• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.56-61
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• 2017

This study investigated the feasibility of a statistical approach for soil recycling through the prediction of BaP, DahA and total PAH (${\Sigma}PAH$) concentrations from BaA concentration. As results of regression, excellent linear correlations ($R^2$ > 0.90) were observed between BaA and BaP (or DahA) concentrations. When a developed prediction equation was applied to other investigations as a validation study, good prediction results were obtained. The predictive model showed very good correlation between the measured and calculated BaP. From this equation, BaA was an apparently important hydrocarbon for the prediction of PAHs. This model might provide a potentially useful tool for the calculation of average BaP, DahA and ${\Sigma}PAH$ without additional tests.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2008

Objectives : Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and toluene have been reported to induce reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. This study was performed to investigate the effects of low level exposure to PAHs or toluene on the lipid peroxidation level in elementary school children and the elderly in a rural area. Methods : Forty seven elementary school children and 40 elderly people who were living in a rural area and not occupationally exposed to PAH or toluene were the subjects of this study. Information about active or passive smoking and diet was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. The urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), 2-naphthol, hippuric acid and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were measured, and these values were corrected with the urinary creatinine concentration. Results : In school children, the geometric means of the urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol, hippuric acid and TBARS levels were $0.02\;{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, $0.47\;{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, 0.14 g/g creatinine and $0.95\;{\mu}mol/g$ creatinine, respectively. Those values for the elderly were $0.07{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, $1.87{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, 0.11 g/g creatinine and $1.18\;{\mu}mol/g$ creatinine, respectively. The mean levels of urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol and TBARS were significantly higher in the elderly subjects than in the children. The urinary TBARS level was not correlated with the urinary 1-OHP, 2-naphthol and hippuric acid, but they were correlated with the age of the subjects. Conclusions : These results suggest that low level inhalation exposure to PAH or toluene does not markedly increase lipid peroxidation, and age is a significant determinant of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.50-60
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• 2022

The concentration levels and distribution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated and evaluated for total 100 soil samples as a part of the survey on soil contamination in Gwangju. The results (median and range) of T-PAHs (sum of 16 PAH concentrations), C-PAHs (sum of carcinogenic PAH concentrations) and T-TEQs (sum of 16 TEQ concentrations) were 20.8 (7.6~1158.1), 2.2 (N.D~509.6), and 0.3 (N.D~424.6) ㎍/kg, respectively. There was a positive correlation between C-PAHs/T-PAHs and T-TEQs/T-PAHs except one point where the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene was high. The ratios of the C-PAHs/T-PAHs were 31.7% for low molecular weight-PAHs and 68.3% for high molecular weight-PAHs, suggesting that PAHs generation mainly arose from combustion sources. The ratio of isomers of individual PAHs, Phe/Ant, Flu/Pyr, Ant/(Ant+Phe), Flu/(Flu+Pyr), and BaA/(BaA+Chr), also confirmed the predominance of PAHs from combustion activities. Statistical tracing of the source of PAHs through principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of combustion were automobile fuel and coal. The overall results of this study suggested HMW-PAHs, T-PAHs, C-PAHs and T-TEQs should be separately evaluated to better assess the toxicity and environmental behavior of individual PAHs.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2005

A phenanthrene-degrading bacterium HS362, which is capable of using phenanthrene as a sole carbon and energy source, was isolated from oil contaminated soil. This strain is a gram negative, rod shaped organism that is most closely related to Sphingomonas paucimobilis based on biochemical tests, and belongs to the genus Sphingomonas based on fatty acids analysis. It exhibited more than $99.2{\%}$ nucleotide sequence similarity of 16S rDNA to that of Sphingomonas CF06. Thus, we named this strain as Sphingomonas sp. HS362. It degraded $98{\%}$ of phenanthrene after 10 days of incubation when phenanthrene was added at 500 ppm and $30{\%}$ even when phenanthrene was added at 3000 ppm. Sphingomonas sp. HS362 could also degrade low molecular weight PAHs(Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) such as indole and naphthalene, but was unable to degrade high molecular weight PAHs such as pyrene and fluoranthene. The optimum temperature and pH for phenanthrene degradation were $30^{\circ}C$ and $4{\~}8$, respectively. Sphingomonas sp. HS362 could degrade phenanthrene effectively in the concentration range of NaCl of up to $1{\%}$. Its phenanhrene degrading ability was enhanced by preculture, suggesting the possibility of induction of phenanthrene degrading enzymes. Starch and surfactants such as SDS, Tween 85, and Triton X-100 were also able to enhance phenanthrene degradation by Sphingomonas sp. HS362. It carries five plasmids and one of them, plasmid p4, is considered to be involved in the degradation of phenanthrene according to the plasmid curing experiment by growing at $42^{\circ}C$.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.358-367
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the analytical method for PAH metabolites in human urine using enzyme hydrolysis and solid-phase extraction coupled with LC-(ESI)-MS/MS technique. Methods: We employed HPLC tandem mass spectrometry techniques with appropriate pre-treatment for analysis of 16 OH-PAHs in human urine. Samples were hydrolysis by ${\beta}$-flucuronidase/Aryl sulfatase, and target compounds were extracted by solid-phase extraction with a strata-x cartridge. Cross-validation was performed between Eulji University and Green Cross laboratories with 200 human urine samples. Results: The accuracies were between 90.3% and 118.8%, and precisions (relative standard deviations) were lower than 10%. The linearity obtained was satisfying for the 16 OH-PAH compounds, with a coefficient of determination ($r^2$) higher than 0.99. The results of cross-validation at the two organizations were compared by ICC (interclass correlation coefficient) values. The cross-validation results were excellent or good for all compounds. Conclusion: An analytical method was validated for low nanogram levels of 16 OH-PAHs in human urine. Also, satisfying results were obtained for method validation such as accuracy, precision and ICC of cross-validation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.541-549
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• 2013

