ABSTRACT
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant concern that affects our health. Recent studies show how poor IAQ amplifies the effects of airborne viruses, which endanger the health of the population relative to the COVID-19. This study aims to find the relationship among IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of the IAQ indicators in the cardiac care unit (CCU) at Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. In this context, the condition of the air outlet valve can play an important part in preparing a better IAQ. To test the hypothesis, articles based on IAQ guidelines have been studied. Also, certain emissions (CO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10) have been measured, and the relationship between IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of these emissions in the patient's room at Namazi Hospital. This room has been analyzed using computational fluid dynamics for the prediction of the specification of incoming air flow particles. Also, a Eulerian–Lagrangian model was used. In constant, the turbulence model (realizable k–ԑ) and discrete particle model were employed. The results show that when the outlet valve is placed on the wall at 20 cm, it decreased particle deposition in the room, and as a result, IAQ will be improved and at the same time, the chances of transmitting infectious diseases will be reduced. It is also indicated that a higher amount of particle deposition fraction (ca. 0.71) obtains when the outlet valve is located on the top of the wall. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
The governments implemented social distancing and isolation with the spread of COVID-19. However, these ways efficiently prevent coronavirus transmission, but they caused unprecedented changes in most people’s day-to-day lives. One of the concerns is mental health, and many experts are concerned about the tsunami of mental illnesses during and after coronavirus. Being exposed to nature has an efficient role in mental health. Under pandemic conditions, people reduced their outdoor activities, but personal green spaces are still available. This research assessed the impact of these spaces as an alternative to public green spaces and their benefits during COVID-19 on mental health and generalized anxiety disorder. Accordingly, by designing an online self-administered questionnaire, a total of 700 residents of Tehran apartments were evaluated. A structural equation model was created. The results demonstrate that using personal green spaces has a negative correlation and significant impact on general mental health and generalized anxiety disorder. It also plays a more substantial role in reducing depression than its role in reducing anxiety among individuals. Therefore, maximum land use policies should be reviewed. Also, green spaces should be given more attention in post-COVID designs on a macro-scale to a small scale. Copyright © 2022 Khaledi, Faizi and Khakzand.