• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2021

This study aimed to verify the suitability of an air quality regulating service for wetland ecosystem service evaluation by investigating the effect of reducing particulate matter (PM) on vegetation in wetlands. We installed tunnel-type experimental plots at Yonghwasil Pond in the National Institute of Ecology and set up the input and output of PM by applying the natural vegetation of the relevant wetlands. We took measurements by replicating four different conditions four times each. The air quality regulating service in each experimental plot was measured based on PM10 concentration; further, the difference between the input and the output concentration of PM passing through the Phragmites australis community tunnel was measured using a light scattering method. For the Phragmites australis community in the outdoor conditions and bare land, the PM concentration was measured with the same specifications as tunnel-type experimental plots without setting up the input and output. For the tunnel-type experimental plots, PM10 concentration was significantly lower in the output than in the input. Furthermore, in the outdoor conditions, a comparison between the Phragmites australis community and bare land showed that the concentration was relatively low in the former than in the latter. This confirmed the PM reducing effect due to the blockage and absorption of PM depending on the growth of Phragmites australis. Based on the results of this study, we assessed the air quality regulating service in wetlands as an evaluation indicator.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-41
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• 2021

Kazakhstan's cities experience high concentrations levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), which is well-known for its highly detrimental effect on the human health. A further increase in PM concentrations in the future could lead to a higher air pollution-caused morbidity and mortality, causing an increase in healthcare expenditures by the government. However, to prevent elevated PM concentrations in the future, more stringent standards could be implemented by lowering current maximum allowable PM concentration limit to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s limits. Therefore, this study aims to find out what impact this change in environmental policy towards PM has on state economy in the long run. Future PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were estimated using multiple linear regression based on gross regional product (GRP) and population growth parameters. Dose-response model was based on World Health Organization's approach for the identification of mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs due to air pollution. Analysis of concentrations revealed that only 6 out of 21 cities of Kazakhstan did not exceed the EU limit on PM10 concentration. Changing environmental standards resulted in the 71.7% decrease in mortality and 77% decrease in morbidity cases in all cities compared to the case without changes in environmental policy. Moreover, the cost of morbidity and mortality associated with air pollution decreased by $669 million in 2030 and $2183 million in 2050 in case of implementation of OECD standards. Thus, changing environmental regulations will be beneficial in terms of both of mortality reduction and state budget saving.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.83-92
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• 2022

In this paper, we designed an algorithm that can control the state of PM by learning the chain failure pattern of PHM based air conditioning facility. It is an inevitable spread of PM due to the downtime caused by the failure of the air conditioning facility. The algorithm developed by us is to establish a PM management system through PHM, and it is an algorithm that maintains a constant stabilization state through learning the stop/operation pattern of the air conditioner and manages PM based on this. As a result of the simulating at a subway station for the performance qualification of the algorithm, it was verified that the concentration of PM reduces by 30% on average. In the case of stations with many passengers using the subway, the concentration of PM exceeded the Ministry of Environment Standards(100 ㎍/m³), but it was verified that the concentration of PM was improved at all stations where the simulation was conducted. In the future research is to expand the system to comprehensively manage not only PM but also pollutants such as CO₂, CO, and NO₂ in subway stations.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-301
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate size distribution characteristics of water-soluble ionic components in the airborne particulate matter (PM) collected from an urban area in Busan using a MOUDI cascade impactor from March to October 2010. The inorganic constituents in the fine particles (${\leq}1.8{\mu}m$) predominantly consisted of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and potassium. Sulfate and ammonium concentrations showed a high correlation and similar equivalent concentrations in the fine modes including $0.18{\sim}0.32{\mu}m$, $0.32{\sim}0.56{\mu}m$, and $0.56{\sim}1.0{\mu}m$. This indicates that the main chemical component in the fine particles would be forms of ammonium sulfate such as $(NH_4)_3H(SO_4)_2$, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, and $(NH_4)HSO_4$. Back trajectory analysis showed that relatively higher concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate in the fine mode, compared to the coarse mode, are caused both by domestic sources and long-range transports originated from China continent. High concentration episodes of PM both in the fine mode and the coarse mode were attributed both by anthropogenic sources, such as ship emissions and traffic emissions, and by natural sources such as seawater (sea salt), respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2019

Recently, a number of researchers have produced research and reports in order to forecast more exactly air quality such as particulate matter and odor. However, such research mainly focuses on the atmospheric diffusion models that have been used for the air quality prediction in environmental engineering area. Even though it has various merits, it has some limitation in that it uses very limited spatial attributes such as geographical attributes. Thus, we propose the new approach to forecast an air quality using a deep learning based ensemble model combining temporal and spatial predictor. The temporal predictor employs the RNN LSTM and the spatial predictor is based on the geographically weighted regression model. The ensemble model also uses the RNN LSTM that combines two models with stacking structure. The ensemble model is capable of inferring the air quality of the areas without air quality monitoring station, and even forecasting future air quality. We installed the IoT sensors measuring PM2.5, PM10, H2S, NH3, VOC at the 8 stations in Jeonju in order to gather air quality data. The numerical results showed that our new model has very exact prediction capability with comparison to the real measured data. It implies that the spatial attributes should be considered to more exact air quality prediction.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.202-213
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• 2017

