• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.154-159
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• 2005

The markers for Environmental Tobacco Smoke(ETS) a.e necessary to obtain, to interpretate and to provide the data of quantitative exposure assessment. The purpose of this research is to evaluate Indoor environment using the concentration of ETS and the correlations between markers(RSP, nicotine, 3-EP) and environmental conditions(smoking density, ventilation rate). The mean ACH(air change per hour) in smoking rooms showed non-compliance with ASHRAE standard value. The concentrations of RSP, 3-EP, nicotine showed log-normal distributions, and became different statistically depending on smoking condition(p<0.01). The geometric mean concentration of RSP in smoking room was 441.7 ${\mu}g/m^3$ that is far exceeded environmental standard(150 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The correlation coefficients between RSP and SI, 3-EP and SI, and Nicotine and SI were 0.67, 0.84, 0.74 respectively. The correlation coefficient between nicotine and 3-EP, Nicotine and RSP, and RSP and 3-EP were 0.76, 0.78, 0.57 respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.55-72
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• 1986

This study was made to determine the factors involving personal exposure levels of nitrogen dioxide for housewives living in urban area in two seasons, winter and summer. Nitrogen dioxide was measured with a small passive sampler containing triethanolamine. The samplers were set for 24 hours at three points. They were places: on the collar of the housewife to investigate the personal exposure level, near the TV in the living room (indoor level), and near the porch of their house (outdoor level). The subjects recorded the times of cooking using a gas range, using a kitchen ventilator, passive smoking, kerosene heater, total number of minutes at an open window, going out of home, etc.$\ldots. There was an apparent increase in personal exposure level in the case of the unvented heater and also an increase by cooking on a gas range. There was no marked increase in the other situations. There was an increase in the indoor level by cooking on a gas range, only in western style cooking in the winter season. Through these observations, we concluded that personal exposure level of nitrogen dioxide was strongly related to indoor nitrogen dioxide level, and factors involving indoor nitrogen dioxide level seemed different between winter and summer. The most significant difference in nitrogen dioxide level was indoor pollution in the winter and the outdoor environment in the summer. The maximum personal exposure level appeared in the western and tenement house in the winter and the traditional korean house in the summer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 1987

As part of an air pollution epidemiological study of asthmatics residing in the Houston area, an air monitoring system provided data on the indoor and outdoor measurements of major pollutant gases sampled at selected residences during May ~ October 1981. Continuously monitored pollutant gases included sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$), nitrogen dioxide($NO_2$), nitric oxide(NO), carbon monoxide(CO), and ozone($O_3$). Outdoor levels for each pollutant were compared with their indoor levels(bedroom, kitchen, living room). Mean concentrations of each pollutant in the kitchen, and living room exceeded the mean levels outside except for ozone, while average bedroom levels for all gases except for $O_3$ and $NO_2$ were found higher than the corresponding outside levels. Indoor/ outdoor ratios for $SO_2$, NO, and CO were 1.8 ~ 2.7 times the outdoor levels, but indoor/ outdoor ratios for $NO_2$ and $O_3$ were 0.99 and 0.06, respectively. The impact of several important household characteristics (type of cooking fuel and cigarette smoking) on the indoor levels for these gases is evaluated.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of the smoke-free law on secondhand smoke exposure in computer game rooms by measuring concentrations of particulate matter smaller than $2.5{\mu}m$($PM_{2.5}$). Methods: Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 56 (during the smoke-free guidance period) and 118 computer game rooms (after the law went into effect) in four cities (Seoul, Cheonan, Daegu and Kunsan) in Korea. The number of smokers in the computer game rooms was also counted every five minutes. Results: Although a smoking ban had been implemented nationally, smoking was observed in 47% of the computer game rooms. Smoking density decreased from 1.62 persons per $100m^3$ during the guidance period to 0.32 persons per $100m^3$ after the smoke-free law. There is no statistically significant difference of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the smoking ban. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was two times higher than the US NAAQS of $35{\mu}g/m^3$. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers was two times higher than the outdoor concentration. Conclusion: The smoke-free law in computer game rooms was complied with, even after the guidance period, in Korea. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentration after smoke-free law implementation was high due to this non-compliance. High $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers might be due to smoking booths. The complete prohibition of smoking in computer game rooms should be implemented to protect patrons from secondhand smoke exposure.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.31-44
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• 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 Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2008

