• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2018

A considerable cost gap between three major power generation technologies, namely nuclear, coal, and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), has been a well-established fact in the Korean electricity market. Alternatively, this paper analyzes the levelized costs of electricity (LCOE) of the three technologies reflecting overall social costs of electricity generation including accident risk, $CO_2$ emission, and air pollution damage. The paper unveils to what extent current discriminative subsidies on fuels regarding the social costs, mostly through tax exemptions, affect economic competitiveness of the technologies. In particular, it finds relative positions of coal and CCGT could be altered depending on appreciation level of the social costs. It has limits in analyzing fixed costs of the technologies, however, due to limited data availability of nuclear power, and suggests further studies on the issue.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.551-560
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• 2003

Particle deposition in human lungs was investigated theoretically by using asymmetric five-lobe lung model. The volumes of each of the five lobes were different, thereby forming an asymmetric lung structure. The tidal volume and flow rate of each lobe were scaled according to lobar volume. The total and regional deposition with various breathing patterns were calculated by means of tracking volume segments and accounting for particle loss during inhalation and exhalation. The deposition fractions were obtained for each airway generation and lung lobe, and dominant deposition mechanisms were investigated for different size particles. Results show that the tidal volume and flow rate have a characteristic influence on particle deposition. The total deposition fraction increases with an increase in tidal volume for all particle sizes. However, flow rate has dichotomous effects: a higher flow rate results in a sharp increase in deposition for large size particles, but decreases deposition for small size particles. Deposition distribution within the lung shifts proximally with higher flow rate whereas deposition peak shifts to the deeper lung region with larger tidal volume. Deposition fraction in each lobe was proportional to its volume. Among the three main deposition mechanisms, diffusion was dominant for particles < 0.5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ whereas sedimentation and impaction were most influential for larger size particles. Impaction was particularly dominant for particles> 8 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. The results may prove to be useful for estimating deposition dose of inhaled pollutant particles at various breathing conditions.

• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2020

The characteristics of solar resources in South Korea were analyzed by comparing the solar irradiance derived from COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite) with in-situ ground observation data (Pyranometer). Satellite-derived solar irradiance and in-situ observation showed general coincidence with correlation coefficient higher than 0.9, but the satellite observations tended to overestimate the radiation amount compared to the ground observations. Analysis of hourly and monthly irradiance showed that relatively large discrepancies between the satellite and ground observations exist after sunrise and during July~August period which were mainly attributed to uncertainties in the satellite retrieval such as large atmospheric optical thickness and cloud amount. But differences between the two observations did not show distinct diurnal or seasonal cycles. Analysis of regional characteristics of solar irradiance showed that differences between satellite and in-situ observations are relatively large in metrocity such as Seoul and coastal regions due to air pollution and sea salt aerosols which act to increase the uncertainty in the satellite retrieval. It was concluded that the satellite irradiance data can be used for assessment and prediction of solar energy resources overcoming the limitation of ground observations, although it still has various sources of uncertainty.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.1-15
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• 2004

Higher plants can be valuable genetic assay systems for monitoring environmental pollutants and evaluating their biological toxicity. Two assays are considered ideal for in situ monitoring and testing of soil, airborne and aqueous mutagenic agents; the Tradescantia stamen hair assay for somatic cell mutations and the Tradescantia micronucleus assay for chromosome aberrations. Both assays can be used for in vivo and in vitro testing of mutagens. Since higher plant systems are now recognized as excellent indicators and have unique advantages over in situ monitoring and screening, higher plant systems could be accepted by regulatory authorities as an alternative first-tier assay system for the detection of possible genetic damages resulting from the pollutants or chemicals used and produced by industrial sectors. It has been concluded that potential mutagen and carcinogen such as the heavy metals among indoor air particulates, volatile compounds in the working places, soil, and water pollutants contribute to the overall health risk. This contribution can be considerable under certain circumstances. It is therefore important to identify the level of genotoxic activity in the environment and to relate it to the biomarkers of a health risk in humans. The results from the higher plant bioassays could make a significant contribution to assessing the risks of pollutants and protecting the public firom agents that can cause mutation anuor cancer. The plant bioassays, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, are recommended for the scientists who are interested in monitoring pollutants and evaluating their environmental toxicity to living organisms.

• Proceedings of the Korea Committee for Ocean Resources and Engineering Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.253-259
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• 2004

The Jeju Island in Korea is the clean area which the tradition culture is preserved locally well with the nature environment of Heaven's blessing. An air pollution is becoming recently serious problem as the industrial development is proceeded with the urbanization. This study investigates that the atmosphere environment at Jeju area influences on the metal corrosion. A study of the atmosphere corrosion for carbon steel, copper, zinc ana aluminium exposed on five test sites indoors and outdoors. Corrosion results are treated statistically and adjusted to a model previously proposed for carbon steel, copper, zinc and aluminium based on the influence of environmental parameters and main pollutants($SO_2$ and chlorides) on tire atmosphere corrosion of metals. Through this study, we try to set the standards atmosphere corrosion at Jeju Island.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to review recent findings from birth cohort studies on maternal and child environmental health. Methods: Birth cohort studies regarding environmental health outcomes for mothers and their children were investigated through a systematic review. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and RISS to identify published studies using the keywords using a combination of the following keywords: maternal exposure, environmental exposure, health, cohort, and birth cohort. Articles were searched and a quality appraisal using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies was done. Results: A review of the 14 selected studies revealed that prenatal and early life exposure to environmental pollutants had negative impacts on physical, cognitive, and behavioral development among mothers and children up to 12 years later. Environmental pollutants included endocrine disruptors, air pollution (e.g., particulate matter), and heavy metals. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated that exposure to environmental pollutants negatively influences maternal and children's environmental health outcomes from pregnancy to the early years of life. Therefore, maternal health care professionals should take steps to reduce mothers' and children's exposure to environmental pollutants.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2010

