• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2010

This study assessed the lifetime cancer and non-cancer risk of aldehydes and volatile organic compounds exposure of young children at child-care facilities and indoor playgrounds in Korea. The samples were collected at various children's facilities (40 day-care houses, 42 child-care centers, 44 kindergartens, and 42 indoor playgrounds) in summer (Jul~Sep, 2007), winter (Jan~Feb, 2008) and Spring (Mar~Apr, 2008) periods, and analyzed by GC-MS. We estimated the lifetime excess cancer risks (ECRs) of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, chloroform, CCI4 and tetrachloroethylene, and the hazard quotients (HQs) of Non-carcinogens (toluene, xylene, benzaldehyde and formaldehyde). Formaldehyde evaluated both cancer and non-cancer risk. The average ECRs of formaldehyde for young children were $1\times10^{-4}{\sim}1\times10^{-5}$ level in all facilities. HQs of four non-carcinogens did not exceed 1.0 for all subjects in all facilities.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of fourteen odor compounds from a total of 10 sampling sites in residential areas around Banwol-Sihwa industrial complex. The measurement data are analyzed and compared with sensation of odor unit. Only a hydrogen sulfide out of four sulfur compounds was quantified above the detection limit (0.06 ppb) in the residential area around Banwol industrial complex with leather companies and a sewage treatment plant. The concentrations of VOCs were higher than those measured from a big city, and styrene showed the relatively high concentration from all sampling sites ($2.1{\sim}37.8\;ppb$). In the case of carbonyl compounds, acetaldehyde was found most frequently with the mean of 3.97 ppb, and its concentration difference was not significant between Banwol and Sihwa industrial complex. Of the nitrogen compounds, ammonia was measured at the relatively high concentration from all the sampling sites ($12{\sim}707\;ppb$), and a trimethylamine was found at the odor threshold level (0.1 ppb). The concentrations of styrene and ammonia showed relatively seasonal variation, the concentration of styrene in summer was five times higher than that in autumn, the concentration of ammonia in autumn was two times higher than that in summer. However other odorous compounds did not show such strong seasonal variation. Odor-concentration relationship between odor unit and $H_{2}S$ concentrations from industrial sources was examined and used as odor sensation evaluation, and thus the neighbourhood odor complaints maybe caused during the four seasons from the results.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.700-705
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• 2003

Pseudomonas sp. S-47 is capable of degrading benzoate and 4-chlorobenzoate as well as catechol and 4-chlorocatechol via the meta-cleavage pathway. The three enzymes of 2-oxopenta-4-enoate hydratase (OEH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (acylating) (ADA), and 2-oxo-4-hydroxypentonate aldolase (HOA) encoded by xylJQK genes are responsible for the three steps after the meta-cleavage of catechol. The nucleotide sequence of the xylJQK genes located in the chromosomal DNA was cloned and analyzed. GC content of xylJ, xylQ, and xylK was 65% and consisted of 786, 924, and 1,041 nucleotides, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of xylJ, xylQ, and xylK genes from Pseudomonas sp. S-47 showed 93%, 99%, and 99% identity, compared with those of nahT, nahH, and nahI in Pseudomonas stutzeri An10. However, there were only about 53% to 85% identity with xylJQK of Pseudomonas putida mt-2, dmpEFG of P. putida CF600, aphEFG of Comamonas testosteroni TA441, and ipbEGF of P. putida RE204. On the other hand, the xylLTEGF genes located upstream of xylJQK in the strain S-47 showed high homology with those of TOL plasmid from Pseudomonas putida mt-2. These findings suggested that the xylLTEGFIJQK of Pseudomonas sp. S-47 responsible for complete degradation of benzoate and then catechol via the meta-pathway were phylogenetically recombinated from the genes of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 and Pseudomonas stutzeri An10.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2017

