• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.16-29
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• 2008

Nitrous acid (HONO) can be produced by heterogenous reactions of nitrogen dioxide on surface materials and direct emission from combustion sources. However, a little is known of indoor HONO levels or the relationship between residential HONO, NO, and $NO_2$ concentrations in occupied houses. Therefore, we measured simultaneously NO, $NO_2$, and HONO concentrations in living room of an apartment using continuous analyzers to study the production of HONO (June $22{\sim}30$, 2006). The 4-min average concentrations of indoor NO, $NO_2$, and HONO were 4.3 (range: $0.4{\sim}214.3$), 10.3 ($2.0{\sim}87.3$), and 1.8 ppb ($0.3{\sim}7.7$), respectively. Peak levels of HONO up to 7.7 ppb and 24-hr averages as high as 1.7 ppb were measured. In agreement with previous studies, indoor HONO concentrations increased during operation of an unvented gas range. Examination of the observed kinetics suggests that the secondary production of indoor HONO, possibly as a result of heterogeneous reactions involving $NO_2$ and $H_2O$ is associated with $[NO_2]^2[H_2O]\;(r^2=0.88)$ rather than with $[NO][NO_2][H_2O]\;(r^2=0.75)$. Three combustion experiments at nighttime were also carried out to investigate the effects of vented combustion on the HONO, NO, and $NO_2$ concentrations. It was found to release HONO for $10{\sim}15$ minutes after NO and $NO_2$ source was turned off, and peak values were finally attained. Compared to unvented combustion, peak $NO_2$ and HONO concentrations were 3.2 and 2.0 times lower at weak vented combustion (air flow: $340\;m^3/hr$) and 4.9 and 2.4 times lower at strong vented combustion (air flow: $540\;m^3/hr$), respectively, emphasizing importance of operating ventilation hood fan during combustion to improve indoor air quality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.619-634
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• 2002

Background : Many inflammatory mediators and collagenases are involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The increase of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase-B) produced mainly by inflammatory cells was reported in many ALI models and connective tissue cells. In this study, the expression of MMP-9 in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) model and the effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI) on VILI were investigated. Methods : Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: low tidal Volume (LVT, 7mL/Kg tidal volume, 3 $cmH_2O$ PEEP, 40/min), high tidal volume (HVT, 30mL/Kg tidal volume, no PEEP, 40/min) and high tidal volume with MMPI (HVT+MMPI) groups. Mechanical ventilation was performed in room air for 2 hours. The 20 mg/Kg of CMT-3 (chemically modified tetracycline-3, 6-demethyl 6-deoxy 4-dedimethylamino tetracycline) was gavaged as MMPI from three days before mechanical ventilation. The degree of lung injury was measured with wet-to-dry weight ratio and acute lung injury score. Expression of MMP-9 was studied by immunohistochemical stain with a mouse monoclonal anti-rat MMP-9 $IgG_1$. Results : In the LVT, HVT and HVT+MMPI groups, the wet-to-dry weight ratio was $4.70{\pm}0.14$, $6.82{\pm}1.28$ and $4.92{\pm}0.98$, respectively. In the HVT group, the ratio was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05). Acute lung injury score measured by five-point scale was $3.25{\pm}1.17$, $12.83{\pm}1.17$ and $4.67{\pm}0.52$, respectively. The HVT group was significantly damaged by VILI and MMPI protects injuries by mechanical ventilation (p<0.05). Expression of MMP-9 measured by four-point scale was $3.33{\pm}2.07$, $12.17{\pm}2.79$ and $3.60{\pm}1.95$, respectively, which were significantly higher in the HVT group (p<0.05). Conclusion : VILI increases significantly the expression of MMP-9 and MMPI prevents lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation through the inhibition of MMP-9.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: In the month of January 2018, fine dust alerts and warnings were issued 36 times for $PM_{10}$ and 81 times for PM2.5. Air quality is becoming a serious issue nation-wide. Although interest in air-purifying plants is growing due to the controversy over the risk of chemical substances of regular air-purifying solutions, industrial spread of the plants has been limited due to their efficiency in air-conditioning perspective. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study aims to propose a vegetation-based bio-filter system that can assure total indoor air volume for the efficient application of air-purifying plants. In order to evaluate the quantitative performance of the system, time-series analysis was conducted on air-conditioning performance, indoor air quality, and comfort index improvement effects in a lecture room-style laboratory with 16 persons present in the room. The system provided 4.24 ACH ventilation rate and reduced indoor temperature by $1.6^{\circ}C$ and black bulb temperature by $1.0^{\circ}C$. Relative humidity increased by 24.4% and deteriorated comfort index. However, this seemed to be offset by turbulent flow created from the operation of air blowers. While $PM_{10}$ was reduced by 39.5% to $22.11{\mu}g/m^3$, $CO_2$ increased up to 1,329ppm. It is interpreted that released $CO_2$ could not be processed because light compensation point was not reached. As for the indoor comfort index, PMV was reduced by 83.6 % and PPD was reduced by 47.0% on average, indicating that indoor space in a comfort range could be created by operating vegetation-based bio-filters. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that the vegetation-based bio-filter system is effective in lowering indoor temperature and $PM_{10}$ and has positive effects on creating comfortable indoor space in terms of PMV and PPD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2006

