• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to extensively identify $PM_{10}$ sources and to estimate their contributions to the study area, based on the analysis of the $PM_{10}$ mass concentration and the associated inorganic elements, ions, and total carbon. The contribution of $PM_{10}$ sources was estimated by applying a receptor method because identifying air emission sources were effective way to control the ambient air quality. $PM_{10}$ particles were collected from May to November 2007 in the Yongin-Suwon bordering area. $PM_{10}$ samples were collected on quartz filters by a $PM_{10}$ high-volume air sampler. The inorganic elements (Al, Mn, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Si, Ba, Ti and Ag) were analyzed by an ICP-AES after proper pre-treatments of each sample. The ionic components of these $PM_{10}$ samples ($Cl^_$, $NO_3^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$) were analyzed by an IC. The carbon components (OC1, OC2, OC3, OC4, OP, EC1, EC2 and EC3) were also analyzed by DRI/OGC analyzer. Source apportionment of $PM_{10}$ was performed using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. After performing PMF modeling, a total of 8 sources were identified and their contribution were estimated. Contributions from each emission source were as follows: 13.8% from oil combustion and industrial related source, 25.4% from soil source, 22.1% from secondary sulfate, 12.3% from secondary nitrate, 17.7% from auto emission including diesel (12.1%) and gasoline (5.6%), 3.1% from waste incineration and 5.6% from Na-rich source. This study provides information on the major sources affecting air quality in the receptor site, and therefore it will help us maintain and manage the ambient air quality in the Yongin-Suwon bordering area by establishing reliable control strategies for the related sources.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.443-454
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• 2010

Phthalate compounds are widely used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chlororide (PVC) resins and other industrial consumer products, and some of them are known to be endocrine disruptors. In Korea, a number of studies have been carried out for the measurement of phthalates in consumer products and drinking water. However, no data are available for those compounds in the ambient air where the general public are routinely exposed. In this study, we evaluated sampling and analytical methods for the determination of phthalates in the ambient atmosphere. A wide range of phthalates compounds were included in the target analytes, which are dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP). Most of samples were collected using a high volume sampler with a PUF/XAD-2 column/quartz fiber filter and then analyzed by GC/MS. Some of samples were simultaneously collected on XAD-2 using a low-volume sampler, together with high-volume samples. The analytical method applied in this study showed good repeatability and linearity. Quantitative detection limits were estimated from 0.60 to 17.84 ng/$m^3$ in air, depending on individual compounds. The field measurements were carried out at 3 sites located in Sihwa- Banwall industrial areas and a suburban area from January 2007 to November 2007. From the field experiments, DEHP, DMP and DBP appeared to be the most abundant compounds in the ambient air. It was also found that DMP, DEP and DBP were mainly distributed in the vapor phase, while BBP, DEHP and DOP were predominantly associated with the particulate phase. The concentrations of DEHP and DMP in the industrial areas ranged from 45.7 to 1,012.7 ng/$m^3$ and from 7.7 to 375.1 ng/$m^3$, respectively. Overall, the high-volume sampling method was demonstrated to be superior to the low-volume method for the determination of phthalates in the ambient atmosphere.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.330-334
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: More recently, it has been shown that atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) plays a primary role in the formation of secondary particulate matter by reacting with the acidic species, e.g. SO₂, NOx, to form PM2.5 aerosols in the atmosphere. The Jeonbuk region is an area with high concentration of particulate matter. Due to environmental changes in the Saemangeum reclaimed land with an area of 219 km², it is necessary to evaluate the impact of the particulate matter and atmospheric ammonia in the Jeonbuk region. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atmospheric ammonia concentrations were measured from June 2020 to May 2021 using a passive sampler and CRDS analyzer. Seasonal and annual atmospheric ammonia concentration measured using passive sampler was significantly lower in Jangjado (background concentration), and the concentration ranged from 11.4 ㎍/m³ to 18.2 ㎍/m³. Atmospheric ammonia concentrations in Buan, Gimje, Gunsan, and Wanju regions did not show a significant difference, although there was a slight seasonal difference. The maximum atmospheric ammonia concentration measured using the CRDS analyzer installed in the IAMS near the Saemangeum reclaimed land was 51.5 ㎍/m³ in autumn, 48.0 ㎍/m³ in summer, 37.6 ㎍/m³ in winter, and 32.7 ㎍/m³ in spring. The minimum concentration was 4.9 ㎍/m³ in spring, 4.2 ㎍/m³ in summer, and 3.5 ㎍/m³ in autumn and winter. The annual average concentration was 14.6 ㎍/m³. CONCLUSION(S): Long term monitoring of atmospheric ammonia in agricultural areas is required to evaluate the formation of fine particulate matter and its impact on the environment. In addition, continuous technology development is needed to reduce ammonia emitted from farmland.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.315-325
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• 2013

