• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

The $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected at Gosan Site of Jeju Island, and analyzed, in order to investigate the size distribution and pollution characteristics of their components. $NH{_4}{^+}$, nss-$SO{_4}^{2-}$, $K^+$, and $CH_3COO^-$ were mostly existed in fine particles. Meanwhile, $NO{_3}{^-}$ was distributed in both fine and coarse particles, and $Na^+$, $Cl^-$, $Mg^{2+}$, nss-$Ca^{2+}$ were rich in coarse particle mode. The concentrations of nss-$Ca^{2+}$ and $NO{_3}{^-}$ were increased 36.7 and 3.2 times in coarse particles, and 15.0 and 3.1 times in fine particles during the Asian Dust periods. Especially, the concentrations of crustal elemental species such as Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Ti, Mn, Sr, Ba were highly increased for those periods. In the haze events, the concentrations of secondary air pollutants were increased 1.3~2.6 and 1.5~4.2 times in coarse and fine particles, respectively. Moreover, the remarkable increase of $NO{_3}{^-}$ concentration was also observed in fine particle mode. The factor analysis showed that the composition of coarse particles was influenced mainly by marine sources, followed by soil and anthropogenic sources. On the other hand, the fine particles were influenced by anthropogenic sources, followed by marine and soil sources.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.5_4
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• pp.1267-1276
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• 2020

To quantitatively predict the impacts of large-scale volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu on air quality and damage around the Korean Peninsula, a three-dimensional chemistry-transport modeling system (Weather Research & Forecasting - Sparse Matrix Operation Kernel Emission - Comunity Multi-scale Air Quality) was adopted. A worst-case meteorology scenario was selected to estimate the direct impact on Korea. This study applied the typical worst-case scenarios that are likely to cause significant damage to Korea among worst-case volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu in the past decade (2005~2014) and assumed a massive VEI 4 volcanic eruption on May 16, 2012, to analyze the concentration of PM_2.5 caused by the volcanic eruption. The effects of air quality in each region-cities, counties, boroughs-were estimated, and vulnerable areas were derived by conducting an exposure assessment reflecting vulnerable groups. Moreover, the effects of cities, counties, and boroughs were analyzed with a high-resolution scale (9 km × 9 km) to derive vulnerable areas within the regions. As a result of analyzing the typical worst-case volcanic eruptions of Mt. Baekdu, a discrepancy was shown in areas between high PM_2.5 concentration, high population density, and where vulnerable groups are concentrated. From the result, PM_2.5 peak concentration was about 24,547 ㎍/㎥, which is estimated to be a more serious situation than the eruption of Mt. St. Helensin 1980, which is known for 540 million tons of volcanic ash. Paju, Gimpo, Goyang, Ganghwa, Sancheong, Hadong showed to have a high PM_2.5 concentration. Paju appeared to be the most vulnerable area from the exposure assessment. While areas estimated with a high concentration of air pollutants are important, it is also necessary to develop plans and measures considering densely populated areas or areas with high concentrations of susceptible population or vulnerable groups. Also, establishing measures for each vulnerable area by selecting high concentration areas within cities, counties, and boroughs rather than establishing uniform measures for all regions is needed. This study will provide the foundation for developing the standards for disaster declaration and preemptive response systems for volcanic eruptions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 2022

Recently, interest in the harmful factors of particulate matter (PM), a major component of air pollution, has been increasing. In particular, PM_2.5 with a diameter of less than 2.5 ㎛ is well known to induce oxidative stress accompanied by autophagy in human lung epithelial cells. However, studies on whether PM_2.5 increases autophagy under oxidative stress and whether this process is reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent are insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether PM_2.5 promotes autophagy through the generation of ROS in human alveolar epithelial A594 cells. According to our results, cells co-treated with PM_2.5 and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) showed a lower cell viability than cells treated with each alone, which was associated with increased total and mitochondrial ROS production. The co-treatment of PM_2.5 and H₂O₂ also increased autophagy induction, which was confirmed through Cyto-ID staining, and the expression of autophagy biomarker proteins increased. However, when ROS generation was artificially blocked by N-acetyl-L-cysteine pretreatment, the reduction in cell viability and induction of autophagy by PM_2.5 and H₂O₂ co-treatment were markedly attenuated. Therefore, the present results suggest that PM_2.5-induced ROS generation may play a critical role in autophagy induction in A549 cells.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.281-302
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• 2023

Carbon is not only an essential element for life but also a key player in climate change. The radiocarbon (¹⁴C) analysis using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a powerful tool not only to understand the carbon cycle but also to track pollutants derived from fossil carbon, which have a distinct radiocarbon isotope ratio (Δ¹⁴C). Many studies have reported Δ¹⁴C of carbon compounds in streams, rivers, rain, snow, throughfall, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), and wastewater treatment plant effluents in South Korea, which are reviewed in this manuscript. In summary, (1) stream and river carbon in South Korea are largely derived from the chemical weathering of soils and rocks, and organic compounds in plants and soils, strongly influenced by precipitation, wastewater treatment effluents, agricultural land use, soil water, and groundwater. (2) Unprecedentedly high Δ¹⁴C of precipitation during winter has been reported, which can directly and indirectly influence stream and river carbon. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of local contamination sources of high Δ¹⁴C, the results suggest that stream dissolved organic carbon could be older than previously thought, warranting future studies. (3) The ¹⁴C analysis has also been applied to quantify the sources of forest throughfall and PM_2.5, providing new insights. The ¹⁴C data on a variety of ecosystems will be valuable not only to track the pollutants derived from fossil carbon but also to improve our understanding of climate change and provide solutions.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2011

