• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.91-104
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• 2019

In this study, hourly measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ and its major chemical constituents such as organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and ionic species were made between January 15 and February 10, 2018 at the air pollution intensive monitering station in Gwangju. In addition, 24-hr integrated $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected at the same site and analyzed for OC, EC, water-soluble OC (WSOC), humic-like substance (HULIS), and ionic species. Over the whole study period, the organic aerosols (=$1.6{\times}OC$) and $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations contributed 26.6% and 21.0% to $PM_{2.5}$, respectively. OC and EC concentrations were mainly attributed to traffic emissions with some contribution from biomass burning emissions. Moreover, strong correlations of OC with WSOC, HULIS, and $NO_3{^-}$ suggest that some of the organic aerosols were likely formed through atmospheric oxidation processes of hydrocarbon compounds from traffic emissions. For the period between January 18 and 22 when $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episode occurred, concentrations of three secondary ionic species ($=SO{_4}^{2-}+NO_3{^-}+NH_4{^+}$) and organic matter contributed on average 50.8 and 20.1% of $PM_{2.5}$, respectively, with the highest contribution from $NO_3{^-}$. Synoptic charts, air mass backward trajectories, and local meteorological conditions supported that high $PM_{2.5}$ pollution was resulted from long-range transport of haze particles lingering over northeastern China, accumulation of local emissions, and local production of secondary aerosols. During the $PM_{2.5}$ pollution episode, enhanced $SO{_4}^{2-}$ was more due to the long-range transport of aerosol particles from China rather than local secondary production from $SO_2$. Increasing rate in $NO_3{^-}$ was substantially greater than $NO_2$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ increasing rates, suggesting that the increased concentration of $NO_3{^-}$ during the pollution episode was attributed to enhanced formation of local $NO_3{^-}$ through heterogenous reactions of $NO_2$, rather than impact by long-range transportation from China.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.380-391
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• 2010

Airborne in-situ measurements of aerosol/cloud number concentrations were analyzed to investigate the effects of aerosols on warm cloud formation in the Pacific Dust Experiment (PACDEX) during April and May 2007. In the air masses originating from the Asian continent, high concentrations of fine particles including black carbon (BC) were observed when compared to other regions. A strong correlation (r=0.88) between condensation nuclei (CN) having sizes ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm ($CN_{0.1-1.0}$) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at 0.4% supersaturation ($CCN_{0.4%}$) suggests that most of the $CN_{0.1-1.0}$ can contribute to cloud formation. The possibility of a cloud droplet formation by BC particles was expected at the high water vapor mixing ratio (WVMR) and the abundance of water-soluble components at the low altitude less than 3 km.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.543-553
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• 2010

Almost five million citizens a day are using subways as a means of traffic communication in the Seoul metropolitan. As the subway system is typically a closed environment, indoor air pollution problems frequently occurs and passengers complain of mal-health impact. Especially $PM_{10}$ is well known as one of the major pollutants in subway indoor environments. The purpose of this study was to compare the indoor air quality in terms of $PM_{10}$ and to quantitatively compare its source contributions in a Seoul subway platform before and after installing platform screen doors (PSD). $PM_{10}$ samples were collected on the J station platform of Subway Line 7 in Seoul metropolitan area from Jun. 12, 2008 to Jan. 12, 2009. The samples collected on membrane filters using $PM_{10}$ mini-volume portable samplers were then analyzed for trace metals and soluble ions. A total of 18 chemical species (Ba, Mn, Cr, Cd, Si, Fe, Ni, Al, Cu, Pb, Ti, $Na^+$, $NH_4^+$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, and ${SO_4}^{2-}$) were analyzed by using an ICP-AES and an IC after performing proper pre-treatments of each sample filter. Based on the chemical information, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to identify the source of particulate matters. $PM_{10}$ for the station was characterized by three sources such as ferrous related source, soil and road dust related source, and fine secondary aerosol source. After installing PSD, the average $PM_{10}$ concentration was decreased by 20.5% during the study periods. Especially the contribution of the ferrous related source emitted during train service in a tunnel route was decreased from 59.1% to 43.8% since both platform and tunnel areas were completely blocked by screen doors. However, the contribution of the fine secondary aerosol source emitted from various outside combustion activities was increased from 14.8% to 29.9% presumably due to ill-managed ventilation system and confined platform space.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2003