The possibility of acute hepatotoxicity caused by dimethylformamide (DMF) requires regular monitoring of the workers who are using DMF to prevent the occupational disease. The authors performed ambient and biological monitoring of workers involved in synthetic leather manufacturing processes using DMF to assess the correlation between the markers of ambient and biological monitoring of DMF. The authors monitored 142 workers occupationally exposed to DMF from 19 workshops in the synthetic leather and ink manufacturing industries located in northern region of Gyeonggi-do. The subjects answered questionnaire on work procedure and use of personal protective equipment to be classified by exposure type. DMF in air samples collected using personal air samplers, diffusive and active sampler, was analysed using gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) with DB-FFAP column (length 30 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 ${\mu}m$). Urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) was analysed using gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD) at selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode with DB-624 column (length 60 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 1.40 ${\mu}m$). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of the ambient DMF was $6.85{\pm}3.43$ ppm, and GM and GSD of urinary NMF was $42.3{\pm}2.7$ mg/L. The ratio of subjects with DMF level over 10 ppm was 44%, and those with urinary NMF over 15 mg/L was 87%. NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air was $4.61{\pm}2.57$ mg/L/ppm and $9.50{\pm}2.41$ mg/L/ppm, respectively, with or without respirator. There was seasonal differences of NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air, $7.63{\pm}2.74$ mg/L/ppm in summer and $4.53{\pm}2.29$ mg/L/ppm in winter. The urinary NMF concentration which corresponds to 10 ppm of ambient DMF was 52.7 mg/L (r=0.650, n=128). Considering the difference of the route of exposure which resulted from the compliance of wearing personal protective equipment, the estimated contribution of respiratory and dermal exposure route for DMF was 48.5% vs. 51.5%.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.633-648
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• 2010

The study was performed to elucidate the characteristics of VOCs at distinct monitoring sites in urban atmosphere; one is at a roadside in downtown inland city of Jeonju, and the other is at an industrial site in Gunsan near coastal area. The ambient samples were collected for 24 hours in two-bed adsorbent tubes by using MTS-32 sequential tube sampler equipped with Flex air pump every 16 days in a roadside and a industrial complex from February to November in 2009. VOCs were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MSD. Major individual VOCs in roadside samples were shown as following order in magnitude: toluene>m,p-xylene>ethyl benzene>decanal; and those in the industrial complex samples were as follows: toluene>ethanol>ethyl acetate>decanal>m,pxylene. High benzene concentration in the roadside was more frequently occurred than in the industrial complex. However ambient level of toluene in the industrial complex was higher than that in the road side. Results from roadside sample analysis showed that nonane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were very frequently observed with higher concentrations than those in the industrial complex. It seems that nonane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene could be the source characteristics for the roadside air. From the diurnal variation, it was found that concentrations of benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, nonane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenznene in the roadside were higher during rush hours; but those in the industrial complex were higher from 10 to 16 LST when the industrial activities were animated. On weekly base, the concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m,p-xylene in the roadside were higher specifically on Wednesday, but those in the industrial complex were higher on Sunday. It was found that the general trends of VOCs levels at both sites significantly influence on seasonal changes. The results of factor analysis showed that the VOCs in the roadside were mainly affected by the emission of vehicles and the evaporation of diesel fuel, meanwhile those in the industrial complex were influenced by the evaporation of solvents and vehicular emission.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 2003

