• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2000

현대 생활에서 대부분의 사람들은 90%이상을 실내(가정, 일반사무실, 실내작업장, 공공건물, 지하시설물, 상가, 음식점, 자동차, 지하철 등)에서 생활하기 때문에 실내공기질(indoor air quality)은 개인이 오염물질에 노출되는 주요한 요인이다. 이산화질소($NO_2$)는 고온의 연소과정에서 발생되는 부산물로써 차량, 발전소와 산업장 등에서 발생되고 있다. 실내에서 이산화질소의 농도는 가스레인지, 케로센(kerosene) 난방기, 흡연에 주로 영향을 받는다. $NO_2$는 호흡기 증상과 관련된 각종 질환을 유발시키는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구는 한국의 서울에서 직장인 95명의 시간활동도가 조사되었으며, 호주 브리스베인에서 직장인 57명의 시간활동도와 동시에 각 가정의 실내.외 및 직장의 $NO_2$ 농도를 측정하였다. 또한 개인 $NO_2$ 노출을 예상하여 각 도시의 빈도분포를 예상하였다. 본 연구의 결과를 보면 다음과 같다. 1. 서울의 95명의 직장인들은 실내에서 약 83.8%의 시간을 보냈으며, 브리스베인의 57명의 직장인들은 실내에서 약 88.3%의 시간을 보냈다. 2. 브리스베인에서 측정된 실내의 NO2 평균농도는 10.5ppb(${\pm}5.6$), 실외의 NO2 평균농도는 14.5ppb(${\pm}5.8$), 직장에서의 $NO_2$ 평균농도는 18.2ppb(${\pm}5.0$)였다. 개인의 $NO_2$ 노출은 평균 15.0ppb(${\pm}5.2$)였다. 개인의 $NO_2$ 노출은 실외의 $NO_2$ 농도(r=0.42)보다 실내의 $NO_2$ 농도(r=0.42)보다 실내의 NO2 농도(r=0.49)에 상관성이 더 높았다. 3. 시간 가중치 모델을 이용한 개인 $NO_2$ 노출은 측정된 개인 NO2 노출과 통계학적으로 상관성을 가지고 있었다(r=0.58). 예측된 개인 $NO_2$ 노출은 측정된 $NO_2$ 노출보다 낮게 나타났으며, 이것은 출퇴근 등에 의한 교통의 이동에 따른 노출 때문인 것으로 생각되었다. 4. $NO_2$ 농도 분포를 log-normal 분포, 시간활동도를 Normal 분포로 가정하고 Monte-Carlo 시뮬레이션을 했을 때 서울의 직장인의 개인 노출은 평균 36.7ppb(${\pm}10.9$)였으며, 브리스베인의 직장인의 개인 노출은 평균 13.7ppb(${\pm}4.1$)였다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.9
• /
• pp.613-623
• /
• 2013

This study is purposed to evaluate the airborne asbestos concentrations in life environment surroundings in Seoul. In study, we investigated airborne asbestos concentrations in thirteen subway stations, four monitoring networks and each vicinity roadside, six stream surroundings, four tunnels quarterly and we also investigated relationship between the airborne asbestos concentrations and ambient temperature in monitoring networks and time-based airborne asbestos concentration variability for two typical monitoring networks, two subway stations transferred and used by lots of people through Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The airborne asbestos concentrations by PCM for 4 objects of study were less than the detection limit (7 fiber/$mm^2$) in 111 (50%) out of 223 samples. The highest concentration was 0.0130 f/cc. But additional TEM analysis result for samples exceeding the guideline value for indoor air quality (0.01 f/cc) proposed by the Ministry of Environment (Korea), no asbestos was detected. Similarly TEM analysis result for 124 samples, no asbestos was detected. The average airborne asbestos concentrations by PCM in subway stations, monitoring networks, streams and tunnels were $0.0041{\pm}0.0027$ f/cc, $0.0015{\pm}0.0011$ f/cc, $0.0024{\pm}0.0012$ f/cc and $0.0016{\pm}0.0020$ f/cc. All objects of study were satisfied with the guideline value for indoor air quality. The relationship between the airborne asbestos concentrations and ambient temperature in monitoring networks was generally positive correlation (r = 0.660). The higher ambient temperature was and the more transient population was, the airborne asbestos concentrations by time for two subway stations were increased. While the airborne asbestos concentrations for two monitoring networks showed no variation pattern according to time.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.23-35
• /
• 2022

