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This study is focused in determine the convenience of the use of displacement ventilation strategy in airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs). Comfort of the occupants of the chamber, IAQ indices and the exposition of the health worker (HW) to the contaminants emitted by the confined patient (P) are considered in a typical AIIR set up with a hot radiant wall representing an external wall. Three air ventilation rates are tested to determine their influence in the studied variables. Results show that IAQ indices associated with ventilation and general comfort indices for both manikins performs well in the cases studied. Lockup phenomenon associated to displacement ventilation occurs above P but it has a low influence on contaminant exposition of HW because of the influence of the convective boundary layer of HW. The influence of the radiant wall derives part of the fresh air directly to the exhaust and has a low influence the comfort of the manikins.

Significant changes in comfort and the ocular surface tests were found after 2 hours of exposure to CAE. These results show the negative impact that an adverse environment, especially low RH, can have on the ocular surface. These alterations were fully reversible. This indicates that the CAE is a safe and functional condition in which to standardize DE diagnostic tests and evaluate therapeutics.