• Title/Summary/Keyword: Indoor air quality

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Historical Data on Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality in Seoul, Korea (1980년대 초 서울의 실내외 대기질 수준 - Sherwood 교수의 측정 자료 활용)

  • Lee, Kiyoung;Sherwood, R. Jerry
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.39 no.1
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    • pp.99-103
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    • 2013
  • Objectives: This paper was prepared in memory of Jerry Sherwood, who provided a significant contribution to the Korean environmental and occupational health fields. Methods: Rare air quality data in Seoul were gathered by Jerry Sherwood when he visited Korea in the early 1980s. $SO_2$ and TPM concentrations were measured. These air quality measurements were based on ambient stationary monitoring and indoor air quality monitoring in various locations. Measurement during transportation was also applied. Results: Ambient $SO_2$ and TPM concentrations in Seoul were very high in the early 1980s. Ambient $SO_2$ concentrations were higher at nighttime. While ambient $SO_2$ concentrations varied by location, the Guro industrial area showed high levels. When indoor sources were presented, indoor $SO_2$ concentration was higher than outdoor level. Coal briquettes were closely associated with high indoor $SO_2$ concentration. Conclusion: This paper provided valuable historical information of air quality in Seoul.

Recent Advances in Titania-based Composites for Photocatalytic Degradation of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds

  • Raza, Nadeem;Kim, Ki-Hyun;Agbe, Henry;Kailasa, Suresh Kumar;Szulejko, Jan E.;Brown, Richard J.C.
    • Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.217-234
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    • 2017
  • Indoor air pollutants can cause severe health problems, specifically in terms of toxicological impacts on human. Every day, a complex mixture of many air pollutants is emitted from various sources and subject to atmospheric processes that can create varied classes of pollutants such as carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and hydrocarbons. To adhere to indoor air quality standards, a number of techniques such as photocatalytic oxidation of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been employed. Among these techniques, titania ($TiO_2$) based photocatalytic reactions have proven to be the best benchmark standard approach in the field of environmental applications. Over the last 45 years, $TiO_2$-based photocatalytic reactions have been explored for the degradation of various pollutants. This review discusses the indoor air quality profile, types of indoor pollutants, available indoor air cleaning approaches, and performance of $TiO_2$-based catalysts. Finally, we have presented the perspectives on the progress of $TiO_2$ induced photocatalysis for the purification of indoor air.

Assessment of Conscious Coginition Degree and Survey on Oxyen Generators using the Indoor Environment (실내환경중의 산소발생기 사용에 대한 인식도 평가)

  • 손종렬;조윤수;이규현;황상용
    • Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.64-69
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    • 2003
  • Recently, Indoor air quality(IAQ) in workplace, residential environments and office has been concern of people, scientists and related the public. The oxygen in air was very important and essential element in every aspect of life. This study was performed on a questionnaire survey of 400 people about their awareness of indoor air quality, oxygen generators and measured of oxygen concentration in indoor environment. The results obtained were as follows; As respondents are having their 90% of daytime indoors a day, and 80% of them can feel indoor air pollutions degrees directly by particle matters. The control of most important problems of IAQ was the poor ventilation. We know that 22% of the respondents was recognized the oxgen generator. And for the installation of indoor pollution control equipment, 20% of all respondents installed oxygen generators because almost respondents was not satified the trust of ability purified indoor air pollutants. In the experimental results, it was found that the oxygen concentration of sampling sites were in the range of 20~23.5%. Therefore, it was recommended that the government related IAQ was suggested the guideline and control of oxygen generators. Finally, it appeared that the oxygen generators using indoor environment can be applied to new technology for cleaning of indoor air.

Assessment of the Indoor Air Quality at Schools in Ulsan (울산지역 학교의 실내공기질 평가)

  • Jung, Jong-Hyeon;Seo, Bo-Sun;Ju, Dong-Jin;Park, Man-Chul;Shon, Byung-Hyun;Phee, Young-Gyu
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.472-479
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    • 2010
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of indoor air pollutants at 63 elementary schools, 41 middle schools and 51 high schools in Ulsan from the beginning of May to the end of December, 2008. To assess the indoor air quality of the various classrooms, the 8 indoor air pollutants such as $CO_2$, CO, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, TVOCs, HCHO and TBC were measured and analyzed. The mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and TBC in the elementary schools were significantly higher than those of middle and high schools (p < 0.01). For the HCHO, the multi-use practice rooms showed an average 1.5 times higher than general classrooms. In schools located in urban areas, the concentrations of CO, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, HCHO and TBC were lower than in the vicinity of industrial complexes. The exceeding rate of the school air quality maintenance limits in the 6 air pollutants by law were 6.7%, 3.5%, 1.7%, 18.2%, 13.0% and 18.4% for $CO_2$, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $PM_{10}$, HCHO and TBC, respectively. Based on these results $PM_{10}$ and TBC have to be in the order of priority of need to improve the classroom air quality in elementary school of Ulsan.

