• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.555-566
• /
• 1996

In order to assess the long-term airborne concentrations of 6 metals such as Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, K, and Na and the associated health resk, a great number of PM-10 samples were collected and analyzed in Kyung Hee University-Suwon Campus for three years from 1991 to 1993. The 3-year average concentration of Pb in respirable particulate matters was 142.6 ng/m$^{3}$ while that of Zn was 1,210.5ng/m$^{3}$. The corresponding hazard index from Pb Zn for the ingalation route was estimated to be 9.5.times.10$^{-2}$ and 3.5.times.10$^{-2}$ , respectively. Therefore, it can be said that there was no adverse chronic health effects by airborne Pb and Zn. However, the 2-year average concentration of Cr(6) was estimated to be 1.3ng/m$^{3}$ shile the 3-year average concentration of Cd was 3.1ng/m$^{3}$. The total cancer risk by these two metals for the inhalation route was estimated to be about 7.2.times.10$^{-6}$ . This order-of-magnitude risk estimate suggests that the ingalation risk in the study area from all carcinogenic metals including As and Ni (subsulfide) might exceed the acceptable risk criteria of 10$^{-5}$ -10$^{-6}$ by U.S.EPA.For a better risk assessment in the future, alveolar deposition of PM-10 in the study area were also discussed and an assessment was done.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.35-46
• /
• 2015

Improvement in domestic poultry production has a positive effect on the export competitiveness of the poultry industry. However, overproduction and enlargement of facilities to assure a supply increase a stocking density which make a poor environment in the broiler house. In particular, an intensive rearing environment is vulnerable to dust control that causes respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, etc., to farmers and broilers. However, monitoring data and research for environment control are not adequate, and there are no air quality regulations in broiler houses in Korea. In this study, TSP, PM10, inhalable dust and respirable dust concentration were monitored according to season, age of broiler and broiler's activities. Air quality assessment was also performed in accordance with the threshold limit value by Donham et al. (2000). The TSP concentrations were 77.5 %, 219.7 % higher and PM10 concentrations were 121.2 %, 303.8 % higher when change of season and winter respectively than summer. There were significantly different concentrations according to season and age of broiler. Inhalable and respirable dust concentration were also clearly different according to the season and age of broiler. A high dust concentration was observed, specifically exceeding the threshold limit by 119 % in the winter. In the case of the broiler's motion was activity according to worker's access into the broiler house, concentration level was 769.6 % higher than broiler's motion was stable and exceeded the threshold limit. These results suggest that the worker should put on protective equipment to protect there's respiratory health in the broiler house.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.194-194
• /
• 2003

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 1989) has classified whole diesel exhaust as probably carcinogenic to humans. Diesel exhaust particulate matter (DPM) adsorbs different chemical substances including PAHs and nitroarenes. DPM is emphasized because it is a major component of diesel exhaust, it is suspected of contributing to a health hazard. Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of carbon particles and associated organics and inorganics, and it is not known what fraction or combination of fractions cause the health effects [cancer effects, noncancer effects (respiratory tract irritation/inflammation and changes in lung function)] that have been observed with exposure to diesel exhaust. In order to identify which chemical classes are responsible for the majority of the observed biological activities, we performed a particular biological/chemical analysis. Respirable particulate matter (PM2.5: <2.5mm) was collected from diesel engine exhaust using a high-volume sampler equipped with a cascade impactor. Particulate oganic matter was extracted by the dichloromethane/sonication method and the crude extract was fractionated according to EPA recommended procedure into seven fractions by acid-base partitioning and silica gel column chromatography. We examined genotoxic potentials of diesel exhaust particulate matter using novel genotoxicity tests, which are rapid, simple and sensitive methods for assessing DNA-damage at the DNA and chromosomal level (comet assay, in vitro MN test and Ames test). Higher genotoxic potency was observed in non polar fractions and several PAHs were detected by GC-MS, such as 1,2,5,6 dibenzanthracene, chrysene, 1,2-benzanthracene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 2019

