• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.743-757
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• 2006

Volatile organic compound (VOC) has been well-known to Korea since the end of 1990's however, it has not been well documented until now. In this study, present ambient VOC levels, VOC emission sources, and VOC control technologies were reviewed and discussed. In addition, VOC management strategies to cut down ozone concentrations were suggested based on the present VOC database. For anthropogenic VOC reduction, VOC emitted from painting processes and automobiles should be controlled in the first place in large cities such as Seoul, Daegu, and Incheon. For natural VOC management, low emission trees need to be planted in those cities. It is also very significant to keep updating present and future VOC emission inventories for efficient VOC control strategies. As a conclusion, more systematic VOC control road-map based on BACT (best available control technology) needs to be made up. and more economical and efficient VOC control techniques have to be developed under strong national support in order to lower toxic VOC and photochemical oxidant levels.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.483-488
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• 2000

In this study, the distribution characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated on the seasonal basis across spring, summer, and fall during the year of 1998. According to this analysis, most VOC species investigated exhibited strong temporal trends. Over diurnal scale, there distribution characteristics were affected by seasonal factors strongly. While they showed high day/night ratio pattern during spring, the pattern was reversed during fall. When the seasonal mean values were compared between the two seasons, the spring values were systematically higher than their counterparts in most cases. In addition when our VOC measurement date were compared with those reported from elsewhere, we were able to conclude that the VOC levels in the study area are comparable to the level weakly impacted by the regional emissions of VOCs. Although our data are not sufficient enough to systematically explain the atmospheric distribution and behavior of VOCs, the findings of strong correlations among some of VOC species suggests strong need for investigating their interactions in the earth\`s atmosphere.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.616-623
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• 2010

Recently, interests in indoor air quality (IAQ) have been increased; however, a number of researchers have mainly focused on anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (AVOC) emitted from building materials. Therefore, the properties of natural VOC (NVOC) and anthropogenic VOC (AVOC) emitted from wood-based panels was investigated in this work. VOCs emitted from these panels were sampled through Tenax TA/Cabotrap and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Comparisons were made concerning TVOC, NVOC, and composition ratios of NVOC. It was revealed that TVOC emission rates of midium density fiber (MDF) were the highest. Besides, it was found that emissions of NVOC from wood-based panels were much higher than those of anthropogenic AVOC except for plywood of Oceania timber. It was also observed that the composition ratio of NVOC emitted from plywood of Pinus radiata was the highest as 65% of TVOC. Major NVOC components were monoterpene compounds such as $\alpha$-pinene, $\beta$-pinene, d-limonene, camphene and $\alpha$-terpinene. It was concluded that the composition rates of VOCs emitted from building materials were clearly different according to the raw materials and manufacturing methods.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-135
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• 1997

An air pollutant emission inventory system for the input preparations of photochemical dispersion model was developed. Using the system, anthropogenic emissions as well as biogenic emissions in the Seoul metropolitan area were calculated. Anthropogenic emission by fuel combustion using regional cosumption data, and the laundries and so forth was estimated. The biogenic emission was estimated based upon meteorological data and the distribution of land use type in the study area. The anthropogenic emission of pollutants was highest in Seoul, and the second highest in Inchon. TSP and $SO_2$ were found large quantities during the winter due to increased consumption of heating oil. NOx and THC were emitted without seasonal variation. Among biogenic emissions, PAR was very common while NO was the least common. PAR, OLE, and ALD2 were emitted in large volumes in coniferous forest areas, while ISOP was emitted in deciduous forest areas. Generally, most biogenic emissions increased during daytime, and peaked between oen and two o'clock. Because of strong solar radiation, emission during the summer was high. Biogenic NO emissions were found to be lower compared to anthropogenic emissons, and other VOC was indicated relatively high. In the study area, among biogenic emissions PAR was found to be 3 times, OLE 8 times,and ALD2 12 times more common than among anthropogenic emissions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.325-336
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• 2006

The presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC), produced and released from both anthropogenic and natural sources, can accelerate the degradation of air quality in the surrounding area. In this study, we investigated the emission concentrations of VOC based on a total of 115 sample analysis made from 47 companies (representing 17 types of industry) at the Ban Wall industrial complex (Jun. 2004 to Jan. 2005). Through a statistical analysis of these measurement data, we inspected the emission characteristics of VOC in relation with industrial type and processing unit. When these data were compared each other, toluene was found to record the highest value of 423 ppb followed by ethylbenzene (68.3 ppb), m, p-xylene (43.6 ppb), o-xylene (27.2 ppb), styrene (23.9 ppb), and benzene (16.4 pub). In addition, by converting these VOC concentration data into malodor intensity, we attempted to account for their distribution patterns in terms of relative contribution to the malodor formation. The results of odor intensity conversion generally indicated that the odor intensities of individual VOC do not exceed the degree of 1. When our VOC results were compared against other odorous compounds measured concurrently, the results were highly contrasting each other. Despite relative insignificance as odorous compounds, these VOCs are generally found ubiquitously and in abundant quantities in this strong source area.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2013

In order to study the seasonal patterns and possible origins of air concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOC), measurements were taken with GC-MS at 3 sampling sites in Jinju for 12 months from Mar. 2010 to Feb. 2011. Atmospheric VOC are sampled on tubes containing solid adsorbents(Tenax TA) with a time resolution of 2hrs. Composition and concentration of VOC are analysed with a GC system equipped with thermal desorption apparatus(ATD). The most abundant compound appeared to be Toluene, Ethylbenzene and m,p-Xylene. The mean concentrations of Benzene were 0.20 ppb at GN site, 0.18 ppb at DA site, and 0.25 ppb at SP site, respectively. VOC concentration showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher concentrations during the spring and lower concentrations during the summer. The results showed that monthly fluctuations in measured VOC concentrations depended on variations in the strength of sources, as well as on photochemical activity and meteorological conditions. In Jinju, the total VOC emissions for 2009 were estimated to be 4,407 ton/year by Clean Air Policy Support System(CAPSS). It is shown that solvent use 57.5%(2,534 ton/yr), waste treatment and disposal 23.3%(1,025 ton/yr), and mobil source-road traffic 12.2%(537 ton/yr) are the most significant anthropogenic source.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 2014

