• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.165-192
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• 2022

The microbial metagenome characteristics of bioaerosols and particulate matter (PM) in the outdoor atmospheric environment and the effects of climate and environmental factors on the metagenome were analyzed. The concentrations of bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols and PM were determined by sampling different regions with different environmental properties. A variety of culture-independent methods were used to analyze the microbial metagenome in aerosols and PM samples. In addition, the effects of meteorological and environmental factors on the diversity and metagenomes of bacteria and fungi were investigated. The survival, growth, and dispersal of the microorganisms in the atmosphere were markedly affected by local weather conditions and the air pollutant concentration. The concentration of airborne microorganisms increased as the temperature increased, but their concentration decreased in summer, due to the effects of high temperatures and strong ultraviolet rays. Humidity and microbial concentration were positively correlated, but when the humidity was too high, the dispersion of airborne microorganisms was inhibited. These comprehensive data on the microbial metagenome in bioaerosols and PM may be used to understand the roles and functions of microorganisms in the atmosphere, and to develop strategies and abatement techniques to address the environmental and public health problems caused by these microorganisms.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.36
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• pp.64-73
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• 2015

The temple and family or private owner have managed the storage space of movable cultural properties. Thus they lack the ability to manage professionally and systematically, movable cultural properties are in a poor environment and have been damaged by abundant dust and airborne fungi in the storage. In this study, we investigated microbes distribution in 10 storage or exhibition hall housing the movable cultural properties. As a results, concentration of collected microorganisms exhibited a large difference according to a storage and the D Relic Museum in Yeongam is the most contaminant storage, in which detected $2,000m^3$ or more. More than $166m^3$ of the fungi were detected in most storages of the other. We identified so many varieties of fungi such as Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Alternaria sp. and Cladosporium sp. existing commonly in 10 storages including wood rot fungi such as Ceriporia lacerata, Ganoderma carnosum, Myrothecium gramineum and Bjerkandera sp.. This airborne fungi may damage cultural heritages. The Guideline on a concentration of airborne fungi should be estimated and management system to the preservation environment must be provided.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2009

Airborne microorganisms, termed bioaerosols, are etiological agents of many respiratory and skin diseases. There are high demands of controlling the concentration of bioaerosols, specifically in indoor environments. Here, a new system for controlling indoor bioaerosols is designed and evaluated. An idea of a short time exposure to a thermal energy is used in the design of the equipment. The system was tested in laboratory environments. The experimental results show that the new system can reduce the concentration of viable bioaerosols of indoor laboratory environments.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.201.3-201
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• 2005

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.487-492
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• 2022

Objective: The exposure levels of disease-causing bacteria and germs were assessed on aircraft cleaning workers on multiple different aircrafts. Method: Five measuring points were selected depending on the aircraft types. Four aircraft cleaning agencies were selected for the test. Aircraft cleaning work was classified as intensive cleaning and general cleaning work. Ventilation in aircraft when sampling during the cleaning operation was categorized into forced ventilation and natural ventilation. The collection of airborne microorganisms was made through inertial impactors which were installed 1.5 meters above the bottom of the aircraft. The airborne bacteria and fungus growth badges were selected by Trytpic Soy Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Results: The average concentrations of bacteria in the air were higher in the order of small, medium, and large airplanes. Rainy days had higher concentrations inside and outside the aircraft as compared to those in sunny days. Regarding ventilation, concentrations in natural ventilation were higher than concentrations in forced ventilation. According to the type of work, the concentrations in the intensive cleaning groups (cleaning one plane a day) were lower than those of the ordinary cleaning groups (cleaning several planes per day). Conclusion: The concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the aircraft surveyed were lower than the indoor environmental standards of Korea (800 cfu/m³ and 500 cfu/m³). The average concentrations of bacteria in the air and fungi in the air were highest in small aircraft owned by Company D.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2006