Particulate matter (PM) was collected using micro-orifice uniform deposit impactors from a residential (RES) site and an industrial (IND) site in Ulsan, South Korea, in September-October 2014. The PM samples were measured based on their size distributions (11 stages), ranging from $0.06{\mu}m$ to over $18.0{\mu}m$. Nine trace metals (As, Se, Cr, V, Cd, Pb, Ba, Sb, and Zn) associated with PM were analyzed. The PM samples exhibited weak bimodal distributions irrespective of sampling sites and events, and the mean concentrations of total PM (TPM) measured at the IND site ($56.7{\mu}g/m^3$) was higher than that measured at the RES site ($38.2{\mu}g/m^3$). The IND site also showed higher levels of nine trace metals, reflecting the influence of industrial activities and traffic emissions. At both sites, four trace metals (Ba, Zn, V, and Cr) contributed to over 80% of the total concentrations in TPM. The modality of individual trace metals was not strong except for Zn; however, the nine trace metals in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ accounted for approximately 50% and 90% of the total concentrations in TPM, respectively. This result indicates that the size distributions of PM and trace metals are important to understand how respirable PM affects public health.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 1992

The characteristics of suspended particulate matters(dust) in Seoul had been studied. The effects of various environmental factors, such as passengers, motor vehicles, wind velocity, wind direction, temperature and humidity were examined during the study period. It was shown that the dust emission occurred through the heating was the major source, and the contribution of passengers and motor vehicles was relatively negligible during the night. It was also revealed that the number concentration between $0.5{\mu}m$ and $2.0{\mu}m$ was increased due to the attachment among the dusts and mists by the increased humidity during the night. Considering the fact that the particles larger than $2{\mu}m$ take the most part of weight concentration, it was suggested that the PM-10 method which considered respirable particle as a weighting factor should be adapted in the evaluation air quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we assessed respiratory hazards in the working environment as the work-relatedness of occupational diseases were examined. Methods: The subjects of the study were three Korean meat roasting restaurants, one Chinese restaurant, and two cafeterias. Measurement items were total dust, respirable dust, fine dust (PM_2.5), PAHs, TVOCs, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Results: The concentration of total dust and respiratory dust in the restaurant was low. Most PAHs were undetectable, but some Napthalene and Acenaphthylene was detected. Thirteen kinds of PAHs were detected in one sample of roasted meat, and Benzo(a)pyrene was 1.496 ㎍/㎥. PM_2.5, TVOCs, CO, and CO₂ were instantaneously high, but the average concentration was low. NO₂ was not detected. Conclusions: The results show that harmful substances such as PM_2.5, PAHs, CO, and TVOCs were generated in the air in the catering industry. When roasting meat, Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen related to lung cancer, was generated among PAHs. Lung cancer can occur when working for a long time in such a working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment for the health of restaurant workers, and it is necessary to evaluate the concentration of harmful substances by cooking method through further research.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.237-244
• /
• 2019

