• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권6호
• /
• pp.3653-3661
• /
• 2013

Along with rapid economic growth and enhanced agricultural productivity, particulate matter emissions in the northern cities of Thailand have been increasing for the past two decades. This trend is expected to continue in the coming decade. Emissions of particulate matter have brought about a series of public health concerns, particularly chronic respiratory diseases. It is well known that lung cancer incidence among northern Thai women is one of the highest in Asia (an annual age-adjusted incidence rate of 37.4 per 100,000). This fact has aroused serious concern among the public and the government and has drawn much attention and interest from the scientific community. To investigate the potential causes of this relatively high lung cancer incidence, this study employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy to identify the chemical composition of the $PM_{2.5}$ collected using Quartz Fibre Filters (QFFs) coupled with MiniVol$^{TM}$ portable air samplers (Airmetrics). $PM_{2.5}$ samples collected in nine administrative provinces in northern Thailand before and after the "Haze Episode" in 2013 were categorised based on three-dimensional plots of a principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation. In addition, the incremental lifetime exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ of both genders was calculated, and the first derivative of the FTIR spectrum of individual samples is here discussed.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• 제35권
• /
• pp.31.1-31.10
• /
• 2023

Background: With modernization, air pollution has become increasingly serious, and its effects on health have been revealed. As a result, public interest in environmental pollution has become critical for regulating air pollution. In our study, we aim to evaluate the impact of air pollution levels on public attention to environmental issues and examine whether awareness of the residential environment's impact on health acts as a mediator in this relationship. Methods: We conducted an analysis on 400 individuals surveyed in the preliminary feasibility study on adverse health effects in the Pohang Industrial Complex, to examine the relationship between particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and attention to environmental issues. Logistic regression analysis was performed, and mediation analysis was used to determine whether awareness of the residential environment's impact on health mediated the relationship. Results: The logistic regression analysis results showed that PM2.5 levels were associated with attention to environmental issues (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-3.5; p = 0.003) and awareness of health impacts (AOR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.6-7.1; p = 0.001). The PM2.5 levels showed 9.9% (95% CI: 5.4-14.0) increase in the prevalence of high attention to environmental issues, of which, only 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2-2.3) were mediated by health impact awareness. In the overall analysis, 10% of the total effect of PM2.5 on attention to environmental issues was mediated by health impact awareness. Conclusions: According to this study's results, there was a correlation between air pollution levels and attention to environmental issues. Awareness of the health impacts of air pollution partially mediated the effect of air pollution levels on attention to environmental issues. In future studies, it is recommended to identify other mediators to further understand this structure.

• 한국대기환경학회지
• /
• 제32권5호
• /
• pp.501-512
• /
• 2016

The study evaluated methods to measure condensable fine particles in flue gases and measured particulate matter by fuel and material to get precise concentrations and quantities. As a result of the method evaluation, it is required to improve test methods for measuring Condensable Particulate Matter (CPM) emitted after the conventional Filterable Particulate Matter (FPM) measurement process. Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) based on the evaluated analysis process showed that RSD percentages of FPM and CPM were around 27.0~139.5%. As errors in the process of CPM measurement and analysis can be caused while separating and dehydrating organic and inorganic materials from condensed liquid samples, transporting samples, and titrating ammonium hydroxide in the sample, it is required to comply with the exact test procedures. As for characteristics of FPM and CPM concentrations, CPM had about 1.6~63 times higher concentrations than FPM, and CPM caused huge increase in PM mass concentrations. Also, emission concentrations and quantities varied according to the characteristics of each fuel, the size of emitting facilities, operational conditions of emitters, etc. PM in the flue gases mostly consisted of CPM (61~99%), and the result of organic/inorganic component analysis revealed that organic dusts accounted for 30~88%. High-efficiency prevention facilities also had high concentrations of CPM due to large amounts of $NO_x$, and the more fuels, the more inorganic dusts. As a result of comparison between emission coefficients by fuel and the EPA AP-42, FPM had lower result values compared to that in the US materials, and CPM had higher values than FPM. For the emission coefficients of the total PM (FPM+CPM) by industry, that of thermal power stations (bituminous coal) was 71.64 g/ton, and cement manufacturing facility (blended fuels) 18.90 g/ton. In order to estimate emission quantities and coefficients proper to the circumstances of air pollutant-emitting facilities in Korea, measurement data need to be calculated in stages by facility condition according to the CPM measurement method in the study. About 80% of PM in flue gases are CPM, and a half of which are organic dusts that are mostly unknown yet. For effective management and control of PM in flue gases, it is necessary to identify the current conditions through quantitative and qualitative analysis of harmful organic substances, and have more interest in and conduct studies on unknown materials' measurements and behaviors.

