• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.158-161
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• 1999

We determined threshold environmental factros to initiate infection of pepper plants by Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen of pepper gray mold, in two greenhouse conditions. A new efficient spore-trapping method was developed to estimate population density of airborne conidia in the greenhouses, and spore release was measured using a Kerssies' selective medium. At a given day, spores were released greater during daytime (mostly from 7:30 am to 10:30 am and at 4:30 pm) than nighttime. Diurnal and nocturnal temperatures in the greenhouse-1 were about $25^{\circ}$ and $17^{\circ}$,and relative humidity was 100% for prolonged 24 h due to rain on December 17, 1997. Population density of air-borne conidia was 3.0$\times$103 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$ after two days, and the initial infection occurred in ten days. During the same period of time in the greenhouse-2, diurnal temperature was about $25^{\circ}$ and nocturnal temperature was below $15^{\circ}$, and population density of air-borne conidia was 104 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$. Under these conditions, the initial infection started in three days. This indicates that the early infection occurs under which diurnal temperature is approximately $25^{\circ}$, nocturnal temperature is maintained below $15^{\circ}$, and population density of air-borne conidia is 104 conidia/ $0.5\textrm{m}^3$ at saturated relative humidity condition.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.1561-1565
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• 2008

More than 3.4 million people use Hong Kong metro a day. It was first constructed in 1979, and extended to 9 operating lines with 168.1km length operated by Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR). In Hong Kong, airborne viruses such as avian influenza (bird's flu) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), air pollution by high-density traffics, bacteria and mold due to relatively high humidity are major concerns on air quality management. In this study, we focused on the cases for improving indoor air quality conducted by Hong Kong MTR currently. The case includes the photocatalytic coatings on knobs (or hand straps) to prevent outbreak of bird's flu and SARS, the high voltage ionizers installed at metro platform, and the periodical radon monitoring.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.322-329
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• 2012

Purpose: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. Methods: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). Results: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus ), 18.66% (D. farinae ), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus ), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. Conclusion: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.137-147
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• 1996

For the purpose of acquiring microbial agents that can be utilized to biologically control the major airborne diseases to apple trees, such as canker(Botryosphaeria dothidea), bitter rot(Glomerella cingulata), alternaria leaf spot(Alternaria mali), root rot(rosellinia necatrix), canker(Valsa ceratosperma) and gray mold rot(Botrytis cinerea), the effective microorgaisms were isolated, tested for antagonistic activity to the pathogens causing major diseases to apple trees and identifed. Screening of more than 5,000 species of microorganisms collected in nature for them antagonistic action to the pathogens causing 5 major diseases to apple trees resulted in selection of effective species. Out of the 11 species, one species designated as CAP134 demonstrated outstanding activity. The bacterial strain, CAP134 exerted antagonistic efficiency of 57% on an isolated strain and 40% on a donated strain of Botryosphaeria dothidea., 52% on an isolated strain and 46% on a purchased strain of Alternaria mali, 60% on Valsa ceratosperma 25% on Glomerella cingulata, and 64% Rosellinia necatrix. The CAP134 was identified as a bacterial strain to Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 based on morephology, culture conditions, and physio-biochemical characteristics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.1.1-5
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• 2001

High SPM concentrations(199.8~249.4${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥) were detected in the west Korea during the Yellow Sand Periods, 2000. Majority of the total SPM were composed of about 5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ sized coarse particles over the periods. However, fine particles sized about 1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and coarse particles sized about 5-6${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ showed peaks at the graph of SPM size distribution in the Non Yellow Sand Period. Airborne fungal spores at the SPM samples were cultured and identified. Full-grown colonies during the Yellow Sand Periods, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Basipetospora are hyphomycetes in the division Fungi imperfecti(Deuteromycota). And morphologically more diversified mycelia of hyphomycetes were grown on the sample captured from 1.1~2.1${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ sized SPM than on other sized samples during the Yellow Sand Period. But no mold was observed on the sample of 1.1~2.1${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ sized SPM in the Non Yellow Sand Period. It was thought that several sorts of fine sized fungal spores were suspended in the atmospheric environment of the west Korea during the Asian dust episodes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2001

The relationship between SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) and fungal spore in the air was investigated in Seosan, a rural county of Korea, in spring of 2000. SPM concentrations in the air were $199.8\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$, in the 1st Yellow Sand Period (March, 23-24), $249.4\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the 2nd Yellow Sand Period (April, 7-9) and $98.9\mu{g}\;m^{-3}$ in the Non Yellow Sand Period (May, 12-16), respectively. Although there was somewhat difference in total SPM concentration between the two Yellow Sand Periods, majority of the total SPM were composed of $5\mu{m}$ sized coarse particles over the two periods. However, fine particles sized about $1\mu{m}$and coarse particles sized about $5-6\mu{m}$ ultimately showed peaks, which was within typical bimodal pattern at the graph of SPM size distribution in the Non Yellow Sand Period. Four mold genera grown from airborne fungal spores were finally identified in full-grown colonies at the SPM samples during the Yellow Sand Periods. These genera were Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Basipetospora.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2005

Background : Airborne particles during Yellow Sand phenomena are known to be associated with the respiratory disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration and metal component properties of Yellow Sand particles and compare with airborne microbial concentration and species in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Methods : Samplings were carried out in 2002 in Seosan, during non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. Samples were taken using the 8-stage Cascade impactor and metallic elements were analyzed by XRF. Those were culture on the media for bacterial and fungal culture and celline for virus. Results : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter were respectively $80.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $40.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena. The concentration of metallic elements such as Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. Two bacteria, Bacillus species and Staphylococcus were grown in two periods. In both periods, several fungal spores(Mucor species, Cladosporum, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria species) were identified. The differences of bacteria and fungus species not observed in Yellow Sand and non Yellow Sand. Any viruses were not isolated in between both periods. Conclusions : The concentration of total suspended particulate matter and some metallic elements in Yellow Sand phenomena were higher than its in non Yellow Sand. The difference of bacteria and fungus species was not observed in non Yellow Sand and Yellow Sand phenomena.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.398-409
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• 2021

Background: The types and effects of hazardous pollutants in indoor air may vary depending on the characteristics of the sources and pollutants caused by physical and chemical properties of buildings, the influence of outdoor air, and the exposure and use characteristics of residents. Objectives: This study was conducted to provide basic data on the establish of indoor air quality management for different classes of public-use facilities by presenting the characteristics of concentration distribution of hazardous pollutants by different public-use facilities and the status of the excess proportion of exceeding standards. Methods: This study analyzed self-measurement data from public-use facilities taken from 2017 to 2019 A total of 133,525 facilities were surveyed. A total of 10 types of pollutants that have maintenance and recommended standards stipulated in the Indoor Air Quality Control Act from the Ministry of Environment were investigated. The excess proportion and the substances exceeding the criteria for each type of public-use facilities for these pollutants were investigated. Results: As a result of the analysis of the proportion of exceeding the standard for each type of public-use facility, the facilities with the highest excess proportion of the standards for each hazardous pollutant were: PM₁₀ in railway stations (8.93%), PM_2.5 in daycare centers (7.36%), CO₂ in bus terminals (2.37%), HCHO in postpartum care centers (4.11%), total airborne bacteria in daycare centers (0.69%), CO in museums (0.1%), NO₂ in postpartum care centers (1.15%), Rn in museums (0.78%), total volatile organic compounds in postpartum care centers (7.20%) and mold in daycare centers (1.44%). Conclusions: Although uncertainty may arise because this study is a result of self-measurement, it is considered that this study has significance for providing basic data on the establishment in the future of indoor air quality management measures customized for each type of public-use facility.