• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2007

To evaluate the effect of air pollution on respiratory health in children, We conducted a longitudinal study in which children were asked to record their daily levels of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate(PEFR) using potable peak flow meter(mini-Wright) for 4 weeks. The relationship between daily PEFR and ambient air particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, age in year, weight, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and relative humidity as an extraneous variable. The daily mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ over the study period were $64.9{\mu}g/m^3$ and $46.1{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The range of daily measured PEFR in this study was $182{\sim}481\;l/min$. Daily mean PEFR was regressed with the 24-hour average $PM_{10}(or\;PM_{2.5})$ levels, weather information such as air temperature and relative humidity, and individual characteristics including sex, weight, and respiratory symptoms. The analysis showed that the increase of air particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEFR. We estimated that the IQR increment of $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}$ were associated with 1.5 l/min (95% Confidence intervals -3.1, 0.1) and 0.8 l/min(95% CI -1.8, 0.1) decline in PEFR. Even though this study showed negative findings on the relationship between respiratory function and air particles, it was worth noting that the findings must be interpreted cautiously because exposure measurement based on monitoring of ambient air likely resulted in misclassification of true exposure levels and this was the first Korean study that $PM_{2.5}$ measurement was applied as an index of air quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2006

Spatially resolved remote identification and quantification of trace gases in the atmosphere is desirable in various fields of scientific research as well as in public security and industrial contexts. Environmental observations investigating causes, extent md consequences of air pollution are of fundamental interest. We present an Imaging-DOAS system, a ground based remote sensing instrument that allows spatially resolved mapping of atmospheric trace gases by a differential optical absorption spectroscopy(DOAS) with sun scattered light as the light source. A passive DOAS technique permits the identification and quantification of various gases, e.g., $NO_2,\;SO_2,\;and\;CH_2O$, from their differential absorption structures with high sensitivity. The Imaging-DOAS system consists of a scanning mirror, a focusing lens, a spectrometer, a 2-D CCD, ad the integral control software. An imaging spectrometer simultaneously acquires spectral information on the incident light in one spatial dimension(column) and sequentially scans the next spatial dimension with a motorized scanning mirror. The structure of the signal acquisition system is described in detail and the evaluation method is also briefly discussed. Applications of imaging of the $NO_2$ contents in the exhaust plumes from a power plant are presented.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2003

The causative role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human carcinogenesis is undisputed. Measurements of PAH-DNA adduct levels in easily accessible white blood cells therefore represent useful early endpoints in exposure intervention of chemoprevention studies. The successful applicability of DNA adducts as early endpoints depends on several criteria:i.adduct levels in easily accessible surrogate tissues should reflect adduct levels in target-tissues, ii. toxicokinetics and the temporal relevance should be properly defined.iii. sources of inter- and intra-individual variability must be known and controllable, and finally iv. adduct analyses must have advantages as compared to other markers of PAH-exposure. In general, higher DNA adduct levels or a higher proportion of subjects with detectable DNA adduct levels were found in exposed individuals as compared with non-exposed subjects, but saturation may occur at high exposures. Furthermore, DNA adduct levels varied according to changes in exposure, for example smoking cessation resulted in lower DNA adduct levels and adduct levels paralleled seasonal variations of air-pollution. Intra-individual variation during continuous exposure was low over a short period of time (weeks), but varied significantly when longer time periods (months) were investigated. Inter-individual variation is currently only partly explained by genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in PAH-metabolism and deserves further investigation. DNA adduct measurement may have three advantages over traditional exposure assessment: i. they can smooth the extreme variability in exposure which is typical for environmental toxicants and may integrate exposure over a longer period of time. Therefore, DNA adduct assessment may reduce the monitoring effort. ii. Biological monitoring of DNA adducts accounts for all exposure routes. iii. DNA adducts may account for inter-individual differences in uptake, elimination, distribution, metabolism and repair amongst exposed individuals. In conclusion, there is now a sufficiently large scientific basis to justify the application of DNA adduct measurement as biomarkers in exposure assessment and intervention studies. Their use in risk-assessment, however, requires further investigation.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.365-375
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• 2016

