Study on the Indoor-Outdoor NO2 Levels and Related Factors in Urban Aprtments

Suh, Byung Seong; Kim, Sung Hwan; Kim, In Shik; Hur, Yum Young; Do, Sou Young; Kim, Jung Man; Kim, Joon Youn

Abstract

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been regarded as one of the main elements among air pollutants, and we measured NO2levels of near gas range, kitchen, living room and outdoor on 489 apartments in Pusan area. NO2were sampled by using Palmes tubes (diffusion tube sampler) during August 16-25, 1995 (summer) and January 15-29, 1996 (winter), respectively. Authors wanted to know comparison of NO2levels in summer and winter, NO2 levels categorized by variables, and variables affected to NO2levels. According to this study, we conducted to establish the degree of indoor-outdoor air pollution of urban apartments in Korea and methods to reduce indoor air pollution. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1) Mean NO2levels of near gas range, kitchen, living room, and outdoor were 25.9+/-10.0 ppb, 23.3+/-8.0 ppb, 19.9+/-6.1 ppb, and 19.0+/-6.0 ppb in summer, and 34.5+/-16.8 ppb, 28.2+/-13.4 ppb, 25.3+/-12.5 ppb, 21.8+/-9.8 ppb in winter, respectively. 2) Mean NO2levels according to the floor levels were not significantly different in summer, and in winter, NO2levels were decreased as the floor levels were increasing, but those were increased above 16th floor. 3) Variables showing significant correlation (p<0.05) with NO2levels were as follows; Summer: floor level, family size, number of family during a meal, number using gas range during rice cooking per day, and natural ventilation. Winter: floor level, family size, number of person who have been respiratory disease in a house, number of family during a meal, total number of meals, and number using gas range during rice or side-dish cooking per day. 4) We suggest that the methods of reducing indoor NO2levels are ventilation during cooking, complete combustion, decreasing number and time of cooking, and substitution of fuels.