• 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 People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.551-561
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• 2019

This study was conducted to find out differences in the removal efficiency of particulate matter (PM) depending on the type of plants and the morphological characteristics of leaves. A total of 12 plants were used, with three plants selected for each type of leaves (big leaf, small leaf, compound leaf, needle leaf). We measured the removed amount of PM10 and PM2.5, the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer of each plant. Plants with the high removal efficiency of PM included Pachira aquatica Aubl., Ardisia crenata, and Dieffenbachia 'Marianne', and plants with the low removal efficiency included Nandina domestica Thunb, Schefflera arboricola, and Quercus dentata. The abaxial leaf surface having a high removal efficiency of PM had many large wrinkles, and the abaxial leaf surface having a medium removal efficiency was flat and smooth. On the other hand, there were many fine hairs on the abaxial leaf surface with a low removal efficiency. According to the plant leaf type, the PM10 removal efficiency of plants with needle leaves was about three times higher than that of other plants. In particular, the wax layer of conifers weighed 6-24 times higher than those of other plants. The stomata of conifers were evenly distributed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces; however, the stomata of Sciadopitys verticillata appeared in the form of papillae unlike general stomata. Therefore, the removal efficiency of PM varied depending on the macro-, and micro-morphological characteristics of plant leaves such as the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer. Based on this research, selecting plants that are effective in reducing PM in consideration of the plant type and leaf characteristics will improve indoor air quality and decrease exposure of PM to human body.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.580-587
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• 2017

Woodfiber insulation board can be considered as a one of the key material for low energy consumption, comfortable and safety construction of residential space because of its eco-friendly and high thermal insulation performance. This study was carried out to investigate the formaldehyde (HCHO) total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emission properties and combustion shapes by flame test of low density fiberboards (LDFs) prepared with different adhesives. HCHO TVOC emission and combustion properties of LDFs prepared by melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), emulsified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (eMDI) and latex resin adhesives were measured by desiccator method, 20 L chamber method, and flame test, respectively. As results, LDFs manufactured by MUF, eMDI and latex resin adhesives satisfied the Super $E_0$ grade of HCHO emission performance except PF resin. Furthermore, TVOC emission of all LDFs were satisfied the Korean indoor air quality standard (below $400{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$). Especially, LDF with eMDI resin adhesive showed the lowest HCHO and TVOC emissivity, that $0.14mg/{\ell}$, $12{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$, respectively. However, eMDI emitted the small amount ($3{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$) of toluene in VOC components. In the flame test, LDF with MUF resin adhesives showed the most favorable shape after flame test compare to LDFs prepared other adhesives. Based on HCHO and TVOC emission, and combustion shapes, MUF resin adhesive may be recommended to prepare LDF for insulation purpose.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.389-396
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• 2014

Purpose: The study examined dry eye symptoms of occupants in a newly constructed building and its effects on their work productivity and general activity. Methods: The study subjects were 33 office workers who spent more than eight hours per day on average in a new building constructed in the past three months. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The experience of LASIK surgery, use of eye makeup, daily use time of a computer and smart-phone, and average daily working hours were also examined. The Work Limitation Productivity Questionnaire was used as the questionnaire about work productivity and general activity to measure the impairment level on a ten-point scale. Results: The concentration variation of formaldehyde in the office was $42.42{\pm}6.30{\mu}g/m^3$. The temperature and humidity were $26.2{\pm}0.70^{\circ}C$ and $40{\pm}1%$, respectively. The respondents with normal, mild, moderate and severe dry eye symptoms were 15.2%, 18.2%, 18.2% and 48.5%, respectively. The severity of dry eye symptoms and impairment of work productivity and general activity demonstrated high correlations of 0.599 and 0.655, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to the normal case, severe dry eye symptoms demonstrated significantly high impairment of work productivity and interruption of general activity (p<0.001). The case of serious dry symptoms showed the possibilities of having impairment level of work productivity and interruption of general activity above three points 3.26 times (p=0.032) and 2.25 times (p=0.045), respectively, higher than that of the normal case. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dry eye symptoms among office workers in a newly constructed building affects work productivity and general activity.