Predicting emissions and transport of Semi-volatile organic compounds in indoor environments: A review on mechanistic models

Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from indoor products pose great threats to human health. Some experimental studies on them have been conducted, but a general model could be an excellent alternative to predict the concentration distribution of SVOCs because SVOCs cost long term to reach equilibrium and are hard to be detected. This paper is expected to offer an apprehensive review of the physically-based models evolved from the VOC models and improved ones. Detailed analysis and critical discussions concentrating on the studies of SVOCs adsorbing on interior surfaces and particles are given. Current studies based on experiments and mechanistic models involved in influences of different factors on the emission rate and concentrations are summarized. Despite some great advances have been made, further model development, parameters identification and model validation are needed. Also, the micro and mesoscale methods are proposed here due to their strong potential in numerically predicting SVOC behaviors.