• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 2018

This study was carried out to characterize the ambient levels of PAH concentrations in Pohang city, where steel industry has been intensively developed. A large amount of PAH emissions from steel production and related industries in Pohang are concerned about the environmental health hazards of nearby residents. TSP samples were seasonally collected during 10 days at four sites in Pohang from April to December 2010. Each sample was collected for 24 hours using high-volume air sampler. All samples were extracted by $soxtec^{TM}$ before concentration of 1.0 mL. The concentrates were analyzed by GC/MS. The prevailing wind direction was southwest and west-southwest in Pohang during the measurement period. Variations of TSP concentrations appeared to be similar between four sites. The highest TSP concentration was found in fall, while the lowest in summer. The highest PAH concentration was found at an industrial site, while the lowest at a residential/commercial site. In the case of BaP, the average concentration at the industrial site was $0.63{\pm}0.66ng/m^3$, which was approximately 2 times of the residential/commercial site. The paired t-test (p<0.05) showed significant differences between industrial and residential area. Particulate PAH concentrations were higher in the winter and lower in the summer. The concentrations of BaP in winter were 2~10 times higher than those in the other three seasons. This study clearly demonstrated the impact of steel industry on the elevated levels of PAH in Pohang city.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2000

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) have known as potentially hazardous air pollutants(HAPs0 to human health because of its carcinogenic and mutagenic behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of 6 PAHs(Fluoranthene, Pyrene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, and Benzo[a]pyrene) as well as 10 inorganic elements(Cr, Na, K, Zn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Ti, Al and Cd) in the ambient PM-10. The total of 115 samples had been collected from February, 1996 to June, 1996 on quartz fiber by a PM-10 high volume air sampler near the Yong-Tong Apartment complexes. A statistical analysis was performed for the PAHs and inorganic elements data set using a principal component analysis in order to identify qualitatively the potential sources of PM-10. A total of 6 principal components were separated by intensive data pretrement and transformation processes, such as soil, refuse incineration, oil burning, coal burning, field burning, vehicle emission sources. The results showed that PAHs were associated with various burning activities like refuse and field burning, coal burning, and oil burning emissions in the study area. These derived sources were well matched with the previously known source profiles in terms of compositonal order and level of measured species. The combination data set consisted of both organic and inorganic species might provide more powerful source signature and might increase the number of potentially derived sources than PAHs or inorganic data alone.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.223-238
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• 2015

The $PM_{2.1}$ was collected by LVCI (low volume cascade impactor) during Group-A Period (September 1990 to December 2012) and the $PM_{2.5}$ was collected by HVAS (high volume air sampler) during Group-B Period (September 2009 to April 2012) at Kyung Hee University, Global Campus located on the boarder of Yongin and Suwon. The 8 water-soluble ions ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, $ NO_3{^-}$, and $SO_4{^{2-}}$) were analyzed by IC, and the 14 inorganic elements (Al, Mn, Si, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Ba, Zn, Ti, Ag) were analyzed by XRF and ICP-AES after performing proper pre-treatments of each sample filter. The average total mass fractions of $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$+ to $PM_{2.5}$ samples during Group-B Period were 0.39 in normal days, 0.44 in haze days, and 0.27 in Asian dust days, respectively; however, the average total mass fractions of Al, Fe, and Si to $PM_{2.5}$ mass were 0.043 in normal days, 0.021 in haze days, and 0.036 in Asian dust days, respectively. Especially the concentration of Pb was significantly decreased during Group-B Period rather than during Group-A Period, while Cr and Ni was increased during Group-B Period. In this study, we intensively compared the annual and seasonal patterns of major chemical species among normal days, haze days, and Asian dust days. Further we developed mass fraction profiles by collecting episode cases of haze days and Asian dust days, which were consisting of 22 chemical species. Those profiles are considered to be useful when applying various receptor models and establishing air quality management plans near future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2001

