• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.13-26
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• 2020

This study analyzed whether the diffusion of new and renewable energy contributed to mitigating emissions of various air pollutants, including particulate matter, using panel econometric models. The theoretical foundation of such econometric models is based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, which assumes an inverted U-shaped relation between national income and environmental pollution, as originally proposed by Grossman and Krueger. We examined whether there are inverted U-, U-shaped, or N-shaped relations between national income and air pollution. We demonstrate that increases in new and renewable energy significantly mitigated emissions of CO, NO_X, and PM2.5. Additionally, we included NO_X, SO_X, PM10, and VOCs as secondary emission sources of PM2.5 and found that emission of PM10 resulted in the highest PM2.5 emissions, followed by NO_X and SO_X emissions. The impact of new and renewable energy on air pollution varied across regions. Increase of new and renewable energy in the Honam region significantly mitigated CO, NO_X, and TSP emissions, while that in the Youngnam and metropolitan areas did not significantly mitigate air pollution overall. There was a U-shaped relationship between air pollution and national income for CO, NO_X, PM2.5, and SO_X, while an inverted N-shape was observed for PM10.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.265-274
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• 2018

Objectives: A positive association between air pollution and both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported in some epidemiologic and animal studies, but little research has evaluated the relationship between air pollution and diabetic coma. Diabetic coma is an acute complication of DM caused by diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, which is characterized by extreme hyperglycemia accompanied by coma. We conducted a time-series study with a generalized additive model using a distributed-lag non-linear model to assess the association between ambient air pollution (particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter, nitrogen dioxide [$NO_2$], sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone) and emergency department (ED) visits for DM with coma in Seoul, Korea from 2005 to 2009. Methods: The ED data and medical records from the 3 years previous to each diabetic coma event were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to examine the relationship with air pollutants. Results: Overall, the adjusted relative risks (RRs) for an interquartile range (IQR) increment of $NO_2$ was statistically significant at lag 1 (RR, 1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.039 to 1.219) in a single-lag model and both lag 0-1 (RR, 1.120; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.219) and lag 0-3 (RR, 1.092; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.186) in a cumulative-lag model. In a subgroup analysis, significant positive RRs were found for females for per-IQR increments of $NO_2$ at cumulative lag 0-3 (RR, 1.149; 95% CI, 1.022 to 1.291). Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that ambient air pollution, specifically $NO_2$, is associated with ED visits for diabetic coma.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 1979

In order to investigate air pollution by heavy metals in Seoul city, the suspended particulates in the atmosphere were sampled with high volume air sampler in industrial area(Ku Ro Dong), commerical(Kwang Hwa Moon) and residential(Shin Chon Dong) from January to November, 1977. The sampled suspended particulates were digested and extracted from suspended particulates with the acidic solution by reflux-extraction technique, and were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. And mercury was measured by mercury analyzer applying the reducing sublimation technique. Among heavy metals analyzed, the iron was identified at the highest level in the suspended particulates and the chromium was the least. Through the surveyed area, the concentration of heavy metals of the industrial area was comparatively high among others and the commercial was the second. It was detected that lead was the most concentrated in the suspended particulate of the commercial area, that might be caused of the traffic emissions. The seasonal variations were analyzed and the correlations among heavy metals and total suspended particulate were also calculated. Especially, the iron was highly correlated with total suspended particulate in all the surveyed areas.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2010

The current study was designed to scientifically evaluate the atmospheric particulate pollution in residences relative to their proximity to a Korean major iron/metal industrial complex (IMIC). This objective was achieved by measuring the concentrations and elemental composition of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters equal to or less than 10 ${\mu}m$(PM10) in industrial ambient air from IMIC and residential ambient air with relative proximities to IMIC. The trace metals were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The industrial mean values exceeded the Korean year/70-${\mu}g/m^3$ standard for PM10, whereas the residential mean values did not. However, the maximum residential values did exceed or were close to the Korean PM10 year standard. For individual elements, the ambient concentrations ranged widely from values in the order of a few $ng/m^3$ to thousands of $ng/m^3$. The residential mean mass concentrations in the PM10 measured in the present study were higher than or similar to those reported in earlier studies. This study suggests that residents in neighborhoods near the IMIC are exposedto elevated particulate levels compared to residents living further away from such a source.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.327-338
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• 2014

The objective of this study is to enhance the effectiveness of Korean Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program. Three main tasks are: to measure pollutant emissions of in-use light-duty diesel vehicles (LDVs); to evaluate the validity of existing smoke control scheme for low-smoke-emitting vehicles, which have diesel particulate filters, DPF, to meet stringent Euro-5 emission limits; and to assess the necessity and the benefit of $NO_x$ inspection, which is not involved in current I/M program. We measured second-by-second smoke, particulate and gaseous emissions of 27 LDVs using opacity smoke meter, photo-acoustic soot sensor, and portable emissions measurement system, respectively, under the Korean I/M test driving cycle, KD-147. We find that the DPF plays a key role in controlling soot, which can be considered as black carbon contained in particulate matter. Thus, from an I/M perspective, we believe smoke inspection strategies for Euro-5 diesel vehicles should be more focused on the capability of detecting DPF malfunctions or failures, in order to keep DPF properly functional. Fleet averaged distance-specific $NO_x$ emissions are consistently higher than corresponding emission limits, and the values are similar among pre-Euro-3, Euro-3, and Euro-4 vehicle fleets. These findings indicate that the $NO_x$ inspection should be incorporated into current I/M program in order to manage urban $NO_x$ emissions. This research allows the Korean I/M program keep pace with developments in vehicle technologies, as well as the increased emphasis on $NO_x$ with respect to air quality and human health.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.373-375
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.351-353
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.273-274
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.512-514
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.188-190
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• 2008