• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) is one of the most researched semiconductor oxides that has revolutionised technologies in the field of environmental purification and energy generation. It has found extensive applications in heterogenous photocatalysis for removing organic pollutants from air and water and also in hydrogen production from photocatalytic water-splitting. Its use is popular because of its low cost, low toxicity, high chemical and thermal stability. But one of the critical limitations of $TiO_2$ as photocatalyst is its poor response to visible light. Several attempts have been made to modify the surface and electronic structures of $TiO_2$ to enhance its activity in the visible light region such as noble metal deposition, metal ion loading, cationic and anionic doping and sensitisation. Most of the results improved photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation. This paper attempts to review and update some of the information on the $TiO_2$ photocatalytic technology and its accomplishment towards visible light region.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.421-428
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• 2012

In this study, PCDD/PCDFs, PAHs and PCBs in wastes from metal, plastic and wastewater treatment facilities were analyzed. The concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs ranged from 7.37~432.20 ng-TEQ/kg in fly ash, 0.51~855.01 ng-TEQ/kg in incinerated ash and 0.37~385.81 ng-TEQ/kg in dust. Dioxin content was lower, compared to data in foreign countries. PAHs concentration was in the range of 0.0075~2.9225 mg/kg for process sludge and 0.0035~1.6716 mg/kg for wastewater sludge, which satisfied all of the two standards (Nap, Ant, B(a)F:4/0.8, Phen, B(a)A:5/1, Flt:10/2.5, B(a)P:4.5/0.9) of the Marine Environment Management Act. PAHs concentration in process sludge and wastewater sludge were slightly lower than those abroad. According to the analysis of seven types of PCBs (in comparison with the first standard, 0.15 mg/kg), concentration was found in the range of 0.0~0.65 mg/kg, while PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180 isomers were detected in excessive value in some machine oil and hydraulic fluid.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 2008

Removal of organic substances and taste/odor control are ones of the main issues in water supply, resulting in introduction of advanced processes such as ozon/GAC, or PAC. However, raw water quality deteriorates, new pollutants advent, so water quality is not acceptable enough even with those existing advanced processes. In this paper, a new advanced water treatment process using PAC slurry blanket, where PAC particles stay in the basin as slurry blanket, coupled with submerged membranes is introduced. A pilot plant $(80m^3/day)$ was installed to assess the performance of this new process using actual raw water, and DOC was removed higher than 90% in the beginning and $70{\sim}80%$ afterwards, while 2-MIB and geosmin were removed completely. This new process still requires future study on process optimization and long-term assessment, however it seems highly possible to countermeasure as a new advanced process with high removal efficiency.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.903-910
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• 2014

This study examined the treatment characteristics of hard-to-degrade pollutants such as TCE which are found in organic solvent and cleaning wastewater by nZVI that have excellent oxidation and reduction characteristics. In addition, this study tried to find out the degradation characteristics of TCE by Fenton-like process, in which $H_2O_2$ is dosed additionally. In this study, different ratios of nZVI and $H_2O_2$, such as 1.0 mM : 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM : 1.0 mM, and 1.0 mM : 2.0 mM were used. When 1.0 mM of nZVI was dosed with 1.0 mM of $H_2O_2$, the removal efficiency of TOC was the highest and the first order rate constant was also the highest. When 1mM of nZVI was dosed with 0.5 mM of $H_2O_2$, the first order rate constant and removal efficiency were the lowest. The size of first order rate constant and removal efficiency was in the order of nZVI 1.0 mM : $H_2O_2$ 1.0 mM > nZVI 1.0 mM : $H_2O_2$ 2.0 mM > nZVI 1.0 mM : $H_2O_2$ 0.5 mM > $H_2O_2$ 1.0 mM > nZVI 1.0 mM. It is estimated that when 1.0 mM of nZVI is dosed with 1.0 mM of $H_2O_2$, $Fe^{2+}$ ion generated by nZVI and $H_2O_2$ react in the stoichiometric molar ratio of 1:1, thus the first order rate constant and removal efficiency are the highest. And when 1.0 mM of nZVI is dosed with 2.0 mM of $H_2O_2$, excessive $H_2O_2$ work as a scavenger of OH radicals and excessive $H_2O_2$ reduce $Fe^{3+}$ into $Fe^{2+}$. As for the removal efficiency of TOC in TCE by simultaneous dose and sequential dose of nZVI and $H_2O_2$, sequential dose showed higher first order reaction rate and removal efficiency than simultaneous dose. It is estimated that when nZVI is dosed 30 minutes in advance, pre-treatment occurs and nanoscale $Fe^0$ is oxidized to $Fe^{2+}$ and TCE is pre-reduced and becomes easier to degrade. When $H_2O_2$ is dosed at this time, OH radicals are generated and degrade TCE actively.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.224-231
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• 2019

