• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.223-236
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• 2016

On-road source emissions are major air pollutants and have been associated with serious health effects in Seoul metropolis. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to have an accurate assessment of vehicle emissions in order to implement an effective air quality management policy. As a result, there is a need to overview vehicle emission characteristics of air pollutants. This article discusses vehicle exhaust sampling and chemical analysis, emission characteristics of air pollutants, and emission regulations from passenger cars. The vehicle exhaust sampling and chemical analysis methods were described in particulate matter and gaseous compounds. In this article, chassis dynamometer, measurement instrumentation for nano-particulate matter and carbon compounds analysis device were described. For the gasoline and diesel vehicles, the effective parameters of emissions were average vehicle speed, vehicle mileage and model year. The particle number emissions for diesel nano-particles were sensitive to the sampling conditions. Also, the particle number emissions with a diesel particle filter (DPF) largely reduced rather than those without it. This article also describes different emission characteristics of air pollutants according to biodiesel or bioethanol mixing ratio. The Korean emission standards for passenger cars were compared with those of the US and EU. Finally, the objective is to give an overview of relevant background information on emission characteristics of air pollutants from passenger cars in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2022

Environmental exposure to air pollution is known to have adverse effects on various organs. Air pollution has greater effects on the pulmonary system as the lungs are directly exposed to contaminants in the air. Here, we review the associations of air pollution with the development, morbidity, and mortality of pulmonary diseases. Short-and long-term exposure to air pollution have been shown to increase mortality risk even at concentrations below the current national guidelines. Ambient air pollution has been shown to be associated with lung cancer. Particularly long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) has been reported to be associated with lung cancer even at low concentrations. In addition, exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase the incidence risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been correlated with exacerbation and mortality of COPD. Air pollution has also been linked to exacerbation, mortality, and development of asthma. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) has been demonstrated to be related to increased mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, air pollution increases the incidence of infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. Furthermore, emerging evidence supports a link between air pollution and coronavirus disease 2019 transmission, susceptibility, severity and mortality. In conclusion, the stringency of air quality guidelines should be increased and further therapeutic trials are required in patients at high risk of adverse health effects of air pollution.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.130-139
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• 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.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2021

This study aimed to determine the applicability of drones and air quality sensors in environmental monitoring of air pollutant emissions by developing and testing two new methods. The first method used orthoimagery for precise monitoring of pollutant-emitting facilities. The second method used atmospheric sensors for monitoring air pollutants in emissions. Results showed that ground sample distance could be established within 5 cm during the creation of orthoimagery for monitoring emissions, which allowed for detailed examination of facilities with naked eyes. For air quality monitoring, drones were flown on a fixed course and measured the air quality in point units, thus enabling mapping of air quality through spatial analysis. Sensors that could measure various substances were used during this process. Data on particulate matter were compared with data from the National Air Pollution Measurement Network to determine its future potential to leverage. However, technical development and applications for environmental monitoring of pollution-emitting facilities are still in their early stages. They could be limited by meteorological conditions and sensitivity of the sensor technology. This research is expected to provide guidelines for environmental monitoring of pollutant-emitting facilities using drones.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.220-228
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• 2017

Since the fine particulate matters occurred from mainly combustion in industry and road transport effect to human respiratory health, the interest and importance are getting increased. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component ($PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$) of air pollution most closely associated with increased cancer incidence, especially cancer of the lung. Therefore, many researches have been studied in the quantification and data development of fine particulate matters. Currently, the Ministry of Environment and cities/regions are developing the fine particulate matter data and air emission information. Particularly just $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ data is used in the fine particulate matters warning and alert. The data of NOx, SOx, $NH_3$, which have the particulate matter formation potential are not well considered. Also, the researches related with particulate matter formation potential and respiratory effects by industrial sectors and cities/regions are not conducted well. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate and calculate particulate matter formation potential and respiratory effects in 11 industrial sectors and cities using NOx, SOx, $PM_{10}$, $NH_3$ data (developed by Ministry of Environment and National Institute of Environmental Research) in 2001 and 2013. The results of this study will be provided the particulate matter formation potential and respiratory effects and will be used for future the fine particulate matter researches.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 2000

A total of 318 particulate sample sets consisting of both fine PM(FPM : dp$\leq$2.5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) and coarse PM(CPM : 2.5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) was collected by a dichotomous sampler in Suwon area from December 1996 to November 1997. The concentration of seven inorganic elements such as pb. Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn Fe and Na were determined from each sample using an AAS. The purpose of the study was to extensively investigate environmental behaviors of particulate matters and to provide air quality management schemes applying various statistical approaches. The mean concentrations of PM10 Results of correlation analyses indicated the existence of strong correlations among inorganic elements PM10 FPM CPM and various meterological variables. Our study also examined the degree of uncertainties whether the particular elements can be assorted into the accumulation mode or the coarse mode in their size distribution. Furthermore the analysis of the pollution rose showed graphically the direction of potential sources of particulate matters. According to statistical analyses of our data quantitative differences appeared in the pollution patterns between weekdays and weekends.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.93-98
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• 2020

