• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.291-297
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• 2022

Background: PM_2.5 and black carbon (BC) can be generated from cooking and from vehicle operation. Street vendors may be exposed to PM_2.5 and BC due to their proximity both to roads and to cooking activities. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the PM_2.5 and BC concentrations in cooking stalls and to determine the effects of cooking activity and of types of cooking. Methods: Indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity were measured in 32 stalls in April and May 2022. Behavioral factors such as the presence of cooking activity and types of cooking were observed. Student's T-test was performed using the difference of indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 and BC concentrations to compare the effects of cooking activity and to compare types of cooking. Results: One-hour averages of the difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations for cooking stalls and non-cooking stalls were 9.7±15.7 ㎍/m³ (n=22) and -0.5±0.4 ㎍/m³ (n=10), respectively. The difference in indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations in cooking stalls was significantly higher than in non-cooking stalls (p<0.05). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for stalls for Chinese pancakes and teokbokki exceeded the standards for indoor air quality in South Korea (50 ㎍/m³ ). The indoor PM_2.5 concentration for Korean pancake stalls exceeded the standards for outdoor air quality in South Korea (35 ㎍/m³ for 24 hours). Conclusions: The PM_2.5 concentrations in stalls with cooking activity was significantly higher than those in stalls without cooking activity. Some stalls with certain types of foods exceeded standards for indoor and outdoor air quality in South Korea. Better management of indoor air quality in stalls with cooking activities is necessary.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 2020

Asthmatics are more susceptible to fine particulate matters (PM_2.5), compared to the general population. It has been reported that indoor PM_2.5 is mainly generated by combustion of fossil fuels, meat or fish In particular, asthmatics are known to be more susceptible to indoor PM_2.5 because 65~95% of child or adult asthmatics stay inside the house. Thus, understanding the association between indoor activity patterns and variations in indoor PM_2.5 levels is important. The purpose of this study is to determine the distribution of hourly indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in asthmatics' homes, and to evaluate its association with pan-frying cooking activity patterns, the most common PM_2.5 emission related activity. From November 2017 to February 2018, real-time PM_2.5 concentrations were measured in the living room of each asthmatic's house (n = 35) for three weeks at 1 minute intervals. At the same time, self-reported daily activity patterns, hourly proportion (%) of cooking activities, were also recorded every hour over three weeks for each patient. In this study, we provided quantitative evidence that the distribution patterns of indoor hourly PM_2.5 concentrations were associated with indoor cooking activities, especially in the homes of adult asthmatics. In addition, we observed that PM_2.5 emitted by pan-frying could maintain even over up to 2 hour lagtime.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 2018

Objectives: In Mongolian housing, they use coal as a fuel for indoor heating and cooking. The combustion of coal releases particulate matter, which can affect indoor air quality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the concentrations of indoor $PM_{2.5}$ in winter time dwellings in ger town. Methods: In this study, indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, temperature and humidity in houses were measured by a real-time PM monitor, while the time activity patterns of the residents were also observed. Results: The correlation between factors that may affect the indoor air quality was analyzed.The indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $178.4{\pm}152.7{\mu}g/m^3$ (n=37). Five types of indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations have been classified, which were associated with indoor activity. The stove type, fuel types and indoor activities such as cleaning, cooking and opening the stoves were not significantly associated with indoor $PM_{2.5}$ levels. Conclusions: Further study is needed to determine the effect of stove type through 24hours of indoor air quality monitoring.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2018

Objectives: This study examined the impact of a smoke-free policy on indoor air quality at indoor recreation facilities by assessing $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the implementation of the new policy. Methods: Using real-time monitors, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 50 billiard rooms and 50 golf simulator rooms in Seoul, Korea. The characteristics of the indoor recreation facilities, smoking status, and atmospheric conditions were recorded at the same time.After the enforcement of a smoke-free policy, $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, installation of smoking room, and smoking status were examined when the facilities were revisited. Results: Almost a half of the billiard rooms and over 80% of golf simulator rooms were located underground. Seventy percent of the billiard rooms and one hundred percent of the golf simulator rooms were equipped with a local exhaust ventilation system. After the implementation of the smoke-free policy, 46% of the billiard rooms and 20% of the golf simulator rooms newly installed a smoking room. In the billiard rooms with a newly-installed smoking room, the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations decreased from 97.9 to $45.6{\mu}g/m^3$ after the implementation of the smoke-free policy. The same change of 29.0 to $ 26.3{\mu}g/m^3$ was not statistically significant in golf simulator rooms. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were correlated with outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations, number of smokers, and number of people in the room. Conclusions: The smoke-free policy for indoor recreation facilities was not effective at making the indoor spaces free from second hand smoke. Although a few billiard rooms installed a smoking room, indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were still higher than those of outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ or atmospheric $PM_{2.5}$. Stricter enforcement of the smoke-free policy should be achieved to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.187-194
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• 2020

This study presents the energy-saving sequential control algorithm to handle indoor CO₂ and PM2.5 for the improvement of the air quality of school classrooms. To solve indoor air quality (IAQ) problems, air cleaning and ventilation systems are mainly used for school classrooms. Although air cleaning is able to collect PM2.5, it is difficult to remove harmful gas substances. The ventilation system is suitable to tackle CO and CO₂, the volume ventilation, however, is relatively small. In this paper, to remove CO₂ and PM2.5, the pollutant balance equation for improving indoor air quality is reviewed. The sequential control algorithm of the ventilation and air cleaning system with four levels of criteria is introduced for the effective removal of pollutants. The proposed sequential control algorithm confirms that indoor CO₂ and PM2.5 can be properly controlled below the standard value. In addition, the sequential operation of air cleaning and ventilation systems has shown significant improvement in IAQ compared to the independent ventilation system operation. Particularly, such systems are efficient when outdoor PM2.5 is high.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

