• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.398-406
• /
• 2012

Objectives: In order to investigate the relation between environmental pollution and its effect on human health in large-scale industrial complex regions, monitoring studies have been conducted since 2003. The main purpose of this Gangneung study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions such as Ulsan, Sihwa, Banwol, Gwangyang, Yeosu, Pohang and Cheongju Daesan industrial complexes. Methods: In this Gangneung study, 1,007 local residents were recruited and the framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level but long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. A survey was performed based on personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergy skin prick tests for twelve common allergens. The authors reviewed the prevalence rate of skin allergens in Gangneung compared with in large-scale industrial areas. The results are summarized as follows. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma were lower than in industrial complex regions, but allergic rhinitis was higher. The allergy skin test prevalence was 26.0% and the most common allergens were dust mites (D. pteronysinus 16.7% and D. farinae 16.3%). Conclusions: The positive findings of the skin prick test were similar with large-scale industrial complex regions in Korea. Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.493-507
• /
• 2018

Due to high spatio-temporal variability of amount and optical/microphysical properties of atmospheric aerosols, satellite-based observations have been demanded for spatiotemporal monitoring the major aerosols. Observations of the heavy aerosol episodes and determination on the dominant aerosol types from a geostationary satellite can provide a chance to prepare in advance for harmful aerosol episodes as it can repeatedly monitor the temporal evolution. A new geostationary observation sensor, namely the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI), onboard the Himawari-8 platform, has been observing high spatial and temporal images at sixteen wavelengths from 2016. Using observed spectral visible reflectance and infrared brightness temperature (BT), the algorithm to find major aerosol type such as volcanic ash (VA), desert dust (DD), polluted aerosol (PA), and clean aerosol (CA), was developed. RGB color composite image shows dusty, hazy, and cloudy area then it can be applied for comparing aerosol detection product (ADP). The CALIPSO level 2 vertical feature mask (VFM) data and MODIS level 2 aerosol product are used to be compared with the Himawari-8/AHI ADP. The VFM products can deliver nearly coincident dataset, but not many match-ups can be returned due to presence of clouds and very narrow swath. From the case study, the percent correct (PC) values acquired from this comparisons are 0.76 for DD, 0.99 for PA, 0.87 for CA, respectively. The MODIS L2 Aerosol products can deliver nearly coincident dataset with many collocated locations over ocean and land. Increased accuracy values were acquired in Asian region as POD=0.96 over land and 0.69 over ocean, which were comparable to full disc region as POD=0.93 over land and 0.48 over ocean. The Himawari-8/AHI ADP algorithm is going to be improved continuously as well as the validation efforts will be processed by comparing the larger number of collocation data with another satellite or ground based observation data.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.151-157
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to evaluate $PM_{10}$ concentrations at eight highway tollgate booths from July to September 2017. Methods: A total of 16 samples were collected from eight toll booths. Each $PM_{10}$ sample was collected using a 37 mm PTFE filter attached to a Personal Environment Monitor. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ in the toll booths was $83.51{\mu}g/m^3$. The mean $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured on freight roadways were much higher than those of measured on general roadways($102.46{\mu}g/m^3$ and $68.05{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). $PM_{10}$ was revealed to be higher in the morning($105.59{\mu}g/m^3$) than at dawn or in the afternoon($71.26{\mu}g/m^3$ and $61.22{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). The mean $PM_{10}$ concentration in toll booths ventilated through an air conditioner was higher than that for those using a window or no ventilation. The rate of exceeding the Ministry of Environment Maintenance Limit($200{\mu}g/m^3$) was 6.25%, and the rate of exceeding the Ministry of Labor Recommended Limit($150{\mu}g/m^3$) was 12.5%. Conclusions: In order to protect the health of toll booth workers exposed to airborne dust, it is necessary to check the exposure level from indoor air quality on a regular basis and to manage it appropriately according to the results.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.62 no.5
• /
• pp.27-37
• /
• 2020

As domestic meat consumption increases, the broiler production industry has been larger and denser. The concentration of particulate matter (PM) and harmful gases generated is also increasing inside livestock house. However, the current research status of PM exposed to farm workers and the health effects are in the early stage. To understand PM concentration affecting workers in the broiler house, field monitoring was conducted according to its size distributions. Concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and TD (Total Dust) were monitored using personal air samplers with teflon filter during working and moving periods considering the ventilation systems of 6 broiler houses. The purpose of this study is to monitor the PM concentration in the experimental broiler houses operated by forced ventilation system generally used in Korea and to evaluate the regional concentrations through airflow pattern. The PM concentrations were increased from inlet to outlet vents resulting in 1,872 of TD, 1,385 of PM₁₀, and 209 ㎍/㎥ of PM_2.5, respectively. The TD and PM₁₀ concentrations were increased when the workers and broilers were moving. Among them, the particle size that occupied the largest amount of PM was 13.75 ㎛. These results suggest that personal protection equipments are important to reduce the health effect from PM inhalation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.367-375
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to produce background data which can be compared with several large-scale industrial complex regions. Methods: The framework of this study was designed to evaluate and monitor health effects associated with low-level and long-term exposure to environmental pollutants. In this study, 1,009 local residents were recruited in the city of Chungju using personal questionnaires, medical check-ups, and allergen skin-prick tests for 12 common allergens. The prevalence rate of skin allergens was reviewed together with that from large-scale industrial areas. Results: The diagnosis prevalence and medical treatment prevalence of asthma was 5.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Allergic rhinitis was 25.4% and 16.7%, allergic dermatitis was 16.6% and 9.9% and allergic conjunctivitis was 18.7% and 7.9%, respectively. These results were similar with those of industrial complexes. The prevalence of allergen skin-prick test was 16.4% and the most common allergen was dust mites (27.9-31.6%). This result was lower than those of the industrial complexes (22.5-39.9%) and Gangneung (18.2-24.7%). Conclusion: Further study is required to find the cause of the regional differences in skin prick prevalence.

