• Title/Summary/Keyword: indoor air

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The Impact of the Morphological Characteristics of Leaves on Particulate Matter Removal Efficiency of Plants

  • Son, Deokjoo;Kim, Kwang Jin;Jeong, Na Ra;Yun, Hyung Gewon;Han, Seung Won;Kim, Jeongho;Do, Gyung-Ran;Lee, Seon Hwa;Shagol, Charlotte C.
    • Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.551-561
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    • 2019
  • This study was conducted to find out differences in the removal efficiency of particulate matter (PM) depending on the type of plants and the morphological characteristics of leaves. A total of 12 plants were used, with three plants selected for each type of leaves (big leaf, small leaf, compound leaf, needle leaf). We measured the removed amount of PM10 and PM2.5, the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer of each plant. Plants with the high removal efficiency of PM included Pachira aquatica Aubl., Ardisia crenata, and Dieffenbachia 'Marianne', and plants with the low removal efficiency included Nandina domestica Thunb, Schefflera arboricola, and Quercus dentata. The abaxial leaf surface having a high removal efficiency of PM had many large wrinkles, and the abaxial leaf surface having a medium removal efficiency was flat and smooth. On the other hand, there were many fine hairs on the abaxial leaf surface with a low removal efficiency. According to the plant leaf type, the PM10 removal efficiency of plants with needle leaves was about three times higher than that of other plants. In particular, the wax layer of conifers weighed 6-24 times higher than those of other plants. The stomata of conifers were evenly distributed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces; however, the stomata of Sciadopitys verticillata appeared in the form of papillae unlike general stomata. Therefore, the removal efficiency of PM varied depending on the macro-, and micro-morphological characteristics of plant leaves such as the structure of the abaxial leaf surface, and the weight of the wax layer. Based on this research, selecting plants that are effective in reducing PM in consideration of the plant type and leaf characteristics will improve indoor air quality and decrease exposure of PM to human body.

Evaluation of Air Quality in the Compost Pilot Plant with Livestock Manure by Operation Types (축분 퇴비화시스템 운용방식에 따른 실내 대기오염 평가)

  • Kim, K.Y.;Choi, H.L.;Ko, H.J.;Kim, C.N.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.283-294
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    • 2004
  • Air quality in the livestock waste compost pilot plant at the Colligate Livestock Station was assessed to quantity the emissions of aerial contaminants and evaluate the degree of correlation between them for different operation strategies; with the ventilation types and agitation of compost pile, in this study. The parameters analyzed to reflect the level of air quality in the livestock waste compost pilot plant were the gaseous contaminants; ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration, the particulate contaminants; inhalable dust and respirable dust, and the biological contaminants; total airborne bacteria and fungi. The mean concentrations of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration in the compost pilot plant without agitation were 2.45ppm, 19.96ppb, and 15.8 when it was naturally ventilated, and 7.61ppm, 31.36ppb, and 30.2 when mechanically ventilated. Those with agitation were 5.50ppm, 14.69ppb, and 46.4 when naturally ventilated, and 30.12ppm, 39.91ppb, and 205.5 when mechanically ventilated. The mean concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust in the compost pilot plant without agitation were 368.6${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 96.0${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 283.9${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 119.5${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. They were also observed with agitation to 208.7${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 139.8${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 209.2${\mu}g$/$m^3$ and 131.7${\mu}g$/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. Averaged concentrations of total airborne bacteria and fungi in the compost pilot plant without agitation were observed to 28,673cfu/$m^3$ and 22,507cfu/$m^3$ with natural ventilation, and 7,462cfu/$m^3$ and 3,228cfu/$m^3$ with mechanical ventilation. They were also observed with agitation to 19,592cfu/$m^3$ and 26,376cfu/$m^3$ with the natural ventilation, and 18,645cfu/$m^3$ and 24,581cfu/$m^3$ with the mechanical ventilation. It showed that the emission rates of gaseous pollutants, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and odor concentration, in the compost pilot plant operated with the mechanical ventilation and with the agitation of compost pile were higher than those with the natural ventilation and without the agitation. While the concentrations of inhalable dust and total airborne bacteria in the compost pilot plant with the natural ventilation and with the agitation, the concentrations of respirable dust and total airborne fungi in the compost pilot plant with the mechanical ventilation and agitation were higher than those with the natural ventilation and without the agitation of compost pile. It was statistically proved that indoor temperature and relative humidity affected the release of particulates and biological pollutants, and ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were believed primary malodorous compounds emitted from the compost pilot plant.

