• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.329-341
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to study the $PM_{2.5}$ source characteristics affecting the Seoul area using a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model. This study was also to evaluate the $PM_{2.5}$ source profiles, which were directly measured and developed. Asian Dust Storm usually occurred in the spring, and very high $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were observed in the fall among the sampling periods. So the ambient data collected in the spring and fall were evaluated. The CMB model results as well as the $PM_{2.5}$ source profiles were validated using the diagnostic categories, such as: source contribution estimate, t-statistic, R-square, Chi-square, and percent of total mass explained. In the spring months, the magnitude of $PM_{2.5}$ mass contributors was in the following order: Chinese aerosol $(31.7\%)>$ secondary aerosols ($22.3\%$: ammonium sulfate $13.4\%$ and ammonium nitrate $8.9\%)>$ vehicles ($16.1\%$: gasoline vehicle $1.4\%$ and diesel vehicles $14.7\%)>$biomass burning $(15.5\%)>$ geological material $(10.5\%)$. In the fall months, the general trend of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass contributors was the following: biomass burning $(31.1\%)>$ vehicles ($26.9\%$: gasoline vehicle $5.1\%$ and diesel vehicles $21.8\%)>$ secondary aerosols ($23.0\%$: ammonium sulfate $9.1\%$ and ammonium nitrate $13.9\%)>$ Chinese aerosol $(10.7\%)$. The results show that the $PM_{2.5}$ mass in the Seoul area was mainly affected by the Chinese area.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 1998.07e
• /
• pp.1794-1796
• /
• 1998

In this study, the $SO_2$ addition effect on NOx removal has been conducted from a combustion flue gases by the do corona discharge-activated radical shower systems. The simulated flue gases were consisted of NO-O_2-$N_2$, NO-$CO_2-N_2-O_2$ and $NO-SO_2-CO_2-Na-O_2$([NO]o:200ppm and $[SO_2]o$:800ppm). The injection gases used as radical source gases were $NH_3$-Ar-air. $SO_2$ and NOx removal efficiency and the other by-products were measured by Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) as well as $SO_2$. NOx and $NO_2$ gas detectors. By-product aerosol particles were also observed by Condensation Nucleation Particle Counter(CNPC) and SEM images after sampling. The results showed that asignificant aerosol Particle formation was observed during a removal operation in corona radical shower systems. The NOx removal efficiency significantly increased with increasing applied voltage and $NH_3$ molecule ratio. The $SO_2$ removal efficiency was not significantly effected by applied voltage and slightly increased with increasing $NH_3$ molecule ratio. The NOx removal efficiency for NO-$SO_2-CO_2-N_2-O_2$ was better than that for NO-$CO_2-N_2-O_2$.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.8-16
• /
• 2013

The fog water chemistry and deposition in northern Japan were investigated by fog water and throughfall measurements in 2010. Fog water was sampled weekly by an active-string fog sampler at Lake Mashu from May to November. Throughfall measurements were conducted using rain gauges under three deciduous trees along the somma of the lake from August to October. The mean fog deposition rate (flux) was calculated using throughfall data to estimate the total fog water deposition amount for the entire sampling period. $NH_4{^+}$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ were the most abundant cation and anion, respectively, in the fog water samples. A mean pH of 5.08 in the fog water, which is higher than those in rural areas in Japan, was observed. The [$NH_4{^+}$]/[$SO{_4}^{2-}$] equivalent ratio in fog water was larger than 1.0 throughout the study period, indicating that $NH_3$ gas was the primary neutralizing agent for fog water acidity. The mean rate and total amount of fog water deposition were estimated as 0.15 mm $h^{-1}$ and 164 mm, respectively. The amounts of nitrogen and sulfate deposition via fog water deposition were corresponded to those reported values of the annual deposition amounts via rainfall.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.105-113
• /
• 2019

