• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.157-170
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• 1997

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for symptoms associated with sick building syndrome in four office buildings located in Seoul. Information on personal factors, job-related factors, and medical history were collected using self-administered questionnaires modified from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Indoor Air Quality questionnaire in 321 office workers in these buildings. The prevalence of general and irritant symptom groups was higher than the prevalence of dermatologic and respiratory symptom groups. Daily total work time, work time in the office, and work time with video display terminals (VDT) were identified as the risk factors for symptom groups associated with sick building syndrome by multiple linear logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, these results indicated that the symptom prevalence in this study is similar with the results reported from previous studies conducted in other countries and work time and work with VDT are related to sick building syndrome in Korea.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2005

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is recognized as a byproduct of industrialization that took place in the 20th century. The great attention to IAQ has been gained since 1980s, and led to numerous research studies that have mainly made in the developed countries. As the development of residential environment in Korea enters in the process of qualitative growth, IAQ has viewed as one of the core issues in the society, and research in relation to IAQ has been implemented until now in the fields of engineering and medical science. It is widely known that the sources and effects of indoor air pollution have been various, and IAQ research with multidisciplinary approaches is required. Nevertheless, few research embedded into a socio-behavioral approach to identifying interventive measures of residents and analyzing their choices is made. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of an interactive measure of residents in apartments that is air purification with phytoncide available in the market, and to investigate their self-reported effects of the air purifying substance on sick building syndrome symptoms. This study utilizes a field experiment design with pre-test and post-test, and the experiment is conducted in a natural field setting. A total of 87 test subjects from 32 households with already sick building syndrome are drawn via internet, and the participation is solely voluntary. The participants receive and use the air purifying substance, and are asked to use it continuously for two weeks and identify their self-reported symptoms of before- and after-use. The research findings indicate that air purification using phytoncide is effective to alleviate their symptoms in relation to sick building syndrome. Also it is noted that the participants report that the use of the air purification causes the positive impacts on their daily life. Further research is needed that compares the group with only humidifier and evaluates the mid-term and long-term use of the air purification and its effects.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2004

As number of new housing construction has been growing, the increasing number of people experiencing from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is distinct. The purpose of this study is to examine the symptoms reported by residents responses to cope with the syndrome and to investigate their environmental characteristics considered relevant to the syndrome. Respondents were housewives living in apartments and were more likely to stay at home. 170 data were collected by both web-based internet survey and conventional questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the symptom appeared very diverse and composite. The most common symptom was eye irritation. Among diverse coping behaviors, ventilation was most popular.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.99-104
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• 2004

Nowadays the number of people suffering from Sick House Syndrome have been increasing, especially after they move into a new apartment. The symptom varies with people and it develops gradually. It is known that the symptom is caused by chemicals. In spite of many unknown factors related to the symptom, lifestyle and behavioral factors of occupants were possibly. The purpose of this study was to find out the residents' self-reported symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome in new apartment houses. The response could be self-consciousness symptom, health damage and the improvement plan.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.377-381
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to suggest the improvement plan for IAQ of the combined officetel and residence through analyzing demands, satisfaction, subjective symptoms and device of residents. For this study, the data was collected from 110 residents by questionnaire survey and an experienced planner by interview. The result showed that the IAQ improvement of the combined officetel and residence was urgent. The educational program about maintenance of IAQ for residents was essentially needed. To recommend eco-friendly materials in process of construction wasimportant so as to take precaution against ‘sick building syndrome'. It was also necessary to improve on the size and shape of ventilation window.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.185-186
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• 2006

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.259-263
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of self-reported symptoms of workers in office building with HVAC system, and also to provide better workplaces in terms of comfort and health. The methods employed in this study include literature review, field observations, and survey. The self-reported symptoms of workers such as headache, fatigue, itching and dryness regarded as SBS symptoms commonly occur after around 3:00 pm and are relieved after leaving their office buildings. according to results in previous studies, above are possibly related to CO2 concentrations. It is also found work environment factors and the satisfaction on indoor environment are all associated with worker's health. Hopefully, this overview of current work environments concerning the level of satisfaction and health problems of workers would help create healthier indoor environment.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2008

Formaldehyde has been identified as the most prevalent cause of sick building syndrome (SBS), which has become a major social problem, especially in developing urban areas. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms associated with formaldehyde toxicity have been limited, probably because it is difficult to relate the experimental results obtained from in vitro studies to human exposure in vivo. Using polymerase chain reaction-based suppression subtractive hybridization, we recently identified 27 different formaldehyde-inducible genes including platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene (PDGFRA) and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) gene which were increased significantly in both formaldehyde-exposed human trachea cells, 680.Tr, and rat tracheas. To establish a possible relationship between induction of these formaldehyde-inducible genes and symptoms of SBS, we examined expression levels of these genes in peripheral lymphocytes of residents of new apartments. Here, we report that the expression of PDGFRA and MDM2 transcripts was significantly higher in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 15 residents in new buildings than in seven control individuals. Our results suggest that the elevated levels of PDGFRA and MDM2 may be associated with the formaldehyde-induced pathophysiology that is closely related with SBS, and that they deserve evaluation as potential biomarkers for formaldehyde intoxication.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between worker's ophthalmoxerosis symptom and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) variation after planting indoor plants at newly-built office building. Methods: We selected a new office building located in Sejong-si and occupants who work in the Office for study. The indoor air pollutant was investigated according to applying indoor plants. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: There was VOCs' reduction effect according to placing indoor plants because the concentration of VOCs in newly-built government office (Sejong-si) was highly decreased when the indoor plants was placed at the office. The occupants' SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score was gradually decreased in accordance with applying indoor plants. However, SBS symptoms score was increased when the office was not applied indoor plants. There was not statistical significance in workers' dry eye questionnaire results. Conclusions: There was reduction effect of indoor air pollutant in applied indoor plants office. Also, in case of questionnaire results of ophthalmoxerosis and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score were showed positive effect. This study is needed longer-term study because of complements of difference of individual sensitivity and there are some limitations due to field survey research.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.742-747
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• 2008

Formaldehyde(HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds(VOCs) can cause adverse health effects to the building occupants and may contribute to symptoms of 'Sick Building Syndrome'. These chemical contaminants are emitted from furnishings and electronic equipments as well as building materials. The purpose of this study is to measure and analyze VOCs and HCHO emission concentration from furnitures composed of wood materials including various chemicals by the large chamber method. This paper presents experiment results on the emission concentration of TVOCs and HCHO released from furnitures, such as bed, kitchen, sofa and table by a large chamber($24m^3$). The temperature and air humidity in the chamber are controlled to $25{\pm}1{\circ}C$ and $50{\pm}5%$ for this experiment. When the air change rate is $0.5hr^{-1}$, the background concentrations within the large chamber are below $50{\mu}g/m^3$ for TVOC, $5{\mu}g/m^3$ for HCHO and individual VOCs. The study is investigated the characterization of the chemical emission TVOC and HCHO concentrations and unknown VOCs from 6 furnitures.