• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.487-496
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to create soil contamination maps using QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System) and suggest selection methods for soil pollution sources for preferential investigation in a soil contamination survey. Method: Data from soil contamination surveys over five years in Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea (2013-2017) were used for making soil contamination maps and analyzing the density of survey points. By analyzing points exceeding the concern level of soil contamination, soil pollutant sources for priority management were identified and selection methods for preferred survey points were suggested through a study of the model area. Results: A soil contamination survey was conducted at 1,478 points over five years, with the largest number of surveys conducted in industrial complex and factory areas. Soil contamination maps for copper, zinc, nickel, lead, arsenic, fluoride, and total petroleum hydrocarbons were made, and most of the survey points were found to be below concern level 1 for soil contamination. The density of the survey points is similar to that of densely populated areas and factory areas. The analysis results of points exceeding the criteria showed that soil pollutant sources for priority management were areas where ore and scrap metals were used and stored, traffic-related facilities areas, industrial complex and factory areas, and areas associated with waste and recycling. According to the study of the model area, the preferred survey points were traffic-related facilities with 15 years or more since their construction and factories with a score of 10 or more for soil contamination risk. Conclusion: Soil contamination surveys should use GIS for even regional distribution of survey points and for the effective selection of preferred survey points. This study may be used as guidelines to select points for a soil contamination survey.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2015

PURPOSES : While driving, drivers are usually limited in communicating with others except for using the horn. Excessive use of the horn may cause noise pollution, quarrels between drivers and pedestrians, damage, etc. This study developed a methodology for environmental adaptation and improvements of vehicle horns. METHODS: In this study, we performed a literature review of previous studies and related technologies regarding the overuse and damage of the horn. The proposed methodology employed the paired comparison method, as well as the semantic differential method. These methods can consider various vehicle horns, such as the Sport Utility Vehicle(SUV) Horn, Van Horn, and Buzzer. In addition, we conducted a factor analysis in order to provide a direction for improvement of future horns. This research provides a means of complimenting existing intellectual property related to vehicle horns. RESULTS: As a result, the most preferred of the selected horns were the Buzzer at 86.7%. In addition, based on the factor analysis, the horns could be classified into pleasantness and comfort factors. The results indicate a positive reaction for various vehicle horns. The horn type and size of the process control have been properly developed considering the position of the vehicle and the surrounding noise measurements. CONCLUSIONS : Based on the proposed methodology, public and private sectors can use fundamental data for reasonable traffic-noise control policies.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-75
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• 2020

Particular matter is steadily increasing due to environmental factors at domestic and abroad such as industry and economy. Recently, the exposure particular matters has been reported to increase the risk not only for morbidity and mortality, but also for diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and central nervous system/neuropsychiatric disorder. Although the causes of neuropsychiatric diseases are genetic and environmental factors, it is necessary to pay more attention to environmental factors in terms of prevention. We mainly describe environmental factors that affect neuropsychiatric disorders, mainly on particular matter, which is one of harmful environmental substances. In the current study, we reviewed evidence for the presence of particular matter or particular matter related harmful air pollutants-O₃, SO₂, NO₂/NOx, traffic related air pollution, that may represent risk factors for the development of neuropsychiatric disorder.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.478-490
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• 2017

Objectives: The association of air pollution levels and land-use types with changes in the prevalence of allergic diseases (allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis) was investigated for seven metropolitan cities in Korea Methods: Data on daily hospital visits and admissions (of those under 19 years old) for 2003-2012 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Cooperation. Meteorological data on daily mean temperature, humidity, and air pressure were obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Daily mean or maximum concentration data for five pollutants ($PM_{10}$, $O_3$, $NO_2$, $SO_2$, and CO) as measured at air quality monitoring sites operated by the Ministry of Environment were used. We estimated excess risk and 95% confidence intervals for the increasing interquatile range (IQR) of each air pollutant using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) appropriate for time series analysis. Results: In this study, we observed a significant association between the IQR increases of air pollutants and the prevalence risk of allergic diseases (allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis) in all metropolitan cities after adjusting for temperature, humidity, and air pressure at sea level. Among the air pollutants, $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$ were associated with the prevalence of asthma, and $O_3$ was associated with only allergic conjunctivitis in regression analysis. However, in GAM analysis considering land-use, $O_3$ and $SO_2$ were associated with allergic conjunctivitis, PM10, O3, NO2, and CO were associated with allergic rhinitis, and $PM_{10}$, $O_3$ and $NO_2$ were associated with asthma in industrial area. Conclusion: This study found a significant association between air pollution and the prevalence of allergic related diseases in industrial areas. More detailed research considering mixed traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and conducting meta-analyses combining data of the all cities is required.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.7.1-7.9
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• 2013

