• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.420-431
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• 2010

The water-soluble components have been analyzed from the total suspended particulate (TSP) collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island for ten years (1997~2006), and the long-term variations of ionic constituent concentrations have been investigated in order to understand the pollution characteristics of atmospheric aerosols. Their mean concentrations were in the order of nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ > $Na^+$ > ${NO_3}^-$ > $Cl^$ > ${NH_4}^+$ > nss-$Ca^{2+}$ > $K^+$ > $Mg^{2+}$. The ${NO_3}^-$ concentrations had increased somewhat smoothly compared to those of ${SO_4}^{2-}$ for the past 10 years, possibly indicating the recent energy consumption pattern changes in China. The concentrations of ionic aerosol components showed mostly higher values during the Asian Dust storm periods, and the concentration ratios of nss-$Ca^{2+}$, ${NO_3}^-$, and nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ between the Asian Dust and Non-Asian Dust periods were 6.9, 2.4, and 1.3, respectively. The anthropogenic nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NO_3}^-$, ${NH_4}^+$ and the soil originated nss-$Ca^{2+}$ components showed high concentrations as the air parcels were moved from the Asia continent, on the other hand, their concentrations were relatively low as moving from the Northern Pacific into the Gosan area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2003

P $M_{2.5}$ fine particles have been collected at the Cosan measurement station in Jeju Island, and the major water-soluble components have been analyzed in order to Investigate the aerosol compositions and pollution characteristics. The mean concentrations of the components were in the order of S $O_4$$^{2-}$> N $H_4$$^{+}$> N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ > N $a^{+}$> $K^{+}$>C $l^{[-10]}$ >C $a^2$$^{+}$>M $g^2$$^{+}$. The major components were S $O_4$$^{2-}$, N $H_4$$^{+}$ and N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ , whose compositions were 58％, 18％ and 10％ of the total ions, respectively. Most of the components showed higher concentrations in spring season, and especially $Ca^2$$^{+}$, N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ and S $O_4$$^{2-}$ concentrations were increased 2.8, 1.9 and 1.2 times higher than the annual mean concentrations. The most parts of S $O_4$$^{2-}$ and N $H_4$$^{+}$ were distributed in fine particles below 2.1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size, but the $Ca^2$$^{+}$, N $a^{+}$ and C $l^{[-10]}$ showed relatively higher concentrations in coarse particles. Based on the factor analysis, the P $M_{2.5}$ fine particles were considered to be largely influenced by anthropogenic sources, and followed by sea salt and soil sources. In the variations of concentrations as a function of wind direction, most components have shown higher concentrations notably as the northwesterly prevails.thwesterly prevails.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.439-458
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• 2005

An automated analysis system for water soluble constituents in $PM_{2.5}$ has been developed. The system consists of a high capacity multi tube diffusion scrubber (MTDS), a low temperature particle impactor (LTPI), and two ion (anion and cation) chromatography (IC) systems. Atmospheric particles have been collected by passing sample air through a thermostated MTDS followed by a LTPI. This system allows simultaneous measurements of soluble ions in $PM_{2.5}$ at 30 minutes interval. At the air sampling flow rate of 1.0L/min, the detection limits of the overall system are in the order of tens of $ng/m^3$. This system has been successfully used for the measurement of particulate components of Seoul air from April 2003 to January 2004. $SO_4^{2-},\;NO_3^-,\;NH_4^+,\;NO_2^-,\;Cl^-,\;Na^+,\;K^+,\;Ca^{2+},\;and\;Mg^{2+}$ are the major ionic species for $PM_{2.5}$ at Seoul. Among them, $SO_4^{2-},\;NO_3^-\;and\;NH_4^+$ are the most abundant ions, contributed up to $86\%$ of the total and the concentrations were higher than those in any other urban sites in the world except for Chinese cities. There are high pollutant episodes which contribute about $15\~20\%$ of annual average values of the major ions. During the episode, the all parcels were transported from the asian continent and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly neutralized. This suggests that aged and long range transported pollutants caused the high pollutant episodes. They showed a distinct daily and seasonal variations:they showed a peak in the early morning caused by the night-time accumulation of particulate matters. Atmospheric reactions including gas-to-particle reactions and inter-particle reactions and meteorological parameters including relative humidity and ambient temperature were described with related to the $PM_{2.5}$ 5 concentrations. All of the ionic species showed higher concentrations during the spring than those for summer and winter.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2021

