Distribution Characteristics of Indoor PM_2.5 Concentration Based on the Water Type and Humidification Method

With the industrialization and rapid development of technology that can measure the concentration of pollutants, studies on indoor atmosphere assessment focusing on occupants have been recently conducted. Pollutants that worsen indoor atmosphere include gaseous and particulate matter (PM), and the effects and diffusion characteristics that influence indoor atmosphere vary depending on the indoor and outdoor concentration. White dust is a PM generated from minerals in water used for humidifiers during winter. Therefore, studies on the impact of white dust on human health and its size distribution are being actively conducted. However, since the indoor PM concentration varies depending on the humidification method and water type used, relevant studies are needed. Accordingly, this study examined the change in the PM_2.5 concentration and relative humidity on the basis of water types and humidification method. It was found that the indoor PM_2.5 concentration varied from 16 to 350 ug/m³, depending on the water types used for an ultrasonic humidifier. Conversely, when using a natural evaporative humidifier, white dust did not increase the indoor PM_2.5 concentration, regardless of the mineral content of the water used. Considering both humidification ability and continuous humidifier use indoors, water purifier with nano-trap filters must be utilized for ultrasonic humidifiers.