To investigate the physio-chemical components and properties of aerosol particles in urban area sampling of aerosol particles was carried out in the campus of Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, during snowfall. Aerosol particles were collected on millipore filter papers using a low volume air sampler. Their shapes, sizes and chemical components were analyzed by a SEM(Scanning Electron Microscope) and an EDX(Energy Dispersive X-ray). As a results, ice crystals of dendrite and column types were predominantly shown at mature and developing stage of snowfall intensity. The denerite and sector plate types of ice crystals were mainly originated from the sea but column types were come from soil. Scavenging effect by snowfall was greatly also shown at dendrite type ice crystals that embryo was fully developd. Al, Si elements were shown at high frequencies as compared with others. Na, Cl components were especially shown at high frequencies under the sea-breeze wind during snowfall. Anthropogenic aerosol particles had shown with irregular shapes and sizes, relatively. Mainly 3-7$\mu$m aerosol particles were abundant and coarse particles also could be seen during snowfall. Ca, Zn, Fe components mainly caused by spike tires from vehicles in winter season were dominant before snowfall, however the element S mainly caused by human activity was rich after snowfall. The pH values of snow in Sapporo city were higher than those at coastal area. The concentration of chemical components in aerosol particles was also affected by surface winds. Aerosol particles in urban area, Sapporo were mainly affected by human activities like vehicles and combustion with wind system. And their types were related with snowfall intensity.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.E4
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• pp.177-186
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• 2003

The total of 1,454 aerosol samples were collected by high volume tape sampler at the Gosan Site in Jeju Island from 1992 to 1999, and the major water-soluble ionic components were chemically analyzed. The mean concentrations of nss-S $O_4$$^{2-}$, N $H_4$$^{＋}$, and N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ showed high values, which were 6.73, 1.45, and 1.45 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥, respectively, while $Ca^{2+}$ and $K^{+}$ concentrations were low with the values of 0.49 and 0.42 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. The concentrations of most components increased in spring but decreased in summer, especially with the remarkable increase of $Ca^{2+}$ and N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ concentrations in spring. The seasonal comparison of nss-S $O_4$$^{2-}$ concentrations showed higher values with the order of spring > fall 〉 winter〉 summer, but spring 〉 winter〉 fall 〉 summer for N $O_3$$^{[-10]}$ Meanwhile, the concentration levels of N $a^{+}$ and C $l^{[-10]}$ increased more in winter season. According to the investigation of wind direction effect, the concentrations of most aerosol ionic components showed higher values consistently at the westerly and northerly wind conditions. Based on the factor analysis, the atmospheric aerosols in the Gosan Site are considered to be largely affected by marine sources, followed by anthropogenic and soil sources.urces..

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2008

This study was conducted to measure concentrations of particulate matter ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$) and endotoxin in thirty public facilities (7 elderly-care facilities, 4 hypermarkets, 4 university hospitals, 7 child-care facilities, 4 subway stations and 4 bus terminals) from September 2004 to February 2007 in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province. $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}$ was measured with glass fiber filter and mini volume air sampler for 6 to 8 hours in indoor and outdoor of the facilities and expressed as ${\mu}g/m^3$. After weighing the filter, endotoxin was analyzed by Limulus Ameobocyte Lysate method ($EU/m^3$). $PM_{10}$ in indoor air was higher (GM and GSD was 78.00 and $1.92\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively) than the outdoor air (GM and GSD was 60.70 and $2.23\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, I/O=1.28). All measurements was not exceeded the national maintenance standard. Elderly-care and child-care facilities showed relatively higher concentrations ($83.27\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $81.75\;{\mu}g/m^3$; I/O=2.01 and 1.19, respectively) than hypermarkets or university hospitals. The highest PM2.5 was seen in child-care facilities ($62.15\;{\mu}g/m^3$, I/O=2.42). The I/O of the endotoxin in the PM10 and the $PM_{2.5}$ was exceeded 1.0 (1.37 and 1.57, respectively). Indoor $PM_{10}$ was affected by user/day and humidity, and endotoxin in the PM10 was affected by temperature. In conclusion, elderly- and child-care facilities are high priority facilities to be improved indoor air quality.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.442-450
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• 2001

