Evaluation of Priority Pollutants for Indoor Air Quality Management in Facilities Used by Vulnerable Populations

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of indoor air quality (IAQ) in facilities, particularly child care centers and elderly care facilities, used by vulnerable populations in Busan and to identify priority pollutants requiring focused management for each facility type. Based on a comprehensive analysis of pollutant concentration levels, the frequency of high-concentration episodes, exceedance rates of IAQ maintenance standards, and environmental influencing factors, PM-2.5 was identified as the priority pollutant in elderly care facilities, whereas carbon dioxide (CO2) and total airborne bacteria (TAB) were determined to be the pollutants requiring priority management in child care centers. Although PM-2.5 is largely influenced by outdoor air quality, cases of high indoor PM-2.5 concentrations suggest the potential presence of additional indoor sources in addition to outdoor air infiltration. CO2 and TAB concentrations tended to increase in indoor spaces with higher occupancy density and elevated indoor temperatures, indicating that indoor sources were the dominant contributors. Therefore, differentiated IAQ management strategies are required for facilities used by vulnerable populations, focusing on priority pollutants that reflect the spatial and user characteristics of each facility type.