Objectives: HRA (Health Risk Assessment) is an important tool for measuring the health impacts of air pollution. HRA is already being used widely as an important reference for crafting air pollution policies. However, the absence of a domestic CRF (Concentration Response Function) standard, which is a main component for HRA, could cause confusion amongst policy-makers. The purpose of this study is to tabulate a domestic CRF standard for a PM (Particulate Matter)-related HRA. Methods: This study suggested a domestic CRF standard for HRA thorough a literature review. The literature review for meta-analysis was limited to the English language for epidemiological studies published from January 1980 to March 2016. This meta-analysis was conducted by assuming both fixed- and random-effects of CRF. In addition, studies that reported HRA of air pollution for WHO (World Health Organization), the EC (European Commission), and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) were reviewed to compare the CRFs of South Korea to the recommended CRFs of WHO, the EC, or the EPA. Additionally, a domestic CRF standard was supplemented by these. Results: Nineteen studies were selected for the CRF for South Korea. Fifty-three CRFs were derived for meta-analysis. CRFs with a standard for PM-related HRA were divided according to the following four criteria: air pollution, exposure characteristics, type of health impact, and age group. Finally, a domestic CRF standard was created comprised of 21 CRFs. Among these, six CRFs were derived from the results of foreign HRA studies. Conclusions: This study is important in that a domestic CRF standard is first suggested. In addition, this study suggests a further area of study for using HRA as a policy tool and a direction of epidemiological study.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to determine the performance characteristics of the paint particulate and volatile organic compounds(VOCs) simultaneous removal from the spraying paint booth in the laboratory and real site by sticky paint particulate and VOCs simultaneous removal demonstration unit. The sticky paint particulate and VOCs simultaneous removal unit is composed of the horizontal type pleated filter modules and the zig-zag type granular activated carbon packing modules. The test conditions at the laboratory are $50.15g/m^3$ of average paint aerosol concentration and 300 ppm of VOCs concentration which were same as the working conditions of spraying paint booth in the real site. But, the demonstration conditions at the real site are varied according to the working condition of spraying paint booth for the kind of passenger car bodies. The test results at the laboratory obtained that 99% of total particulate collection efficiency at 0.62 m/min of filtration velocity and 84% at 1.77 m/min of filtration velocity. The VOCs removal efficiencies are 97% at $3500hr^{-1}$ of gas hour space velocity and 59% at $10,000hr^{-1}$ of gas hour space velocity. In the real site test, the average removal efficiency of PM10 was measured to be 99.65%, the average removal efficiency of PM2.5 was 99.38%, the average removal efficiency of PM1 was 98.52%, and the average removal efficiency of VOCs was 89%.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.603-615
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• 2018

Objective: We analyzed the association between regional weather and temporal changes on the daily occurrence of trauma emergencies and their severity. Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study, we investigated daily atmospheric patterns in trauma episodes in 1,344 patients in Cheongju city, South Korea, from January 2016 to December 2016 and analyzed the association of trauma occurrence and Injury Severity Scores (ISS) with weather conditions on a daily scale. Results: The mean age of trauma patients was $53.0{\pm}23.8years$ and average ISS was $9.0{\pm}2.0$. Incidence of trauma was positively correlated with average temperature (r=0.512, P<0.001) and atmospheric pressure (r=0.332, P=0.010) and negatively correlated with air pollutants (particulate matter less than $2.5{\mu}m^3$ [PM2.5], r=-0.629, P<0.001; particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m^3$ [PM10], r=-0.679, P<0.001). ISS was not significantly correlated with climate parameters and air pollutants, and variability was observed in the frequency and severity of trauma by time of day (highest occurrence, 16-20 pm; highest ISS, 4-8 am), day of the week (highest occurrence and highest ISS, Saturday), month of the year (highest occurrence, July; highest ISS, November), and season (highest incidence, summer; highest ISS, autumn). Conclusion: The study shows a positive relationship between trauma occurrence and specific weather conditions, such as atmospheric temperature and pressure. There was a negative relationship between concentrations of PM2.5 or PM10, and trauma occurrence. However, no correlation was observed between weather conditions or the concentrations of air pollutants and ISS. In addition, seasonal, circaseptan, and circadian variations exist in trauma occurrence and severity. Thus, we suggest that evaluation of a larger, population-based data set is needed to further investigate and confirm these relationships.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.358-364
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• 2009

This paper is to investigate the influence of driving patterns of slow and high speed vehicles on the performance of continuously regenerating diesel particulate filter(DPF) system matched with operating conditions in field application. The DPF performance test for field application was carried out for two identical DPFs installed to slow and high speed vehicles. A slow speed vehicle was selected among local buses which have driving patterns to repeat running and stop frequently, while a high speed vehicle was prepared to have long route of high speed over 60km/h like inter-city buses. In this test, the regeneration performance on the DPF of slow speed vehicle deteriorated because of high soot load index(SLI) in spite of same balance point temperature(BPT) distribution for high speed vehicle. The DPF of slow speed vehicle melted in the end because the rapid increase of back pressure caused high temperature over $1200^{\circ}C$ in the ceramic wall of DPF. The PM components like ash collected to the filter in the DPF were analyzed in order to investigate the cause of the defect and provide an operation performance of DPF system. In the result of the analysis, high levels of lubrication oil ash(Ca, Mg, P, Zn) were detected.