• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.743-753
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• 2014

The number concentrations and the water soluble ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ have measured at Gosan site in Jeju, Korea, from March 2010 to December 2010, to clarify their characteristics. $PM_{2.5}$ number concentrations vary from 22.57 to $975.65particles/cm^3$ with an average value of $240.41particles/cm^3$, which have been recorded evidently high in spring season as compared with those in other season. And the concentrations in small size ranges are greatly higher than those in large size ranges, so the number concentration in the size range $0.25{\sim}0.45{\mu}m$ has more than 94% of the total number concentration of $PM_{2.5}$. The major ionic components in $PM_{2.5}$ are $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NH_4{^+}$ and $NO_3{^-}$, which are mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, on the other hand, the concentrations of $Cl^-$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ are recorded relatively lower levels. The concentrations of the major ionic components are very high in spring season, but the concentration levels of the other components are recorded significantly high in winter season. On the other hand, in summer season, the lowest concentration levels are observed for overall components as well as the sum of them. The concentration ratios of nss-$SO{_4}^{2-}/SO{_4}^{2-}$ and nss-$Ca^{2+}/Ca^{2+}$ are 98.1% and 88.9%. And the concentration ratio of $SO{_4}^{2-}/NO_3{^-}$(3.64) is greatly higher than the value in urban area due to no large $NO_x$ emission sources in the measurement. In addition, the correlation and the factor analysis for the number and the ionic concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ are performed to identify their sources. From the Pearson correlation analysis and the factor analysis, it can be suggested that the smaller parts(< $0.5{\mu}m$) of $PM_{2.5}$ is contributed by anthropogenic sources, but the sources of the remaining larger parts of $PM_{2.5}$ are not able to be specified sources in this study.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.727-736
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• 2016

The ambient mass concentration and chemical composition of the $PM_{2.5}$ were determined at the highland site with 1,100 m above sea level on Jeju Island from June 2013 to November 2014. Yearly averaged mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was $11.97{\pm}8.63{\mu}g/m^3$. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were highest during the spring, while they tended to be lowest during the summer. Eight water soluble ionic species attributed 45.5% to $PM_{2.5}$ mass. $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ were major ions, which occupied to 27.9%, 3.7% and 12.3%, respectively. The greatest contributors to total mass concentration of water-soluble ions contained in $PM_{2.5}$ were sulfate, ammonium and nitrate. These three ions accounted for 96.6% in total ions mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$. We could infer that these three secondary ions exist mostly in the form of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and $NH_4NO_3$. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$ had a good relationship and with r=0.9. The molar ratio of $Mg^{2+}/Ca^{2+}$ in this study was lower than the value observed in sea water and higher than that in soil dust, indicating that these two ions originated from other sources rather than ocean and soil dust in this study.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2018

Objectives: We investigated whether asthma attacks in asthmatic children were caused by short-term exposure to particulate $matter(PM)_{2.5}$. Methods: Subjects were 411 patients who received inhalation therapy in National Fukuoka Hospital, from March to May 2013. All subjects were outpatients. We surveyed the air quality measurement results in the stations closest to the address of the patients. Data were used from the City of Fukuoka website data on air pollution. We carried out a case-crossover study and compared $PM_{2.5}$ concentration between 7 days after asthma attack occurred and the day asthma attack occurred and 1, 2 and 3 days before asthma attack occurred. Results: Highest hourly concentration of the day (OR 1.013, 95%CI 1.000-1.025) showed a significant association with 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration statistically. And 0-1 year-old infants were more vulnerable to the highest concentration of 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration(P < 0.05). Average concentration of $NO_2$ and $O_3$ and asthma attack also showed a significant association. Conclusions: Maximal daily $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations within 24 hours prior to the attack affect asthma exacerbation. 0-1 year-old infants are particularly vulnerable to $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Asthma exacerbation is aggravated by $NO_2$ and $O_3$ concentration on the day of the asthma attack.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2019

