A Bibliometric Review of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Culture Studies

Abstract

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems are critical in maintaining air quality and ensuring safety in industrial and laboratory settings. However, a comprehensive review article needs to be published covering all aspects of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) research. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of LEV research from 2020 to 2024, aiming to elucidate the current state, trends, and collaborative patterns in this field. Utilising the Scopus database, we employed various bibliometric techniques, including temporal analysis, author productivity assessment, subject classification, citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence, co-authorship network analysis, and co-citation network mapping. The results reveal a fluctuating publication trend, with a peak of 67 publications in 2022 and a decline in subsequent years. Engineering, Environmental Science, and Medicine emerged as the dominant subject areas, collectively accounting for 52.2% of the publications. The analysis identified key contributors, with Logachev, K.I., Averkova, O.A., and Wang, Y. as the most productive authors. Geographically, the United States, China, and the Russian Federation led in research output. Keyword analysis focused on specific industrial contexts, such as construction, welding, and occupational exposure concerns. Co-authorship network analysis revealed solid international collaborations, while co-citation mapping identified influential authors and research clusters. This study provides valuable insights into the interdisciplinary nature of LEV research, its key contributors, and collaborative networks. The findings can guide future research directions, resource allocation, and policy formulation to enhance occupational health and safety through effective LEV system implementation.