Evaluation on Indoor Air Quality by Statistical Analysis of Indoor Air Pollutants Concentration in a Seoul Metropolitan Underground Railway Station (서울시 지하역사 실내오염물질 농도자료의 통계분석을 통한 실내공기질 특성 평가)

  • Yim, Bongbeen;Lee, Kyusung;Kim, Jooin;Hong, Hyunsu;Kim, Jangwon;Jo, Kyung-Ho;Jung, Eulgyu;Kim, Inkyu;An, Yeonsun
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.233-244
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    • 2014
  • The objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of concentration of indoor air pollutants, such as $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$, measured by tele-monitoring system in a Seoul Metropolitan underground railway station from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012. The annual average concentration of indoor air pollutants actually varied over a wide range and was found to exhibit marked variation with time and measurement sites (tunnel inlet, platform, and concourse). After installing platform screen doors, the average $PM_{10}$ concentration on platform and concourse was decreased by 43.8% and 31.2%, respectively during the study periods. The relationship between the concentration of $PM_{10}$ and meteorological parameters (relative humidity and rainfall) or the Asian dust events was regarded as statistically significant. The correlations between the number of boarding/alighting passengers and $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$, and $NO_2$ were calculated. A p-value of less than 0.01 was regarded as significant except $NO_2$. The I/O ratio of $PM_{10}$ concentration was elevated after a congested time (about 08:00 am). The average I/O ratios of $NO_2$ were observed in concourse and platform on 03:00 am with $1.76{\pm}0.91$ and $1.50{\pm}0.51$, respectively. The average daily variation of standard excess rate of $PM_{10}$ and $NO_2$ concentration in concourse and platform was investigated. The highest standard excess rate was observed on 21:00 (09:00 pm).

Energy Saving Potential and Indoor Air Quality Benefits of Multiple Zone Dedicated Outdoor Air System

  • Lee, Soo-Jin;Jeong, Jae-Weon
    • International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.71-82
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this study is to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy benefits of a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) and compare them with a conventional variable air volume (VAV) system. The DOAS is a decoupled system that supplies only outdoor air, while reducing its consumption using an enthalpy wheel. The VAV system supplies air that is mixed outdoor and transferred indoor. The VAV has the issue of unbalanced ventilation in each room in multiple zones because it supplies mixing air. The DOAS does not have this problem because it supplies only outdoor air. That is, the DOAS is a 100% outdoor air system and the VAV is an air conditioning system. The transient simulations of carbon dioxide concentration and energy consumption were performed using a MATLAB program based on the thermal loads from the model predicted by the TRNSYS 18 program. The results indicated that when the air volume is large, such as in summer, the distribution of air is not appropriate in the VAV system. The DOAS however, supplies the outdoor air stably. Moreover, in terms of annual primary energy consumption, the DOAS consumed approximately 40% less energy than the VAV system.

A Study on the Discharge of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air of Newly-constructed Apartment Houses

  • Ryu, Jung-Min;Jang, Seong-Ki;Yang, Won-Ho;Cho, Tae-Jin;Son, Bu-Soon
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.18 no.5
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    • pp.479-487
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    • 2009
  • Because of the building is made airtight, Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) is go from bad to worse. There are many source of indoor pollution in any home. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. In this study was measured and analyzed VOCs exposure levels and characteristic of Indoor air pollutant from new apartments in Korea. VOCs were measured indoor pre-residential and residential in new apartment and analyzed GC/MS. The concentration levels of indoor respirable TVOC were found to be higher than those of outdoor TVOC for new apartments. Before occupation, the average indoor and outdoor concentrations were 1498.61 $ug/m^3$ and 468.38 $ug/m^3$, respectively. After being occupied, the average indoor and outdoor concentration were 847.04 $ug/m^3$ and 102.84, respectively. The concentrations of TVOC in new apartments before occupation were shown in the order of Toluene(328.12 $ug/m^3$) > m,p-Xylene(163.67 $ug/m^3$) > Ethy1benzene(80.70 $ug/m^3$>o-XYlene (67.04$ug/m^3$). In addition, the TVOCs concentrations after occupation were also found in the order of Toluene (272.28 $ug/m^3$) > m.p-Xylene(121.79 $ug/m^3$) > Ethylbenzene(53.92 $ug/m^3$)>O-Xylene(24.94 $ug/m^3$). As a result, the concentrations of VOCs in new apartment houses were shown to be affected by indoor environment according activity patterns. So new apartments need to be controled in indoor air quality so that the residents can have more comfortable and healthier living environment.

