Ozone Exposure Assessment by Population Characteristics: A Case Study for High Ozone Days in Busan

Abstract

Objectives: Photochemical ozone pollution is associated with increased mortality risk. This study aims to assessthe population exposure to ozone according to population characteristics for high ozone days in the Busanmetropolitan region (BMR). Methods: The ozone exposure assessment in this study was performed using the WRF-CMAQ simulated ozoneconcentrations and the population data in the BMR. The settled and daytime population and their activity wereconsidered to conduct the static and dynamic ozone exposure assessment. Results: Applying a static exposure assessment, in case that high ozone occurred throughout Busan area, thehighest exposure levels were evaluated in urban neighborhoods. In case of ozone pollution in outer Busan,because sensitive groups have been relatively higher exposure, this case was also evaluated as part of that shouldnot be overlooked. The dynamic exposure was higher than static exposure because the number of populationexposed to ozone of high concentration is increased. This approach is important in a regard consider that daytimepopulation distribution when high ozone occur. Conclusion: This study shows the different population exposure according to various ozone distributions foreach episode day. Considering demographic characteristic such as population density and activity should beimportant to understanding the population exposure assessment when ozone pollution occurs.