Evaluation Model for Particulate Matter Emissions in Korean Construction Sites

Particulate matter (PM) has caused serious environmental issues in Asia, and various policies for systematic management of PM based on evaluation of the characteristics of emissions are being discussed. In Korea, where the damage of PM from construction sites is severe, only regulatory policies according to the concentration are being implemented; however, there is no policy for the quantitative management of PM. Therefore, this study aimed to derive and propose an emission evaluation model to be used for the establishment of management policies for construction site PM emissions in South Korea by assuming structures as manufactured products. Therefore, this study derived a method of calculating the PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, and VOCs emission factors for each type of equipment in construction sites and then estimated annual total emissions. In addition, this paper put forth a method for offsetting emission permission standards as the criteria for evaluating the adequacy of the estimated emissions. Finally, a model algorithm was proposed for evaluating emissions in advance during the construction planning phase by comparing the PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, and VOCs emissions in construction sites with established standards; the supplementary point of the algorithm is discussed for further studies.

Automated summary

The study aimed to propose an emission evaluation model to support the establishment of management policies for construction site PM emissions in South Korea. It calculated PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SOx, and VOCs emission factors for equipment in construction sites, estimated annual total emissions, and presented criteria for evaluating the adequacy of the estimated emissions.