Objectives: Personal exposure to air pollution is affected by contact over time and by location. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ and the time-activity patterns of the elderly in urban and rural areas. Methods: A total of 44 elderly participants were recruited for a 24-hour $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposure measurement. Twenty-four were from Seoul (urban area) and 20 were from Asan (rural area). Energy expenditure and spatiotemporal positioning were monitored through $PM_{2.5}$ measurement. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between $PM_{2.5}$ and time-activity pattern. Results: Daily average $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposures were $19.1{\pm}9.7{\mu}g/m^3$ in Seoul and $29.1{\pm}16.9{\mu}g/m^3$ in Asan. Although outdoor exposure was higher in Seoul than in Asan, residential indoor exposure was higher in Asan than in Seoul. Higher $PM_{2.5}$ personal exposure in Asan could be explained by longer time in residential indoor environments and higher indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations. Seoul elderly had higher energy expenditure, which may be due to the use of mass transportation. Conclusion: Personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ was higher among Asan elderly than Seoul elderly because of high residential indoor concentrations and longer residential time. Lack of energy spent and higher personal exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ might have led to higher risk among the Asan elderly.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.339-355
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• 2021

Background: Particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) and black carbon contribute to poor air quality in urban areas, and can also affect indoor environments. Exposure to PM can be associated with respiratory and lung diseases. Objectives: This study investigated the indoor and outdoor concentration distribution patterns of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and black carbon at an apartment building, a typical residential space in the metropolitan areas of South Korea, by season, day of the week (weekday vs. weekend), and time of the day. It aims to obtain foundational data for the effective management of pollutants and investigate the difference in pollution levels between indoor and outdoor environments. Methods: Indoor and outdoor concentrations of PM and black carbon were measured at an apartment building located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, using dust sensors and an Aethalometer AE51 (AethLabs, San Francisco, CA, USA) over the course of a year from June 2020 to May 2021. The concentration distribution patterns were analyzed by season and time of day. Results: PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations in the outdoor environment were higher than those in the indoor environment, regardless of the season. By contrast, the indoor black carbon concentration was higher than that in the outdoor environment during summer and autumn. The concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and black carbon were found to be higher on weekdays than during weekends, especially during rush hour, with concentrations of 25.92~56.58 ㎍/m³, 21.12~44.82 ㎍/m³, 0.63~3.40 ㎍/m³. Conclusions: The outdoor concentrations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and black carbon were higher during the weekdays, especially during rush hour, than during weekends. This study is expected to provide basic data for the health management of apartment occupants because it is measured over a period of more than one year.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.504-512
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O ratio) of time activity patterns affecting PM_2.5 concentrations in homes in Korea through a simulation. Methods: The time activity patterns of homemakers were analyzed based on the 'Time-Use Survey' data of the National Statistical Office in 2014. From September 30 to October 2, 2019, the experimenter lived in multifamily housing located in Guro-gu, Seoul. The I/O ratio of PM_2.5 concentration was measured by installing sensor-based instruments. Results: The average indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations during the three days were 33.1±48.9 and 45.9±25.3 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The average I/O ratio was 0.75±0.60. The indoor concentration tended to increase when PM_2.5 source activity such cooking and cleaning was present and outdoor PM_2.5 was supplied through ventilation. Conclusions: This study could be used as basic data for estimating indoor PM_2.5 concentrations with personal activity pattern and weather conditions using outdoor concentrations.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2020

In this study, the indoor fine dust concentration in an office of the Korea Knowledge Industry Center was measured for about 80 hours when the concentration of atmospheric PM_2.5 was very high. The effect of the operation of the air cleaner and the forced ventilation system on the indoor PM_2.5 was investigated, and the particle size distribution of the indoor and outdoor particles was analyzed. When forced ventilator and air purifiers were partially used, the indoor PM_2.5 concentrations were maintained between 27.7 ㎍/㎥ and 32.9 ㎍/㎥ when the atmospheric PM_2.5 was 127.7 ㎍/㎥ to 141.6 ㎍/㎥ during working hours. It is more effective to operate the air purifier without operating the forced ventilation system when the concentration of the PM_2.5 is high since the PM_2.5 penetrating the installed filter is continuously introduced indoor from the outside.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.491-497
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• 2005

In this study, we investigated $PM_{10},\;NO_2$, and l-hydroxypyrene(1-OHP) in urine at indoor environments which are 35 houses and 20 hospitals for using air cleaner and non-using air cleaner in Seoul metropolitan area and Kyoung-gi province from April, 2003 to February, 2004. Moreover, we examined effect of improvement for indoor air quality and health effect by concentration of 1-OHP also we investigated removal efficiency by air cleaner for $PM_{10},\;NO_2$, and 1-OHP that were 28.5\%,\;27.4\%,\;and\;42.1\%$ respectively. Concentration of$PM_{10},\;NO_2$, and 1-OHP were $19.02\pm18.14{\mu}g/m^3,\;8.66\pm3.06ppb,\;and\;0.19\pm0.18{\mu}g/g$, creatinine when air cleaner was no worked. The concentration for $PM_{10},\;NO_2$. and 1-OHP were $13.60\pm10.79{\mu}g/m^3,\; 6.29\pm2.71ppb,\;and\;0.11\pm0.10{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. It was significant statistically. Therefore, it is considered using the air cleaner to remove the partial pollutants in indoor environment and is positive effect for health.