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Indoor PM10 and PM2.5 in residential apartments in Bor, Serbia: Non-heating season analysis
aMining and Metallurgy Institute, Bor, Serbia bKompjuter centar Bor, Bor cUniversity of Belgrade, Technical Faculty, Bor, Serbia
email: [email protected]
Project: Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia (Institution: Mining and Metallurgy Institute, Bor) (MESTD - 451-03-68/2020-14/200052)
This work was supported by the Center for the Promotion of Science, Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, under Contract No. 1383/24
Abstract
This study examines indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in residential apartments in Bor, Serbia, during the non-heating season, aiming to assess the relative contributions of indoor and outdoor sources. Measurements were conducted in 30 apartments across two independent campaigns carried out in May-June and August-September. Indoor concentrations were normalized using corresponding outdoor values and expressed as indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios to enable comparison between the datasets. The results indicate a clear difference between the two periods. During May-June, median I/O ratios were approximately 1.08 for PM10 and 1.16 for PM2.5, suggesting a dominant influence of indoor sources. In contrast, during August-September, median values decreased to approximately 0.63 for PM10 and 0.94 for PM2.5, indicating a stronger contribution of outdoor air. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and were further supported by graphical analysis, which revealed broader and right-skewed distributions in May-June compared to more compact distributions in August-September. The findings demonstrate that indoor particulate matter concentrations during the non-heating season are strongly influenced by seasonal changes in ventilation and occupant behavior, with transitional periods showing increased importance of indoor emission processes.
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