Dynamic behavior modeling of cigarette smoke particles inside the car cabin with different ventilation scenarios

Dynamic behavior of cigarette smoke particles inside the cabin of cars is investigated and the respirable suspended particles concentration during and after smoking cigarette is predicted in this study. This model is based on mass balance equations. Mechanisms of deposition on the surfaces and the exchange of air in the cabin are considered as sinks for emitted particles. The coagulation is accounted as a sink for smaller particles and as a source for larger particles. The various scenarios of smoking in the cars available in the literature are simulated in this study. Good agreement between the results of the present model and the experimental data, as well as the predictions of other available models, is achieved. The mean respirable suspended particle concentration in different scenarios is estimated and compared with Environmental Protection Agency's health-based standards in order to specify the situations with respirable suspended particles concentrations exceeding the allowable limits. The results show that the concentration of particles due to the smoke of a single cigarette in a stationary medium sized car with the air conditioner off is 33.6 µg/m3 and nearly reaches the limits appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency for a 24h incremental exposure (35 µg/m3). Corresponding values for moving cars have also been calculated and compared with the standards