【Research Highlights】Impacts of night market on indoor air quality and lung function of children in nearby households (PhD student Jia-Lin Zhang, Professor Pei-Shih Chen)
2025 / 07 PhD student Jia-Lin Zhang, Professor Pei-Shih Chen (Department of Public Health)
Night markets - a unique element of Asian culture - involve various cooking methods and combustion, generating air pollutants with adverse health effects. However, there is no scientific literature on whether air pollutants from night markets affect indoor air quality and the lung function of children in nearby households.
We evaluated the impacts of night market, specifically market opening days and household distance from the market, on indoor air quality and the lung function of children in nearby households. Using real-time monitoring equipment, we measured concentrations of particulate matter (PM)1, PM2.5, PM10, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone, total volatile organic compound (TVOC), airborne bacteria, and fungi in 58 households located near a night market. Additionally, we assessed the lung function values of children living in these households.
This study is the first to reveal hazardous air pollutants emitted from night markets affect the indoor air quality and lung functions of children. PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations were significantly higher during opening days than during closing days. Additionally, we observed significantly higher indoor CO2 in the near group than that in far group. The lung function values for children were significantly lower in households located ≤595 m from the market (near group) than in those located >595 m from the market (far group).
Application and Highlights:
1) This study is the first to reveal hazardous air pollutants emitted from night markets affect the indoor air quality and lung functions of children.
2) Indoor PM1 and PM2.5 was significantly higher during opening days of night market.
3) Indoor CO2 was significantly higher in the near group (≤595 m) than that in far group (> 595 m).
4) The lung function values of children (including VC%, FVC%, FEV1%, FEV3%) were lower in near group.
More Information:
Zhang JL, Wang TN, Lin PC, Lin KT, Chen YH, Jhang JM, Yao TC, Lin YC, Chen PS*. Impacts of night market on indoor air quality and lung function of children in nearby households. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2025 Mar 20. (SCIE, IF2024: 4.7, 34/421=8.08% in PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH)
