• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.36 no.6_3
• /
• pp.1733-1741
• /
• 2020

This study analyzed the effect of meteorological factors on the concentration of PM10 (particulate matter 10) in the atmosphere and the variation of rainwater quality using multivariate statistical analysis. The concentration of PM10 in the atmosphere was continuously measured during eleven precipitation events with a custom-built PM sensor node. A total of 183 rainwater samples were analyzed for pH, EC (electrical conductivity), and water-soluble cations (Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, NH4+) and anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-). The data has been analyzed using two multivariate statistical techniques (principal component analysis, PCA, and Pearson correlation analysis) to identify relationships among PM10 concentrations in the atmosphere, meteorological factors, and rainwater quality factors. When the rainfall intensity was relatively strong (> 5 mm/h, rainfall type 1), the PM10 concentration in the atmosphere showed a negative correlation (r = -0.55, p < 0.05) with cumulative rainfall. The PM10 concentration increased the concentration of water-soluble ions (r = 0.25) and EC (r = 0.4), and decreased the pH (r = -0.7) of rainwater samples. However, for rainfall type 2 (< 5 mm/h), there was no negative correlation between the PM10 concentration in the atmosphere and cumulative rainfall and no statistically significant correlation between the PM10 concentration in the atmosphere and rainwater quality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.267-272
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The purposes of the study were to analyze the temporal variation of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and particulate matter (PM) in daycare centers and evaluate the appropriateness of the official test method of one-time measurement. Methods: Indoor air quality in 46 daycare centers in the Seoul Metropolitan Area was measured as specified in the official test method of Indoor Air Quality Management law. In addition, indoor air quality in the 46 daycare centers was measured over 37 days using a real-time monitor (AirGuard K). Results: The daily means of $CO_2$ and PM in the 46 daycare centers were $1042.74{\pm}134.45ppm$ and $67.60{\pm}18.25{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Indoor air quality in the daycare centers showed significant temporal fluctuation. Measurements for single days were significantly different from the 37-day average exposure. Relative error of short term exposure decreased with an increase in the number of sampling days. The noncompliance rate for $CO_2$ using the official testing method was 2.17%, and none exceeded the $PM_{10}$ standard of $100{\mu}g/m^3$. With monitoring over 37 days, the daily noncompliance rate for $CO_2$ was 50.4% and the daily noncompliance rate for PM was 13.8%. Conclusions: When the official test method evaluates the indoor air at daycare centers one day per year, the results may not represent actual indoor air quality over a longer period of time. Real-time monitoring devices could be an alternative for managing indoor air quality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.504-512
• /
• 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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.130-139
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Air pollution is a growing concern in Korea because of transboundary air pollution from mainland China. A panel study was conducted to clarify the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in outpatients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea. Methods: Patients filled out a questionnaire including self-reported HR-QoL in February and were followed up in May and July. The study was conducted from 2013 to 2015, with different participants each year. Air quality parameters were applied in a generalized estimating equation as independent variables to predict factors affecting HR-QoL. Results: Lower physical fitness scores were associated with Asian sand dust events. Daily activity scores were worse when there were high concentrations of particulate matter (PM) less than $10{\mu}m$ in diameter ($PM_{10}$). Lower social functioning scores were associated with high PM less than $2.5{\mu}m$ in diameter and nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) concentrations. High $NO_2$ concentrations also showed a significant association with mental health scores. Weather-related cough was prevalent when $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, or ozone ($O_3$) concentrations were high, regardless of COPD severity. High $PM_{10}$ concentrations were associated with worsened wheezing, particularly in COPD patients. Conclusions: The results suggest that PM, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ cause respiratory symptoms leading to HR-QoL deterioration. While some adverse effects of air pollution appeared to occur regardless of COPD, others occurred more often and more intensely in COPD patients. The public sector, therefore, needs to consider tailoring air pollution countermeasures to people with different conditions to minimize adverse health effects.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.86-96
• /
• 2011

The positive matrix factorization (PMF2) and multilinear engine (ME2) models have been shown to be powerful environmental analysis techniques and have been successfully applied to the assessment of ambient particulate matter (PM) source contributions. Because these models are difficult to apply practically, the US EPA developed a more user-friendly version of the PMF. The initial version of the EPA PMF model does not provide any rotational capabilities; for this reason, the model was upgraded to include rotational functions in the EPA PMF ver. 2.0. In this study, PMF and EPA PMF modeling identified ten particulate matter sources including secondary sulfate I, vehicle gasoline, secondary sulfate II, secondary nitrate, secondary sulfate III, incinerators, aged sea salt, airborne soil particles, oil combustion, and diesel emissions. All of the source profiles determined by the two models showed excellent agreement. The calculated average concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ were consistent between the PMF2 and EPA PMF ($17.94{\pm}0.30{\mu}g/m^3$ and $17.94{\pm}0.30\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). Also, each set of estimated source contributions of the PMF2 and EPA PMF showed good agreement. The results from the new EPA PMF version applying rotational functions were consistent with those of PMF2. Therefore, the updated version of EPA PMF with rotational capabilities will provide more reasonable solutions compared with those of PMF2 and can be more widely applied to air quality management.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.779-786
• /
• 2008