The present study was performed to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of germinated buckwheat (GB) and Sanghwang mushroom mycelium cultured in GB (SGB). Both GB and SGB showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities and significantly increased (p < 0.001) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities; up to 140% increase at concentrations of $16{\mu}L/mL$. Locomotor activity test results from alcohol-SGB and alcohol-GB groups showed improved motor activities over that of the alcohol-water group at 90 min post-administration. Both alcohol-GB and alcohol-SGB groups had significantly reduced (p < 0.001) alcohol ($40.02{\pm}33.38{\mu}g/mL$, $66.01{\pm}22.04{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) and aldehyde ($5.72{\pm}0.47{\mu}g/mL$, $6.72{\pm}1.70{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) concentrations in blood compared to those in the alcohol-water group ($199.75{\pm}33.83{\mu}g/mL$, $50.43{\pm}13.88{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) at 90 min post-administration. Based on cDNA microarray analysis, expressions of ALDH genes ALDH1a7 and ALDH18a1 and cytochrome P450 (CY450) gene CYP4a30b were upregulated in the alcohol-GB and alcohol-SGB groups compared to levels in the control group. Overall, the results suggest that both GB and SGB have hangover relieving effects by reducing blood acetaldehyde levels. The molecular mechanisms may involve ALDH activation and upregulated expression of alcohol metabolism-related genes such as ALDH and CYP450.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.24-37
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• 2007

The Korean Ministry of Environment started controlling indoor air quality (IAQ) in 2004 through the introduction of a law regulating the use of pollutant emitting building materials. The use of materials with formaldehyde emission levels above $1.25 mg/m^2{\cdot}h$ (JIS A 1901, small chamber method) has been prohibited. This level is equivalent to the $E_2$ grade ($>5.0mg/{\ell}$) of the desiccator method (JIS A 1460). However, the $20{\ell}$ small chamber method requires a 7-day test time to obtain the formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission results from solid building interior materials. As a approach to significantly reduce the test time, the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) has been proposed in Europe with a total test time less than one hour. This paper assesses the reproducibility of testing formaldehyde and TVOC emissions from wood-based composites such as medium density fiberboard (MDF), laminate flooring, and engineered flooring using three methods: desiccator, perforator and FLEC. According to the desiccator and perforator standards, the formaldehyde emission level of each flooring was ${\le}E_1$ grade. The formaldehyde emission of MDF was $3.48 mg/{\ell}$ by the desiccator method and 8.57 g/100 g by the perforator method. To determine the formaldehyde emission, the peak areas of each wood-based composite were calculated from aldehyde chromatograms obtained using the FLEC method. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde and benzaldehyde were detected as aldehyde compounds. The experimental results indicated that MDF emitted chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xy-lene, styrene, and o-xylene. MDF emitted significantly greater amounts of VOCs than the floorings did.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3755-3761
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• 2013

This study aims to assess the ecological risk of the hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted in the semiconductor manufacturing processes in Korea by using Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR, EPA, US, EPI $Suite^{TM}$ 4.1). Owing to the absence of environmental standards of hazardous air pollutants in the semiconductor manufacturing processes in Korea, 18 HAPs in the semiconductor field included in both the US EPA NESHAPs and the hazardous air pollutant list of Ministry of Environment in Korea were selected. As a results 8 chemicals (44.4%) of the selected 18 HAPs were VOCs. Cyanides (cyanides) and ethylene oxides (epoxy resins), and tetrachloro-ethylene (aliphatic compounds, halides) showed long half-lives. Cyanide HAPs especially had the highest half-life with the estimated value of 356.533 days. Nickel compounds (heavy metal compounds) possessed the highest water solubility followed by acetaldehyde (aldehyde compounds), ethylene oxides, and 1,4-dioxanes. The halides, including tetrachloro-ethylenes, carbon tetra-chlorides, benzene (aromatic compounds), and lead (heavy metals), are estimated to take the longest time for biodegradation. Tetrachloroethylene, with the acute toxicity end point of 3.685-7.033 mg/L, was assessed to be the most highly toxic substance among the 18 HAPs. However, considering the absence of the HAPs in the common category of log $K_{ow}{\geq}4$and $BCF{\geq}500$, which indicates the standard of bioconcentration potentials, potentials of the bioconcentration are considered to be low.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.839-844
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• 2014

