• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.594-598
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• 2016

We studied airborne contaminants (airborne particulates and odorous compounds) emitted from compost facilities in South Korea. There are primarily two different types of composting systems operating in Korean farms, namely mechanical aerated pile composting (MAPC) and aerated static pile composting (SAPC). In this study, we analyzed various particulate matters (PM10, PM7, PM2.5, PM1, and total suspended particles), volatile organic compounds and ammonia, and correlated these airborne contaminants with microclimatic parameters, i.e., temperature and relative humidity. Most of the analyzed airborne particulates (PM7, PM2.5, and PM1) were detected in high concentration at SAPC facilities compered to MAPC; however these differences were statistically non-significant. Similarly, most of the odorants did not vary significantly between MAPC and SAPC facilities, except for dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and skatole. DMS concentrations were significantly higher in MAPC facilities, whereas skatole concentrations were significantly higher in SAPC facilities. The microclimate variables also did not vary significantly between MAPC and SAPC facilities, and did not correlate significantly with most of the airborne particles and odorous compounds, suggesting that microclimate variables did not influence their emission from compost facilities. These findings provide insight into the airborne contaminants that are emitted from compost facilities and the two different types of composting agitation systems.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2002

This study was designed to investigate the characteristics of atmospheric concentrations of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Korea. Target compounds included 1,3-butadiene, aromatics such as BTEX, and a number of carbonyl compounds. In this paper, as the second part of the study, the seasonal and locational concentrations of atmospheric VOCs were evaluated. Sampling was conducted seasonally at seven sampling sites. each of them representing a large urban area (commercial and residential), a small urban area (commercial and residential), an industrial area (a site within the complex and a residential), and a background place in Korea. In general, higher concentrations were found in the petro-chemical industrial site than other sites, while VOCs measured in commercial (heavy -traffic) sites were higher than residential sites. Seasonality of VOCs concentrations were not so much clear as other combustion related pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, indicating that the VOCs are emitted from a variety of sources, not only vehicle exhaust and point sources but fugitive emissions. Except the industrial site, the concentrations of VOCs measured in this study do not reveal any serious pollution status, since the levels did not exceed any existing ambient standards in the U.K. and/or Japan. However, the increasing number of petrol -powered vehicles and the rapid industrialization in Korea may result in the increased levels of VOCs concentrations in many large urban areas in the near future, if there is no appropriate programme implemented for the control of these compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.635-642
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• 1995

Improved sample introduction system has been investigated for the determination of volatile organic compounds in water using a purge & trap preconcentration apparatus and a capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The present limitations associated with the moisture control module and cryorefocusing system suggested by EPA were discussed. To solve the problems such as improper separation of peaks due to the adsorption of water and contamination of purge & trap system, a more efficient connection system between the purge & trap apparatus and the gas chromatograph was introduced and the optimum operational conditions were suggested. A carbopack B/carboxen 1000 and 1001 trap was used for the purge & trap procedure and a custom made crosslinked dimethyldiphenylpolysiloxane capillary column was used for the separation of compounds. Accuracy and precision of the method suggested in this report were examined and the method detection limit of each compound was proposed for the simultaneous determination of 54 volatile organic compounds in water.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.195-198
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• 2005

Among organic acids, Prunus mume extract(PME) was mostly consisted of $0.47\;mg\%$ citric, $0.43\;mg\%$ malic and $0.25\;mg\%$ oxalic acid Volatile compounds in PME were identified by GC/MSD, showing that acetic acid($8.3\%$) and p-coumaric acid($13.1\%$) as well as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural($32.3\%$), furfural($8.3\%$), and 3-methyl-2,3-furandione($2.3\%$) were major compounds which are known as antimicrobial substances.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.178-186
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• 2014

Background: This study was conducted to assess health risks in regard to exposure by children to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in children's products. Methods: Ten VOCs were measured by head-space gas chromatography in children's products, including toys, oil pastels, sign pens, furniture, ball pools, and playmats. We estimated the average daily dose (ADD) via inhalation during the use of these children's products and calculated hazard quotient (HQ) by dividing ADD by reference dose of VOCs. Results: Among the measured VOCs, five compounds were identified in children's products: benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, and xylene. The detection rates of VOCs in toys, ball pools, furniture, playmats, sign pens, and oil pastels were 85%, 100%, 100%, 30%, 100%, and 60%, respectively. The maximum levels of VOCs were 0.18 mg benzene/kg in toys, 5.92 mg toluene/kg in playmats, 10.37 mg ethylbenzene/kg in ball pools, 24.85 mg xylene/kg in toys, and 118.29 mg styrene/kg in ball pools. From exposure levels of VOCs in the children's products HQs were calculated within a range of $5.71{\times}10^{-10}$ to $4.77{\times}10^{-4}$. The HQ of xylene was the highest for children aged 0-6 playing on the playmats. However, the HQ via inhalation exposure to VOCs in individual products did not exceed 1.00. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that the use of these children's products do not pose health risks to children.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.967-976
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• 2003

