This study aimed to investigate the airborne exposure to aerosols according to the particle size distribution of three different spray types (nano-nozzled spray gun, low-temperature steam spray, and fogger) and compare the concentrations of inhaled aerosols between children and adults. Airborne aerosols released from three products were observed using size-segregated particle measurements, and particle concentrations deposited in the respiratory tracts of adults and children were estimated using multi-path particle dosimetry lung deposition models. All types of sprayers generated the most nanoparticles (~100 nm). Due to their higher respiratory rate than adults, a larger number of particles <1.0 μm deposited in the children's respiratory tracts was higher. The sequences of the total number of particles in the respiratory regions after spraying nano-nozzled spray gun and fogger were alveolar (AL)>tracheobronchial (TB)>head airway (HA) in adults and AL>HA>TB in children. Meanwhile, the trend of low-temperature steam spray was AL>TB>HA in adults and AL>TB>HA in children.
Keywords: Inhalation exposure; continuous release; droplet size; spray-type disinfectant.