Characterization of indoor air quality and efficiency of air purifier in childcare centers, Korea

Hyeon Ju Oh, In Sick Nam, Hyunjun Yun, Jinman Kim, Jinho Yang, Jong Ryeul Sohn

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    96 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Particulate matter (PM) samples were collected from inside ten childcare centers, and from their adjacent outdoor environments in Seoul, Korea during the summer, autumn and winter seasons. The concentrations and distribution of microbial size of the airborne bacteria and fungi in bio-aerosols were also investigated. The average indoor concentrations of fine particles less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the residential areas ranged from 37.1 μg/m3 (±5.8 μg/m3) to 45.2 μg/m3 (±5.3 μg/m3), while indoor PM2.5 concentrations in centers with roadways nearby ranged from 48.9 μg/m3 (±9.5 μg/m3) to 52.9 μg/m3 (±7.7 μg/m3), and up to 51.1 μg/m3 (±6.4 μg/m3) in residential areas located near construction sites. The concentrations of particulate matter indoor in childcare centers were correlated with the corresponding outdoor locations, in residential areas (R2 of 0.64 for PM10 and 0.66 for PM2.5), near roadways (R2 of 0.72 for PM10 and 0.76 for PM2.5), and near construction areas (R2 of 0.45 for PM10 and 0.62 for PM2.5). The distribution of bio-aerosols showed that 69.4% to 78.1% of the airborne bacteria in the outdoor environments existed in stages 1-3 (over 3.3 μm), while from 59.2% to 78.6% existed in stages 2-4 (2.1-7.0 μm) inside the childcare centers. When the efficiency of air purifiers was compared with the location and characteristics of the indoor of child care centers, the removal efficiency of particulate matter with new data that may characterize indoor air quality.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)203-214
    Number of pages12
    JournalBuilding and Environment
    Volume82
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014 Aug 23

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

    Keywords

    • Air purifier
    • Bio-aerosol
    • Childcare center
    • Correlation coefficient
    • Particulate matter

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Environmental Engineering
    • Civil and Structural Engineering
    • Geography, Planning and Development
    • Building and Construction

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