• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.215-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of airborne bioaerosol in public facilities in Seoul. A total of 17 public facilities were investigated from December, 2002 to February, 2003. As results of the survey, the mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi in indoor air of public facilities were $378.08\pm296.33$ CFU/㎥ by RCS and $106.38\pm171.63$ CFU/㎥ and $347.46\pm335.32$ CFU/㎥ and $95.23\pm62.61$ CFU/㎥, by Six-stage cascade air sampler respectively. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $517.14\pm343.93$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $215,83\pm100.71$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $83.14\pm79.16$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $133.50\pm248.07$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air were 449.44 CFU/㎥ for the ground and $217.50\pm103.68$ CFU/㎥ for the underground. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air were $63.89\pm77.66$ CFU/㎥ for the ground and $202.00\pm290.08$ CFU/㎥ for the underground.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.11-19
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• 2008

Mean levels of airborne bacteria, airborne fungi, temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices were $426({\pm}83)\;cfu/m^3$, $234({\pm}125)\;cfu/m^3$, $25.9({\pm}1.3)\;^{\circ}C$, $57.7({\pm}8.6)\;%$, $422({\pm}38)\;ppm$, respectively. The I/O ratio of airborne bacteria and fungi was over 1 and there was no significant difference among temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices. In construction period, a concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi was significantly highest in general offices constructed under one year and over three years since construction, respectively (p<0.05). The concentration of airborne fungi in general offices located at basement was significantly higher than those located at ground (p<0.05). No significant difference of airborne bacteria and fungi in general offices was found regardless of installation of HVAC system (p>0.05). The dominant bacterial genera identified in general offices was Staphylococcus, followed by Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium while usarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Mucor were identified as dominant fungal genera in general offices.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.487-492
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• 2022

Objective: The exposure levels of disease-causing bacteria and germs were assessed on aircraft cleaning workers on multiple different aircrafts. Method: Five measuring points were selected depending on the aircraft types. Four aircraft cleaning agencies were selected for the test. Aircraft cleaning work was classified as intensive cleaning and general cleaning work. Ventilation in aircraft when sampling during the cleaning operation was categorized into forced ventilation and natural ventilation. The collection of airborne microorganisms was made through inertial impactors which were installed 1.5 meters above the bottom of the aircraft. The airborne bacteria and fungus growth badges were selected by Trytpic Soy Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Results: The average concentrations of bacteria in the air were higher in the order of small, medium, and large airplanes. Rainy days had higher concentrations inside and outside the aircraft as compared to those in sunny days. Regarding ventilation, concentrations in natural ventilation were higher than concentrations in forced ventilation. According to the type of work, the concentrations in the intensive cleaning groups (cleaning one plane a day) were lower than those of the ordinary cleaning groups (cleaning several planes per day). Conclusion: The concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the aircraft surveyed were lower than the indoor environmental standards of Korea (800 cfu/m³ and 500 cfu/m³). The average concentrations of bacteria in the air and fungi in the air were highest in small aircraft owned by Company D.

• 보존과학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.283-293
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• 2018

This study involved a comparative analysis of the correlation between meteorological elements and the concentration of airborne fungi(CFU) in relation to biological damage to two temples on piedmonts, which is a cultural heritage building. The work compared Beopjusa temple in Boeun(Chungcheongbuk-do Province) and Seonamsa temple in Suncheon(Jeollanam-do Province). Twelve meteorological elements and the CFU were measured and the Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the degree of the relationship between them. The results showed that Beopjusa temple had high wind speed, high total horizontal radiation, high evaporation, and large number of days with precipitation. Seonamsa temple had high air temperature, high relative humidity, high dew point temperature, high sea level pressure, high precipitation, and high CFU. The CFU at Beopjusa temple did not have a linear correlation with meteorological elements, but at Seonamsa temple it was highly positive correlated with the number of days with precipitation, relative humidity, and precipitation, and was highly negative correlated with total horizontal radiation. In addition, Beopju and Seonamsa temple had a common linear relationship between factors not affected by the topographical conditions, and had a individual linear correlation between factors affected by the topographical conditions.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.231-241
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• 1998