Recently, passengers using public transport are concerned about the effects of COVID-19 and fine dust. Therefore, from February 2020 to February 2021, we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected even after disinfection in 55 public transportation places visited by confirmed patients in Seoul. 34 air samples and 702 object surface samples were collected and tested with RT-PCR, one surface sample was positive. In addition, preemptive investigations were conducted in 22 subway trains that passengers were being on board at that time. 1,018 preemptive tests were performed, and all were negative. Although PM-2.5 is dangerous in itself, it can be a potential carrier of viruses. It seemed that a solution was needed as one line continuously exceeded the criteria of PM-2.5. Through this study, it is judged that cluster infection in public transportation can be prevented if efforts to reduce the concentration of fine dust, appropriate disinfection management, and personal disinfection such as wearing a mask in public transportations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.38 no.8
• /
• pp.459-467
• /
• 2016

In order to assess the pollution status and distribution characteristics of PM and PM-bound species, PM10 samples were collected using mini-volume air sampler at the subway cabin in Daejeon city. Measurements of about 24 elements including toxic metals (e.g., As, Cr, Mn, V, Zn) in PM10 were made by instrumental neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence. The average PM10 concentration was $59.3{\pm}14.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in the subway cabin with a range of 42.2 to $97.4{\mu}g/m^3$, while the associated elemental concentrations were varied in the range of $10^{-3}$ to $10^5ng/m^3$. It was found that the concentration of Fe ($12.5{\mu}g/m^3$) was substantially higher than any other element. The Fe concentration was apportioned by about 20% of the PM10 concentration. The results of factor analysis indicate that there are no more than six sources in the cabin (e.g., brake-nonferrous metal particle, resuspended rail dust, fuel combustion, vehicle exhaust, black carbon, Cr-related).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.283-294
• /
• 2004

Air quality in the livestock waste compost pilot plant at the Colligate Livestock Station was assessed to quantity the emissions of aerial contaminants and evaluate the degree of correlation between them for different operation strategies; with the ventilation types and agitation of compost pile, in this study. The parameters analyzed to reflect the level of air quality in the livestock waste compost pilot plant were the gaseous contaminants; ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration, the particulate contaminants; inhalable dust and respirable dust, and the biological contaminants; total airborne bacteria and fungi. The mean concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration in the compost pilot plant without agitation were 2.45ppm, 19.96ppb, and 15.8 when it was naturally ventilated, and 7.61ppm, 31.36ppb, and 30.2 when mechanically ventilated. Those with agitation were 5.50ppm, 14.69ppb, and 46.4 when naturally ventilated, and 30.12ppm, 39.91ppb, and 205.5 when mechanically ventilated. The mean concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust in the compost pilot plant without agitation were 368.6${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 96.0${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 283.9${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 119.5${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. They were also observed with agitation to 208.7${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 139.8${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 209.2${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 131.7${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. Averaged concentrations of total airborne bacteria and fungi in the compost pilot plant without agitation were observed to 28,673cfu/$m^3$ and 22,507cfu/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 7,462cfu/$m^3$ and 3,228cfu/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. They were also observed with agitation to 19,592cfu/$m^3$ and 26,376cfu/$m^3$ with the natural ventilation, and 18,645cfu/$m^3$ and 24,581cfu/$m^3$ with the mechanical ventilation. It showed that the emission rates of gaseous pollutants, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration, in the compost pilot plant operated with the mechanical ventilation and with the agitation of compost pile were higher than those with the natural ventilation and without the agitation. While the concentrations of inhalable dust and total airborne bacteria in the compost pilot plant with the natural ventilation and with the agitation, the concentrations of respirable dust and total airborne fungi in the compost pilot plant with the mechanical ventilation and agitation were higher than those with the natural ventilation and without the agitation of compost pile. It was statistically proved that indoor temperature and relative humidity affected the release of particulates and biological pollutants, and ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were believed primary malodorous compounds emitted from the compost pilot plant.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.484-492
• /
• 2012

