This study investigated and reported the results of the distribution of in air particulate matter concentration inside school classrooms where children, who are known to be environmentally vulnerable, spend the most time after home. The objective of this study is to provide basic data for future studies related to indoor air quality in Yeongwol county and studies for improving school environment. The study investigated the levels of the concentration distribution of PM10 and PM2.5 in classrooms at 19 different elementary schools based in Yeongwol county from December 12 to 19, 2016. In the classrooms of the elementary schools in Yeongwol county, the pooled average concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 was 11.9 μg/m³ and 4.2 μg/m³, respectively. These concentration rates were lower than those of PM10 and PM2.5 surveyed in classrooms of elementary schools based in other regions of Korea. Further, they did not exceed 100 μg/m³, the PM10 guideline concentration provided by the School Health Act. The study results revealed that the winter concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in air inside classrooms of elementary schools based in Yeongwol county were influenced more by indoor sources such as indoor residents rather than outdoor sources.

Senior citizens are reported to be highly sensitive to environmental pollutants, including fine particulate matter. The purpose of this study is to investigate the distributions of fine particulate matter concentrations in town halls and senior citizens’ halls, where senior citizens typically spend a lot of time. The results of this investigation will serve as fundamental data for conducting indoor air quality studies and establishing a regional environmental health policy governing senior citizens’ facilities in Yeongwol county in the future. From January 4 to February 1, 2017, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in 170 seniors’ facilities located in Yeongwol county were measured. The average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 that were measured from each seniors’ facility chosen from Yeongwol county were 25.1 ± 18.9 μg/m3and 12.5 ± 9.3 μg/m3 respectively. Average concentrations and the average of maximum concentrations were lower than the living space standard of 100 μg/m3 for PM10 and the atmospheric environment standard of 50 μg/m3 for PM2.5, which were set by the Ministry of Environment for populations vulnerable to environmental pollution. As a result of analyzing the sources in seniors’ facilities in Yeongwol county during the winter months, it was found that indoor sources of air pollution such as cooking is main sources rather than outdoor sources of air pollution.