This study was to assess the lifetime cancer and non-cancer risk of exposure of worker and user at public facilities in Korea to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We measured the concentrations of two aldehydes and five VOCs in indoor air at 424 public buildings that 8 kinds of public facilities (70 movie theaters, 86 offices, 86 restaurants, 70 academies, 22 auditoriums, 30 PC-rooms, 30 singing-rooms and 30 bars) all over the country. There were estimated the human exposure dose and risks with averages of the using-time and frequency for facility users and office workers, respectively. Carcinogens (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene) were estimated the lifetime excess cancer risks (ECRs). non-carcinogens (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) were estimated the hazard quotients (HQs). The average ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene for facility worker and user were $1{\times}10^{-3}{\sim}1{\times}10^{-4}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}1{\times}10^{-5}$ level, respectively, in all facilities. HQs of four non-carcinogens did not exceed 1.0 for all subjects in all facilities. The estimated ECRs for restaurant and auditorium were the highest, and the PC-room and bar were the next higher facilities. Furthermore, people in a smoking facility had the highest cancer risk. Higher ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene were observed in indoor smoking facilities such as restaurant and auditorium. Higher HQs of toluene and xylene were observed at the restaurant and office building.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3253-3260
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• 2014

Background: A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the effect of household exposure, dietary habits, smoking and Glutathione S-Transferases M1, T1 polymorphisms on lung cancer among women in Mizoram, India. Materials and Methods: We selected 230 newly diagnosed primary lung cases and 460 controls from women in Mizoram. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR). Results: Exposure of cooking oil fumes (p<0.003), wood as heating source for cooking (p=0.004), kitchen inside living room (p=0.001), improper ventilated house (p=0.003), roasting of soda in kitchen (p=0.001), current smokers of tobacco (p=0.043), intake of smoked fish (p=0.006), smoked meat (p=0.001), Soda (p<0.001) and GSTM1 null genotype (p=0.003) were significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer among women in Mizoram. Significantly protective effect was observed for intake of bamboo shoots (p=<0.001) and egg (p<0.001). A clear increase in dose response gradient was observed for total cooking dish years. Risk for lung cancer tends to increase with collegial effect of indoor environmental sources (p=0.022). Significant correlation was also observed for interaction of GST polymorphisms with some of dietary habits. Conclusions: We confirmed the important role of exposure of cooking oil emission and wood smoke, intake of smoked meat, smoked fish and soda (an alkali preparation used as food additives in Mizoram) and tobacco consumption for increase risk of lung cancer among Women in Mizoram.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.313-323
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to assess exposure to black carbon(BC) among forklift operators and to identify environmental and occupational factors influencing their BC exposure. Methods: We studied a total of 23 forklift operators from six workplaces manufacturing paper boxes. A daily BC exposure assessment was conducted during working hours from January to April 2017. A micro-aethalometer was used to monitor daily BC exposure, and information on work activities was also obtained through a time-activity diary(TAD) and interviews. BC exposure records were classified into four categories influencing BC exposure level: working environment, workplace, forklift operation, and job characteristics. Analysis of variance(ANOVA) was used to compare average BC exposure levels among the four categories and the relationships between potential factors and BC exposure were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Results: The operators' daily exposure was $12.9{\mu}g/m^3$(N=9,148, $GM=7.5{\mu}g/m^3$) with a range: $0.001-811.4{\mu}g/m^3$. The operators were exposed to significantly higher levels when they operate a forklift in a room ${\leq}20,000m^3$($AM=12.3{\mu}g/m^3$), in indoor workplaces($AM=16.3{\mu}g/m^3$), when they operate a forklift manufactured before 2006 ($AM=13.2{\mu}g/m^3$), a forklift with a loading limit of four-tons($AM=27.1{\mu}g/m^3$), with a roll and bale type clamp($AM=17.1{\mu}g/m^3$), and with no particulate filter($AM=15.7{\mu}g/m^3$). Conclusions: Occupational factors including temperature, smoking, season, daytime, room volume($m^3$), location of operating, and manufacturing era and model of forklift influenced the BC exposure of forklift operators. The results of this study can be used to minimize the BC exposure of forklift operators.