To assess biological indoor air quality in hospital, concentrations of viable airborne microbes were determined at intensive care unit(ICU), patient room (PR), outpatient waiting room(OPWR) in hospitals of large(1000 beds), middle(500 beds), small(100 beds) hospitals, respectively. Gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria, fungi were sampled using suctional sampling method by RCS sampler (Reuter centrifugal air sampler) and RCS GK-A agar plate. In gram positive bacteria groups, CNS(Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus), Micrococcus, Lactobacillus, S. aureus, Enterococcus, St. viridans identified. In gram negative bacteria groups, A. baumannii, Kl. peumoniae and E. coli were identified, and Penicillium was identified in fugi groups. Results of the study were as follows. 1. The highest concentrations of airborne microbes was $971CFU/m^3$ at 5:00 PM in small hospital patient room, and average concentrations of airborne microbes in large, middle and small hospitals were $282CFU/m^3$, $289CFU/m^3$ and $625CFU/m^3$, respectively. Average concentrations of airborne microbes in office(control) was $90CFU/m^3$. Thus, the small hospital showed the worst condition. 2. Representatives of 8 different genera were identified in 150 samples. The most frequently isolated organisms were Staphylococcus (73.0%), Micrococcus (20.7%) and Lactobacillus (4.7%), respectively. Pathogenic microbes isolated were A. baumannii, E. coli, Enterococcus, Kl. peumoniae, S. aureus, St. viridans and Penicillium as fungi. In office, no pathogenic microbes were identified. Average concentrations of airborne pathogenic microbes in large, middle and small hospital were $5CFU/m^3$ (2%), $11CFU/m^3$ (4%) and $12CFU/m^3$ (2%), respectively. Thus, condition in a large hospital was better than those in a middle and a small hospital.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

