• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.619-626
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• 2004

We have studied the catalytic combustion of soot particulates over perovskite-type oxides prepared by malic acid method, The catalysts were modified to enhance the activity by substitution of metal into A or B site of perovskite oxide. In addition, the reaction conditions such as temperature and $O_2$ concentration were investigated. The partial substitution of alkali metals into A site in the $LaMnO_3$ catalyst, enhanced the catalytic activity in the combustion of carbon particulate and the activity was shown in the order: Cs > K > Na. For the $La_{1-x}Cs_{x}MnO_{3}$ catalysts, the catalytic activity showed the maximum value with x=0.3 but no more increase on the catalytic activity was shown with x > 0.3. For the $La_{0.8}Cs_{0.2}MnO_{3}$ catalyst, the substitution of Fe or Ni increased the ignition temperature. The ignition temperature decreased with an increase of $O_2$ concentration, however, no more increase in the catalytic activity was shown with $O_2$ concentration > 0.2. The introduction of NO into reactants showed no effect on the catalytic activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.396-401
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• 2007

This research investigated whether exposure of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) and particulate metter (PM) effect on intercellular. adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in asthma-induced Balb/c and IL-10 knock out (KO) mouse. Mouse was sensitized with intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin. After induction of asthma mouse placed in the inhalation chamber and exposed to DEP and PM (10 $mg/m^3$). The evidences of pulmonary inflammation were assessed by immunohistochemical stain and westen blot against ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the lung tissue. In the immunohistochemical stain, positive reactions for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were much stronger in asthma-induced groups and asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than control groups. Although mild positive reactions were appeared in asthma-induced IL-10 KO mice groups, positive reactions were very strong in the asthma-induced group with DEP or PM. In Western blot, expression of VCAM-1 was increased in asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than asthma-induced groups. In the IL-10 KO mouse, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were increased in asthma-induced group with DEP or PM than asthma-induced groups. DEP and PM exposure have additive effects on the aggravation of inflammatory signs in the asthma-induced murine model. These results suggest that inhalation of DEP and PM in asthmatic patients may aggravate clinical symptoms.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.289-292
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• 2005

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.18-26
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• 1987

In order to investigate the character of air pollution by heavy metals and to elucidate the possible sources in Seoul city, this study was performed to measure the concentrations of heavy metals of total suspended particulate and air pollutants such as $SO_2, NO_2, CO, CH_4$, Non-methane hydrocarbon, ozone at the residential-traffic area (shinchon dong) in January and February, 1986. The results are as follows: 1. $SO_2$ and TSP concentration were 135ppb and 167 $\mug/m^3$ in average, respectively. 2. While concentrations of heavy metals such as Fe, Cu, Pb in the ambient air seems gradually decreasing annually, Ni compound has been shown the tendency of increasing. 3. Among heavy metals in TSP analysed, the iron was detected at the highest level, 0.905% and the cadimium was the lowest 0.004% in average, respectively. 4. V, Fe and Zn compounds in air were observed to be highly correlated with their correlation coefficients(r) higher than 0.7. Pb compound was highly correlated to the levels of Zn and Fe, however relatively less correlated to V compound. 5. Among concentrations of heavy metals in the particulates, V and Ni compounds were highly correlated with coefficient(r) of 0.8587; the cause might be imagined by the fact of releasing from combustion of fuel oil. Fe, Pb and Zn compounds were highly correlated $SO_2$ concentration. It might be explained that they were released by combustion of coal. 6. The level of $SO_2$ was highly correlated to most of heavy metals: especially correlation coefficient(r) to Pb compound was 0.9081. Pb compound was also highly correlated to NO, CO and TSP. TSP showed higher correlation to Pb and Cd compounds than to V and Ni compounds. It might be assumed that particulate was mainly produced by combusting coal from space heating and by exhausting gasoline and diesel oil from transportation rather than by burning fuel oil.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.561-569
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• 2012

Study attempts to evaluate the environmental cost and benefit for management of particulate matters of Donghae harbor in Gangwondo. The level of fine dust suspended in the vicinity of the harbor was quite high, exceeding the national standard ($100{\mu}g/m^3$) depending on the places. The test field harbor deals with lots of limestone and coal, so that fine particulates could be generated while loading it and unloading. It was estimated that the direct handling of cargos might produce 12 tons of PM10(Particulate Matters of $10{\mu}m$) a year. In addition, heavy vehicles for transportation of various cargos including raw materials emit huge amount of diesel soots and cause to redispersion of road dust. The local government spends more than 2 billion won every year, and it contributes to reduce the atmospheric dust. According to the prediction of cost to benefit, it will present the effectiveness in 720 % maximum and at least 240 %.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.861-869
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• 2010

The present study aims to evaluate the characteristics of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution in roadside and residential areas of two Korean metropolitan cities (Seoul and Incheon) and a background area (Seokmolee). This purpose was established by analyzing temporal and spacial concentration distribution of total and 7 individual PAHs, which were extracted from ambient particulate matters, and by utilizing a multivariate statistical method (principal component analysis, PCA) for the qualitative determination of potential PAH sources. Target PAHs included benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF), chrysene (Chr), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DahA), and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IcdP). For all surveyed sites, the concentrations of total PAHs were higher in winter season than in other seasons. However, the concentrations of individual PAHs varied with surveyed sites. In both residential and roadside sites of Seoul and Incheon, BbF revealed the highest atmospheric levels. For all 7 target PAHs, the ambient concentrations were higher in Seoul and Incheon than in a background area (Seokmolee). In both residential and roadside areas, the concentrations of 4 target PAHs (BaA, BbF, BkF, DahA) were higher in Incheon than in Seoul. However, both the residential and roadside Chr concentrations were comparable in Seoul and Incheon. In addition, the residential IcdP concentrations were higher in Incheon than in Seoul, whereas the roadside concentrations were higher in Seoul. The roadside and residential BaP concentrations exhibited the reverse result to the IcdP concentrations. An PCA analysis suggested that atmospheric PAHs in both residential and roadside areas would be due to combined effects of several potential sources such as gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles, coal/oil combustion, and waste incineration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.2 s.82
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• pp.248-253
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• 2007

This research investigated whether exposure of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) and particulate matter (PM) effects on airway remodeling in asthma induced Balb/c and IL-10 knock out (KO) mouse. Mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection with ovalbumin, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin. After that mice placed in inhalation chamber and exposed to DEP and $PM(10\;mg/m^3)$. The evidence of airway remodeling was assessed by masson's trichrome staining and PAS staining. The stainability of masson's trichrome and PAS reaction were increased in asthma-induced Baltic mice groups compared with control mice groups. More intensive stainability for masson's trichrome and PAS were appeared in the asthma-induced DEP and PM-exposed groups than asthama-induced groups. But, not significantly increased subepithelial fibrosis and the nember of goblet cell hyperplasia in asthma-induced IL-10 KO mice groups and asthma-induced+DEP and PM-exposed IL-10 KO mice than IL-10 KO mice groups. These results indirectly suggesting that exposure to DEP and PM in asthmatic patients might be aggravate clinical symptoms and IL-10 which seems to play a central role in allergic asthma. In conclusion, DEP and PM exposure might have additive effects on the ovalbumin- induced asthma in a murine model.