This study was interpreted the forming process of surface contaminants on ten-story stone pagoda of Wongaksa temple, Seoul. Results of research, we estimated that black contaminants were formed by graphite stuck carbon in air pollution substance after that gypsum was generated by chemical weathering on stone pagoda. White contaminants were built by recrystallization of calcite that were made by decomposition of finishing materials and structure on the stone surface. To preserve a long-term of stone pagoda in Wongaksa temple, there were required that continuous monitoring, anticorrosion treatment and contaminants cleaning of protective facilities.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.369-375
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to hazardous chemicals during pregnancy may result incritical reproductive health outcomes. Indoor residential levels are significant component of personal exposure. The collection of residential exposure data has been hampered by the cost and participant burden of health studies of indoor air pollution. This study utilized a participant-based approach to collect volatile organic compounds concentration from homes. Methods: Four hundred thirteen women were recruited from three major hospitals in Seoul and Gyeongi Provence and 411 agreed to participate. A passive sampler (OVM 3500, 3M, USA) with instructions were given to the participants, as well as a questionnaire. They were asked to deploy the sampler in their homes for three to five days and return them viapre-stamped envelope. Results: Three hundred forty six participants returned the sampler. Among the returned samplers, three hundred samplers satisfied our monitoring quality criteria. The success rate of the monitoring method was 73%. The geometric mean of TVOC level was 429(2) ${\mu}g/m^3$. The TVOC guideline of 500 ${\mu}g/m^3$ was exceeded in 38% of the houses. The residential VOC levels were significantly associated with remodeling of the house. Conclusions: The results suggested that a participant-based sampling approach may be a feasible and costeffective alternative to exposure assessment involving home visits by a field technician.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.549-560
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• 2019

The effects of the coal-fired power plant emissions, as the biggest point source of air pollutants, on spatiotemporal surface air pollution over the remote area are investigated in this study, based on a set of date selection and statistical technique to consider meteorological and geographical effects in the emission-concentration (source-receptor) relationship. We here proposed the sophisticated technique of data processing to separate and quantify the effects. The data technique comprises a set of data selection and statistical analysis procedure that include data selection criteria depending on meteorological conditions and statistical methods such as Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter (K-Z filter) and empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The data selection procedure is important for filtering measurement data to consider the meteorological and geographical effects on the emission-concentration relationship. Together with meteorological data from the new high resolution ECMWF reanalysis 5 (ERA5) and the Korea Meteorological Administration automated surface observing system, air pollutant emission data from the telemonitoring system (TMS) of Dangjin and Taean power plants as well as spatio-temporal air pollutant concentrations from the air quality monitoring system are used for 4 years period of 2014-2017. Since all the data used in this study have the temporal resolution of 1 hour, the first EOF mode of spatio-temporal changes in air pollutant concentrations over the Seoul metropolitan area (SMA) due to power plant emission have been analyzed to explain over 97% of total variability under favorable meteorological conditions. It is concluded that SO₂, NO₂, and PM₁₀ concentrations over the SMA would be decreased by 0.468, 1.050 ppb, and 2.045 ㎍ m^-3 respectively if SO₂, NO₂, and TSP emissions from Dangjin power plant were reduced by 10%. In the same way, the 10% emission reduction in Taean power plant emissions would cause SO₂, NO₂, and PM₁₀ decreased by 0.284, 0.842 ppb, and 1.230 ㎍ m^-3 over the SMA respectively. Emissions from Dangjin power plant affect air pollution over the SMA in higher amount, but with lower R value, than those of Taean under the same meteorological condition.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.573-583
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• 2005

