Black Carbon and PM2.5 impact analysis in an urban school

Abstract

Poor outdoor air quality increases air pollutants indoors. Indoor and outdoor air pollutants adversely affect human health, especially in children, who are particularly vulnerable. In this study, indoor and outdoor BC (Black Carbon) and PM2.5 were measured in an elementary school classroom located in an urban city in South Korea. Indoor and outdoor concentrations (BC and PM2.5) were monitored for 7 days (140 hours) during the winter of December 2021. In addition, the classroom schedule was surveyed to identify the occupancy conditions. The reason for air pollution in the urban school was traffic. Classroom BC and PM2.5 concentrations were affected by outdoor and indoor factors. The primary outdoor factor was infiltration, and the impact was larger for BC than for PM2.5. The primary indoor factor was occupant behavior and the impact was more significant for PM2.5 than for BC.