• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.71-75
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• 2014

Ambient air pollution (AAP) and particulate matters (PM) have been closely associated with adverse health effects such as respiratory disease and cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have examined the adverse health effects associated with short- and long-term exposure to AAP and outdoor PM on respiratory disease. However, the effect of PM size ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$) on cardiovascular disease has not been well studied. Thus, it remains unclear how the size of the inhalable particles (coarse, fine, or ultrafine) affects mortality and morbidity. Airborne PM concentrations are commonly used for ambient air quality management worldwide, owing to the known effects on cardiorespiratory health. In this article, we assess the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and PM, with a particular focus on PM size. We discuss the association of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), and elemental carbon with mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and altered blood pressure, based on epidemiological studies. In addition, we provide evidence that the adverse health effects of AAP and PM are more pronounced among the elderly, children, and people with preexisting cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Finally, we critically summarize the literature pertaining to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and stroke, and introduce potential studies to better understand the health significance of AAP and PM on cardiovascular disease.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2012

This study was aimed to thoroughly estimate the characteristics of indoor particulate matter (PM) collected on subway platforms by the cooperative approach of semi-bulk and single particle analyses. The size-resolved PM and its number concentration were measured on the platform in a heavily traveled subway station in Fukuoka, Japan. Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and micro-PIXE techniques were applied to the chemical analyses of semi-bulk and single particle, respectively. There was the close resemblance of timely fluctuation between PM number concentration and train service on the third basement floor (B3F) platform compared to the second basement floor (B2F) and its maximum level was marked in rush hour. Higher number counts in large particles ($>1{\mu}m$) and lower number counts in fine particles ($<1{\mu}m$) were shown on the platform compared to an above ground. PM2.5 accounted for 58.2% and 38.2 % of TSP on B3F and on B2F, respectively. The elements that were ranked at high concentration in size-resolved semi-bulk PM were Fe, Si, Ca, S, and Na. The major elements tending to have more elevated levels on B3F than B2F were Fe (4.4 times), Ca (17.3 times), and Si (46.4 times). Although concentrations were very low, Cr ($11.9ng\;m^{-3}$ on B3F, $2.4ng\;m^{-3}$ on B2F), Mn ($3.4ng\;m^{-3}$ on B3F, $0.9ng\;m^{-3}$ on B2F), and Pb ($0.6ng\;m^{-3}$ on B3F, $1.6ng\;m^{-3}$ on B2F) were detected from PM2.5. Individual PM was nearly all enriched in Fe with Si and Ca. Classifying and source profiling of the individual particles by elemental maps and particle morphology were tried and particles were presumably divided into four groups (i.e., train/rail friction, train-rail sparking, ballast/abrasive, and cement).

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2013

Measurement of the phosphorus concentration in aerosols in Beijing, which was a representative East Asian mega-city, was carried out. The optimum procedure for analyzing phosphorus in aerosols was found in this study. Recovery of phosphorus in environmental samples through the improved method was almost 100%. The concentration of phosphorus in TSP was $145{\pm}47\;ng/m^3$, with a seasonal variation showing high concentrations in winter and low concentrations in summer. The concentrations of phosphorus in $PM_{2.5}$ accounted for $35{\pm}6%$ of those in TSP, with no seasonal variations. The major source of phosphorus in aerosols in Beijing was soil dust, and additional sources of phosphorus in fine particles could be coal combustion and biomass burning.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.627-641
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• 2006

Atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were measured to investigate their levels and water-soluble ions(${SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-,\;{NO_2}^-,\;Cl^-,\;{NH_4}^+,\;Na^+,\;Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;and\;K^+$) in Daegu between February 17 and April 18, 2006. Four Asian dust episodes during the period were examined for the influence of Asian dust on the particulate properties. Daily $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ concentrations ranged between $10.83{\sim}136.76{\mu}g/m^3$ with a mean of $38.43{\mu}g/m^3$ and $16.13{\sim}409.13{\mu}g/m^3$ with a mean of $79.98{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. For all measured ions the mean fractions of $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ were 51.8% and 28.9% being lowered to 30.7% and 9.4%, respectively, during the dust episodes. Secondary ions (i.e., non-sea salt ${SO_4}^{2-},\;{NO_3}^-,\;and\;{NH_4}^+$) contributed 44.3% and 14.8% to $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$, respectively, with a decreased contribution during the episodes. The average equivalent ratio of ${NH_4}^+$ to the sum of ${SO_4}^{2-}\;and\;{NO_3}^-$ was 0.99 and 0.89 for $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$, respectively, indicating high source strength of $NH_3$ and its dominance in the neutralization of the acidic ions. Correlations and charge balance between ions suggest that neutralization of the acidic ions results in substantial depletions of carbonate both in $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{2.5-10}$ and chloride only in $PM_{2.5}$.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.577-586
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• 2018

This research investigated the characteristics of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentration at roadside (Choryangdong) and residential (Sujeongdong) locations in Busan. The $PM_{10}$ concentration at roadside and residential locations were 50.5 and $42.9{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, and $PM_{2.5}$ at roadside and residential were 28.1 and $23.9{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The roadside/residential ratio of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentration were 1.18, and the $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio at roadside and residential were 0.55 and 0.56, respectively. The $PM_{10}$ concentration in spring at roadside were $64.6{\mu}g/m^3$, and were the highest, followed by $48.0{\mu}g/m^3$ and $45.2{\mu}g/m^3$ in winter and summer. Number of exceedances per year of the daily limit value for $PM_{10}$ at roadside and residential were 66 and 39 days, respectively. The $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, and $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio at roadside were $53.0{\mu}g/m^3$, $29.0{\mu}g/m^3$ and 0.55 for day, and $45.5{\mu}g/m^3$, $26.7{\mu}g/m^3$ and 0.59 for night, respectively. These results indicate that understanding the relationship between roadside and residential could provide insight into establishing a strategy to control urban air quality.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.603-613
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• 2011

