• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.10 no.1_2
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• pp.21-35
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• 1995

Risk assessment processes, which include processes for the estimation of human cancer potency using animal bioassay data and calculation of human exposure, entail uncertainties. In the exposure assessment process, exposure scenarios with various assumptions could affect the exposure amount and excess cancer risk. We compared risk estimates among various exposure scenarios of vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in tap water. The contaminant concentrations were analyzed from tap water samples in Seoul from 1993 to 1994. The oral and inhalation cancer potencies of the contaminants were estimated using multistage, Weibull, lognormal, and Mantel-Bryan model in TOX-RISK computer software. In the first case, human excess cancer risk was estimated by the US EPA method used to set the MCL(maximum contaminant level). In the second and third case, the risk was estimated for multi-route exposure with and without adopting Monte-Carlo simulation, respectively. In the second case, exposure input parameters and cancer potencies used probability distributions, and in the third case, those values used point estimates(mean, and maximum or 95% upper-bound value). As a result, while the excess cancer risk estimated by US EPA method considering only direct ingestion tended to be underestimated, the risk which was estimated by considering multi-route exposure without Monte-Carlo simulation and then using the maximum or 95% upper-bound value as input parameters tended to be overestimated. In risk assessment for volatile organic compounds, considering multi-route exposure with adopting Monte-Carlo analysis seems to provide the most reasonable estimations.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2012

Rn-222 was used as a natural radioactive isotope tracer to evaluate non-aqueous phase liquid(NAPL) contaminated soil and aquifer. In the case of soil sample, Rn-222 concentration was inversely decreased with diesel concentration in the granite soil sample and it was decreased about 30% at the 13% diesel contaminated soil. For evaluating trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated aquifer, the natural radioisotope Rn-222 was used as naturally occurring partitioning tracer for the approximate localization and semiquantitative assessment of the TCE source zone. Rn-222 was analyzed for the estimation of TCE contamination ranges of the acquifer in the contaminated site at Wonju in Korea.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.72-90
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• 2001

This study was conducted to evaluate desorption efficiencies accuracy and precision by $CS_2$ and thermal desorption method for polar and non-polar organic solvents collected on activated carbon(AC), activated carbon fiber(ACF), carbosieve SIII, materials tested were Methyl alcohol, n-Hexane, Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl cellosolve acetate and six different concentration levels of samples were made. The results were as follows ; 1. Accuracy on kind adsorbent and desorption method was low. In case of $CS_2$ desorption solvent, Overall B and Overall CV on AC and ACF were 43% and 6.63%, respectively. In case of thermal desorption method, accuracy of thermal desorption method appeared higher than solvent desorption method by AC 18.0%, 3.54%, ACF 2.6%, 2.57%, Carbosieve SIII 13.7% and 1.97%, respectively. 2. In the concentration level III, accuracy of thermal desorption method on adsorbent was in order as follow ; ACF > Carbosieve SIII > AC in the methyl alcohol and Carbosieve SIII > ACF > AC in the rest of them all subject material and Concentration levels showed good precision at EPA recommend standard (${\leq}{\;}30%$) 3. DEs by type of organic solvent adsorbent and desorption method are as follows ; In the case that desorption solvent is $CS_2$, DE of Methyl alcohol is AC 47.5%, DE of all materials is ACF about 50%. In the case of thermal desorption method, DE of Methyl alcohol is AC 82.0%, ACF 97.4%, Carbosieve SIII 86.3%. DE of the later case is prominently improved more than one of former. In particular, Except that DE of EGMEA is ACF 88.5%, DE of the rest of it is more than 95% which is recommend standard MDHS 72. With the result of this study, in order to measure various organic solvent occurring from the working environment, in the case of thermal desorption method, we can get the accurate exposure assessment, reduce the cost, and use ACF as thermal desorption sorbent which available with easy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.218-224
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• 2011

This study was conducted to estimate the water quality of agricultural groundwater well located in Buan-gun, Jinan-gun, Sunchang-gun, and Jangsu-gun of Jeollabuk-do. The groundwater samples were collected at 328 sites (Buan-gun: 158, Jansu-gun: 45, Sunchang-gun: 32, Jinan-gun: 93, respectively). We measured 4 kinds of general contaminants (pH, $NO_3-N$, $Cl^-$, and COD) and 10 kinds of specific contaminants (Cd, As, $CN^-$, Hg, phenol, Pb, $Cr^{+6}$, organophosphorus, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene). Generally, the level of general contaminants and specific contaminants in the agricultural groundwater was suitable for water quality standard in all sites for agricultural irrigation water. Exceptionally, chloride concentrations were exceeded water quality standard of agricultural groundwater at some sites in western coast area of Jeollabuk-do. Although water quality standards in agricultural groundwater have been suitable, the water contaminants of agricultural groundwater in western coast area were gradually increased than eastern mountain area.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 1997

The Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD) by potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate is used as a measure of the organic matter content of a sample. Newly proposed $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ analysis method to be list at Korean Official Method was made from analysis and comparison of the experimental process on Japanese Industrial Standard(JIS), American Open Reflux and Closed Reflux Methods. New $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ method had better the qualitative and reproducible COD results than another methods as a result of the tested four times repeatedly by using Lakes water Plant wastewater. The COD data ratio by $KMnO_{4}$ and $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ methods was 2-3, 3, 2-17 and 3-4 times respectively when its data had compared with the lakes water and treated water of domestic and experimental wastewater, and raw wastewater which is generated at the manufacturing process of 6 steps and treated wastewater of chemistry source. Its ratio indicated to 2-4 and 2-3 times respectively on raw wastewater and plant wastewater of Chemistry, rubber and plastic, fiber, metal molding source. Oxidation ratio of benzene and ethyl benzene by $KMnO_{4}$ method was nearly zero, but the oxidation ratio by $K$_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ method was 50%, 70% respectively. Also, Oxidation ratio of phenol by $KMnO_{4}$ and $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ methods was 80%, 100% respectively, and trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were not nearly oxidizd by $KMnO_{4}$ and $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ methods. As the above contents, oxidation ratio and COD results by $KMnO_{4}$ and $K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$ were different from various from various compounds and samples respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.188-191
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• 2003

Sing]e-well-push-pull tests were developed for use in assessing the feasibility of in-situ aerobic cometabolism of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs). The series includes Transport tests, Biostimulation tests, and Activity tests. Transport tests are conducted to evaluate the mobility of solutes used in subsequent tests. These included bromide or chloride (conservative tracers), propane (growth substrate), ethylene, propylene (CAH surrogates), dissolved oxygen (electron acceptor) and nitrate (a minor nutrient). Tests were conducted at an experimental well field of Oregon State University. At this site, extraction phase breakthrough curves for all solutes were similar, indicating apparent conservative transport of the dissolved gases and nitrate prior to biostimulation. Biostimulation tests were conducted to stimulate propane-utilizing activity of indigenous microorganisms and consisted of sequential injections of site groundwater containing dissolved propane and oxygen. Biostimulation was detected by the increase in rates of propane and oxygen utilization after each injection. Activity tests were conducted to quantify rates of substrate utilization and to confirm that CAH-transforming activity had been stimulated. In particular, the transformation of injected CAH surrogates ethylene and propylene to the cometabolic byproducts ethylene oxide and propylene oxide provided evidence that activity of the monooxygenase enzyme system, responsible for aerobic cometabolic transformations of CAHs had been stimulated. Estimated zero-order transformation rates decreased in the order propane > ethylene > propylene. The series of push-pu3l tests developed and field tested in this study should prove useful for conducting rapid, low-cost feasibility assessments for in situ aerobic cometabolism of CAHs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.72-75
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• 2005

본 연구에서는 야외규모 TCE (trichloroethylene) 질량전이역학을 평가하기 위해 TCE의 대수층 내 유입 및 용해상 거동을 고해상도 수치 모사를 실시하였다. 공간적으로 불균질한 대수층 $10{\times}10{\times}10m$ 도메인 내부의 유입된 TCE 분포를 모사하기 위해 본 연구를 통해 개발된 정성적 침투모델(percolation model)이 이용되었다. 이를 기초로 하여 연계되어진 (coupled) 지하수 유동 및 용해상 거동 장기 (long-term) 모사를 실시하였다. 지엽적으로 일어나는 질량전이는 기존 연구를 통하여 발표되어진 실험실규모 연구에 기초하였다. 지하수가 도메인을 지나 흘러나가는 경계면에서 측정되어진 용해상 (aqueous phase) TCE의 질량선속 (mass flux)을 통해 실질 야외규모 질량전이 상수가 계산되었다. 관찰된 바 야외규모 질량전이 상수는 실험실 연구를 통해 측정된 값에 비하여 휠씬 작은 값을 보였으며 이는 지하수 유속 및 TCE의 불균질한 분포에 기인한다. 야외규모 질량전이 상수는 평균 지하수 유속에 직접 비례하는 것으로 관찰되었고 이는 기존 실험실 연구를 통해 알려진 평균 지하수 유속의 0.7승이라는 결과와 대조되는 것이다. 또한 모사를 통해 관찰된 야외규모 질량전이 상수는 상대 TCE 질량의 고갈상수 승에 비례함을 보였다. 이러한 고갈상수는 TCE가 측방으로 퍼지는 현상이 강한 대수층, 즉 저투수성 층의 발달이 양호한 대수층, 에서는 1보다 작은 값을 갖고 그렇지 않은 대수층, 즉 저투수성 층의 발달이 미약한 대수층, 에서는 대체적으로 1보다 높은 값을 갖는 것으로 관측되었다. 이는 DNAPL의 측방 퍼짐이 강한 대수층에서는 용해로 인한 시간에 따른 오염원 부근에서의 농도 감소가 미약하기 때문인 것이며, 그와 반대로 DNAPL의 측방 퍼짐이 약한 대수층에서는 시간이 지남에 따라 용해에 의해 지속적으로 오염원 부근에서의 농도가 감소 또는 소멸함으로 인하여 측정되는 용해상 DNAPL의 질량 선속 역시 계속적으로 감소되는 것으로 밝혀졌다.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.34-43
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• 2010