Based on fundamental properties and machining characteristics of Yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), it has well performance on machinability or workability, drying, and fine surface. Additionally, yellow poplar is light weight and has bright color with high performance of bending processing, so it could be used for furniture or artworks materials and wood-based panel materials. Recently, public attention has been focused on indoor air quality, and Ministry of environment drift more tight regulation on indoor air quality for an apartment house and public facility with the times. Construction materials has been assessed emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde according to law (No.10789), so yellow poplar is also needed to assess these emission characteristics. Emission of VOC and aldehyde compounds from dry and green wood condition of yellow poplar were investigated with KS M 1998:2009. Based on results, more than 30 compounds were detected from yellow poplar, and lower NVOC (natural VOC) were emitted than AVOC (Anthropogenic VOC) and OVOC (other VOC). Formaldehyde emission was lower than $5{\mu}g/m^3$ and acetaldehyde, ketone, and propionaldehyde were detected from yellow poplar. From dry yellow poplar, m-Tolualdehyde ($33.6{\mu}g/m^3$) was additionally detected while no detection of propionaldehyde. After drying process, amount of ketone emission increased significantly. The unique smell of yellow poplar may not only come from emission of acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2017

Ozone concentration in Tokyo Metropolitan area is one of the most serious issues of the local air quality. Tropospheric ozone is formed by radical reaction including volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$). Reduction of the emission of reactive VOC is a key to reducing ozone concentrations. VOC is emitted from anthropogenic sources and also from vegetation (biogenic VOC or BVOC). BVOC also forms ozone through $NO_x$ and radical reactions. Especially, in urban area, the BVOC is emitted into the atmosphere with high $NO_x$ concentration. Therefore, trees bordering streets and green spaces in urban area may contribute to tropospheric ozone. On the other hand, not all trees emit BVOC which will produce ozone locally. In this study, BVOC emissions have been investigated (terpenoids: isoprene, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes) for 29 tree species. Eleven in the 29 species were tree species that did not emit BVOCs. Three in 12 cultivars for future planting (25 %) were found to emit no terpenoid BVOCs. Eight in 17 commonly planted trees (47%) were found to emit no terpenoid BVOC. Lower-emitting species have many advantages for urban planting. Therefore, further investigation is required to find the species which do not emit terpenoid BVOC. Emission of reactive BVOC should be added into guideline for the urban planting to prevent the creation of sources of ozone. It is desirable that species with no reactive BVOC emission are planted along urban streets and green areas in urban areas, such as Tokyo.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.85-97
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• 2006

The PAMS data collected at four sites in Seoul metropolitan area in 2004 were analyzed using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) technique, in order to identify the possible sources and estimate their contributions to ambient VOCs. Ten sources were then resolved at Jeongdong, Bulgwang, Yangpyeong, and Seokmo, including vehicle exhaust, LPG vehicle, petroleum evaporation, coating, solvent, asphalt, LNG, Industry & heating, open burning, and biogenic source. The PMF analysis results showed that vehicle exhaust commonly contributed the largest portion of the predicted total VOCs mass concentration, more than $30\%$ at four sites. The contribution of other resolved sources were significantly different according to the characteristics of site location. In the case of Jeongdong and bulgwang located in urban area, various anthropogenic sources such as coating, solvent, asphalt, residual LPG, and petroleum evaporation contributed about $40\%$ of total VOCs mass. On the other hand, at yangpyeong and Seokmo located in rural and remote area, the portion of these anthropogenic sources was reduced to less than $30\%$ and the contribution of natural sources including open burning and biogenic source clearly observed. These results were considerably corresponding to the emission inventory investigated in this region.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.259-271
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• 2015

This study conducted analyses on biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) emission sources contributing to urban ozone ($O_3$) concentration in Osaka Prefecture, Japan in summer 2010 by using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) version 3.5.1 and the Community Multiscale Air Quality model (CMAQ) version 5.0.1. This prefecture is characterized by highly urbanized area with small forest area. The contributions of source regions surrounding Osaka were estimated by comparing the baseline case and zero-out cases for BVOC emissions from each source region. The zero-out emission runs showed that the BVOC emissions substantially contributed to urban $O_3$ concentration in Osaka (10.3 ppb: 15.9% of mean daily maximum 1-h $O_3$ concentration) with day-by-day variations of contributing source regions, which were qualitatively explained by backward trajectory analyses. Although $O_3$ concentrations were especially high on 23 July and 2 August 2010, the contribution of BVOC on 23 July (35.4 ppb: 25.6% of daily maximum $O_3$) was much larger than that on 2 August (20.9 ppb: 14.2% of daily maximum $O_3$). To investigate this difference, additional zero-out cases for anthropogenic VOC (AVOC) emissions from Osaka and for VOC emissions on the target days were performed. On 23 July, the urban $O_3$ concentration in Osaka was dominantly increased by the transport from the northwestern region outside Osaka with large contribution of $O_3$ that was produced through BVOC reactions by the day before and was retained over the nocturnal boundary layer. On 2 August, the concentration was dominantly increased by the local photochemical production inside Osaka under weak wind condition with the particularly large contribution of AVOC emitted from Osaka on the day.