Recently, the pollution of groundwater has become serious. In particular, the contamination of groundwater near livestock farms is becoming increasingly severe and it is difficult to drink with drinking water. In this paper, a groundwater purifier apparatus that can be installed in a community well was designed. The designed groundwater purifier apparatus enables a RO membrane filter and UV sterilization to remove pollutants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, and organic compounds. In addition, electrical conductivity, pressure, and flow sensors were added for remote monitoring. Remote monitoring of the system can determine the level of fouling and contamination of RO membrane filters through pressure and flow sensor data, and can record changes in the contamination and condition of groundwater through the electrical conductivity of the feed water. The designed groundwater purifier apparatus was installed at a farmhouse and remote monitoring. The result after 15 days of operating a groundwater purifier apparatus and analyzing the monitoring data revealed an average permeate water flow rate of 2.67L/min and an average water pressure of 7.09kgf/㎠, indicating that the RO Membrane filtered without fouling and clogging. The average electrical conductivity was 796.6 S/㎠ of the feed water and 55.6 S/㎠ of permeate water, which is similar to that of general tap water. Through this, it was confirmed that no pollutant occurred in the surroundings. Therefore, the designed groundwater purifier apparatus can confirm the replacement time of the RO membrane filter in advance through remote monitoring, and check the pollution state of the groundwater.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.3 s.150
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• pp.205-216
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• 2007

South Korea is the representative consumption country of herbal medicines and most of herbal medicines circulating in Korea have been importing from the developing countries of Southeast Asia such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia and so forth. Domestic hygiene and safety are continuously proposed because herbal medicines which are circulating have the possibility could remain contaminants or residues. Physicochemical contaminants such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, radionucleosides, microbial toxins, biological contaminants such as microorganisms and animals, agrochemical residues such as pesticides, substances used for fumigation, antiviral agents, and solvent residues are classified as major contaminants and residues in herbal medicines from 2005 September WHO.$^{1)}$ Currently our administration have established a permission standard and the inspection criteria against the heavy metal, the residual pesticides and a residual sulfur dioxide. Furthermore our administration is continuously monitoring and conducting researches for the policies and their scientific ground against herbal medicines. But the appearances or discoveries of the harmful new species due to environmental and industrial developments are becoming social problems. Therefore it may be necessary to continuously consider and investigate regarding hereupon. Recently, the contamination of the mycotoxins against foods such as cereals, nuts and the powdered red pepper have developed and started became problematic issue, and possibility of contamination against the herbal medicine is proposed. And since populations who are using the herbal medicines very limited to several nations, recognition and researches about contamination of mycotoxins in herbal medicines are very insufficient. Therefore it will be need to more focus on the international regulation of quality control and safety for herbal medicines. Now on, we are going to introduce the importance, occurrence, characteristic properties, World-wide research trends and detoxification of aflatoxins, which is known as the most potent mutagen, carcinogen and teratogen mycotoxins.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 1993

N-Heterocyclic aromatics (NHA) are widely occurring environmental pollutants formed during the pyrolysis of nitrogen-containing organic chemicals. NAH are found in significant amounts in tobacco condensates, synthetic fuels, polluted river sediment, and effluents from the heating of coal. Following topical application 7H-dibenzo[c, g]carbazole (DBC) induces cancer in liver as well as skin, indicating that dermal exposure can lead to systemic effect. DBC and dibenz[a,j]acridine (DBA) are examples of NHA. The potency of many carcinogenic compounds is related, at least in part, to the efficiency of their biological activation. We undertook studies to determine which initial metabolites lead to the formation of high levels of carcinogen-DNA adducts in vivo. DBC and DBA's, DBA, trans-DBA-1,2-dihydrodiol (DBA-1,2-DHD), trans-DBA-3,4-dihydrodiol (DBA-3,4-DHD), and trans-DBA-5,6-dihydrodiol (DBA-5,6-DHD), were applied to the skin of mice. There were six adducts that were related to DBC application. These addusts were seen in the target organ, liver at high levels, but at very low levels in non-target organs, skin, lung and kidney. In skin, DBA produced two distinct adducts. The same two adducts were seen when DBA-3,4-DHD was applied. In addition the total adduct level elicited by DBA-3,4-DHD higher than that of parent compound. Two adducts were seen when DBA-5,6-DHD was applied, but these were very different from adducts seen with DBA. These results suggested that activation of DBA to DNA-binding compounds in skin includes initial formation of DBA-3,4-DHD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.181-184
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• 2011

