• 한국입자에어로졸학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.131-140
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• 2020

Air pollutants emitted from chimneys of coal-fired power plants are considered to be a major source of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. In order to manage fine particle in the chimney of a coal-fired power plant, it is necessary to know the concentration of fine particle emitted in real time, but the current system is difficult. In this study, a real-time measurement system for chimney fine particle was developed, and measurements were performed on six coal-fired power plants. Through the measurements, the mass concentration distribution according to the particle size could be secured. All six chimneys showed bimodal distribution, and the count median diameters of each mode were 0.5 and 1.1 ㎛. In addition, it was compared with the gravimetric measurement method, and it was determined that the relative accuracy for PM10 was within 20%, and the value measured using the developed measuring instrument was reliable. Finally, three power plants were continuously measured for one month, and as a result of comparing the concentration of PM10 according to the amount of power generation, it was confirmed that the PM10 discharged from the chimney increased in the form of an exponential function according to the amount of power generation.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.163-171
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• 2022

Objectives: Fit performance may vary depending on the ambient aerosol number and ratio in respective test environment. Although several instrument can measure it, they differ with respect to the measurement principle and the range of ambient aerosols collected to calculate the fit factor. Methods: In this study, the fit performance between a condensation nuclei counter(CNC) and an optical particle counter(OPC) was compared according to ambient aerosol number concentration, and evaluated consistency. One type respirators(N95 masks) was worn by 50 participants PortaCount®(Pro+ 8038) and MT®(05U) were connected with one probe to one mask, and Fit Factors(FFs) were measured simultaneously. Results: The interclass correlation coefficient of the fit factor and ambient aerosol number, as measured by the two instrument, was 0.82 and 0.79, respectively, indicating a high consistency level. On the other hand there was a significant correlation between the successful test performance of the OPC instrument and the ambient aerosol number. Conclusions: The test was passed with the CNC and OPC instruments when the ambient aerosol number was 635-3,332 particles/cm³ and 368-1,976 particles/cm³, respectively. Thus, the ideal ambient aerosol number of particles differed between the two instrument.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.229-236
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• 1998

Visibility is a good indicator of comprehensive alto quality. The prevailing visibility in Seoul is no better than the past although the average concentration of SO2 and TSP (total suspended particulate) has decreased quite significantly in the past decade, owing to the government efforts to reduce the emission. Then, a question arises why visibility has not been improved. In order to answer this question we have investigated which components of air pollutants are most responsible for the visibility degradation in Seoul. Analysis on the visibility vs the aerosol sixte distribution measured by an optical particle counter shows that the particles of the size interval between 0.5mm and 2.5mm are most responsible for the visibility degradation. Among the criteria air Pollutants, NOB concentration is found to be moot responsible, rather than PM10. ton analysis of the particulate collected by a high volume sampler shows that the nitrate component increases more significantly than other ions when visibility becomes very poor. Therefore, we conclude that the major causes of visibility degradation in Seoul are the increase of NOB, nitrates and the particles of the size range between 0.5mm and 2.5mm.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.651-666
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• 2013

This study introduces a novel approach to the differentiation of two phenomena, Asian Dust and haze, which are extremely difficult to distinguish based solely on comparisons of PM10 concentration, through use of the Optical Particle Counter (OPC), which simultaneously generates PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration. In the case of Asian Dust, PM10 concentration rose to the exclusion of PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration. The relative ratios of PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration versus PM10 concentration were below 40%, which is consistent with the conclusion that Asian Dust, as a prime example of the coarse-particle phenomenon, only impacts PM10 concentration, not PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration. In contrast, PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration simultaneously increased with haze. The relative ratios of PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration versus PM10 concentration were generally above 70%. In this case, PM1.0 concentration varies because a haze event consists of secondary aerosol in the fine-mode, and the relative ratios of PM10 and PM2.5 concentration remain intact as these values already subsume PM1.0 concentration. The sequential shift of the peaks in PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentrations also serve to individually track the transport of coarse-mode versus fine-mode aerosols. The distinction in the relative ratios of PM2.5 and PM1.0 concentration versus PM10 concentration in an Asian Dust versus a haze event, when collected on a national or global scale using OPC monitoring networks, provides realistic information on outbreaks and transport of Asian Dust and haze.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.225-236
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• 2016

