• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.808-820
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• 2006

In regard to indoor air quality patterns, the government introduced various polices that were about managing and monitoring quality of indoor air as a major assignment, and also executed 'Indoor Air Quality Management Act' which was presented in the May, 2004. However, among the multi-usage facilities controlled by the Act, the school was not included yet. This study goal was to investigate PM 10 pollution patterns of the high school classrooms using a pattern recognition method based on cluster analysis and disjoint principal component analysis, and further to survey levels of inorganic elements in May, June, and September, 2004. A hierarchical clustering method was examined to obtain possible objects in pseudo homogeneous sample classes by transformation raw data and by applying various distance. Following the analysis, the disjoint principal component analysis was used to define homogeneous sample class after deleting outliers. Then three homogeneous Patterns were obtained as follows: the first class had been separated and objects in the class were considered to be sampled under semi-open condition. This class had high concentration of Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Al, and Na which are related with a soil and a chalk compounds. The second class was obtained in which objects were sampled while working air-conditioners and was identified low concentration of PM 10 and elements. Objects in the last class were assigned during rainy day. A chalk, soil element and various types of anthropogenic sources including combustions and industrial influenced the third class. This methodology was thought to be helpful enough to classify indoor air quality patterns and indoor environmental categories when controlling an indoor air quality.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2008

This study was conducted to estimate nitrogen dioxide levels and health risk in various locations/situations for two groups. The nitrogen dioxide levels were measured for residents of a study group (industrial area within 5 km) and a control group (15 km farther), respectively using the nitrogen dioxide filter badge as a passive sampler from August, 2006 to September, 2006. The means of indoor, outdoor, work and personal levels of nitrogen dioxide were $34.65{\pm}1.95\;{\mu}g/m^3$, $34.83{\pm}11.78\;{\mu}g/m^3$, $34.98{\pm}19.11$ and $35.38{\pm}10.74$ respectively in the study area. Mean ratio of indoor to outdoor $NO_2$ concentration was 0.99. The means of indoor, outdoor and personal level of nitrogen dioxide were $23.66{\pm}7.19\;{\mu}g/m^3$, $18.22{\pm}4.06\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $27.27{\pm}18.93\;{\mu}g/m^3$ respectively in the control area. Mean ratio of indoor to outdoor $NO_2$ concentration was 1.39. People spent 80.9% of their time in indoor at the study area and 76.9% at the control area. The percentages of time spent in outdoor were 14.9% and 20.9% at the study area and the control area respectively. The percentages of time spent in a car were 4.2% and 2.2% in the study and control areas respectively. The levels of indoor, outdoor, workplace nitrogen dioxide in the study area and the control area were found below the permissible level of health-hazardous effects.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2021

Background: This study was conducted to provide background information for the proper management of radon contamination in apartments using mechanical ventilation facilities in residential environments. Objectives: To this end, this study compared and evaluated changes in radon concentrations based on different operating intensities of mechanical ventilation with or without natural ventilation. Methods: For the continuous measurement of radon concentrations, an RAD7 instrument was installed in four apartments equipped with a ventilation system. The measurements were done for comparison of ventilation types and different ventilation intensities ("high", "middle", "low"). Results: The results confirmed that both mechanical and natural ventilation sufficiently reduced the radon concentration in the apartments. In particular, mechanical ventilation at "high" intensity was the most effective. Natural ventilation combined with mechanical ventilation and then natural ventilation alone were the second and the third most effective, respectively. Conclusions: When using ventilation to reduce indoor radon concentrations, it is most effective to operate mechanical ventilation ("high") or natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation at the same time. In cases where mechanical ventilation is available alone, it is recommended to operate it at a minimum of "middle" intensity.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.544-552
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• 2006

Emission tests were carried out to investigate the characteristics of concentration according to flooring sort using small chamber method. The target Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) included 27 individual compounds of environmental concern, which were determined by adsorption sampling and thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS method and by DNPH cartridge/HPLC method. The emission factor of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Formaldehyde (HCHO) was detected $0.3mg/m^2{\cdot}h$ and $0.2mg/m^2{\cdot}h$ respectively, and the floorings of 37 (9 PVC Tile, 10 PVC Sheet, 18 Flooring) were satisfied emission standard. TVOC emission factor appeared in order of concentration of PVC Sheet, PVC Tile, and floor flooring, while HCHO was detected very high emission factor (as $0.4mg/m^2{\cdot}h$) at floor flooring above PVC series (as $0.001mg/m^2{\cdot}h$).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.295-304
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• 2023

Background: Adolescents are relatively more sensitive than adults to exposure to indoor pollutants. The indoor air quality in classrooms where students spend time together must therefore be managed at a safe level because it can affect the health of students. Objectives: In this study, three types of green-wall models were applied to classrooms where students spend a long time in a limited space, and the resulting effects on reducing PM were evaluated. Methods: In the middle school classrooms which were selected as the experimental subjects, IoT-based indoor air quality monitoring equipment was installed for real-time monitoring. Three types of plant models (passive, active, and active+light) were installed in each classroom to evaluate the effects on improving indoor air quality. Results: The concentration of PM in the classroom is influenced by outdoor air quality, but repeated increases and decreases in concentration were observed due to the influence of students' activities. There was a PM reduction effect by applying the green-wall model. There was a difference in PM reduction efficiency depending on the type of green-wall model, and the reduction efficiency of the active model was higher than the passive model. Conclusions: The active green-wall model can be used as an efficient method of improving indoor air quality. Additionally, more research is needed to increase the efficiency of improving indoor air quality by setting conditions that can stimulate the growth of each type of plant.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.474-482
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• 2007

