[go: up one dir, main page]
Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Indoor air quality differences between urban and rural preschools in Korea

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background, aims, and scope

Preschool indoor air quality (IAQ) is believed to be different from elementary school or higher school IAQ and preschool is the first place for social activity. Younger children are more susceptible than higher-grade children and spend more time indoors. The purpose of this study was to compare the indoor air quality by investigating the concentrations of airborne particulates and gaseous materials at preschools in urban and rural locations in Korea.

Methods

We investigated the concentrations of airborne particulates and gaseous materials in 71 classrooms at 17 Korean preschools. For comparison, outdoor air was sampled simultaneously with indoor air samples. Airborne concentrations of total suspended particulates, respirable particulates, lead, asbestos, total volatile organic compounds and components, formaldehyde, and CO2 were measured with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and/or Environmental Protection Agency analytical methods.

Results

The concentration profiles of the investigated pollutants in indoor and urban settings were higher than those in outdoor and rural areas, respectively. The ratios of indoor/outdoor concentrations (I/O) of particulates and gaseous pollutants were characterized in urban and rural preschools. Total dust concentration was highest in urban indoor settings followed by urban outdoor, rural indoor, and rural outdoor locations with an I/O ratio of 1.37 in urban and 1.35 in rural areas. Although I/O ratios of lead were close to 1, lead concentrations were much higher in urban than in rural areas. The I/O ratio of total VOCs was 2.29 in urban and 2.52 in rural areas, with the highest level in urban indoor settings. The I/O ratio of formaldehyde concentrations was higher in rural than in urban areas because the outdoor rural level was much lower than the urban concentration. Since an I/O ratio higher than 1 implies the presence of indoor sources, we concluded that there are many indoor sources in preschools.

Conclusions

We confirmed that pollutants in indoor and urban settings were higher than those in outdoor and rural areas, respectively. Preschool children are expected to spend more time inside preschool facilities and therefore to be more exposed to pollutants. As far as we know, preschool IAQ is different from elementary school or higher school IAQ. Also, they are more vulnerable than higher-grade children. We found that the indoor and urban concentration profiles of the studied pollutants in preschools were higher than those in outdoor and rural areas. We believe that our findings may be useful for understanding the potential health effects of exposure and intervention studies in preschools.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Apte MG, Fisk WJ, Daisey JM (2000) Associations between indoor CO2 concentrations and sick building syndrome symptoms in US office buildings: an analysis of the 1994–1996 BASE Study Data. Indoor Air 10:246–257

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bae H, Yang W, Chung M (2004) Indoor and outdoor concentrations of RSP, NO2 and selected volatile organic compounds at 32 shoe stalls located near busy roadways in Seoul, Korea. Sci Total Environ 323:99–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baek SO, Kim YS, Perry R (1997) Indoor air quality in homes, offices and restaurants in Korean urban areas—indoor/outdoor relationships. Atm Environ 31:529–544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baéz A, Padilla H, García R, Torres MC, Rosas I, Belmont R (2003) Carbonyl levels in indoor and outdoor air in Mexico City and Xalapa, Mexico. Sci Total Environ 302:211–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blondeau P, Iordache V, Poupard O, Genin D, Allard F (2005) Relationship between outdoor and indoor air quality in eight French schools. Indoor Air 15:2–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock WH, Ignacio JS (2006) A strategy for assessing and managing occupational exposures, 3rd edn. American Industrial Hygiene Association, Fairfax, pp 349–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Burdett GJ, LeGuan JMM, Rood AP (1994) Mass concentrations of airborne asbestos in the nonoccupational environment. Ann Occup Hyg 28:31–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavallo D, Alcini D, De Bortoli M, Carrettoni D, Carrer P, Bersani M, Maroni M (1993) Chemical contamination of indoor air in schools and office buildings in Milan, Italy. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate. Indoor Air 93, Helsinki, Finland, Vol 2, pp 45–50

