• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 1998

A comprehensive air quality monitoring was carried out to investigate the criteria concentration of air pollutant in indoor of subway stations of Seoul City. The samples were collected twice per year (the first and the second half of the year) at each sampling point from February to September in 1997. Sampling point of subway stations was ticket office and platform. The measurement of indoor air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide(SO$_2$), nitrogen dioxide(NO$_2$), carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide(CO$_2$), total suspended particulate(TSP) was performed to determine the indoor air quality. Heavy metals(Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, As, Hg) were also measured together with those air pollutants. The annual average concentration of CO$_2$ and TSP in subway stations were relatively high while those of heavy metals were within 10% of environmental recommended standard concentration in all stations. As results of regression analysis between line and line of air factors, the concentrations of CO, CO$_2$, TSP, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu were highly correlated, but those of $SO_2, NO_2$ and Hg were not correlated. As results of regression analysis between ticket office and platform, the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cr and Cu were highly correlated. Results of oneway analysis of variance between the first and the second half of the year air factors also indicated that CO, CO$_2$, Cd, Cu, Hg were significant($\alpha$=0.01), respectively. The average contration of total suspended particulate(TSP) in subway line No. 1 was shown high concentration(200 $\mu g/m^3\cdot$ day) level.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2017

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a modified air-side economizer in improving indoor air quality (IAQ). An air-side economizer, which uses all outdoor air for cooling, affects the building's IAQ depending on the outside air quality and can significantly affect the occupants' health, leading to respiratory and heart disease. The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), measures air contaminants that adversely affect human beings: PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO. In this study, AQI is applied as a control for the operation of an air-side economizer. The simulation is analyzed, comparing the results between the differential enthalpy economizer and AQI-modified economizer. The results confirm that an AQI-modified economizer has a positive effect on IAQ. Compared to the operating differential enthalpy economizer, energy increase in an operating AQI-modified economizer is 0.65% in Shanghai and 0.8% in Seoul.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.231-237
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• 2015

Recently, It has been much interest in modular housing construction. so, The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the indoor air quality in modular mock-up housing. We measured indoor air quality(formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene) of two modular mock-up units that built-in furniture is installed and uninstalled. As a result, the pollutants of built-in furniture installed unit were emitted more than built-in furniture uninstalled unit. But after bake-out and ventilation, emission concentrations of two modular mock-up units were similar and were below Indoor Air Quality recommendation standards. Built-in furniture is likely to affect the emission concentration of toluene

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1075-1091
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to investigate the actual state of indoor air quality in semi-underground multi-family housing units in early summer, to analyze the influencing factors, and to make suggestions for improvement. A series of field investigations were conducted in four target units between June 22, 2010, and June 28, 2010. The field investigations included measurements of indoor air quality as well as the observation of architectural characteristics and living conditions. In addition to the field investigation, on-site questionnaire surveys were administrated to residents in 90 units. The findings are summarized as follows: (1) The average $CO_2$ levels in each of the four units ranged from 759ppm to 1885ppm. $CO_2$ levels in three units exceeded the evaluation standard (1000ppm), and one unit was lower than the standard. This unit had smaller number of staying person and a large amount of ventilation than others; (2) the average CO levels in each unit were almost 0ppm, but 0.1~1.1 levels of CO were revealed at several times; (3) the average PM-10 levels ranged from $8{\mu}g/m^3$ to $40{\mu}g/m^3$, which distributes within the standard ($150{\mu}g/m^3$). The influencing factors of PM-10 levels were analyzed as inflow from outside, the use of a gas range, and the residents' activities; (4) therefore, it was evaluated to be necessary to improve ventilation for the indoor air quality of semi-underground housing in aspect of $CO_2$ levels.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.993-1003
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• 2008

Interior space in most buildings is divided into several zones. The most important factors relating to the indoor air environment are temperature, airflow, humidity, and contaminant concentration. An integrated multizone model to predict these environmental factors simultaneously was developed. Also, a computer program for this model was written by the language of VISUAL BASIC. The proposed model was applied to a apartment with five rooms that had been tested by Chung. Comparison of predicted results by this study with measured results by Chung showed that their variations were within 14% for airflow rates, 1% for temperatures, 12% for humidities, and 5% for concentrations. It was seen that the opening operation schedule of building has a significant effect on the air moisture md contaminant removal. Thus, this model may be available for predicting the indoor air environment and may be contributed to design the ventilation plan for controling of indoor air quality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.5 s.92
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• pp.398-403
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• 2006

