Modeling indoor air exposure from short-term point source releases

We have developed a simplified analytical indoor air model that describes the concentrations as a function of position and time in a room following a short-term release of airborne particles or gases. The indoor dispersion model considers the two main physical processes of (1) point-source dispersion with reflection from all walls and (2) the general concentration decay in a room due to room ventilation and surface deposition of pollutants. Comparison of model predictions with experimental indoor measurements conducted by other researchers showed excellent agreement. This model should prove useful for human-health risk estimations in which the inhalation dose resulting from an indoor, short-term release of a contaminant needs to be calculated.