To investigate the chemical characteristics of PM$\_$2.5/ in Seoul, Korea, atmospheric particulate matters were collected using a PM$\_$10/ dichotomous sampler including PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ inlet during the period of October 2000 to September 2001. The Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectromety (ICP-MS), ion Chromatography (IC) methods were used to determine the concentration of both metal and ionic species. A statistical analysis was performed for the heavy metals data set using a principal component analysis (PCA) to derived important factors inherent in the interactions among the variables. The mean concentrations of ambient PM$\_$2.5/ and PM/sub10/ were 24.47 and 45.27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. PM$\_$2.5/ masses also showed temporal variations both yearly and seasonally. The ratios of PM$\_$2.5/PM$\_$10/ was 0.54, which similar to the value of 0.60 in North America. Soil-related chemical components (such as Al, Ca, Fe, Si, and Mn) were abundant in PM$\_$10/, while anthropogenic components (such as As, Cd, Cr, V, Zn and Pb) were abundant in PM2s. Total water soluble ions constituted 30∼50 % of PM$\_$2.5/ mass, and sulfate, nitrate and ammonium were main components in water soluble ions. Reactive farms of NH$_4$$\^$+/were considered as NH$_4$NO$_3$ and (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ during the sampling periods. In the results of PCA for PM$\_$2.5/, we identified three principal components. Major contribution to PM$\_$2.5/ seemed to be soil, oil combustion, unidentified source. Further study, the detailed interpretation of these data will need efforts in order to identify emission sources.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.223-238
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• 2015

The $PM_{2.1}$ was collected by LVCI (low volume cascade impactor) during Group-A Period (September 1990 to December 2012) and the $PM_{2.5}$ was collected by HVAS (high volume air sampler) during Group-B Period (September 2009 to April 2012) at Kyung Hee University, Global Campus located on the boarder of Yongin and Suwon. The 8 water-soluble ions ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, $ NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$) were analyzed by IC, and the 14 inorganic elements (Al, Mn, Si, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Ba, Zn, Ti, Ag) were analyzed by XRF and ICP-AES after performing proper pre-treatments of each sample filter. The average total mass fractions of $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$+ to $PM_{2.5}$ samples during Group-B Period were 0.39 in normal days, 0.44 in haze days, and 0.27 in Asian dust days, respectively; however, the average total mass fractions of Al, Fe, and Si to $PM_{2.5}$ mass were 0.043 in normal days, 0.021 in haze days, and 0.036 in Asian dust days, respectively. Especially the concentration of Pb was significantly decreased during Group-B Period rather than during Group-A Period, while Cr and Ni was increased during Group-B Period. In this study, we intensively compared the annual and seasonal patterns of major chemical species among normal days, haze days, and Asian dust days. Further we developed mass fraction profiles by collecting episode cases of haze days and Asian dust days, which were consisting of 22 chemical species. Those profiles are considered to be useful when applying various receptor models and establishing air quality management plans near future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 1978