The collection of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ samples was made at Gosan site of Jeju Island. Their ionic compositions of both inorganic and organic phases were then analyzed to examine their acidification and neutralization characteristics in atmospheric aerosols. The mass concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ at Gosan site were $37.6{\pm}20.1$ and $22.9{\pm}14.3{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, showing the content ratio of $PM_{2.5}$ to $PM_{10}$ as 61.0%. In the evaluation of ionic balance, the correlation coefficients (r) between the sums of cationic and anionic equivalent concentrations were excellent with 0.982 ($PM_{10}$) and 0.991 ($PM_{2.5}$). The concentration ratios of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ derived for nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, and $NH_4^+$ were 0.94, 0.56, and 1.02, respectively, indicating the relative dominance of fine fractions. The acidifying capacity of inorganic anions ($SO_4^{2-}$ and $NO_3^-$) in $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were 96.5% and 97.3%, while those of organic anions ($HCOO^-$ and $CH_3COO^-$) in each fraction were 2.9% and 2.0%, respectively. On the other hand, the neutralizing capacity of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ by $NH_3$ were 72.8% and 82.3%, while their $CaCO_3$ counter parts were 22.5% and 13.3%, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.100-113
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• 2016

In this study, the characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{2.5-10}$ concentrations were identified in two different functional areas including Chuncheon and Youngwol, Korea. Even though the anthropogenic emission rates of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ are approximately four times higher in Youngwol than in Chuncheon their atmospheric concentrations were statistically higher in Chuncheon. In Chuncheon, both $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations and the ratio of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ increased as relative humidity (RH) increased possibly because the inorganic and/or organic secondary aerosols were actively formed at high RH. This result was also supported by that $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was enhanced under the fog and mist conditions in Chuncheon. On the other hand, both $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{2.5-10}$ concentrations clearly increased with the southerly winds blown from the cement production facility in Youngwol. In addition, high $PM_{2.5-10}$ concentrations were observed with high wind speed, low relative humidity, and high $NO_2$ concentrations in Youngwol, suggesting that $PM_{2.5-10}$ was generated through the physical process including crushing and packing procedures followed by resuspension from cement and lime factory.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.286-295
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• 2021

The removal efficiency of road-deposited sediment (SDR) by road sweeping was analyzed by performing particle size analysis before and after road sweeping at four highways during May to December 2019. The SDR accounted for the largest proportion in the range of 250 to 850 ㎛ and the degree of its proportion had an effect on the particle size distribution curve. The particle size distribution of the collected sediments showed a similar distribution at all sites. Below 75 ㎛, the removal efficiency of SDR showed a constant value around 40%, but above 75 ㎛, it increased as the particle size increased. The removal efficiency was 82-90% (average 86%) for gravel, 66-93% (average 79%) for coarse sand, 35-92% (average 64%) for fine sand, 29-69% (average 44%) for very fine sand, 19-58% (average 40%) for silt loading, 10-59% (average 40%) for TSP, 13-57% (average 40%) for PM10, and 15-61% (average 38%) for PM2.5. SDR removal efficiency showed an average of 69% for the four highways. It was found that if the amount of SDR was less than 100 g/m², it was affected by the road surface condition and had a large regional deviation. As such, the amount of SDR and the removal efficiency increased. The fine particles, which have relatively low removal efficiency, contained a large amount of pollutants, which is an important factor in water and air pollution. Therefore, various measures to improve the removal efficiency of fine particles in SDR by road sweeping are needed.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.230-239
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• 2004

Using our PM2.5 and PM10 concentration data obtained from Seoul and Busan during winter 2002, we conducted comparative analysis on the role of inorganic ions in constituting airborne particles in two distinctive urban areas. Whereas the mass concentration of fine particle was more significant in Seoul, no such pattern was found in Busan. In addition, when the major components were compared between different particle fractions and between different sites, clear pattern was apparent between those. Although the major components of fine particles were generally compatible each other ($NH{_4}^+$, $NO{_3}^-$, and NSSS), those of coarse fractions were clearly distinguished. Although anthropogenic signatures were still important in Seoul, the influence of oceanic sources was clear in coarse fraction of Busan ($Cl^-$ and $Na^+$). Detailed statistical analysis of our data consistently supports the importance of different source processes between particle modes and source processes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) constitutes a hazardous blend of organic and inorganic particles that poses health risks. Inhalation of fine airborne PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) can lead to significant lung impairments. (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound sourced from Bergenia ligulata, boasts a range of attributes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardiovascular effects. However, knowledge about the therapeutic potential of AZC for patients with PM_2.5-induced lung injuries remains limited. Thus, in this study, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against lung damage caused by PM_2.5 exposure. AZC was administered to the mice 30 min after intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5. Various parameters, such as changes in lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, total protein/total cell ratio, lymphocyte counts, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), vascular permeability, and histology, were evaluated in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Data demonstrated that AZC mitigated lung damage, reduced W/D weight ratio, and curbed hyperpermeability induced by PM_2.5 exposure. Furthermore, AZC effectively lowered plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by PM_2.5 exposure. It reduced the total protein concentration in BALF and successfully alleviated PM_2.5-induced lymphocytosis. Additionally, AZC substantially diminished the expression levels of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin 1. In contrast, it elevated the protein phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Consequently, the anti-inflammatory attribute of AZC positions it as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating PM_2.5-induced lung injuries by modulating the TLR4-MyD88 and mTOR-autophagy pathways.