A SURVEY OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY WITHIN PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES OPERATING IN SEOUL

摘要

The research was conducted concerning the degree of indoor air quality in public transport vehicles such as taxicabs, buses and subway trains, as sampled through the active participation of drivers and passengers in Seoul between 1st November 2003 and 30th June 2004. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Among the measured substances especially respirable particulate matters (PM{sub}10) and total bacteria counts (TBC) exceeded the standard level of 150 μg/m{sup}3 and 500 CFU/m{sup}3. The mean level of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and HCHO were 150 μg/m{sup}3 and 0.05 ppm, respectively. The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO{sub}2) in taxi recorded 2491 ppm, which is more than the standard amount of 1000 ppm. This level was comparatively higher than all other public transportation methods. 2. The drivers who regularly work long hours showed the higher concern about contamination of the air inside the public transport vehicles and they considered it to be worse than the air outside. In contrast, the general public showed less concern about the air quality inside the public transport vehicles. However, they too acknowledged that the quality of the air inside the public transport vehicles was poor. In regards to the degree of indoor air quality in the public transport vehicles, a counterplan must be implemented urgently to effectively combat the excessive levels of PM{sub}10, microorganism and CO{sub}2. We need to gather more conclusive evidence pertaining to other possible contaminants and influencing factors.