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Volatile Organic Compounds in Underground Shopping Districts in Korea

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  • Soo Ran Won

    (Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea
    Department of Environmental Science, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Korea)

  • Young Sung Ghim

    (Department of Environmental Science, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin 17035, Korea)

  • Jeonghoon Kim

    (Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea)

  • Jungmin Ryu

    (Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea)

  • In-Keun Shim

    (Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea)

  • Jongchun Lee

    (Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon 22689, Korea)

Abstract

Underground shopping districts (USDs) are susceptible to severe indoor air pollution, which can adversely impact human health. We measured 24 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 13 USDs throughout South Korea from July to October 2017, and the human risk of inhaling hazardous substances was evaluated. The sum of the concentrations of the 24 VOCs was much higher inside the USDs than in the open air. Based on factor analysis, six indoor air pollution sources were identified. Despite the expectation of a partial outdoor effect, the impacts of the indoor emissions were significant, resulting in an indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio of 5.9 and indicating elevated indoor air pollution. However, the effects of indoor emissions decreased, and the contributions of the pollution sources reduced when the USD entrances were open and the stores were closed. Although benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde exhibited lower concentrations compared to previous studies, they still posed health risks in both indoor and outdoor settings. Particularly, while the indoor excess cancer risk (ECR) of formaldehyde was ~10 times higher than its outdoor ECR, benzene had a low I/O ratio (1.1) and a similar ECR value. Therefore, indoor VOC concentrations could be reduced by managing inputs of open air into USDs.

Suggested Citation

  • Soo Ran Won & Young Sung Ghim & Jeonghoon Kim & Jungmin Ryu & In-Keun Shim & Jongchun Lee, 2021. "Volatile Organic Compounds in Underground Shopping Districts in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5508-:d:559139
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Soo Ran Won & In-Keun Shim & Jeonghoon Kim & Hyun Ah Ji & Yumi Lee & Jongchun Lee & Young Sung Ghim, 2021. "PM 2.5 and Trace Elements in Underground Shopping Districts in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-16, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hea Young Lim & Ki Han Kwon, 2023. "Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.

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