• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.579-587
• /
• 2016

The final goal of this research is to develop a miniaturized botanical biofilter using a wick-typed automatic humidifier for stabilizing soil moisture content (SMC) and purifying indoor air pollutants by the biofilter. This new biofilter equipped with wick-typed automatic humidifier was manufactured as more compacted design removing an absorption tower-typed humidifier compared with the previous big-sized biofilter made in 2015. This study was performed to compare changes of SMCs among floors depending on the number of wicks installed on the humidifier within the novel biofilter, and to compare changes of SMCs and plant growth parameters before and after planting Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Mauna Loa’ on the biofilter. SMCs among floors depending on the number of wicks were similar, and all regression lines of SMCs showed almost horizontal lines because of long-term stability on SMCs. Comparing plant growth parameters of S. wallisii ‘Mauna Loa’ before planting and at 30 days after planting on the biofilter, all growth parameters were not statistically significant. Thus, SMCs of the biofilter were more stabilized using this humidifying apparatus regardless of the number of wicks than the previous biofilter using absorption tower-typed humidifying apparatus.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.138-146
• /
• 2010

The Korean Ministry of the Environment revised a few sections of the regulations in the Law of indoor air quality management for the reinforcement or adjustment of the regulation criteria standard for releasing pollutants from building materials. Especially, in case of sealant, the contents covering liquid building materials, excess standards and testing methods have been added simultaneously in this revision, As a result it is impossible to compare original standards with revised standards directly. For this reason, this study reviewed revised test method of sealant pollutant emission rates in terms of impact and validity in comparison with the original test method. Through this study, the basic properties of revised pollutant emission control standards was assessed. Especially in sealant, since each product has a wide deviation of time required for complete drying, it is proved that there are a large number of products that are not hardened completely in test time. The result of our experiments on the revised test methods showed that this revised test methods yield emission rates that are two and half times less than those of the original testing method. To apply the revised test method of sealant to all the sealant products, It is necessary to extend the test period or improve specimen to fit the test method for quickly drying sealant products.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.247-257
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The Korea Ministry of Environment regulates concentrations of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) through Atmosphere Environmental Standards to protect public health from HAPs. However, simply determining the exceedance of HAP concentrations has several limitations and more comprehensive assessment is required. In addition, integrated risk assessment is needed considering exposure in all microenvironments, including outdoor as well as indoor environments. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in risk by sub-population groups according to time-activity patterns and reported concentrations, as well as the lifetime risk for Koreans. Methods: In this study, we calculated time-weighted average exposure concentrations for benzene and $PM_{10}$ among preschool-age children, students, housewifes, workers, and the elderly using residential time and concentrations for indoor (house, school or workplace, other), outdoor, and transport by the meta-analysis method. The risk assessments were conducted by excess cancer risk and disease death risk using 1,000,000 Monte-Carlo simulations for probabilistic analysis. Results: Preschool-age children, students, housewifes, workers, and the elderly spent 91.9, 86.0, 79.8, 82.2, and 77.3% of their day in their house, workplace, or school, respectively. The more than 99% excess cancer risk for benzene exceed 1.0E-06 in all sub-populations and lifetime. The acute disease death risk for $PM_{10}$ for housewifes and workers for lifetime were 3.35E-04 and 3.18E-04, and chronic disease death risks were 2.84E-03 and 2.70E-03, respectively. Conclusions: The risk of benzene and $PM_{10}$ by sub-population group and for the lifetime of housewifes and workers were assessed. Benzene showed risky results for this study. All disease death risks of $PM_{10}$ were higher than 1.0E-04 and showed different risks by sub-population. This study can be used as a basis for lifetime exposure and risk assessment to benzene and $PM_{10}$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.613-618
• /
• 2023

Modern society spends more than 80% of its daily life indoors, emphasizing the need for attention to indoor air pollution due to the improvement in living standards. In this study, the performance and reaction characteristics of the Pt/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by liquid-phase reduction for the removal of formaldehyde (HCHO), one of the indoor air pollutants, at room temperature without the need for additional light or heat were investigated. As a result, it showed that catalysts prepared by the same method showed approximately 40~80% various activities depending on the type of TiO₂. XRD, BET, and XPS analyses were performed to investigate the particle size, crystal structure, specific surface area, and O/Ti molar ratio of the support material, and it revealed that the correlation between the properties and performance was insignificant. To explore the oxidation reaction pathway of formaldehyde (HCHO), in situ DRIFT analysis using carbon monoxide and H₂-TPR was perfomed. The results revealed that the performance was demonstrated by the oxidation state of the active metal and the adsorption-desorption characteristics of the adsorbate species.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.19 no.1 s.19
• /
• pp.31-44
• /
• 1986

For many years, $NO_2$ has been regarded as one of the elements among indoor air pollutants of urban homes, leading to increased public concerns on this gas. For the purpose of preparing the fundamental data for the evaluation and control of health effect relevant to $NO_2$ levels, authors measured the indoor (kitchen, living room, bed room) and outdoor $NO_2$ levels categorized by the type of house(apartment, detached dwelling) and cooking fuel(L.P.G., briquette) in the winter and summer, and surveyed the variables(kitchen ventilation, family size, parental smoking) may effect the indoor $NO_2$ levels. The level of $NO_2$ was measured by Palmes tube, and this survey was carried out at 110 homes in the Pusan area from October 1984 to September 1985. The obtained results were as follows: 1) The mean indoor and outdoor $NO_2$ level in winter and summer, respectively, was $0.029{\pm}0.012$ ppm and $0.022{\pm}0.012$ ppm in the kitchen, $0.022{\pm}0.009$ ppm and $0.018{\pm}0.010$ ppm in the living room, $0.017{\pm}0.008$ ppm and $0.016{\pm}0.010$ ppm in the bed room, and $0.021{\pm}0.007$ ppm and $0.016{\pm}0.007$ ppm outdoors. 2) In the category of the type of house and cooking fuel, the highest mean indoor and outdoor $NO_2$ level in the winter was in apartments using briquettes, and in the summer. the highest level was in apartments using L.P.G. 3) In the category of the type of house, the mean indoor and outdoor $NO_2$ level in the winter and summer was higher in the apartment group compared to detached dwelling. 4) In the category of the type of cooking fuel, the mean indoor and outdoor $NO_2$ level in the winter was higher in the briquette group, and in the summer, the L.P.G. group was higher. 5) In the category of the kitchen ventilation, family size, parental smoking and asthma attack history of children, there was an insignificant difference in the indoor $NO_2$ levels.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.3 s.58
• /
• pp.609-622
• /
• 1997

Nitrogen dioxide $(NO_2)$ has been regarded as one of the main elements among air pollutants, and we measured $NO_2$ levels of near gas range, kitchen, living room and outdoor on 489 apartments in Pusan area. $NO_2$ were sampled by using Palmes tubes (diffusion tube sampler) during August 16-25, 1995 (summer) and January 15-29, 1996 (winter), respectively. Authors wanted to know comparison of $NO_2$ levels in summer and winter, $NO_2$ levels categorized by variables, and variables affected to $NO_2$ levels. According to this study, we conducted to establish the degree of indoor-outdoor air pollution of urban apartments in Korea and methods to reduce indoor air pollution. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1) Mean $NO_2$ levels of near gas range, kitchen, living room, and outdoor were $25.9{\pm}10.0ppb,\;23.3{\pm}8.0ppb,\;19.9{\pm}6.1ppb,\;and\;19.0{\pm}6.0ppb$ in summer, and $34.5{\pm}16.8ppb,\;28.2{\pm}13.4ppb,\;25.3{\pm}12.5ppb,\;21.8{\pm}9.8ppb$ in winter, respectively. 2) Mean $NO_2$ levels according to the floor levels were not significantly different in summer, and in winter, $NO_2$ levels were decreased as the floor levels were increasing, but those were increased above 16th floor. 3) Variables showing significant correlation(p<0.05) with $NO_2$ levels were as follows; Summer: floor level, family size, number of family during a meal, number using gas range during rice cooking per day, and natural ventilation. Winter: floor level, family size, number of person who have been respiratory disease in a house, number of family during a meal, total number of meals, and number using gas range during rice or side-dish cooking per day. 4) We suggest that the methods of reducing indoor $NO_2$ levels are ventilation during cooking, complete combustion, decreasing number and time of cooking, and substitution of fuels.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.12
• /
• pp.501-506
• /
• 2011

Purpose: A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area. Methods: Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of $NO_2$, $CO_2$, $O_3$, particulate matter (PM) $PM_{10/2.5}$, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined. Results: The levels of outdoor CO, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, $CO_2$, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). Conclusion: We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.80-88
• /
• 2020

With the issuance of one-week fine dust emergency reduction measures in March 2019, the public's anxiety about fine dust is increasingly growing. In order to assess the application of air purifying plant-based bio-filters to public facilities, this study presented a method for measuring pollutant reduction effects by creating an indoor environment for continuous discharge of particle pollutants and conducted basic studies to verify whether indoor air quality has improved through the system. In this study conducted in a lecture room in spring, the background concentration was created by using mosquito repellent incense as a pollutant one hour before monitoring. Then, according to the schedule, the fine dust reduction capacity was monitored by irrigating for two hours and venting air for one hour. PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and temperature & humidity sensors were installed two meters front of the bio-filters, and velocity probes were installed at the center of the three air vents to conduct time-series monitoring. The average face velocity of three air vents set up in the bio-filter was 0.38±0.16 m/s. Total air-conditioning air volume was calculated at 776.89±320.16㎥/h by applying an air vent area of 0.29m×0.65m after deducing damper area. With the system in operation, average temperature and average relative humidity were maintained at 21.5-22.3℃, and 63.79-73.6%, respectively, which indicates that it satisfies temperature and humidity range of various conditions of preceding studies. When the effects of raising relatively humidity rapidly by operating system's air-conditioning function are used efficiently, it would be possible to reduce indoor fine dust and maintain appropriate relative humidity seasonally. Concentration of fine dust increased the same in all cycles before operating the bio-filter system. After operating the system, in cycle 1 blast section (C-1, β=-3.83, β=-2.45), particulate matters (PM₁₀) were lowered by up to 28.8% or 560.3㎍/㎥ and fine particulate matters (PM_2.5) were reduced by up to 28.0% or 350.0㎍/㎥. Then, the concentration of find dust (PM₁₀, PM_2.5) was reduced by up to 32.6% or 647.0㎍/㎥ and 32.4% or 401.3㎍/㎥ respectively through reduction in cycle 2 blast section (C-2, β=-5.50, β=-3.30) and up to 30.8% or 732.7㎍/㎥ and 31.0% or 459.3㎍/㎥ respectively through reduction in cycle 3 blast section (C-3, β=5.48, β=-3.51). By referring to standards and regulations related to the installation of vegetation bio-filters in public facilities, this study provided plans on how to set up objective performance evaluation environment. By doing so, it was possible to create monitoring infrastructure more objective than a regular lecture room environment and secure relatively reliable data.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.248-256
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to identify the household air pollutants most significantly impacting hearing loss, using data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Of the 1,980 participants, those with missing data were excluded from the study population, resulting in the final inclusion of 298 participants. Mild hearing loss is defined as a unilateral or bilateral pure-tone threshold average (PTA) of 26~40 dB, and moderate hearing loss is defined as a unilateral or bilateral PTA of 41 dB or higher. The mean of the PTAs for both ears is defined as the sum of the PTAs of the left and the right ears divided by 2. Complex samples multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that formaldehyde exposure independently significantly increased the risk of moderate hearing loss (odds ratio=1.050, P<0.001). Additionally, in the complex samples general linear model, toluene exposure (B=0.026, P<0.001) was found to be independently significantly associated with an increase in the mean of PTAs for both ears, where a higher mean of the PTAs for both ears indicates a decrease in hearing ability. These results suggest a strong association between hearing loss and the presence of toluene or formaldehyde in indoor air.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.60-67
• /
• 2014

Exhaust system used in toilet and cooking place of high riser public house is roof fan of two basic types : natural roof ventilator and natural/forced roof ventilator. Natural/forced roof ventilator has a motor in the rotary shaft. There are many high riser public house in Korea. These buildings were not viewed as being major contributors to exhaust pollutants producted in indoor. It was because many engineers thought that exhaust in high riser building depend on stack effect. This study investigates on stack pressure determined by exterior pressure and the difference pressure control in exhaust stack used in high riser public house. This paper focuses mainly on the effect of the time interval for power supply of motor installed in roof fan with function of natural wind velocity and of exhaust air volume of toilet. It is observed there are higher exhaust efficiency than the existing natural roof ventilator.