• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 1998

The characteristics of cometabolic removal of xylenes by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans Y234 were investigated. m-Xylene was found to be degraded while ο- and p-xylene were biotransformed into cresols in the presence of benzene or toluene. A lower level of benzene was required than that of toluene to remove the same amount of xylenes, which suggested benzene was a more effective primary substrate than toluene. ο-Xylene was found to be the most toxic to Alcaligenes xylosoxidans Y234 followed by p-xylene and m-xylene. Rates of cell decay during cometabolic removal of ο-, m-, or p-xylene were decreased by up to $76\%$ when benzene-adapted cells were inoculated. Xylenes were removed efficiently using benzene-adapted cells.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 1998

In this study, a total of 10 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including BTEX were determined in the inside and outside of a highway thnnel in order to evaluate the emission profile of automobile exhaust with respect to the concentrations, relative ratio and correlation coefficient of target analytes. In addition to VOCs, CO $CO_2 and NO_2$ were measured simultaneously. The results of this study indicated that the most abundant compound was toluene followed by benzene and m+p-xylenes, and the correlation coefficients between VOCs except styrene were higher than 0.96. The concentration ratio of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes with respect to benzene measured in the inside of tunnel was 1.5, 0.13, 0.74, respectively. Such ratios were found to be very similar to those measured in tunnels in the USA.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2002

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal (daily, weekly, and seasonal) variations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations at a road-side site in a heavy-traffic central area of Metropolitan Taegu. Ambient air sampling was undertaken continuously for 14 consecutive days in each of four seasons from the spring of 1999 to the winter of 2000. The VOC samples were collected using adsorbent tubes, and were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS analysis. A total of 10 aromatic VOCs of environmental concern were determined, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m＋p-xylenes, styrene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene. Among 10 target VOCs, the most abundant compounds appeared to be toluene (1.5 ∼ 102 ppb) and xylenes (0.1 ∼ 114 ppb), while benzene levels were in the range of 0.3 ∼6 ppb. It was found that the 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 (AM 7∼9 and PM 7 ∼9). However, some VOCs such as toluene, xylenes, and ethylbenzene were likely to be affected by a number of unknown sources other than vehicle exhaust, being attributed to the use of paints, and/or the evaporation of solvents used nearby the sampling site. In some instances, extremely high concentrations were found for these compounds, which can not be explained solely by the impact of vehicle exhaust. The results of this study may be useful for estimating the relative importance of different emission sources in large urban areas. Finally, it was suggested that the median value might be more desirable than the arithmetic mean as a representative value for the VOC data group, since the cumulative probability distribution (n=658) does not follow the normal distribution pattern.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.502-509
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• 1997

Aromatic pollutants(benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) were photodegraded by using a UV oxidation and the rates of degradation were investigated under various reaction conditions. Each of the solution containing 50 ppm benzene, 150 ppm ethylbenzene and 250 ppm xylenes was found UV-photodegraded over 90% in 1 hour of reaction time, wheras the only was 43 % degradation was obtained with 350 ppm toluene solution. A single component solution was more degradable than a mixed component solution and benzene was almost photodegraded at a pH 4.0, 6.4 and 10.0 after reaction time is 1 hr, ehtylbenzene was photodegraded about 92%(pH 4.0), 90%(pH 6.4) and 91%(pH 10.0), xylenes was photodegraded about 95%(pH 4.0), 90%(pH 6.4) and 92%(pH 10.0), but toluene was photodegraded about 80%(pH 4.0), 43%(pH 6.4) and 70%(pH 10.0), respectively. Kinetics studies show that the rate of decay in TOC(total organic carbon) were pseudo first-order rate except ethylbenzene, and then we could evaluate mineralization rate constants(k) of aromatics.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1280-1282
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• 2001

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2002

A facile and precise batch oxidation reaction system allows continuous monitoring of the oxidation rate and cumulated oxygen conversion of xylenes, and the side reactions to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may also be studied. The oxidation reaction can be analyzed precisely with the rate and amount of oxygen consumed. The reaction reveals that 4-carboxybenzaldehyde is an unstable intermediate of p-xylene oxidation as the reaction proceeds instantaneously from p-toluic acid to TPA (terephthalic acid). The alkali metals accelerate oxidation, even though they retard the reaction initially. The oxidation rate increases with decreasing water concentration. However, in the later part of reaction, the reactivity decreases a bit if the water concentration is very low. This retarding effect of water can be overcome partly by the addition of potassium. The oxidation of o-xylene, compared with the oxidation of p-xylene and m-xylene, proceeds quite fast initially, however, the oxidation rate of xylene isomers in the later stage of reaction is in the order of p-xylene > mxylene > o-xylene.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.3 s.75
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• pp.45-52
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• 2006

The AITs(autoignition temperatures) describe the minimum temperature to which a substance must be heated, without the application of a flame or spark, which will cause that substance to ignite. The AITs are often used as a factor in determining the upper temperature limit for processing operations and conditions for handling, storage and transportation, and in determining potential fire hazard from accidental contact with hot surfaces. The measurement AITs are dependent upon many factors, namely initial temperature, pressure, volume, fuel/air stoichiometry, catalyst material, concentration of vapor, time lag. Therefore, the AITs reported by different ignition conditions are sometimes significantly different. This study measured the AITs of benzene, toluene and xylene isomers from time lag using AS1M E659-78 apparatus. The experimental ignition delay times were a good agreement with the calculated ignition delay times by the proposed equations wtih a few A.A.D.(average absolute deviation). Also The experimental AITs of benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene were $583^{\circ}C,\;547^{\circ}C,\;480^{\circ}C,\;587^{\circ}C,\;and\;557^{\circ}C$, respectively.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.192-201
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• 2014

A comprehensive profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in public spaces is needed for interpreting indoor air measurements. Seasonal differences in profiles are critical for epidemiological study and risk assessment. The purposes of this study were to establish profiles for individual VOCs in 50 indoor public places in Korea and to determine seasonal variations in their concentrations. Air samples were taken during working hours. Seventy-two of the 91 targeted VOCs were identified using multiple standards. Six VOCs detected in all summer and winter samples were toluene, acetone, m,p-xylenes, ethylbenzene, benzene, and styrene. In summer, methyl ethyl ketone and 1-butanol were also found in all samples. In both seasons, the dominant indoor VOCs were toluene, m,p-xylenes, ethylbenzene, acetone, and isopropyl alcohol. Other chemicals associated with gasoline emissions were dominant in summer. Limonene was dominant only in winter due to the consumption of tangerines. The nine VOCs with the highest concentrations comprised 64.8% and 49.6% of the TVOC in summer and winter, respectively. Comparing two types of adsorbent tube, a single adsorbent tube with Tenax-TA had similar detection performance as a double adsorbent tube with Tenax and Carbotrap.

• Clean Technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 1998

Photodecomposition behaviors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs ; benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) over UV irradiation and UV irradiation with $TiO_2$ powder catalyst were studied and the extent of degradation were also investigated under various reaction conditions. The reactions were conducted in a quartz annular reactor equipped with a medium pressure mercury lamp. As a result, the extents of degradation were 92% for toluene and ethylbenzene, 83% for benzene, and 82% for xylenes under UV irradiation. And they were 92% for toluene, 82% for xylene and ethylbenzene, and 53% for benzene under UV irradiation with $TiO_2$ powder. Analyses of reacted samples by FID-gas chromatograph with Purge & Trap concentrator and GC-MS indicated that the aromatics formed many intermediates.