• 대한환경공학회지
• /
• 제32권8호
• /
• pp.739-746
• /
• 2010

본 연구의 목적은 1) 시료채취공간에서 ${\pm}10%$ 이내의 공기 유속을 가지는 챔버시스템을 제작하여, 2) 먼지(PM, particulate matter)측정을 위하여 사용되는 PM10과 PM2.5 시료채취기의 이론적 특성을 연구하고, 3) 실험을 통하여 본 연구에 사용된 먼지 시료채취기의 수행 특성을 평가하는데 있다. 챔버 내에서의 먼지 시료채취기의 수행능력을 측정하기 위하여 $20\;{\mu}m$의 공기역학중위입경과 2.0의 기하표준편차 특성을 가지는 옥수수전분을 분포하였다. 챔버 실험에 사용된 시료채취기는 미국 연방규정을 만족하는 각 1개의 APM PM10 및 APM PM2.5 시료채취기와 특수 제작된 3개의 소용량 시료채취기(2개 PM10과 1개의 PM2.5)를 사용하여 평균 공기 유속이 0.67 m/s와 2.15 m/s인 두 조건에서 각 1시간씩 3회 반복하여 총 6회의 실험을 실시하였다. 실험 결과, APM PM시료채취기를 기준 시료채취기로 사용하여 소용량 PM10과 PM2.5 시료채취기는 각 각 0.25와 0.39의 보정계수가 필요하며 이원 분산 분석을 통하여 두 개의 소용량 PM10 시료채취기의 평균 농도값 사이에는 유의적 차이가 있었다. 분리한계직경과 기울기(PM10: $10{\pm}0.5\;{\mu}m$와 $1.5{\pm}0.1$, PM2.5: $2.5{\pm}0.2\;{\mu}m$와 $1.3{\pm}0.03$)를 가지는 PM10과 PM2.5 시료채취기는 이론적으로 본 연구에 사용된 옥수수전분의 입자특성을 고려하여 86~114%와 64~152%의 먼지농도 범위를 채취하게 된다. 또한, 공기 중에 분포하는 입자의 공기역학중위입경이 해당 시료채취기의 분리한계직경보다 작을 때 시료채취기의 측정 질량농도는 이상적인 질량농도보다 크며, 반대의 경우 시료채취기는 작은 질량농도를 측정한다. 챔버 실험 결과, PM10과 PM2.5의 시료채취기는 각각 37~158%와 55~149% 범위를 가지며 이론적 계산농도보다 큰 범위의 질량 농도를 측정하였고 챔버 내 공기 유속이 2.15 m/s의 조건에서는 0.67 m/s와 비교하여 상대적으로 작은 먼지농도 범위를 가지며 이론적 계산농도와 유사한 먼지농도 범위가 측정되었다.

• 한국대기환경학회지
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.216-232
• /
• 2016

In present, the Seoul City is undergoing traffic congestion problems caused by rapid urbanization and population growth. Thus the City government has reorganized the mass transportation system since 2004 and the subway has become a very important means for public transit. Since the subway system is typically a closed environment, the indoor air quality issues have often raised by the public. Especially since a huge amount of PM (particulate matter) is emitted from ground tunnels passing through the subway train, it is now necessary to assess the characteristics and behaviors of fine PM inside the tunnel. In this study, the concentration patterns of $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ in the Seoul subway line-2 were analyzed by real-time measurement during winter (Jan 13, 2015) and summer (Aug 7, 2015). The line-2 consisting of 51 stations is the most busy circular line in Seoul having the railway of 60.2 km length. The the one-day average $PM_{10}$ concentrations were $148{\mu}g/m^3$ in winter and $66.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in summer and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $118{\mu}g/m^3$ and $58.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio in the underground tunnel was lower than the outdoor ratio and also the ratio in summer is higher than in winter. Further the study examined structural types of underground subsections to explain the patterns of elevated PM concentrations in the line-2. The subsections showing high PM concentration have longer track, shorter curvature radius, and farther from the outdoor stations. We also estimated the outdoor PM concentrations near each station by a spatial statistical analysis using the $PM_{10}$ data obtained from the 40 Seoul Monitoring Sites, and further we calculated $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ and $PM_1/PM_{10}$ mass ratios near the outdoor subway stations by using our observed outdoor $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ data. Finally, we could develop pollution maps for outdoor $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ near the line-2 by using the kriging method in spatial analysis. This methodology may help to utilize existing $PM_{10}$ database when managing and control fine particle problems in Korea.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• 제56권2호
• /
• pp.281-290
• /
• 2018

