• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2018

Air pollution index (API) is used in Mainland China and includes only $SO_2$, $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$. In 2016, air quality index (AQI) replaced API. AQI contains three more air pollutants (CO, $O_3$ and $PM_{2.5}$). Both the indices emphasize on the effect of a single pollutant, whereas the contributions of all other pollutants are ignored. Therefore, in the present work, a novel air quality index (NAQI), which emphasizes on all air pollutants, has been introduced for the first time. The results showed that there were 19 d (5.2%) in API, 28 d (7.7%) in AQI and 183 d (50.1%) in NAQI when the indices were more than 100. In API, $PM_{10}$ and $SO_2$ were regarded as the primary pollutants, whereas all five air pollutants in AQI were regarded as primary. Furthermore, four air pollutants (other than the CO) in NAQI were regarded as primary pollutants. $PM_{10}$, as being the primary pollutant, contributed greatly in these air quality indices, and accounted for 51.2% (API), 37.0% (AQI) and 52.6% (NAQI). The results also showed that particulate matter pollution was significantly high in Luzhou, where stricter pollution control measures should be implemented.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.453-467
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• 2020

This study aimed to inventory the water pollutant discharge of wastewater from two facilities, one primary steel manufacturing facility and one petroleum refinery, both of which are located in Korea, and to identify ways to improve the wastewater treatment process through field investigation. Probability evaluation was used to inventory the substances in polluted water. The samples collected in this study included original wastewater, on processing wastewater, and treated water. The general description of wastewater occurrence, major sources, and treatment facilities were also investigated to obtain an integrated database of the pollutants created by different industrial categories. Based on our analysis of raw wastewater and final effluent, the detected pollutants were confirmed by analyzing their presence in the raw or supplemental materials, the potential of formation as byproducts, and the possibility of inclusion as impurities. The compounds detected for each category were screened via investigation of their possible sources and confirmed as the final water pollutant inventories. Thirty kinds of water pollutants were emitted by the primary steel manufacturing facility (reference in case A), including 14 specified hazardous water pollutants. The petroleum refinery (reference in case B) emitted 36 water pollutants, including 16 specified hazardous water pollutants.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.503-514
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• 2002

During the past two decades, primary pollutants in the ambient air have been substantially reduced in Korea by aggressive government efforts such as the switchover to clean fuels and equipment of automobiles with a three-way catalytic converter. However, visibility impairment in Seoul and major metropolitan areas has been a stubborn problem. It is apparent that both directly emitted fine particles mainly from vehicles and secondary fine particles from photochemical reactions could contribute to this visibility impairment. In addition, Korea is located downwind of the prevailing westerlies from China and is influenced by the emissions of air pollutants in China. In order to assess this complicated problem of visibility impairment, the visibility trends for the past 17 years observed at more than 60 stations throughout the country were analyzed. The results showed that visibilities were generally the lowest in the winter morning in comparison with those in the summer afternoon as well as the annual average values. It was believed that primary pollution was principally responsible for visibility impairment in most areas. The visibility in the summer afternoon was lower in clean coastal areas along with a high level of relative humidity due to the inflow of moist air accompanied by sea breeze. Although contributions of secondary particles from photochemical reactions and long-range transport of fine particles to the visibility impairment were probable, their certain evidences were not found.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.202-211
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• 2021

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) have been regulated by the Air Pollution Control Act (1978) and their atmospheric concentrations have been monitored in 39 monitor sites in Korea. However, measurement standards of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in HAPs at ambient levels have not been established in Korea. Primary reference gas mixtures (measurement standards) at ambient levels are required for accurately monitoring atmospheric VOCs in HAPs and managing their emissions. In this study, primary reference gas mixtures (PRMs) at 5 nmol/mol were developed in order to establish primary national standards of VOCs in HAPs at ambient levels. Primary reference gas mixtures (PRMs) were prepared in pressurized aluminum cylinders with special internal surface treatment using gravimetric method. Analytical methods using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) coupled with a cryogenic preconcentrator were also developed to verify the consistency of gravimetrically prepared HAP VOCs PRMs. Three different columns installed in the GC-FID were evaluated and compared for the retention times and separation of eighteen target components in a chromatogram. Results show that the HAP VOCs PRMs at 5 nmol/mol were consistent within a relative expanded uncertainty (k=2) of less than 3 % except acrylonitrile (less than 6 %) and the 18 VOCs were stable for 1 year within their associated uncertainties.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.1253-1259
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• 2002

This study analyzes the surface ozone, NO and $NO_2$ concentration data from 1997 to 1999 in Daegu. It investigates effect on precursor during high-ozone episode days. The high-ozone episode is defined when a daily maximum ozone concentration is higher than 100 ppb(ambient air quality standard of Korea) in at least one station among six air quality monitoring stations. The frequency of episodes is 13 days(33 hours). The frequency is the highest in May and September, and the area with the highest frequency is Nowondong and Manchondong. The average value of daily maximum ozone concentration with high ozone episode is 81.6 ppb, and that of 8-hour average ozone concentration is 58.6 ppb. It means that ozone pollution is continuous and wide-ranging in Daegu. The daily variation of NO, $NO_2$ and $O_3$ in high-ozone episodes are inversely proportional one another. Nowondong an industrial area, is affected by pollutants that are emitted from the primary sources, while Manchondong a residential area, is affected by the advection of $O_3$ or by the primary pollutants like VOCs.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.487-501
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• 2002