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Seoul area by predicting unhealthy days due to PM2.5 and comparing the regional differences. Methods: The extreme value theory is adopted to model and compare the PM2.5 concentration in each region, and each best model is selected through the goodness of fitness test. The maximum likelihood estimation technique is applied to estimate the parameters of each distribution, and the fitness of each model is measured by the mean absolute deviation. The selected model is used to estimate the number of unhealthy days (above $75{\mu}g/m^3$ PM2.5 concentrations) in each region, with which the actual number of unhealthy days are compared. In addition, the level of PM2.5 concentration in each region is analyzed by calculating the return levels for periods of 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. Results: The Mapo (MP) area revealed the most unhealthy days, followed by Gwanak (GW) and Yangcheon (YC). On the contrary, the number of unhealthy days was low in Seodaemun (SDM), Songpa (SP) and Gangbuk (GB) areas. The return level of PM2.5 was high in Gangnam (GN), Dongjak (DJ) and YC. It will be necessary to prepare for PM2.5 than other regions. On the contrary, Gangbuk (GB), Nowon (NW) and Seodaemun (SDM) showed relatively low return levels for PM2.5. However, in most of the regions of Seoul, PM25 is generated at a very poor level ($75{\mu}g/m^3$) every 6months period, and more than $100{\mu}g/m^3$ PM2.5 occur every 3 years period. Most areas in Seoul require more systematic management of PM2.5. Conclusion: In this paper, accurate prediction and analysis of high concentration of PM2.5 were attempted. The results of this research could provide the basis for the Seoul Metropolitan Government to establish policies for reducing PM2.5 and measuring its effects.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.465-474
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• 2021

This research investigated the characteristics of fine particle concentration and ionic elements of PM_2.5 during sea breeze occurrences during summertime in Busan. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations of summertime sea breeze occurrence days in Busan were 46.5 ㎍/m³ and 34.9 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations of summertime non-sea breeze occurrence days in Busan were 25.3 ㎍/m³ and 14.3 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios of sea breeze occurrence days and non-sea breeze occurrence days were 0.74 and 0.55, respectively. The SO₄^2-, NH₄⁺, and NO₃^- concentrations in PM_2.5 of sea breeze occurrence days were 9.20 ㎍/m³, 4.26 ㎍/m³, and 3.18 ㎍/m³ respectively. The sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) and nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) of sea breeze occurrence days were 0.33 and 0.05, respectively. These results indicated that understanding the fine particle concentration and ionic elements of PM_2.5 during sea breeze summertime conditions can provide insights useful for establishing a control strategy of urban air quality.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.565-575
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• 2005

The characteristics for the aerosol number distribution was studied during spring, 2004 in Incheon. Optical Particle Counter (OPC, HIAC/ROYCO 5230) was used in order to measure the number concentration of aerosol in the range of $0.3\~25{\mu}m.$. The obtained results were compared with $PM_{2.5}\;and\;PM_{10}$ data during Asian dust events. The results show that the size resolved aerosol number concentration from OPC measurement has a similar tendency with $PM_{10}\;and\;PM_{2.5}$ mass concentration. During Asian dust periods, the number concentrations in large particle $(CH5\~CH8)$ increase more than small particles which diameter is less than $2.23{\mu}m(CH5)$ and the same results were shown when $PM_{10}$ was compared with $PM_{2.5}$ data compared with non-dust days, Consequently, this study shows that size resolved aerosol number concentration from OPC measurement can be used as a useful tool in comparison of mass concentration data.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.348-356
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• 2012

It is very important to investigate air pollutants and emissions emitted from open burning in order to control nonpoint sources effectively. In this study, we utilized incineration simulator proposed by U.S. EPA and investigated concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 from woods and household wastes burning to calculate emission factors and build emission inventories. The results of experiment with 15 kg of woods and 3 kg of household wastes using the incineration simulator were as follows: in case of woods burning, TSP concentration was $66.4mg/m^3$, PM10 concentration was $28.4mg/m^3$, PM2.5 concentration was $17.9mg/m^3$, respectively; in case of household wastes burning, TSP concentration was $118.4mg/m^3$, PM10 concentration was $66.8mg/m^3$, PM2.5 concentration was $55.2mg/m^3$, respectively. Concentrations from household burning, as stated above, were higher than those from woods burning. Emission factors (EFs) for woods and household wastes burning were calculated as 2.45 and 6.75 g/kg for TSP, 0.86 and 5.45 g/kg for PM10, 0.78 and 4.81 g/kg for PM2.5, respectively. EFs of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 calculated from household wastes burning were higher than those of woods burning. When we added PM emissions from woods burning and household wastes burning to Korean National Emission Inventory named as Clean Air Policy Support System (CAPSS), CAPSS annual emissions of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 were increased by 0.08~0.26% (An increase rate for TSP, PM10, PM2.5 were 0.08~0.10%, 0.16~0.20% and 0.18~0.26%, respectively). Note that we assumed that the 1% of household wastes is emitted by open burning.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2024