Objectives: Nanomaterials have been used in various fields. As use of nanoproducts is increasing, workers dealing with nanomaterials are also gradually increasing. Exposure assessments for nanomaterials have been carried out for protection of worker's health in workplace. Exposure studies were mainly focused on manufacturing processes, but these studies on after-treatment processes such as refinement, weighing, and packing were insufficient. So, we investigated exposure characteristics of particles during after-treatment processes of $Al_2O_3$ fibers and Ni powders. Methods: Mass-production of Ni powder process was carried out in enclosed capture-type canopy hood. In a developing stage, $Al_2O_3$ was handled with a local ventilation unit. Exposure characteristics of particles were investigated for $Al_2O_3$ fiber and Ni powder processes during the periods of 10:00 to 16:00, 20 May 2014 and 13:00 to 16:00, 21 May 2014, respectively. Three real-time aerosol instruments were utilized in exposure assessment. A scanning mobility particle sizer(SMPS, nanoscan, model 3910, TSI) and an optical particle counter(OPC, portable aerosol spectrometer, model 1.109, Grimm) were used to determine the particle size distribution in the size range of 10-420 nm and $0.25-32{\mu}m$, respectively. In addition, a nanoparticle aerosol monitor(NAM, model 9000, TSI) was used to measure lung-deposited nanoparticle surface area. Membrane filters(isopore membrane filter, pore size of 100 nm) were also used for air sampling for the FE-SEM(model S-5000H, Hitachi) analysis using a personal sampling pump(model GilAir Plus by 2.5 L/min, Gilian). Conclusions: For Ni powder after-treatment process, only 27% increase in particle concentration was found during the process. However, for $Al_2O_3$ fiber after-treatment process, significant exposure(1.56-3.34 times) was observed during the process.

• 에너지공학
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.146-156
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• 1998

석탄을 연소한 후 형성되는 석탄회는 미세한 분말상태로 입자의 형상은 다공성이며 단단한 구형입자로 이루어져 있다. 본 연구에서는 국내 발전소에서 생성된 9종의 석탄회의 물리적, 형태적 및 화학적 조성 분석을 통해 국내 석탄회 데이터 베이스화, 연소효율 개선, 석탄회 집진설비인 전기집진기의 성능향상과 석탄회의 재활용에 기여하고자 한다. 석탄회의 물리적 특성은 입도분포와 비중을 입자카운터와 한국공업규격(KS L-5110)에 따른 비중 측정계를 이용하였으며, 형태적 특성은 입자의 구형성 정도, 표면특성 그리고 색상변화 등을 전자현미경(SEM)과 광학현미경을 이용하였다. 그리고 화학적 특성을 파악하기 위해 유도결합 플라즈마방출 분광기(ICP)와 에너지스펙트럼 분석기(EDXA)를 이용하여 석탄회의 구성성분을 분석하였고 한국공업규격 KS L-5405에 따른 석탄회에 함유된 미연탄소분을 측정하였다. 삼천포 화력발전소 전기집진기에서 포집한 석탄회에 대한 질량평균입경은 각각 15~25 $\mu\textrm{m}$로 나타났다. 석탄회 입자의 형상은 석탄 입자가 보일러의 연소 영역에 노출되는 정도에 따라 구형성, 투명성 및 색변화가 다양하게 나타나는데 완전 연소에 가까울수록 무색의 구형입자가 형성되었다. 석탄회는 보일러 내의 연소 조건과 원탄의 성분에 따라 구형, 무정형, Cenosphere 그리고 Plerosphere와 같은 유형의 입자를 형성하며 입자간의 상호 작용에 의해 집괴, 응집 그리고 결정형의 입자군들을 형성한다. 석탄회는 산회광물질로 이루어져 있으며 주성분 SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3로 약 85% 이상을 차지하였으며 10% 정도는 미연탄소분으로 이루어져 있었다.

• 대한원격탐사학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.65-73
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• 2010

