• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2013

The present study was designed to examine the concentrations, emission rates, and source characteristics of a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 30 newly-constructed apartment buildings by measuring indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 2-year period. For comparison, seven villa-type houses were also surveyed for indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 3-month period. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected on Tenax-TA adsorbent and analyzed using a gas chromatograph (GC)/mass spectrometer system or a GC/flame ionization detector system coupled to a thermal desorption system. The long-term change in indoor VOC concentrations depended on the type of VOCs. Generally, aromatic (except for naphthalene), aliphatic, and terpene compounds exhibited a gradual deceasing trend over the 2-year follow-up period. However, the indoor concentrations of the six halogenated VOCs did not significantly vary with time changes. Similar to these halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations did not vary significantly with time changes over the 2-year period. Unlike the halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations were much higher than the outdoor concentrations. The indoor concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were higher for the villa-type houses when compared to those of apartment buildings. In addition, four source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, wood paneling and furniture, moth repellents) and three source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, and moth repellents) were considered as potential VOC sources inside apartment buildings for the first- and second-year post-occupancy stages, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.801-810
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• 2002

The current paper describes the indoor/outdoor air quality in school environments through analyses of the heavy metal concentrations using Inductive Coupled Plasma(ICP). School environments in a heavy traffic area, two industrial areas, quasi-industrial area, and residential area were evaluated. The results were as follows: (1) The locations with the highest indoor and outdoor concentrations of heavy metals were the industrial areas followed by the heavy traffic area, residential area, and quasi-industrial area in a descending order of magnitude. Plus, the indoor heavy metal concentrations were higher then the outdoor ones. (2) The main heavy metal components were Zn, Al and Ca. Higher concentration levels were found indoors than outdoors. The heavy metal concentrations were also higher in the classrooms than in the corridor or outdoors. (3) The total heavy metal concentrations in the studied areas were highly dependent on the weather elements. including the relative humidity, mixing ratio, and wet-bulb depression. Accordingly, special ventilation systems are recommended to reduce air pollution in school environments.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.19 no.4 s.54
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• pp.61-68
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• 2004

Hair driers and chemicals used in beauty shops generate a number of heavy metals and $PM_{10}$. Also many $PM_{10}$ are produced during hair cut. The pollutions raised health problems and uncomfortableness to hair dressers and customers in beauty shops. This study investigated to assess indoor, outdoor and personal particulate pollutants ($PM_{10}$ and Heavy metals) mean concentrations and the source of the pollutants in beauty shops. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The measured mean concentrations of respiratory particulates were $30.5ng/m^2$ in indoor, $30.5ng/m^2$ in outdoor and$44.0ng/m^2$ on personal levels. The personal concentration was found higher than indoor and outdoor concentrations. 2. The heavy metals mean concentrations were showed as indoor (Na>Zn>Cr), outdoor (Cr>Zn>Pb), and personal (Na>Cr>Zn) levels. 3. Chemicals and hair driers were regarded as the major sources of the pollutions. 4. Na was correlated with Mg, Zn and Cd, while Mg was correlated with Ni. Mn was correlated with Cu, Zn and AS, where as Cu was correlated with Zn, As and Cd. Zn and As, and Asand Cd were correlated each other. Na was inversely correlated with Cr.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2008

This study evaluated the effects of the human activity and outdoor air on concentrations of size-selective particulate matters (PM) by conducting a realtime measurement in classrooms and on roofs at 4 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3 high schools in Incheon City. PM concentrations featured repetitive pattern of increasing during break time (including lunch hours) and cleaning time while decreasing during class hours. This trend was more prominent with inhalable PM and PM10 than fine PMs (PM2.5, PM1.0). The indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio of inhalable PM and PM10 exceeded 1 while that of fine PMs was close to or below 1. The PM2.5 (out)/PM10 (out) ratio stood at 0.59 (${\pm}0.16$) and the PM2.5 (in)/PM10 (in) ratio was 0.29 (${\pm}0.09$), suggesting that occupant activity had a greater effect upon coarse particles (PM10-PM2.5) than upon fine particles (PM2.5, PM1.0). The correlations between the indoor and the outdoor PM concentrations showed a stronger positive correlation for fine particles than that of coarse particles. The linear regression analysis of PM concentrations indoor and outdoor indicated a higher determinant coefficient ($r^2>0.9$), and consistency for fine particles than in case of coarse particles. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the indoor coarse particle concentration is more attributed to occupant activity and the indoor fine particle concentration is more influenced by outdoor air pollution.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2006

The work of hairdressers includes washing, coloring, bleaching, permanent waving, conditioning, and cutting hair. Hairdressers are subjected to a number of physical and toxicological hazards. The toxicological hazards are those resulting from exposure to a wide range of chemicals that are usually classified active processes. In this study, twenty beauty shops were selected to assess the exposure to indoor air pollutants such as VOCs and particulate matter $(PM_{10})$ during one month from September 1 to September 30, 2003. Indoor air quality of beauty shops might be worse by vehicle emissions because the beauty shops were generally located near roadways. Personal exposures to VOCs and $PM_{10}$ were related to indoor concentrations of beauty shops. According to the questionnaire, hairdressers complained of sore throat, eye irritation, and nervousness as physical symptoms. The measured mean concentrations of respiratory particulates were $30.5ng/m^3$ in indoor, $30.5ng/m^3$ in outdoor and $44.0ng/m^3$ on personal levels. The personal concentration was found higher than indoor and outdoor concentrations. The heavy metals mean concentrations were shown as indoor (Na>Zn>Cr), outdoor (Cr>Zn>Pb), and personal (Na>Cr>Zn) levels. Conclusively, customers as well as workers in the beauty shops might be highly exposed to air pollutants from indoor and outdoor sources. Therefore, proper management should be taken to improve the indoor air quality in beauty shops.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.967-976
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• 2003