This study purposed to investigate air pollution in car shipping yards and, for this purpose, we selected an outdoor open-air yard and an indoor ramp into the ship and measured the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10, PM2.5 and heavy metals in the air. The results of this study are as follows. No significant difference was observed in temperature and humidity between the outdoor and indoor workshop, and the average air flow was 0.52 m/s in the indoor workshop, which is higher than 0.19 m/s in the outdoor workshop(p<0.01). The average concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5 according to workplace were 0.03 ppm(${\pm}0.01$), 0.03 ppm(${\pm}0.01$), 0.46 ppm(${\pm}0.22$), $39.44{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}2.45$) and $5.45{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}1.15$) respectively in the outdoor workshop, and 0.15 ppm(${\pm}0.05$), 0.22 ppm(${\pm}0.06$), 8.85 ppm(${\pm}3.35$), $236.39{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}58.21$) and $152.43{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}35.42$) respectively in the indoor workshop. Thus, the concentrations of gaseous substances in the indoor workshop were 4.9-19.2 times higher than those in the outdoor workshop, and the concentrations of fine dusts were 5.9-27.9 times higher(p<0.01). In addition, according to the result of investigating pollutant concentrations according to displacement and the number of car loaded when shipping gasoline cars into the ship, no significant relation between the number of cars loaded and pollutants was observed in shipping passenger cars, but the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide got somewhat higher with the increase of the number of cars loaded(p<0.05). In addition, the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5 in the air were significantly higher when shipping recreational vehicles, the displacement of which is larger than passenger cars, than when shipping passenger cars(p<0.01). On the other hand, the average heavy metal concentrations of the air in indoor workshop were: lead $-0.05{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.10$); chromium $-0.90{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.18$); zinc $-0.38{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.24$); copper $-0.18{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.22$); and manganese and cadmium not detected. In addition, the complaining rates of 'asthma,' a major symptom of chronic respiratory diseases, were 18.5% and 22.5% respectively in indoor workers and outdoor workers. Thus the rate was somewhat higher in indoor workers but the difference was not statistically significant. The complaining rates of 'chronic cough' and 'chronic phlegm' were very low and little different between indoor and outdoor workers. The results of this study show that the reason for the higher air pollution in indoor than in outdoor workshop is incomplete combustion of fuel due to sudden start and over-speed when cars are driven inside the ship. In order to prevent high air pollution, efficient management measures should be taken including the observance of the optimal speed, the improvement of old ships and the installation of efficient ventilation system.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.15
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• pp.69-81
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• 1997

For the prevention of worldwide prevalent disease of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), environmental conditions and their incidence of grasserie was investigated through 57 cases of silkworm rearing from the year of 1979 to 1993 in the countries of Korea, Japan, and Philippines. Relationship between the occurrence of NPV and environmental factors were also analysed from the aspect of causal pathogenesis. Unfavorable foactors related to the prevalence of NPV disease was reconfirmed by the assay of experimental rearing. Silkworms reared on mulberry leaves or artificial diet appeared similar result on the occurrence of grasserie. Disinfection by formalin and simple sweeping or washing was not significantly different on the occurrence of NPV disease. Following insufficient ventilation on the younger larvae. from the 1st to 3rd instar, the disease by NPV at the later stage was remarkably emphasized those insidence. An experimental rearing from 1993 to 1996 demonstrated the prevention of NPV disease by simple cleaning of sweeping under the condition of air forced ventilation, the customal practice of disinfection with formalin or any other chemical agents could be omissible.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.15.1-15
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• 1982

Clinical findings for 95 patients (159 ears) of MEE (middle ear effusion) treated at Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital (Busan) from July 1979 to August 1981 were observed. A group who was treated with myringotomy and ventilation tube isertion was compared with another group of children treated with adenotonsillectomy at the same time. The following are the results: 1) The sex distribution showed 48 male and 47 female, and the age distribution was most common in the ages from six to ten (34 cases, 35%). 2) MEE of children treated with adenotonsillectomy in the same duration was 18 cases (14%), and it was 19% of all MEE patients. 3) Bilateral effusion (67%) was as twice as unilateral cases (33%). In children, bilateral effusion (42 cases, 88%) was predominant, and MEE in adenotonsillectomized children was bilateral in all cases. 4) The nature of middle ear fluid was 49% serous exudate, 33% mucoid exudate, 5% purulent and 3% bloody fluid. Serous exudate was 59% in adult group, but serous (41%) and mucoid exudate (43%) was similar incidence in children. 5) In the preoperative tympanogram, there were 6% with type A, 91% with type B, and 3% with type C. The incidence of abnormal tympanogram (type B or C) was same in MEE patients of adenotonsillectomized children (95%) and the other children group (95%), and it was 93% in adult group. 6) Treatment by myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion resulted in postoperative improvement in air conduction hearing acuity especially in adenotonsillectomized children.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2001

