• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.548-556
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of lignocellulosic fiber and coconut shell activated carbon (CSA) for the production of a particulate matter (PM)-reducing air-filter as raw materials to solve the environmental problems of non-woven fabrics. CSA had a good potential to use as a raw material of air-filter for reducing volatile organic compounds as well as noxious metals, and reduction capability of the CSA was 5 times higher than that of wood fiber. Natural adhesives formulated with proteinaceous wastes mostly were applied successfully to fabricate air-filters with the shape of fiberboard. The air-filter fabricated with the minimum target density of 200 kg/m³ and the maximum CSA-content of 40 wt% in fiberboard had a good manageable strength. However, the fiberboard filters was required to make vent-holes for improving an air-permeability of the filters. Size of the CSA particles was adjusted to greater than 2 mesh with the consideration of strength and formability of the fiberboard. Three-layers fiberboard that only wood fiber and the mixture of wood fiber and CSA were formed in the surface and middle layers, respectively, was determined to the optimal condition for the production of air-filters. In addition, traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (TKP) showed a good PM-reducing property as an air-filter. It is concluded that air-filtering set composed of fiberboard with vent-holes and TKP instead of conventional air-filters made with non-woven fabrics can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM, VOC and noxious metals existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2016

Particle-phase concentrations were measured at 10, 80, and 200 m from the roadside of a national highway near Seoul in January and May 2008. The highway has two lanes each way, with an average hourly traffic volume of 1,070 vehicles. In January 2008, $PM_{10}$ concentrations decreased from 10 to 80 m but increased at 200 m. Black carbon (BC) decreased only slightly with distance due to the influence of biomass burning and open burning from the surrounding areas. In May 2008, the effect of secondary formation on both $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ was significant due to high temperatures compared with January. Because on-road emissions had little effect on secondary formation for a short time, variations in $PM_{10}$ concentrations became smaller, and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations increased with distance. The effects of fugitive dust on PM concentrations were greater in May than in January when the mean temperature was below freezing. In the composition variations, the amounts of primary ions, organic carbon (OC), and BC were larger in January, while those of secondary ions and others were larger in $PM_{10}$, as well as $PM_{2.5}$ in May.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2010

In this study, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was evaluated in commercial personal computer (PC) rooms with different separation types of non-smoking areas. The particulate matter less than 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$) level was simultaneously measured by aerosol spectrometers in the non-smoking and smoking areas of these commercial PC rooms. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking and smoking areas were $75\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $136\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Although the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking areas were significantly less than those in smoking areas (p<0.01), the levels still exceeded the US National Ambient Air Quality Standard of $35\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking areas were not significantly different with regard to area separation type, with $73\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the no-wall type, $83\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the wall-type, and $39\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the separated-floor-type areas (p>0.1). Separation of the non-smoking area thus did not eliminate SHS exposure in commercial PC rooms, regardless of the type of area separation. This study demonstrates that simple separation of non-smoking areas in commercial PC rooms does not protect users from SHS.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.723-729
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• 2007

The Ministry of Environment established a guide line in December 2006, "Indoor Air Quality Management guidelines in Public Facilities." As the items of the guideline, $CO_2$ (Carbon dioxide) and PM10 (particulate matter) is shown to Level 1 and 2. Therefore trains and subways are included. There are a lot of tunnels by the lay of mountains on KTX (Korean Train Express) service. HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air-conditioning)-pressurization equipment on KTX is various functioning flaps blocking outside pressure waves. At that time, the fresh air is blocked by flap operation and the air is circulated by return air. In this study, we measured the time series of $CO_2$ and PM10 concentrations in the KTX passenger cabin during the train service of Gyongbu line (Seoul-Busan) and Honan line (Yongsan-Mokpo) from July 2006. Also, analyzed the air quality by operation of KTX HVAC-pressurization equipment in tunnel passing point. As a result, PM10 concentration was totally lower than the regulation values. However, $CO_2$ was highly correlated with several tunnels, such as Oksan-Otan, Godeung-Hyudae and Gaechak-Iijik tunnel. but, the indoor air quality of KTX train have been proved satisfy the recommendation the Ministry of Environment guidelines.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2020

