• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.447-459
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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.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2002

Workers who work at indoor and outdoor environment near busy road are suspected to be exposed to high-elevated air pollutant levels during working hours. This study evaluated the working-time nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) exposure for workers (repairmen and polishers) of shoe-stalls. Since shoe-stalls have particularly been located near busy road in Korea, workers might be high exposure to $NO_2$ from traffic exhaust as well as indoor sources of shoe-stall such as portable gas range (butane gas) during working hours. In this study, we measured the indoor and outdoor $NO_2$ concentrations of shoe-stalls. Simultaneously, outdoor $NO_2$ concentrations of building through sidewalk from shoe-stall were measured. High $NO_2$ exposure for workers of shoe-stalls was considered to be inflow of outdoor source of exhausted emission from vehicles and indoor source from usage of gas range to polish the shoe. Indoor/outdoor $NO_2$ concentration ratio ($0.94{\pm}0.22$) in Seoul was higher than that ($1.06{\pm}0.34$) in Asan, because ambient $NO_2$ level was high in Seoul and usage of gas range was prevalent in Asan. According to $NO_2$ concentrations by distance from roadside to building through sidewalk, $NO_2$ concentrations showed the decreased trend with distance. The results of this study can be utilized by municipal authorities in urban planning for evaluating effects of future traffic planning and land use.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify concentration characteristics of indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles and asbestos in Gyeongnam Provinces. Methods: This study investigated concentration characteristics of indoor fiber particles from 748 schools and 38 public facilities as well as outdoor particles from 11 sites through PCM (phase contrast microscope). SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive using X-ray analysis) was used to obtain physicochemical information of asbestos fiber particles. The study identified asbestos rate in the 15 samples from indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles. Results: 1. The average indoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were $0.0011{\pm}0007$ f/cc in schools and $0.0015{\pm}0007$ f/cc in public facilities by PCM. Over 90% of the fiber particles were identified as single fibers. 2. The average outdoor airborne concentrations of total fiber particles were $0.0007{\pm}0002$ f/cc, and they were lower than those of indoor airborne concentrations. 3. The results showed that the form of asbestiform was diverse as skein of thread like form and long needle, which was relatively narrower than that of glass fiber and rock wool. 4. The results of SEM/EDX analysis of 15 areas where total fiber particle was relatively high showed that the form was rather similar to that of asbestos, but chemical composition was proven to be non-asbestos. Conclusions: The concentration of indoor and outdoor airborne total fiber particles of Gyeongnam Provinces satisfied the IAQ (Indoor air quality) level of 0.01 f/cc and asbestos was not found in most of the samples by SEM/EDX.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Background: PM_2.5 and black carbon (BC) can be generated from cooking and from vehicle operation. Street vendors may be exposed to PM_2.5 and BC due to their proximity both to roads and to cooking activities. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the PM_2.5 and BC concentrations in cooking stalls and to determine the effects of cooking activity and of types of cooking. Methods: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity were measured in 32 stalls in April and May 2022. Behavioral factors such as the presence of cooking activity and types of cooking were observed. Student's T-test was performed using the difference of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations to compare the effects of cooking activity and to compare types of cooking. Results: One-hour averages of the difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations for cooking stalls and non-cooking stalls were 9.7±15.7 ㎍/m³ (n=22) and -0.5±0.4 ㎍/m³ (n=10), respectively. The difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations in cooking stalls was significantly higher than in non-cooking stalls (p<0.05). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for stalls for Chinese pancakes and teokbokki exceeded the standards for indoor air quality in South Korea (50 ㎍/m³ ). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for Korean pancake stalls exceeded the standards for outdoor air quality in South Korea (35 ㎍/m³ for 24 hours). Conclusions: The PM_2.5 concentrations in stalls with cooking activity was significantly higher than those in stalls without cooking activity. Some stalls with certain types of foods exceeded standards for indoor and outdoor air quality in South Korea. Better management of indoor air quality in stalls with cooking activities is necessary.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2018

