• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2024

Background: Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in residential houses can be affected by various factors depending on the season. This is because not only do the climate characteristics depend on the season, but the activity patterns of occupants are also different. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare factors affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in apartments and detached houses in Daegu according to seasonal changes. Methods: This study included 20 households in Daegu, South Korea. The study was conducted during the summer (from July 10 to August 10, 2023) and the autumn (from September 11 to October 9, 2023). A sensor-based instrument for PM_2.5 levels was installed in the living room of each residence, and measurements were taken continuously for 24 hours at intervals of one minute during the measurement period. Based on the air quality monitoring system data in Daegu, outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) in Python. In addition, the indoor activities of the occupants were investigated using a time-activity pattern diary. The affecting factors of indoor PM_2.5 concentration were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations of the residences during summer were 15.27±11.09 ㎍/m³ and 11.52±7.56 ㎍/m³, respectively. Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during autumn were 13.82±9.61 ㎍/m³ and 9.57±5.50 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM_2.5 concentrations were higher in summer compared to autumn both indoors and outdoors. The primary factor affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentration in summer was occupant activity. On the other hand, during the autumn season, the primary affecting factor was outdoor PM_2.5 concentration. Conclusions: Indoor PM_2.5 concentration in residential houses is affected by occupant activity such as the inflow of outdoor PM_2.5 concentration, cooking, and cleaning, as found in previous studies. However, it was revealed that there were differences depending on the season.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.677-686
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• 2018

An intensive measurement was conducted to study the mass and number concentrations of atmospheric aerosols in Anheung ($36.679^{\circ}N$, $126.186^{\circ}E$), the west coastal measurement site of Korea during December 2017~April 2018. To evaluate relationships between the aerosols and meteorological parameters, comparisons of Optical Particle Counter (OPC) measured data and Auto Weather System (AWS) data were performed. Measured PM mass concentrations are $PM_{10}=42.814{\pm}30.103{\mu}g/m^3$, $PM_{2.5}=29.674{\pm}25.063{\mu}g/m^3$, $PM_1=28.958{\pm}24.658{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The PM ratios showed that the $PM_{10}$ concentrations contained about 67.8% of $PM_{2.5}$, while most part of $PM_{2.5}$ was $PM_1$ (about 97.1%). Timely collocation with AWS data were performed, exploring relations with the PM concentrations. PM concentrations can be explained by wind direction and relative humidity conditions. The significant reductions of fine particles in mass and number concentrations may attribute to actions on particle growth and wet removal. In these results, we suppose that the aerosol concentrations and size distributions are affected by inflow direction and air mass sources from the origin.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.479-487
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• 2007

[ $PM_{2.5}$ ], particulate matter less than 2.5 um in a diameter, can penetrate deeply into the lungs. Exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ has been associated with increased hospital visits for respiratory aliments as well as increase mortality. $PM_{2.5}$ is a byproduct of combustion processes and as such has a complex composition including a variety of metallic elements, inorganic and organic compounds as well as biogenic materials (microorganisms, proteins, etc). In this study, the average concentrations of fine particulates $PM_{2.5}$ have been measured simultaneously in Asan and Seoul, Korea, by using particulate matter portable sampler from September 2001 to August 2002. Sample collection filters were analyzed by ICP-OES to determine the concentrations of metallic elements (As, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Si). Annual mean $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in Asan and Seoul were 37.70 and $45.83\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The highest concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were found in spring season in both cities and the concentrations of measured metallic elements except As in Asan were higher than those in Seoul, suggesting that yellow dust in spring could affect $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in Asan rather than Seoul. The correlation coefficients of Pb and Zn were 0.343 for Asan and 0.813 for Seoul during non-yellow dust condition, suggesting that Pb and Zn were influenced with the same sources. The correlation coefficients between Si and Fe in the fine particulate mode were 0.999 (Asan) and 0.998 (Seoul) during yellow dust condition. It was suggested that these two elements were impacted by soil-related transport from China during the yellow dust storm condition.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2020

Particulate matter (PM) is regarded as a major threat to public health and safety in urban areas. Despite a variety of efforts to systemically monitor the distribution of PM, the limited amount of sampling sites may not provide sufficient coverage over the areas where the monitoring stations are not located in close proximity. This study examined the capacity of using remotely sensed data to estimate the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in Seoul, South Korea. Multiple linear regression models were developed using the multispectral band data from the Moderate-resolution imaging spectro-radiometer equipped on Terra (MODIS) and Operational Land Imager equipped on Landsat 8 (Landsat 8) and meteorological parameters. Compared to MODIS-derived models (r² = 0.25 for PM10, r² = 0.30 for PM2.5), the Landsat 8-derived models showed improved model reliabilities (r² = 0.17 to 0.57 for PM10, r² = 0.47 to 0.71 for PM2.5). Landsat 8 model-derived PM concentration and ground-truth PM measurements were cross-validated to each other to examine the capability of the models for estimating the PM concentration. The modeled PM concentrations showed a stronger correlation to PM10 (r = 0.41 to 0.75) than to PM2.5 (r = 0.14 to 0.82). Overall, the results indicate that Landsat 8-derived models were more suitable in estimating the PM concentrations. Despite the day-to-day fluctuation in the model reliability, several models showed strong correspondences of the modeled PM concentrations to the PM measurements.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.59-71
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• 1985