Characteristics of Low Density Fiberboards Bonded with Different Adhesives for Thermal Insulation (II) - Formaldehyde·Total Volatile Organic Compounds Emission Properties and Combustion Shapes - (다양한 접착제로 제조한 단열재용 저밀도섬유판의 특성(II) - 폼알데하이드·총휘발성유기화합물 방출 특성 및 연소 형상 -)

  • Jang, Jae-Hyuk;Lee, Min;Kang, Eun-Chang;Lee, Sang-Min
    • Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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    • v.45 no.5
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    • pp.580-587
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    • 2017
  • Woodfiber insulation board can be considered as a one of the key material for low energy consumption, comfortable and safety construction of residential space because of its eco-friendly and high thermal insulation performance. This study was carried out to investigate the formaldehyde (HCHO) total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emission properties and combustion shapes by flame test of low density fiberboards (LDFs) prepared with different adhesives. HCHO TVOC emission and combustion properties of LDFs prepared by melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), emulsified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (eMDI) and latex resin adhesives were measured by desiccator method, 20 L chamber method, and flame test, respectively. As results, LDFs manufactured by MUF, eMDI and latex resin adhesives satisfied the Super $E_0$ grade of HCHO emission performance except PF resin. Furthermore, TVOC emission of all LDFs were satisfied the Korean indoor air quality standard (below $400{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$). Especially, LDF with eMDI resin adhesive showed the lowest HCHO and TVOC emissivity, that $0.14mg/{\ell}$, $12{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$, respectively. However, eMDI emitted the small amount ($3{\mu}g/m^2{\cdot}h$) of toluene in VOC components. In the flame test, LDF with MUF resin adhesives showed the most favorable shape after flame test compare to LDFs prepared other adhesives. Based on HCHO and TVOC emission, and combustion shapes, MUF resin adhesive may be recommended to prepare LDF for insulation purpose.

Effects of Dry Eye Symptoms on Work Productivity and General Activity in Newly Building (신축건물에서 안구건조증이 작업생산성과 일상활동에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Hyojin;Park, Chan-Jung;Lim, Byung-Seo;Kim, Ho-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.389-396
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: The study examined dry eye symptoms of occupants in a newly constructed building and its effects on their work productivity and general activity. Methods: The study subjects were 33 office workers who spent more than eight hours per day on average in a new building constructed in the past three months. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The experience of LASIK surgery, use of eye makeup, daily use time of a computer and smart-phone, and average daily working hours were also examined. The Work Limitation Productivity Questionnaire was used as the questionnaire about work productivity and general activity to measure the impairment level on a ten-point scale. Results: The concentration variation of formaldehyde in the office was $42.42{\pm}6.30{\mu}g/m^3$. The temperature and humidity were $26.2{\pm}0.70^{\circ}C$ and $40{\pm}1%$, respectively. The respondents with normal, mild, moderate and severe dry eye symptoms were 15.2%, 18.2%, 18.2% and 48.5%, respectively. The severity of dry eye symptoms and impairment of work productivity and general activity demonstrated high correlations of 0.599 and 0.655, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to the normal case, severe dry eye symptoms demonstrated significantly high impairment of work productivity and interruption of general activity (p<0.001). The case of serious dry symptoms showed the possibilities of having impairment level of work productivity and interruption of general activity above three points 3.26 times (p=0.032) and 2.25 times (p=0.045), respectively, higher than that of the normal case. Conclusions: It was confirmed that dry eye symptoms among office workers in a newly constructed building affects work productivity and general activity.

Behaviors-Based Safety Management of Dental Professionals on Dental Amalgam and Resin (치과용 아말감과 레진에 대한 치과종사자의 안전성에 대한 관리행동 실태)

  • Yoon, Sung-Uk;Nam, In-Suk
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.97-104
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    • 2013
  • This study investigated the safety management behavior of dental professionals to minimize exposure to harmful elements of amalgam and resin. As for the use of amalgam and resin, 85.8% of them used amalgam. 100% of used composite resin 100%. 97.8% used acryl resin, and 95.7% used tray resin. 95.2% and 36.5% of them were aware of the harm of amalgam and resin respectively. When using resin, their safety management behavior score was 1.99 on average, and the lowest score was 2.50 on average for 'ventilate the indoor air when handling resin'. Their average score of the safety management behavior was 1.83 when using amalgam. The lowest score was 2.89 on average for 'use the rubber dam for patients when handling amalgam'. As a result of the safety management behavior based on general characteristics, all characteristics were significant with regard to amalgam, and my position at work and work experience were significant with regard to resin (p<0.05). The correlation between the safety management behavior and general characteristics was analyzed when dental amalgam and resin are used. Amalgam was statistically correlated with academic background (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05), whereas resin was statistically significantly correlated with age (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05). Accordingly, education about the harm of dental materials must be continuously provided for dental professionals when they handle dental materials so that safety management behavior will be conducted correctly, and active efforts to protect the health of dental professionals from harmful chemicals must be made.

Change of Volume of Isoflow in Pneumoconiosis Patients with Small Opacity (소음영 진폐증 환자에서의 등기류용량(Volume of Isoflow)의 변화)

  • Oh, Sang-Yong;Kim, Jee-Won;Jung, Chang-Young;Kim, Kyung-Ah;Yun, Im-Goung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.40 no.5
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    • pp.540-547
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    • 1993
  • Backgrounds: The measurement of volume of isoflow has been considered as a sensitive test for detecting small airway diseases showing normal pulmonary function in a routine pulmonary function test. To evaluate the functions of small airway among dust exposed workers, the changes of volume of isoflow were measured and its applicability of managing early stage pneumoconiosis patients was studied. Method: The subjects were 67 male, pneumoconiosis with small opacity and FEV1>80%, FEV1/FVC>75% in spirometry and the controls were 20 male, no dust-exposed office workers. The maximal epiratory volume curves after inhalation of indoor air and $He-O_2$ gas mixtures were measured and ${\Delta}V_{max50},\;{\Delta}V_{max75},\;V_{iso}V/VC$ between the dust exposed and control workers were compaired. Results: 1) There were no significant differences between two group in ${\Delta}V_{max50}$ and ${\Delta}V_{max75}$. But the ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ of the subjects was siginificantly higher than that of the control (p<0.01). This study confirms that $V_{iso}V/VC$ is a very useful index in early detection of small airway dysfunction. 2) The ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ of the subjects was signigicantly different between only smoker group and mixed group(smoker and nonsmoker). It suggestes that smoking is an important cousative factor of small airway dysfunction. 3) As the profusion of the chest X-ray increased, the rartio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ increased, but no significant difference of $V_{iso}V/VC$ was found between categories of pneumoconiosis. The categories of pneumoconiosis and small airway dysfunction may not be related. 4) No significant relationship was established between the duration of work and the ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$. Conclusions : It is concluded that the measurement of $V_{iso}V/VC$ is useful to detect small airway dysfuction of early stage pnuemoconiosis patents with small opacities but showing normal pulmonary function in a routine pulmonary function test.

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A Study on Greenspace Planning Strategies for Thermal Comfort and Energy Savings (열쾌적성과 에너지절약을 위한 녹지계획 전략 연구)

  • Jo, Hyun-Kil;Ahn, Tae-Won
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.38 no.3
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    • pp.23-32
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    • 2010
  • The purpose of this study is to quantify human energy budgets for different structures of outdoor spatial surfaces affecting thermal comfort, to analyze the impacts of tree shading on building energy savings, and to suggest desirable strategies of urban greenspace planning concerned. Concrete paving and grass spaces without tree shading and compacted-sand spaces with tree shading were selected to reflect archetypal compositional types for outdoor spatial materials. The study then estimated human energy budgets in static activity for the 3 space types. Major determinants of energy budgets were the presence of shading and also the albedo and temperature of base surfaces. The energy budgets for concrete paving and grass spaces without tree shading were $284\;W/m^2$ and $226\;W/m^2$, respectively, and these space types were considerably poor in thermal comfort. Therefore, it is desirable to construct outdoor resting spaces with evapotranspirational shade trees and natural materials for the base plane. Building energy savings from tree shading for the case of Daegu in the southern region were quantified using computer modeling programs and compared with a previous study for Chuncheon in the middle region. Shade trees planted to the west of a building were most effective for annual savings of heating and cooling energy. Plantings of shade trees in the south should be avoided, because they increased heating energy use with cooling energy savings low in both climate regions. A large shade tree in the west and east saved cooling energy by 1~2% across building types and regions. Based on previous studies and these results, some strategies including indicators for urban greenspace planning were suggested to improve thermal comfort of outdoor spaces and to save energy use in indoor spaces. These included thermal comfort in construction materials for outdoor spaces, building energy savings through shading, evapotranspiration and windspeed mitigation by greenspaces, and greenspace areas and volume for air-temperature reductions. In addition, this study explored the application of the strategies to greenspace-related regulations to ensure their effectiveness.

Variation of Indoor Air Temperature by using Hot Water Piping in Greenhouse (온수배관에 의한 온실 내부의 온도변화)

