A Study on Airborne Dust and Asbestos Concentrations in Subway Stations in Seoul Area

서울시 지하철 구내의 공기중 분진 농도에 관한 연구

Airborne dust and asbestos fiber concentrations were determined in subway stations located in Seoul area. Two stations, such as Eulchiro 4-Ka Station of Line #2, constructed during a period of 1980-1984 and Hyehwa Station of Line #4, opened in 1985, were selected. The results of the study are as follows. 1. Daily time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of airborne dusts from 07:00 to 20:00 hours in Line #2 and Line #4 were 0.43$\pm$0.08 mg/m$^3$ and 0.37$\pm$0.12 mg/m$^3$, respectively. Thus, the dust levels in Line #2 were significantly higher than the levels in Line #4 (p < 0.05). 2. Dust levels in the morning (07:00-11:00 hours), noon (11:00-16:00 hours) and in the evening (16:00-20:00 hours) in Line #2 were 0.47$\pm$0.17 mg/m$^3$, 0.37$\pm$0.08 mg/m$^3$, and 0.46$\pm$0.07 mg/m$^3$ respectively. Thus, dust levels in the morning and evening (i.e., during rush hours) were significantly higher than levels in the noon (p < 0.02). However, there was no such difference in dust levels by time in Line #4. 3. Airborne total dust concentrations were well below the occupational health standard of 10 mg/m$^3$, however, the levels were exceeding the ambient air standard recommended by the Korean Environment Administration. 4. All of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to or below 0.005 fibers/cc. The levels are within both occupational health standards and U.S. EPA criteria. 5. A consideration should be given to the improvements of cleaning methods (such as use of vacuum cleaning instead of brushing) and the existing ventilation (such as more air change and filtration of supply air) for a reduction of dust levels. 6. It is recommended that routine monitoring of airborne dusts and asbestos fibers be conducted because more dusts and asbestos fibers can be produced in the air due to the deterioration of facilities by age and water damage in future.