• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.712-720
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of rat corneal-derived epithelial cells as an in vitro model to evaluate the harmfulness of the cornea caused by particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5). To establish an experimental model for the effect of PM_2.5 on corneal epithelial cells, it was confirmed that primary cultured cells isolated from rat eyes were corneal epithelial cells through pan-cytokeratin staining. Our results showed that PM_2.5 treatment reduced cell viability of primary rat corneal epithelial (RCE) cells, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. PM_2.5 treatment also increased the generation of reactive oxygen species due to mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines was increased in PM_2.5-treated RCE cells. Furthermore, through heatmap analysis showing various expression profiling between PM_2.5-exposed and unexposed RCE cells, we proposed five genes, including BLNK, IL-1RA, Itga2b, ABCb1a and Ptgs2, as potential targets for clinical treatment of PM-related ocular diseases. These findings indicate that the primary RCE cell line is a useful in vitro model system for the study of PM_2.5-mediated pathological mechanisms and that PM2.5-induced oxidative and inflammatory responses are key factors in PM2.5-induced ocular surface disorders.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.27-40
• /
• 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 Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.1 s.94
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2007

Diesel PM can be controlled using Diesel Particulate Filter, which can effectively reduce the level of soot emissions to ambient background levels. In the Heavy Duty Diesel area, the Continuously Regeneration trap has been widely applied in the retrofit market. As the Special act for the improvement of air quality in the capital area, the retrofit program for DPF to used diesel vehicle has progressed favorably and there are currently over 1,000 of these DPF in use in retrofit applications in korea. These DPF comprise a specially formulated Diesel Oxidation Catalyst upstream of a DPF. The $NO_2$ generated by the DOC is used to combust the carbon collected in the DPF at low temperature. To certificate DPF device that is suitable to domestic circumstances, it is necessary to evaluate exactly the DPF devices according to the regulation of DPF certificate test procedure for retrofit(ministry of environment(MOE) announcement NO. 2005-16). To do so the understand of that regulation like the standard of PM reduction rate is needed. In this study the test procedure including test cycle and BPT test condition was examined and also the test result for specific DPF was analyzed. In every test like field test, PM reduction efficiency test and seoul-10 mode test, no defect could be showed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2020

Adverse impact of Particulate Matters(PM10, PM2.5; PMs) significantly affects daily lives. Major countermeasures for reducing concentration of PMs were focused on emission source without considering spatial difference of PMs concentration. Thus, this study analyzed spatial·temporal distribution of PMs with observation data as well as potential contributing factors on PMs concentration. The annual average concentration of PMs have been decreased while the particulate matter warnings and alerts were significantly increased in 2018. The average concentration of PMs in spring and winter was higher than the other seasons. Also, the spatial distribution of PMs were also showed seasonality while concentration of PMs were higher in Seoul-metropolitan areas in all seasons. Climate variables, emission source, spatial structure and potential PM sinks were selected major factors which could affects on ambient concentrations of PMs. This paper suggest that countermeasures for mitigating PM concentration should consider characteristics of area. Climatic variables(temperature, pressure, wind speed etc.) affects concentrations of PMs. The effects of spatial structure of cities(terrain, ventilation corridor) and biological sinks(green infrastructure, urban forests) on concentration of PMs should be analyzed in further studies. Also, seasonality of PMs concentration should be considered for establishing effective countermeasures to reduce ambient PMs concentration.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.244-254
• /
• 2018

Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is subject to high levels of atmospheric pollution during winter, which severely threatens the health of the population. By analyzing surface meteorological data, ground-based LIDAR data, and radiosonde data collected from 2008 to 2016, we studied seasonal variations in particulate matter (PM) concentration, visibility, relative humidity, temperature inversion layer thickness, and temperature inversion intensity. PM concentrations started to exceed the 24-h average standard ($50{\mu}g/m^3$) in mid-October and peaked from December to January. Visibility showed a significant negative correlation with PM concentration. Relative humidity was within the range of 60-80% when there were high PM concentrations. Both temperature inversion layer thickness and intensity reached maxima in January and showed similar seasonal variations with respect to PM concentration. The monthly average temperature inversion intensity showed a strong positive correlation with the monthly average $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Furthermore, the temperature inversion layer thickness exceeded 500 m in midwinter and overlaid the weak mixed layer during daytime. Radiative cooling enhanced by the basin-like terrain led to a stable urban atmosphere, which strengthened particulate air pollution.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.637-646
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of particulate matter (PM) reduction under different characteristics of leaves in 18 different species of indoor plants. Methods: First, a particular amount of PM was added to the glass chambers (0.9×0.86×1.3 m) containing the indoor plant (height = 40 ± 20 cm), and the PM concentration were measured at 2-hour intervals. The experiment with the same conditions was conducted in the empty chamber as the control plot. Results: The range of PM reduction per unit leaf area of 18 species of experimental plants was 3.3-286.2 ㎍·m^-2 leaf, total leaf area was 1,123-4,270 cm², and leaf thickness was 0.14-0.80 mm and leaf size 2.27-234.47 cm². As time passed, the concentration of PM decreased more in the chamber with plants than in the empty chamber. Among the 18 indoor plants, the ones with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 in 2 hours and 4 hours of exposure to PM2.5 were Pachira aquatica and Dieffenbachia amoena. As the exposure time of PM increased, the efficiency of reducing PM2.5 was higher in plants with medium-sized leaves than plants with large or small leaves. The effect of reducing PM2.5 was higher in linear leaves than round or lobed leaves. Plants with high total leaf area did not have advantage in reducing PM because the leaves were relatively small and there were many overlapping parts between leaves. In the correlation between leaf characteristics and PM 2.5 reductions, all leaf area and leaf thickness showed a negative and leaf size showed a positive correlation with PM reduction. Conclusion: The PM reduction effect of plants with medium-sized leaves and long linear leaves was relatively high. Moreover, plants with a large total leaf area without overlapping leaves will have advantaged in reducing PM. Plants are effective in reducing PM, and leaf characteristics are an important factor that affects PM reduction.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.423-433
• /
• 2018

Particulate matter air pollution is a serious problem affecting human health and visibility. The variations in $PM_{10}$ concentrations are influenced by not only local emission sources, but also atmospheric circulation conditions. In this study, we investigate the temporal features of $PM_{10}$ concentrations in South Korea and the atmospheric circulation patterns associated with high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$ during winter (December-January-February) 2001-2016. Based on those analyses, a Korea Particulate matter Index (KPI) is developed to represent the large-scale atmospheric pattern associated with high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$. The atmospheric patterns are characterized by persistent high-pressure anomalies, weakened lower-level north-westerly anomalies, and northward shift of the upper-level meridional wind anomalies near the Korean Peninsula. To evaluate the change in occurrence of high concentration episodes of $PM_{10}$ under a possible future warmer climate, we apply KPI analysis to CMIP5 climate simulations. Here, historical and two representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) are used. It is found that the occurrence of atmospheric conditions favorable for high $PM_{10}$ concentration episodes tends to increase over South Korea in response to climate change. This suggests that large-scale atmospheric circulation changes under future warmer climate can contribute to increasing high $PM_{10}$ concentration episodes in South Korea.

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

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.521-523
• /
• 2008

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 2010.04a
• /
• pp.383-385
• /
• 2010