The exhaust emissions from coal-fired power plants have received much attention because coal-fired power plants are the one of the largest sources of particulate matter (PM) emissions in South Korea. To measure the PM10 and PM2.5, we developed the novel diluter which is comprised of ejector and porous tube in series. The dilution ratio must be defined to calculate particle concentrations of the sampled air as well as to probe match for the isokinetic sampling. For this reason, we verified the dilution ratio of the developed diluter by the flow rate, numerical solution, gas concentration and particle concentration. The ejector-supplied flow rates were 10-50 L/min and the porous tube-supplied flow rates were 30, 50 L/min in this study. All methods above showed similar dilution ratios to each other within 10 % error rate. The dilution ratio was confirmed by comparing mass concentrations before and after the dilution process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.405-425
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to review the methodologies for evaluation of consumer spray products containing engineered nanomaterials (ENM), particularly focusing on inhalation exposure. Method: Literature on the evaluation methods for aerosolized ENM exposure from consumer spray products were collected through academic web searching. Common methodologies used in the literature, including research reports and academic articles, were also introduced. Results: The number of ENM-containing products have shown a considerable increase over recent years, from 54 in 2005 to 1,827 in 2018. Currently there is still discussion over the existing regulations with regard to product safety. Analysis of both ENM suspensions in the products and their aerosols is important for risk assessment. Comparison between the phases suggests how the size and concentration of particles change during the spray process. To analyze the ENM suspensions, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy techniques, and inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry were used. In the aerosol monitoring, direct-reading instruments have been used to monitor the aerosols and conventional active sampling is used together to supplement the lack of real-time monitoring. There are also some models for estimating inhalation exposure. These models may be used to estimate mass exposure to nanomaterials contained in consumer products. Conclusion: Although there is no standardized method to evaluate ENM exposure from consumer products, many concerns about ENM have emerged. Every potential measure to reduce exposure to ENM from spray product use should be implemented through a precautionary recognition.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study is to assess respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure levels in workers who collect and dispose used coal briquette ash (CBA) in sanitation companies that are subcontracted by one medium-sized local government on the collection of municipal household waste (MHW), and to analyze the quartz content in CBA. When the CBA powder that undergone specialized pretreatment in several steps were subjected to mineral identification and quantitative analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), it was found that quartz represented 18%, and in addition, mullite, and plagioclase were included. For two CBA collectors, samples were collected by the personal sampling evaluation method. After respirable dust was collected in accordance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 7500 method, the concentration of quartz was analyzed using XRD. Meanwhile, a portable real-time dust monitor (Sidepak AM520, TSI Inc., USA) was also used to observe the dust exposure level for each time zone and job task. The RCS exposure level of one worker was as high as 0.024 mg/㎥, which was the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) level. The other worker also exhibited a concentration of 0.013 mg/㎥, which was more than half of TLV. The Sidepak results revealed that the work of collecting CBA and loading it onto a vehicle was hardly exposed to the dust of a significant level. It was found, however, that the work of transferring the collected CBA to a container through a conveyor belt was exposed to a very high average respirable dust concentration of 2.238 mg/㎥. The results of this study confirmed that quartz, which is crystalline silica and a carcinogen, is contained in CBA, one of municipal household waste (MHW), in high concentration. It was also confirmed that workers are exposed to high RCS concentrations while transferring collected CBA into a container. Although each local government in South Korea handles CBA in different ways, it is imperative to investigate the CBA exposure level of sanitation workers and improve their working conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.137-145
• /
• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify PM₁₀ mass concentration levels and conduct peak identification during five tasks in agricultural works. Methods: We investigated five agricultural tasks in 12 farms, which were harvesting, plowing, sowing, planting, and decapitation. All samples were measured by using the portable aerosol spectrometer(PAS 1.108) and the aerosol monitor(SidePak AM520). The collected data were compared with the national PM₁₀ concentrations. They were calculated to descriptive statistics, independent t-test, or ANOVA, and the peak identification on time series graph. Results: The ten investigated farms showed no significant difference with the national PM₁₀ concentrations, but the two greenhouses(AM, 143.31, 85.16 ㎍/m³) showed significant difference(p<0.05). As a result of the peak identification, the harvesting tasks showed repeated peak occurrence with the background concentration level of about 50 ㎍/m³. For plowing and sowing tasks, the peak occurred intermittently when the working was conducted near the sampling sites. Among the five tasks, the arithmetic mean of the harvesting task was 138.84±294.71 ㎍/m³, which was significantly higher than the other tasks(p<0.05). In addition, the case of using a tractor was higher than the case of not using the tractor(p<0.05), and the driver's seat showed the highest concentration(AM, 95.81 ㎍/m³). Conclusions: Works in greenhouses might have exposure to PM₁₀, while outdoor works is similar to general atmospheric PM₁₀ concentration levels. However, there is a possibility of intermittent exposure to high concentrations of PM₁₀ depending on the characteristics of agricultural tasks.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.69-77
• /
• 2022

