Indoor air quality and sick-building syndrome at a metro station in Tianjin, China

Abstract

Metro systems play a crucial role in public transportation worldwide. Given that metro stations are unique built environments with a significant volume of daily commuters, ensuring a satisfactory air quality in these spaces becomes paramount. This study involved measurements of indoor air quality (IAQ), staff satisfaction, particulate matter (PM) chemical composition, and heavy metal health risks at a typical metro station in Tianjin over two seasons. Although the air exchange rate was sufficient to maintain a CO₂ concentration less than 1000 ppm, the proportion of staff reporting no sick-building symptoms decreased from 83 % in spring to 25 % in winter. An average mass concentration of PM with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) of 68.0 ± 42.2 μg/m³ and an average PM₁ mass concentration of 51.8 ± 33.3 μg/m³ were observed on the platform in winter. PM_2.5 contained more metal in winter than in spring. PM_2.5 in winter contained more metal in winter than in spring. With a lower relative humidity in winter, the coefficient of friction between railway wheels and rails increased, thus increasing particle emission. The carcinogenic risk of Cr on the platform was unacceptable. Moreover, the health risks induced by Ba should be investigated. The findings indicate that PM control at metro stationss, particularly on platforms in winter, should be emphasized.

Keywords: Indoor air quality; PM pollution; Platform; Sick building syndrome.