• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify concentration characteristics of indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles and asbestos in Gyeongnam Provinces. Methods: This study investigated concentration characteristics of indoor fiber particles from 748 schools and 38 public facilities as well as outdoor particles from 11 sites through PCM (phase contrast microscope). SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive using X-ray analysis) was used to obtain physicochemical information of asbestos fiber particles. The study identified asbestos rate in the 15 samples from indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles. Results: 1. The average indoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were $0.0011{\pm}0007$ f/cc in schools and $0.0015{\pm}0007$ f/cc in public facilities by PCM. Over 90% of the fiber particles were identified as single fibers. 2. The average outdoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were $0.0007{\pm}0002$ f/cc, and they were lower than those of indoor airborne concentrations. 3. The results showed that the form of asbestiform was diverse as skein of thread like form and long needle, which was relatively narrower than that of glass fiber and rock wool. 4. The results of SEM/EDX analysis of 15 areas where total fiber particle was relatively high showed that the form was rather similar to that of asbestos, but chemical composition was proven to be non-asbestos. Conclusions: The concentration of indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles of Gyeongnam Provinces satisfied the IAQ (Indoor air quality) level of 0.01 f/cc and asbestos was not found in most of the samples by SEM/EDX.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.133-138
• /
• 2009

Airborne microorganisms, termed bioaerosols, are etiological agents of many respiratory and skin diseases. There are high demands of controlling the concentration of bioaerosols, specifically in indoor environments. Here, a new system for controlling indoor bioaerosols is designed and evaluated. An idea of a short time exposure to a thermal energy is used in the design of the equipment. The system was tested in laboratory environments. The experimental results show that the new system can reduce the concentration of viable bioaerosols of indoor laboratory environments.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.77-87
• /
• 2023

We present the development of a wetcyclone sampler designed for the sampling of airborne bacteria. The wetcyclone design involves a combination of two traditional cyclone shapes and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to validate its effectiveness in terms of pressure drop and collection efficiency. The wetcyclone exhibits a collection efficiency of over 90% for bacteria, specifically targeting Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the wetcyclone enables continuous bioaerosol sampling using a liquid medium (deionized water), demonstrating a concentration ratio exceeding >105 and a stable microbial recovery rate of 81.9%. The application of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the colony counting method ensures precise measurement of the concentration ratio and microbial recovery rate.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2021

Although the installation of droplet protection screen (DPS) is known to prevent droplet transmission, there is still a lack of knowledge in effectiveness of DPS installation to block the airborne transmission. In this study, the prevention ability of DPS against airborne transmission was evaluated according to the DPS height. When the DPS was not installed, the maximum concentration of PM1.0 at the location opposite to infected person was 35% of that at the infected person location. When the DPS was installed, the DPS effectively prevented the airborne transmission, consequently approximately 7% of generated particles were measured at the opposite location from particle generation position (infected person location). The prevention ability of DPS increased with DPS height, the maximum prevention efficiency of 95.1% was obtained when the DPS height was 900mm. Moreover, the speed of airborne transmission was delayed by installation of DPS, and the delay time increased with DPS height.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.295-301
• /
• 2005

The fine particles in the range of $30\~500nm$ are monitored at Hanyang University campus in Ansan using house made DMA (differential mobility analyzer) and commercial CPC (condensation particle counter, TSI inc.) in SMPS mode. The monitoring period is March 16th 2004 through May 7th, 2004. During the monitoring period, Aitken nuclei mode $(30\~100nm)$ particle concentration has a tendency of increase in the morning and evening hours. However, the accumulation mode $(100\~500nm)$ particle concentration stays rather stable than that of Aitken mode.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.2 s.95
• /
• pp.104-114
• /
• 2007

This study evaluated the airborne concentrations of bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi in waiting rooms, wards, and outdoors, according to time and particle size between October 17 and November 28, 2003. The geometric mean number of airborne bacteria was highest in the morning. The more people there were, the higher was the total bacteria concentration. The concentration of fungi was also highest in the morning. Temperature and relative humidity affected the concentrations of fungi significantly (p<0.05). This study found relationships between microorganism concentrations and (actors such as time, place, temperature, humidity, ventilation, and number of people. Therefore, to manage the pollution resulting from airborne microorganisms, each time, place, and environmental factor should be examined periodically, and the number, size, and movement of airborne microorganisms should be evaluated.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.362-369
• /
• 1988

Monthly variation of mutagenicity by airborne particulate were studied according to particle size of the particulate. Airborne particulates were collected in Shinchon of Seoul which is commocial and traffic area in 1986. And those were separately collected into two parts such as fine particle (less than $2.5{\mu}m$ aerodynamic diameter) and coarse particle (greater than $2.5{\mu}m$). Extractable organic matters(EOM) were extracted and mutagenicity of the EOM was tested in Salmonella thyphimurium TA 98 by Ames method. While the concentration of coarse particle did not show the seasonal variation, that of fine particle showed great seasonal variation. The contents and mutagenicity of EOM in fine particles were higher than those of coarse particles. So fine particles were expected to contribute to the 90% of mutagenicity in atmosphere by suspended particulates. The content of EOM and mutagenicity by suspended particulates in atmosphere were highest in January all the year around and also higher as much as 6 and 30 times than in July, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.493-502
• /
• 2009

