• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.402-412
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• 2022

This study investigated each forest's stand characteristics and the NVOCs emission characteristics for Quercus acuta, Castanopsis sieboldii, Dendropanax trifidus, Camellia Japonica which are major warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved species, and Pinus thunbergii. Data were collected from May 2019 to January 2020. The seasonal temperature and humidity of each research site indicated the typical climatic characteristics of Korea, which are hot and humid in summer and cold and dry in winter. Also, the atmospheric pressure was generally high in winter and higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Overall, the total volume of NVOCs (Natural Volatile Organic Compounds) from the five research sites was the highest in the summer. The concentration of TNVOCs was relatively high in the Dendropanax trifidus forest in spring and winter, the Castanopsis sieboldii forest in the autumn, and the Quercus acuta forest in the summer. According to the results of this study, it was confirmed that the concentrations of NVOCs emission of warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved species such as Quercus acuta, Castanopsis sieboldii, Dendropanax trifidus and Camellia Japonica were not lower but rather higher than Pinus thunbergii. The correlation was positive (+) between NVOCs emission and temperature (r=0.590, P=0.000) or humidity (r=0.655, P=0.000), whereas it was negative (-) between NVOCs emission and atmospheric pressure (r=-0.384, P=0.000) or wind speed (r=-0.263, P=0.018). Among the micrometeological factors, humidity (β=0.507, P=0.000) was found to have the greatest effect on NVOC emission, followed by temperature, atmospheric pressure, and wind speed.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2005

To investigate the characteristics of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration in the groundwater around Ulsan, Korea, 168 groundwaters, 12 stream waters, and 6 sewage waters were analyzed for 61 VOCs. Results showed that VOCs were not detected in stream waters and total VOCs concentration in 5 sewage waters was in the range of ND-22.3 ${\mu}$g/L. In 78 groundwater samples more than one VOCs were detected and VOCs concentration of the samples ranged from 0.1 ${\mu}$g/L to 387.1 ${\mu}$g/L. However, VOCs concentration of 66 samples out of 78 samples showed less than 10 ${\mu}$g/L and that of only 6 samples exceeded Korea drinking water limit (KDWL). 42 VOCs detected from the 168 groundwaters were 14 aromatic hydrocarbons out of 25, 27 chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons out of 35, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Detection rate of each VOCs in the groundwaters was as follows: chloroform in 43 samples (25.6%), methylene chloride in 36 samples (21.4%), TCE in 26 samples (15.5%), 1,1-dichloroethane in 19 samples (1.3%), PCE in 16 samples (9.5%), cis-1,2-DCE in 15 samples (8.9%), and toluene in 14 samples (8.3%). Even though VOCs concentration in the groundwaters of the study area is still low, the city is expanding and the drinking water limit is becoming strict, and therefore continuous monitoring is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.