This study was carried out to investigate air pollution by total suspended particulate(T.S.P.), benzene soluble matter and benzo(a) pyrene in Seoul city. The sampling areas were divided into commercial(Kwang Hwa Moon), indus-trial(Ku Ro Dong) and residensial area(Shin Chon). Sampling was undertaken by High Voulme Air Sampler for four seasons from January 1917 to November 1977. The T.S.P. was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus by benzene and benzo(a) pyrene was separated by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The concentrations of benzo(a) pyrene were measured by means of fluorophotometer, and following results were obtained. 1. Arithmetic average concentration for 1-day averaging time of total suspended particulate were $275.6ug/m^3$ in Kwang Hwa Moon, $325.9ug/m^3$ in Ku Ro Dong and $193.0ug/m^3$ in Shin Chon. 2. The seasonal variance of total suspended parti-culate at Ku Ro Dong and Shin Chon were $102.7ug/m^3\;99.6ug/m^3$ respectively and at Kwang Hwa Moon $39.9ug/m^3$. And the concentration of autumn is higher than of that spring at Ku Ro Dong and at Shin Chon, but at Kwang Hwa Moon, the seasonal variance is very little. 3. The concentrations of 50% frequency from geometric mean for 1-day averaging time were $264ug/m^3,\;300ug/m^3\;and\;178ug/m^3$ at Kwang Hwa Moon, Ku Ro Dong and Shin Chon. And geometric standard deviation were 1.27, 1.38 and 1.41 respectively. 4. The concentrations of benzene soluble mater were $26.9ug/m^3$ at Kwang Hwa Moon, $22.7ug/m^3$ at Ku Ro Dong and $15.5ug/m^3$ at Shin Chon, and the ratios to the T.S.P. were 9.8%(range 5.6-14.8%), 7.0%(range 2.4-14.4%) and 8.0%(range 5.5-22.1%) respectively. 5. The concentrations of benzo(a) pyrene were $8.5ug/m^3$ (range $0.8-29.9ug/m^3$) at Kwang Hwa Moon $10.9ug/m^3$(range $1.1-52.0ug/m^3$) at Ku Ro Dong and $5.8ug/m^3$(range $1.5-11.4ug/m^3$) at Shin Chon. 6. The results of this investigation were relatively high in compared with the recommended standards of suspended particulate in air of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and observed levels of benzo(a)-pyrene in U.S. city.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.528-535
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• 2009

Background: Dust clouds blown by the wind from the arid deserts of Mongolia and Northeast China are known as Asian dust storms. Ambient particulate matter with a diameter <10 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{10}$) is associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases and increased mortality of heart and lung disease patients. The fibrotic effects of $PM_{10}$ of Asian dust to pulmonary fibroblast cells are unknown. This study examined the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), TGF-${\beta}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, PDGF-$\alpha$ and Fibronectin in fibroblasts exposed to Asian dust particles. Methods: Air samples were collected using a high volume air sampler (Sibata model HV500F) with an air flow of 500 L/min for at least 6 hours. The MRC-5 cells were exposed to 0, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $PM_{10}$ for 24 hours. ROS was detected by measuring the level of oxidized DCF using FACS. TGF-$\beta$, NF-${\kappa}B$, PDGF-$\alpha$ and fibronectin were detected by western blotting. Results: There was no increase in the ROS, TGF-$\beta$ and PDGF-$\alpha$ levels in the MRC-5 cells exposed to $PM_{10}$. The NF-${\kappa}B$ level was higher in the MRC-5 cells exposed to 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $PM_{10}$ for 24 hours. The fibronectin level in the MRC-5 cells after 24 hours incubation with 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ $PM_{10}$ was significantly higher than the control group ($PM_{10}$ 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ 113.27${\pm}$8.65 of control, p=0.005). Conclusion: $PM_{10}$ from Asian dust increases the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ and fibronectin expression in MRC-5 fibroblast cells.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.188-194
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• 2005

To assess microbiological indoor air quality in schools, concentrations of viable airborne microorganisms were monitored at classrooms and corridors of 3 middle or high schools in Ulsan. Airborne microorganisms were sampled at various situations during a semester (class-hour, lunchtime, after school) and during a vacation with an impaction-type air sampler. During the semester, the number of bacteria was the highest at lunchtime in corridor with an average of $1,111\;MPN/m^{3}$ and lowest at class-hour in corridor with an average of $132\;MPN/m^{3}$. During the vacation, the bacterial concentrations at classrooms and corridors were only $5{\%}$ and $27{\%}$ of the values during class-hours of the semester, respectively. Among the colonies tested, $60{\%}$ were identified as relatively harmless Micrococcus species and $12{\%}$ were Staphylococcus species. During the semester, the average values of fungal concentrations at each situation ranged from 105 to $213\;MPN/m^{3}$, and the values during the vacation were $32\;MPN/m^{3}$ at classrooms and $83\;MPN/m^{3}$ in corridors. Fungal genera such as Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus were identified from the colonies. The obtained data can be considered as a step to set a guideline for bioaerosols in indoor environment of schools.