• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2010

The Seoul metropolitan government has installed soundproofing walls in road tunnels to improve the tunnel environment for pedestrians. To evaluate the efficiency of these soundproofing walls, we measured noise levels and concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and ultrafine particles (UFP) in tunnels with or without these walls. Although noise and UFP levels were significantly lower in the tunnels with soundproofing walls, $PM_{2.5}$ levels were significantly higher: but were significantly lowered by use of a ventilation system. When $PM_{2.5}$ and noise levels were simultaneously measured in a tunnel with soundproofing wall, noise level was significantly reduced but $PM_{2.5}$ level was significantly higher. It is concluded that the soundproofing wall can protect pedestrians from noise, but not PM. Installation of a ventilation system is recommended for protection of pedestrians in tunnels with soundproofing walls.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.77-83
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• 2014

As the interest on the air pollution is gradually risen up at home and abroad, their vehicle emission regulations have been reinforcing by steps. PM regulation was also reinforced 4times for the last 13years and has been applied to SI vehicles after EURO 5. Additionally, knowing that small particles of PM can easily penetrate deep into lungs PM number was added on the regulation from EURO5+ and is applied to CI vehicles. Also, PN regulation is going to be applied to SI vehicles. But, because the regulation is appled to only a general test mode of each countries that is performed at $25{\pm}5^{\circ}C$, it is unclear whether the regulation can work on the other ambient temperature conditions or not. In this paper, to know that exhaust emission characteristics at the special conditions CI vehicles(CRDi w, w/o DPF) were tested using 5-cycle mode, NEDC mode at 5-ambient temperatures (35, 25, 0, -7 and -15) and the exhaust emission test results were discussed. The results show that the vehicle with DPF emits much low PM(and PM number) on all of the test mode. However, NOx of the other mode was emitted higher than regulation mode. Also. NOx was sharply increased according to decreasing Ambient Temperature.

• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.104-115
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• 2022

Fine Dust in Korea has been classified as a social disaster since 2019 due to continuous increase in concentration of Particulate Matter 10(PM 10) and PM 2.5. The fine dust issue has negative physical and mental impacts, especially on vulnerable population including children and the elderly. Seoul metropolitan government have installed fine dust shelters since 2019. However, there is a lack of research that evaluates spatiotemporal distribution of these facilities. Therefore, the first aim of this study is to find the relationship between PM levels and dust scattering construction sites, or air pollutant emission sites through in depth spatial analyses. The second purpose is to analyze the spatial distribution of PM shelters in Seoul, and to evaluate the location efficiency of them. Kernel density, krigging, and network analyses were conducted, and floating population was considered instead of census data for this research. The reults of network analysis based on the road system showed that Yangcheon-gu, Songpa-gu, Seongbuk-gu, and Dobong-gu were found to need additional fine dust shelters. Also, the results from analyzing the floating population that includes children and the elderly showed that Songpa-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Gangdong-gu, Seocho-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu need more placements of find dust shelters. The results of this study are expected to provide implications for urban planners to enhance find dust shelter placement in urban areas, and vulnerable population issues would be considered in many ways.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.243-257
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution characteristics, source identification, and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in particulate matter 10 (PM-10), in Gwangju. PM-10 samples were collected from September 2021 to August 2022 from three sampling sites, one located in each of the following areas: green, residential, and industrial. The average concentrations of PAHs were found to be higher in the industrial area (9.75±6.51 ng/㎥) than in the green (6.90±2.41 ng/㎥) and residential (6.74±2.38 ng/㎥) areas. Throughout the year and across all sites, five-ring PAHs accounted for the largest proportion (29.8-34.5%) of all PAHs. The concentrations of PAHs showed distinct seasonal variations, with the highest concentration observed in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer. Source apportionment analyses were performed using diagnostic ratios and principal component analyses, which indicated that coal/biomass combustion and vehicle emissions were the primary sources of PAHs in PM-10. The incremental lifetime cancer risk was estimated for all age groups at all sampling sites, and the results revealed a much lower risk level than the standard acceptable risk level (1×10^-6).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess indoor air quality within and around buildings and evaluate the health risks associated with exposure to indoor air pollution. The study compares IAQ standards established by the World Health Organization with those set by South Korea's Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education. Methods: The study utilized an Anderson Sampler and DustTrak^TM II to collect samples of total airborne bacteria and PM in indoor and outdoor environments. Collected samples were analyzed using biological and biochemical methods. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS to examine the correlation between airborne bacteria and PM. Results: The study revealed that the concentration of total airborne bacteria in indoor air generally remained below the Ministry of Environment's standard of 800 CFU/m³, although it surpassed this threshold in certain instances. PM concentrations did not exceed the standards. Indoor fine dust concentration was higher when there were people (P<0.05). There was no difference in total floating bacterial concentrations between indoor and outdoor environments (P=0.184). Finally, there was a correlation between fine dust and airborne bacteria concentrations. Conclusion: The study evaluated the concentrations of total airborne bacteria and PM in indoor air, emphasizing the importance of managing IAQ. Further research in various environments is essential to ensure a healthy indoor environment. The findings underscore the need for ongoing research and management to enhance IAQ and create safer and healthier living environments.