최근 선진국을 중심으로 고연비-저배출 내연기관 (디젤) 자동차 보급의 필요성이 대두되면서 기존 촉매후처리 장치의 저온성능 강화를 위한 기술적 방안들이 시급히 요구되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 디젤엔진 배출 탄소입자상 물질의 연소반응에 있어 연료함유 촉매(Fuel-Borne Catalyst)와 페로브스카이트(Perovskite)의 복합촉매 시스템이 보이는 상용모델촉매 대비 우수한 저온 연소성능과 이의 Perovskite 촉매 조성에 대한 의존성에 관해 논하였다. Fe/Ce 계열 연료함유 촉매가 A-site 원소(La)에 K이 부분치환되고, B-site 금속이 Fe인 Perovskite 촉매와 복합화될 때 상대적으로 우수한 저온 연소성능 개선효과가 관찰되었다. 이를 관찰하기 위해 연료함유 촉매가 함유되거나 함유하지 않은 탄소 입자상 물질과 다양한 조성의 La 계열 Perovskite 촉매를 혼합한 고정층에 대한 온도상승 산화반응 실험(Temperature-Programmed Oxidation)을 수행하였으며, 이산화탄소 생성과 질소산화물 농도 저하 패턴의 연동특성을 통해 두 촉매의 상호 연계작용을 유추하였다.

• 한국대기환경학회지
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2010

Mass and ion concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were measured in Yongin, downwind of the Seoul metropolitan area. Twenty-four hour average samples were collected daily for a month or so in spring and fall of both 2007 and 2008. Asian dust occurred twice in each period except in the fall of 2007. During the Asian dust period, nitrate in fine particles decreased since large amount of cations in coarse particles of Asian dust absorbed it. In spring 2008, sulfate as well as ammonium also increased in coarse particles. In spite of occasional Asian dust events, the influence of secondary formation was dominant over the period. Excessive ammonium over sulfate was enough to neutralize nitrate as well. High correlation coefficients between $K^+$ and sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium indicate a close relationship between secondary formation and biomass burning. Biomass burning and open burning are considered to be important sources of chloride.

• 한국대기환경학회지
• /
• 제26권5호
• /
• pp.499-506
• /
• 2010

Recently, a great deal of attention have been directed to the use of alternative fuels as a means to reduce vehicular emissions. As one of the promising alternative fuels, bio-diesel has advantages of a wide adaptability without retrofit of diesel engine. It is also effective enough to reduce CO, THC, $SO_x$, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PM. In this study, we investigated the emission characteristics of biofuels between different operating conditions, i.e., engine speed (1,400 rpm and 2,300 rpm), engine load (10% and 100%), bio-diesel blending (BD0, BD5 and BD20), and recirculation (EGR) rate of exhaust gas (0% and 20%). Relative performance of the system was evaluated mainly for the greenhouse gases ($CH_4$, $N_2O$ and $CO_2$). In addition, emission characteristics of ND-13 mode were also tested against both greenhouse gases and other airborne pollutants under emission regulation. The relative composition of bio-diesel has shown fairly clear effects on the emission quantities of CO, THC, and PM emission, although it was not on $NO_x$ and greenhouse gases. EGR rate has shown trade-off characteristics between $NO_x$ and PM.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.254-269
• /
• 2017

The work describes an assessment of the major air pollutants, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, CO, $O_3$, $NH_3$, coarse and fine particulate matter ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$) in ambient air in and around a 3 million tonne Petroleum Refinery and the possible impacts on a pristine area marked by the presence of the world-famous Kajiranga National Park, a world heritage site and habitat for the most number of one-horned rhinos in the world. The Refinery is at an aerial distance of 20-25 km from the wildlife habitat. The assessment is based on regular monitoring at four stations around the Refinery and one station near the National Park. Heavy rains during June to August influence the pollutant concentrations while at other times of the year, large traffic volume adds to the pollutant concentrations that peak during November to March, the dry months of the year. Correlation analysis by scatter technique is utilised to obtain the enhancement ratios to predict the variations in the concentrations of the pollutants and their spatial distribution. Computation of air quality index (AQI) indicates that the coarse and the fine particulates in the ambient air could be a major hazard to wildlife in the area.

• Advances in environmental research
• /
• 제1권1호
• /
• pp.69-82
• /
• 2012

Based on the measurement data of the particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to a nominal 10 ${\mu}m$ (PM10) by the ${\beta}$-ray absorption method (BAM) equipped with an inlet heater and the gravimetric method (GMM) at two coastal sites in Korea, the optimal inlet heater temperature was estimated. By using a gas/particle equilibrium model, Simulating Composition of Atmospheric Particles at Equilibrium 2 (SCAPE2), water content in aerosols was estimated with varying temperature to find the optimal temperature increase to make the PM10 concentration by BAM comparable to that by GMM. It was estimated that the heated air temperature inside the BAM should be increased up to $35{\sim}45^{\circ}C$ at both sites. At this temperature range, evaporation of volatile aerosol components was minor. Similar ($30{\sim}50^{\circ}C$) temperature range was also obtained from the calculation based on the absolute humidity which changed with ambient absolute humidity and chemical composition of hygroscopic species.