  • Choi SW (1997) Evaluation of ventilation system performance using indoor air quality model. Kor J Environ Health 23:57–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Corn M, Crump K, Farrar DB, Lee RJ, Mcfee DR (1991) Airborne concentrations of asbestos in 71 school buildings. Reg Toxi Pharm 13:99–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daisey JM, Angell WJ, Apte MG (2003) Indoor air quality, ventilation and health symptoms in schools: an analysis of existing information. Indoor Air 13:53–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demirci E, Cuhadaroglu B (2000) Statistical analysis of wind circulation and air pollution in urban Trabzon. Energy Build 31:49–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dulmen AMV (1998) Children's contributions to pediatric outpatient encounters. Pediatrics 102:563–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanger PO (2006) What is IAQ? Indoor Air 16:328–334

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fromme H, Lahrz T, Hainsch A, Oddoy A, Piloty M, RÜden H (2005) Elemental carbon and respirable particulate matter in the indoor air of apartments and nursery schools and ambient air in Berlin (Germany). Indoor Air 15:335–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fromme H, Twardella D, Dietrich S, Heitmann D, Schierl R, Liebl B, RÜden H (2007) Particulate matter in the indoor air of classrooms—exploratory results from Munich and surrounding area. Atm Environ 41:854–866

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • George K, Ziska LH, Bunce JA, Quebedeaux B (2007) Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature across an urban–rural transect. Atm Environ 41:7654–7665

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godish T (1989) Indoor air pollution control. Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, pp 2–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Gratani L, Varone L (2005) Daily and seasonal variation of CO2 in the city of Rome in relationship with the traffic volume. Atm Environ 39:2619–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z (2002) Review of indoor emission source models, part 1. Overview. Environ Poll 20:533–549

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo H, Lee SC, Li WM, Cao JJ (2003) Source characterization of BTEX in indoor microenvironments in Hong Kong. Atm Environ 37:73–82

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagerhed-Engman L, Bornehag CG, Sundell J, Aberg N (2006) Day-care attendance and increased risk for respiratory and allergic symptoms in preschool age. Allergy 61:447–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernandez SF, Morales HR, Cuevas RP, Gallardo HG (1999) The day care as a risk factor for acute respiratory infections. Arch Med Res 30:216–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hornung RW, Reed LD (1990) Estimation of average concentration in the presence of nondetectable values. App Occup Environ Hyg 5:46–51

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howitt DG, Hatfield J, Fishler G (1993) The difficulties with low-level asbestos exposure assessments in public, commercial, and industrial buildings. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 54:267–71

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idso CD, Idso SB, Balling RC Jr (2001) An intensive two-week study of an urban CO2 dome in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Atm Environ 35:995–1000

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong GY, Paik NW (2005) Laboratory and field validation of the GC-NPD method for the measurement of formaldehyde in the workplace. J Environ Occup Hyg 2:244–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jo WK, Kim KY, Park KH, Kim YK, Lee HW, Park JK (2003) Comparison of outdoor and indoor mobile source-related volatile organic compounds between low- and high-floor apartments. Environ Res 92:166–171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keady PB, Mainquist L (2000) Tracking IAQ problems to their source. Occup Health Saf 69:51–55

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim JL, Elfman L, Norbäck D (2007) Respiratory symptoms, asthma and allergen levels in schools—comparison between Korea and Sweden. Indoor Air 17:122–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Korean National Statistical Office (KNSO) (2006) Population and Housing Census. KNSO, Seoul, p 147

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim HS, Kim JY, Sakai K, Hisanga N (2004) Airborne asbestos and non-asbestos fiber concentrations in non-occupational environments in Korea. Ind Health 42:171–178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marchand C, Bulliot B, Le Calvé S, Mirabel P (2006) Aldehyde measurements in indoor environments in Strasbourg (France). Atm Environ 40:1336–1345

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meininghaus R, Kouniali A, Mandin C, Cicolella A (2003) Risk assessment of sensory irritants in indoor air—a case study in a French school. Environ Int 28:553–557

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meklin T, Potus T, Pekkanen J, Hyvärinen A, Hirvonen MR, Nevalainen A (2005) Effects of moisture-damage repairs on microbial exposure and symptoms in school children. Indoor Air 15:40–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendell MJ (2007) Indoor residential chemical emissions as risk factors for respiratory and allergic effects in children: a review. Indoor Air 17:259–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendell MJ, Heath GA (2005) Do indoor pollutants and thermal conditions in schools influence student performance? A critical review of the literature. Indoor Air 15:27–52