The concentrations of outdoor airborne bacteria measured in Seoul, Korea for one year (Jan. 2008~Dec. 2008) ranged from $500CFU/m^3$ to $7,500CFU/m^3$. In monthly concentration distribution, the level of outdoor airborne bacteria was highest in September and October and lowest in March. In seasonal concentration distribution, the order of level of outdoor airborne bacteria was autumn>winter>spring>summer. In regional concentration distribution, the highest level of outdoor airborne bacteria was generally found in the forest, followed by general area and traffic site. In distribution characteristics according to particle size, outdoor airborne bacteria showed 31% for >$7.0{\mu}m$ (stage 1), 21% for $4.7{\sim}7.0{\mu}m$(stage 2), 15% for $3.3{\sim}4.7{\mu}m$(stage 3), 19% for $2.1{\sim}3.3{\mu}m$(stage 4), 10% for $1.1{\sim}2.1{\mu}m$(stage 5), and 4% for $0.65{\sim}1.1{\mu}m$(stage 6) and its mean respirable fraction was 48%. In concentration distribution by yellow dust, the mean levels of outdoor airborne bacteria were 803 $(\pm479)CFU/m^3$ for period of yellow dust and 691 $(\pm1,134)CFU/m^3$ for period of non-yellow dust. Although the level of outdoor airborne bacteria was higher in period of yellow dust than period of non-yellow dust, there was no significant difference between period of yellow dust and non-yellow dust (p>0.05). In correlation analysis between outdoor airborne bacteria and atmospheric factors (temperature and relative humidity), there was no significant correlation between outdoor airborne bacteria and atmospheric factors. The predominant airborne bacteria were identified to the Bacillus-derived species.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 1997

Distribution of airborne microorganisms was determined with two different types of air samplers, the Anderson cascade sampler and the Aerobioscope sampler, in the vicinity of Taejon. The size distribution of particles carrying bacteria and fungi was concurrently measured. The concentration of detected viable airborne particles was greatly varied. It was observed that the number of microbial particles increased in April and October. The most isze o particles carrying bacteria was larger than 4.7 .mu.m in mean aerodiameter, which made up 69.8% of the total particle fraction. About 63.2% of fungi-carrying particles were smaller than 4.7 .mu.m in aerodiameter. The distribution of particles on Yellow Sand Phenomena days was also analyzed. The number of fine particles having mass median aero-diameter from 1.0 to 10.mu.m increased on Yellow Sand Phenomena days to about 6 times that on normal days and the n umber of colony forming unit (CFU/$\textrm{m}^3$) of airborne bacteria also increased by 4.3 times in April. The reuslts from the Anderson sampler showed that the concentration of bacteria increased greatly on the fraction of fine particles ranging from 0.6 $\mu$m to 4.7 $\mu$m in diameter. Unlike the increase in bacterial floraon Yellow Sand Phenomena days, the fungal concentration slightly decreased and showed a normal size distribution parttern. This study suggests that a long-range transmission of bacteria results form bacteria adsorbing onto the fine particles during the Yellow Sand Phenomena.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2014

Phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, and products in phosphate processing facility contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Therefore, they may give rise to enhanced radiation dose to workers due to inhalation of airborne particulates. Internal dose due to particle inhalation varies depending on particle properties. The objective of the present study was to characterize particle properties at the largest phosphate processing facility in Korea. A cascade impactor was employed to sample airborne particulates at various processing areas in the plant. The collected samples were used for characterization of particle size distribution, particle concentration in the air, and shape analysis. Aerodynamic diameters of airborne particulates ranged 0.03-100 ${\mu}m$ with the highest concentration at the particle size range of 4.7-5.8 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 5.22 ${\mu}m$) or 5.8-9.0 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 7.22 ${\mu}m$). Particle concentrations in the air varied widely by sampling area up to more than two orders of magnitude. The large variation resulted from the variability of mechanical operations and building ventilations. The airborne particulates appeared as spheroids or rough spherical fragments across all sampling areas and sampled size intervals. Average mass densities of phosphate rocks, phosphogypsums, and fertilizers were 3.1-3.4, 2.1-2.6, and 1.7 $gcm^{-3}$, respectively. Radioactivity concentration of uranium series in phosphate rocks varied with country of origin, ranging 94-866 $Bqkg^{-1}$. Among the uranium series, uranium was mostly concentrated on products, including phosphoric acid or fertilizers whereas radium was concentrated on byproducts or phosphogypsum. No significant radioactivity of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{228}Ra$ were found in fertilizer. However, $^{40}K$ concentration in fertilizer was up to 5,000 Bq $g^{-1}$. The database established in this study can be used for the accurate risk assessment of workers due to inhalation of airborne particles containing NORM. In addition, the findings can be used as a basic data for development of safety standard and guide and for practical radiation safety management at the facility.