• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.481-498
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• 2013

In this paper we evaluate the performance of voluntary environmental agreements in South Korea, called as the 30/50 program. We constructed establishment- and chemical substance-level panel data from 2004 to 2010 by using the Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) Information System. Although firms voluntarily participate in the program and the agreement is not binding, we find that the chemical materials released by the participating firms is substantially reduced by 1.2 to 2.7 tons. Although the abatement effect is more salient for those listed chemical substances in the agreements, the reductions in other substances are also significant. This implies that participating firms adopted new technologies that could reduce environmental hazards.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.283-292
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify hazardous factors that reflect the characteristics of the academy and to provide basic data of environmental safety standard. Methods: Heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, pesticides and phthalates were measured in 20 academies, which were supplementary, music, art and physical education institutes. Results: In case of heavy metals, the 12 locations were detected for lead (Pb) over the standard value, and 15 locations were exceeded for the total heavy metal. In six locations, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds were exceeded the standard value of $400{\mu}g/m^3$, and two locations for formaldehyde were exceeded the standard value of $100{\mu}g/m^3$. The most commonly detected agents in the air dust were chlorpyrifos and diazinon. The concentrations of DEHP, DINP, and DBP were detected and exceeded in several academies, The risk assessment results showed that HCHO as carcinogen had a safety level of 10-7 to 10-6, and DEHP and DINP as non-carcinogens had a safety level as assessed to be under than 0.1. Conclusions: Through the investigation of long-term environmental and health effects related laws on academies, indoor air quality management might be needed because there were cases of exceeding standard.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 1992

Since 1962, Korea has made a remarkable progress with continuous success of Five-Year Economic Development Plans. Over the last 30 years, Korea has achieved a fast growth in various industries including heavy industry and chemical industry with rapid urbanization at the same time. The fast industrialization and urbanization brought about huge amount of hazardous/toxic substances and wastes. The environmental pollution problems have now emerged from regional concerns to overall social issues accordingly. The situation has come to a point where pollution control and environment preservation have become one of the nation's major policies. Following the recent Earth Summit of UNCED Conference held in Riode Janeiro in June 1992, where the topic was environmentally sound and sustainable development, awareness upon the importance of environmental preservation has been heightened globally, The environmental issues will gradually influence the international society more and more, politically as well as economically, The environmental pollution control industry in Korea started in the early 70's with the development of the nation's industrialization, As the people's awareness on pollution increases and environmental laws and enforcing regulations were established, demand for pollution control began to increase. The environmental pollution control business came to be recognized as an independent industry in the mid'70's. It should be evaluated properly that over the last 30 years, the Korean pollution control industry has supplied locally manufactured pollution control facilities to the increasing local demand. Concerning the quality and customer satisfaction, however, there are still many aspects which need to be improved compared with those of advanced countries. Although the start of the pollution control industry in Korea is just 10 to 15 years behind the advanced countries such as Japan and European countries, current gap in the environmental technology is rather considerable. And, studies should be made to find out the reasons for the current technology gap, and therefore, to implement solutions to improve the technology and competitiveness of the environmental pollution control industry in Korea.