Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Aug 21;21(8):1107. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21081107.
The prevalence of airborne pathogens in indoor environments presents significant health risks due to prolonged human occupancy. This review addresses diverse air purification systems to combat airborne pathogens and the factors influencing their efficacy. Indoor aerosols, including bioaerosols, harbor biological contaminants from respiratory emissions, highlighting the need for efficient air disinfection strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the dangers of airborne transmission, highlighting the importance of comprehending how pathogens spread indoors. Various pathogens, from viruses like SARS-CoV-2 to bacteria like , exploit unique respiratory microenvironments for transmission, necessitating targeted air purification solutions. Air disinfection methods encompass strategies to reduce aerosol concentration and inactivate viable bioaerosols. Techniques like ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), filters, and unipolar ion emission are explored for their specific roles in mitigating airborne pathogens. This review examines air purification systems, detailing their operational principles, advantages, and limitations. Moreover, it elucidates key factors influencing system performance. In conclusion, this review aims to provide practical knowledge to professionals involved in indoor air quality management, enabling informed decisions for deploying efficient air purification strategies to safeguard public health in indoor environments.
室内环境中空气传播病原体的存在给长时间有人居住的场所带来了重大的健康风险。本综述探讨了多种空气净化系统,以应对空气传播病原体,并分析了影响其效果的因素。室内气溶胶(包括生物气溶胶)携带着源自呼吸排放的生物污染物,这凸显出需要采用高效的空气消毒策略。COVID-19 大流行强调了空气传播的危险,突显了理解病原体如何在室内传播的重要性。各种病原体,从 SARS-CoV-2 等病毒到 等细菌,利用独特的呼吸微环境进行传播,因此需要有针对性的空气净化解决方案。空气消毒方法包括降低气溶胶浓度和灭活存活生物气溶胶的策略。紫外线杀菌(UVGI)、光触媒氧化(PCO)、过滤器和单极离子发射等技术因其在减轻空气传播病原体方面的特定作用而被探讨。本综述检查了空气净化系统,详细介绍了它们的工作原理、优点和局限性。此外,还阐明了影响系统性能的关键因素。总之,本综述旨在为参与室内空气质量管理的专业人员提供实用知识,以便为在室内环境中保护公众健康而明智地部署有效的空气净化策略做出决策。