• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2013

In order to study the seasonal patterns and possible origins of air concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOC), measurements were taken with GC-MS at 3 sampling sites in Jinju for 12 months from Mar. 2010 to Feb. 2011. Atmospheric VOC are sampled on tubes containing solid adsorbents(Tenax TA) with a time resolution of 2hrs. Composition and concentration of VOC are analysed with a GC system equipped with thermal desorption apparatus(ATD). The most abundant compound appeared to be Toluene, Ethylbenzene and m,p-Xylene. The mean concentrations of Benzene were 0.20 ppb at GN site, 0.18 ppb at DA site, and 0.25 ppb at SP site, respectively. VOC concentration showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher concentrations during the spring and lower concentrations during the summer. The results showed that monthly fluctuations in measured VOC concentrations depended on variations in the strength of sources, as well as on photochemical activity and meteorological conditions. In Jinju, the total VOC emissions for 2009 were estimated to be 4,407 ton/year by Clean Air Policy Support System(CAPSS). It is shown that solvent use 57.5%(2,534 ton/yr), waste treatment and disposal 23.3%(1,025 ton/yr), and mobil source-road traffic 12.2%(537 ton/yr) are the most significant anthropogenic source.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2023

Background: With its developed port and related industries, the concentration of fine dust is high in Busan compared to other cities in South Korea. Many studies have reported the health effects of fine dust, but there has been a lack of information regarding concentrations of volatile organic compounds among those who exposed to high levels of fine dust. Objectives: This study aimed to define an area with high concentrations of particulate matter and perform biomonitoring surveys among the residents of the area. Methods: Air quality data was collected and the mean level of each district in Busan was derived. We then defined the area with the highest concentrations of PM₁₀ as a target site. Urine samples were collected from the 400 participants and analyzed for VOCs metabolites - trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and N-AcetylS-(benzyl)-L-cysteine (BMA). Interviews were conducted by trained investigators to examine demographic information. The levels of t,t-MA and BMA were compared with representative South Korean population data (Korean National Environmental Health Survey). The association of the VOC metabolites and fine dust were analyzed by general linear regression analysis. Results: The mean of PM₁₀ in the target site was 42.50 ㎍/m³ from 2018 to 2020. Among the 400 participants in the target site, 74.8% were female and the average age of the participants was 66 years. The geometric mean of t,t-MA was 71.15 ㎍/g creatinine and the BMA was 7.00 ㎍/g creatinine among the residents. The levels were higher than the geometric mean from the 4th KoNEHS. The levels of t,t-MA showed significance in BMI, smoking status, and household income. BMA showed significance in gender and age. Conclusions: Compared to the general population of South Korea, the target site's residents had higher biomonitoring levels. Based on this study, continuous screening for high risk areas, including the target site, and biomonitoring of the residents are required.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Background: Propofol is the most commonly used anesthetic for sedation and target-controlled infusion (TCI) is useful for dental treatment. However, it is important to assess and maintain an adequate depth of sedation in patients with severe intellectual disabilities Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the adequate propofol target concentration for dental treatment in severely intellectually disabled patients. Methods: We undertook retrospective review of the sedation records of severely intellectually disabled patients who underwent dental treatment under TCI propofol sedation from September 2011 to April 2012. We evaluated the initial target concentration, stabilized concentration of propofol and monitored vital signs, including BIS score using sedation records. Results: Total 20 patients (10 male and 10 female patients) were included in the study. Every participant was severely intellectually disabled. The mean sedation duration was $70{\pm}16$ (45-100) minutes. The initial propofol target concentration infusion amount was $2.7{\pm}0.45$ (2.0-3.0) mcg/ml. The propofol effect site concentration (Ce) was $2.6{\pm}0.7$ (1.0-4.0) mcg/ml. The average value of BIS was $52.6{\pm}13$ (28-81). During the treatment period, there were no severe complications. Conclusions: The average propofol Ce for deep sedation without any complications in intellectually disabled patients was 2.6 mcg/ml.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.900-906
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• 2011