Background: Street vendors spend relatively more time near roadways and are vulnerable to air pollution related health disorders. However, there is limited information on the quality of the air they breathe. The objectives of this present study were to calculate the mass concentration of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in eight size fractions ($PM_{0.4-0.7}$, $PM_{0.7-1.1}$, $PM_{1.1-2.1}$, $PM_{2.1-3.3}$, $PM_{3.3-4.7}$, $PM_{4.7-5.8}$, $PM_{5.8-9.0}$, and $PM_{9.0--0{\mu}m}$) at commercial (CML) and residential site (RSL) in Dehradun city from November 2015 to May 2016. To estimate the corresponding respiratory deposition dose (RDDs) in alveolar (AL), tracheobronchial (TB), and head airway (HD) region on street vendors working at CML and RSL. To find the association of atmospheric PM with RDDs and the incidence of respiratory related disorders among street vendors. Methods: Andersen cascade impactor was employed for calculating the PM mass concentration. Questionnaire based health survey among street vendors were carried out through personal interview. Results: A significant difference (p < 0.05; t-test) between the mean $PM_{0.4-10{\mu}m}$ mass concentration at CML and RSL was observed with ($mean{\pm}SD$) $84.05{\pm}14.5$ and $77.23{\pm}11.7{\mu}g\;m^{-3}$, respectively. RDDs in AL, TB and HD region at CML was observed to be 9.9, 7.8, and 7.3% higher than at RSL, respectively. Health survey revealed 1.62, 0.96, 0.04, and 0.57 times higher incidence of cold, cough, breathlessness, and chest pain, respectively with street vendors at CML compared to RSL. Conclusion: The site characteristics plays a major role in the respiratory health status of street vendors at Dehradun.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Bioaerosols released by treating organic-waste resources cause a variety of environmental and hygiene problems. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution characteristics of the airborne bacteria emitted from a pig manure composting plant, a principal site for organic-waste resource facilities. Methods: Three types of pig manure composting plant were selected based on fermentation mode: screw type, rotary type and natural-dry type. Each site was visited and investigated on a monthly basis between September 2009 and August 2010. A total of 36 air samplings were obtained from the pig manure composting plants. The air sampling equipment was a six-stage cascade impactor. Quantification and qualification of airborne bacteria in the air samples was performed by agar culture method and identification technique, respectively. Results: The mean concentrations of airborne bacteria in pig manure composting plant were 7,032 (${\pm}1,496$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for screw type, 3,309 (${\pm}1,320$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for rotary type, and 5,580 (${\pm}1,106$) CFU $m^{-3}$ for natural dry type. The screw type pig manure composting plant showed the highest concentration of airborne bacteria, followed by the natural dry type and the rotary type. The ratio of respirable to total airborne bacteria was approximately 40-60%. The predominant genera of airborne bacteria identified were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia spp. Conclusion: Monthly levels of airborne bacteria were highest in August and lowest in November regardless of fermentation mode. There was no significant correlation relationship between airborne bacteria and environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity and particulate matters in pig manure composting plants.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.407-414
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to assess based on field investigation the distribution characteristics of airborne fungi in an area of Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Methods: Three sites, a living area, forest and traffic site, were selected for evaluation of monthly level of outdoor airborne fungi. An on-site survey was executed between January 2009 and December 2009. During the experimental period, air sampling was performed every month in the afternoon (2:00 pm-5:00 pm) using a cascade impactor. Results: Outdoor airborne fungi measured in Seoul, Korea over one year showed a concentration range from 850CFU $m^{-3}$ to 15,200CFU $m^{-3}$. The mean respirable fraction of outdoor airborne fungi was 67% compared to total concentration. Regardless of measurement site, there was no significant concentration difference in outdoor airborne fungi between periods of yellow dust and non-yellow dust (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation relationship between outdoor airborne fungi and atmospheric factors such as temperature and relative humidity. The predominant genera of airborne fungi identified were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium. Conclusion: Monthly levels of outdoor airborne fungi were highest in April and November and lowest in August. In seasonal concentration distribution, the autumn showed the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi, followed by spring, summer and winter. In regional concentration distribution, the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi was generally found in the forest, followed by the living area and traffic site.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2003

Indoor air quality(IAQ) in workplace and residential environments has been concern of people. Recently, Ministry of Environment in Korea has recognized the potential risk on the healthy effect related to indoor air pollution at home. Therefore, the purpose of this study was performed to measure the indoor air pollutants of IAQ at different homes and investigate to compare the perception of IAQ recognition at home from questionnaire survey in Seoul. We estimated the IAQ of selected 6 homes based on site region and housing type. The indoor air pollutants and parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, respirable suspended particulate matter($PM_{10}$), formaldehyde(HCHO), total bacteria counts, carbon monooxide(CO) and carbon dioxide($CO_2$) were monitored for summer and winter. In monitoring results, the respirable suspended particulate matter(($PM_{10}$) and indoor airborne bacteria level of home 5 and 6 were higher than the standard of the public $150{\;}{\mu}g/m^3$ and $500{\;}{\mu}g/m^3$, the level formaldehyde(HCHO) was exceed 0.1 ppm of the standard of Korea at all monitored homes. In statistics analysis, we could find a correlation between the building age and the concentration of CO, TBC were significant at 0.01 level and Relative Humidity was significant at 0.05 level for summer. Finally, the important air pollutants of IAQ in home were HCHO and total bacteria counts(TBC). And we performed a questionnaire survey of 500 people about their awareness for the importance of IAQ in our home during same period. In results, all most response of occupant has recognized the importance of IAQ at home. Therefore, it can be concluded that the IAQ of selected 6 home studied was perceived as acceptable, it is recommended that the government related IAQ was suggested the guideline and control of IAQ problems, and the occupants need to be effort to reduce the exposure of sources to undesirable pollutants.