Objectives: There was a judgment of acquittal for the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung regarding humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). The rationale used in this judgement is discussed here in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the risk of HD and external and internal exposure to CMIT/MIT are discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: Rendering a determination in a criminal trial of insufficient evidence of causation, the court dismissed the prosecution's motion that humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries (HDLI) and asthma were associated with the utilization of these products. However, CMIT/MIT, a strong sensitizing and corrosive substance, has been reported to be associated with brain toxicity, allergic contact dermatitis, and asthma. Furthermore, the judgment did not consider total consumption amounts or the cumulative dose of CMIT/MIT in the humidifier. Lastly, there are several cases supporting the fact that exposure to water-soluble substances including CMIT/MIT can cause lower respiratory tract diseases. In addition to cases of asthma among the workers exposed to CMIT/MIT, we identified lung injury victims who were exposed to HDs exclusively containing CMIT/MIT. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's judgement.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2009

In this work, 5'-nitroindirubinoxime (5'-NIO) has been prepared as solid dispersions using a supercritical aerosol solvent extraction system (ASES) process in order to enhance its water solubility and dissolution rate. Solid dispersions of 5'-NIO and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were prepared in various weight percent ratios. Three-component solid dispersions consisting of 5'-NIO, PVP, and poloxamer 188 (P188) were also prepared to study the influence of P188 level on their morphology, crystallinity, and dissolution behavior. All samples were prepared at $35^{\circ}C$ and 180 bar using supercritical carbon dioxide. The particle morphology and size of the two-component solid dispersions were found to be nearly spherical and much smaller (100-200 nm) compared with the original 5'-NIO. The morphology of three-component solid dispersions became more agglomerated as the level of P188 increased. The crystallinity of the original 5'-NIO was not observed in the solid dispersions prepared by the ASES process. Faster dissolution rates were observed for the three-componet solid dispersions because the arrangement of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide blocks of the poloxamer 188 enabled the formation of micelles in an aqueous phase.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.597-610
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• 2018

This study observed particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$) in the downtown area of Jeju City, South Korea, to understand the chemical composition of particulates based on an analysis of the water-soluble ionic species contained in the particles. The mass fraction of the ionic species in the sampled $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ was 44.3% and 42.2%, respectively. In contrast, in Daegu City and Suwon City, the mass fraction of the ionic species in $PM_{2.5}$ was higher than that in $PM_{10}$. The chloride depletion percentage of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ in Jeju City was higher than 61% and 66%, respectively. The contribution of sea-salt to the mass of $PM_{10}$ (5.9%) and $PM_{2.5}$ (2.6%) in Jeju City was similar to that in several coastal regions of South Korea. The mass ratio of $Cl^-$ to $Na^+$ in the downtown area of Jeju City was comparable to that in some coastal regions, such as the Gosan Area of Jeju Island, Deokjeok Island, and Taean City. The mass fraction of sea-salt in $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ was very low, and the concentration of sodium and chloride ions in $PM_{10}$ was not correlated with those in $PM_{2.5}$ ($R^2$ < 0.2), suggesting that the effects of sea-salt on the formation of particulate matter in Jeju City might be insignificant. The relationship between $NH_4{^+}$ and several anions such as $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $Cl^-$, as well as the relationship between the measurement and calculation of ammonium ion concentration, suggested that sea-salts may not react with $H_2SO_4$, and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ may be a major secondary inorganic aerosol component of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ in Jeju City.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.501-511
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• 2008