서울에 위치한 20개 종합병원의 중환자실, 일반병동 입원실, 환자대기실과 병원 실외 4곳 공기중의 일반 세균수와 곰팡이수를 측정하였으며, 기회 감염균을 검출하였다. 97-410 cfu/㎥의 일반세균수와 37-77 cfu/㎥의 진균이 검출되었으며 중환자실이 가장 낮은 미생물의 오염도를 보였으며 환자대기실이 가장 높은 오염도를 나타내었다. 18종의 진균이 분리되었으며 Aspergillus spp.가 가장 높은 빈도로 검출되었으며, 그 다음으로 Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium 속 등이 검출되었다. Staphylococcus spp. 중에서는 S. haemolyticus와 S. epidermis가 가장 높은 빈도로 검출되었으며 검출된 Staphylococcus spp. 중 47%가 중환자실에서 검출되었다.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.623-628
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of airborne bacteria, fungi, particles, and endotoxin in swine and chicken houses. Six swine buildings and seven chicken houses were randomly selected in southern Gyonggi Province, South Korea. The geometric mean concentrations of airborne bacteria in swine and chicken houses were $2.7{\times}10^5\;CFU/m^3$ and $5.6{\times}10^7\;CFU/m^3$, respectively. The airborne bacteria concentrations in chicken houses were significantly higher than those of swine houses (p<0.05). The geometric mean concentration of airborne fungi in swine houses was $4.9{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$, which was higher than the value of $2.1{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$ found in chicken houses. The mean concentrations of airborne particles and endotoxin in swine houses were $3.48\;mg/m^3$ and $943.1\;EU/m^3$, and they were $15.43\;mg/m^3$ and $1,430.5\;EU/m^3$ in chicken houses, respectively. A significant difference between swine and chicken houses was found for total dust (p<0.05), but not for endotoxin. In this study, the concentrations of endotoxin in both swine and chicken houses as well as particles in chicken houses were high, and in about 50% of the samples exceeded the worker health safety levels of $614\;EU/m^3$ suggested in previous studies. These results may indicate a considerable respiratory hazard for workers in these environments.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.300-309
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate microbial exposure hazards in the metal-working fluids(MWF) handling industry. Methods: Air quality parameters(airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and oil mist) and bulk MWF in storage tanks were evaluated at 54 points at nine sites in South Korea. Results: The geometric means(GM) of culturable airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and oil mist concentration were $133CFU/m^3$(n=376, range $7{\sim}6,510CFU/m^3$), $159CFU/m^3$(n=381, range $7{\sim}8,469CFU/m^3$), $8.06EU/m^3$(n=103, range $0.34{\sim}280.4EU/m^3$) and $0.20mg/m^3$(n=104, range $0.01{\sim}2.87mg/m^3$), respectively. The ratio of indoor to outdoor concentration was 2.7 for bacteria, 6.1 for endotoxin, and 4.8 for oil mist. Even though average airborne bacteria concentration did not exceed recommended exposure limits($1,000CFU/m^3$), MWF in the storage tanks was highly contaminated with bacteria(arithmetic mean $2.1{\times}10^6CFU/ml$) and exceeded recommended bacteria limits($10^5CFU/ml$). Conclusions: It is necessary for MWF handling workplaces to conduct periodical biohazard inspection of MWF storage tanks. Additionally, further research may be necessary to establish biological occupational exposure limits.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.503-509
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed in order to evaluate the generation characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi while operating a household humidifier, in consideration of user habits. Methods: Microbial samples were collected in a closed chamber with a total volume of 2.76 $m^3$, in which a humidifier was operated according to experimental strategies. A cultivation method based on the viable counts of mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi was performed. Experimental strategies were divided into three classes: the type of water in the water reservoir (tap water, cooled boiled water); the frequency of filling the reservoir (refill every day, no refill); and the sterilization method (sterilization function mode, humidifier disinfectants). Results: Significant increases in the concentration of airborne bacteria were observed while the humidifier was in operation. The concentration had increased to 2,407 $CFU/m^3$ by 120 hours when tap water filled the reservoir without any application of sterilization, while for cooled boiled water, it was merely 393 $CFU/m^3$ at a similar time point. Usages of disinfectant in the water tank were more effective in decreasing bioaerosol generation compared to sterilization function mode operation. Generation characteristics of airborne fungi were similar to those of bacteria, but the levels were not significant in all experiments. Calculated exposure factor can be used as an indicator to compare biorisk exposure. Conclusion: This study identified the potential for bioaerosol generation in indoor environments while operating a household humidifier. User practices were critical in the generation of bioaerosol, or more specifically, airborne bacteria. Proper usage of a humidifier ensures that any biorisks resulting from generated bioaerosol can be prevented.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.406-417
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to bioaerosols in the indoor environment could be associated with a variety adverse health effects, including allergic disease such atopy. The objectives of this study were to assess children's exposure to bioaerosol in home indoor environments and to evaluate the association between atopy and bioaerosol, environmental, and social factors in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: Samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by impaction onto agar plates using a Quick Take TM 30 and were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). Bioaerosols were identified using standard microbial techniques by differential stains and/or microscopy. The environmental factors and possible causes of atopy based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) were collected by questionnaire. Results: The bioaerosol concentrations in indoor environments showed log-normal distribution (p < 0.01). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of airborne bacteria and fungi in homes were 189.0 (2.5), 346.1(2.0) CFU/$m^3$, respectively. Indoor fungal levels were significantly higher than those of bacteria (p < 0.001). The concentration of airborne bacteria exceeded the limit recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment, 800 CFU/$m^3$, in three out of 92 samples (3.3%) from 52 homes. The means of indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O) for airborne bacteria and fungi were 8.15 and 1.13, respectively. The source of airborne bacteria was not outdoors but indoors. GM of airborne bacteria and fungi were 217.6, 291.8 CFU/$m^3$ in the case's home and 162.0, 415.2 CFU/$m^3$ in the control's home respectively. The difference in fungal distributions between case and control were significant (p = 0.004) and the odds ratio was 0.996 (p = 0.027). Atopy was significantly associated with type of house (odds ratio = 1.723, p = 0.047) and income (odds ratio = 1.891, p = 0.041). Some of the potential allergic fungal genera isolated in homes were Cladosporium spp., Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternatia spp. Conclusions: These results suggest that there this should be either 'was little' meaning 'basically no significant association was found' or 'was a small negative' mean that an association was found but it was minor. It's a very improtant distinction. Association between airborne fungal concentrations and atopy and certain socioeconomic factors may affect the prevalence of childhood atopy.