Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Seasonal Indoor-to-Outdoor Ratio (I/O Ratio) of Fine Particulate Matter and Ozone Concentrations in Various Microenvironments in South Korea

국내 다양한 미소환경에서의 계절별 초미세먼지 및 오존 실내·외 농도 비

  • Ji Soo Kim (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Sooyoung Guak (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kiyoung Lee (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • 김지수 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 곽수영 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 이기영 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과)
  • Received : 2024.08.01
  • Accepted : 2024.08.22
  • Published : 2024.08.31
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Abstract

Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) poses potential health risks. The Indoor-to-Outdoor ratio (I/O ratio) is a valuable tool for understanding indoor air quality and identifying potential indoor sources. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine I/O ratios of PM2.5 and O3 by different microenvironments and seasons in Korea. Methods: From December 2021 to November 2023, indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 were monitored every hour in 13 microenvironments (residential indoor, office, school, restaurant, pub, café, study café, private educational institute, PC room, billiard room, screen golf center, supermarket, and shopping mall) in Korea. Hourly outdoor concentrations of PM2.5 and O3 were obtained from local air quality monitoring stations, provided by airkorea.or.kr. The hourly I/O ratio was calculated by the indoor and outdoor concentrations. Results: At the pub, billiard room, and PC room, the median PM2.5 I/O ratio exceeded 1 in all seasons, except in spring at the PC room (0.9), suggesting indoor smoking as a potential cause. The median PM2.5 I/O ratio at the restaurant exceeded 1 in winter, autumn, and summer, except for spring (0.9), indicating significant PM2.5 emission sources in the restaurant. The median O3 I/O ratio was below 0.5 in all seasons and microenvironments. Conclusions: This study provided useful data on relationships between indoor and outdoor pollution in various microenvironments by seasons. These I/O ratios could be applied for more accurate exposure assessment to protect health of human.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 환경부 한국환경산업기술원의 환경성질환예방관리핵심기술사업(과제 번호: RS-2021-KE001337)의 지원으로 수행되었습니다. 실제 장기간의 미소환경 측정과 조사를 수행하는데 많은 도움을 준 연구원들에게 감사를 드립니다.

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