• Atmosphere
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.233-255
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• 2024

This study analyzed the distribution of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Version 3 Level 2.0 data, spanning over two decades, across South Korea and its six administrative regions (Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, and Jeju). The research assessed long-term trends in aerosol optical depth (AOD) and mass concentration of particulate matter (i.e., PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), using data from the AERONET direct sun product and AirKorea, respectively. Additionally, eight aerosol types were identified using the scattering Ångström exponent and absorption Ångström exponent from the AERONET inversion product. The study further explored their domestic and regional distributions. Findings indicated that AERONET data were predominantly concentrated in the western regions of South Korea, including the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Jeolla, with a higher frequency of data in spring, thus demonstrating spatial and temporal heterogeneity. The annual average AOD exhibited a declining trend of -0.006 yr^-1. Similarly, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 mass concentrations decreased by -1.324 ㎍ m^-3 yr^-1 and -1.335 ㎍ m^-3 yr^-1, respectively. These trends in AOD and PM₁₀ (PM_2.5) demonstrated positive correlations, with correlation coefficients of 0.674 (0.753) and statistically significant low p-values of 0.00058 (0.03), respectively. The analysis also revealed that aerosols in South Korea predominantly consisted of black carbon (BC) or BC-mixed types (84.09%), with a notable presence of smaller, less absorbent aerosol types (13.11%).

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2009

Cooled EGR system is an effective method for the reduction of $NO_x$ emission and PM emission from a diesel engine. Proper choice of wavy cooling fins and gas tubes is a key factor of cooled EGR system. As a part of solutions for energy crisis and environmental problems, hybrid vehicles mounted with diesel engines are under development globally. This study investigates the cooled EGR systems for hybrid diesel engine with the specifications of both optimized wavy cooling fins and improved shape of structure to verify the heat exchange efficiency, outlet temperature and gas pressure drop of cooler by means of numerical analyses and rig performance tests. The output of this study will be applied to a 2.0L hybrid diesel engine which is being developed for domestic and overseas market.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.482-492
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• 2015

Ground-based measurements were conducted from January 6 to 12 of 2015 for understanding characteristics of nitrogen containing carbonaceous aerosols as 16 amino acids at the Mokpo National University, Korea. The detailed amino acid components such as Cystine ($(SCH_2CH(NH_2)CO_2H)_2$) and Methionine ($C_5H_{11}NO_2S$) and their sources were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD) for behavior of secondary products in particulate matter. In addition, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) based on the carbonaceous thermal distribution (CTD), which provides detailed carbon signature characteristics relative to analytical temperature, and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) by total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer were used to understand the carbon compound behaviors. The backward trajectories were discussed for originations of carbonaceous aerosols as well. Different airmasses were classified with the amino acids and OC thermal signatures. The results can provide to understand the aging process influenced by the long-range transport from East Sea area.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.599-610
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• 2011

Emission of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), hydrocarbons (HC), $SO_2$, and particulate matter (PM) and $CO_2$ from ship during 2009 in Busan port was estimated based on activity-based method. The significant fraction (> 50%) of ship emission resulted from container and general cargo ships. Emission at port operation mode was the most dominant compared to at sea and maneuvering modes. Emission at North port was the largest source of air pollutants among ports. The magnitudes of air pollutants $NO_x$, $SO_2$, HC, $CO_2$, and PM in Busan port were $8.7{\times}10^3$, $8.23{\times}10^3$, $0.35{\times}10^3$, $4.86{\times}10^6$, and $0.67{\times}10^3$ ton/yr, respectively. The ratio of $NO_x$ to VOC is about 25. Our ship emission estimate is 2 times higher than that in CAPSS emission inventory.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.373-377
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• 2005

The work of hairdressers includes washing, coloring, bleaching, permanent waving, conditioning, and cutting hair. Hairdressers are subjected to a number of physical and toxicological hazards. The toxicological hazards are those resulting from exposure to a wide range of chemicals and from chemicals are usually classified active processes. In this study, twenty beauty shops were selected to assess the exposure to indoor air pollutants such as VOCS and particulate matter($PM_{10}$) during one month from September 1 to September 30, 2003. Indoor air quality of beauty shops might be worse by vehicle emissions because the beauty shops were generally located near roadways. Personal exposures to VOCs and PM lo were related to indoor concentrations of beauty shops. According to the questionnaire, hairdressers complained of sore throat, eye irritation, and nervousness as physical symptoms. Conclusively, customers as well as workers in the beauty shops might be highly exposed to air pollutants from indoor sources and outdoor sources. Therefore, proper management methods should be taken to improve the indoor air quality in beauty shops.