Indoor Air Quality in Tujia Dwellings in Hunan, China: Field Tests, Numerical Simulations, and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract

Air pollution is a major health hazard. The traditional habits and unique ethnic fire culture in Hunan Tujia region result in the long-term exposure of residents, especially elderly people, to pollutants. In this study, we conducted field monitoring and assessment of indoor pollutants in the residential houses of Hunan Tujia families and subsequently visualised and simulated fire pollutants in representative residential houses by using fire-dynamic-simulator software. Pollutant-control strategies, using passive smoke collectors and resizing windows, were proposed and simulated for validation. The results revealed that passive smoke collectors reduced the pollutant concentration in the hall house by 43.96%. Furthermore, the optimal window size was 1500 mm × 1500 mm, and the most reasonable windowsill height of the firepit was 1800 mm. The results of the study can be used to improve the indoor air quality of Tujia dwellings and mitigate the adverse health effects of exposure to indoor air pollution without restricting ethnic beliefs and traditional customs.

The Ancient Town Residential Environment of the Elderly in Xiangxi Tujia: Survey, Questions, and Recommendations

“… Four representative dwelling planes of the ancient towns in Xiangxi Tujia. ( a ) L-shape dwelling [ 34 ], ( b ) Zuozi dwelling [ 34 ], ( c ) front store and back house dwelling, ( d ) lower store and upper house dwelling. …”

“… Analysis of CO 2 concentrations during indoor fires in ancient Tujia town dwellings. ( a ) Zuozi dwelling [ 34 ]. ( b ) L-shape dwelling [ 34 ].…”

“…( a ) Zuozi dwelling [ 34 ]. ( b ) L-shape dwelling [ 34 ], ( c ) lower store and upper house dwelling, ( d ) front store and back house dwelling.…”

“… Analysis of PM 10 concentrations during indoor fires in ancient Tujia town dwellings. ( a ) Zuozi dwelling [ 34 ], ( b ) L-shape dwelling [ 34 ], ( c ) lower store and upper house dwelling, ( d ) front store and back house dwelling. …”

“…However, through analysis, young people in Tujia’s ancient towns are optimistic about the rapid economic development and basic urban public services. It accelerates their willingness to leave and flock to large and medium-sized cities, while the elderly tend to stay back for various reasons like physical function and hometown attachment [ 34 ]. Housing construction in ancient Tujia towns also often ignores the need for elderly care.…”