During a period from February 1st to November 30th in 1983, measurements were made twice a month on dustfalls and concentrations of various cations ana anions in their filtrates in an urban (Heuksuk-dong, Seoul) and in a rural (Ansung) districts. Standard British Deposit Gauge method was applied for collection of dustfalls and ion chromatographic method using Ion Chromatograph 10 (Dionex, U.S.A.) for determination of cation and anion concentrations. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Annual mean values of dustfalls were $8.30{\pm}5.09tons/km^2/month$ in an urban and $6.20{\pm}0.82tons/km^2/month$ in a rural districts. And annual mean values of pH of filtrates of the collected samples were $5.3{\pm}0.76$ in an urban and $6.0{\pm}0.82$ in a rural districts. 2. Annual mean concentrations of common cations and anions in their filtrates were as follows: urban rural (unit: ppm) $$Na^{+}\;1.7{\pm}1.30\;1.9{\pm}1.86$$ $$NH^{+}_{4}\;2.4{\pm}1.60\;1.3{\pm}1.59$$ $$K^{+}\;0.7{\pm}0.47\;1.5{\pm}3.79$$ $$Ca^{++}\;5.3{\pm}0.95\;3.4{\pm}2.58$$ $$Mg^{++}\;0.7{\pm}0.89\;0.5{\pm}0.83$$ $$Cl^{-}\;2.0{\pm}1.31\;4.0{\pm}2.35$$ $$NO^{-}_{3}\;4.0{\pm}2.35\;2.7{\pm}1.31$$ $$So^{--}_{4}\;16.9{\pm}17.40\;6.8{\pm}8.00$$ Some of anions such as $Br^{-},\;{PO_4}^{-3}\;and\;{NO_2}^{-}$ were scarecely detected and $F^{-}$ was measured at very low concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 ppm in Feb., Oct. and Nov. in an urban and in Feb. in a rural districts. 3. By two-way analysis of variance with 4 replications for dustfalls, pH and concentrations of various ion by district and month of a year, statistically significant differences were noted in dustfalls (p<0.01), pH (p<0.01) and concentrations of various ion (p<0.01) by month of a year, and in dustfalls (p<0.05) and concentrations of various ion such as ${NH_4}^{+},\;Ca^{++},\;{NO_{3}}^{-}\;and\;{SO_4}^{--}$ (p<0.01) by district. 4. There were statistically significant differences pH in Spring (Feb., Mar and Apr.) (p<0.01) and in ${SO_4}^{--}$ in Autumn (Aug., Sept., Oct. and Nov.) (p<0.05) between the two districts.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.E1
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• pp.45-48
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• 2006

Mass size distributions of atmospheric particles in Cheonan were determined using a high volume air sampler equipped with a 5-stage cascade impactor. Bimodal distributions that are typical for urban atmospheric particles were obtained. A MMD of the fine particle mode was $0.47{\pm}0.05{\mu}m$ with a GSD of $2.72{\pm}0.21$, and those of the coarse particles were $5.15{\pm}0.18{\mu}m\;and\;2.09{\pm}0.09$, respectively. The annual average concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5, and PM1 were 74.1, 67.5, 54.2, and $42.3{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Although the daily PM10 concentrations were under the current National Standard, the daily PM2.5 concentrations frequently exceeded the US Standard even in non asian dust periods. The fractions of PM 10, PM2.5, and PM1 in TSP were $0.905{\pm}0.013,\;0.723{\pm}0.022,\;and\;0.572{\pm}0.029$, respectively, and fine mode particles occupied $57{\sim}72%$ of the total particle mass. The results indicate that fine particles were at the concerning level, and should be the target pollutant for the regional air quality strategy in Cheonan.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-127
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• 1991