Objectives We investigated the particle mass size distribution and chemical properties of air pollution particulate matter (PM) in the urban area and its capacity to induce cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Methods To characterize the mass size distributions and chemical concentrations associated with urban PM, PM samples were collected by a 10-stage Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor close to nearby traffic in an urban area from December 2007 to December 2009. PM samples for in vitro cytotoxicity testing were collected by a mini-volume air sampler with $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ inlets. Results The PM size distributions were bi-modal, peaking at 0.18 to 0.32 and 1.8 to $3.2{\mu}m$. The mass concentrations of the metals in fine particles (0.1 to $1.8{\mu}m$) accounted for 45.6 to 80.4% of the mass concentrations of metals in $PM_{10}$. The mass proportions of fine particles of the pollutants related to traffic emission, lead (80.4%), cadmium (69.0%), and chromium (63.8%) were higher than those of other metals. Iron was the dominant transition metal in the particles, accounting for 64.3% of the $PM_{10}$ mass in all the samples. We observed PM concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B cells. Conclusions We found that exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ from a nearby traffic area induced significant increases in protein expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). The cell death rate and release of cytokines in response to the $PM_{2.5}$ treatment were higher than those with $PM_{10}$. The combined results support the hypothesis that ultrafine particles from vehicular sources can induce inflammatory responses related to environmental respiratory injury.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.318-325
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• 2015

Korea has very strong shipbuilding industry in the world, so many new ships are constructed in Korean shipyards. These built vessels are carrying out sea trial at sea before delivering to shipowner, and sea trial ships cause navigation risk to other passing vessels to accomplish sea trial tests as quick turning, zigzag maneuvering and crash astern etc. in traffic congestion conditions. It occurred more than 1 collision accident related sea trial for recent 5 years. It has been increased about 30% of risk because of navigation of sea trial vessel by marine traffic flow simulation. This paper analyzed marine traffic density surveyed by AIS data for 7 days, and investigated position of marine accidents for 5 years in Korean coastal waterway, it established the sea trial prohibition areas as 10/100 level of total marine traffic volume, which is considered no danger for ship operator. This analyzed maritime safety law for setting of the prohibition waters to propose the basic legal system. It makes contribution to marine pollution prevention by setting of the sea trial prohibition water to improve the ship's navigation safety.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 2014

Home is a major living environment of children. In urban area, indoor air at home could be severely influenced by combustion sources such as vehicle exhaust and cooking. In this work, the air quality of a high-rise apartment was investigated by monitoring combustion-related air pollutants at both indoor and outdoor in winter of 2014. From 48-h continuous monitoring data, large amount of $NO_x$ was observed at the balcony of the high-rise apartment during the morning traffic hours. It deteriorated indoor air quality of the apartment. During the cooking activity, high peak episodes of ultrafine particles were seen. It was concluded that effects of vehicle exhaust and cooking activity on the indoor air of the high-rise apartment could be easily checked by $NO_x$ and ultrafine particle indicators, respectively.

• Journal of Auto-vehicle Safety Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.38-47
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• 2017

With automobiles sharply increasing worldwide, we are faced with serious social problems such as traffic accidents, traffic jams, environmental pollution, and economic inefficiency. In response, research on ITS is promoted mainly by regions with advanced automotive industry such as the US, Europe, and Japan. While Korea is working to get ahead to take global market through developing and turning into global standards systems related to ASV(Advanced Safety Vehicle), the country is not excellently prepared for such projects. The purpose of ACC is to control the vehicle's longitudinal speed and distance and minimize driver workload. Such a system should be useful in preventing accidents, as it reduces driver workload in the 21st-century world of telematics created by the development of automobile culture industry. In this light, the thesis presents a method to test and evaluate ACC system and a mathematical method to assess distance. Furthermore, for the proposed test and evaluation, theoretical values are tested with vehicle test and a database is acquired, by using vehicles equipped with an ACC system. We proposed the scenarios suitable for the domestic environment and conducted the actual road test. Theoretical evaluation criteria for developing ACC system may be employed and scenario-specific evaluation methods may find their useful application through testing the formula proposed by comparing the database and the mathematical method. and, many companies are expected to utilize the scenario in the developing stage of ACC, and be able to employ as a verification method by harnessing theoretical formula before a road test.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.42-53
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• 2020

In this study, heavy metal in road-deposited sediments (RDS) and marine sediment around Gwangyang Bay area have been investigated to assess the pollution status of metals and to understand the environmental impact of RDS as a potential source of metal pollution. Zn concentration for <63 ㎛ size fraction was the highest (2,982 mg/kg), followed by Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, As, Cd, and Hg. Metal concentrations in RDS increased with decreasing particle size and relatively higher concentrations were observed around the metal waste and recycling facilities. For particle size in RDS smaller than 125 ㎛, EF values indicated that Zn was very high enrichment and Cr, Cd, Pb were significant enrichment. The concentrations of metals in marine sediments were mostly below the TEL value of sediment quality guidelines of Korea. However, the Zn concentrations has increased by 30~40% compared to 2010 year. The amounts of Zn, Cd and Pb in less than 125 ㎛ fraction where heavy metals can be easily transported by stormwater runoff accounted for 54% of the total RDS. The study area was greatly affected by Zn pollution due to corrosion of Zn plating materials by traffic activity as well as artificial activities related to the container logistics at Gwangyang container terminal. The fine particles of RDS are not only easily resuspended by wind and vehicle movement, but are also transported to the surrounding environments by runoff. Therefore, further research is needed on the adverse effects on the environment and ecosystem.