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) on the growth and physiological characteristics of common indoor plant species. Five foliage plant species, Spathiphyllum spp., Ardisia pusilla DC., Syngonium podophyllum, Peperomia pereskiifolia, and Pilea cadierei were potted into plastic pot equipped with round type anisotropic sintered NdFeB permanent magnet inside the pot. The surface magnetic flux density of each magnet was 3,500 G. After 6 months of growth period, the biomass accumulations of Spathiphyllum, A. pusilla, and P. cadierei under SMF were statistically higher than those of controls. Tissue water content also increased under the influence of SMF in most species. The photosynthetic rate of Spathiphyllum under SMF significantly increased but other species showed no significant difference compared with control. Although there was no significant increase in the photosynthetic rates of A. pusilla, and P. cadierei, they showed remarkable increase in total fresh weight under SMF. This suggests that the demand of assimilates for normal metabolism could be decreased under magnetic influence and thereby biomass accumulation could be more favored. But this is not always true for all plant species because P. pereskiifolia in this experiment, showed no changes in both photosynthetic rate and biomass accumulation. Leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll contents were enhanced significantly in most plant species under influence of SMF. Chlorophyll a/b ratio also increased by SMF. Although there might be a limitation depending on plant species, these results suggest that long-term exposure to SMF might allow plant to have an enhanced acclimation capacity against environmental fluctuations and optimal application of SMF could increase the practical use of indoor plants such as an attempt to improve indoor air quality.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.89-98
• /
• 1993

The purpose of this study was to investigate crop growth responses under various rain shelters which were devised to improve the indoor environment in summer season. For developing the proper type of rain shelter, the improved rain shelters with the roof of saw - tooth type(saw-tooth type) and 3 span-arch type(improved arch type) were compared with the conventional one with the roof of single arch type(conventional arch type) and no rain shelter (open field ). The results were summarized as follows ; 1. The air temperature in the improved arch type was 4$^{\circ}C$ and 1$^{\circ}C$ lower than those in the conventional arch type and the saw - tooth type, respectively. 2. The air temperature drop by the evaporative cooling + improved drainage was 1.3$^{\circ}C$ which was 0.9$^{\circ}C$lower than that by the improved drainage only. 3. The effect of labour saving in the saw-tooth type was superior to any other type because its frames were used as props and the labour for ventilation was not needed. 4. The highest marketable yield of tomato was 4,897kg/10a in the improved arch type and the total leaf areas which related to photosynthesis was the largest in the saw - tooth type. 5. The improved arch type was proved to be proper to raise yield potential. The effect of the underground environment treatment on the quality and quantity of vegetable showed to be outstanding in the saw- tooth type with the evaporative cooling + improved drainage, and in the improved and conventional arch type with the trickle improved drainage. 6. In conclusion, the saw - tooth type and the improved arch type were proved to be labour saving rain shelters and the indoor environments in both types were better than that in the conventional arch type.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the influence of anions in the air on the purification of fine dust (PM10 and PM2.5) and to evaluate the effects of plants on the generation of anions in the air and the purification of fine dust. Subsequently, the fine dust reduction models were compared according to each factor and plant volume. The characteristics of anion generation by each factor were observed to be in the order of Type N.I (negative ion generator; 204,133.33 ea/cm³) > Type P₃₀ (plant vol. 30%; 362.55 ea/cm³) > Type C (control; 46.22 ea/cm³), indicating that the amount of anion generation in the anion generator treatment group and the plant arrangement group were approximately 4,417 times and 7 times higher, respectively, than that in the untreated group. Consequently, the fine dust reduction characteristics by anion generation source showed that for PM10, Type NI had a purification efficiency 2.52 times higher than Type C, and Type P₃₀ was 1.46 times higher, while for PM2.5, Type NI had a purification efficiency 2.26 times higher than Type C, and Type P₃₀ was 1.31 times higher. The efficiency of fine dust purification by plant volume was in the order of Type P₂₀ (84.60 minutes) > Type P₃₀ (106.50 minutes) = Type P₂₅ (115.50 minutes) = Type P₁₅ (117.60 minutes) > Type P₅ (125.25 minutes) = Type P₁₀ (129.75 minutes), and for ultrafine dust, Type P₂₀ (104.00 minutes) > Type P₃₀ (133.20 minutes) = Type P₂₅ (144.00 minutes) = Type P₁₅ (147.60 minutes) > Type P₅ (161.25 minutes) = Type P₁₀ (168.00 minutes). Thus, a quantitative analysis of the anions and plants for purifying fine dust and suggested matters to be considered for future green space planning and plant planting considering fine dust purification.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.551-561
• /
• 2019

