Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the variation in PM10 concentration and identify the factors influencing it in Korean subways during the past decade. The PM10 measured internally by subway companies according to legal requirements was categorized by the subway’s characteristics, which were statistically examined using a mixed effects model to identify the relevant parameters. The average levels monitored near or on the platforms and in the waiting rooms ranged from 53.9 to 92.4 µg m−3, remaining below the Indoor Air Quality Control Act regulatory standard of 150 µg m−3. However, the levels monitored on the platforms far exceeded the average yearly atmospheric environmental standard (50 µg m−3). Based on both univariate and multiple analyses, several subway characteristics, including the presence of a platform screen door (PSD), were found to significantly correlate with the concentration, although slight differences in the significant factors were detected between the cities. Particularly, the absence of transfer lines and the presence of a PSD reduced the platform concentration, except at Busan and during specific years.
Highlights
Subway systems are the most used public transportation service in South Korea
This study aimed to evaluate the variation in PM10 concentration and identify the factors influencing it in Korean subways during the past decade
The PM10 levels monitored in subway platforms, waiting rooms, and transfer passageways are compared by year (Fig. 1), city (Table 2), and subway and environmental characteristics (Table 3)
Summary
Subway systems are the most used public transportation service in South Korea. Subway lines have been expanding continuously since their inception in 1974. The underground portion of the subway system is a semi-confined environment that may accumulate either internally generated contaminants or those from the outside environment. Proper mechanical ventilation is vital to this situation; otherwise, contaminants may accumulate to a severely harmful level (Nieuwenhuijsen et al, 2007). The level of efficiency of the ventilation system varies among subways and according to their year of construction. It has been reported that subway users are likely to be exposed to higher levels of particulate matter (PM) than the outdoor concentration (Kamani et al, 2014; Ramos et al, 2015)
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