• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.50-61
• /
• 2020

Background: This study aims to analyze the effects of air pollutants, such as particular matter, to the number of outpatient visits for allergic rhinitis in eup, myeon, and dong administrative boundaries. Methods: Dependent variable was the number of outpatient visits for allergic rhinitis per 10,000 people by region. Independent variables were air pollutants such as PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, O₃, CO₂, NO₂, and temperature that estimated by using Kriging analysis in all eup, myeon, and dong boundaries. Panel analysis was applied for the analysis to prove the relation between outpatient visits and the concentration of air pollutants. Results: Analysis results showed that particular matter concentration varied by regions and season. Panel analysis showed that outpatient visits for allergic rhinitis had positive relationships with PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, O₃, and CO₂ in all panel models. Conclusion: Regional variation of particular matter concentration should be considered in establishing regional policies for allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 2017

Average concentration of PM in Seoul metropolitan area satisfied the Korean air quality standard in 2010. Furthermore, concentration of PM in all boroughs across Seoul met the air environment standard in 2012. $PM_{10}$ concentration was relatively higher in center of Seoul in comparison to the rest, while $PM_{2.5}$ concentration showed exactly the contrary result. We analyzed the effect that PM emissions from vehicles would have on PM concentrations across Seoul. The results showed that average annual PM concentration recently decreased in Seoul although the number of vehicles registered annually continued its upward trend. By contrast, average fine dust concentrations in Seoul showed a decline which suggested that correlation between annual average PM concentrations and number of registered vehicles remained low. However, year-on-year vehicle registration rate recently showed a declining tendency in the same way as the trend of changes in average PM concentrations. Particularly, the upward trend in annual average PM concentrations in 2002 and 2007 was consistent with the increase in vehicle registration rate, suggesting that vehicle registration rate was closely associated with changes in PM concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2024

With the fine particulate matter (PM) poses a serious threat to public health and the environment. The ultrafine PM in particular can cause serious problems. This study investigates the effectiveness of a submicron dry fog system in removing fine PM. Two methods are used to create fine dust particles: burning incense and utilizing an aerosol generator. Results indicate that the dry fog system effectively removes fine dust particles, with a removal efficiency of up to 81.9% for PM₁₀ and 61.9% for PM_2.5 after 30 minutes of operation. The dry fog, characterized by a mean size of approximately 1.5 ㎛, exhibits superior performance in comparison to traditional water spraying methods, attributed to reduced water consumption and increased contact probability between water droplets and dust particles. Furthermore, experiments with uniform-sized particles which sizes are 1 ㎛ and 2 ㎛ demonstrate the system's capability in removing ultrafine PM. The proposed submicron dry fog system shows promise for mitigating fine dust pollution in various industrial settings, offering advantages such as energy consumption and enhanced safety for workers and equipment.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.38 no.5_3
• /
• pp.873-885
• /
• 2022

The particulate matter (PM) has emerged as a hot topic around the world as it has been reported that PM is related to an increase in mortality and prevalence rates. In South Korea, the importance of PM has been recognized since the late 1990s, and various studies on PM have been conducted. This study investigated the PM research topics and trends for papers (D=2,764) published in Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) using topic modeling based on Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). As a result, a total of 10 topics were identified in the whole papers, and the PM research topics were classified as 'PM reduction (Topic 1)', 'Government policy and management (Topic 2)', 'Characteristics of PM (Topic 3)', 'PM model (Topic 4)', 'Environmental education (Topic 5)', 'Bio (Topic 6)', 'Traffic (Topic 7)', 'Asian dust (Topic 8)', 'Indoor PM (Topic 9)', 'Human risk (Topic 10)'. In particular, the proportion of papers on topics 'Government policy and management (Topic 2)', 'PM model (Topic 4)', 'Environmental education (Topic 5)', and 'Bio (Topic 6)' to the toal number of papers increased over time (linear slope > 0). The results of this study provide the new literature review methodology related to particulate matter and the history and insight.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2021