Air pollutants in a subway are complexly caused by outdoor factors such as ventilating opening and indoor factors such as the movement of passengers on the subway. According to recent research results, most of the air pollutants generated in subway tunnels and stations are caused by indoor variables such as train movement. To control air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), a prevention facility such as the electrostatic precipitator (EP) or bag filter collector was required in a subway station. In particular, the PM removed by the EP must be kept clean continuously to manage PM effectively. Therefore, a nano-bubbling washing system was developed in this study to clean a contaminated collecting plate in an EP at the main subway tunnel in Seoul. Removal efficiency compared with normal water and nano-bubbling water was likewise studied. As a result, the washing efficiency of collective PM increased in accordance with the increasing of injection pressure, with nano bubbling washing being 130.8% higher than tap water. According to increase in washing times, the maximum washing efficiency was 143.1% higher than tap water, but suitable washing times were less than 3 times. According to the results of the washing efficiency by variation of residence time, it was confirmed that the maximum residence time of nano-bubble water was maintained within 5 minutes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.6-15
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• 2024

Background: People's activities have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes in activity patterns may lead to a decrease in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations. Additionally, the level of population exposure to PM_2.5 may be changed. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the impact of population movement and meteorological factors on the distribution of PM_2.5 concentrations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: The study area was Guro-gu in Seoul. The research period was selected as January to March 2020, a period of significant population movement changes caused by COVID-19. The evaluation of the dynamic population was conducted by calculating the absolute difference in population numbers between consecutive hours and comparing them to determine the daily average. Ambient PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated for each grid using ordinary kriging in Python. For the population exposure assessment, the population-weighted average concentration was calculated by determining the indoor to outdoor population for each grid and applying the indoor to outdoor ratio to the ambient PM_2.5 concentration. To assess the factors influencing changes in the ambient PM_2.5 concentration, a statistical analysis was conducted, incorporating population mobility and meteorological factors. Results: Through statistical analysis, the correlation between ambient PM_2.5 concentration and population movement was positive on both weekends and weekdays (r=0.71, r=0.266). The results confirmed that most of the relationships were positive, suggesting that a decrease in human activity can lead to a decrease in PM_2.5 concentrations. In addition, when population-weighted concentration averages were calculated and the exposure level of the population group was compared before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, the proportion of people exceeding the air quality standard decreased by approximately 15.5%. Conclusions: Human activities can impact ambient concentrations of PM_2.5, potentially altering the levels of PM_2.5 exposure in the population.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.216-232
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• 2016

In present, the Seoul City is undergoing traffic congestion problems caused by rapid urbanization and population growth. Thus the City government has reorganized the mass transportation system since 2004 and the subway has become a very important means for public transit. Since the subway system is typically a closed environment, the indoor air quality issues have often raised by the public. Especially since a huge amount of PM (particulate matter) is emitted from ground tunnels passing through the subway train, it is now necessary to assess the characteristics and behaviors of fine PM inside the tunnel. In this study, the concentration patterns of $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ in the Seoul subway line-2 were analyzed by real-time measurement during winter (Jan 13, 2015) and summer (Aug 7, 2015). The line-2 consisting of 51 stations is the most busy circular line in Seoul having the railway of 60.2 km length. The the one-day average $PM_{10}$ concentrations were $148{\mu}g/m^3$ in winter and $66.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in summer and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $118{\mu}g/m^3$ and $58.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio in the underground tunnel was lower than the outdoor ratio and also the ratio in summer is higher than in winter. Further the study examined structural types of underground subsections to explain the patterns of elevated PM concentrations in the line-2. The subsections showing high PM concentration have longer track, shorter curvature radius, and farther from the outdoor stations. We also estimated the outdoor PM concentrations near each station by a spatial statistical analysis using the $PM_{10}$ data obtained from the 40 Seoul Monitoring Sites, and further we calculated $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ and $PM_1/PM_{10}$ mass ratios near the outdoor subway stations by using our observed outdoor $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ data. Finally, we could develop pollution maps for outdoor $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ near the line-2 by using the kriging method in spatial analysis. This methodology may help to utilize existing $PM_{10}$ database when managing and control fine particle problems in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