  • Yoon, Yong-Cheol;Shin, Yik-Soo;Bae, Seoung-Beom;Kim, Hyeon-Tae;Choi, Jin-Sik;Suh, Won-Myung
    • Journal of agriculture & life science
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.179-190
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    • 2012
  • This study was performed to obtain a heat saving effect and enhance the efficiency of a greenhouse by using a hot water piping in order to minimize the operating costs of a greenhouse as oil prices continue to rise. This method also reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by snowdrifts in regions with heavy snowfall. In general, the experimental plot was $2.0{\sim}6.0^{\circ}C$ higher than the control plot. When the skylight felt was opened, the minimum temperature was in the range of $3.0{\sim}12.0^{\circ}C$. Therefore, we judged that damage caused by snowdrifts may be prevented partly by active heating. The temperature difference inside of the greenhouse by height was insignificant. The maximum heating load of the greenhouse according to crop was respectively about $37,000kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$ and $41,700kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$. During the experiment, the heat value of each designed temperature in the range of the minimum ambient temperature $-11.9{\sim}4.0^{\circ}C$ was about 95,000~322,000 kcal and it was in the range of $6,050{\sim}20,900kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$. If it is compared with the maximum heating load, it can be shown that about 15~56% of the heating energy can be supplied. The total heat value and the amount of power consumption were 2,629,025 kcal and 677.3 kWh respectively during the experiment. If it is heated with diesel, a fossil fuel, the consumption during the experiment was 291 L and the cost was 331,700won. Total cost of using electric power was about 24,400 won and it is shown that it is about 7.5% of the cost of diesel consumption. Also, if the total amount of power consumption is converted into energy, it is approximately 582,200 kcal and the energy was just about 22% of the total heat value.

Prioritization of Species Selection Criteria for Urban Fine Dust Reduction Planting (도시 미세먼지 저감 식재를 위한 수종 선정 기준의 우선순위 도출)

  • Cho, Dong-Gil
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.33 no.4
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    • pp.472-480
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    • 2019
  • Selection of the plant material for planting to reduce fine dust should comprehensively consider the visual characteristics, such as the shape and texture of the plant leaves and form of bark, which affect the adsorption function of the plant. However, previous studies on reduction of fine dust through plants have focused on the absorption function rather than the adsorption function of plants and on foliage plants, which are indoor plants, rather than the outdoor plants. In particular, the criterion for selection of fine dust reduction species is not specific, so research on the selection criteria for plant materials for fine dust reduction in urban areas is needed. The purpose of this study is to identify the priorities of eight indicators that affect the fine dust reduction by using the fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model (MCDM) and establish the tree selection criteria for the urban planting to reduce fine dust. For the purpose, we conducted a questionnaire survey of those who majored in fine dust-related academic fields and those with experience of researching fine dust. A result of the survey showed that the area of leaf and the tree species received the highest score as the factors that affect the fine dust reduction. They were followed by the surface roughness of leaves, tree height, growth rate, complexity of leaves, edge shape of leaves, and bark feature in that order. When selecting the species that have leaves with the coarse surface, it is better to select the trees with wooly, glossy, and waxy layers on the leaves. When considering the shape of the leaves, it is better to select the two-type or three-type leaves and palm-shaped leaves than the single-type leaves and to select the serrated leaves than the smooth edged leaves to increase the surface area for adsorbing fine dust in the air on the surface of the leaves. When considering the characteristics of the bark, it is better to select trees that have cork layers or show or are likely to show the bark loosening or cracks than to select those with lenticel or patterned barks. This study is significant in that it presents the priorities of the selection criteria of plant material based on the visual characteristics that affect the adsorption of fine dust for the planning of planting to reduce fine dust in the urban area. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the selection of trees for plantation planning in the urban area.

Suggestions for Using Historical and Cultural Resources in Uiseong : Focusing on the Gilt-bronze Crown and the Earthenware of Jomunguk (의성 지역 역사문화자원 활용을 위한 제안 : 조문국 금동관과 토기를 중심으로)

  • Lee, Eunjoo;Kim, Migyung;Kim, Youngsun
    • 지역과문화
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.79-105
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    • 2019
  • In the Geumseongsan Tumulus of the Uiseong area where the Jomunguk was existed in the Three Han Period, many relics such as metal craft ornaments and Uiseong-style earthernware were excavated. However, it is hard to find cases where the excavated relics were used to develop cultural products. In this study, symbolic relics which can express the culture of Uiseong Jomunguk were selected from excavated relics. Then, the basic design that can be applied to various cultural products were derived from symbolic relics. In order to select symbolic relics, the formative characteristics of the metal craft relics excavated from the Tablili Tumulus and the Dali Tumulus were examined. As a result, a gilt-bronze crown excavated from the Tablili Tumulus was selected as a symbolic relics. And then the basic desin was derived from the gilt-bronze crown. The basic design is expressed in the form of birds based on the bird's feather shape at the edge of the standing ornaments and the record of the Bongdae(鳳臺), the phoenix's habitat. And the application design that changed the expression of the birds' face was presented. The earthenware excavated from the Uiseong area was designed as a soil pot and applied various indoor air purification plants. The result of this study, which reinterprets and reconstructs the historical and cultural resources of the region in accordance with the modern sense, can be used as useful data for the development of cultural products of Jomunguk. Furthermore, if the design derived from the Jomunguk relics is used as a representative symbol of the area, it will be possible to derive an image of a differentiated region from other regions. Finally, it is expected that the result of this study will be a chance to re-evaluate the value of the historical and cultural resources in the region.