Measurement system of multi-components in indoor air quality (실내 공기의 다성분 측정시스템 개발에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Bo-Whan;Lee, Jin-Ha;Kim, Tai-Jin
    • Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.125-130
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    • 2005
  • Six modules composed of individual sensors and circuit systems for oxygen, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, dust, carbon dioxide, in the indoor air quality control were examined to see their individual performances. Experimental results showed that all the six modules were in good linearity with individual concentration variations

Impact of Aquariums on Indoor Environmental Quality (관상수조가 실내 환경의 습도와 오염물질에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Jiyoung M.;Ban, Hyunkyung;Lee, Yongil;Cho, Ki-Chul;Koh, Hyoung-Bum;Lee, Kiyoung
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.43 no.1
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    • pp.87-94
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the impact of aquariums on indoor air quality for improving humidity and reducing indoor air pollutants. Methods: An air-conditioning chamber was used to determine humidity increase by aquarium volume at three different temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$). Humidity increase was measured for 21 hours ($20^{\circ}C$) and 12 hours ($25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) while placing five different volume of aquarium in the chamber. Concentrations of several volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde were measured after a known amount was injected into the chamber with and without an aquarium. Results: The humidity inside the chamber increased when the aquarium was inside the chamber. Humidity change was similar at $20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $30^{\circ}C$, but slightly higher at higher temperatures. The bigger the aquarium volume, the higher was the humidity increase that occurred. Humidity increase by the aquarium was sufficient to increase indoor humidity in winter and negligible in summer. Concentrations of some water-soluble indoor air pollutants and formaldehyde were decreased with the aquarium inside the chamber. Conclusions: An aquarium could increase indoor humidity in winter, while the humidity increase is negligible in summer. An aquarium could decrease some water-soluble indoor air pollutants, including formaldehyde. This result implies that an aquarium may have positive effects on indoor environmental quality.

A Study on $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$ Concentrations in Child Daycare Centers and Teachers' Awareness of Indoor Air Quality (보육시설의 $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$ 농도와 보육교사의 실내 공기질 인식에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Ji-Eun;Choi, Byung-Sun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.29-40
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: The purposes of this study were: (a) to assess indoor air quality such as $PM_{10}$, $CO_2$ concentrations in child daycare centers, (b) to compare the levels with each standard, and (c) to identify teachers' awareness of indoor air quality in child care centers. Methods: Data were obtained from seventeen child daycare centers and ninety-eight teachers in a district of Seoul, from April 3 to May 12, 2009. Collected data were analyzed by SAS 8.2, and descriptive statistics, $x^2$ test, student t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Spearman rank correlation were used. Results: The mean of $PM_{10}$ and $CO_2$ level were $50.3{\mu}g/m^3$ and 792.1ppm. Sixteen child daycare centers (94.2%) met the guidelines of the $PM_{10}$ level, so did thirteen child daycare centers (76.5%) in the $CO_2$ level. $CO_2$ levels were significantly low in child daycare centers using air cleaners than those do not using them (t=-6.03, p<.001). Types of child daycare centers were significantly correlated to the levels of $CO_2$, which public child daycare centers were low in $CO_2$ levels than those of private child daycare centers (t=-2.54, p=.013). There was no significant correlation between teachers' awareness and management attitude of indoor air quality while teachers' awareness of indoor air quality significantly raised the frequency of carpet cleaning. Methods of cleaning routines were significantly correlated with $PM_{10}$, and $CO_2$ levels. Conclusion: The $PM_{10}$ and $CO_2$ concentrations in child daycare centers were satisfactory. Those conditions are affected by general characteristics of child daycare centers and teachers' attitude regarding management of indoor air quality.