• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2013

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis is the most popular pollinosis in Japan. It has been reported that Cryptomeria japonica pollen allergenic species are suspended as fine particles in the urban atmosphere. These allergenic fine particles are responsible for inducing asthma by breaking into the lower respiratory tract. It has also been found that pollinosis symptoms on the sufferers appear mainly at night-time by the results from epidemiological studies. However, the exact reason for these phenomena is not yet clarified. In this study, the diurnal and nocturnal behaviours of Cryptomeria japonica pollen grains and their allergenic species in the urban area of Saitama city of Kanto Plain were investigated. Airborne pollen grains and allergenic Cry j 1 concentrations in total suspended particulate matter (TSP) were investigated at two sampling sites, a heavy traffic road (roadside site) and at the balcony of the $10^{th}$ floor of the Building of Research and Project of Saitama University (general urban site). The latter sampling site where located about 300 m away from the roadside site was used as a general urban site unaffected by automobile traffic. The airborne pollen counts were measured with a real-time pollen monitor. Cry j 1 particles were collected with two high volume air samplers, and these concentrations were measured by surface plasmon resonance method with a Biacore J system. The diurnal variation of the airborne pollen counts was similar to the trends of temperature and wind speed during the day-time; whereas its tendency with wind speed trend was not observed during the night-time. Airborne pollen counts were lower with northern wind than with southern wind because the pollen comes from the mountainous areas, and the mountains in the south are closer, about half the distance to the northern mountains. It is suggested that the peaks of airborne pollen counts during night-time in the sampling site occurred by transport of pollen grains released during day-time in the mountainous forest areas, located c.a. 100 km away from the sampling site. On the roadside site the allergenic Cry j 1 concentrations were higher than at the general urban site, nevertheless pollen grains counts were lower. These results suggested that worsening of pollinosis symptoms during night-time in urban area was caused by transport of pollen grains during day-time in the mountainous forest areas. Moreover, pollen allergenic species become different morphology from pollen grain at roadside site, and the subsequent pollen grains re-suspension by automobile traffic.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2002

Objective : To estimate the burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to the total suspended particulates (TSP) and sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) in Korea using the YLD (years lived with disability) measurement. Methods : Congestive heart failure(CHF) and myocardial infarction (MI) were chosen as the main cardiovascular diseases whose causes are attributable to the TSP and $SO_2$ levels. In order to calculate the YLD (years lived with a disability), the following parameters in the formula were estimated. : the incidence rate, the case fatality rate, The expected duration of a disability and the average age of onset were estimated. The expected duration of a disability and the average age of onset were calculated using the DISMOD method, as developed by the GBD researchers. The burden of cardiovascular disease due to TSP and $SO_2$ was estimated using the number of years that the patient lived with a disability. Results : The VLD of the CHF due to the TSP and $SO_2$ was attributed to the TSP (94.4 person-year) and $SO_2$ levels (35.0 person-year). The YLD of the ME due to the TSP and $SO_2$ was attributed to the TSP (148.4 person-year) and $SO_2$ levels(27.6 person-year). Conclusion : The YLD method employed in this study was appropriate for quantifying the burden of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it would provide a rational basis for planning a national health policy regarding the disease burden of the risk factors in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2001

The relationship between SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) and fungal spore in the air was investigated in Seosan, a rural county of Korea, in spring of 2000. SPM concentrations in the air were $199.8\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$, in the 1st Yellow Sand Period (March, 23-24), $249.4\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the 2nd Yellow Sand Period (April, 7-9) and $98.9\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the Non Yellow Sand Period (May, 12-16), respectively. Although there was somewhat difference in total SPM concentration between the two Yellow Sand Periods, majority of the total SPM were composed of $5\mu{m}$ sized coarse particles over the two periods. However, fine particles sized about $1\mu{m}$and coarse particles sized about $5-6\mu{m}$ ultimately showed peaks, which was within typical bimodal pattern at the graph of SPM size distribution in the Non Yellow Sand Period. Four mold genera grown from airborne fungal spores were finally identified in full-grown colonies at the SPM samples during the Yellow Sand Periods. These genera were Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Basipetospora.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.34-40
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation of PAHs and to estimate their source characteristics in Taegu area. To do this, four sampling sites were selected to represent an industrial, a traffic, a traffic & residential, and a residential area in Taegu. Total of 72 samples had been collected from January, 1999 to September, 1999 on glass micro fiber filters by high volume air sampler. The PAHs in the total suspended particulate were extracted by a soxhlet process with dichloromethane and analyzed by GC/MSD, GC/FID. A statistical analysis was performed for the PAHs data set using a principal component analysis to derive important factor inherent in the interactions among the variables. The specific conclusions of this research are: 1) There was a significant seasonal and local variation in the atmospheric concentration of PAHs. The seasonal variation is winter>spring>Fall>summer, and the local variation is industrial>traffic>graffic & residential>residential area. 2) To evaluate the correlation between a measured PAHs and other affecting factors such as air pollutant concentration and meterological data, statistical analysis was performed. PAHs and other affecting factors such as air pollutant concentration and meterological data, statistical analysis was performed. PAHs have negative correlation with temperature (r=-0.593, p<0.05), radiation(r=-0.535, p<0.05), and O3(r=-0.719, p<0.05), but have positive correlation with NO(r=0.615, p<0.05) 3)Finally, multivariate analysis was performed for the PAHs dat set to identify and to estimate the source contributions of PAHs. According to results of statistical analysis, it could be identifies as three factors such as vehicular/gasoline, vehicular/diesel, and combustion in Taegu area.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-37
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• 2011

The ionic compositions of atmospheric aerosols were investigated and characterized in coastal and mountainous sites of Jeju Island, which were Gosan and Mt. Halla-1100 sites respectively. It was found that the concentrations of nss-$SO_4^{2-}$ (non-sea salt sulfate) and $NH_4^+$ at two measurement sites were almost similar and they showed high concentrations in June at the same time. The concentration of soil-originated nss-$Ca^{2+}$ (non-sea salt calcium) was generally associated with that of anthropogenic $NO_3^-$ and its concentration was increased during spring season. From the comparison of time-series variation and regression analysis of ionic species between two measurement sites, TSP (total suspended particulate) in Gosan site was directly influenced by sea salt particles and the concentration levels of nss-$SO_4^{2-}$, $NH_4^+$, nss-$Ca^{2+}$, $K^+$, and $NO_3^-$ were mainly related with long-range transported air pollutants rather than local pollution sources.

