shanghai. The results indicate that safety and convenience greatly affect the suitability of transfer spaces. These evaluation methods and results provide a reference for improving the environmental quality of subway transfer spaces in other cities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hong Bai, Liang-Ying He, Fang-Zhou Gao, Dai-Ling Wu, Kai-Sheng Yao, Min Zhang, Wei-Li Jia, Lu-Xi He, Hai-Yan Zou, Mao-Sheng Yao, Guang-Guo Ying
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern that has been further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the airborne antibiotic resistome in public transport systems before and after the pandemic outbreak. The results showed a decrease in diversity but an increase in relative abundance of core antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) following the pandemic. Furthermore, a bloom of clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria and an increase in horizontally acquired ARGs hosted by pathogens were observed during the pandemic. These findings highlight the elevated airborne health risks during the pandemic.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Junbin Yang, Xianwang Fan, Huan Zhang, Wandong Zheng, Tianzhen Ye
Summary: Due to the rapidly increasing ridership and the relatively enclosed underground space, the indoor air quality (IAQ) in underground subway stations (USSs) has attracted more public attention. This study found that the concentrations of air pollutants in USSs, such as particulate matter, CO2, VOCs, bacteria, and fungi, are significantly higher than the permissible concentration limits specified by health organizations. The sources of these pollutants mainly come from internal and outdoor sources. Additionally, the study summarizes different methods for IAQ monitoring, fault detection, and prediction, and reviews the available control strategies for improving IAQ in USSs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
