• Title/Summary/Keyword: urban air pollution

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A Study on Microbial Pollution of Indoor Air at Elderly Care Facilities (노인요양시설의 실내공기 중 미생물 오염에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Sang-Ha;Kim, Young-Kwon
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.10 no.9
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    • pp.2485-2491
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    • 2009
  • Culture was performed by using Sheep Blood Agar Plate (BAP, Asan Pharmaceutical) and Sabouraud Dextrose Ager (SDA, Asan Pharmaceutical) along with air $IDEAL^{TM}$ (Biomerieux), which is a microbe interceptor based on inertial impaction interception, in order to investigate bioaerosol in indoor and outdoor air at five elderly care facilities in a metropolis and an urban-rural consolidated city for two months from April 1 to May 31, 2007. From the culture followed by isolation and identification, the following conclusions were drawn. 1. As for the general isolation of microbes in each facility, care center S had the largest amount of microbes (263 cfu/$m^3$) isolated in a 300L room, followed by care center U having 123 cfu/$m^3$ isolated. 2. As for the number of bacteria isolated from a medium intercepting 300 L indoor, the largest amount of other unidentified or non-pathogenic Gram positive cocci (321 cfu/$m^3$) was isolated and most of the other Gram positive cocci were CNS (Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus). 3. As for the number of fungi isolated from a medium intercepting 300 L in a room, the largest number of Aspergillus spp. (66) was isolated, followed by Mucor spp. (62 cfu/$m^3$), Penicillium spp. (53 cfu/$m^3$), Alternaria spp. (50), and other unidentified or non-pathogenic fungi (42 cfu/$m^3$). 4. As for the rate of indoor and outdoor pollution, the average number of interceptions was all larger indoor than outdoor; the research differentiating the amount of air into 300 L and 500 L demonstrated that the larger amount of air led to more bacteria, making no great variation in the species.

Characterization of Aerosol Composition, Concentration, and Sources in Bukhansan National Park, Korea (북한산국립공원 내 초미세먼지 농도 및 화학적 특성)

  • Kang, Seokwon;Kang, Taewon;Park, Taehyun;Park, Gyutae;Lee, Junhong;Hong, Je-Woo;Hong, Jinkyu;Lee, Jaehong;Lee, Taehyoung
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.457-468
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    • 2018
  • To improve understanding of the physico-chemical characteristics of aerosols in the national park and comparing the air pollution between national park and the urban area nearby national park, the aerosol characterization study was conducted in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, from July through September 2017. Semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ using PILS (Particle Into Liquid System) coupled with IC (Ion Chromatography) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analyzer allowed quantification of concentrations of major ionic species($Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg{^{2+}}$ and $Ca{^{2+}}$) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) with 30-minute time resolution. The total mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was measured by T640 (Teledyne) with 5-minute time resolution. The black carbon (BC) and ozone were measured with a minute time resolution. The timeline of aerosol chemical compositions reveals a strong influence from urban area (Seoul) at the site in Bukhansan National Park. Inorganic aerosol composition was observed to be dominated by ammoniated sulfate at most times with ranging from $0.1{\sim}32.6{\mu}g/m^3$ (6.5~76.1% of total mass of $PM_{2.5}$). The concentration of ammonium nitrate, a potential indicator of the presence of local source, ranged from below detection limits to $20{\mu}g/m^3$ and was observed to be highest during times of maximum local urban (Seoul) impact. The total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be 10~23% lower than the total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in urban area (Gireum-dong and Bulgwang-dong, Seoul). In general, ozone concentration in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be similar or higher than urban sites in Seoul, suggesting additional biogenic VOCs with $NO_x$ from vehicle emission were to be precursors for ozone formation in Bukhansan National Park.

A Study on the Effect of Air Pollutants in Daegu Area by Biological Indicator of Roadside (道路 指標生物을 이용한 대기오염이 植物에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구)

  • Kang, Hoe-Yang;Cha, Sang-Eun;Ha, Cheong-Gun
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.29-41
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    • 1988
  • This study was performed to investigate the air pollution levels in Daegu area titrough measuring of contents of water, chlorophyll, water soluble sulfur and lead metal in the leaves of roadside trees and chemical properties of soil under the urban trees. The results can be summarized as follows 1. The range of water content was from 60.4% to 74.6%. The comparisons of chlorophyll, water soluble sulfur and water content were regression equation, chlorophyll=0.1981+ 0.0040 water content (July), water soluble sulfur=3,139-0.0416 water content (July). and correlation coefficient, r=0.561 and r=0.549 respectively 2. Average contents of chlorophyll, water soluble sulfur and lead metal in the leaves of roadside tree at sampling sites were chlorophyll 0.050, 0.072mg/cm$^2$, water soluble sulfur 0.244, 0.333%, and lead metal 12.25, 12.68ppm in Oct. and Jul. respectively. 3. Correlation between chlorophyll and contents of water soluble sulfur and lead metal in the leaves of roadside tree at sampling sites were water soluble sulfur r=-0.564, -0.613 and lead metal r=-0.693, -0.699 in October and July, respectively. 4. Correlation between chlorophyll and water content, water soluble sulfur and lead metal in the leaves of tree showed positive significance.

