• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2001

The relationship between SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) and fungal spore in the air was investigated in Seosan, a rural county of Korea, in spring of 2000. SPM concentrations in the air were $199.8\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$, in the 1st Yellow Sand Period (March, 23-24), $249.4\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the 2nd Yellow Sand Period (April, 7-9) and $98.9\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the Non Yellow Sand Period (May, 12-16), respectively. Although there was somewhat difference in total SPM concentration between the two Yellow Sand Periods, majority of the total SPM were composed of $5\mu{m}$ sized coarse particles over the two periods. However, fine particles sized about $1\mu{m}$and coarse particles sized about $5-6\mu{m}$ ultimately showed peaks, which was within typical bimodal pattern at the graph of SPM size distribution in the Non Yellow Sand Period. Four mold genera grown from airborne fungal spores were finally identified in full-grown colonies at the SPM samples during the Yellow Sand Periods. These genera were Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Basipetospora.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 1999

This study is carried out to investigate the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition in Cheju Island, Korea. For this purpose, dustfall matter samples are collected by dust jar from August, 1995 to July, 1996 at five sampling sites and total suspended particulate matters (TSP) and rain are also collected at one site from October, 1995 to July, 1996. All the samples collected are analyzed, and then the information of the 19 chemical species and deposition amount of each species is obtained. These data are used to determine the regional trends in dustfall chemistry and deposition, and compare the characteristics of chemical compositions between dustfall, TSP and rainwater.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.114-117
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• 2024

A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery that uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy and is the predominant battery type in many industrial and consumer electronics. The lithium-ion batteries are essential to ensure they operate safely. We conducted an exposure assessment five days after a fire in a battery-testing facility. We assessed some of the potentially hazardous materials after a lithium-ion battery fire.We sampled total suspended particles, hydrogen fluoride, and lithium with real-time monitoring of particulate matter (PM) 1, 2.5, and 10 micrometers (㎛). The area sampling results indicated that primary potential hazardous materials such as dust, hydrogen fluoride, and lithium were below the recommended limits suggested by the Korean Ministry of Labor and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values. Based on our assessment, workers were allowed to return to work.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2012

This study analyzed influence factors and the correlation among pollutants which affect occurrence of leaked pollution based on the long-term runoff flow and water quality investigation results to understand the characteristics of highway rainfall runoff pollution load. According to the result of correlation analysis on TSS (Total Suspended Solid) concentration, anteceded dry days, rainfall intensity, traffic volume and etc. as major influence factors of highway rainfall runoff pollution loads, the correlations were weak or scarce in most items. These results might be attributed that runoff pollutant concentration changes vary severely on changes of rainfall intensity and rainfall duration within rainfall and it is affected by disturbances of vehicles and street cleaning and etc. as characteristics of the highway. While Cu, Fe and Zn which are discharged with high concentrations out of heavy metals showed high correlation with particulate matter, organic matter(COD), nutrient(TN, TP), Ni and Pb showed relatively low correlation in a correlation evaluation by pollutant. Significant correlation with traffic volumes was not shown and TSS concentration even decreased in accordance with increase of the traffic volume. In the comparison with precedent studies, it was considered necessary additional analysis of the effects of rainfall section analysis, road type, disturbances of surface contaminants by vehicles, rainfall and climate conditions, surrounding terrains etc.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1999

To investigate the distribution of nutritive salts and organic compounds in six stations at the coastal area of East Sea, environmental factors, nutritive salts, organic matters and chlorophyll were analysed four times from July 1994 to April 1995. The value of BOD in Ulsan Chuyongam was the highest among 6 stations. The concentration of nutritive salts was generally high through the investigation period near Pohang and Ulsan Chuyongam. From the value of dissolved nutrient salts, the Chuyongam area seemed to be under hyper-eutrophication and the Changsengpo area under eutrophication. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) of 3~10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in size was distributed up to 70% of total volume. The amounts of SPM and particulate organic matter (POM) were considerably high in Pohang and Ulsan, which seemed to be resulted from the input of pollutants of cities and factories nearby.