This study was conducted to provide basic data for the design of shading facility of greenhouse. The proper distance between external shading screen and roof surface, transmissivity of shading materials, and shading effects of external and internal shadings were analyzed. About a distance of 10 cm between inclined external shading screen and roof surface was enough to guarantee the external shading effect in the greenhouse without roof vent. The inside temperature of greenhouse installed with 85% internal shading screen was lower the maximum of 4$^{\circ}C$ and mean of 2$^{\circ}C$ than that with 55% internal shading screen in both natural ventilation and no ventilation condition. The difference of soil temperature between shading and no shading greenhouse was great, but the difference by shading rate or shading method was small. The performance of external shading for controlling inside temperature down was superior to that of the internal shading. The externally inclined shading screen parallel to the roof surface of greenhouse was more effective than the externally horizontal shading screen in controlling inside temperature of greenhouse without roof vent.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.668-674
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• 2019

Objectives: Modern people spend most of their day indoors. As the health impact of radon becomes an issue, public interest also has been growing. The primary route of potential human exposure to radon is inhalation. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon exposure is known to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer, following tobacco smoke. This study measures the indoor radon concentrations in detached houses in area A of Chungcheongbuk-do Province considering the construction year, cracks in the houses, the location of installed detectors, and seasonal effects. Methods: The survey was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018 on 1,872 private households located in selected areas in northern Chungcheongbuk-do Province to figure out the year of building construction and the location of detector installed and identify the factors which affect radon concentrations in the air within the building. Radon was measured using a manual alpha track detector (Raduet, Hungary) with a sampling period of longer than 90 days. Results: Indoor radon concentrations in winter within area A was surveyed to be 168.3±193.3 Bq/㎥. There was more than a 2.3 times difference between buildings built before 1979 and those built after 2010. The concentration reached 195.4±221.9 Bq/㎥ for buildings with fractures and 167.2±192.4 Bq/㎥ for buildings without fractures. It was found that detectors installed in household areas with windows exhibited a lower concentration than those installed in concealed spaces. Conclusion: High concentrations of indoor radon were shown when there was a crack in the house. Also, ventilation seems to significantly affect radon concentrations because when the location of the detector in the installed site was near windows compared to an enclosed area, radon concentration variation increased. Therefore, it is considered that radon concentration is lower in summer because natural ventilation occurs more often than in winter.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

This study was carried out to measure the environmental related parameters from two types of swine houses. Indoor temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide level, ammonia concentration and emission were measures every 2 minutes from each house with portable monitoring units. Carbon dioxide concentration balance was used to estimate the ventilation rates of the different houses. Daily ammonia concentrations in the growing-finishing and farrowing houses ranged from 2 to 17 ppm and 6 to 15 ppm respectively. The daily ammonia emission rate from the manure averaged 4.37 g/h$\cdot$500 kg from growing-finishing house and 4.82 g/h$\cdot$500 kg from the farrowing house. The above findings proved that summer season was associated with higher ammonia emission rates due to higher ventilation rate and ambient air temperature.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2007

Management of odors is essential to swine industry in the Republic of Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the odor removal efficiency of biofilter ducting systems. Rice straw and auto clave concrete(ALC) were used as filter medium. The ventilation fans(5 units, diameter: 500 mm) at the side wall of a growing pig housing were connected to a biofilter using a duct. The size of a biofilter is $2.5{\times}2{\times}1.2(W{\times}L{\times}H)$. The air velocities at the 300 mm above rice straw and ALC were 0.77 and 0.56 m/s, respectively. Ammonia concentration at the outlet of rice straw and ALC media were 2 and 3 ppm, respectively. Dust concentrations were also measured. The dust concentrations of rice straw and ALC were 93, $32\;mg/m^3$, respectively. There was no significant difference between filter mediums in terms of carbon dioxide concentrations(rice straw: 320, ALC: 270 mg/l). The concentration of hydrogen sulfide was stable over the experimentation. The actual concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were 4, 3 and 3 ppm at the days of 7, 21 and 36, respectively. These results suggest that biofilter ducting systems may remove odors from pig house effectively.