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A Study on the Development of Long Term Exposure $NO_2$ Sampler (장기 노출 $NO_2$ 간이 샘플러 개발에 관한 연구)

  • 이동인;김윤선
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.105-112
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    • 1995
  • The concentrations of $NO_2$ were measured to estimate a new developed long term exposure $NO_2$ sampler at Pusan City considering the meteorological factors from May to July, in 1994. The monthly mean concentration of $NO_2$ was 15.9 PPb and 36.2 ${\mu}\ell$/day $NO_2$ and their high values were shown in the downtown of Pusan City which show potential pollution due to the increase of traffic activities and micrometeorological factors In and around the City. As a result of statistical correlation between $NO_2$ concentration by new sampling method and $NO_2$ concentration by the handy air sampler and chemiluminescent nitrogen oxides analyzer, 1994, correlation coefficients were high(r=0.93) and showed more than 0.88 value in the high concentration data set, which was arbitrarily divided into 30${\mu}\ell$ $NO_2$ concentration in an attempt to further investigate these relationships. Therefore, use of new developed long term exposure $NO_2$ sampler is good for $NO_2$ measurement and valuable for estimation of air quality in the urban and Industrial area.

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INFLUENCING (NANO)PARTICLE EMISSIONS OF 2-STROKE SCOOTERS

  • Czerwinski, J.;Comte, P.;Reutimann, F.;Mayer, A.
    • International Journal of Automotive Technology
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.237-244
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    • 2006
  • Limited and nonlimited emissions of scooters were analysed during several annual research programs of the Swiss Agency of Environment Forests and Landscape(SAEFL, BUWAL). Small scooters, which are very much used in the congested centers of several cities are a remarkable source of air pollution. Therefore every effort to reduce the emissions is an important contribution to improve the air quality in urban centers. In the present work detailed investigations of particle emissions of different 2-stroke scooters with direct injection and with carburetor were performed. The nanoparticulate emissions with different lube oils and fuels were measured by means of SMPS, (CPC) and NanoMet. Also the particle mass emission(PM) was measured with the same method as for Diesel engines. It can be stated, that the oil and fuel quality have a considerable influence on the particle emissions, which are mainly oil condensates. The engine technology influences the (nano)particle emissions by: mixture preparation, mixture tuning, oil consumption, postoxidation, quality, condition and temperature of the catalyst. Since the particulate emission of the 2-S consists mainly of lube oil condensates the minimization of oil consumption stays always an important goal.

Review of Exposure Assessment Methodology for Future Directions (노출평가 방법론에 대한 과거와 현재, 그리고 미래)

  • Guak, Sooyoung;Lee, Kiyoung
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.48 no.3
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    • pp.131-137
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    • 2022
  • Public interest has been increasing the focus on the management of exposure to pollutants and the related health effects. This study reviewed exposure assessment methodologies and addressed future directions. Exposure can be assessed by direct (exposure monitoring) or indirect approaches (exposure modelling). Exposure modelling is a cost-effective tool to assess exposure among individuals, but direct personal monitoring provides more accurate exposure data. There are several population exposure models: stochastic human exposure and dose simulation (SHEDS), air pollutants exposure (APEX), and air pollution exposure distributions within adult urban population in Europe (EXPOLIS). A South Korean population exposure model is needed since the resolution of ambient concentrations and time-activity patterns are country specific. Population exposure models could be useful to find the association between exposure to pollutants and adverse health effects in epidemiologic studies. With the advancement of sensor technology and the internet of things (IoT), exposure assessment could be applied in a real-time surveillance system. In the future, environmental health services will be useful to protect and promote human health from exposure to pollutants.

Characterization of Atmospheric Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds in Industrial Areas of Pohang and Gumi Cities (포항과 구미의 대규모 산단지역 대기 중 휘발성 유기화합물 농도 분포 특성에 관한 연구)

  • Baek Sung-Ok;Kim Soo-Hyun;Kim Mi-Hyun
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.20 no.2 s.49
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    • pp.167-178
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    • 2005
  • This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal, spatial, and seasonal variations of VOC, and to characterize the VOC concentrations in two large industrial complexes located in Pohang and Gumi cities. Twenty -four hours continuous sampling of selected VOC was made with STS 25 sequential tube samplers and double-bed adsorbent tubes. Air samples were collected every three hour interval for 7 consecutive days in each site during summer and winter. VOC were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS. A total of 27 VOCs of environmental concern were determined, including aliphatic, aromatic and halides. Generally. concentrations of toxic VOC were higher in Gumi than Pohang, and VOC levels in industrial areas were typically several-fold higher than those in residential areas. The most abundant VOC appeared to be toluene for both cities. However, chlorinated VOC were higher in Gumi than Pohang, while aromatic VOC were more abundant in Pohang than in Gumi. Two cities showed relatively different variations of VOC concentrations within a day. It is likely that traffic related sources are major factors affecting the VOC in Pohang, and industrial solvents usages are important sources in Gumi. These results imply that the occurrence and levels of atmospheric VOC are strongly dependent on the type of industries in each city. Therefore, in order to develop any control strategies or to establish the priority rankings for VOC in large industrial complexes, the type of industries and the occurrence of VOC in the atmosphere should be taken into consideration.