The Objective of this study is to examine the characteristic of fine aerosol $(PM_{2.5})$ obtained at Ieodo Ocean Research Station, which lies between the eastern part of China and the south western part of Korea. The average mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was $21.5{\pm}17.0{\mu}g/m^3$ during June $2004{\sim}June 2006$. The concentration was the highest in winter $(34.8{\mu}g/m^3)$ and lowest in summer $(16.5{\mu}g/m^3)$. Water soluble ions were measured for samples collected from December 2004 to September 2005. Among them, $SO_4^{2-}\;and\;NH_4^+$ were the most abundant species and accounted for 32.2% and 14.2% of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass, respectively. The mass fraction of $SO_4^{2-}$ was higher in winter (42%) than in spring (26%). Nitrate concentrations were much lower than those of sulfate due mainly to evaporation during sampling period. The cluster analysis of backward airmass trajectories showed that the high mass loadings $(26.9{\mu}g/m^3\;on\;average)$ were associated with air originating inland China. Also, the seasonal variation of $PM_{2.5}$ mass was well correlated with the frequency of westerly winds passing through the western part of China. During the ABC-EAREX2005 (March 2005), $PM_{2.5}$ mass and major ionic concentrations were higher at Ieodo, compared with $PM_{2.5}$ measurements at Gosan while they were similar in variation pattern. These results suggested that $PM_{2.5}$ mass and its ionic composition of Ieodo Ocean Research Station were greatly influenced by continental outflows from China.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.567-587
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• 2018

A severe haze event occurred in October 2015 in Gwangju, Korea. In this study, the driving chemical species and the formation mechanisms of $PM_{2.5}$ pollution were investigated to better understand the haze event. Hourly concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$, organic and elemental carbon, water-soluble ions, and elemental constituents were measured at the air quality intensive monitoring station in Gwangju. The haze event occurred was attributed to a significant contribution (72.3%) of secondary inorganic species concentration to the $PM_{2.5}$, along with the contribution of organic aerosols that were strongly attributed to traffic emissions over the study site. MODIS images, weather charts, and air mass backward trajectories supported the significant impact of long-range transportation (LTP) of aerosol particles from northeastern China on haze formation over Gwangju in October 2015. The driving factor for the haze formation was stagnant atmospheric flows around the Korean peninsula, and high relative humidity (RH) promoted the haze formation at the site. Under the high RH conditions, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ were mainly produced through the heterogenous aqueous-phase reactions of $SO_2$ and $NO_2$, respectively. Moreover, hourly $O_3$ concentration during the study period was highly elevated, with hourly peaks ranging from 79 to 95ppb, suggesting that photochemical reaction was a possible formation process of secondary aerosols. Over the $PM_{2.5}$ pollution, behavior and formation of secondary ionic species varied with the difference in the impact of LTP. Prior to October 19 when the influence of LTP was low, increasing rate in $NO_3{^-}$ was greater than that in $NO_2$, but both $SO_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ had similar increasing rates. While, after October 20 when the impact of haze by LTP was significant, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations increased significantly more than their gaseous precursors, but with greater increasing rate of $NO_3{^-}$. These results suggest the enhanced secondary transformation of $SO_2$ and $NO_2$ during the haze event. Overall, the result from the study suggests that control of anthropogenic combustion sources including vehicle emissions is needed to reduce the high levels of nitrogen oxide and $NO_3{^-}$ and the high $PM_{2.5}$ pollution occurred over fall season in Gwangju.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.116-126
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• 2013

Glycol ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol commonly used in paints. These solvents typically have a higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols. The word "Glycol ethers" was registered as a United States trademark by Union Carbide Corp. Typically, glycol ethers are found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water based paints. On the other hand, glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives. Most glycol ethers are relatively water soluble, biodegradable and only a few are considered toxic. Therefore, they are unlikely to pose an adverse risk to the environment. Recent study suggests that occupational exposure to glycol ethers is related to low motile sperm count in men, but the finding has been disputed by others. In this study, skin permeation of 3 types glycol ethers were studied in vitro using matrix such as solvent and detergent. The absorption of glycol ethers[methyl glycol ethers(MC), ethyl glycol ethers(EC) and butyl glycol ethers(BC)] has been measured in vitro through rat skin. Epidermal membranes were set up in Franz diffusion cells and their permeability to PBS measured to establish the integrity of the skin before the glycol ethers were applied to the epidermal surface. Absorption rates for each glycol ethers were determined and permeability assessment made to quantify any irreversible alterations in barrier function due to contact with the esters. Types of glycol ethers in vitro experimental results on MC> EC> BC quickly appeared in the following order: skin permeation was beneficial to the skin permeation small molecular weight, the difference in chemical structure, such as hydrophilic, because with the partition coefficient and solubility mechanisms and passive diffusion to increase the speed at which transmission is considered.