Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Analysis and Exposure Assessment of Factors That Affect the Concentration of Ambient PM2.5 in Seoul Based on Population Movement

인구 유동에 따른 서울시 대기 중 초미세먼지 농도 변화 요인 분석 및 노출평가

  • Jaemin Woo (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Jihun Shin (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Gihong Min (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Dongjun Kim (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Kyunghwa Sung (Center of Environmental Health Monitoring, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Mansu Cho (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Byunglyul Woo (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Wonho Yang (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 우재민 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 신지훈 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 민기홍 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 김동준 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 성경화 (대구가톨릭대학교 환경보건모니터링센) ;
  • 조만수 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 우병열 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과)
  • Received : 2023.12.10
  • Accepted : 2024.01.05
  • Published : 2024.02.28
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Abstract

Background: People's activities have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes in activity patterns may lead to a decrease in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. Additionally, the level of population exposure to PM2.5 may be changed. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the impact of population movement and meteorological factors on the distribution of PM2.5 concentrations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: The study area was Guro-gu in Seoul. The research period was selected as January to March 2020, a period of significant population movement changes caused by COVID-19. The evaluation of the dynamic population was conducted by calculating the absolute difference in population numbers between consecutive hours and comparing them to determine the daily average. Ambient PM2.5 concentrations were estimated for each grid using ordinary kriging in Python. For the population exposure assessment, the population-weighted average concentration was calculated by determining the indoor to outdoor population for each grid and applying the indoor to outdoor ratio to the ambient PM2.5 concentration. To assess the factors influencing changes in the ambient PM2.5 concentration, a statistical analysis was conducted, incorporating population mobility and meteorological factors. Results: Through statistical analysis, the correlation between ambient PM2.5 concentration and population movement was positive on both weekends and weekdays (r=0.71, r=0.266). The results confirmed that most of the relationships were positive, suggesting that a decrease in human activity can lead to a decrease in PM2.5 concentrations. In addition, when population-weighted concentration averages were calculated and the exposure level of the population group was compared before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, the proportion of people exceeding the air quality standard decreased by approximately 15.5%. Conclusions: Human activities can impact ambient concentrations of PM2.5, potentially altering the levels of PM2.5 exposure in the population.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 환경부의 재원으로 한국환경산업기술원의 환경성 질환 예방관리 핵심 기술개발사업(과제번호: 2021003320008) 및 환경부, 환경보건학회 환경보건센터 "2023년 환경보건 전문인력 양성사업 위탁사업(환경보건학회)"에서 지원 받아 수행된 결과이며 이에 감사드립니다.

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