This study investigated indoor temperature and humidity control and PM1 and PM10 mitigation effects of a single green wall (Case 1), two green walls (Case 2), and two green walls plus a waterfall (Case 3) in comparison with a control without either a green wall or waterfall. Experiments were conducted in the office of Chungbuk National University from August to September, 2015. Experiments were carried out sequentially in the order of control, Case 1, Case 2, and Case 3. Data collected from August 17 to August 20, 2015 (Experiment 1), and from August 31 to September 3, 2015 (Experiment 2), when outdoor temperature was relatively constant, were analyzed. Plant volume ratios by indoor landscaping of the control, Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3 were 0.0, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.4%, respectively. Compared to the control, average temperatures of Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3 were decreased by 0.3~0.7, 0.7~0.9 and $1.0^{\circ}C$, respectively, and relative humidity was increased by 1.8~8.7, 9.2~14.6 and 14.8~21.9%, respectively. Three hundred minutes after exposure to mosquito repellent incense particles, the ratio of the remaining PM1 of the control, Case 1, Case 2 and Case 3 were 25.0, 22.0%, 21.2%, 17.3%, respectively, in Experiment 1 and 42.3, 28.9, 23.1, and 30.9%, respectively, in Experiment 2. As indoor greening increased the effect of indoor temperature, PM1 and PM10 mitigation were greater, and temperature and humidity were lower. The greater the relative humidity was, the faster PM1 and PM10 mitigation tended to be.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.80-88
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• 2020

With the issuance of one-week fine dust emergency reduction measures in March 2019, the public's anxiety about fine dust is increasingly growing. In order to assess the application of air purifying plant-based bio-filters to public facilities, this study presented a method for measuring pollutant reduction effects by creating an indoor environment for continuous discharge of particle pollutants and conducted basic studies to verify whether indoor air quality has improved through the system. In this study conducted in a lecture room in spring, the background concentration was created by using mosquito repellent incense as a pollutant one hour before monitoring. Then, according to the schedule, the fine dust reduction capacity was monitored by irrigating for two hours and venting air for one hour. PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and temperature & humidity sensors were installed two meters front of the bio-filters, and velocity probes were installed at the center of the three air vents to conduct time-series monitoring. The average face velocity of three air vents set up in the bio-filter was 0.38±0.16 m/s. Total air-conditioning air volume was calculated at 776.89±320.16㎥/h by applying an air vent area of 0.29m×0.65m after deducing damper area. With the system in operation, average temperature and average relative humidity were maintained at 21.5-22.3℃, and 63.79-73.6%, respectively, which indicates that it satisfies temperature and humidity range of various conditions of preceding studies. When the effects of raising relatively humidity rapidly by operating system's air-conditioning function are used efficiently, it would be possible to reduce indoor fine dust and maintain appropriate relative humidity seasonally. Concentration of fine dust increased the same in all cycles before operating the bio-filter system. After operating the system, in cycle 1 blast section (C-1, β=-3.83, β=-2.45), particulate matters (PM₁₀) were lowered by up to 28.8% or 560.3㎍/㎥ and fine particulate matters (PM_2.5) were reduced by up to 28.0% or 350.0㎍/㎥. Then, the concentration of find dust (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) was reduced by up to 32.6% or 647.0㎍/㎥ and 32.4% or 401.3㎍/㎥ respectively through reduction in cycle 2 blast section (C-2, β=-5.50, β=-3.30) and up to 30.8% or 732.7㎍/㎥ and 31.0% or 459.3㎍/㎥ respectively through reduction in cycle 3 blast section (C-3, β=5.48, β=-3.51). By referring to standards and regulations related to the installation of vegetation bio-filters in public facilities, this study provided plans on how to set up objective performance evaluation environment. By doing so, it was possible to create monitoring infrastructure more objective than a regular lecture room environment and secure relatively reliable data.