• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.729-738
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• 2004

Seasonal variation of major inorganic ions in the greater Seoul area was estimated using a photochemical box model and a gas/aerosol equilibrium model with emphasis on semi -volatile nitrate. Pollutant emission was determined by season by comparing the predicted concentration with the measurement one obtained for a year from the late 1996. The results showed that particulate nitrate was the highest in summer but about 40% of total nitrate was present in the gas phase. This was due to volatilization at high temperature since ammonia was sufficient to neutralize all nitrate regardless of season. As relative humidity in summer was higher than the deliquescence point, particulate ion concentration with water was two times higher than that in other season. So called ‘NOx disbenefit’ indicating increase in particulate ion concentration with decrease in NOx emission was evident especially in winter.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.1646-1651
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• 2008

Due to the complaints on the emission gases from diesel locomotives, the diesel locomotives are replaced by electric locomotives, resulting in the decrease of diesel locomotives in Korea. However, the emission gases from diesel locomotives have become serious environmental concern at stations and car depots. In this study, a diesel particluate filter (DPF) for diesel locomotive was developed in order to reduce the emission gases. The concentration of nano particulate matters before and after the DPF was analyzed using a SMPS (Scanning mobility particle sizer) and MOUDI (Micro orifice uniform deposited impactor) to evaluate the performance of DPF in particulate matters removal.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2019

Particulate matter (PM) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is a growing public health concern. Previous studies have suggested that PM is associated with asthma development and exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Although several studies have suggested increased risks of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic sensitization in relation to PM exposure, the evidence remains inconsistent. The plausible mechanisms underlying these effects are related to oxidative stress, enhancement of sensitization to allergens, inflammatory and immunological responses, and epigenetics. This review discusses the effect of PM on childhood allergic diseases, along with plausible mechanisms. Further studies are required to understand the role of PM exposure on childhood allergic diseases, to reduce these diseases in children.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.57-66
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• 1997

Successful energy conservation and good indcfor air quality (IAQ) are highly dependent on ventilation system. Air filtration is a primary solution of indoor air control strategies in terms of reducing energy consumption and improving ihdoor air quality. A conventional system with bypass filter, as it is called variable-air-volume/bypass filtration system (VAV/BPFS), is a variation of the conventional variable air volume (VAV) systems, which is designed to eliminate indoor air pollutant and to save energy. Bypass filtration system equipped with a high-efficiency particulate filter and carbon absorbent provides additional cleaned air into indoor environments and maintain good IAQ for human health. The objectives of this research were to compare the relative total decay rate of indoor air pollutant concentrations, and to develop a mathematical model simulating the performance of VAV/BPFS. All experiments were performed in chamber under the controlled conditions. The specific conclusions of this research are: 1. The VAV/BPFS system is more efficient than the VAV system in removing indoor air pollutant concentration. The total decay rates of aerosol, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) for the VAV/BPFS system were higher than those of the conventional VAV system. 2. IAQ model predictions of each pollutant agree closely with the measured values. 3. According to IAQ model evaluation, reduction of outdoor supply air results in decreased dilution removal rate and on increased bypass filtration removal rate with the VAV/BPFS. As a results, we recommends the VAV/BPFS as an alternative to conventional VAV systems.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2021

Particulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant that causes serious environmental problems in Korea and other countries. The annual average PM10 concentration in Korea is around 40 ㎛/㎥, which is more than twice as high as the WHO recommended standard. When consumed with food, fine PM can pose a risk to humans. However, the risk of fine PM has been focused on the risk of fine PM introduced through the respiratory system. We investigated the quantitative measuring methods of PM10 on food surface to identify possible risk analysis of fine PM. The surfaces of food with artificially contaminated PM10 were observed with a scanning electron microscope(SEM). An automatic object-based image analysis was used to analyze the amount and size distribution of particulate matter contained in SEM micrographs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 1998

A comprehensive air quality monitoring was carried out to investigate the criteria concentration of air pollutant in indoor of subway stations of Seoul City. The samples were collected twice per year (the first and the second half of the year) at each sampling point from February to September in 1997. Sampling point of subway stations was ticket office and platform. The measurement of indoor air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide(SO$_2$), nitrogen dioxide(NO$_2$), carbon monoxide(CO), carbon dioxide(CO$_2$), total suspended particulate(TSP) was performed to determine the indoor air quality. Heavy metals(Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, As, Hg) were also measured together with those air pollutants. The annual average concentration of CO$_2$ and TSP in subway stations were relatively high while those of heavy metals were within 10% of environmental recommended standard concentration in all stations. As results of regression analysis between line and line of air factors, the concentrations of CO, CO$_2$, TSP, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu were highly correlated, but those of $SO_2, NO_2$ and Hg were not correlated. As results of regression analysis between ticket office and platform, the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cr and Cu were highly correlated. Results of oneway analysis of variance between the first and the second half of the year air factors also indicated that CO, CO$_2$, Cd, Cu, Hg were significant($\alpha$=0.01), respectively. The average contration of total suspended particulate(TSP) in subway line No. 1 was shown high concentration(200 $\mu g/m^3\cdot$ day) level.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.306-312
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• 2010

