• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2017

Phthalates, known as typical endocrine disruptors, are plasticizers used to soften plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Because of their material properties, phthalates are used extensively in the production of toys, flooring, wood processing, detergents, and even cosmetics as lubricants and perfume solvents. Due to their endocrine disrupting effect and other adverse health effects published, recently, phthalates have been regulated in many countries. Besides, in an effort to replace phthalates, several chemical plasticizers such as trioctyltrimellitate (TOTM) and dioctylterephthalate (DIOP) have been used instead of the existing harmful phthalates, and novel alternatives are continuously being developed. Nonetheless, phthalates are still being detected in several plastic products, and the safety of alternatives that are considered safe is being questioned. In this review, we describe the adverse health effects of phthalates, their regulation and the current status of their alternatives.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.14 no.5 s.52
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• pp.167-176
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• 2005

Since Korea has already become the 'aging society' and is expected to become the 'aged society' by 2019, development of the facilities and dedicated housing for the senior citizens have become the key issues. The growing population of the senior citizens, changed in the social structure, family type, and the way of living brings a moment to consider the various aspects to support the senior citizens. Now the situation in Korea requires development of congregate housing as a type of residential units for elder who can live at home with some help. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to analyze preference tendency on the interior finishing materials and colors of the congregate housing for the senior citizens who are healthy enough not needing the nursing home. For this research, the preference of 500 Korean pre-senior citizens on the interior finishing materials and colors of congregate housing for the seniors was investigated. The collected data was processed using SPSS 10.0 for Windows regarding frequency, percentage, average, Chi-squared test with cross tabulation. The results are as follows: First, about $60\%$ of the respondents preferred Korean traditional interior image for individual units, and modern interior image for common areas. Second, the respondents preferred wood flooring and wallpaper interior finishing. Third, the respondents Preferred Y, YR color for individual units, and N color for common areas and very pale tone for all spaces. Fourth, the respondents preferred luxury finishing to living room in the all spaces.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.121-129
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• 2016

With the ingenious properties of unconstrained formativeness and frank expression of materiality the exposed concrete became popular with numerous architectures. The application of the exposed concrete has expanded to indoor environments such as commercial and residential spaces beyond the building exteriors with the uncompromising nature of its materiality. The purpose of this study is to conduct sensibility evaluation of the exposed concrete finish in interior spaces. The sensibility evaluation is conducted through a survey on a set of space models of the exposed concrete finish. The three rendered space models were evaluated by emotional vocabulary of 18 pairs of words. The result were as follows: First, the emotions derived from the exposed concrete finish are 'modern', 'cold', 'simple', 'restrained', 'rough', 'dark', 'new', 'chic', 'familiar' and 'eco-friendly'. Second, three sets of space models with alternative materials on walls and floors in exposed concrete interior space showed clear difference in sensibility. A space with the exposed concrete finish on the floor, the walls and the ceiling showed the results of 'cold', 'dark', 'rational' and 'masculine'. In the exposed concrete finish environment with wood flooring 'comfortable', 'warm', 'bright' senses and with white paint finish on the wall 'bright', 'practical', 'ordinary' and 'restrained' senses were obtained. Third, all three images achieved senses of 'chic', 'modern', 'new', 'pleasant', 'environment friendly' and 'satisfactory'. The modernity and stylish expressions of the exposed concrete finish were kept with the application of different material finishes as well as complementing its cold and rough expressions with warmth and brightness.