Ambient air pollution, in particular, particulate matter (PM) pollution imposes serious health concerns such as hospitalization and premature deaths, worldwide. While commercial breathing masks are in use for protection against this hazardous issue, yet their efficiency in filtering PM was not up to the par, besides several other discomforts such as poor breathability due to reduced air flow, sweat production etc. In this study, commercial face mask coated with β-glucan, a high molecular weight polymer is tested for its efficacy in filtering PM. Quantification of PM before and after filtration and microscopic observation (using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) of the fabric used in filtering the dust pollutants (generated from wood chips and cigarette) showed that β-glucan coated fabric were significantly efficient in capturing PM (size of 10 and 2.5 ㎛ in diameter) than that of the untreated control fabric, wherein the former had filtration efficacy with fold increase of 11.6 and 2.6 towards capturing PM2.5 and PM10 respectively than the latter. Thus, β-glucan coated fabric was found to be effective in filtering PM.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze how much particulate matter at the center of the urban park is reduced compared to the entrance of the park, where the particulate matter problem is serious. It also endeavored to analyze the relationship between the space closure rate and particulate matter reduction rate in the center of the park through the collection and analysis of experimental data. Seven flat land type urban neighborhood parks in Suseong-gu, Daegu were measured at the same place for three days. The research results are as follows. First, the center of the urban neighborhood park had an average temperature 1.05℃ lower than at the entrance and an average humidity of 2.57% higher. Second, the rate of fine dust reduction was PM1- 17.09%, PM2.5- 17.65%, PM10- 14.99%. As for the reduction rate of particulate matter, the smaller the size of the park, the greater the reduction rate. In addition, the reduction rate at the center of the park was lower on days when particulate matter concentration based on the weather reports was low. The higher the concentration at the park entrance, the higher the reduction rate was. Third, a higher the rate of space closures at the center of the park resulted in a higher effect of particulate matter reduction. Noting this, the relationship between particulate matter reduction and the space closure rate in urban neighborhood parks was clearly shown. We hope to be the basis for more extensive experimental data collection.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.637-646
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of particulate matter (PM) reduction under different characteristics of leaves in 18 different species of indoor plants. Methods: First, a particular amount of PM was added to the glass chambers (0.9×0.86×1.3 m) containing the indoor plant (height = 40 ± 20 cm), and the PM concentration were measured at 2-hour intervals. The experiment with the same conditions was conducted in the empty chamber as the control plot. Results: The range of PM reduction per unit leaf area of 18 species of experimental plants was 3.3-286.2 ㎍·m^-2 leaf, total leaf area was 1,123-4,270 cm², and leaf thickness was 0.14-0.80 mm and leaf size 2.27-234.47 cm². As time passed, the concentration of PM decreased more in the chamber with plants than in the empty chamber. Among the 18 indoor plants, the ones with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 in 2 hours and 4 hours of exposure to PM2.5 were Pachira aquatica and Dieffenbachia amoena. As the exposure time of PM increased, the efficiency of reducing PM2.5 was higher in plants with medium-sized leaves than plants with large or small leaves. The effect of reducing PM2.5 was higher in linear leaves than round or lobed leaves. Plants with high total leaf area did not have advantage in reducing PM because the leaves were relatively small and there were many overlapping parts between leaves. In the correlation between leaf characteristics and PM 2.5 reductions, all leaf area and leaf thickness showed a negative and leaf size showed a positive correlation with PM reduction. Conclusion: The PM reduction effect of plants with medium-sized leaves and long linear leaves was relatively high. Moreover, plants with a large total leaf area without overlapping leaves will have advantaged in reducing PM. Plants are effective in reducing PM, and leaf characteristics are an important factor that affects PM reduction.

• Kosin Medical Journal
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2018