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) (2008) Statistical yearbook of education. MEHRD, Korean Education Development Institute, Seoul, p 275

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Gender Equality & Family (MGEF) (2007) Childcare Statistics. Korea MGEF, Child Care Support Division, Seoul, p 496

    Google Scholar 

  • Monn CH, Fuchs A, Högger D, Junker M, Kogelschatz D, Roth N, Wanner HU (1997) Particulate matter less than 10 um (PM10) and fine particles less than 2.5 um (PM2.5): relationships between indoor, outdoor and personal concentrations. Sci Total Environ 208:15–21

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (1994) NIOSH method 0500 particulates not otherwise regulated, total. In: Eller PM (ed) NIOSH manual of analytical methods, 4th edn. NIOSH, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • NIOSH (1994) NIOSH method 7105 lead by GFAAS. In: Eller PM (ed) NIOSH manual of analytical methods. NIOSH, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • NIOSH (1998) NIOSH method 0600 particulates not otherwise regulated, respirable. In: Eller PM (ed) NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. NIOSH, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  • Putus T, Tuomainen A, Rautiala S (2004) Chemical and microbial exposures in a school building: adverse health effects in children. Arch Environ Health 59:194–201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosén KG, Richardson G (1999) Would removing indoor air particulates in children’s environments reduce rate of absenteeism—a hypothesis. Sci Total Environ 234:87–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruland CM, Starren J, Vatne TM (2008) Participatory design with children in the development of a support system for patient-centered care in pediatric oncology. J Bio Inf 41:624–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saarelaa K, Tirkkonena T, Laine-Ylijokib J, Jurvelinc J, Nieuwenhuijsend MJ, Jantunene M (2003) Exposure of population and microenvironmental distributions of volatile organic compound concentrations in the EXPOLIS study. Atm Environ 37:5563–5575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Son B, Breysse P, Yang W (2003) Volatile organic compounds concentrations in residential indoor and outdoor and its personal exposure in Korea. Environ Int 29:79–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stranger M, Potgieter-Vermaak SS, Van Grieken R (2007) Comparative overview of indoor air quality in Antwerp, Belgium. Environ Int 33:789–797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) (1984) Method TO-1, Revision 1.0: Method for the determination of volatile organic compounds in ambient air using TENAX® adsorption and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Center for Environmental Research Information, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC

  • USEPA (1991) building air quality—a guide for building owners and facility managers, EPA/400/1-91/033, Washington, DC, pp 5–11

  • USEPA (1995) Indoor air quality tools for schools. EPA 402-K-95-001, Washington, DC, pp 3–4

  • Yang WH, Kim DW, Chung MW, Yang JS, Park KS (2004) Improvement of indoor air quality by coating of indoor materials of TiO photocatalyst sol. Kor J Environ Health 30:72–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoon CS, Jeong JY, Yi GY, Park DU, Park DY (2004) Variation of formaldehyde concentration in preschool facilities by location and indoor/outdoor. Kor J Environ Health 30:259–263

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang WL, Zhang L, Turpin BJ, Weisel CP, Morandi MT, Stock TH, Korn LR (2006) Estimating contributions of indoor and outdoor sources to indoor carbonyl concentrations in three urban areas of the United States. Atm Environ 40:2202–2214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuraimi MS, Tham KW, Chew FT, Ooil PL (2007) The effect of ventilation strategies of child care centers on indoor air quality and respiratory health of children in Singapore. Indoor Air 17:317–327

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, South Korea

    Chungsik Yoon & Kiyoung Lee

  2. Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University, 169, Dongsung-dong, Jongno-qu, Seoul, 110-791, South Korea

    Donguk Park

  3. School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, South Korea

    Chungsik Yoon

Authors
  1. Chungsik Yoon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kiyoung Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Donguk Park
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chungsik Yoon.

Additional information

Communicated by Euripides Stephanou

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yoon, C., Lee, K. & Park, D. Indoor air quality differences between urban and rural preschools in Korea. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 333–345 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0377-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0377-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation