• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we assessed respiratory hazards in the working environment as the work-relatedness of occupational diseases were examined. Methods: The subjects of the study were three Korean meat roasting restaurants, one Chinese restaurant, and two cafeterias. Measurement items were total dust, respirable dust, fine dust (PM_2.5), PAHs, TVOCs, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Results: The concentration of total dust and respiratory dust in the restaurant was low. Most PAHs were undetectable, but some Napthalene and Acenaphthylene was detected. Thirteen kinds of PAHs were detected in one sample of roasted meat, and Benzo(a)pyrene was 1.496 ㎍/㎥. PM_2.5, TVOCs, CO, and CO₂ were instantaneously high, but the average concentration was low. NO₂ was not detected. Conclusions: The results show that harmful substances such as PM_2.5, PAHs, CO, and TVOCs were generated in the air in the catering industry. When roasting meat, Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen related to lung cancer, was generated among PAHs. Lung cancer can occur when working for a long time in such a working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment for the health of restaurant workers, and it is necessary to evaluate the concentration of harmful substances by cooking method through further research.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.569-579
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• 2011

This study evaluated the indoor air quality of 26 government offices located in Seoul. The pollutant samples were taken from Jan. 13th to Jan. 29th and Feb. 20th to Feb. 23rd, 2010 in the offices. The target indoor pollutants for this study were $PM_{10}$, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, total bacteria counts, total volatile organic compounds, radon, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and asbestos which were controlled by the indoor air quality law for the multiple-use facilities management. The results of this study showed that some pollutants of the 38.5% offices exceeded the standards of the air quality guideline. The correlation analysis of the same pollutants between indoor and outdoor represented that $NO_2$ (r=0.629, p<0.05) and $O_3$ (r=0.459, p<0.01) were significant, however, $PM_{10}$ and CO were not. The correlation analysis between different pollutants showed that CO and TVOC (total volatile organic compounds: r=0.724; p<0.01), CO and $NO_2$ (r=0.674; p<0.01), HCHO and humidity (r=0.605; p<0.01), $CO_2$ and TVOC (r=0.534; p<0.01), TBC (total bacteria counts) and Asbestos (r=0.520; p<0.01) were significant. The energy-saving system of government buildings in winter caused under-ventilated and poor air quality. This study suggests that the concentrations of radon and $CO_2$ should be used as an indicator for monitoring indoor air quality and maintaining effective ventilations.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2007

This study considers the characteristics of nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), ozone ($NO_3$) and sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) in three cities of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Area (Daegu, Pohang, and Gumi), which have different city or industrial characteristics, over a time period of 2 years. The diurnal, weekly, monthly and seasonal concentration variations of criteria air pollutants were attributed to compounds or city types. However, the seasonal variations of $O_3$ concentrations were dependent on compounds, but not on city types. Lower $O_3$ concentrations were observed in July when comparing with other summer months. For $SO_2$ and $NO_2$, the concentrations were higher in Daegu when compared to Pohang and Gumi, while the concentrations of $O_3$ were higher in Pohang and Gumi. $SO_2$ exhibited higher levels in the morning hours, while $O_3\;and\;NO_2$ exhibited higher levels in the afternoon hours for all cities. For $O_3$, the concentrations observed during Sunday were higher than those of other week or weekend days. Furthermore, the monthly and seasonal concentration variations of air pollutants depended on compounds or city types. It if noteworthy that the current monthly and seasonal variations were consistent with several prey ious studies.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 1987

As part of an air pollution epidemiological study of asthmatics residing in the Houston area, an air monitoring system provided data on the indoor and outdoor measurements of major pollutant gases sampled at selected residences during May ~ October 1981. Continuously monitored pollutant gases included sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$), nitrogen dioxide($NO_2$), nitric oxide(NO), carbon monoxide(CO), and ozone($O_3$). Outdoor levels for each pollutant were compared with their indoor levels(bedroom, kitchen, living room). Mean concentrations of each pollutant in the kitchen, and living room exceeded the mean levels outside except for ozone, while average bedroom levels for all gases except for $O_3$ and $NO_2$ were found higher than the corresponding outside levels. Indoor/ outdoor ratios for $SO_2$, NO, and CO were 1.8 ~ 2.7 times the outdoor levels, but indoor/ outdoor ratios for $NO_2$ and $O_3$ were 0.99 and 0.06, respectively. The impact of several important household characteristics (type of cooking fuel and cigarette smoking) on the indoor levels for these gases is evaluated.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.169-180
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• 2005

Nitrogen dioxide concentration was being grown ca. 8% per year although sulphur dioxide concentration was being reduced ca. 10% per year in Seoul from 1996 to 2003. The rainwater was heavily acidic with pH 4.19 to 4.68 in Seoul during 1980 to 1991. Acidity score on the basis of the total anion concentration of rainwater follows the higher in sequence with Seoul(Kwanaksan)(341.5 ${\mu}equiv{\cdot}L^{-1}$), Gwangneung(199.2 ${\mu}equiv{\cdot}L^{-1}$) and whole Korea mean(10.3 ${\mu}equiv{\cdot}L^{-1}$). Rainwaters from 38 sampling sites of 16 countries in the world, on the basis of the acidity score, are classified and designated as five acid rain grades(ARG): the least score is founded in Tana Rata(16.2 ${\mu}equiv{\cdot}L^{-1}$), Malaysia where has the best rain but the greatest founded in Chongquing(541.1 ${\mu}equiv{\cdot}L^{-1}$), China where has the worst rain in the world. Even though acidic deposition decrease with time in the world generally, it is expected to increase in Asia, Africa and Mid-South America.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.306-312
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• 2010

