• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.2105-2110
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• 2013

Carbon-fiber-supported NiO catalytic filters for oxidation of volatile organic compounds were prepared by electroless Ni-P plating and subsequent annealing processes. Surface structure and crystallinity of NiO film on carbon fiber could be modified by post-annealing at different temperatures (500 and $650^{\circ}C$). Catalytic thermal decompositions of toluene over these catalytic filters were investigated. $500^{\circ}C$-annealed sample showed a higher catalytic reactivity toward toluene decomposition than $650^{\circ}C$-annealed one under same conditions, despite of its lower surface area and toluene adsorption capacity. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies suggest that amorphous structures of NiO on $500^{\circ}C$-annealed catalyst caused the higher reactivity for oxidation of toluene than that of $650^{\circ}C$-annealed sample with a higher crystallinity.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2012

Batch tests were carried out to evaluate the thermal treatment of low volatile organic compounds in low-permeability soil. The chemical oxidation by sodium persulfate catalyzed by heat and Fe (II) was evaluated. Enhanced persulfate oxidation of n-decane (C-10), n-dodecane (C-12), n-tetradecane (C-14), n-hexadecane (C-16), and phenanthrene was observed with thermal catalyst, indicating increased sulfate radical production. Slight enhancement of the pollutants oxidation was observed when initial sodium persulfate concentration increased from 5 to 50 g/L. However, the removal efficiency greatly decreased as soil/water ratio increased. It indicates that mass transfer of the pollutants as well as the contact between the pollutants and sulfate radical were inhibited in the presence of solids. In addition, more pollutants can be adsorbed on soil particles and soil oxidant demand increased when soil/water ratio becomes higher. The oxidation of the pollutants was significantly improved when catalyzed by Fe(II). The sodium persulfate consumption increased at the same time because the residual Fe(II) acts as the sulfate radical scavenger.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.417-423
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• 2006

The purification ability of indoor plants for volatile organic compounds was investigated. Philodendron selloum and Spathiphyllum sp. were tested for removal of toluene and trichloroethylene in the artificially contaminated reactor under laboratory conditions. Each plant was placed in right side of the reactor and the TCE and toluene concentration change with time were monitored. In the reactor with Philodendron, the TCE concentrations of left and right sides were compared to examine the removal effects by plant. In the reactor with Spathiphyllum, air was circulated before sampling, and thus average removal effects by plants on target VOC were observed. Both plants showed clear effects on removal of VOCs from contaminated indoor air. The removal efficiency of Philodendron and Spathiphyllum were similar and showed 30 - 46% and 31 - 47% of purification effects, respectively. The results of this study showed that air purification using plants is an effective means of reduction on indoor VOCs concentration level and reduce related health risk though, supplementary purifying aids or proper ventilation were also suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 1997

This study focuses on the health risk assessment of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a petrochemical complex, with several emphases on a risk assessment method. The first emphasis is on the importance of hazard identification to determine the likely carcinogenic potential of a VOC. Without considering this type of information, a direct comparison of the carcinogenic risks of two pollutants is meaningless. Therefore, wer suggest that this type of information be prepared and be listed with the estimate of cancer risk in parallel. The second emphasis is on the selection of a better dose-response model to estimate unit risk or cancer potency factor of a carcinogenic VOC. Finally, probilistic risk assessment method is discussed and recommended to use within a comparison of conventional point-estimate method. A health risk assessment has also been carried out. For non-carcinogenic risk, even the highest hazard index for carbon tetrachloride is estimated to be less than 1 with the other VOCs less than 0.03. However, the lifetime cancer risk from the inhalation of airborne VOCs is estimated to be about $2.6 \times 10^{-4}$ which is higher than the risk standard of $10^{-6}$ or even $10^{-5}$. Therefore, the investigation into domestic petrochemical complexes should be strengthened to obtain more fine long-term airborne VOC data.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.4 s.91
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• pp.275-281
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• 2006

Indoor air quality is the dominant contributor to total personal exposure because most people spend a majority of their time indoors. Especially exposure to indoor air can potentially pose a greater threat than exposure to ambient air when indoor environments have sources of contaminants. In this study, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) within newly constructed apartment have been determined in 27 houses of apartment in Seoul from December 2004 to March 2005. The measured indoor air pollutants were HCHO, volatile organic compounds including benzene, toluene, styrene, xylene, ethylbenzene and sampled on the standard method of Ministry of Environment in Korea. The indoor levels for benzene, xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and HCHO have significant increase trend after 5 hours closing of windows and doors. Levels of measured air pollutants concentrations between living rooms and bedrooms have not shown significant difference. Spearman correlation coefficient among the measured air pollutants ranged from 0.303 to 0.946, indicating similar source in building materials.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2014

The adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was carried out using an activated carbon fiber (ACF) filter in an automobile. The adsorption capacities of formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene on an ACF filter were far better than those of a polypropylene (PP) mat filter and combined (PP+activated carbon) mat filter by batch adsorption in a gas bag. In a continuous flow of air containing toluene vapor through an ACF packed bed, the breakpoint time was very long, the length of the unused bed was short, and sharp "S" -type breakthrough curve was plotted soon after breakpoint, showing a narrow mass transfer zone of toluene on the ACF. The adsorption amount of toluene on the ACF filter was proportional to the specific surface area of the ACF; however, the development of mesopores 2-5 nm in size on the ACF was very effective with regard to the adsorption of toluene. The ACF air clarifier filter is strongly recommended to remove VOCs in newly produced automobiles.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.61-61
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• 1995

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are of concern for their potential chronic toxicity, their suspected role in the formation of smog, and their suspected role in destruction of stratospheric ozone. Present study evaluated the exposures to selected VOCs in three microenvironments: 2 chlorinated and 5 aromatic VOCs in the indoor and outdoor air, and 5 aromatic VOCs in the breathing zone air of gas-service station attendants. With permissible Quality Assurance and Quality Control performances VOC concentrations were measured 1) to be higher in indoor air than in outdoor air, 2) to be higher in two Taegu residential areas than in a residential area of Hayang, and 3) to be higher in the nighttime than in the daytime. Among five aromatics, Benzene and Toluene were two most highly measured VOCs in breathing zone air of service station attendants. Based on the sum of VOC concentrations, the VOC exposure during refueling was estimated to be about 10% of indoor and outdoor exposures. For Benzene only, the exposure during refueling was estimated to cause about 52% of indoor and outdoor exposure. The time used to calculate the exposures was 2 minutes for refueling and 24 hours for indoor and outdoor exposures.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.447-459
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• 1995

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are of concern for their potential chronic toxicity, their suspected role in the formation of smog, and their suspected role in destruction of stratospheric ozone. Present study evaluated the exposures to selected VOCs in three microenvironments: 2 chlorinated and 5 aromatic VOCs in the indoor and outdoor air, and 5 aromatic VOCs in the breathing zone air of gas-service station attendants. With permissible Quality Assurance and Quality Control performances VOC concentrations were measured 1) to be higher in indoor air than in outdoor air, 2) to be higher in two Taegu residential areas than in a residential area of Hayang, and 3) to be higher in the nighttime than in the daytime. Among five aromatics, Benzene and Toluene were two most highly measured VOCs in breathing zone air of service station attendants. Based on the sum of VOC concentrations, the VOC exposure during refueling was estimated to be about 10% of indoor and outdoor exposures. For Benzene only, the exposure during refueling was estimated to cause about 52% of indoor and outdoor exposure. The time used to calculate the exposures was 2 minutes for refueling and 24 hours for indoor and outdoor exposures.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.95-106
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• 1998

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from Ca to C9 were investigated with nine ambient air samples collected in April 26, August 17, 1996 and January 23, 1997 in a Seoul site. On each sampling day, three 2-hr integrated canister samples were collected in early morning, early afternoon and late afternoon, respectively to study temporal . variation of VOCs. Most of VOC species showed diurnal variation with higher concentrations in the early morning and lower concentrations in the afternoon. The concentrations of light alkanes were high, probably due to the emission from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and evaporation of gasoline. Especially, the concentration of propane was the highest in the morning samples. The concentrations of propane, ethylene, acetylene, and toluene were prominent in their hydrocarbon groups, respectively. These components were the main source of car exhaust, gasoline evaporization, LPG, or solvent usage.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2008

This study aims at examining the reduction of indoor air contaminants by plants placed in an indoor space. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants by three species of plants was studied in a full-scale mock-up model. Field measurements were performed using Aglaonema brevispathum, Pachira aquatica and Ficus benjamiana which were verified as air-purifying plants by NASA. Their positions and amount were controlled. Two conditions for the amount of plants(10%, 5%) and positions(sun-shine, scatter) were used in two separate rooms whose dimensions are identical. The concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) was monitored three hours after the plants were placed and three days after the plants were placed. The variations of concentration of Benzene, Toluene, Etylbenzene, Xylene, Stylene and Formaldehyde, which are all known as the major elements of Volatile Organic Compounds were monitored. The more plants were used, the more a reduction of indoor air contaminants occurred. The effect of reducing the concentration of air contaminants increased when the amount of plants increased.