Ammonia ($NH_3$) is an important pollutant that plays a key role in several air pollution problems. It can create odors and have negative impacts on animal and human health. The largest source contributing to Ammonia emission is the agricultural production, in particular animal operation, in Korea. The present study evaluated flux profiles of Ammonia emitted from the cattle housing using a dynamic flux chamber. We have developed the emission factor of Ammonia from the cow housing. Analysis of Ammonia flux variation was made with respect to manure surface temperature, pH, and ammonium concentration. Ammonia has been measured from calf and cattle housing between October and December in 2007. In the fall, average Ammonia flux from calf and cattle housing was estimated 1.342(${\pm}0.728$) and 1.323(${\pm}0.655$)mg/$m^2$/min, respectively. In the winter, average Ammonia flux was estimated 0.889(${\pm}0.362$)mg/$m^2$/min from the calf housing and 0.925(${\pm}0.511$)mg/$m^2$/min from the cattle housing. The correlation coefficient between Ammonia flux and ammonium concentration showed stronger relationship than the relationship between manure pH and temperature. In the fall, Ammonia emission factor from calf and cattle housing was estimated 4.46(${\pm}2.39$) and 6.03(${\pm}3.27$)kg-$NH_3$/animal/yr, respectively. In the winter, average Ammonia flux was estimated 2.88(${\pm}1.53$) from the calf housing and 4.24({$\pm}1.63$)kg-$NH_3$/animal/yr from the cattle housing.

• Atmosphere
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.673-686
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• 2016

Understanding limitation of simulation for Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) height in mesoscale meteorological model is important for accurate meteorological variable and diffusion of air pollution. This study examined the accuracy for simulated PBL heights using two different PBL schemes (MYJ, YSU) in Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model during the radiosonde observation period. The simulated PBL height were verified using atmospheric sounding data obtained from radiosonde observations that were conducted during 5 months from August to December 2014 over the Gumi weir in Nakdong river. Four Dimensional Data Assimilation (FDDA) using radiosonde observation data were conducted to reduce error of PBL height in WRF model. The assessment result of PBL height showed that RMSE with YSU scheme were lower than that with MYJ scheme in the day and night time, respectively. Especially, the WRF model with YSU scheme produced lower PBL height than with the MYJ scheme during night time. The YSU scheme showed lower RMSE than the MYJ scheme on sunny, cloudy and rainy day, too. The experiment result of FDDA showed that PBL height error were reduced by FDDA and PBL height at the nudging coefficient of $3.0{\times}10^{-1}$ (YSU_FDDA_2) were similar to observation compared to the nudging coefficient of $3.0{\times}10^{-4}$ (YSU_FDDA_1).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2009

There are lots of energy facilities using gas(storage facility, compressed gas pipe, station, tank lorry) on the domestic. These major gas facilities cause major accidents associated with fire, explosion, toxic and etc. With the increased interest in reducing air pollution, supply of natural gas for gas vehicles is increasing. Thus, the number of establishments of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) and CNG(Compressed Natural Gas) stations is increasing as well. However, due to major gas accidents such as the fire and explosion accident of a Buchen LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) station, it is difficult to establish a new station. In this research, we present quantitative risk assessment for LCNG;LNG multi-station and compare it result against individual risk criteria of HSE.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2012

Objectives: Diesel engine exhaust (DE) accounts for a significant percentage of air pollutants that are associated with various health outcomes including mortality, asthma, chronic bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, etc. In June, 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released the assessment results that classified DE as "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1). This review is therefore focused on the lung cancer risks of DE. Methods: Literatures were searched using PubMed with key words of "diesel exhaust", "lung cancer", and other related terms for the period between 1990 and 2012. A total of 295 articles were searched and sixteen epidemiologic studies were identified as potentially relevant. Results: Sixteen epidemiologic studies about the lung cancer risks of workers exposed to DE in various occupations were summarized in two tables, 1) retrospective cohort studies and 2) case-control studies. Increased lung cancer risk, although not always smoking adjusted, was observed in 6 out of 8 retrospective cohort studies and 4 of 8 case-control studies. Conclusions: Diesel fuel is widely used in Korea. Exposure to DE is confirmed to be a human carcinogen by IARC. Noncancer health risks of DE also need careful attention as DE is a major source of fine-particle pollution. Along with the efforts for reducing the DE emission through improvements of diesel engines and fuel, and the use of alternative fuels, comprehensive health risk assessment of DE should be conducted to minimize the adverse health effects.