This field study was performed to evaluate the efficiency of a plasma ion-operated air cleaner in temporal reduction of airborne pollutants emitted from a pig housing facility. In the case of gaseous pollutants, the plasma ion air cleaner was not effective in reducing levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, or sulfur dioxide (p>0.05). In the case of particulate pollutants, however, the air cleaner was effective in reducing levels of particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_1$) by 79(${\pm}6.1$) and 78(${\pm}3.0$)%, respectively. Unlike the case of these fine particle fractions, the reduction of total suspended particles (TSP) and $PM_{10}$ following treatment was almost negligible. In the case of biological pollutants, the mean reduction efficiencies for airborne bacteria and fungi were relatively low at 22(${\pm}6.6$) and 25(${\pm}8.7$)%, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that in terms of air pollutants released from this pig housing facility, the plasma ion air cleaner was primarily effective in reducing levels of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_1$.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 1990

The study was carried out to investigate the extent of indoor air pollution in living rooms of apartment houses(residential area) and offices(traffic area A : no smoking space, B : smoking space) in Seoul and to determine the health significance of indoor air pollution. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of major air pollutants were observed simultaneously from February 13 to 17, and July 24 to 28, 1988. The concentrations of carbon monoxide(CO), nitrogen oxides(NOx), sulfur dioxide($SO_2$), carbon dioxide($CO_2$) and total suspended particulate(TSP) in living room and offices were measured and the results were summarized as follows: 1. Both in summer and in winter, the indoor concentrations of CO, $CO_2$, and TSP in offices were higher than the outdoor concentrations, on the other hand, $SO_2$ was higher in the outdoors and NOx was lower than the outdoor concentration only in office A where smoking is not permitted. 2. The indoor and outdoor pollution of offices in winter was significantly higher than that in summer, and the concentrations of CO, NOx and $SO_2$ in indoor and outdoor air in living room in winter were also higher than those in summer. These results suggest that indoor levels of air pollutants are affected by smoking and winter heating systems.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2013

Scientific evidence shows that ambient air quality is one of the major environmental issues related to human health. The aim of this paper was to provide quantitative data on the short-term impact of air pollution on the mortality and morbidity of people living in Suwon city. There are some studies that have conducted health impacts of the air pollution in Seoul, Korea. However, there are few studies of the health effects on air pollution conducted in satellite cities of the Seoul Metropolitan area. For this reason, we investigated the health effects of air pollution in Suwon city, one of the highly populated satellite cities of Seoul. In order to estimate the short-term mortality impact of air pollution, this study applied the approach suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), using AirQ2.2.3 software. Daily concentrations of $PM_{10}$, $O_3$, $NO_2$, and $SO_2$ were used to assess human exposure and health effects, in terms of attributable proportion of the health outcome, annual number of excess cases of mortality for all causes, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Among the four considered air pollutants, $PM_{10}$ had the highest health impact on the 1,118,000 inhabitants of Suwon city, causing an excess of total mortality of 105 out of 4,254 in a year. Sulfur dioxide had the least health impact. Ozone and nitrogen dioxide each caused 42.7 and 81.3 excess cases of total mortality in a year. The results are also in line with those of other international studies that apply AirQ software.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.465-472
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the effect of air pollution on the daily respiratory symptoms of elementary school children in Seoul. Methods : Using the panel study design, we collected diary data for the children's respiratory symptoms during the 1st day$\sim$15th day of April, July, October and December in 2003 among the 2nd and 3rd grade elementary school students. We merged the respiratory symptom data with the ambient air pollution data that was monitored by Ministry of Environment. Using a generalized estimate equation, we evaluated the relationship between the daily symptoms of the subjects and the exposure to ai r pollution after controlling for various potential confounders. Results : The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure of the current day significantly increased the upper respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24) and the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.18, 95% CI=1.06-1.31) in the elementary school children. The sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in the current day was associated with the lower respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.25 for SO2; adjusted odds ratio=1.16, 95% CI=1.02-1.32 for CO). Conclusions : We found that exposure to air pollution affects the daily respiratory symptoms in children. This study suggests that the effect on children's health? due to the short term changes in air pollution levels needs to be considered as an important public health problem.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.23
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• pp.95-112
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• 2002

Seoul City built a facility for conservation of the Wongaksajisipcheungseoktap (Ten storied stone pagoda of Wongaksa Temple site, National treasure No. 2). It has speciality glass(thickness 21.5㎜) between steel-frames(8.4m, length 8.4m, height 15.4m). So we investigated the inside of facility to know whether the environment alvariation exists. We measured continuously the temperature and relative humidity, twice for the particulate, once for the $SO_2$(sulfur dioxide), $NO_2$(nitrogen dioxide)and $O_3$(ozone) from September $1_st$, 2000 to August $31_st$, 2001.The temperature and relative humidity, have a tendency to vary, and they have no difference between the inside and the outside. As dewy phenomenon doesn appear on the surface of the Pagoda and facility we know that the inside air is moving. As a result of the particulate is $64\mug$/$m_3$ of average concentration, the particulate fluxed inside don’t flow out because air-velocity of the outside is faster than that of the inside. The air pollutants are 0.036ppm/hr of SO$_2$average concentration, 0.028ppm/hr of $NO_2$ average concentration and 0.008ppm/hr of $O_3$ average concentration which are lower than the Environmental Air Quality Standards($SO_2$ : 0.15ppm/hr, $NO_2$ : 0.25ppm/hr,O3 : 0.1ppm/hr).