• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.5 s.81
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• pp.487-492
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• 2004

Building materials are composed of very complex chemical compounds, and these indoor building materials discharge very much Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs). We performed the environmental chamber test to investigate the Total VOCs(TVOCs) emission characteristics and emission factors about chemical and natural coating materials. As the result, we concluded that TVOCs emission are high at initial time and decreased in course of time. Natural paint was low emission level for TVOCs than chemical paint by small chamber test. The TVOCs emission factor-time profile showed a good fit with the results from the measured and predicted value.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.114-121
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentrations of volatile organic compounds at elementary, middle, and high schools in Ulsan and its surroundings. Methods: To assess the hazardous chemicals of the 66 classrooms in the 22 schools, the 6 volatile organic compounds such as TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and stylene were measured and analyzed from the beginning of May to the end of December, 2009. Results: The mean concentrations of TVOCs in the elementary schools were higher than those of middle and high schools, and multi-purpose classrooms was higher than that in general ones. The benzene and toluene level in schools in Dong-Gu in the vicinity of assorted industrial complexes was higher than that of schools located in other districts around the Ulsan Metropolitan Area. Conclusion: In case of schools in Ulsan Metropolitan Area, elementary school, schools in Dong-Gu, and multipurpose classrooms over general classrooms should be given a high priority for the management of volatile organic compounds.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.203-204
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• 2004

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2009

We proposed the new nano-carbon ball (NCB) materials for eliminating the total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) from the felt which is built in the car. The concentrations of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde of the original felts were varied upon the different production lots. Acetaldehyde in the felt can be eliminated to target level($0.2{\mu}g$) after introducing 0.5 wt% of NCB into the felt. Detector tube method for analyzing formaldehyde gas was more accurate than HPLC method. Formaldehyde can be eliminated to target level (64 ppb) after introducing 0.5 wt% of NCB into the felt. We also found that TVOC can be reduced to target level ($0.32{\mu}g$) after introducing 2.0 wt% of NCB. Upon introducing small amounts of NCB into the felt, it was possible that the level of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and TVOC formed from the felts can be reduced to the target level. We also suggest the effective analyzing method of TVOCs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

High-tech microelectronics industry is known as one of the most chemical-intensive industries. In Korea, Microelectronics industry occupied 38% of export and 16% of working employees work in microelectronics industry. But, chemical information and health hazards of high-tech microelectronics manufacturing are poorly understood because of rapid development and its penchant for secrecy. We need to investigate on chemical use and exposure control. We Site-visits to 6 high-tech microelectronics manufacturing company which have cleanroom work using over 1,000kg organic solvents (5 semi-conductor chips and its related parts company, 1 liquid crystal display (LCD)). We reviewed their data on chemical use and ventilation system, and measured TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) and carbon dioxide concentration. All cleanroom air passed through hepa filters to acheive low particle levels and only 1 cleanroom uses carbon filters to minimize the organic solvents exposures In TVOC screening test, Cleanroom for semi-conductor chips and its related parts company with laminar down flow system (e.g. class 1~100) showed nondetectable level of TVOCs concentration, but Cleanroom for liquid crystal display (LCD) with conventional flow system (e.g. class 1,000~10,000) showed 327 ppm as TVOCs. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for Jig cleaning, LC Injection, Sealing processes were 18.488ppm (n=14), 49.762 ppm (n=15), 8.656 ppm (n=14) as arithmetric mean. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for LCD inspection process was 40ppm (n=55) as geometric mean, where the range was 7.8~128.7ppm and weakly correlated with ventilation rate efficiency(r=0.44, p<0.05). To control organic solvents in cleanrooms, chemical and carbon filters should be installed with hepa filters. Even though their volatile organic compounds concentration was not exceed to occupational exposure limits, considering of entrance limited cleanroom environment, long-term period exposure effects and adverse health effects of cleanroom worker need further reseach.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.979-983
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• 2005