In order to understand the characteristics of fine particles emitted from coal-fired power plant stacks, it is important to analyze the size distribution and components of particles. In this study, particle size distributions were measured using the ejector-porous tube dilution device and an ELPI system at a stack in a coal-fired power plant. Main elemental components of particles in each size interval were also identified through TEM-EDS analysis for the particles collected in each ELPI stage. Particle size distributions based on number and mass were analyzed with component distributions from 0.006 to 10 ㎛. The highest number concentration was about 0.01 ㎛. The main component of the particles consisted of sulfur, which indicated that sulfate aerosols were generated by gas-to-particle conversion of SO2. In a mass size distribution, a mono-modal distribution with a mode diameter of about 2 ㎛ was shown. For the components of PM1.0 (particles less than 1 ㎛), the abundance order was F > Mg > S > Ca, and however, for the components of PM10 (particles less than 10 ㎛), it was in the order of Fe > S > Ca > Mg. The elemental components by particle size were confirmed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purposes of this study are to investigate workers' exposures to respirable particles generated in taconite mines and to compare two metric methods for mass concentrations using direct-reading instruments. Methods: Air monitorings were conducted at six mines where subjects have been exposed primarily to particulate matters in crushing, concentrating, and pelletizing processes. Air samples were collected during 4 hours of the entire work shift for similarly exposure groups(SEGs) of nine jobs(N=37). Following instruments were employed to evaluate the workplace: a nanoparticle aerosol monitor(particle size range; 10-1000 nm, unit: ${\mu}m^2/cc$, Model 9000, TSI Inc.); DustTrak air monitors($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, unit: $mg/m^3$, Model 8520, TSI Inc.); a condensation particle counter(size range; 20-1000 nm, unit: #/cc, P-Trak 8525, TSI Inc.); and an optical particle counter(particle number by size range $0.3-25{\mu}m$, unit: #/cc, Aerotrak 9306, TSI Inc.). Results: The highest airborne concentration among SEGs was for furnace operator followed by pelletizing maintenance workers in number of particle and surface area, but not in mass concentrations. The geometric means of $PM_{2.5}$ by the DustTrak and the Ptrak/Aerotrak were $0.04{\mu}m$(GSD 2.52) and $0.07{\mu}m$(GSD 2.60), respectively. Also, the geometric means of RPM by the DustTrak and the Ptrak/Aerotrak were $0.16{\mu}m$(GSD 2.24) and $0.32{\mu}m$(GSD 3.24), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient for DustTrak $PM_{2.5}$ and Ptrak/Aerotrak $PM_{2.5}$ was 0.56, and that of DustTrak RPM and Ptrak/Aerotrak RPM was 0.65, indicating a moderate positive association between the two sampling methods. Surface area and number concentration were highly correlated($R^2$ = 0.80), while $PM_{2.5}$ and RPM were also statistically correlated each other($R^2$ = 0.79). Conclusions: The results suggest that it is possible to measure airborne particulates by mass concentrations or particle number concentrations using real-time instruments instead of using the DustTrak Aerosol monitor that monitor mass concentrations only.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.97-105
• /
• 2010

A quantitative single particle analytical technique, denoted low-Z particle electron probe X-ray microanalysis (low-Z particle EPMA), was applied to characterize particulate matters collected at two underground subway stations, Jegidong and Yangje stations, in Seoul, Korea. To clearly identify the source of the indoor aerosols in the subway stations, four sets of samples were collected at four different locations within the subway stations: in the tunnel; at the platform; near the ticket office; nearby outdoors. Aerosol samples collected on stages 2 and 3 ($D_p$: $10-2.5\;{\mu}m$ and $2.5-1.0\;{\mu}m$, respectively) in a 3-stage Dekati $PM_{10}$ impactor were investigated. Samples were collected during summertime in 2009. The major chemical species observed in the subway particle samples were Fe-containing, carbonaceous, and soil-derived particles, and secondary aerosols such as nitrates and sulfates. Among them, Fe-containing particles were the most popular. The tunnel samples contained 85-88% of Fe-containing particles, with the abundance of Fe-containing particles decreasing as the distances of sampling locations from the tunnel increased. The Fe-containing subway particles were generated mainly from mechanical wear and friction processes at rail-wheel-brake interfaces. Carbonaceous, soil-derived, and secondary nitrate and/or sulfate particles observed in the underground subway particles likely flowed in from the outdoor environment by human activities and the air-exchange between the subway system and the outdoors. In addition, since the platform screen doors (PSDs) limit air-mixing between the tunnel and the platform, samples collected at the platform at the Yangjae station (with PSDs) showed a marked decrease in the relative abundances of Fe-containing particles compared to the Jegidong station (without PSDs).