This study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of current air quality and to examine the monthly and yearly variation of $SO_2,\;O_3,\;CO,\;NO_2$, and fine particulate matter(PM-10) concentration in Seosan for the period of 1998-2006. During the recent 3 years, from 2004 to 2006, the yearly mean concentration of $SO_2,\;NO_2$, and PM-10 remained stability but CO and $O_3$ are gradually decreased. The monthly mean concentration of $NO_2$, CO, and $SO_2$ were high in the winter season and decreased steadily to the summer season, but the maximum concentration of $O_3$ and PM-10 appeared in the springtime. The number of days exceeding 24-hour standards for PM-10 were 54 times at Dokgodri and 25 times at Dongmundong. The number of sampling days exceeding the 1-hour and 8-hour standards for $O_3$ were 68 and 210 times at Dongmundong and at Dokgotri 93 and 213 times, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1333-1339
• /
• 2017

Coal-fired power plants emit various Particulate Matter(PM) at coal storage pile and ash landfill as well as the stack, and affect the surrounding environment. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray analyzer(FE-SEM/EDX) were used to develop identification factor and the physico-chemical analysis of PM emitted from a power plant. In this study, three samples of pulverized coal, bottom ash, and fly ash were analyzed. The pulverized coal was spherical particles in shape and the chemical composition of C-O-Si-Al and C/Si and C/Al ratios were 200~300 on average. The bottom ash was spherical or non-spherical particles in shape, chemical composition was O-C-Si-Al-Fe-Ca and C/Si and C/Al ratios were $4.3{\pm}4.6$ and $8.8{\pm}10.0$. The fly ash was spherical particles in shape, chemical composition was O-Si-Ai-C-Fe-Ca and C/Si and C/Al ratios were $0.5{\pm}0.2$ and $0.8{\pm}0.5$.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.51 no.6
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The project Seoul Atopy Asthma-friendly School investigated the current status of childhood asthma to enable formulation of a preventative policy. We evaluated the current prevalence of childhood asthma in Seoul and its trends and related factors. Methods: The project was conducted annually from 2011 to 2016 and involved around 35 000 children aged 1-13 years. Based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood guidelines, the survey involved parents. The associations of the particulate matter ($PM_{10}$) concentration, and the number of days on which the daily air quality guidance level was exceeded in the 25 districts of Seoul, with the prevalence of asthma were assessed. Results: The age-standardized asthma prevalence in 2011 and 2016 was 6.74 and 4.02%, respectively. The prevalence of lifetime asthma treatment and treatment during the last 12 months tended to decrease from 2011 to 2016. Asthma treatment was significantly correlated with the number of days on which the daily air quality guidance level was exceeded, but not with the $PM_{10}$ concentration. Conclusions: This study reports the prevalence of asthma among children in Seoul and confirmed the relationship between childhood asthma and known risk factors in a large-scale survey.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.63 no.5
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2021

The particulate matters (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) and ammonia emitted from livestock farms as dispersed to urban and residential areas can increase the public's concern over the health problem, social conflicts, and air quality. Understanding the atmospheric dispersion of such matters is important to prevent the problems for the regulatory purposes. In this study, AERMOD modeling was performed to predict the dispersion of livestock particulate matters and ammonia in Gwangju metropolitan city and five surrounding cities. The five cities were divided into 40 sub-zones to model the area-based emissions which varied with the number of livestock farms, species and growth stages of the animals. As a result, the concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and ammonia resulted from livestock farms located in the surrounding cities were 2.00 ㎍ m^-3, 0.30 ㎍ m^-3 and 0.04 ppm in the southwestern part of Gwangju based on the average concentration of 1 hour. These values accounted for 0.7% of PM₁₀ concentration, 0.5% of PM_2.5 concentration, and 0.4% of the ammonia concentration in Gwangju, contributing to a small amount of air pollution compared to other sources. As preventive measures, the plantation was applied to high emission source areas to reduce particulate matters and ammonia emissions by 35% and 31%, respectively, and resulted in decrease of the area of influence by 57% for particulate matters and 59% for ammonia.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2009

Low temperature combustion regime for the simultaneous reduction of nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$) and paticulate matter (PM) is demonstrated in single cylinder engine at various operating parameters, such as EGR rate, injection timing, EGR temperature, amount of fuel and swirl rate. Low temperature combustion is accomplished by high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate in this study. Generally, the emission of $NO_x$ almost completely disappears and PM significantly increases in the first decreasing regime of oxygen concentration but after peaking about 10~12% oxygen concentration, PM then decreases regardless of fuel injection quantity. Low temperature combustion regime was extended by low EGR temperature, high injection pressure and low amount of fuel.