• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2015

The pollution of particulate matter (PM) is considered one of the hot socioenvironmental issues at present time. In this study, we investigated the distribution of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) in Wangsimni commercial areas in Seoul, Korea to learn more about its environmental behavior in an urban area. Our analysis of $PM_{2.5}$ was made to distinguish the $PM_{2.5}$ pollution levels between three different types of site characteristics: (1) densely populated area, (2) thinly populated area, and (3) traffic roadside. Moreover, to assess the temporal trends in our study, the concentration levels of $PM_{2.5}$ were also compared between weekdays and weekends and between early in the afternoon and evening. The average concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ from densely and thinly populated areas were measured as $36.0{\pm}13.1$ and $32.3{\pm}11.2{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. If the results are compared between different time bands, there were apparent differences between weekdays ($29.6{\pm}10.8{\mu}g/m^3$) and weekends ($36.9{\pm}12.1{\mu}g/m^3$). Such difference was also evident between noon ($27.8{\pm}5.8{\mu}g/m^3$) and evening ($38.3{\pm}13.7{\mu}g/m^3$). According to our research, concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ in the study area was affected more sensitively by time zone rather than the population density. The measurement data was also analyzed by drawing concentration map of $PM_{2.5}$ in the Wangsimni commercial areas based on data contouring method.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.875-882
• /
• 2015

In 2013, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component of air pollution most closely associated with sufficient evidence of increased cancer incidence by exposure to particulate matter component of air pollution. Motor vehicles are one of a major emission sources of fine particle ($PM_{2.5}$) in urban areas. A large number of epidemiological studies have reported a positive association of morbidity or mortality with distance from the roadside. We conducted this study to assess the association of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations measured at roadside hotspots with those at adjacent residential sites using real-time $PM_{2.5}$ monitors. We conducted real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements for rush hour periods (08:00~10:00 and 18:00~20:00) at 9 roadside air monitoring Hotspot sites in metropolitan Seoul over 3 weeks from October 1 to 21, 2013. Simultaneous measurements were conducted in residential sites within a 100 m radius from each roadside air monitoring site. A SidePak AM510 was used for the real-time $PM_{2.5}$ measurements. Medians of roadside $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations ranged from $9.8{\mu}g/m^3$ to $38.3{\mu}g/m^3$, while corresponding median values at adjacent residential sites ranged from $4.4{\mu}g/m^3$ to $37.3{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations of residential sites were 0.97 times of hotspot roadside sites. Distributions of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in roadside and residential areas were also very similar. Real-time $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations at residential sites, (100 m adjacent), showed similar levels to those at roadside sites. Increasing the distance between roadside and residential sites, if needed, should be considered to protect urban resident populations from $PM_{2.5}$ emitted by traffic related sources.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.22 no.8
• /
• pp.149-156
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to reduce the contaminants (total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), fine particle, odor and total airborne bacteria) during cooking process in cooking chamber, and to decrease the health damage in indoor space that has bad work environment. In order to solve the shortcomings of existing air purifiers and remove all kinds of pollutants effectively, this study focused on the development of indoor air purifiers which are made of bar type. Bio-ceramics filter which combines activated carbon and loess. The air cleaners developed with 4 measuring items including TVOCs, particulate matter, complex odor and total airborne bacteria were measured comparing their pre-service test to their post-service test after a period of time. The measured results showed higher removal efficiency of 91.02% as the concentration of TVOCs was reduced from $2,500{\mu}g/m^3$ to $223{\mu}g/m^3$. Second, the particulate matter removal ratio was 97.51% efficient with average concentration of $26.68{\mu}g/m^3$. Third, the odor showed 95.20% reduction as air dilution ratio averaged out at 144. Last, total airborne bacteria was eliminated by over 94% showing the changeable concentration from $787{\sim}814CFU/m^3$ to $47{\sim}40CFU/m^3$. In addition, the removal rate of harmful pollutants is excellent, and it is expected that the environment of the existing poor cooking room will be greatly improved by using the developed air purifier in combination with the ventilation device and the stove hood.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.144-150
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Cooking activity in indoor environments can generate particulate matter. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP), $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ in cooking and non-cooking areas of major department stores in Seoul. Methods: Eighteen department stores in Seoul, Korea were measured for concentrations of particulate matter. Using real-time monitors, concentrations of UFP, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were simultaneously measured in cooking and non-cooking areas on the floor with a food court and a non-cooking floor. Results: The concentrations of UFP, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were significantly higher in cooking areas than in noncooking areas and non-cooking floors (p<0.05). UFP and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly correlated in cooking areas and non-cooking areas but not in non-cooking floors. $PM_{2.5}$ were consisted of approximately 81% in $PM_{10}$ and highly correlated with $PM_{10}$ in all places. Conclusion: A higher correlation between UFP and $PM_{2.5}$ was shown on cooking floor than on non-cooking floor in department stores. High levels of fine particles were caused by cooking activities at food courts. The further management of PM is needed to improve the indoor PM levels at food courts in department stores.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.159-173
• /
• 2017

The Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) - Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) system was applied to investigate the influence of major point sources located in Chungcheongnam-do (CN) on surface $PM_{2.5}$ (Particulate Matter of which diameter is $2.5{\mu}m$ or less) concentrations in its surrounding areas. Uncertainties associated with contribution estimations were examined through cross-comparison of modeling results using various combinations of model inputs and setups; two meteorological datasets developed with WRF for 2010 and 2014, and two domestic emission inventories for 2010 and 2013 were used to estimate contributions of major point sources in CN. The results show that contributions of major point sources in CN to annual $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations over Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and CN ranged $0.51{\sim}1.63{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.71{\sim}1.62{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.63{\sim}1.66{\mu}g/m^3$, and $1.04{\sim}1.86{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, depending on meteorology and emission inventory choice. It indicates that the contributions over the surrounding areas can be affected by model inputs significantly. Nitrate was the most dominant $PM_{2.5}$ component that was increased by major point sources in CN followed by sulfate, ammonium, and others. Based on the model simulations, it was estimated that primary $PM_{2.5}$ $(PPM)-to-PM_{2.5}$ conversion rates were 41.3~50.7 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 12.4~18.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, respectively. In addition, spatial gradients of PPM contributions show very steep trends. $NO_X$-to-nitrate conversion rates were 7.61~12.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.94~11.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the sub-regions in the SMA. $SO_2$-to-sulfate conversion rates were 4.04~5.28 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.73~4.43 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the SMA, respectively.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.268-274
• /
• 2010

Emission of heavy metals as hazardous air pollutants has been focused with tightening regulatory limits due to their hazardousness. Measurements and characteristic investigations of heavy metals emitted from a commercial power plant burning anthracite coal have been carried out. The plant consists of a circulating fluidized bed combustor, a cyclone, a boiler and an electrostatic precipitator(ESP) in series. Dust and gaseous samples were collected to measure main heavy metals including gaseous mercury before ESP and at stack. Dust emissions as total particulate matter (TPM), PM-10 and PM-2.5 at inlet of ESP were very high with 23,274, 9,555 and $7,790mg/Sm^3$, respectively, as expected, which is much higher than those from pulverized coal power plants. However TPM at stack was less than $0.16mg/Sm^3$, due to high dust removal efficiency by ESP. Similarly heavy metals emission showed high collection efficiency across ESP. From particle size distribution and metal enrichment in sizes, several metal concentrations could be correlated with particle size showing more enrichment in smaller particles. Mercury unlike other solid metals behaved differently by emitting as gaseous state due to high volatility. Removal of mercury was quite less than other metals due to it's volatility, which was 68% only. Across ESP, speciation change of mercury from elemental to oxidized was clearly shown so that elemental mercury was half of total mercury at stack unlike other coal power plants which equipped wet a scrubber.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels of door-to-door deliverers to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Another objective was to confirm the general working patterns of door-to-door deliverers via survey. Methods: In the city of Daegu, ten door-to-door deliverers who wished to join the study were recruited. The general working characteristics of door-to-door deliverers were surveyed using self-reported questionnaires. In the cabin of each car driven by a deliverer, a real-time PM2.5 sampler (Sidepak, Model AM510, TSI Inc., MN, USA) and a GPS device (GPS 741, Ascen, Korea) were installed. Each deliverer was monitored for four days per week so that each day could be monitored at least four times. Results: A total of 40 measurements of PM2.5 concentrations were taken during delivery of parcels. The average exposure levels of door-to-door deliverers to PM2.5 was $44.62{\mu}g/m^3$ ($7-9443{\mu}g/m^3$. Exposure levels to PM2.5 according to the day of the week and coverage areas were not significantly different (p>0.05). Door-to-door deliverers using trucks with older diesel engines manufactured before 2006 had significantly higher exposure levels to PM2.5 than in the case of trucks with diesel engines manufactured after 2006 (p<0.05). Many of the door-to-door deliverers reported the status of having windows open during the delivery task. During delivery services, the working hours spent in residential areas were higher than on roadsides, but exposure levels to PM2.5 in residential areas and on roadsides were $46.17{\mu}g/m^3$ and $49.90{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Real-time PM2.5 exposure levels were significantly different between roadways and residential areas (p<0.001). Conclusions: PM2.5 exposure levels of door-to-door deliverers were found to be affected by higher vehicle emissions from the roadsides near their vehicle during deliveries and while driving to other locations compared to by PM2.5 from the diesel engines of their own trucks. Particle concentrations from roadsides and emissions from nearby vehicles through open windows were the main source of PM2.5.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.76-88
• /
• 1988