This study measured indoor and outdoor levels of hydrocarbon volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (collectively referred to as BTEX), as well as 13 carbonyl compounds, at 20 homes in Seoul, South Korea. Along with the sampling of BTEX and carbonyls, indoor concentrations of the air pollutants nitrogen oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) were also measured at each home. These measurements were used to understand the characteristics of BTEX and carbonyls by calculating the various ratios and correlation coefficients between measured contaminant levels. We found that carbonyls were mostly originated from indoor sources, while BTEX were originated from both indoor and outdoor sources. A high correlation between indoor levels of NO and BTEX indicated that traffic emissions were also an important sources of BTEX.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the environmental factors that affect particulate matters (PM10) and to compare with outdoor PM10 concentrations in an underground subway stations. Methods: The PM10 level was determined from May 2013 to September 2013 in the Seoul subway stations in four lines. PM mini-vol portable sampler sampler was used to collect PM10 for 6 hrs. Arithmetic means of PM10 concentrations with standard deviation (SD) were calculated. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences between indoor PM10 and outdoor PM10 concentrations with correlation analysis which was used to identify the association between indoor PM10 concentrations and environmental factors. Results: There were no different PM10 concentrations significantly between line 1, 2, 3 and 4 in an underground subway stations. Passenger number was positively associated with PM10 concentration while construction year was negatively associated with PM10 concentrations. Indoor PM10 concentrations were significantly higher than those in outdoor PM10 concentrations. PM10 concentrations were higher in the stations which were constructed before 1990s rather than the stations constructed after 1990s. Conclusion: PM10 levels in the underground subway stations varied greatly depending on the construction year. Therefore, it might need to be more careful management to the stations which constructed in before 1990s.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.637-644
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• 1997

The purpose of thins study was to quantitatively determine the Indoor Infiltration of pollutants of outdoor origin. The relationship between Indoor and outdoor air is dependent, to a large extent. on the rate of k exchange between these two environments. Mean Indoor/outdoor ratios measured from thins study were: 0.70 for HNO3; 1.60 for HNO2: 0.56 far SOg: 1.30 for mf3: 0.96 for PM2.5(dP<2.5mm: 0.89 for SO4a': 0.87 for NO3· and 0.79 for NH4 'Mean Indoor concentrations for PMa s, SO4a., HNO9, NO3 and NIL' were similar to outdoor levels. Indoor HNO2 and mB3 values were h19her than outdoors. However, the Indoor level of SO2 was lower than ambient level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.315-318
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• 2005

$PM_{10}$ and 16 PAHs were measured in indoor and outdoor air of 5 different old houses, new and sick houses, respectively. $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured in indoor of three different kinds of houses ranged from 23 to 43 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and in outdoor ranged in 40-64 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Sum of average concentrations of PAHs in old, new and sick houses indoor air were 3.7 $ng/m^3$, 6.6 $ng/m^3$ and 16.1 $ng/m^3$, respectively, which were lower than those of outdoors. Most of the indoor/outdoor ratio for PAHs in each house were less than 1.0 and significant correlation(p<0.05) between indoor and outdoor samples was observed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-136
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• 2010

The most important factors relating to the indoor air environment are temperature, airflow, humidity, and contaminant concentration. A sensitivity analysis of indoor environment factors was carried out to grasp influences along with changes of atmospheric conditions. An integrated multizone model was used to predict these sensitivities. This model was applied to an apartment with six zones. Airflow rates are influenced very seriously by changes of wind direct or wind velocity, but are influenced very slightly by changes of outdoor air temperature and are not influenced at all by changes of outdoor air humidity or contaminant concentration. Indoor air temperatures are influenced very directly by changes of outdoor air temperature, but are influenced very slightly by wind direction or wind velocity and are not influenced at all by changes of outdoor air humidity or contaminant concentration. Indoor air humidities are influenced very directly by changes of outdoor air humidity, but are not influenced at all by changes of outdoor air contaminant concentration and have little or no influence by changes of wind direction, wind velocity, or outdoor air temperature. Indoor air contaminant concentrations are influenced very seriously by changes of wind direct or wind velocity, but are influenced somewhat by changes of outdoor air contaminant concentration and are influenced very slightly by changes of outdoor air temperature and are not influenced at all by changes of outdoor air humidity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 1989

A pilot study was conducted in order to measure indoor and outdoor formaldehyde levels during August 3 - 22, 1988 in several underground spaces in Seoul. Formaldehyde concentrations were monitored during 1 week in selected sampling areas (subway station, underground shopping center, underpass, tunnel, underground parking lot) using passive formaldehyde monitors. In order to investigate a relationship between respiratory prevalence and levels of formaldehyde, each subject was asked to answer respiratory questions. The mean formaldehyde concentrations were 60.1 ppb in subway station, 122.2 ppb in underground shopping stores, 72.1 ppb in underpasses, 39.7 ppb in tunnel, and 75.9 ppb in underground parking lots, respectively. The mean indoor formaldehyde concentrations in underground environments varied from 28.6 ppb to 118.7 ppb. Generally, the mean formaldehyde concentrations in ticketing office in subway stations appeared higher than those level measured in platform. The mean formaldehyde concentrations of underground shopping center in Gangnam Terminal were higher than any other areas and it exceeded 100 ppb of the American Ambient Air Quality Standards of formaldehyde. Prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms of dwellers seemed to be related to higher indoor formaldehyde levels.