This field study was performed to evaluate the efficiency of a plasma ion-operated air cleaner in temporal reduction of airborne pollutants emitted from a pig housing facility. In the case of gaseous pollutants, the plasma ion air cleaner was not effective in reducing levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, or sulfur dioxide (p>0.05). In the case of particulate pollutants, however, the air cleaner was effective in reducing levels of particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_1$) by 79(${\pm}6.1$) and 78(${\pm}3.0$)%, respectively. Unlike the case of these fine particle fractions, the reduction of total suspended particles (TSP) and $PM_{10}$ following treatment was almost negligible. In the case of biological pollutants, the mean reduction efficiencies for airborne bacteria and fungi were relatively low at 22(${\pm}6.6$) and 25(${\pm}8.7$)%, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that in terms of air pollutants released from this pig housing facility, the plasma ion air cleaner was primarily effective in reducing levels of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_1$.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2024

Background: Particulate matter (PM) has been extensively observed due to its negative association with human health. Previous research revealed the possible negative effect of air pollutant exposure on oral health. However, the predictive model between air pollutant exposure and the prevalence of periodontitis has not been observed yet. Therefore, this study aims to propose a predictive model for the number of patients with periodontitis exposed to PM and atmospheric factors in South Korea using deep learning. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study utilizing secondary data from the Korean Statistical Information Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database for air pollution and the number of patients with periodontitis, respectively. Data from 2015 to 2022 were collected and consolidated every month, organized by region. Following data matching and management, the deep neural networks (DNN) model was applied, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) value was calculated to ensure the accuracy of the model. Results: As we evaluated the DNN model with MAPE, the multivariate model of air pollution including exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and other atmospheric factors predict approximately 85% of the number of patients with periodontitis. The MAPE value ranged from 12.85 to 17.10 (mean±standard deviation=14.12±1.30), indicating a commendable level of accuracy. Conclusion: In this study, the predictive model for the number of patients with periodontitis is developed based on air pollution, including exposure to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and other atmospheric factors. Additionally, various relevant factors are incorporated into the developed predictive model to elucidate specific causal relationships. It is anticipated that future research will lead to the development of a more accurate model for predicting the number of patients with periodontitis.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.445-460
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• 2018

Exposure to indoor air pollution is an emerging world-wide problem, with growing evidence that it is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Whilst most indoor air pollutants are of outdoor origin, these combine with a range of indoor sourced pollutants that may lead to high pollutant levels indoors. The pollutants of greatest concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), both of which are associated with a range of serious health problems. Whilst current buildings usually use ventilation with outdoor air to remove these pollutants, botanical systems are gaining recognition as an effective alternative. Whilst many years research has shown that traditional potted plants and their substrates are capable of removing VOCs effectively, they are inefficient at removing PM, and are limited in their pollutant removal rates by the need for pollutants to diffuse to the active pollutant removal components of these systems. Active botanical biofiltration, using green wall systems combined with mechanical fans to increase pollutant exposure to the plants and substrate, show greatly increased rates of pollutant removal for both VOCs, PM and also carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). A developing body of research indicates that these systems can outperform existing technologies for indoor air pollutant removal, although further research is required before their use will become widespread. Whilst it is known that plant species selection and substrate characteristics can affect the performance of active botanical systems, optimal characteristics are yet to be identified. Once this research has been completed, it is proposed that active botanical biofiltration will provide a cheap and low energy use alternative to mechanical ventilations systems for the maintenance of indoor environmental quality.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2023

Particulate matter is an air pollutant composed of various components, and has adverse effects on the human body. Particulate matter is known to induce cell death by generating an imbalance in the antioxidant system; however, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated the cytotoxic effects of the size and composition of particulate matter on small intestine cells. We found that particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5) with extraction ion (EI) components (PM_2.5 EI), is more cytotoxic than PM containing only polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Additionally, PM-induced cell death is characteristic of ferroptosis, and includes iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, ferroptosis inhibitor as liproxstatin-1 and iron-chelator as deferiprone attenuated cell mortality, lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation, and ROS production after PM_2.5 EI treatment in human small intestinal cells. These results suggest that PM_2.5 EI may increase ferroptotic-cell death by iron accumulation and ROS generation, and offer a potential therapeutic clue for inflammatory bowel diseases in human small intestinal cells.