Indoor and outdoor levels of respirable particulates (PM 10) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) in high-rise apartment buildings

Abstract

The present study evaluated exposure to two mobile source-related pollutants (CO and PM 10) in high-rise apartment buildings, according to floor height. The outdoor air concentrations of CO and PM 10 were higher for the lower-floor apartments than for the higher-floor apartments, and they were significantly higher in the winter and summer. However, the difference of indoor concentrations between the lower-floor and higher-floor apartments depended upon the season. Most indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM 10 were significantly higher in apartments, which were in close proximity to a major roadway, as compared to those further away, whereas the indoor and outdoor concentrations of CO did not vary much according to distances from major roadways. Atmospheric stability was important regarding the level of exposure to both CO and PM 10 for residents of high-rise apartment buildings. These parameters (apartment floor, proximity to roadways, season, and atmospheric stability) should be considered when evaluating the level of exposure to CO and PM 10 for residents living in high-rise apartment buildings. The median PM 10 outdoor concentrations were close to or lower than the Korean annual standard for PM 10 (70 μg m −3) or the American annual standard (50 μg m −3). Neither the median nor the maximum outdoor CO concentrations were higher than the Korean 8-h CO standard (9 ppm). However, the maximum PM 10 concentrations substantially exceeded the Korean standard, thus suggesting the need for a management strategy regarding episodic ambient PM 10 pollution.