This study was conducted to find out differences in the removal efficiency of particulate matter (PM) depending on the type of plants and the morphological characteristics of leaves. A total of 12 plants were used, with three plants selected for each type of leaves (big leaf, small leaf, compound leaf, needle leaf). We measured the removed amount of PM10 and PM2.5, the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer of each plant. Plants with the high removal efficiency of PM included Pachira aquatica Aubl., Ardisia crenata, and Dieffenbachia 'Marianne', and plants with the low removal efficiency included Nandina domestica Thunb, Schefflera arboricola, and Quercus dentata. The abaxial leaf surface having a high removal efficiency of PM had many large wrinkles, and the abaxial leaf surface having a medium removal efficiency was flat and smooth. On the other hand, there were many fine hairs on the abaxial leaf surface with a low removal efficiency. According to the plant leaf type, the PM10 removal efficiency of plants with needle leaves was about three times higher than that of other plants. In particular, the wax layer of conifers weighed 6-24 times higher than those of other plants. The stomata of conifers were evenly distributed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces; however, the stomata of Sciadopitys verticillata appeared in the form of papillae unlike general stomata. Therefore, the removal efficiency of PM varied depending on the macro-, and micro-morphological characteristics of plant leaves such as the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer. Based on this research, selecting plants that are effective in reducing PM in consideration of the plant type and leaf characteristics will improve indoor air quality and decrease exposure of PM to human body.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.16 no.E
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2000

In this study, the concentrations of particulate organic constituents of environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) were determined using an environmental smog chamber, where ETS is the sole source of target compounds. ETS was generated in a 30 ㎥ environmental chamber by a number of different cigarettes, including the Kentucky 1R4F reference cigarette and eight commercial brands. A total of 12 experimental runs was conducted, and target analytes included a group of ETS markers both in vapor and particulate phase and a class of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbos(PAHs) associated with ETS particles. The mass concentrations of PAH in ETS particles were also determined. The average contents of benzo(a) pyrene and benzo(a) anthracene in ETS particles for the commercial brands were 12.8 and 21.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/g, respectively, There values are all somewhat higher than those determined previously by other studies. Results form the chamber study are further used to estimate the average and variability of cigarette yields for target compounds associated with ETS. Finally, ratios of RSP to the surrogate standards of UVPM, FPM and solanesol were calculated for each sample. The average conversion factors factors for the eight commercial brands were 7.3, 38, and 41 for UVPM, EPM, and solanesol, respectively. The UVPM and FPM factors are in good agreement with the recently published values. Whereas there might be a substantial difference in the solanesol content among cigarettes produced in different countries, the variability is somewhat greater than those of UVPM and FPM, Unfortunately, comparison of the PAH yield data from this study with literature values was complicated by a lack of consistency in cigarette smoke generating methodology. Validation of the PAH yields was also difficult due to a lack of information on the ETS related PAH in the literature. From and engineering viewpoint , however, these data on the cigarette yields of ETS components may still provide useful information to studies on the mathematical modeling of indoor air quality management regarding tobacco smoke as a source of interest, or to studies on the assessment of human exposure to ETS.