구름과 강수특성을 분석하기 위해 대관령에 구름물리관측시스템(Cloud physics Observation System, 이하 CPOS)을 2003년부터 운영해 오고 있다. 주요 관측 기기는 다음과 같다: FSSP (Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe), OPC (Optical Particle Counter), VS (Visibility Sensor), PARSIVEL disdrometer, MWR (Microwave Radiometer), MRR (Micro Rain Radar). 앞의 4개 장비는 지상구름 (안개)과 강수 특성을, 뒤의 2개 장비는 연직구름의 특성을 실시간으로 관측하고 있다. CPOS 산출물을 검증하기 위해 FSSP는 흡습성 물질 시딩 실험 중 OPC와, MWR의 가강수량은 라디오존데와, PARSIVEL과 MRR은 우량계와 비교 연구가 수행되었다. 그 결과를 보면 대부분이 0.7이상의 좋은 상관도를 보인다. 이와 같이 신뢰도를 확보한 CPOS 관측 자료는 구름과 에어로솔의 간접효과나 기상조절 실험에 유용한 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다. FSSP의 입자 크기 분포를 시정값으로 환산해 보았으며 FSSP 환산 시정값은 visibility sensors (SVS)와 PWD22 (Present Weather Detect 22)의 시정계 값에 비해 1.7~1.9배 과도한 경향을 보였다. 이는 FSSP에 의해 관측되는 입자 크기($2{\sim}47\;{\mu}m$)의 한계 때문으로 사료된다. 향후 다른 입자크기분포를 측정할 수 있는 장비를 도입하여 추가 분석을 추진할 계획이다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.203-215
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the filtration efficiencies and pressure drops of five commercial cloth masks (4 plate type, 1 cup type) in comparison to the performance of a class 1 disposable respirator (reference respirator). A further objective was to evaluate the effects of the number of layers and wash treatment independently on filtration efficiencies and pressure drops. Methods: Polydisperse NaCl aerosols were generated in an aerosol chamber and their concentrations were measured by an optical particle counter (OPC) in the size range of $0.3{\sim}10{\mu}m$ (five channels). Results: The filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks and the reference respirator were D: 9.5%, C: 18.5%, E: 23.6%, A: 28.5%, B: 29.7% and R: 91.1%, respectively, and the pressure drops through them were C, D: 0.8 Pa, E: 1.7 Pa, B: 6.4 Pa, A: 42.7 Pa and R: 19.3 Pa, respectively. The filtration efficiencies of the cloth masks and reference respirator were below the class 1 respirator criterion (${\geq}94.0%$) of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The pressure drops satisfied the class 1 respirator criterion (${\leq}70Pa$) of MOEL and MFDS. When the cloth masks were folded into two and four layers, the filtration efficiencies of cloth masks A, B, C, D (plate type) increased 1.7-4.6 times, and 2.3-6.8 times, respectively, compared to the efficiencies of the same products in a single layer. Pressure drops increased as the number of layers was increased. The filtration efficiency of cloth mask E with a liner was 1.3 times higher than that of the same mask without a liner, and the pressure drop was lower in the no-liner configuration. After a single washing, the filtration efficiencies of all the cloth mask products decreased 1.04-4.0 times compared to those of the same products intact. For the cloth masks C and E, their filtration efficiencies were significantly decreased after washing (p<0.05). The pressure drops of all cloth masks were 1.2-2.0 times lower after washing. Conclusions: The filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks were below 30% and did not improve greatly by increasing the number of layers. After a single washing, their performances decreased. Considering the above and other issues identified with cloth masks, such as poor fit and stretched fibers through use, people should not expect protection against particulate matters from the cloth masks on the market.

• 대기
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.41-54
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• 2017

Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in $PM_{2.5}$ were measured using Sunset OC/EC Field Analyzer at Seoul Hwangsa Monitoring Center from March to April, 2016. The mean concentrations of OC and EC during the entire period were $4.4{\pm}2.0{\mu}gC\;m^{-3}$ and $1.4{\pm}0.6{\mu}gC\;m^{-3}$, respectively. OC/EC ratio was $3.4{\pm}1.0$. The average concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were $57.4{\pm}25.9$ and $39.7{\pm}19.8{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, respectively, which were detected by an optical particle counter. The OC and EC peaks were observed in the morning, which were impacted by vehicle emission, however, their diurnal variations were not noticeable. This is determined to be contributed by the long-range transported OC or secondary formation via photochemical reaction by volatile organic compounds at afternoon. A conditional probability function (CPF) model was used to identify the local source of pollution. High concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were observed from the westerly wind, regardless of wind speed. When wind velocity was high, a mixing plume of dust and pollution during long-range transport from China in spring was observed. In contrast, pollution in low wind velocity was from local source, regardless of direction. To know the effect of long-range transport on pollution, a concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) model was analyzed based on a potential source contribution function (PSCF) model in which 75 percentiles high concentration was picked out for CWT analysis. $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, OC, and EC were dominantly contributed from China in spring, and EC results were similar in both PSCF and CWT. In conclusion, Seoul air quality in spring was mainly affected by a mixture of local pollution and anthropogenic pollutants originated in China than the Asian dust.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.218-227
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• 2023

Background: Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment has implemented a seasonal fine dust management system from December to March, targeting high PM_2.5 levels with the aim of reducing PM_2.5 concentrations and protecting public health. The focus of improving the seasonal management system lies in the atmospheric PM_2.5 levels. Considering the primary goal of protecting public health, it is necessary to analyze the policy effects from an exposure perspective rather than a concentration-based approach. Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively assess the improvement of indoor PM_2.5 levels and the health impacts of the seasonal management system by comparing the periods before and during its implementation in residential environments. Methods: PM_2.5 concentrations within residential environments in a metropolitan area were measured using an optical particle counter (IAQ-C7, K-weather, Ltd, Korea) at one-minute intervals during the pre-implementation period (November 21~25, 2022) and during the implementation period (December 19~23, 2022). Based on the measured PM_2.5 concentrations, a quantitative evaluation of cancer and mortality risks was conducted according to age and gender. Results: The results of comparing indoor and outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations before and during the implementation of the seasonal management system showed a decrease of approximately 56.6% and 47.9%, respectively. Health risk assessments revealed that both the safety-limit-based and safety-target-based Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the threshold of 0.1 for children under 19 years of age, both before and after the implementation. The mortality risk decreased by approximately 47.9% after the implementation, with children aged 0-9 showing the highest mortality risk at 0.9%. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed the positive health impacts of the seasonal management system across all age groups, particularly children under 19 who are more vulnerable to fine dust exposure.