Comparison of PM2.5 Pollution Status at a Major Transit Subway Station in Seoul

Abstract

We investigated the pollution levels of PM2.5 at Wangsimni station at which four subway lines (Line 2, Line 5, the Jungang line, and the Bundang Line) are simultaneously under the operation. The analysis of PM2.5 was made for the period of 1 similar to 11 Nov. 2014. The results of our field campaign were analyzed to assess the effects of various factors and conditions on the PM2.5 pollution (such as installation of the screen door, density of floating population, weekdays and weekend, and the depth of platforms). The mean concentrations of PM2.5 in each subway line of the Wangsimni station was measured as: the line 2 (22.5 mu g/m(3)); the line 5 (18.3 mu g/m(3));the Jungang line (31.8 mu g/m(3)); and the Bundang line (32.2 mu g/m(3)). Based on the detailed analysis of PM2.5 pollution at four subway lines, we aimed to provide some perspectives on reducing the concentration of ultrafine particles in a highly populated urban area.