• 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 $PM_1$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2013

Organic carbon and total nitrogen stable isotope ratios of suspended materials were determined at 3 stations (from Mongtan Bridge to Youngsan river estuary barrage) (n=6, each) from November 2008 to August 2009, in order to understand the origin of particulate organic matter at the Estuary of Youngsan River. Allochthonous organic matter, ammonia-N and silicate were increased after heavy rain (in August). Carbon isotope ratios were significantly different between stations in November and August, and it was possible to determine the origin of organic matter. The heavier nitrogen isotope ratios, as well as higher phosphate concentrations, were found in November than other sampling times. Livestock wastewater and farmland input was likely the main causes of these high values. In addition, YS3 station, the nearest site to estuary barrage, appears to be affected by a substantial amount of livestock wastewater and farmland input, considering that nitrogen isotope ratios were heavier than those at the upper sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the determination of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2005

Background : Airborne particles during Yellow Sand phenomena are known to be associated with the respiratory disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration and metal component properties of Yellow Sand particles and compare with airborne microbial concentration and species in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Methods : Samplings were carried out in 2002 in Seosan, during non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Samples were taken using the 8-stage Cascade impactor and metallic elements were analyzed by XRF. Those were culture on the media for bacterial and fungal culture and celline for virus. Results : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter were respectively $80.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $40.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. The concentration of metallic elements such as Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. Two bacteria, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus were grown in two periods. In both periods, several fungal spores(Mucor species, Cladosporum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria species) were identified. The differences of bacteria and fungus species not observed in Yellow Sand and non Yellow Sand. Any viruses were not isolated in between both periods. Conclusions : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter and some metallic elements in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. The difference of bacteria and fungus species was not observed in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.34-40
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variation of PAHs and to estimate their source characteristics in Taegu area. To do this, four sampling sites were selected to represent an industrial, a traffic, a traffic & residential, and a residential area in Taegu. Total of 72 samples had been collected from January, 1999 to September, 1999 on glass micro fiber filters by high volume air sampler. The PAHs in the total suspended particulate were extracted by a soxhlet process with dichloromethane and analyzed by GC/MSD, GC/FID. A statistical analysis was performed for the PAHs data set using a principal component analysis to derive important factor inherent in the interactions among the variables. The specific conclusions of this research are: 1) There was a significant seasonal and local variation in the atmospheric concentration of PAHs. The seasonal variation is winter>spring>Fall>summer, and the local variation is industrial>traffic>graffic & residential>residential area. 2) To evaluate the correlation between a measured PAHs and other affecting factors such as air pollutant concentration and meterological data, statistical analysis was performed. PAHs and other affecting factors such as air pollutant concentration and meterological data, statistical analysis was performed. PAHs have negative correlation with temperature (r=-0.593, p<0.05), radiation(r=-0.535, p<0.05), and O3(r=-0.719, p<0.05), but have positive correlation with NO(r=0.615, p<0.05) 3)Finally, multivariate analysis was performed for the PAHs dat set to identify and to estimate the source contributions of PAHs. According to results of statistical analysis, it could be identifies as three factors such as vehicular/gasoline, vehicular/diesel, and combustion in Taegu area.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 2018

Recently, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) from China is regarded as a major reason for elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) in Korea. However, local emissions also play an important role in PM pollution, especially in large-scale industrial cities. In this study, PM samples were collected at suburban, residential, and industrial sites in Ulsan, Korea. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were analyzed, and a potential human health risk assessment was conducted. The concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in total suspended particles (TSP) increased during high $PM_{10}$ episodes, and backward trajectory analysis verified the influence of LRAT from China during the high episodes. Furthermore, the concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ at the industrial site were higher than those at the residential site. The risk assessment of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ suggested no significant health effects. The highest levels of PAHs were measured in the particle size of $0.32{\sim}0.56{\mu}m$ at the residential site, and those of heavy metals were detected in the particle size of 1.8~5.6 and $>18{\mu}m$, reflecting different major emissions sources for both groups. On the basis of this preliminary study, we are planning long-term monitoring and modeling studies to quantitatively evaluate the influence of industrial activities on the PM pollution in Ulsan.