Background: Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in residential houses can be affected by various factors depending on the season. This is because not only do the climate characteristics depend on the season, but the activity patterns of occupants are also different. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare factors affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in apartments and detached houses in Daegu according to seasonal changes. Methods: This study included 20 households in Daegu, South Korea. The study was conducted during the summer (from July 10 to August 10, 2023) and the autumn (from September 11 to October 9, 2023). A sensor-based instrument for PM_2.5 levels was installed in the living room of each residence, and measurements were taken continuously for 24 hours at intervals of one minute during the measurement period. Based on the air quality monitoring system data in Daegu, outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated using ordinary kriging (OK) in Python. In addition, the indoor activities of the occupants were investigated using a time-activity pattern diary. The affecting factors of indoor PM_2.5 concentration were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations of the residences during summer were 15.27±11.09 ㎍/m³ and 11.52±7.56 ㎍/m³, respectively. Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during autumn were 13.82±9.61 ㎍/m³ and 9.57±5.50 ㎍/m³, respectively. The PM_2.5 concentrations were higher in summer compared to autumn both indoors and outdoors. The primary factor affecting indoor PM_2.5 concentration in summer was occupant activity. On the other hand, during the autumn season, the primary affecting factor was outdoor PM_2.5 concentration. Conclusions: Indoor PM_2.5 concentration in residential houses is affected by occupant activity such as the inflow of outdoor PM_2.5 concentration, cooking, and cleaning, as found in previous studies. However, it was revealed that there were differences depending on the season.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.503-513
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• 2022

This research investigated the effect of the eruption of Japan Sakurajima volcano on the concentration of ultrafine particle when the north Pacific high pressure exists in the Busan in summer. As a result of analyzing the forward trajectory using the HYSPLIT model, the air parcel from Sakurajima volcano passed through the sea in front of Busan at 1500 LST on July 17, 24 hours after the volcanic eruption. As a result of analyzing the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations in the Busan for two days from July 16 to 17, 2018, the Sakurajima eruption in Japan, it can be seen that there was a high increase in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations compared to the previous day. As a result of analyzing the backward trajectory, the air mass that reached Busan at 1300 LST on July 17, 2018 has moved near the Sakurajima volcano at 1,500 m, 2,000 m, and 3,000 m. The concentration of SO₄^2- in PM_2.5, the concentration of all three stations in Busan showed a sharp increase from 1000 LST on July 17th. Looking at the NH₄⁺ concentration in PM_2.5, it shows a very similar variation trend to SO₄^2-, and the correlation coefficient between the two components is 0.96 for Jangrimdong and Yeonsandong, and 0.85 for Busan New Port. Looking at the NO₃^- concentration in PM_2.5, the same high concentrations as SO₄² and NH₄⁺ were not observed in the afternoon of July 17th.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.276-284
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the effects of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 on hospital visits in the Incheon area over the period of 2016-2018. Methods: We applied correlation analysis and Poisson regression to perform the analysis using cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease data from the National Health Insurance Service and the daily average PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from the Korea Environment Corporation adjusting for time lag. Results: When the daily average PM₁₀ concentration increased by 10 ㎍/㎥, the number of cardiovascular disease patients were 1.002 times higher (95% CI [Confidence Interval]; 1.000-1004) in Ganghwa County. As the daily average PM_2.5 concentration increased by 10 ㎍/㎥, the number of cardiovascular disease patients were 1.012 times higher (95% CI; 1.008-1.016) in Ganghwa County. As the daily average PM₁₀ concentration increased by 10 ㎍/㎥, the respiratory disease patients were 1.003 times (95% CI; 1.002-1.004) higher in Gyeyang and Michuhol Counties. As the PM_2.5 concentration increased by 10 ㎍/㎥, the respiratory disease patients were 1.003 times higher (95% CI; 1.002-1.005) in Bupyeong County. Conclusions: In some parts of the Incheon area there was a correlation between the number of patients with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and the concentration of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5.