The objective of this study is to provide fundamental data for pertinent management of indoor air quality through investigating the size-based characteristics of bioaerosol distributed in the general hospital. Measurement sites are main lobby, ICU, ward and laboratory and total five times were sampled with six-stage cascade impactor. Based on the result of this study, concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were the highest in main lobby as followed by an order of ward, ICU and laboratory. Concentrations of airborne bacteria was generally higher than those of airborne fungi and the ratio of indoor and outdoor concentration of both exceeded 1.0 in all the measurement sites of the general hospital. The predominant genera of airborne bacteria identified in the general hospital were Staphylococcus spp.(50%), Micrococcus spp.(15-20%), Corynebacterium spp.(5-20%), and Bacillus spp.(5-15%). On the other hand, the predominant genera of airborne fungi identified in the general hospital were Cladosporium spp.(30%), Penicillium spp.(20-25%), Aspergillus spp.(15-20%), and Alternaria spp.(10-20%). In regard to size distribution of bioaerosol, the detection rate was generally highest on 5 stage($1.1-2.1{\mu}m$) for airborne bacteria and on 1 stage(>$7.0{\mu}m$) for airborne fungi. Cleanliness of facilities in the general hospital and condition of HVAC system should be monitored regularly to prevent indoor air contamination by airborne microorganisms.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1629-1632
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• 2008

Rapid, real-time detection of pathogenic microorganisms is an emerging and quickly evolving field of research, especially with regard to microorganisms that pose a major threat to public health. Herein, a new method that uses bioimpedance and solid culture medium for the real-time detection of microorganisms is introduced. We fabricated a new impedimetric biosensor by integrating solid media and two plane electrodes attached on two facing sides of an acryl well. During bioelectrical impedance analysis, the solid medium showed the characteristics of a homogenous conductive material. In a real-time impedance measurement, our solid-medium biosensor could monitor bacterial growth in situ with a detection time of ${\sim}4$ hrs. Our data indicate that the solid-medium biosensor is useful for detecting airborne microorganisms, thereby providing a new analytical tool for impedance microbiology.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.188-194
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• 2005

To assess microbiological indoor air quality in schools, concentrations of viable airborne microorganisms were monitored at classrooms and corridors of 3 middle or high schools in Ulsan. Airborne microorganisms were sampled at various situations during a semester (class-hour, lunchtime, after school) and during a vacation with an impaction-type air sampler. During the semester, the number of bacteria was the highest at lunchtime in corridor with an average of $1,111\;MPN/m^{3}$ and lowest at class-hour in corridor with an average of $132\;MPN/m^{3}$. During the vacation, the bacterial concentrations at classrooms and corridors were only $5{\%}$ and $27{\%}$ of the values during class-hours of the semester, respectively. Among the colonies tested, $60{\%}$ were identified as relatively harmless Micrococcus species and $12{\%}$ were Staphylococcus species. During the semester, the average values of fungal concentrations at each situation ranged from 105 to $213\;MPN/m^{3}$, and the values during the vacation were $32\;MPN/m^{3}$ at classrooms and $83\;MPN/m^{3}$ in corridors. Fungal genera such as Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus were identified from the colonies. The obtained data can be considered as a step to set a guideline for bioaerosols in indoor environment of schools.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2008

Mean levels of airborne bacteria, airborne fungi, temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices were $426({\pm}83)\;cfu/m^3$, $234({\pm}125)\;cfu/m^3$, $25.9({\pm}1.3)\;^{\circ}C$, $57.7({\pm}8.6)\;%$, $422({\pm}38)\;ppm$, respectively. The I/O ratio of airborne bacteria and fungi was over 1 and there was no significant difference among temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices. In construction period, a concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi was significantly highest in general offices constructed under one year and over three years since construction, respectively (p<0.05). The concentration of airborne fungi in general offices located at basement was significantly higher than those located at ground (p<0.05). No significant difference of airborne bacteria and fungi in general offices was found regardless of installation of HVAC system (p>0.05). The dominant bacterial genera identified in general offices was Staphylococcus, followed by Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium while usarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Mucor were identified as dominant fungal genera in general offices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.84-94
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• 2013

Objectives: The objective of this study is to identify the composition of dominant microorganisms in waste handling industries. Methods: We collected airborne bacteria and fungi by agar plate impaction method in recyclable waste sorting industry, food recycling industry, landfill and incineration. Isolated dominant microorganisms were identified by VITEK system or morphological analysis. Results: We isolated totally 330 microorganisms in the process and outdoor. Bacillus was the most dominant genus in the all industries, and Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus, and Proteus was dominant bacterial genus. The dominant genus of fungi was Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium in each industries. Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Proteus was identified as the dominant gram negative bacteria. The ratio of bacteria being biosafety levels(class 1 or 2) was 58.3~77.8%. Conclusions: This study has investigated the dominant microorganisms in the waste handling industries. The genus of dominant microorganisms was similar among the industries but the composition was different. We used biosafety levels as qualitative method, but further studies are needed about specific process of qualitative evaluation methods.