The fate of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in ground water is highly affected by the distribution and property of the carbonaceous materials (CMs) in subsurface sediments. CMs in soils consist of organic matters (e.g., cellulose, fulvic acid, humic acid, humin, etc.) and black carbon such as char, soot, etc. The distribution and property of CMs are governed by source materials and geological evolution (e.g., diagenesis, catagenesis, etc.) of them. In this study, the distribution and property of CMs in subsurface sediments near the Imjin river in the Republic of Korea and HOC sorption property to the subsurface sediments were investigated. The organic carbon contents of sand and clay/silt layers were about 0.35% and 1.37%, respectively. The carbon contents of condensed form of CMs were about 0.13% and 0.45%, respectively. The existence of black carbon was observed using scanning electron microscopes with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The specific surface areas (SSA) of CMs in heavy fraction(HFrCM) measured with N2 were $35-46m^2/g$. However, SSAs of those HFrCM mineral fraction was only $1.6-4.3m^2/g$. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that the mass loss of HFrCM was significant at $50-200^{\circ}C$ and $350-600^{\circ}C$ due to the degradation of soft form and condensed form of CMs, respectively. The trichloroethylene (TCE) sorption capacities of sand and clay/silt layers were similar to each other, and these values were also similar to oxidzed layer of glacially deposited subsurface sediments of the Chanute Air Force Base (AFB) in Rantoul, Illinois. However, these were 7-8 times lower than TCE sorption capacity of reduced layer of the Chanute AFB sediments. For accurate prediction of the fate of hydrophobic organic contaminants in subsurface sediments, continuous studies on the development of characterization methods for CMs are required.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.767-778
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• 2006

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal variations of VOCs at an urban site, and to compare the concentrations of VOCs at an urban site in Daegu with those at a suburban site in Gyeongsan. Three hourly VOC samples in the ambient air were collected using a sequential tube sampler (STS 25, Perkin Elmer) throughout two weeks during May and July representing spring and summer seasons, respectively. The VOC concentrations were determined by an automatic thermal desorption apparatus with GC/MS analysis. A total of 12 VOCs of environmental concern were determined, which are chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, tetra-chloroethylene, ethylbenzene, m+p-xylenes, o-xylene, styrene, 1,3,5- and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzenes. Among 12 target VOCs, the most abundant compound appeared to be toluene, being followed by xylenes. The mean concentrations at the urbn site were 1.2 pub for benzene and 20.4 ppb for toluene (n=221) while the mean levels at the suburban site were 0.9 ppb and 4.3 ppb for benzene and toluene (n=96), respectively. The urban site concentrations were typically several-fold higher than those measured at the suburban site. It was found that general trends of VOC levels were significantly dependent on traffic conditions at the sampling site since VOC concentrations were at their maximum during rush hours, i.e. $9{\sim}12a.m$ and $6{\sim}9p.m$. Statistical investigations were conducted to investigate any significant relationships between VOC concentrations and affecting factors. Calculated correlation coefficients among VOCs were positively significant at a level of 0.05 in most cases. Increased concentrations of toluene in the urban site were estimated to reflect the effect of large industrial sources, mainly from textile industry.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-214
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• 2000

Health risk assessment is applied to streamlining LCA(Life Cycle Assessment) using Monte carlo simulation for probabilistic/stochastic exposure and risk distribution analysis caused by data variability and uncertainty. A case study was carried out to find benefits of this application. BTC(Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Carbon tetrachloride mixture alias) personal exposure cases were assumed as production worker(in workplace), manager(in office) and business man(outdoor). These cases were different from occupational retention time and exposure concentration for BTC consumption pattern. The result of cancer risk in these 3 scenario cases were estimated as $1.72E-4{\pm}1.2E+0$(production worker; case A), $9.62E-5{\pm}1.44E-5$(manger; case B), $6.90E-5{\pm}1.16E+0$(business man; case C), respectively. Portions of over acceptable risk 1.00E-4(assumed standard) were 99.85%, 38.89% and 0.61%, respectively. Estimated BTC risk was log-normal pattern, but some of distributions did not have any formal patterns. Except first impact factor(BTC emission quantity), sensitivity analysis showed that main effective factor was retention time in their occupational exposure sites. This case study is a good example to cover that LCA with probabilistic risk analysis tool can supply various significant information such as statistical distribution including personal/environmental exposure level, daily time activity pattern and individual susceptibility. Further research is needed for investigating real data of these input variables and personal exposure concentration and application of this study methodology.