The exposure level of chromium and nickel for chrome and nickel plating workers were evaluated. Chromium and nickel concentrations in serum from 82 exposed workers and 66 controls, who were not exposed occupationally to metals, were analyzed by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were as follows : 1. The recovery percent of chromium and nickel concentrations in personal air samples were 95-108.2%, 88.0-107.7%, precisions (C.V., %) were 2.7-3.1%, 2.1-4.4%. respectively. 2. The recovery percent of chromium and nickel concentrations in serum were 93.6-106.4%, 91.3-107.9% and precisions (C.V. %) were 1.1-7.6%, 2.4-5.4% respectively. 3. The exposure level of chromium and nickel concentrations in the place of preparation process were $2.0{\pm}2.00{\mu}g/m^3$, chromplating were $35.7{\pm}53.07{\mu}g/m^3$, $2.8{\pm}3.42{\mu}g/m^3$, nickelplating were $4.6.0{\pm}5.8{\mu}g/m^3$, $18.62{\pm}4.41{\mu}g/m^3$, and covering were $2.9{\pm}2.02{\mu}g/m^3$, $1.1{\pm}0.47{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for chromium and nickel in workplaces by groups statistically. 4. Chromium concentrations in serum of exposed group and control were $0.68{\pm}0.399{\mu}g/l$, $1.41{\pm}0.748{\mu}g/l$, respectively. There were significant difference of concentrations for chromium and nickel in serum by groups statistically. 5. Chromium and nickel concentrations in serum of exposed group were not significant by workplaces.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examined the impact of a smoke-free policy on indoor air quality at indoor recreation facilities by assessing $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the implementation of the new policy. Methods: Using real-time monitors, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 50 billiard rooms and 50 golf simulator rooms in Seoul, Korea. The characteristics of the indoor recreation facilities, smoking status, and atmospheric conditions were recorded at the same time.After the enforcement of a smoke-free policy, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, installation of smoking room, and smoking status were examined when the facilities were revisited. Results: Almost a half of the billiard rooms and over 80% of golf simulator rooms were located underground. Seventy percent of the billiard rooms and one hundred percent of the golf simulator rooms were equipped with a local exhaust ventilation system. After the implementation of the smoke-free policy, 46% of the billiard rooms and 20% of the golf simulator rooms newly installed a smoking room. In the billiard rooms with a newly-installed smoking room, the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations decreased from 97.9 to $45.6{\mu}g/m^3$ after the implementation of the smoke-free policy. The same change of 29.0 to $ 26.3{\mu}g/m^3$ was not statistically significant in golf simulator rooms. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were correlated with outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, number of smokers, and number of people in the room. Conclusions: The smoke-free policy for indoor recreation facilities was not effective at making the indoor spaces free from second hand smoke. Although a few billiard rooms installed a smoking room, indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were still higher than those of outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ or atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$. Stricter enforcement of the smoke-free policy should be achieved to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.637-652
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• 2022

In this study, the contributions of emissions (foreign and domestic) and atmospheric physical and chemical processes to PM_2.5 concentrations were evaluated during a high PM_2.5 episode (March 24-26, 2018) observed on the Jeju Island in the spring of 2018. These analyses were performed using the community multi-scale air quality (CMAQ) modeling system using the brute-force method and integrated process rate (IPR) analysis, respectively. The contributions of domestic emissions from South Korea (41-45%) to PM_2.5 on the Jeju Island were lower than those (81-89%) of long-range transport (LRT) from China. The substantial contribution of LRT was also confirmed in conjunction with the air mass trajectory analysis, indicating that the frequency of airflow from China (58-62% of all trajectories) was higher than from other regions (28-32%) (e.g., South Korea). These results imply that compared to domestic emissions, emissions from China have a stronger impact than domestic emissions on the high PM_2.5 concentrations in the study area. From the IPR analysis, horizontal transport contributed substantially to PM_2.5 concentrations were dominant in most of the areas of the Jeju Island during the high PM_2.5 episode, while the aerosol process and vertical transport in the southern areas largely contributed to higher PM_2.5 concentrations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Background: PM_2.5 and black carbon (BC) can be generated from cooking and from vehicle operation. Street vendors may be exposed to PM_2.5 and BC due to their proximity both to roads and to cooking activities. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the PM_2.5 and BC concentrations in cooking stalls and to determine the effects of cooking activity and of types of cooking. Methods: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity were measured in 32 stalls in April and May 2022. Behavioral factors such as the presence of cooking activity and types of cooking were observed. Student's T-test was performed using the difference of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations to compare the effects of cooking activity and to compare types of cooking. Results: One-hour averages of the difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations for cooking stalls and non-cooking stalls were 9.7±15.7 ㎍/m³ (n=22) and -0.5±0.4 ㎍/m³ (n=10), respectively. The difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations in cooking stalls was significantly higher than in non-cooking stalls (p<0.05). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for stalls for Chinese pancakes and teokbokki exceeded the standards for indoor air quality in South Korea (50 ㎍/m³ ). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for Korean pancake stalls exceeded the standards for outdoor air quality in South Korea (35 ㎍/m³ for 24 hours). Conclusions: The PM_2.5 concentrations in stalls with cooking activity was significantly higher than those in stalls without cooking activity. Some stalls with certain types of foods exceeded standards for indoor and outdoor air quality in South Korea. Better management of indoor air quality in stalls with cooking activities is necessary.