Objectives: We analyzed the characteristics of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in road tunnels in Seoul. Methods: Particle matter ($PM_{10}$), elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and 16 species of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two road tunnels (NS tunnel and HJ tunnel) were sampled and analyzed from 2007 to 2011. Results: Levels of $PM_{10}$ and carbon ingredients which were mainly emitted from diesel-fueled vehicles showed a declining tendency in both road tunnels. PAHs levels in HJ were declining slightly while PAHs levels in the NS tunnel fluctuated considerably and showed an increasing tendency. Conclusions: These results suggested that the abatement project of diesel vehicle emissions by the Seoul metropolitan government from 2007 has had an impact on the reduction of DVE into the air, though there exist many things to consider for analyses.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2012

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), butyltins (BTs), nonylphenol (NP), and fecal sterols concentrations in sediments were investigated from Gunsan coast of Korea to evaluate organic pollution from anthropogenic activities. Sediment toxicity was also examined by bacterial bioluminescence toxicity test (Vibrio fischeri). The concentrations of 16 PAHs in sediments ranged from 67.9 to 425 ng/g dry wt; BTs ranged from 2.79 to 14.1 ng Sn/g dry wt; NP ranged from 20.7 to 2171 ng/g dry wt; and coprostanol, a fecal sterol, ranged from 7.60 to 245 ng/g dry wt. Effective concentration 50% ($EC_{50}$) of sediments ranged from 0.38 to 23.8 mg/mL. Most of the chemicals were present at levels lower than or comparable to the previously reported values from Korea. However, NP levels in the present study were in the high range of levels reported from the Korean coast, and 40% of the measured samples exceeded screening and ecotoxicological values of NP suggested by the Netherlands and Canada. This suggests that an ongoing source of NP is a serious concern in the Gunsan coast. High levels of contaminants were found in the proximity of potential sources, such as the outfall of a wastewater treatment plant for NP, an anthracite-fired power plant for PAHs, and ports for BTs, fecal sterols, and sediment toxicity. This indicates that Gunsan coast has various potential sources of marine sediment contaminants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.999-1010
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• 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment. They are highly toxigenic and carcinogenic. Probiotic bacteria isolated from fermented foods were tested to check their ability to degrade and/or detoxify PAHs. Five probiotic bacteria with distinct morphologies were isolated from a mixture of 26 fermented foods co-cultured with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) containing Bushnell Haas minimal broth. Among them, B. velezensis (PMC10) significantly reduced the abundance of BaP in the broth. PMC10 completely degraded BaP presented at a lower concentration in broth culture. B. velezensis also showed a clear zone of degradation on a BaP-coated Bushnell Haas agar plate. Gene expression profiling showed significant increases of PAH ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases and 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-monooxygenase genes in B. velezensis in response to BaP treatment. In addtion, both live and heat-killed B. velezensis removed BaP and naphthalene (Nap) from phosphate buffer solution. Live B. velezensis did not show any cytotoxicity to macrophage or human dermal fibroblast cells. Live-cell and cell-free supernatant of B. velezensis showed potential anti-inflammatory effects. Cell-free supernatant and extract of B. velezensis also showed free radical scavenging effects. These results highlight the prospective ability of B. velezensis to biodegrade and remove toxic PAHs from the human body and suggest that the biodegradation of BaP might be regulated by ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase-initiated metabolic pathway.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.210-216
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• 2006

The concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (US EPA standard) were analyzed in the surface sediments obtained from 23 sampling sites near Kwangyang Bay in Korea. There was a local variability in the total PAHs ranged from 0.01 to 171.39 mg/kg, with a mean value of $8.13{\pm}24.8mg/kg$. The major pollution sources of PAHs near Kwanyang Bay were Taeindo, Sueo stream and Wallae stream, whose concentrations were 114.81, 38.37 mg/kg and 19.05 mg/kg, respectively. It showed that PAHs concentrations were increased with the decrease of particle size and with the increase of organic carbon contents in three fractioned sediments. From the analysis of PAHs source using LMW/HMW, Phe/Ant, and Fla/Pyr, pyrolysis by-products were mostly showed in Kwangyang Bay and some place showed the mixure of pyrolysis by-products, and crude oil by-products. Besides, the toxic effects assessment on benthic ecosystem for three major pollution sources showed that the PAHs concentration of Taindo which was mainly accumulated with carcinogenic PAHs exceeds ERM value and the PAHs of Sueo and Wallae streams are the degree of ERL value.