Indoor air quality can be affected by indoor sources, ventilation, decay and outdoor levels. Understanding the effectiveness of indoor air quality control depends on knowledge of the characteristics of air pollutants in indoor air, especially their quantities and persistence, and the relevance of indoor sources to these factors. Toluene within new and established houses has been determined and factors significant to its presence have been identified. A total of 30 selected houses in Seoul, Asan and Daegu areas that were constructed within 4 years and over 4 years of construction were measured the concentration of toluene from July to September in 2004. Toluene emission decay of double-exponential model exhibited good fit of $Y=276.37e^{-1.21x}(R^{2}=0.34,\;P=0.06)$ for 2 years and then $Y=51.54e^{-0.11x}(R^{2}=0.40,\;P=0.0)$ from 23 years in new houses. In case of living in new houses, noncarcinogenic health effects of exposure to toluene was 1.38 of hazard quotient (HQ) comparing to toluene reference dose of 0.13 mg/kg-day.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.509-522
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• 2009

This is a basic study to improve air quality of school classrooms in winter time. The purposes are to check indoor thermal and air environment in school classrooms during winter and to analyze influencing factors on indoor environment. The measurements of students' physical elements with questionnaire surveys were carried out in a total of 6 classrooms. As a result, this research shows that the temperature of one classroom was below indoor thermal standard level, three classrooms had lack of heat, and two classrooms are heated much, which induce relatively low humidity. All of 6 classrooms had lack of ventilation, being high level of $CO_2$ concentration and 2 classrooms are in condition of high PM10 concentration. The majority of students(76%) answered that the cause of their 'heated space syndrome' is because of the lack of ventilation. Students' opening windows for ventilations is hardly carried out at normal times, except that indoor temperature is over standard. That is, we can suggest one of solutions, which is to enable students to operate heating and ventilating system by themselves according to students' physical condition.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2008

The guidelines for indoor air quality of public transportations such as subway, train and bus was presented by Korean Ministry of Environment last end of year 2006 based on the great consequence of indoor air quality in daily life. Two main parameters, carbon dioxide($CO_2$) and particulate matters smaller than $10\;{\mu}m(PM_{10})$, were selected as index pollutants for the management of indoor air quality. The former pollutant, $CO_2$, is regarded as index of ventilation status and the major source of $CO_2$ in the train or subway is the exhalation of passengers. It is publically perceived that the high $CO_2$ concentration in a crowded subway will be reduced and ventilated with outdoor air by door-opening taken every 2 or 3 minutes when the train stops each station. However, there has not been any scientific proof and quantitative information on the effect of door-opening on the $CO_2$ reduction by ventilation with outdoor air. In this study, $CO_2$ concentration and number of passengers were measured at each station on the 3 lines of Korail metropolitan subway. In order to evaluate the effect of $CO_2$ reduction by door opening, the theoretical approach using the $CO_2$ balance equation was performed. By comparing the predicted data with monitoring one, the optimum $CO_2$ dilution factor was determined. For the first time, it was quantified that about 35% of $CO_2$ concentration in the subway indoor was removed by the door-opening at each station.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.204-214
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• 2018

Indoor air quality was investigated in homes and daycares located in areas with heavy traffic in Seoul, South Korea from November 2013 to January 2014. Indoor and outdoor air quality measurements were collected for 48 hours in four children's homes and daycare centers. The I/O ratio (Indoor to outdoor ratio) for each major air pollutant ($NO_2$, black carbon, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$) was calculated, and $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$ concentration profiles were analyzed based on indoor activity diaries recorded during the 48 hours. Most I/O ratios for $NO_2$, black carbon, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ at daycare centers were less than one. At homes, I/O ratios for black carbon, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were less than one; however, most I/O ratios for $NO_2$ were greater than one due to the usage of gas stoves. The children's exposure to indoor air pollutants was calculated using a time-weighted average exposure method, and the daily intake level for each pollutant was determined.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2023

Background: The indoor air quality of classrooms, in which the capacity per unit area is high and students spend time together, must be managed for safety and comfort. It is necessary to develop an eco-friendly indoor air quality reduction method rather than biased management that relies solely on air purifiers. Objectives: In this study, plants and air purifiers were installed in middle school classrooms to evaluate the indoor PM_2.5 reduction. Methods: Four middle school classrooms were selected as test beds. Air quality was monitored in real-time every one minute using IoT equipment installed in the classrooms, corridors, and rooftops. After measuring the background concentration, plants and air purifiers were installed in the classroom and the PM_2.5 reduction effect was analyzed through continuous monitoring. Results: After installing the plants and air purifiers, the average PM_2.5 concentration was 33.7 ㎍/m³ in the classrooms without plants and air purifiers, 25.6 ㎍/m³ in classrooms with plants only, and 21.7 ㎍/m³ in classrooms with air purifiers only. In the classroom where plants and air purifiers were installed together, it was 20.0 ㎍/m³. The reduction rates before and after installation were 4.5% for classrooms with plants only, 16.5% for classrooms with air purifiers only, and 27.6% for classrooms with both plants and air purifiers. The I/O ratio, which compares the concentration of PM_2.5 in classrooms with corridors and outside air, also showed the lowest in the order of plants and air purifiers, air purifiers, and plant-only classrooms. Conclusions: The PM_2.5 reduction effect of using plants was confirmed, and it is expected to be used as basic data for the development of environmentally-friendly indoor air quality improvement methods.