• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2020

This study provides a basis for research to establishing air quality standards in Gyeongnam. The trends and deviations in air quality concentrations and short-term environmental standards were analyzed. Furthermore, the regional standards and World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines (AQGs) were taken into account. The annual average PM₁₀ standard for cities anc counties ate 40 ㎍/㎥ and 30 ㎍/㎥, respectively. SO₂ and NO₂ are achieving national standards and need to be strengthened to the minimum regional standard and WHO AQGs. The PM_2.5 standard, which has not reached national standards, needs to be set at the level of national standards, and is also the target level for 2024 of the Gyeongsangnam and national PM_2.5 management plans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2023

Background: Among various pollutants, fine particle (PM_2.5, defined as particle less than 2.5 nm in aerodynamic diameter) shows the most consistent association with adverse health effects. There is scientific evidence documenting a variety of adverse health outcomes due to exposure to PM_2.5. Objectives: This study aims to assess the health benefits of that would be achieved by meeting the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines for PM_2.5 using AirQ+ and BenMAP. Methods: We estimated PM_2.5 related health benefits in Korea from implementing the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines (annual average 5 ㎍/m³ and 10 ㎍/m³) and Korea's National Ambient Air Quality Standard (annual average 15 ㎍/m³). We used World Health Organization's AirQ+ and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program. Results: The annual number of avoided PM_2.5 related premature deaths exceeding WHO guideline levels was assessed using both AirQ+ and BenMAP. We estimated that the health benefits of attaining the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines for PM_2.5 (annual average 5 ㎍/m³) would suggest an annual reduction of 26,128 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17,363~34,024) and 26,853 (95% CI: 18,527~34,944) premature deaths. Conclusions: Our study provided useful information to policy makers and confirms that the reduction of PM_2.5 concentration would result in significant health benefits in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.622-627
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• 2003

Until now, product mostly has revealed physical quantities created by the standpoint of engineers. Consumers, however, perceive and evaluate products on the non-physical characteristics, such as feelings, emotions, and experiences in different social and cultural situations. Especially, for the household appliances fur instance air-conditioner or refrigerator, the sound is heavily related to the satisfaction of a customer who is a real user of the product and is very important factor to decide purchasing as well as visual design. Therefore, in this research, the general tendency of consumer's psychology was investigated for the appliances. And also, in order to obtain clear guidelines for sound manipulation, the characteristics of the sound of air-conditioning systems and refrigerators were compared with others. Since it is important to overcome the discrepancy between engineering and marketing, the relevance of sound manipulation must be documented from the consumer's perspective. That is the reason why we conducted a consumer and marketing oriented study.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2010

In recent studies, $PM_{2.5}$ has been reported to be more harmful to human health than $PM_{10}$ because it penetrates more deeply into the lung. We estimated $PM_{2.5}$ related health benefits in Seoul from implementing the World Health Organization (WHO)'s guidelines (annual average $10{\mu}g/m^3$, 24-hour average $25{\mu}g/m^3$) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (annual average $15{\mu}g/m^3$, 24-hour average $35{\mu}g/m^3$). U.S. EPA's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program was utilized for the analysis. It was predicted that the attainment of the WHO annual guideline and U.S. EPA's annual standard, relative to the concentration in 2006, would result in reduction of 2,333~2,895 premature deaths and 1,703~2,121 premature deaths, respectively. If the WHO and EPA's daily standard for $PM_{2.5}$ are attained, 1,211~1,394 and 1,012~1,165 premature deaths could be avoided, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the estimates were robust regardless of air quality simulation methods for attaining the $PM_{2.5}$ goals. This study provides a quantitative approach to evaluate health risks from air pollution as well as to assess the potential health benefits of improving atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Even considering the intrinsic limitations and uncertainties of the analysis, it is an important information to rationalize the enforcement of $PM_{2.5}$ management policies and measures in Seoul, Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.1122-1127
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• 2003

For many years, engineers in the field of acoustics have used the A-weighted sound pressure level (SPL). Since they were interested just in a reduction of noise, the A-weighted SPL was considered good enough to quantify noise problems. This is reasonable because loudness is usually the most important parameter for most noise problems and A-weighted SPL is often reasonably well correlated with loudness. As the overall noise levels drop, however, other parameters become more important and must be considered, Advent of sound quality came from an understanding that A-weighted SPL only reflects the loudness of a sound. It is obviously impossible to characterize a complex sound with a single number. Although product mostly has revealed physical quantities created by the standpoint of engineers, consumers perceive and evaluate products on the non-physical characteristics, such as feelings, emotions, and experiences in different social and cultural situations. Especially, for the household appliances for instance air-conditioner or refrigerator, the sound is heavily related to the satisfaction of a customer who is a real user of the product and is very important factor to decide purchasing as well as visual design. Therefore, in this research, the general tendency of consumer's psychology was investigated for the appliances. And also, in order to obtain clear guidelines fur sound manipulation, the characteristics of the sound of air-conditioning systems and refrigerators were compared with competitors'. since it is important to overcome the discrepancy between engineering and marketing, the relevance of sound manipulation must be documented from the consumer's perspective. That is the reason why we conducted a consumer and marketing oriented study.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2009