This study examined the particulate removal performance of three different types of air filters inside a heat exchanger. Of interest was the ability of each filter type in reducing the transmission of outdoor particulate matter of PM10 from entering an apartment while the heat exchanger was in operation. The study tested one commonly used medium filter (E11 grade) and two HEPA filters (H13 grade) of different thicknesses. Two different concentrations of particulate matter were used in the experiment to address different ambient air quality conditions in Korea, 32.75 ㎍/㎥ and 67.26 ㎍/㎥. Study results indicated that under the particulate matter concentration of 32.75 ㎍/㎥, all three filters were capable of removing more than 95% of the fine dust. However at a particulate matter concentration of 67.26 ㎍/㎥, the medium E11 grade filter was only able to remove about 90% of the particulates whereas the HEPA H13 grade filters were able to remove 95% or more of the particulates. The thicker HEPA filter (40T) was also more effective in removing particulates than the thinner HEPA filter (20T) by about 1.6 to 3 percentage points. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that HEPA filters of 20T thickness or greater be used during the high air pollution seasons of winter and spring in Korea while medium filters can be used during the other seasons to reduce outdoor air pollution transmission indoors.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.151-169
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• 2015

Objectives: The deleterious effects of air pollution on various health outcomes have been demonstrated. However, few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on liver enzyme levels. Methods: Blood samples were drawn up to three times between 2008 and 2010 from 545 elderly individuals who regularly visited a community welfare center in Seoul, Korea. Data regarding ambient air pollutants (particulate matter ${\leq}2.5{\mu}m$ [$PM_{2.5}$], nitrogen dioxide [$NO_2$], ozone [$O_3$], carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) from monitoring stations were used to estimate air pollution exposure. The effects of the air pollutants on the concentrations of three liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase [${\gamma}$-GTP)]) were evaluated using generalized additive and linear mixed models. Results: Interquartile range increases in the concentrations of the pollutants showed significant associations of $PM_{2.5}$ with AST (3.0% increase, p=0.0052), ALT (3.2% increase, p=0.0313), and ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.0% increase, p=0.0051) levels; $NO_2$ with AST (3.5% increase, p=0.0060) and ALT (3.8% increase, p=0.0179) levels; and $O_3$ with ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.3% increase, p=0.0324) levels. Significant modification of these effects by exercise and alcohol consumption was found (p for interaction <0.05). The effects of air pollutants were greater in non-exercisers and heavy drinkers. Conclusions: Short-term exposure to air pollutants such as $PM_{2.5}$, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ is associated with increased liver enzyme levels in the elderly. These adverse effects can be reduced by exercising regularly and abstinence from alcohol.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.416-426
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• 2019

Objectives: In recent years, transboundary air pollution from mainland East Asia has led to growing concerns about air pollution in Japan. Air pollution is reportedly associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. In this study, we assessed the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and the health status of participants with and without chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: Participants (n=2753) with and without chronic respiratory diseases who visited healthcare facilities in Japan during February from 2010 to 2015 filled out a self-report questionnaire regarding their symptoms and perceived health status. Participants were followed up during April-May and June-July. Results: Oxidant concentrations were associated with respiratory symptoms, overall health, and quality of life (QoL). Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate matter <$2.5{\mu}m$ levels were associated with physical fitness; SPM was also associated with QoL. Recent experience of an Asian sand dust event had a significant effect on allergic symptoms, change in health, and QoL. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were more strongly affected by oxidants than by other pollutants. Significant associations of air pollutants were found with a comprehensive range of items related to perceived health status, including overall health and QoL. Although the effects of air pollutants on respiratory symptoms and health status were more apparent among patients with respiratory diseases, the adverse effects of air pollutants were significant even among participants without such conditions.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.115-120
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• 2002

This study was performed on a questionnaire survey of 500 people about their awareness for indoor air pollution, and measured efficiency of air cleaner which can remove the CO and air-borne particulate of ETS(Environmental Tobacco Smoke) in air clean chamber. The room-size cleaner for measuring indoor air contaminants has been applied to evaluation of two different air cleaner such as the mechanic air cleaner with hepafilter(HPA) and the electrostatic air cleaner with metal plate. The measuring experiment was carried out in a chamber by sampling the air. The results obtained were as follows; As respondents are having their 90% of daytime indoors a day, and 38% of them can feel indoor air pollutions degrees directly by their sense of smell, For the installation of indoor pollution control equipment, 34% of all respondents installed air cleaner because of the problem of economical charge and almost respondents was not satisfied the trust of ability purified indoor air pollutants. In the experimental results, it was found that more than 95% of CD and air-borne particulate of ETS were removed within 20 minutes. The reaction kinetics of removal pollutants was verified as the pseudo-first order, Finally, it appeared that the room-sire air cleaner can be applied to new technology for removing indoor air contaminants.