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in essentially all natural and synthetic materials from petrol to flowers. In this study, indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations of houses, offices and internet-cafes were measured and compared simultaneously with personal exposures of each 50 participants in Asan and Seoul, respectively. Also, factors that influence personal VOCs exposure were statistically analyzed using questionnaires in relation to house characteristics, time activities, and health effects. All VOCs concentrations were measured by OVM passive samplers (3M) and analyzed with GC/MS. Target pollutants among VOCs were Toluene, o-Xylene, m/p-Xylene, Ethylbenzene, MIBK, n-Octane, Styrene, Trichloroethylene, and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene. Indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations measured in Seoul were significantly higher than those in Asan except Ethylbenzene. Residential indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for all target compounds ranged from 0.94 to 1.51 and I/O ratios of Asan were a little higher than those of Seoul. Relationship between personal VOCs exposure, and indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations suggested that time-activity pattern could affect the high exposure to air pollutant. Factors that influence indoor VOCs level and personal exposure with regard to house characteristics in houses were building age, inside smoking and house type. In addition insecticide and cosmetics interestingly affected the VOCs personal exposure. Higher exposure to VOCs might be caused to be exciting increase and memory reduction, considering the relationship between measured VOCs concentrations and questionnaire (p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 1990

The study was carried out to investigate the extent of indoor air pollution in living rooms of apartment houses(residential area) and offices(traffic area A : no smoking space, B : smoking space) in Seoul and to determine the health significance of indoor air pollution. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of major air pollutants were observed simultaneously from February 13 to 17, and July 24 to 28, 1988. The concentrations of carbon monoxide(CO), nitrogen oxides(NOx), sulfur dioxide($SO_2$), carbon dioxide($CO_2$) and total suspended particulate(TSP) in living room and offices were measured and the results were summarized as follows: 1. Both in summer and in winter, the indoor concentrations of CO, $CO_2$, and TSP in offices were higher than the outdoor concentrations, on the other hand, $SO_2$ was higher in the outdoors and NOx was lower than the outdoor concentration only in office A where smoking is not permitted. 2. The indoor and outdoor pollution of offices in winter was significantly higher than that in summer, and the concentrations of CO, NOx and $SO_2$ in indoor and outdoor air in living room in winter were also higher than those in summer. These results suggest that indoor levels of air pollutants are affected by smoking and winter heating systems.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.519-525
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• 2004

Air pollution from the Daegu industrial complex (Die) in Korea has been a common nuisance and cause of complaints for nearby residents. The current study measured the indoor and outdoor levels of six VOC (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and three isomeric xylenes) at two residential areas with a different proximity to the ODIC, plus the ambient levels at two industrial areas within the boundary of the DDIC. The QA/QC program included the range of correlation coefficient (0.94-0.99) for calibration curves, within the permissible range. Toluene was the most abundant VOC in the ambient air both in residential and industrial areas. Both indoor and outdoor air concentrations of all target VOC except benzene were higher in residential area near the DIC compared to that further away from the DIC. Moreover, the ambient air concentrations of all target VOC except benzene for two industrial sites (A and B) were significantly higher than the outdoor or indoor air concentrations in the two residential areas. The findings further suggested that VOC ambient levels measured in a residential area near the DIC be used as a potential indicator of odor-causing unidentified air pollutants transported from the DIC. Moreover, it was found that the elevated ambient toluene levels outweighed the indoor sources with respect to the environmental exposure of residents nearby the DIC. However, in the residential area further away from the DIC, the toluene indoor sources outweighed the outdoor sources.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.504-512
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O ratio) of time activity patterns affecting PM_2.5 concentrations in homes in Korea through a simulation. Methods: The time activity patterns of homemakers were analyzed based on the 'Time-Use Survey' data of the National Statistical Office in 2014. From September 30 to October 2, 2019, the experimenter lived in multifamily housing located in Guro-gu, Seoul. The I/O ratio of PM_2.5 concentration was measured by installing sensor-based instruments. Results: The average indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during the three days were 33.1±48.9 and 45.9±25.3 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The average I/O ratio was 0.75±0.60. The indoor concentration tended to increase when PM_2.5 source activity such cooking and cleaning was present and outdoor PM_2.5 was supplied through ventilation. Conclusions: This study could be used as basic data for estimating indoor PM_2.5 concentrations with personal activity pattern and weather conditions using outdoor concentrations.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.61-61
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• 1995

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are of concern for their potential chronic toxicity, their suspected role in the formation of smog, and their suspected role in destruction of stratospheric ozone. Present study evaluated the exposures to selected VOCs in three microenvironments: 2 chlorinated and 5 aromatic VOCs in the indoor and outdoor air, and 5 aromatic VOCs in the breathing zone air of gas-service station attendants. With permissible Quality Assurance and Quality Control performances VOC concentrations were measured 1) to be higher in indoor air than in outdoor air, 2) to be higher in two Taegu residential areas than in a residential area of Hayang, and 3) to be higher in the nighttime than in the daytime. Among five aromatics, Benzene and Toluene were two most highly measured VOCs in breathing zone air of service station attendants. Based on the sum of VOC concentrations, the VOC exposure during refueling was estimated to be about 10% of indoor and outdoor exposures. For Benzene only, the exposure during refueling was estimated to cause about 52% of indoor and outdoor exposure. The time used to calculate the exposures was 2 minutes for refueling and 24 hours for indoor and outdoor exposures.