This study assessed the relationships between levels of $PM_{10}$ and hospitalization rates for asthma among children from 2003 to 2005 at four major cities in Korea. In addition, we estimated the reduced number of asthma hospitalization associated with an ambient $PM_{10}$ improvement to the acceptable levels as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to estimate the relative risks (RR) of asthma hospitalization associated with changes in $PM_{10}$ The RRs of children's asthma hospitalization for every $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increment in $PM_{10}$ were 1.009(95% CI = 1.004-1.014) in Seoul, 1.013(95% CI = 1.006-1.021) in Incheon, 1.009(95% CI = 1.002-1.016) in Busan, and 1.021(95% CI = 1.005-1.037) in Ulsan. We assessed $PM_{10}$ related health benefits from implementing the WHO's guidelines (24-hour average $50{\mu}g/m^3$) using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program. The estimated benefits were 439(95% CI = 216-666) reduced asthma hospitalization in Seoul, 720(95% CI = 304-1,151) in Incheon, 260(95% CI = 66-459) in Busan, and 126(95% CI = 30-228) in Ulsan. It was concluded that improving $PM_{10}$ condition to the WHO guideline would make a significant contribution to the reduction in asthma hospitalization among children. Therefore, public health measures are still needed to improve air quality in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2015

Objectives: This study evaluated the regional and seasonal concentrations of ambient hazardous heavy metals in an industrial complex area in Daegu City. Methods: A total of 64 SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) samples were collected in non-industrial and industrial areas during 2014 and were analyzed for hazardous heavy metals elements (As, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb) with ICP after acid extraction. Results: SPM and hazardous heavy metals concentrations showed regional (industrial complex area>non-industrial complex area) and seasonal (spring, winter>fall, summer) variations. All of the hazardous heavy metals were influenced by anthropogenic sources. The pollution index of hazardous heavy metals was very low, showing roughly one-quarter of the level of the air quality guidelines of WHO. The correlation analysis among SPM and hazardous heavy metals indicated that components of non-industrial complex areas were more related to each other than those of industrial complex areas, and the correlation in the winter was higher than in other seasons. Conclusion: It is necessary to control air pollution sources and establish related policy because hazardous heavy metals from industrial areas can influence residential areas.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.567-580
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aims to develop measuring tools for 'Consumer Issues' of ISO 26000, the international standards for corporate social responsibility(CSR), and propose strategic suggestions on the CSR implemention by analyzing the differences among various industries. Methods: In order to test the research models, structured questionnaires were used and nationwide surveys were conducted targeting at customers who have had experiences in using the products and services from the companies which published CSR reports. In addition, for the empirical analysis of data, the models were verified with AMOS confirmatory factor analysis(CFA). Results: From the result of the analysis of differences among industries, it was shown that level of CSR activities was high in public sectors, followed by service industries and manufacturing. It was also shown high in air transport and the electrical and electronic industries, while it was confirmed low in energy and environment related industries such as energy, automobile and chemical industries. As a result, strategic approaches are suggested, considering the different characteristics of each industry in implementing CSR. Conclusion: This study has developed measuring tools for 'Consumer Issues' to research the core subjects and issues of ISO 26000, the international standards for CSR. It has confirmed the characteristics and differences regarding 'Consumer Issues' among industries and proved that industries can provide guidelines for the implementation of CSR activities through approaching and researching various issues from interested parties. This study has also suggested the importance of customer awareness of CSR activities and active communications by industries.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.362-371
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• 2023

Background: PM_2.5 pollution has been a persistent problem in South Korea, with concentrations consistently exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The aging of the population in the country further exacerbates the health impacts of PM_2.5 since older adults are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate how the health impact (premature death) due to long-term exposure to PM_2.5 in South Korea could change in the future according to the trend of change in the country's population structure. Methods: The study employs a relative risk function, which accounts for age-specific relative risks, to assess the changes in premature deaths by age and region at the average annual PM_2.5 concentration for 2022 and at PM_2.5 concentration improvement levels. Premature deaths were estimated using the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM). Results: The findings indicate that the increase in premature deaths resulting from the projected population structure changes up to 2050 would significantly outweigh the health benefits (reduction in premature deaths) compared to 2012. This is primarily attributed to the rising number of premature deaths among the elderly due to population aging. Furthermore, the study suggests that the effectiveness of the current domestic PM_2.5 standard would be halved by 2050 due to the increasing impact of population aging on PM_2.5-related mortality. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of considering trends in population structure when evaluating the health benefits of air pollution reduction measures. By comparing and evaluating the health benefits in reflection of changes in population structure to the predicted PM_2.5 concentration improvements at the provincial level, a more comprehensive assessment of regional air quality management strategies can be achieved.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 2015

After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, study and maintenance of monitoring systems have been made at home and abroad. As concerns about radioactive contamination of water have increased in Korea, update of maintenance of managing radioactive materials in water is being made mainly by Ministry of Environment. In this study, we analysed current state of monitoring system modification in Japan, the country directly involved and neighboring country. According to the result, Japan modified the legislations first. Then Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides theoretical background of radiological monitoring. And Ministry of the Environment actually watches state of water pollution in public waters and underground water. Finally related agencies like local government are monitoring current state of radioactive contamination in water environment. By region, local monitoring stations share the investigation of the whole country. Also, additional monitoring is running around nuclear facilities. After Fukushima disaster, monitoring for area near Fukushima is added. Among the reference levels, management target value of drinking water and tap water is 10 Bq/kg, and those of public water and underground water are 1 Bq/L. Measuring intervals varied from every hour to once a year, regularly or irregularly depending on the investigation. The main measuring items are air dose rate, gross ${\alpha}$, gross ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$ radionuclide, Cs-134, Cs-137, Sr-89, Sr-90, I-131, and so on. In comparison, regulations about general public water in Korea need to be modified, while those about area near nuclear facility and drinking water are organized well. In future, therefore, domestic system would be expected to be modified with making reference to the guidelines like WHO's one. As good case of applying international guideline to domestic environment, Japanese system could be a reference when general standard of radioactivity in public water is made in Korea.