• Proceedings of the Korean Sanitation Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.54-65
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• 2004

Use of aluminum salts as coagulants In water treatment may lead to increased concentrations of aluminum in finished water. Aluminum is a suspected causative agent of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to examine variation and minimizing in residual aluminum concentration during water treatment process. The aluminum sources at Bokjeong Water Plant were present naturally aluminum in the raw water and derived due to use of PACS as a coagulant. Much of the raw water total aluminum were in particulate and suspended aluminum. In this study was compared the optimize condition to minimize the concentration of residual aluminum using Jar-test with the various coagulants such as alum, PAC, PACS. The results indicated that PACS was more effective than alum, PAC and insufficient or excessive alum, PAC, PACS addition led to increase residual aluminum. Adjustment raw water pH $6.5\~7.0$ before coagulation using PACS was capable of minimizing total and dissolved aluminum. Thus it is important that the optimal dosage of coagulant and the optimal pH adjustment before coagulation can decided to minimize the concentration of residual aluminum in treated water.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate exposure level, size distribution, and respirable mass fraction of airborne coal dust and heavy metal concentration of respirable coal dust at each work site in coal briquet factory from July 1991 to September 1991. Geometric mean of total dust concentration was 10.88mg/m$^{3}$ at storage shop, 8.22mg/m$^{3}$ at pulverize shop, and 3.79mg/m$^{3}$ at rotary press shop, respectively, but those at storage and pulverize shop were higher than TLV. Geometric mean of respirable coal dust concentration wat 1.03mg/m$^{3}$ at storage shop, 0.78mg/m$^{3}$ at pulverize shop, and 0.55mg/m$^{3}$ at rotary press shop, respectively, which were lower than TLV Aerodynamic 50% cutoff diameter of the suspended coal dust was 5$\mu$m at rotary press shop and 6.8$\mu$m at storage shop, ranged to thoracic particulate defined by ACGIH, and deposited in the region of repiratory system. The mass fraction rate of respirable dust to the total coal dust was 26.2% at rotary press shop, 18.8% at storage shop, and 13.8% at pulverize shop, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations of the respirable coal dust were 0.028mg/m$^{3}$ ib Fe, 0.0081mg/m$^{3}$ in Cu, and 0.0039mg/m$^{3}$ in Pb.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2000

The mass fraction of PM10 had a bimodal distribution in the middle of between 2.1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and the average mass fraction of particles less than 2.1~3.1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ was 54.1% for Pb and 890.8 ng/㎥ for Fe, respectively. For the concentration of PM10 and metallic elements by seasonal variation, PM10 showed bimodal distribution, while metallic elements showed different distributions by their sources. The ratios of fine particles to total mass were 0.45 for PM10, 0.41 for Cr, and 0.20 for Fe, 0.57 for Zn, 0.68 for Cd and 0.63 for Pb, respectively. That facts indicated that PM10, Zn, Cd, Cr and Pb were from anthropogenic sources, and Fe was from natural source. The geometric means and geometric standard deviations by seasonal variations were 3.6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ , 2.31 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in winter, 3.0 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ , 2.49 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in spring, 2.7 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ , 2.03 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in summer respectively. And, total efficiency of cascade impactor by seasonal variations were 49.6% in winter, 45.9% in spring and 44.5% in summer.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2011

Several MODIS AQUA products have been compared with shipboard data to assess the possibility of using remote sensing to estimate particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration in the surface waters of the East Sea. A total of 30 POC profiles obtained in spring and summer seasons of the years of 2006~2010 were compared with remote sensing reflectance at various wavelengths and diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm observed by MODIS AQUA. The algorithm thus established was $POC=266.85^*[R_{rs}(488)/R_{rs}(555)]^{-1.447}$ ($R^2=0.924$) with root mean square error of 20.9 mg $m^{-3}$. Remotely sensed POC contents derived using our algorithm appeared also not to be affected by the presence of non-POC component in suspended particulate matter. Therefore this algorithm could be applied to obtain POC concentration over the East Sea using MODIS Aqua observation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2005

Background : Airborne particles during Yellow Sand phenomena are known to be associated with the respiratory disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration and metal component properties of Yellow Sand particles and compare with airborne microbial concentration and species in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Methods : Samplings were carried out in 2002 in Seosan, during non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Samples were taken using the 8-stage Cascade impactor and metallic elements were analyzed by XRF. Those were culture on the media for bacterial and fungal culture and celline for virus. Results : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter were respectively $80.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $40.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. The concentration of metallic elements such as Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. Two bacteria, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus were grown in two periods. In both periods, several fungal spores(Mucor species, Cladosporum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria species) were identified. The differences of bacteria and fungus species not observed in Yellow Sand and non Yellow Sand. Any viruses were not isolated in between both periods. Conclusions : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter and some metallic elements in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. The difference of bacteria and fungus species was not observed in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena.