• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.2 s.49
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• pp.167-178
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• 2005

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal, spatial, and seasonal variations of VOC, and to characterize the VOC concentrations in two large industrial complexes located in Pohang and Gumi cities. Twenty -four hours continuous sampling of selected VOC was made with STS 25 sequential tube samplers and double-bed adsorbent tubes. Air samples were collected every three hour interval for 7 consecutive days in each site during summer and winter. VOC were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS. A total of 27 VOCs of environmental concern were determined, including aliphatic, aromatic and halides. Generally. concentrations of toxic VOC were higher in Gumi than Pohang, and VOC levels in industrial areas were typically several-fold higher than those in residential areas. The most abundant VOC appeared to be toluene for both cities. However, chlorinated VOC were higher in Gumi than Pohang, while aromatic VOC were more abundant in Pohang than in Gumi. Two cities showed relatively different variations of VOC concentrations within a day. It is likely that traffic related sources are major factors affecting the VOC in Pohang, and industrial solvents usages are important sources in Gumi. These results imply that the occurrence and levels of atmospheric VOC are strongly dependent on the type of industries in each city. Therefore, in order to develop any control strategies or to establish the priority rankings for VOC in large industrial complexes, the type of industries and the occurrence of VOC in the atmosphere should be taken into consideration.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1263-1271
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• 2013

Graphene oxide (GO)-titania composites have emerged as an attractive heterogeneous photocatalyst that can enhance the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles owing to their potential interaction of electronic and adsorption natures. Accordingly, $TiO_2$-GO mixtures were synthesized in this study using a simple chemical mixing process, and their heterogeneous photocatalytic activities were investigated to determine the degradation of airborne organic pollutants (benzene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BEX)) under different operational conditions. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrated the presence of GO for the $TiO_2$-GO composites. The average efficiencies of the $TiO_2$-GO mixtures for the decomposition of each component of BEX determined during the 3-h photocatalytic processes were 26%, 92%, and 96%, respectively, whereas the average efficiencies of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder were 3%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder for all target compounds decreased during the 3-h photocatalytic processes, suggesting a potential deactivation even during such a short time period. Two operational conditions (air flow entering into the air-cleaning devices and the indoor pollution levels) were found to be important factors for the photocatalytic decomposition of BEX molecules. Taken together, these results show that a $TiO_2$-GO mixture can be applied effectively for the purification of airborne organic pollutants when the operating conditions are optimized.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2008

In China, energy and environmental problems are becoming serious owing to rapid economic development. Coal is the most problematic energy source because it causes indoor and outdoor air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. One type of clean coal technology that has been developed is the coal-biomass briquette (or bio-briquette, BB) technique. BBs, which are produced from pulverized coal, biomass (typically, agricultural waste), and a sulfur fixation agent (slaked lime, $Ca(OH)_2$) under high pressure without any binder, have a high sulfur-fixation effect. In addition, BB combustion ash, that is, the waste material, can be used as a neutralization agent for acidic soil because of its high alkalinity, which originates from the added slaked lime. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of alternative biomass sources, namely, aquatic plants, as a BB constituent from the perspective of their use as a source of energy. We selected three types of aquatic plants for use in BB preparation and compared the fuel, handling, and environmental characteristics of the new BBs with those of conventional BBs. Our results showed that air-dried aquatic plants had a higher calorific value, which was in proportion to their carbon content, than agricultural waste biomass; the compressive strength of the new BBs, which depends on the lignin content of the biomass, was high enough to bear long-range intracontinental transport in China; and the new BBs had the same emission control capacity as the conventional BBs.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.137-145
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• 2022

As many studies on the harmfulness of fine dust have been reported, awareness of its seriousness is spreading. Recently, interest in indoor air quality as well as air pollution is increasing, and research on measures to block fine dust flowing into the room from the outside is being conducted. The clothing company is launching functional clothing to prevent fine dust attached to clothing from entering the room through outdoor activities. However, it is difficult to confirm whether there is actually fine-dust blocking performance, and there is no evaluation standard. In this study, the contamination rate caused by fine dust was quantitatively compared through image processing after contamination of the outer fabric for 4 types of commercially available functional clothing with fine-dust blocking effect. The difference in particle contamination according to the material of the outer fabric was analyzed by comparing the surface resistance, and it was found that the higher the surface resistance of the outer fabric material, the more fine dust was attached. The analysis method of this study is expected to be able to quantitatively compare and evaluate the fine-dust blocking performance of functional clothing.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

With external air pollution forcing many people indoors, new methods of facilitating healthier indoor life are necessary. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of indoor oxygen concentration and respiration methods on biosignals and cognitive ability. The study included twenty healthy subjects who inhaled air through a mask from a gas delivery system. All subjects were asked to perform three types of breathing (nasal, oral, and oral breathing with high oxygenation) and respond to cognitive stimuli (rest close eye, rest open eye, 1-back and 2-back working memory tasks). The changes in cognitive load according to respiration were analyzed by measuring response time, accuracy, and biosignals to stimuli. The result showed that, in all three respirations, heart rate significantly increased with the increase in cognitive load. Also, in oral respiration, the airway respiration rate significantly increased according to the increase in cognitive load. The change appeared to compensate for insufficient oxygen supply in oral respiration during cognitive activity. Conversely, there was no significant change in airway respiration rate during oral respiration with a high concentration oxygen supply as in nasal respiration. This result suggests that a high concentration oxygen supply might play a role in compensating for insufficient oxygen concentration or inefficient oxygen inhalation, such as oral respiration. Based on the results of this study, a follow-up study is necessary to determine the impact of changes in the autonomic nervous system, such as stress and emotions, to find out more precise and comprehensive effects of oxygen concentration and breathing type.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.612-618
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• 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 Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2015

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlations between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and cytokines among elementary school children in an industrial city, Ulsan, South Korea, and to identify major environmental risk factors associated with AR prevalence. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in June 2009 and February 2010 in order to evaluate the relationship between AR and related cytokines. Data on physician-treated prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors for AR were compiled through a questionnaire from a survey of 339 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. Logistic regression analysis was carried out with propensity score matched data (n=180) to assess the influences of cytokines (IL-13, IL-33, IL-4 and IL-5) on AR prevalence and to determine which environmental factors affected AR. Results: In univariate analysis, the AR prevalence was influenced by family history of AR (mother and siblings), environmental factors (odor condition and irritated symptoms of air pollution), and indoor allergens (D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus). The t-test demonstrated that eosinophils, Immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukins (IL-13 and IL-5) were statistically significantly different according to treatment of allergic rhinitis over the preceeding 12 months. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a statistically significant association between several factors (such as irritated symptoms of air pollution (OR 4.075, CI 1.735-9.568), IL-13 (OR 0.825, CI 0.734-0.928), odor condition (OR 2.409, CI 0.908-6.389), and AR history of siblings (OR 2.217, CI 0.999-4.921)) and the prevalence of AR was found after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that AR prevalence is significantly associated with cytokine level, genetic background, and outdoor environmental factors. Although living in a polluted area and genetic background can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AR, cytokine level should be considered as an important factor in the treatment of AR in the last 12 months.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.216-232
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• 2016

In present, the Seoul City is undergoing traffic congestion problems caused by rapid urbanization and population growth. Thus the City government has reorganized the mass transportation system since 2004 and the subway has become a very important means for public transit. Since the subway system is typically a closed environment, the indoor air quality issues have often raised by the public. Especially since a huge amount of PM (particulate matter) is emitted from ground tunnels passing through the subway train, it is now necessary to assess the characteristics and behaviors of fine PM inside the tunnel. In this study, the concentration patterns of $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ in the Seoul subway line-2 were analyzed by real-time measurement during winter (Jan 13, 2015) and summer (Aug 7, 2015). The line-2 consisting of 51 stations is the most busy circular line in Seoul having the railway of 60.2 km length. The the one-day average $PM_{10}$ concentrations were $148{\mu}g/m^3$ in winter and $66.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in summer and $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were $118{\mu}g/m^3$ and $58.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio in the underground tunnel was lower than the outdoor ratio and also the ratio in summer is higher than in winter. Further the study examined structural types of underground subsections to explain the patterns of elevated PM concentrations in the line-2. The subsections showing high PM concentration have longer track, shorter curvature radius, and farther from the outdoor stations. We also estimated the outdoor PM concentrations near each station by a spatial statistical analysis using the $PM_{10}$ data obtained from the 40 Seoul Monitoring Sites, and further we calculated $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ and $PM_1/PM_{10}$ mass ratios near the outdoor subway stations by using our observed outdoor $PM_1$, $PM_{2.5}$, and $PM_{10}$ data. Finally, we could develop pollution maps for outdoor $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ near the line-2 by using the kriging method in spatial analysis. This methodology may help to utilize existing $PM_{10}$ database when managing and control fine particle problems in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2010

Sky cover method can be used to determine sky condition by cloud amount of the Korea Meteorological Administration. And, HCI (Hourly Clearness Index) method is another method determined by measured horizontal global radiation data. The results of the HCI methods of Erbs et al. (1982), Orgill and Hollands (1977) seem to be not good enough because of the air pollution such as smog phenomenon or yellow sand phenomenon and so on. Therefore, HCI should be corrected. The aim of this study is to improve HCI. Therefore, this study is to analyze and compare on the sky conditions from Sky cover method and HCI, and then presents hourly correction factor based on Sky 채팩 method. The results of corrected HCI improved.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.259-271
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• 2018

Outdoor copper alloy is exposed to the atmospheric environment, accelerating corrosion progress compared with indoor copper alloy. In order to prevent corrosion, the outdoor copper alloy is coated with wax to block external corrosion factors. However, corrosion of the inside of the coating film is highly likely to continue without the internal corrosion prevention treatment. B.T.A, which is used as a copper alloy water-soluble corrosion inhibitor, has a high possibility of being harmful to the human body and is mainly used to treat excavated artifacts. This study had selected the water-soluble corrosion inhibitor, which was easier to use than the existing wax and B.T.A being used in corrosion inhibition treatment for outdoor copper alloy. A comparative study was conducted on B.T.A, which is a water-soluble corrosion inhibitor used on excavated artifacts, and $VCI^{(R)}$, $Rus^{(R)}$, and L-cys, an amino acid corrosion inhibitor, used for tin bronze test pieces. The experimental method was conducted for a certain period of time with the salt, acid, and air pollution affecting the corrosion of outdoor copper alloy. Based on experiment results, it was concluded that the best water - soluble copper alloy corrosion inhibitor in the atmospheric environment is $VCI^{(R)}$. and it could be considered to be applied in replacement of B.T.A due to its low harmfulness. In addition, $VCI^{(R)}$ is judged to serve as a corrosion inhibitor for outdoor copper alloy because it showed the best result even in the outdoor exposure test which is a real atmospheric environment.