This study was designed to identify a subjective symptom level by Indoor air according to ventilation system in Dental Clinic. The number of respondents was 582 who work in dental clinic and period of investigation was October 2010 through January 2011. A structured questionnaire was employed to evaluate the level of participants' sociodemographics, job-related factors, work place condition, a subjective symptom. Most of respondents were answered that time for symptom to begin was at around 2 P.M. and time for symptom to feel serve pain was at around 3 P.M. and ventilation frequency per a day was often in case of individual cooling and heating system. More often natural ventilation and in case of individual cooling and heating system, the level of subject symptom was low and multiple regression analysis has found that indoor air quality related elements were main factors that influence to the feeling of satisfaction in work place. The results of this study suggest that more often natural ventilation was very important to reduce the level of subjective symptom. Thus, a management program for indoor air quality is strongly recommended by natural ventilation, maintenance man for promotion of quality of life in dental hygienist and to improve dental service and competitiveness.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.228-236
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• 2020

Korea has an economy based on manufacturing industrial fields, which produce high amounts of hazardous wastes, in spite of few landfill candidates, and a significant concern for fine airborne particulates; therefore, traditional waste management is difficult to apply in this country. Moreover, waste collection and accumulation have recently been intensified by the waste import prohibitions or regulations in developing nations, the universalization of delivery services in Korea, and the global COVID-19 crisis. This study thus presents a domestic waste management strategy that aims to address the recent issues on waste. The contents of the strategy as the main results of the study include the (1) improvement of the compatibility of the classification codes between the domestic hazardous waste and the international ones such as those of the Basel Convention; (2) consideration of the mixed hazard indices to represent toxicity from low-content components such as rare earth metals often contained in electrical and electronic equipment waste; (3) management application based on risks throughout the life cycles of waste; (4) establishment of detailed material flow information of waste by integrating the Albaro system, Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system, and online trade databases; (5) real-time monitoring and prediction of the waste movement or discharge using positional sensors and geographic information systems, among others; and (6) selection and implementation of optimal treatment or recycling practices through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and clean technologies.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of fine dust PM₁₀ and heavy metals in PM₁₀ in Asian dust flowing into Gwangju from 2013 to 2018. The migration pathways of Asian dust was analyzed by backward trajectory analysis using HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model, and the change of heavy metal concentration and heavy metal content per 1 ㎍/㎥ of fine dust PM₁₀ in Gwangju area were analyzed. Also, the characteristics of the heavy metals were analyzed using the correlation between the heavy metals in PM₁₀. As a result of analyzing Asian dust entering the Gwangju region for 6 years, the average concentration of PM₁₀ measured in Asian dust was 148 ㎍/㎥, which was about 4.5 times higher than in non-Asian dust, 33 ㎍/㎥. A total of 13 Asian dust flowed into the Gwangju during 6 years, and high concentration of PM10 and heavy metals in that were analyzed in the C path flowing through the Gobi/Loess Plateau-Korean Peninsula. As a result of the correlation analysis, in case of Asian dust, there was a high correlation between soil components in heavy metals, so Asian dust seems to have a large external inflow. On the other hand, in case of non-Asian dust, the correlation between find dust PM₁₀ and artificial heavy metal components was high, indicating that the influence of industrial activities in Gwangju area was high.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the indoor air quality of medical institutions and to present the detailed management plan by analyzing the actual situation of management and analyzing the difference according to the place in a convergent. ($PM_{10}$), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), formaldehyde (HCHO), total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and carbon monoxide (CO) were investigated in 153 hospitals in Busan. As a result, The overall output average did not exceed the maintenance criteria, but the maximum values for each item were 91% for $PM_{10}$, 97% for $CO_2$, 96% for HCHO, and 99% for bioaesol. And It is confirmed that this is very close to the standard. In addition, the results of each place showed different values according to each feature, but there was no significant difference in the results of five measurements. In conclusion, Indoor air in medical institution considering the characteristics should be performed systematic and detailed management of ventilation facilities and energy problems.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.459-471
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• 2009

Air Monitoring Network(11 urban stations) is operated to measure ambient air quality in Daegu city. The urban air monitoring stations include 6 in residence area, 3 in industrial area, 1 in commercial area, and 1 in green area. In this study, hourly data (2006. 1. 1~2008. 12. 31) of $PM_{10}$ were measured at 11 urban air monitoring stations. $PM_{10}$ mean concentrations were high in fall and winter because of low wind speed and many haze days. The number of exceeding the daily standard of $PM_{10}$ in industrial area was approximately twice as many as that in residence area. $PM_{10}$ concentrations and visibility were influenced significantly by wind speed. Wind speed and visibility were below 1.8 m/s and 10 km, respectively when $PM_{10}$ concentrations were over $120{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{10}$ concentrations were high when haze was observed. The mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ were $104{\pm}41.3{\mu}g/m^3$, $63{\pm}35.1{\mu}g/m^3$, and $49{\pm}26.9{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively when haze, mist and clear were observed.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.24-32
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• 2010

In the present work, a new separation system with rotating rakes has been developed to separate the film-based plastics from the recyclable materials, and environment assessment is also carried out during operation of the device. Capacity of the device was about 5.3 ton/hr at a rakes rotation speed of 26.0 rpm (the number of rakes in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trials were 39, 52 and 48, respectively) and a belt conveyor speed of 38.5m/min, which satisfied the initial design capacity (5.0 ton/hr). Recovery ratio and purity of the plastic films were 92.6% and 96.5%, respectively at a rotation speed of 28 rpm. The levels of noise, vibration and particulate emission were below material standard regulatory limits. Plastic refused fuel (RPF) was also prepared with the recovered films. The calorific value and chlorine content of the prepared RPF were 9,740 kcal/kg and 0.18%, respectively which satisfy the first grade quality specification of the Korean RPF standard. As a result of this work, recovery of energy resources from the municipal solid waste is possible by adopting the developed separation device.