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in essentially all natural and synthetic materials from petrol to flowers. In this study, indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations of houses, offices and internet-cafes were measured and compared simultaneously with personal exposures of each 50 participants in Asan and Seoul, respectively. Also, factors that influence personal VOCs exposure were statistically analyzed using questionnaires in relation to house characteristics, time activities, and health effects. All VOCs concentrations were measured by OVM passive samplers (3M) and analyzed with GC/MS. Target pollutants among VOCs were Toluene, o-Xylene, m/p-Xylene, Ethylbenzene, MIBK, n-Octane, Styrene, Trichloroethylene, and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene. Indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations measured in Seoul were significantly higher than those in Asan except Ethylbenzene. Residential indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for all target compounds ranged from 0.94 to 1.51 and I/O ratios of Asan were a little higher than those of Seoul. Relationship between personal VOCs exposure, and indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations suggested that time-activity pattern could affect the high exposure to air pollutant. Factors that influence indoor VOCs level and personal exposure with regard to house characteristics in houses were building age, inside smoking and house type. In addition insecticide and cosmetics interestingly affected the VOCs personal exposure. Higher exposure to VOCs might be caused to be exciting increase and memory reduction, considering the relationship between measured VOCs concentrations and questionnaire (p<0.05).

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2022

Aflatoxin contamination in rice has been documented in a number of studies, and has a high incidence in Asian countries, and as such, there has been a growing interest in alternative biocontrol strategies to address this issue. In this study, 147 strains of yeasts and yeast-like fungi were screened for their potential to produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) active against Aspergillus flavus strains that produce aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). Five strains within four different genera showed greater than 50% growth inhibition of some strains of A. flavus. These were Anthracocystis sp. DMKU-PAL124, Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL120, Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL144, Rhodotorula sp. DMKU-PAL99, and Solicococcus keelungensis DMKU-PAL84. VOCs produced by these microorganisms ranged from 4 to 14 compounds and included alcohols, alkenes, aromatics, esters and furans. The major VOCs produced by the closely related Aureobasidium strains were found to bedistinct. Moreover, 2-phenylethanol was the most abundant compound generated by Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL120, while methyl benzeneacetate was the major compound emitted from Aureobasidium sp. DMKU-PAL144. On the other hand, 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol were significant compounds produced by the other three genera. These antagonists apparently inhibited A. flavus sporulation and mycelial development. Additionally, the reduction of the AFB1 in the fungal-contaminated rice grains was observed after co-incubation with these VOC-producing strains and ranged from 37.7 ± 8.3% to 60.3 ± 3.4%. Our findings suggest that these same microorganisms are promising biological control agents for use against aflatoxin-producing fungi in rice and other agricultural products.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2015

Medicinal fungi, taken whole or as various forms of extracts, have been used to alleviate, cure or prevent human ailments since pre-historic times. In particular, Asian cultures have incorporated a variety of mushrooms into their medical practices. Chemically pure, bioactive metabolites from fungi have been a mainstay of modern pharmacological research and in addition to antibiotics, include anticancer agents, immunosuppressants, enzyme inhibitors, antagonist and agonists of hormones, and a variety of psychotropic substances. However, to date not many studies have focused on the possible health benefits of odorant volatile organic compounds (i.e., gas phase compounds). An analysis of these compounds for their health related effects will expand the range of compounds available for the treatment of chronic and acute diseases. This review highlights phenolic acids and monoterpenes from Asian medicinal mushrooms (AMMs), which not only produce pleasant odors but also have antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Odorant bioactive volatile phase compounds from medicinal mushrooms remain an essentially untapped source for future medicines, and AMMs remain a promising resource for future pharmacological research.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.622-627
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• 2012

This study focuses on mechanical property enhancement and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduction characteristic of environmentally-friendly waterborne coatings. We synthesized a series of organic-inorganic hybrid waterborne polyurethanes by using poly(tetramethylene glycol) 2000, polycarbonate diol 2000, isophorone diisocyanate, dimethylolpropionic acid and titanium dioxide. The study on the effects of the R ratio([NCO]/[OH]) and inorganic contents on environmentally-friendly waterborne coatings showed that the R ratio with more than 1.5 is appropriate due to arrangement of hardsegments. The applied $TiO_2$ on films reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.403-417
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) emission from painting and printing facilities in the Pyeongdong industrial complex in Gwangju. In addition, the objective was to understand the distribution characteristics of VOCs in the ambient air in industrial complexes affected by painting and printing facilities. The painting facility mainly emitted toluene, acetone, butyl acetate, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, ethyl acetate, 1-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, 4-ethyltoluene, ethylbenzene, 3-ethyltoluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene. The main emission components in printing facilities were methyl ketone, ethyl acetate, acetone, 2-propanol, toluene, heptane, and butyl acetate. Ethyl acetate, toluene, 2-butanone, acetone, butyl acetate, 2-propanol, xylenes, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were detected in the ambient air of the Pyeongdong industrial complex, consistent with the VOCs emitted by painting and printing facilities. The average concentration of seasonal TVOCs followed an order of winter > fall > spring > summer, whereas the concentrations of daytime and nighttime TVOCs were generally higher at night than those during the day, and the wind speed was greater during the day than it was at night. Based on a factor analysis of VOCs in the ambient air of Pyeongdong industrial complex, it is considered that organic solvents used in coating, printing, and electronics manufacturing facilities, as well as diesel vehicle emissions played a major role.