Improvement of the Architectural Environment by Applying Photocatalyst Building Materials and Ventilation Systems (광촉매 건축자재와 환기시스템 적용에 따른 건축 환경 개선 방안)

  • Yong Woo Song;Seong Eun Kim;Se Hyeon Lim;Sung Jin Sim
    • Land and Housing Review
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    • v.14 no.4
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    • pp.103-110
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    • 2023
  • People who spend most of their day indoors are continuously exposed to internally and externally generated indoor pollutants. According to a 2022 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the cause of more than 7 million deaths annually worldwide, emphasizing the seriousness of indoor air pollutants. Air pollutants include nitrogen oxides (NOx), formaldehyde (HCHO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have serious effects on the human body. Photocatalyst is a material that can remove these indoor air pollutants. Photocatalysts not only have the ability to remove dust precursors, but also have antibacterial, sterilizing, and deodorizing functions, making them effective in improving indoor air quality. This study suggests areas and methods in which photocatalysts can be applied to buildings. Fields of application include interior and exterior construction materials such as concrete, as well as organic paints and ventilation devices. If appropriate utilization plans are developed, it may be possible to improve the built environment through reduced indoor and outdoor pollutant levels.

Source Identification and Trends in Atmospheric Particulate-bound Mercury at Seoul and Baengnyeong, South Korea (서울과 백령도의 대기 중 입자상 수은의 분포 특성 및 발생원 추정연구)

  • Noh, Seam;Park, Kwang-Su;Kim, Hyuk;Yu, Seok-Min;Lim, Yong-Jae;Lee, Min-Do;Seok, Kwang-Seol;Kim, Younghee
    • Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.220-228
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    • 2018
  • $PM_{2.5}$-bound mercury (PBM) was monitored at weekly intervals for three years (from 2014 to 2016) at an urban (Seoul) and rural site (Baengnyeong) in South Korea. The average PBM concentrations in $PM_{2.5}$ samples over the entire sampling period were $12{\pm}11pg/m^3$ and $36{\pm}34pg/m^3$ for Baengnyeong and Seoul, respectively. Seasonal differences were pronounced, with concentrations being highest in winter due to local meteorological conditions (high gas-particle coefficient due to low temperature and low mixing layer height in winter) as well as seasonal factors, such as coal combustion for heating purposes in China. In Baengnyeong, the significant positive correlation of PBM with $PM_{2.5}$, air pollutants, and heavy metals suggested that coal combustion in China might be the most important source of ambient mercury in Korea. In winter, no correlation of PBM with $PM_{2.5}$, air pollutants, and heavy metals was seen in Seoul. Furthermore, Seoul showed higher $PBM/PM_{2.5}$ and $Pb/PM_{2.5}$ ratios in winter due to the strong atmospheric oxidation-reduction reaction conditions as well as local and regional PBM sources. We conclude that immediate attention must be given to addressing PBM levels in Korea, including considering it as a key component of future air quality monitoring activities and mitigation measures.

Ozone Exposure Assessment by Population Characteristics: A Case Study for High Ozone Days in Busan (인구특성을 고려한 노출평가: 부산지역 고농도 오존일 사례연구)

  • Hwang, Mi-Kyoung;Bang, Jin-Hee;Oh, Inbo;Kim, Yoo-Keun
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.41 no.2
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    • pp.71-81
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    • 2015
  • Objectives: Photochemical ozone pollution is associated with increased mortality risk. This study aims to assess the population exposure to ozone according to population characteristics for high ozone days in the Busan metropolitan region (BMR). Methods: The ozone exposure assessment in this study was performed using the WRF-CMAQ simulated ozone concentrations and the population data in the BMR. The settled and daytime population and their activity were considered to conduct the static and dynamic ozone exposure assessment. Results: Applying a static exposure assessment, in case that high ozone occurred throughout Busan area, the highest exposure levels were evaluated in urban neighborhoods. In case of ozone pollution in outer Busan, because sensitive groups have been relatively higher exposure, this case was also evaluated as part of that should not be overlooked. The dynamic exposure was higher than static exposure because the number of population exposed to ozone of high concentration is increased. This approach is important in a regard consider that daytime population distribution when high ozone occur. Conclusion: This study shows the different population exposure according to various ozone distributions for each episode day. Considering demographic characteristic such as population density and activity should be important to understanding the population exposure assessment when ozone pollution occurs.