Objectives: We investigated whether asthma attacks in asthmatic children were caused by short-term exposure to particulate $matter(PM)_{2.5}$. Methods: Subjects were 411 patients who received inhalation therapy in National Fukuoka Hospital, from March to May 2013. All subjects were outpatients. We surveyed the air quality measurement results in the stations closest to the address of the patients. Data were used from the City of Fukuoka website data on air pollution. We carried out a case-crossover study and compared $PM_{2.5}$ concentration between 7 days after asthma attack occurred and the day asthma attack occurred and 1, 2 and 3 days before asthma attack occurred. Results: Highest hourly concentration of the day (OR 1.013, 95%CI 1.000-1.025) showed a significant association with 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration statistically. And 0-1 year-old infants were more vulnerable to the highest concentration of 1 day before $PM_{2.5}$ concentration(P < 0.05). Average concentration of $NO_2$ and $O_3$ and asthma attack also showed a significant association. Conclusions: Maximal daily $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations within 24 hours prior to the attack affect asthma exacerbation. 0-1 year-old infants are particularly vulnerable to $PM_{2.5}$ concentration. Asthma exacerbation is aggravated by $NO_2$ and $O_3$ concentration on the day of the asthma attack.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 2014

Ambient air pollution (AAP) and particulate matters (PM) have been closely associated with adverse health effects such as respiratory disease and cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have examined the adverse health effects associated with short- and long-term exposure to AAP and outdoor PM on respiratory disease. However, the effect of PM size ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$) on cardiovascular disease has not been well studied. Thus, it remains unclear how the size of the inhalable particles (coarse, fine, or ultrafine) affects mortality and morbidity. Airborne PM concentrations are commonly used for ambient air quality management worldwide, owing to the known effects on cardiorespiratory health. In this article, we assess the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and PM, with a particular focus on PM size. We discuss the association of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), and elemental carbon with mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and altered blood pressure, based on epidemiological studies. In addition, we provide evidence that the adverse health effects of AAP and PM are more pronounced among the elderly, children, and people with preexisting cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Finally, we critically summarize the literature pertaining to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and stroke, and introduce potential studies to better understand the health significance of AAP and PM on cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.380-391
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its vicinities. Also, this study measured and analyzed the concentration of TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals which influences on the environmental and respiratory disease in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex, Daegu, Korea. Methods: In this study, we analyzed various environmental pollutants such as particulate matter and heavy metals from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex that adversely affected local residents's health. In particular, we verified the concentration distribution and characteristics of exposure for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ among particulate matters, and heavy metals(Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, Zn, and Mg). In that regard, the official test method on air pollution in Korea for analysis of particulate matter and heavy metal in atmosphere were conducted. The large capacity air sampling method by the official test method on air pollution in Korea were applied for sampling of heavy metals in atmosphere. In addition, we evaluated the concentration of seasonal environmental pollutants for each point of residence in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and surrounding area. The sampling measured periods for air pollutants were from August 11, 2013 to February 21, 2014. Furthermore, we measured and analyzed the seasonal concentrations(summer, autumn and winter). Results: The average concentration for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ by direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.7, 1.4 and 1.9 times higher than reference region. In analysis results of seasonal concentrations for particulate matter in four direct influence and reference area, concentration levels for winter were generally somewhat higher than concentrations for summer and autumn. The average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were $0.0008{\pm}0.0004{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0141{\pm}0.0163{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0248{\pm}0.0059{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0026{\pm}0.0011{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.0272{\pm}0.0084{\mu}g/Sm^3$, $0.4855{\pm}0.1862{\mu}g/Sm^3$, and $0.3068{\pm}0.0631{\mu}g/Sm^3$, respectively. In particularly, the average concentrations for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were 1.9, 3.6, 2.1, 1.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 1.2 times higher than reference area, respectively. The continuous monitoring and management were required for some heavy metals such as Cr and Ni. Moreover, the average concentration in winter for particulate matter in direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were generally higher than concentrations in summer and autumn. Also, average concentrations for TSP, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were from 1.5 to 2.0 times, 1.2 to 1.8 times, and 1.1 to 2.3 times higher than reference area, respectively. In results for seasonal atmospheric environment, TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metal concentrations in direct influence area were higher than reference area. Especially, the concentrations in C station were a high level in comparison with other area. Conclusions: In the results, some particulate matters and heavy metals were relatively high concentration, in order to understand the environmental pollution level and health effect in surrounding area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex. The concentration of some heavy metals emitted from direct influence area at Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than reference area. In particular, average concentration for heavy metals in this study were higher than average concentrations in air quality monitoring station for heavy metal for 7 years in Deagu metropolitan region. Especially, the residents near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex may be exposed to the pollutants(TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, and heavy metals, etc) emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.