The gas-phase radical-radical reaction $O(^3P)$ + $C_2H_5$ (ethyl) ${\rightarrow}$ $H(^2S)$ + $CH_3CHO$(acetaldehyde) was investigated by applying a combination of vacuum-ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in a crossed beam configuration and ab initio calculations. The two radical reactants $O(^3P)$ and $C_2H_5$ were respectively produced by photolysis of $NO_2$ and supersonic flash pyrolysis of the synthesized precursor azoethane. Doppler profile analysis of the nascent H-atom products in the Lyman-${\alpha}$ region revealed that the average translational energy of the products and the average fraction of the total available energy released as translational energy were $5.01{\pm}0.72kcalmol^{-1}$ and 6.1%, respectively. The empirical data combined with CBS-QB3 level ab initio theory and statistical calculations demonstrated that the title exchange reaction is a major channel and proceeds via an addition-elimination mechanism through the formation of a short-lived, dynamical addition complex on the doublet potential energy surface. On the basis of systematic comparison with several exchange reactions of hydrocarbon radicals, the observed small kinetic energy release can be explained in terms of the loose transition state with a product-like geometry and a small reverse activation barrier along the reaction coordinate.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.767-774
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• 2008

This study was carried out to evaluate the characteristics of atmospheric concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and aldehydes for near a large shipyard. Most of the painting work in marine coating is performed indoor and outdoor. Most of the VOCs are emitted to the atmosphere as the paint is applied and cures. The massive scale of a ship makes it difficult to capture the emissions from outdoor painting. The VOCs are an important health and contributors to photochemical smog. The VOCs and aldehydes samples were collected using adsorbent tube and 2,4-DNPH cartridge, and were determined by an automatic thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS and HPLC-UV analysis, respectively. A total of 16 aromatic VOCs and 12 aldehydes of environmental concern were determined. At indoor coating facilities, the most abundant compound among 16 target VOCs appeared to be m,p-xylene, being followed by o-xylene. But most of the aldehydes were extremely lower concentrations. The atmospheric concentration of VOCs, m,p-xylene concentrations were the highest and the mean value were outdoor workshop 11.323 ppb, residental area 5.134 ppb, and green area 2.137 ppb, respectively. However, the most aldehydes were extremely lower concentrations such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and non-detection such as iso-valeraldehyde, n-valeraldehyde and o-tolualdehyde.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.673-682
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• 2020

This study investigates the concentration distribution of aldehydes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the archive of the National Library in Korea and evaluates the health risks to workers from hazardous chemicals. Acetaldehyde had the highest concentration among the nine species of aldehydes present in the archive and the concentration of toluene was the highest among the six species of VOCs. Most of the detected substances showed that their indoor concentrations were higher than the outdoor ones, suggesting the possibility of indoor sources of aldehydes and VOCs. The evaluation of health risks for workers based on these measurement results showed that not all substances were hazardous to the human body. However, considering the possibility of the presence of indoor sources and the potential limits of our study owing its short period, it is necessary to conduct long-term studies on the concentration distribution of indoor pollutants in the archive environment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 1999

Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde as the penultimate step in alcohol fermentation. The enzyme requires two cofactors, thiamin diphosphate (ThDP) and $Mg^{2+}$, for activity. Zymomonas mobilis PDC shows a strong preference for pyruvate although it will use the higher homologues 2-ketobutyrate and 2-ketovalerate to some extent. We have investigated the effect of mutagenesis of valine 111 and leucine 112 on the substrate specificity. V111 was replaced by glycine, alanine, leucine, and isoleucine while L112 was replaced by alanine, valine, and isoleucine. With the exception of L112I, all mutants retain activity towards pyruvate with $k_{cat}$ values ranging from 40% to 139% of wild-type. All mutants show changes from wild-type in the affinity for ThDP, and several (V111A, L112A, and L112V) show decreases in the affinity for $Mg^{2+}$. Two of the mutants, V111G and V111A, show an increase in the $K_m$ for pyruvate. The activity of each mutant towards 2-ketobutyrate and 2-ketovalerate was investigated and some changes from wild-type were found. For the V111 mutants, the most notable of these is a 3.7-fold increase in the ability to use 2-ketovalerate. However, the largest effect is observed for the L112V mutation which increases the ability to use both 2-ketobutyrate (4.3-fold) and 2-ketovalerate (5.7-fold). The results suggest that L112 and, to a lesser extent, V111 are close to the active site and may interact with the alkyl side-chain of the substrate.