Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Pre-filter Systems in Reducing PM2.5 Concentrations in Indoor Environments

SU-GWANG JEONG, Soongsil University

     Abstract Number: 161
     Working Group: Indoor Aerosols

Abstract
The indoor air quality in most urban environments is adversely impacted by outdoor air pollutants. To mitigate the levels of PM2.5, filtered ventilation systems have been made mandatory in newly constructed buildings. This study aimed to assess the impact of pre-filter systems on PM2.5 concentrations before and after installation, as well as to examine their behavior under different relative humidity conditions. Two houses (A and B) with identical ventilation systems were selected for the study. A high-performance filtering system was installed to reduce PM2.5 concentrations in the indoor air. Results showed that pre-filters were more effective in reducing outdoor PM2.5 rather than indoor-generated pollutants. After installation, the percentage of PM2.5 concentrations below 10 µg/m3 increased for both houses. The ventilation system proved to be more efficient in maintaining indoor air quality than an air cleaner. The study also revealed that relative humidity influenced the performance of pre-filters, with a higher percentage of I/O ratios (range of 0-1) after pre-filter installation in higher relative humidity conditions.