To investigate concentration and sources of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs in sediments, total 52 sediment samples were measured at 17 sites in Geum River. As a result of analysis, total concentrations of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs were ranged from not detected (N.D.)~193.47 pg/g-d.w. (mean value: 84.52 pg/g-d.w) and 0.34~359.19 pg/g-d.w (mean value: 114.65 pg/g-d.w.) respectively. Also, toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentration of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs were ranged from N.D.~5.12 (mean value: 0.88) pg I-TEQ/g-d.w and N.D.~0.58 (mean value: 0.09) $WHO_{2005}$-TEQ pg/g-d.w. respectively. The upstream indicate the highest concentration and as it goes to the downstream, it has tendency to decrease. Higher chlorinated compounds were dominant in most of site which detected PCDD/Fs. Occurrence of Co-PCBs isomer patterns appear similar to each sampling site was found. The isomer patterns showed similar between sediment and PCB products. The principal component analysis also showed that the samples contained the characteristics of PCBs products.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.567-574
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• 1999

Volatile organic Compounds(VOC) were measured at an industrial site in Ulsan in 1997 and 1998. Twenty-four hour integrated ambient air samples were collected in 6 L SUMMA canisters during the periods of June 3 to 8, 1997 and June 12 to 17, 1998. The daily mean concentrations of the total $C_2-C_9$ VOC in 1998 were about one third of those in 1997. This decrease of VOC levels may be attributable to the measures to control the emissions of VOC and the decrease of the plant operation. The decrease in the concentrations of oxygenated hydrocarbons and alkenes, especially, contributed to the decrease of the total VOC concentrations in 1998. Lowever concentrations of alkenes compared to aromatics in 1998 were due to the decrease of ethylene and propylene. In the present study, methanol (12.0 ppb) was the most abundant species, followed by acetone (10.1 ppb), propane (6.0 ppb), and vinyl chloride (5.9 ppb). The total concentrations of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in 1998 were reduced compared to those in 1997. However, this decrease is due to the drastic decrease of the concentration of methanol. Except methanol, the concentrations of HAPs have not varied much. It is suspected that the VOC control strategy for the Ulsan industrial area has been successful for reducing the total VOC levels but might not be effective in reducing the concentrations of HAPs.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.321-330
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• 2018

Concentrations of the atmospheric radon and gaseous pollutants were measured at the Gosan site on Jeju Island from 2010 to 2015, in order to observe their time-series variation characteristics and examine the concentration change related to the airflow transport pathways. Based on the realtime monitoring of the atmospheric radon and gaseous pollutants, the daily mean concentrations of radon ($^{222}Rn$) and gaseous pollutants($SO_2$, CO, $O_3$, $NO_x$) were $2,400mBq\;m^{-3}$ and 1.3, 377.6, 41.1, 3.9 ppb, respectively. On monthly variations of radon, the mean concentration in October was the highest as $3,033mBq\;m^{-3}$, almost twice as that in July ($1,452mBq\;m^{-3}$). The diurnal variation of radon concentration shows bimodal curves at early morning (around 7 a.m.) and near midnight, whereas its lowest concentration was recorded at around 3 p.m. Several gaseous pollutants($SO_2$, CO, $NO_x$) showed a similar seasonal variation with radon concentration as high in winter and low in summer, whereas the $O_3$ concentrations had a bit different seasonal trend. According to the cluster back trajectory analysis, the frequencies of airflow pathways moving from continental North China, East China, Japan and the East Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and North Pacific Ocean routes were 36, 37, 10, 13, and 4%, respectively. When the airflow were moved to Jeju Island from continental China, the concentrations of radon and gaseous pollutants were relatively high. On the other hand, when the airflows were moved from North Pacific Ocean and East Sea, their concentrations were much lower than those from continental China.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.106-111
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• 2004

Fecal coliform bacteria is one of the most common cause of water quality impairments in Virginia, USA. Instream concentrations of fecal coliform (FC) bacteria were routinely monitored to assess surface water quality of the Polecat Creek watershed. Median concentration in water samples collected from 1995 to 2000 ranged from 80 cfu/100 mL to t 70 cfu/100 mL, while geometric mean concentrations ranged from 81 cfu/100 mL to 141 cfu/100 mL. The dilution and deposition by Lake Caroline may cause to lower FC concentration at monitoring site QPB, as compared FC concentration at QPD. Higher in-stream FC concentration occurred during the summer period(June-August), and lower concentration typically occurred during the winter period (December-February). This is due to more cattle in streams, and greater survival and regrowth of FC bacteria under warmer condition. The findings of this study can be helpful in planning the water quality monitoring program to avoid the inaccurate assessment of water quality due to the timing of sample collection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