• Smart Media Journal
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this research is to collect atmospheric environmental information at specific altitudes in a range of 0 to 1 km above the surface and to monitor it using drones. The corresponding temperature and humidity were measured with the meteorological factors, and the amounts of fine dust and $CO_2$ were observed by the environmental factors so that they could receive the normal values. Monitoring the status of atmospheric gas emission in specific enterprises, industrial complexes and regions through the measurement is meant to help establish policies to reduce pollution factors. In conventional means previously practiced, exhaust gas detection accompanies a great deal of risks in terms of safety because the surveyor is directly exposed to the source of contamination such as the holes installed in the chimney. However, in our proposed method, the drone can collect information in a wide range under safe circumstances, which can be utilized through wide industrial areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.71-78
• /
• 2021

There are regularly planned overhaul periods in thermal power plants, which involve the maintenance of the boiler of the power plants. However, thermal power plants workers are always exposed to risk during overhaul periods owing to the narrow space and significant dust inside the boiler. Therefore, it is essential to develop a safety monitoring system that is suitable for operating in this type of environment. In this study, we developed not only a worker three-dimensional (3D)-location monitoring system that can monitor and record the entry/exit of workers, their 3D-location, and fall accidents but also a method to secure the working environment and operation efficiency. This system comprises of a worker tag, which was equipped with an inertial measurement unit, a barometric pressure sensor, and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and the tags were given to each worker. In addition, the location of workers inside the boiler was measured using a pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) method and BLE beacons. The location data of the workers tag were transmitted to the integrated database (DB) server through a gateway, and to the administrator monitoring system. The performance of the system was demonstrated inside an actual thermal power plant boiler, and the accuracy and reliability of the system were verified through a number of repeated tests. These results provide insights on designing a new system for monitoring enclosed spaces.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.23 no.6_2
• /
• pp.971-977
• /
• 2020

In this paper, We propose a portable electrostatic meter which can measure high voltage static electricity caused by friction to prevent fire or explosion accidents in grinding, crushing, power injection, transport, filling, dust removal, painting, and foreign matter removal processes. The proposed device not only shows static electricity strength in 4 steps with respect to distance and voltage but also gives warning with a buzzer, on process facilities that are likely to generate high voltage static electricity due to friction. The device is implemented by filtering the signal detected by the wireless antenna, amplifying the signal by 6 times, and passing the signal through the integrator circuit. Tests are carried out with an electrostatic discharge simulator. And the results show that 4 LEDs are turned on at the distance of 10cm, 3 LEDs at 12cm, 2 LEDs at 13cm, and 1 LED at 15cm, when a fixed voltage of 500V is given. And also, the tests show that the static electricity can be detected at 5cm on 100V, 10cm on 200V, 15cm on 500V, 20cm on 1000V, and 25cm on 1500V. We expect to reduce accidents caused by static electricity by allowing safety managers on fields where fire or explosion accidents can happen to monitor static electricity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify PM₁₀ mass concentration levels and conduct peak identification during five tasks in agricultural works. Methods: We investigated five agricultural tasks in 12 farms, which were harvesting, plowing, sowing, planting, and decapitation. All samples were measured by using the portable aerosol spectrometer(PAS 1.108) and the aerosol monitor(SidePak AM520). The collected data were compared with the national PM₁₀ concentrations. They were calculated to descriptive statistics, independent t-test, or ANOVA, and the peak identification on time series graph. Results: The ten investigated farms showed no significant difference with the national PM₁₀ concentrations, but the two greenhouses(AM, 143.31, 85.16 ㎍/m³) showed significant difference(p<0.05). As a result of the peak identification, the harvesting tasks showed repeated peak occurrence with the background concentration level of about 50 ㎍/m³. For plowing and sowing tasks, the peak occurred intermittently when the working was conducted near the sampling sites. Among the five tasks, the arithmetic mean of the harvesting task was 138.84±294.71 ㎍/m³, which was significantly higher than the other tasks(p<0.05). In addition, the case of using a tractor was higher than the case of not using the tractor(p<0.05), and the driver's seat showed the highest concentration(AM, 95.81 ㎍/m³). Conclusions: Works in greenhouses might have exposure to PM₁₀, while outdoor works is similar to general atmospheric PM₁₀ concentration levels. However, there is a possibility of intermittent exposure to high concentrations of PM₁₀ depending on the characteristics of agricultural tasks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
• /
• 2021.05a
• /
• pp.397-399
• /
• 2021

The increase in single-person households and the development of Home IoT technology make it important to improve the convenience of the residential environment. In addition, the increase in indoor activities caused by COVID-19 calls for the development of products to make life more convenient for single-person households. This trend of increased indoor activity has made it easier to interact with the current residential environment than before, and as a result, the need to develop technology for Home IoT is emerging. Therefore, the Home IoT system will be developed to monitor the information needed to maintain an ideal indoor environment such as temperature, humidity, and fine dust. The system will also interact with users, and propose a system that improves safety in indoor activities by equipping the home with IoT sensors for preventing safety accidents such as gas leakage and fire.