The atmospheric aerosols collected at the 1100 site located in Mt. Halla have been analyzed to investigate their compositions and chemical characteristics . The average concentrations of water-soluble cations were in the order of N $H_{4}$$^{+}$ > $Ca^{2+}$ > N $a^{+}$ > $K^{+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ during the spring, showing high increase of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration with the value of 0.60 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ $m^3$, and N $H_{4}$$^{+}$> N $a^{+}$> $K^{+}$> $Ca^{2+}$ > $Mg^{2+}$ during the other seasons. The average concentrations of anions have shown in the order of S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$ > N $O_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ >C $l^{[-10]}$ for all seasons, and S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$ and N $O_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ had higher concentrations in spring with the values of 4.84 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ $m^3$ and 1.08 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ $m^3$, respectively. From the analytical data of size-segregated particles by cascade impactor sampling, the components of N $H_{4}$$^{+}$, S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$, N $O_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ and $K^{+}$ were distributed mainly in fine particles, but $Ca^{2+}$, N $a^{+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and C $l^{[-10]}$ were included mostly in coarse particles. The correlation coefficients of nss-S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$/N $H_{4}$$^{+}$, nss-S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$/ $K^{+}$ and N $O_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ /nss-C $a^{2+}$ showed quite high values with 0.871, 0.857 and 0.654, respectively Based on the study of enrichment factors, it is considered that N $a^{+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, C $l^{[-10]}$ and $Ca^{2+}$ components were delivered from oceanic and soil sources, but S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$, N $O_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ and N $H_{4}$$^{+}$ might have other source origins. The factor analysis study showed the aerosol at the 1100 site was influenced mainly by anthropogenic factors, followed by oceanic and soil factors. followed by oceanic and soil factors.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.675-687
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• 2005

In this study, the cyclone/denuder/filter pack sampling system was used to measure the daily concentrations of water soluble inorganic compounds of fine ($D_{p}< 2.5\;{\mu}m$) and coarse ($D_{p}<10{\mu}m$m) size fractions of aerosol and related gases at Gosan super site during ABC-EAREX 2005. The mean concentrations for $HNO_{3},\;HNO_{2},\;NH_{3}$, were 0.39, 0.08, and $0.29\;{\mu}g/m^3$. respectively. Average concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium in $PM_{2.5}$ were 3.39, 1.06, and $1.04\;{\mu}g/m^3$, which occupied about $26\%$ of total $PM_{2.5}$ mass. In particular, more than half of these ionic species were found in size of less than $2.5\;{\mu}m$. Gas phase nitric acid concentrations have shown high correlation coefficient with $HNO_{2}$(R=0.80) and $O_{3}$(R=0.78), implying the active photochemical reactions from its precursors. Equivalent molar ratios between major ion components, $NH_{4}\;^{+}/nss\;SO_4\;^{2-},(0.83\;for\;PM_{2.5},\;0.86\;for\;PM_{10})$, revealed that the existing forms of the secondary aerosols were probably $(NH_{4})_{2}SO_{4}\;and\;(NH_{4})_{3}H\;(SO_{4})_{2}$. Especially, $(NH_{4}\;^{+}+K^{+}+Ca^{2+}+Mg^{2+})/(NO_{3}\;^{-}+nss\;SO_{4}\;^{2-}) (0.99\;for\;PM_{2.5},\;1.05\;for\;PM_{10})$ indicated that some of them existed not only as $NH_{4}NO_{3}$ but also as $CaSO_{4}\;or\;KNO_{3}$, which pointed out the probability of influences from the abundant soil components during Asian dust (AD) periods. These neutralized types of secondary aerosols showed that pollutants could be aged and transported from a distance.

• Atmosphere
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2017

The $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ particles over the Yellow Sea of Korea were collected by ship-borne observation during two cruises in spring, 2015. Their water-soluble ionic components such as $NH_4^+$, $Na^+$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, $Cl^-$, $F^-$, $CH_3COO^-$, $HCOO^-$, and $CH_3SO_3^-$ were analyzed, in order to examine the pollution characteristics of the secondary aerosol components. The comparative study of particle size distribution has resulted that $NH_4^+$, $nss-SO_4^{2-}$, $nss-Mg2+$, $nss-K^+$, $HCOO^-$, and $CH_3SO_3^-$ species mostly existed in fine particle mode. Meanwhile, nss-F-and sea-salt species were distributed in both fine and coarse particle mode, $NO_3^-$, $nss-Ca^{2+}$, $CH_3COO^-$ species were rich in coarse particle mode. The concentrations of secondary pollutants($nss-SO_4^{2-}$, $NO_3^-$, $NH_4^+$) increased in fine particles, and those of natural components ($nss-Ca^{2+}$, Sea-salt) increased in coarse particles. $NH_4^+$ exists as the form of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and $NH_4NO_3$, and mostly as $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ in fine particles. $NH_4NO_3$ has lower content compared to $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, and it mostly existed in fine particles at Yellow Sea I and in coarse particles at Yellow Sea II. The concentration ratios of $NO_3^-/nss-SO_4^{2-}$ for Yellow Sea I and Yellow Sea II were 0.52 and 0.16 in coarse particles, and they were 0.64 and 0.38 in fine particles, respectively, showing that the stationary source emissions were more important than mobile source emissions in Yellow Sea II (except Passage II-4).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.439-458
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• 2005