Daycare centers are an important indoor environment for pre-school children and exposure area with potential harmful health effects for infants and children who spend most of their daily life. Sampling was undertaken at 29 daycare centers located Seoul in Korea from January, 2006 to December 2006. The target compounds were 7 individual volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, styrene, o-xylene, TVOC). The mean concentrations of TVOC, toluene, m ,p-xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene and styrene in daycare centers were $318.7{\mu}g/m^3$, $51.6{\mu}g/m^3$, $11.7{\mu}g/m^3$, $6.5{\mu}g/m^3$, $4.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $3.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Toluene occupied 17.6 % of the concentration of individual VOCs. The ratio of indoor and outdoor (I/O) of TVOC and toluene were 2.0 and 1.6, respectively. The results of characteristics according to a season of a year, the concentration of TVOC were measured $433.9{\mu}g/m^3$, and these concentrations during third quarter of the year in summer were higher than the other season. In the other four seasons, TVOC were measured 280.5 in winter, 298.3 in spring and $264.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in fall, respectively.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.542-551
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• 2005

This study is to investigate the characteristics of emission concentration according to wallpaper sort and emission time using small chamber method. The target compounds included 45 VOCs and formaldehyde, which were respectively determined by adsorption sampling and thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS method, and by sampling in DNPH cartridge and HPLC method. The emission factor of TVOC and HCHO was detected to $1.1mg/m^2{\cdot}h$ and $0.01mg/m^2{\cdot}h$ respectively, and the wallpapers of 25 satisfied emission standard. TVOC emission factor appeared in order of the concentration of PVC, natural, and Non-PVC wallpaper, while HCHO was detected very low concentration without relation to wallpaper sort. The paraffin hydrocarbons appeared to be the most contributable class of hydrocarbons in terms of their concentrations, followed by aromatics, and olefins, halogenated hydrocarbons was not detected. PVC wallpapers plentifully emitted TVOC above other wallpapers, and toluene was showed higher concentration of 10 times than natural wallpaper. In addition to, emission factor according to elapse was gradually decreased.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2013

Objectives: The indoor air quality of newly-built (NC) and remodeled (RC) school classrooms was assessed. The primary aim was to show correlations between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) pollutant levels. Methods: This study investigated the indoor air concentrations of VOCs and HCHO at 26 sites of newly built and 68 sites of remodeled classrooms located in South Gyeongsang Province between 2010 and 2012. VOCs in the indoor air were determined by adsorbent tube (Tenax TA) and automatic thermal desorption coupled with GC-MS analysis. Target analytes were five VOCs: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene. HCHO was collected with a 2,4-DNPH cartridge and analyzed by HPLC. Conclusions: This study estimated that indoor VOCs and HCHO concentrations in the classrooms were mainly affected by interior building materials and classroom equipment. For proper indoor air quality in schools, classroom air should be improved through reduction of hazardous materials by adequate ventilation, selecting environmental friendly materials, etc.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.304-313
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• 2010

During recent years, various studies have demonstrated that indoor chemical pollution causes health problem and also negatively affect the performance of work by occupants. Building materials have been concerned as indoor chemical sources. Some of guidelines and certification system has been developed and resulted as dramatic decrease of harmful indoor chemicals such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. Also, Home furniture and electrical devices has been concerned as one the primary influence the indoor chemical concentration in residential spaces. It is found that various kinds of electric home appliances have a significant source of chemical emission in indoor environments. In this study, the methodologies of detecting harmful chemicals from various kinds of products has been developed with large chamber measurement system and suggest some of the evaluation method for the chemicals from the home appliances as TV sets.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.28-38
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• 1994

The objective of this study were to measure concentrations of indoor pollutants in public transportation systems to provide importance of indoor air quality in transportation systems to policy makers. Indoor air quality of the pollutants (CO, CO$_2$, PM-10) and environmental sources (temperature, humidity) were measured at subway, seat-type bus, and city-type bus in the Seoul area from April to September 1992. The same pollutants and environmental sources were also measured at selected bus stops and subway stations during October 1991-September 1992. The mean concentrations of indoor pollutants in the public transportation systems were showed 115.5 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in PM-10, 6.8 ppm in CO, and 2167.9 ppm in CO$_2$, respectively. The mean values of PM-10 and CO showed below the U.S. 24 hour standard value of PM-10 and the Korea ambient CO standard, while the mean concentrations of CO$_2$ exceeded the Korea CO$_2$ standard. The highest levels of indoor concentration at public transportation systems were PM-10 of 134.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the subway, CO of 8.9 ppm in the city-type bus, CO$_2$ of 2,511.1ppm in seat-type bus, respectively. The results showed that indoor air quality in bus and subway seemed likely to be affected by number of passengers and outdoor air infiltrated from exhausted gases of automobiles.