Indoor air quality has been addressed as an important atmospheric environmental issue and has caught attention of the public in recent years in Korea. Good indoor air quality in classrooms favour student's learning ability, teacher and staff's productivity according to other studies. In this study, each classroom at four different schools was chosen for comparison of indoor and outdoor air quality by means of source generation types such as new constructed classroom, using of cleaning agents and purchased furniture. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), carbon dioxide $(CO_2)$, formaldehyde (HCHO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and particulate matter with diameter less than $10{\mu}m\;(PM_{10})$ were monitored at indoor and outdoor locations during lesson. HCHO was found to be the worst among parameters measured in new constructed classroom, HCHO and TVOCs was worst in classroom with new purchased furniture, and TVOCs was worst in classroom cleaned by cleaning agents, Indoor $(CO_2)$ concentrations often exceeded 1500 ppm indicating importance of ventilation. Active activity of students during break time made the $PM_{10}$ concentration higher than a lesson, Improvements and further researches should be carried out considering indoor air quality at schools is of special concern since children and students are susceptible to poor air quality.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.18-25
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of newly-built school classroom indoor air on the neurobehavioral functions of students. The elementary schools that were opened in September 2008(as of September 2008) was selected for newly-built school and the elementary school that were opened in March 2006 was selected for control group schools. The concentration of formaldehyde(HCHO), a hazardous organic compound that exists in the air of classrooms, exceeded the standard value of $108.2{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools while it was $60.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in control group schools, which is around 60% of the standard concentration. However, the concentration of the total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) was $788.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $756.1{\mu}g/m^3$ in newly-built schools and control group schools respectively, which are approximately two times higher than the standard concentration. In newly-built schools, the mean reaction time of additions and symbol digit, respectively 3,020ms and 2,398ms in pre-exposure were increased to 3,167ms and 2,514ms respectively in post-exposure. The difference of mean reaction time between pre and post exposure was 146.8 ms, or 4.6%, and 116.7ms, or 4.8%, respectively, showing statistically-significant increase of reaction time(p<0.05). On the contrary, the difference of reaction time of both tests were not statistically significant in the control group schools. These results showed that the neurobehavioral performance of newly-built schools students were affected by volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde of classroom indoor air.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.200-210
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure to ozone and total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) generated during welding work at a shipyard and recommend respiratory protective equipment(RPE) adequate against these hazards. Method: Ozone was collected for about 30 minutes at two-minutes intervals using a direct reading instrument, specifically an ozone analyzer(Serinus 10, Ecotech, Australia). TVOCs were collected for about 30 minutes at three-minute intervals using a portable GC (Alpha 115, Synspec BV, the Netherlands), and were determined simultaneously by area sampling at the welding plume closest to the welder's breathing zone. The total measurements were 162 for ozone($CO_2$ welding 47, TIG 60, stick 55), and 136 for TVOCs($CO_2$ 65, TIG 50, stick 21). Based on these measurements, a literature survey was conducted to assess the adequacy of RPE. Results: Relative to Korean OEL, measurements above STEL 0.2 ppm were 23.4% for $CO_2$, 63.3% for TIG and 14.5% for stick welding. There were significant differences(p=<0.0001) among welding types. Compared with ACGIH peak exposure of 0.4 ppm for ozone, which is not applied in Korea, $CO_2$ welding exceeded it by 10.6%, TIG by 40.0% and stick by 7.3%. Although it was not feasible to compare them directly since there are no Korean OEL, TVOCs had very high levels similar to the concentrations before moving into a new apartment and about 10-20 times the indoor air quality recommendations for some individual measurements. Conclusions: As ozone removal RPE has been recommended in welding environments for a long time(Lunau, 1967), this fact was demonstrated based on the results of the on-site work environment measurements(ozone and TVOCs). In conclusion, for all welding at a shipyard, gas/vapor and particulate combination RPE are recommended. If this is not possible, it should at least be present for TIG welding.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Background: Construction painters have not been studied well in terms of their hazards exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) for painters in the construction industry. Methods: Activity-specific personal air samplings were carried out in three waterproofing activities [polyurethane (PU), asphalt, and cement mortar] and three painting activities (epoxy, oil based, and water based) by using organic-vapor-monitor passive-sampling devices. Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector could be used for identifying and quantifying individual organic chemicals. The levels of TVOCs, by summing up 15 targeted substances, were expressed in exposure-index (EI) values. Results: As arithmetic means in the order of concentration levels, the EIs of TVOCs in waterproofing works were 10.77, 2.42, 1.78, 1.68, 0.47, 0.07, and none detected (ND) for indoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-resin task, indoor PU-resin task, asphalt-primer task, asphalt-adhesive task, and cement-mortar task, respectively. The highest EI for painting works was 5.61 for indoor epoxyprimer task, followed by indoor epoxy-resin task (2.03), outdoor oil-based-spray-paint task (1.65), outdoor water-based-paint task (0.66), and indoor oil-based-paint task (0.15). Assuming that the operations were carried out continuously for 8 hours without breaks and by using the arithmetic means of EIs for each of the 12 tasks in this study, 58.3% (7 out of 12) exceeded the exposure limit of 100% (EI > 1.0), while 8.3% (1 out of 12) was in 50e100% of exposure limit (0.5 > EI > 1.0), and 4 tasks out of 12 were located in less than 50% of the limit range (EI < 0.5). Conclusion: From this study, we recognized that construction painters are exposed to various solvents, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and the levels of TVOC concentration in many of the painting tasks exceeded the exposure limits. Construction workers need to be protected from chemical agents during their painting works by using personal protective devices and/or work practice measures. Additional studies should focus on the exposure assessment of other hazards for construction workers, in order to identify high-risk tasks and to improve hazardous work environments.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.65-70
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• 2015

This research examines the removal efficiency of benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) by flowing VOCs, which are generated at a petrochemical complex in the Ulsan area, in a sliding arc plasma (SAP) reactor. The SAP reactor process is composed of 5 steps and the analysis was conducted using a BTX detector and TVOC measuring instrument. The removal efficiency of BTX was better at high concentration than at low concentration and the emitted TVOC concentration increased in later steps of the reactor. In addition, the removal efficiency improved, as the flow velocity increased. The maximum permissible concentration of TVOCs in the first step was about 481 ppm and showed over 94.83% efficiency when it was operated in the 2nd step at concentrations beyond 481 ppm. Therefore, there are many factors for improving the removal efficiency of SAP reactors at low concentration and measures should be prepared according to the application method for the various types of industrial reactors.