In this study, we collected PM10(particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$) by using a high volume air sampler from March 2000 to September 2000 to investigate the contamination level and the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in the ambient air in Ulsan area. Samples were pretreated by the microwave extraction methods, and heaby metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, As, and Pb) were quantified by using and ICP-MS system. The highest PM10 concentrations in the ambient air were $85.6{\mu}g/m^3$ and the aberage value was $37.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The maximum levels of each heavy metal were as follows: $2.5{\mu}g/m^3$ for Fe(Yeocheon-dong), $0.41{\mu}g/m^3$ for Zn(Nammok-2-dong), $0.061{\mu}g/m^3$ for Cd(Yeocheon-dong), $0.20{\mu}g/m^3$ for Pb(Yeocheon-dong), $0.037{\mu}g/m^3$ for Ni(Yeoncheon-dong), $0.88{\mu}g/m^3$ for Cu(Yaeum-dong), $0.042{\mu}g/m^3$ for Cr(Yaeum-dong), and $0.015{\mu}g/m^3$ for As(Onsan). Among concentration of heavy metals, Ni and Zn compounds were highly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.87 at Nammok-2-dong.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.439-454
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to extensively identify $PM_{10}$ sources and to estimate their contributions to the study area, based on the analysis of the $PM_{10}$ mass concentration and the associated inorganic elements, ions, and total carbon. The contribution of $PM_{10}$ sources was estimated by applying a receptor method because identifying air emission sources were effective way to control the ambient air quality. $PM_{10}$ particles were collected from May to November 2007 in the Yongin-Suwon bordering area. $PM_{10}$ samples were collected on quartz filters by a $PM_{10}$ high-volume air sampler. The inorganic elements (Al, Mn, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Si, Ba, Ti and Ag) were analyzed by an ICP-AES after proper pre-treatments of each sample. The ionic components of these $PM_{10}$ samples ($Cl^_$, $NO_3^-$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4^+$, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$) were analyzed by an IC. The carbon components (OC1, OC2, OC3, OC4, OP, EC1, EC2 and EC3) were also analyzed by DRI/OGC analyzer. Source apportionment of $PM_{10}$ was performed using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. After performing PMF modeling, a total of 8 sources were identified and their contribution were estimated. Contributions from each emission source were as follows: 13.8% from oil combustion and industrial related source, 25.4% from soil source, 22.1% from secondary sulfate, 12.3% from secondary nitrate, 17.7% from auto emission including diesel (12.1%) and gasoline (5.6%), 3.1% from waste incineration and 5.6% from Na-rich source. This study provides information on the major sources affecting air quality in the receptor site, and therefore it will help us maintain and manage the ambient air quality in the Yongin-Suwon bordering area by establishing reliable control strategies for the related sources.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2001

A total of 328 ambient PM-10 samples was collected by a PM-10 high volume air sampler during the periods of February 1997 to February 1999 from Kyung Hee University at Suwon Campus. The samples were analyzed for their bulk chemical compositions(Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, Al, $Na^{+}$, $NH_{4}^{+}$, $K^{+}$, $Ca^{2+]$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Cl^{-}$, $NO_{3}^{-}$, and $SO_{4}^{2-}$ by both an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and an ion chromatograph. The purpose of this study was t develop a receptor methodology for quantitative assessment of PM-10 sources. The data obtained from this study were ex-tensively examined using the target transformation factor analysis(TTFA) and the chemical mass balance (CMB). When TTFA was initially applied seasonal basis. five sources(such as automobile-related, sulfate-related, incine-ration, soil and combustion-related) were identified both during winter and fall. Since the total number and the type of sources were resolved by TTFA for the four seasons, CMB was employed to cross-check the results of TTEA. The total of six source categories identified by TTEA was intensively investigated on the basis of source profiles acquired from various source libraries established both in Korea and abroad. The results of this study showed the applicability of two popular receptor models as a new methdology for quantitative assessment PM-10 sources in Korea. Seasonally segmented data sets with the combined application of TTFA and CMB yielded a physically reasonable source apportionment result and provided a mean to increase the number of potential sources. Furthermore, this study suggested the possibility of the CMB application to ambi-ent data from Korea after identifying potential sources through traditional factor analysis.