The concentrations of gaseous (NO$_{x}$, SO$_2$, and $O_3$) and particulate (Elemental Carbon, EC and Organic Carbon, OC) pollutants were measured to evaluate the air quality of Kosan. Samples were taken at Kosan during ACE-Asia (Asian Pacific Regional Aerosol Characterization Experiment) IOP (Intensive Observation Period) (2001. 3. 21~2001. 5. 5). The mean concentrations of $O_3$(46.3$\pm$10.4 ppb) is higher than those at urban area such as Seoul and Busan in Korea. On the other hand, the mean concentrations of other gaseous species, NO$_{x}$(4.73$\pm$3.42 ppb) and SO$_2$(0.62$\pm$0.63 ppb) are lower than those at great cities. So we concluded that there are a few primary sources emitting atmospheric pollutants. The concentration of EC is higher and the concentration of OC is similar with or higher than those at other background sites. The recent EC concentration is higher than those measured before at Kosan. We concluded that there are more primary sources than other background sites and the amount of primary source have increased recently in Jeju. Backward trajectory and co..elation analysis were used to study where the air masses originated and distinguish the source of pollutants. While NO$_{x}$ and $O_3$ were mainly emitted and formed from Jeju inland area, concentrations of SO$_2$, OC and EC were affected by Asian Dust from China. Using the mean relative standard deviation of ozone, cleanness coefficient was obtained. The cleanness coefficient value, is 1.6 times larger than the value in 1992. Recently, the air quality of Kosan has been contaminated because of the Asian Dust events since spring and the rapid industrialization development.pment.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2005

Recently, a large number of clinical experiments have shown that exposure of organic pollutants lead to various cancers through the abnormal cell growth. Environmental pollutants, such as 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachloro dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are carcinogen and are known to cause the cognitive disability and motor dysfunction in the developing of brain. The effects of these pollutants on neurodevelopmental disorder is well established, but the underlying mechanism(s) and similarity of gene expression profiles in human brain tumors with organic pollutants still remain unclear. In this study, we first examined the gene expression profiles in glioblastomas compared with meningioma that are kinds of primary human brain tumor by using human cDNA microarray. The results of cDNA microarray analysis revealed that 26 genes were upregulated (Z-ratio>2.0) and 14 genes were downregulated (Z-ratio<-2.0) in glioblastoma compared with meningioma. From the altered gene patterns, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling related genes, such as MAP2K3, MAP3K11 and jun activated domain binding protein, and transcription factors, such as UTF2 and TF12, were upregulated in glioblastoma. Also, we tried to investigate the relation between important genes up- and down-regulated in giloblastoma and various organic pollutants. Therefore, the identification of changes in the patterns of gene expression may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in human primary brain tumors and of the relation between gene expression profiles and organic pollutants in brain tissue.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-108
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• 2018

Schools are one of the critical social infrastructures in a society, the first place for social activity and the most important indoor environment for children besides the home. Poor IAQ in classrooms can increase the chance of long-term and short-term health problems for students and staffs; affects productivity of teachers; and degrade the student learning environment and comfort levels. The primary objective of this paper is to review and summarize available scientific evidence on indoor air quality of schools and related health effects in children. It was found that the indoor air pollutant levels in school buildings varied over a wide range in different parts of the world depending on site characteristics, climatic conditions, outdoor pollution levels, occupant activities, ventilation type and building practices. Among the indoor air pollutants, particulate matter concentrations were found to be very high in many schools. Outdoor pollutant sources also play a major role in affecting the IAQ of the school building. Hence, scientific knowledge on sources of indoor pollutants, quantification of emissions, temporal and spatial dispersion of pollutants, toxicological properties, chemical and morphological characteristics of the pollutants and associated health risk among children in the school buildings are essential to evaluate the adequacy and cost effectiveness of control strategies for mitigating the IAQ issues.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 1990

To check the possible transportation of gaseous air pollutants with the particles of yellow sand in the movement of air masses during the Yellow Sand Phenomenon, the concentrations of such air pollutants as TSP, $SO_2, CO, NO_x, O_3 and N-CH_4$, and wind wpeed were measured during the Yellow Sand Phenomenon (April 8 $\sim 10, 1990) and they were compared with those during the normal times in Korea. Meanwhile dust color of the samples during the Yellow Sand Phenomenon was the color of sand, that during the normal times was dark-brown. The concentrations of dusts; water soluble components, and metallic components of soil-originated elements during the Yellow Sand Phenomenon were higher than those during the normal times. While the metallic components in the dusts during the Yellow Sand Phenomenon were from soil-originated elements, those during the normal times were of both soiloriginated and sea-originated elements. The change of hourly concentrations of air pollutants showed bi-modal distribution during the two periods. Generally, the concentration levels of air pollutants during the Yellow Sand Period were higher than those during the normal times. Although similarity was observed in the primary sources, differences were observed in the dynamics of the secondary sources due to chemical reactions of the air pollutants during the two periods.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.67-76
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• 2019

The objectives of this study were to analyze trends of water pollutants and to evaluate the achievement of water quality standards by subbasins in the Han River. The trends of 40 water pollutants at 232 water quality measurement points were analyzed. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total organic carbon (TOC), Total coliforms (TC), et cetera were found to be worsening trend. For evaluation of achievement, we evaluated water quality arithmetic mean with river environment standards and human health standards at representative points of the subbasin. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), TOC, Total phosphorus (T-P), Fecal coliforms (FC), TC exceeded water quality standards, and water quality of human health standards was all satisfied. So, we prioritized pollutants. If pollutants exceed water quality standards or were worse, they were classified first pollutants. Although BOD and T-P are first pollutants because of water quality standards excess, they are continuously improved. Also, it is better to maintain current status because water quality management system of BOD and T-P is well prepared. Meanwhile, TOC, TC, and FC exceed water quality standards. Furthermore, they were worse gradually, but there is a lack of management systems such as water quality standards of the effluence facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement the system. The results of this study can be used as primary data for the establishment of water quality standards and selection of management pollutants.