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TSRC, Tob. Sci. Res. Conf., 2016, 70, abstr. 78

A distributed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for estimation of room air levels of selected aerosol chemicals from emission of e-vapor products (EVP)

ROSTAMI A.A.(1); AGYEMANG S.(2); PITHAWALLA Y.B.(1)
(1) Altria Client Services LLC, Research, Development and Regulatory Affairs, Richmond, VA, USA; (2) TriMech Solutions LLC, Glen Allen, VA, USA

At a 2015 “Electronic Cigarettes and the Public Health” workshop, among other topics, the FDA expressed interest in gathering scientific information on: (1) how far can exhaled e-cigarette aerosols travel in a confined environment to impact nonusers? and (2) how do exhaled aerosol properties impact potential secondhand exposure? To conduct a systematic risk assessment of impact on non-users, one would need to estimate the potential range of secondhand exposures, resulting from different use scenarios. It is difficult and cost prohibitive to estimate the potential exposure ranges using controlled clinical studies, especially considering the multitude of possible variations in e-liquid compositions, individual usage behavior and indoor space characteristics (size, ventilation, etc.). We have developed a distributed model, using CFD and thermodynamics principles that predicts aerosol dispersion in indoor spaces. The model includes evaporation and condensation of selected chemicals from the dispersed aerosol. The model can dynamically estimate the spatial and temporal variations of the room concentration of selected aerosol chemicals. Results from the model are in good agreement with published experimental data. Modeling results indicate that, in close proximity of the source, concentrations of selected aerosol chemicals strongly depend on the distance and orientation of the sampling point with respect to the source. The direction of recirculation air within the room also has a strong effect on the concentration at the sampling point. The model may be used for estimating (a) the exposure level of non-users to selected chemicals in an indoor space where EVPs are used & (b) estimate the level of particulate matter and chemicals from EVP use in a variety of enclosed spaces (e.g. cars, homes and office settings).