Screening of estrogenic activity on dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), dichloro diphenyl dichloro ethylene (DDE), dieldrin, heptachlor, aldrin, chlordane, lindane, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and parabens was compared using Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guideline 455 (TG455). The estrogenic activity of DDT was 58,000-fold ($PC_{50}$, $1.67{\times}10^{-6}$ M) less than $17{\beta}$-estradiol($E_2$) ($PC_{50}$, $2.88{\times}10^{-11}$ M) but DDE, dieldrin, heptachlor, aldrin, chlordane, lindane and PBDE did not show any estrogenic activity in this assay system. In the case of paraben compounds, the rank of relative transcriptional activation (logRTA) was butyl paraben -1.63752 ($PC_{50}$, $1.25{\times}10^{-7}$ M) > isobutyl paraben -2.34008 ($PC_{50}$, $6.3{\times}10^{-7}$ M) > ethyl paraben -2.64016 ($PC_{50}$, $1.26{\times}10^{-6}$ M) > isopropyl paraben -2.73993 ($PC_{50}$, $1.58{\times}10^{-6}$ M) > propyl paraben -2.84164 ($PC_{50}$, $2.0{\times}10^{-6}$ M). Our data suggest that OECD test guideline TG455 may be useful as a screening tool for potential endocrine disruptors.

• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.109-125
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• 2018

Turkish towel (Chondracanthus exasperatus), Pacific dulse (Palmaria mollis, also known as Red ribbon seaweed), and sea lettuce (Ulva spp.) were cultivated in a land-based intensive culture system at the Manchester Research Station, USA from August 2013 to September 2014. Macroalgae were grown in tumble-aerated tanks, harvested bimonthly for seasonal growth calculations, and analyzed for protein, lipid, ash, and amino acid content. Growth rate of all three species exhibited a similar pattern, with the highest specific growth rates occurring during the summer months (Turkish towel: 7.8%, Pacific dulse: 8.2%, and sea lettuce: 6.2%). Growth of all three species was lowest around winter solstice; with negative growth only observed in sea lettuce. On a dry weight basis significant differences in protein content existed between the three species with highest values for sea lettuce ($29.5{\pm}1.4%$). Lipid content varied between species (0.95-2.78%) with significantly higher lipid observed in sea lettuce (0.58-4.82%). No significant differences were detected on a seasonal basis among each species. Essential amino acids accounted for $43{\pm}0.9$ to $47{\pm}1.2%$ of total amino acids with Turkish towel having the highest value. Turkish towel had a significantly higher taurine level ($0.82{\pm}0.27$) than the other macroalgae. The levels of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals were low. The estimated annual product of the three species ranged from 50- to $70-mt\;dry\;weight\;ha^{-1}\;y^{-1}$, significantly higher than conventional crops. Land-based culture of these species can produce year-round harvest, consistent product quality, and low contaminant levels.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2011

This study suggests criteria to conduct a risk assessment of VOCs and formaldehyde in uncontrolled public facilities. Pollutants and facilities were selected based on two years of monitoring data and exposure scenarios in 573 uncontrolled public facilities, composed of 10 types of public institutions. With the exception of social welfare facilities, lifetime ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene in each facility were higher in employees than in users, except in social welfare facilities. In social welfare facilities, the risk of benzene for users ($1{\times}10^{-5}$) was higher than that of workers ($1{\times}10^{-6}$) because facility users live in the facility 24 hours per day, compared to workers who spend an average of 8 hours per day in the facility. The risk of benzene to workers in restaurants, academies, performance halls, internet cafe and pubs were estimated as high as $1{\times}10^{-4}$ and the risk to workers in the theaters and karaoke bars were recorded as $1{\times}10^{-5}$. Because lifetime ECRs of carcinogens exceeded $1{\times}10^{-4}$ for workers and users in most facilities, risk management of formaldehyde and benzene in these facilities is necessary. Although HQs of toluene and xylenes did not exceed 1.0, their HQs did exceed 0.1 in some facilities, so they were evaluated as potentially harmful materials. Additionally, criteria for health protection in IAQ by facility are suggested at $60-100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for formaldehyde, $400-500\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for TVOCs, $10-20\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for benzene, $150-170\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for toluene and $100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for xylenes, based on the survey on IAQ and HRA methodology. The excess rates of IAQ to health protection criteria in all facilities were 16% for formaldehyde, 8% for TVOCs and benzene, 9% for toulene, and 5% for xylenes.