실내공기질 관리 쟁점 및 개선방향 = IIdentification of Major Management Issues and Proposition of Policy Direction for Improvement of Indoor Air Quality

국문 초록 (Abstract)

Ⅰ. Introduction
ㅇ The objective of this study is to identify major issues and improvement directions in indoor air quality (IAQ) management by collecting detailed information and expert opinions on the current IAQ management.
Ⅱ. Status of Indoor Air Quality Management in Korea
1. Legislation regarding IAQ management
ㅇ Different facilities are managed under different laws according to the type of facility; most facilities are managed by the Ministry of Environment. Educational facilities (schools) are managed by the Ministry of Education, and workers’ workplaces (facility) are managed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
- Since each individual ministry takes part in IAQ management, they all have their own standards, target pollutants, and management methods, differing from one another.
2. IAQ management policy
ㅇ For the integrated management of IAQ, the Basic Plan for IAQ Management is established every five years, and the content of the IAQ management statutes and standards are decided after the Minister of Environment consults with the heads of related central administrative agencies.
ㅇ In addition, the IAQ management policy is implemented through the Comprehensive Plan for Environmental Health, Comprehensive Plan for Particulate Matter Management, and Measures to Improve Air Quality in Subway Stations.
- The Comprehensive Plan for Environmental Health suggests strengthening IAQ management to reinforce exposure management against environmental hazards, and proposes to raise the recommended IAQ standards in newly built houses based on human risk assessment and make public transport more enjoyable as its strategies.
- In the Comprehensive Plan for Particulate Matter Management, IAQ management is included as one of the 15 key tasks, and the plan includes details such as support for improving the indoor environment of facilities used by the vulnerable populations, and expanding the range of facilities that are required to install ventilation.
- The Measures to Improve Air Quality in Subway Stations present specific tasks for underground stations, tunnels, and subway vehicles, respectively.
ㅇ It is necessary for different government entities to share and communicate the information on current status as well as detailed evaluation of the performance and limitations of each plan for continued cooperation.
3. Identification of major issues and policy needs
□ Expert survey
ㅇ We conducted a survey among experts in the field related to IAQ to evaluate the implementation status of the Fourth Comprehensive Plan for Indoor Air Quality Management by field and identify priority projects.
- There were positive evaluations on air quality management in facilities used by vulnerable populations (such as daycare centers, schools, etc.) and underground stations, while residential environment improvement and the establishment of autonomous IAQ management system and indoor environment management centers received negative feedback.
- A lack of management personnel was identified as one of the main factors hindering the improvement of IAQ.
- Priority projects over the next one-two years included improving the indoor environment of public transportation and multi-use facilities and expanding IoT-based air quality monitoring among the projects currently underway; for new projects,, IAQ improvement in small-scale and old facilities, technology development for IoT and AI-based integrated IAQ management, increasing awareness through education and publicity, introduction of incentive system and expansion of autonomous management through supporting self-measurement equipment were included.
□ Expert forum
ㅇ An expert forum was held to discuss ways to improve indoor air quality, and various opinions of experts from academia and related institutions were collected.
- The forum suggested that the Ministry of Environment take the lead and provide standards and guidelines for all ministries in order to solve problems caused by the fragmented responsibility for management among different ministries.
- Since a relatively large amount of budget is being invested to improve indoor air quality in subways and schools, a thorough review of its efficiency should be conducted.
- Institutional means are necessary to utilize diverse technologies, and plans for the step-wise implementation of the projects are also necessary.
- IAQ management standards should be based on receptor risk, and it is important not only to raise the management standards, but also to prepare a system for implementing the strengthened standards.
Ⅲ. Suggestions for Improving IAQ
ㅇ We propose policy directions and priorities for improving IAQ based on the current status analysis and expert opinions.
- A control tower for indoor air quality management should be established and standardization of indoor air quality management is needed.
- Regulatory blind spots should be scrutinized and the scope of target facilities should be expanded to include facilities with a high level of exposure.
ㆍ Priorities should be set in consideration of the risk reduction effect and the ease of policy implementation, and a roadmap for expanding the management target accordingly should be drawn.
- The focus of IAQ management should be shifted from follow-up management such as removal of pollutants through air purification to prevention strategies that include fundamental management of pollutant removal.
- Moreover, it is necessary to increase indoor air quality monitoring and inspection by securing budget and human resources.
ㆍ Voluntary management of facility managers must be implemented by actively promoting the Indoor Air Quality Certification.
- IAQ management standards and management policies must be based on scientific evidence.
- The IAQ management system should be strengthened taking into account regional characteristics and IAQ improvement projects linked to energy efficiency should be designed.
Ⅳ. Conclusion
ㅇ The strategies proposed in this study to improve IAQ management can be utilized in ‘reinforcing IAQ management for comfortable breathing,’ a national task pursued by the new government.
ㅇ We suggest that identifying regulatory blind spots and raising management standards based on health risks should be set as the short-term management priority, and in the long term, the management range should be expanded to include not only reducing exposure to pollutants but also temperature-humidity index, and furthermore, comfort levels.
ㅇ The results of this study will contribute to building a national environmental health safety net and strengthening public safety through improvement of IAQ.