Size distribution of suspended particulate materials (SPM) in the coastal waters of eastern Korea was studied using a laser particle size analyzer. Mean particle size (MPS) ranges from 3.69 to 8.40 ${\mu}m$ in surface waters, from 3.38 to 6.43 ${\mu}m$ in mid-depth waters, and from 3.88 to 8.30 ${\mu}m$ in near-bottom waters. For smaller MPS, the size distribution is unimodal, whereas it becomes polymodal as the MPS increases. Particle concentrations increased with the increases in MPS, suggesting that processes of adding larger particles in the waters such as resuspension of bottom sediments are more important in controlling MPS in the area than processes of removing smaller particles such as flocculation of fine particles. Observations of higher MPS near the coast in mid-depth waters, and at the continental slope in near-bottom waters appear to support the above idea. For surface waters with high MPS, mean particle density was noticably low, indicating the importance of biological activities in the formation of suspended particles.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.237-245
• /
• 2021

Particulate matter and ultra-particle matters generally refer to very small floating dust, such as 1/6 to 1/7 and 1/20 to 1/30, respectively, compared to the thickness of human hair, and contain various types of heavy metal ions. In addition to breathing, particle matters (PM) that flows in through the gaps in the pores of the skin can induce health problems in the body's tissues and skin, so it must be removed by blocking the inflow or by washing. Through this study, we confirmed the possibility that heavy metal ions can be adsorbed and removed by using Oryza sativa (Rice) bran oil (OSBO). In addition, the cell viability is much higher than that of grain-derived components through cytotoxicity experiments, and the cytoprotective effect of an external stimulus source can be expected. It was confirmed that the expression amount of COL1A1 mRNA increased, and accordingly, it was believed that wrinkles that might be caused by moisture lost by heavy metal ions in fine dust could be alleviated. Based on the results of these experiments, we tried to present a cosmetics containing OSBO, which is a wash-off formulation, in order to finally remove heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.38 no.6_1
• /
• pp.1191-1205
• /
• 2022

Particulate matter(PM) among air pollutants with complex and widespread causes is classified according to particle size. Among them, PM_2.5 is very small in size and can cause diseases in the human respiratory tract or cardiovascular system if inhaled by humans. In order to prepare for these risks, state-centered management and preventable monitoring and forecasting are important. This study tried to predict PM_2.5 in Seoul, where high concentrations of fine dust occur frequently, using two ensemble models, random forest (RF) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) using 15 local data assimilation and prediction system (LDAPS) weather-related factors, aerosol optical depth (AOD) and 4 chemical factors as independent variables. Performance evaluation and factor importance evaluation of the two models used for prediction were performed, and seasonal model analysis was also performed. As a result of prediction accuracy, RF showed high prediction accuracy of R² = 0.85 and XGB R² = 0.91, and it was confirmed that XGB was a more suitable model for PM_2.5 prediction than RF. As a result of the seasonal model analysis, it can be said that the prediction performance was good compared to the observed values with high concentrations in spring. In this study, PM_2.5 of Seoul was predicted using various factors, and an ensemble-based PM_2.5 prediction model showing good performance was constructed.