High-tech microelectronics industry is known as one of the most chemical-intensive industries. In Korea, Microelectronics industry occupied 38% of export and 16% of working employees work in microelectronics industry. But, chemical information and health hazards of high-tech microelectronics manufacturing are poorly understood because of rapid development and its penchant for secrecy. We need to investigate on chemical use and exposure control. We Site-visits to 6 high-tech microelectronics manufacturing company which have cleanroom work using over 1,000kg organic solvents (5 semi-conductor chips and its related parts company, 1 liquid crystal display (LCD)). We reviewed their data on chemical use and ventilation system, and measured TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) and carbon dioxide concentration. All cleanroom air passed through hepa filters to acheive low particle levels and only 1 cleanroom uses carbon filters to minimize the organic solvents exposures In TVOC screening test, Cleanroom for semi-conductor chips and its related parts company with laminar down flow system (e.g. class 1~100) showed nondetectable level of TVOCs concentration, but Cleanroom for liquid crystal display (LCD) with conventional flow system (e.g. class 1,000~10,000) showed 327 ppm as TVOCs. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for Jig cleaning, LC Injection, Sealing processes were 18.488ppm (n=14), 49.762 ppm (n=15), 8.656 ppm (n=14) as arithmetric mean. Acetone concentration in cleanroom for LCD inspection process was 40ppm (n=55) as geometric mean, where the range was 7.8~128.7ppm and weakly correlated with ventilation rate efficiency(r=0.44, p<0.05). To control organic solvents in cleanrooms, chemical and carbon filters should be installed with hepa filters. Even though their volatile organic compounds concentration was not exceed to occupational exposure limits, considering of entrance limited cleanroom environment, long-term period exposure effects and adverse health effects of cleanroom worker need further reseach.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.695-705
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• 2006

This study was carried out to make a basic information for establishment of countermeasures against water pollution of Hoengseong watershed, accordingly we investigated the characteristics of pollutants discharge and estimated the unit loads from Hoengseong watershed. Seven sites (S1~S7) were selected for sampling and samples were taken 4 times during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. During rainfall events, measured site mean concentration (SMC) ranges of $BOD_5$, $COD_{Mn}$, TOC, SS, Turbidity, T-N and T-P were 0.8~1.3 mg/L, 2.3~6.3 mg/L, 1.284~2.110 mg/L, 3.4~69.3 mg/L, 2.36~52.68 NTU, 1.243~1.669 mg/L and 0.025~0.070 mg/L, respectively. And the calculated annual unit loads of $BOD_{5}$, $COD_{Mn}$, SS, T-N and T-P in Hoengseong watershed were 1.327 kg/ha/yr, 7.349 kg/ha/yr, 87.075 kg/ha/yr, 1.848 kg/ha/yr and 0.103 kg/ha/yr, respectively. It was difficult to directly compare the unit loads proposed in this study with the estimated existing those. Because the unit loads in this paper were estimated not by land use types, but by complex land use of non-urban area. From the survey results, they showed that the unit loads in Hoengseong watershed were similar to those exisiting in the forest area, and showed lower than those existing in the paddy/dry field.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2018

To investigate the effects of forest and the surrounding natural and anthropogenic sources on the bulk depositions on forested land, this study examined differences in ion concentrations between wet-only and bulk samples at two forested sites in Japan. The surrounding natural and anthropogenic sources at each site were different; Shirasaka is in a rural area and Tanashi is an urban environment. The volume weighted (vw) mean concentrations of $K^+$ and $Ca^{2+}$ in the bulk samples were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in the wet-only samples at both sites. The forest canopy and a nearby incineration plant were hypothesized to be the main sources of $K^+$ contaminants at Shirasaka and Tanashi, respectively. The transport of sea salt and urban dust may explain the presence of enriched $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations in the bulk samples at Shirasaka and Tanashi, respectively. The $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations in the Shirasaka bulk samples were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those in the wet-only samples. The vw mean $SO{_4}^{2-}$ and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations in both sample types were not significantly different at either site. This study demonstrated that the ion concentration differences between wet-only and bulk samples were affected by nearby natural and anthropogenic sources even at forest sites, similar to previous findings for non-forested locations. However, the $K^+$ concentration differences between wet-only and bulk samples may be higher owing to forest sources, even in the absence of anthropogenic sources.