Fugitive dust, which is emitted in the ambient air without first passing through a stack or duct designed to control flow, is frequently generated by means of wind erosion from storage yards at Pohang Steel Wokrs. The size distribution of fugitive dust is mostly in the range of coarse particulate which is deposited as soon as emitted and less harm to human health; however $20\%$ of fugitive dust contains PM 10 known as one of most harmful airborne pollutant. Consequently, effective control and reduction of fugitive dust is strongly requested by the local society, but it is not easy so far because the generation and dispersion of fugitive dust highly depends on meteorological conditions, and it being occurred for irregularity. This research presented a fugitive dust control system for each meteorological condition by providing statistical prediction data obtained from a statistical analysis on the probability of generating the threshold velocity at which the fugitive dust begins to occur, and the frequency occurring by season and by time of the wind direction that can generate atmospheric pollution when the dispersed dust spreads to adjacent residential areas. The research also built a fugitive dust detection system which monitors the weather conditions surrounding storage yards and the changes in air quality on a real-time basis and issues a warning message by identifying a situation where the fugitive dust disperses outside the site boundary line so that appropriate measures can be taken on a timely basis. Furthermore, in respect to the spraying of water to prevent the generation of fugitive dust from the storage piles at the storage yard, an advanced statistical meteorological analysis on the weather conditions in Pohang area and a case study of fugitive dust dispersion toward outside of working field during $2002\∼2003$ were carried out in order to decide an optimal water-spraying time and the number of spraying that can prevent the origin of fugitive dust emission. The results of this research are expected to create extremely significant effects in improving surrounding environment through actual reduction of the fugitive dust produced from the storage yard of Pohang Steel Works by providing a high-tech warning system capable of constantly monitoring the leakage of fugitive dust and water-spray guidance that can maximize the water-spraying effects.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.186-198
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• 2013

The present work is an attempt to improve the performance of a regional air quality model by means of liking it with a global chemistry transport model. The global chemical transport model of GEOS-Chem is used to provide BC (Boundary Condition)s which reflect temporal and spatial variations at boundaries of regional chemical transport model of CMAQ over East Asia. First, GEOS-Chem outputs are evaluated by comparing predicted concentrations with observed monthly data of gas phase species and secondary inorganic aerosols from EANET (Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia) sites. The results show that predicted PM10 concentrations are in good agreement with the observations. This implies that GEOS-Chem outputs could be used to provide BCs to CMAQ. Simulated daily and monthly mean PM10 concentrations of CMAQ with the linkage of GEOS-Chem's BCs and constant BCs are then evaluated by comparing predicted concentrations with observations at API (Air Pollution Index) sites in China as well as EANET sites in Korea. CMAQ with the GEOS-Chem outputs improves model simulation in depicting observed PM10 concentrations comparing with those with constant BCs. It is also found that influence of aerosol species are largely dependent on the BCs over East Asia and Korea. Mean biases between simulated versus observed daily and monthly mean concentrations of PM10 with the GEOS-chem were improved by 1~8 ${\mu}g/m^3$ in China region, 3.26 ${\mu}g/m^3$ in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.310-320
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• 2008

Concentration of tropospheric ozone ($O_3$) was investigated for the South Korea. And then the critical ozone levels, expressed as AOT40 (Accumulated exposure over a threshold of 40 ppb) to vegetation have been used in this region within the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Convention on Long-Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). Hourly ozone concentration data from 1996 to 2001 at 26 air monitoring stations was used to estimate the exceedance of the critical levels. It was calculated for daylight hours for each station, and mapped using surface interpolation over the South Korea. The critical levels of ozone have shown the highly exceeded value in the Gyeonggi region, southern coastal region and central inland of the South Korea. It was some different from the typical ozone distribution which represented highly in the western inland and coastal regions. The area exceeding the critical level for crops was founded to be more than 40% of the whole South Korean territory. While that for trees was to be about 17% of the South Korea. The critical ozone critical level was based upon data from experiments on specific species, and thus may not be fully representative for all types of vegetation. Nevertheless, the critical level and its exceedance of the ozone concentration would be one of the useful tools for international agreements on abatement strategies to prevent ecosystem damage.