Evaluation of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concentrations Measured by a Portable Nephelometer in Comparison with the Federal Reference Method Using a Filter Measuring System in the National Urban Air-Quality Monitoring Site of Seoul, South Korea

摘要

[Background] Epidemiological studies have recently shown that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with adverse short- and long-term respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. For better understanding of individual exposure level to PM2.5, portable monitors have been used to measure PM2.5 concentrations. However, the lack of validation of the usefulness of portable monitors limits its applicability. This study investigated the association between PM2.5 concentrations estimated by a portable monitor and those measured by the federal reference method (FRM) in the national urban air-quality monitoring site of Seoul, South Korea. [Methods] We used the SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor (TSI Inc., St. Paul, MN) as our portable monitor for measuring PM2.5 concentrations and compared the values obtained with the FRM equipped with a filter measurements system in the national urban air-quality monitoring site of Seoul. Measurements were conducted every other day in the winter and spring seasons of 2014. [Results] The PM2.5 daily mean concentrations estimated using SidePak ranged from 13.4 to 161.9 μg/m3. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.99, and the correction factor suggested was 0.55±0.09. Adjusted SidePak data with the correction factor showed good agreement with the reference values obtained using the FRM.