An automated analysis system for water soluble constituents in $PM_{2.5}$ has been developed. The system consists of a high capacity multi tube diffusion scrubber (MTDS), a low temperature particle impactor (LTPI), and two ion (anion and cation) chromatography (IC) systems. Atmospheric particles have been collected by passing sample air through a thermostated MTDS followed by a LTPI. This system allows simultaneous measurements of soluble ions in $PM_{2.5}$ at 30 minutes interval. At the air sampling flow rate of 1.0L/min, the detection limits of the overall system are in the order of tens of $ng/m^3$. This system has been successfully used for the measurement of particulate components of Seoul air from April 2003 to January 2004. $SO_4^{2-},\;NO_3^-,\;NH_4^+,\;NO_2^-,\;Cl^-,\;Na^+,\;K^+,\;Ca^{2+},\;and\;Mg^{2+}$ are the major ionic species for $PM_{2.5}$ at Seoul. Among them, $SO_4^{2-},\;NO_3^-\;and\;NH_4^+$ are the most abundant ions, contributed up to $86\%$ of the total and the concentrations were higher than those in any other urban sites in the world except for Chinese cities. There are high pollutant episodes which contribute about $15\~20\%$ of annual average values of the major ions. During the episode, the all parcels were transported from the asian continent and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly neutralized. This suggests that aged and long range transported pollutants caused the high pollutant episodes. They showed a distinct daily and seasonal variations:they showed a peak in the early morning caused by the night-time accumulation of particulate matters. Atmospheric reactions including gas-to-particle reactions and inter-particle reactions and meteorological parameters including relative humidity and ambient temperature were described with related to the $PM_{2.5}$ 5 concentrations. All of the ionic species showed higher concentrations during the spring than those for summer and winter.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2021

Objectives: There was a judgment of acquittal for the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung regarding humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). The rationale used in this judgement is discussed here in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the risk of HD and external and internal exposure to CMIT/MIT are discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: Rendering a determination in a criminal trial of insufficient evidence of causation, the court dismissed the prosecution's motion that humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries (HDLI) and asthma were associated with the utilization of these products. However, CMIT/MIT, a strong sensitizing and corrosive substance, has been reported to be associated with brain toxicity, allergic contact dermatitis, and asthma. Furthermore, the judgment did not consider total consumption amounts or the cumulative dose of CMIT/MIT in the humidifier. Lastly, there are several cases supporting the fact that exposure to water-soluble substances including CMIT/MIT can cause lower respiratory tract diseases. In addition to cases of asthma among the workers exposed to CMIT/MIT, we identified lung injury victims who were exposed to HDs exclusively containing CMIT/MIT. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's judgement.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 1996

Effects of crustal species on the characteristics of ambient particles were studied by applying a gas-particle equilibrium model, SCAPE, to the measurements at Kosan, Cheju Island during the spring and summer, 1994. Two cases were simulated; the measured composition was used without any modification (case 1), and the metal ion concentrations originated from crust were subtracted from the measured particle composition (case 2). Total suspended particles (TSPs) were collected by an automatic high volume tape sampler during spring period and by high volume samplers during summer period. The fine particles, PM 2.5, and gaseous volatile species were collected using a filter pack smapler during summer period. The water soluble ion concentrations were analyzed from all the particle samples. According to the simulation results, the effect of crustal elements on the chemical composition of particles is negligible for both TSP particles and PM 2.5 particles. Acidity of particles measured at Kosan, however, is affected by the change of the concentrations of crustal species, stronger effects for TSP particles than for PM 2.5 particles during summer, and stronger effects during summer than spring for TSP particle. The average pH decrease due to the absence of crustal species was about 0.10 for PM 2.5 particle during summer and 1.51 and 0.85 for TSP particles during summer spring, respectively. Water contents of PM 2.5 particles for both cases are comparable to each other. Estimated water content of TSP particles for case 2 is higher than that for case 1 by about 4 $\sim 6 \mum/m^3$ because salts of metal ions are not hygroscopic.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.420-431
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• 2010

The water-soluble components have been analyzed from the total suspended particulate (TSP) collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island for ten years (1997~2006), and the long-term variations of ionic constituent concentrations have been investigated in order to understand the pollution characteristics of atmospheric aerosols. Their mean concentrations were in the order of nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ > $Na^+$ > ${NO_3}^-$ > $Cl^$ > ${NH_4}^+$ > nss-$Ca^{2+}$ > $K^+$ > $Mg^{2+}$. The ${NO_3}^-$ concentrations had increased somewhat smoothly compared to those of ${SO_4}^{2-}$ for the past 10 years, possibly indicating the recent energy consumption pattern changes in China. The concentrations of ionic aerosol components showed mostly higher values during the Asian Dust storm periods, and the concentration ratios of nss-$Ca^{2+}$, ${NO_3}^-$, and nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$ between the Asian Dust and Non-Asian Dust periods were 6.9, 2.4, and 1.3, respectively. The anthropogenic nss-${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${NO_3}^-$, ${NH_4}^+$ and the soil originated nss-$Ca^{2+}$ components showed high concentrations as the air parcels were moved from the Asia continent, on the other hand, their concentrations were relatively low as moving from the Northern Pacific into the Gosan area.