• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2015

We measured the concentrations of five aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, and styrene) in the atmosphere during four seasonal campaigns at Deokjeok and Jeju Islands in the Yellow Sea from October 2005 to June 2006. Toluene was the most abundant aromatic hydrocarbon, with median of 0.24 ppb at Deokjeok and 0.20 ppb at Jeju, followed by benzene (0.21 ppb, 0.15 ppb) and m,p-xylene (0.06 ppb, 0.06 ppb). Aromatic hydrocarbon measurements exhibited the typical seasonality of the major emission sources, such as vehicle exhaust, solvent evaporation, and regional circulation patterns. The ratios of m,p-xylene/ethylbenzene of 1.57 at Deokjeok and 1.05 at Jeju reflected the degree of proximity to outflows of each source region, South Korea and China. The toluene/benzene ratios of 1.0 were consistently both on field observations and on the 3-D chemical model simulation, which is slightly higher than that in the Western Pacific area. It implied that the air over the Yellow Sea was influenced to a great extent by the surrounding areas. We confirmed that current emission inventories of aromatic hydrocarbons in Northeast Asia reasonably reproduced temporal and spatial variations of toluene and benzene over the Yellow Sea.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.113-126
• /
• 2002

This study was carried out to evaluate the temporal (daily, weekly, and seasonal) variations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations at a road-side site in a heavy-traffic central area of Metropolitan Taegu. Ambient air sampling was undertaken continuously for 14 consecutive days in each of four seasons from the spring of 1999 to the winter of 2000. The VOC samples were collected using adsorbent tubes, and were determined by thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS analysis. A total of 10 aromatic VOCs of environmental concern were determined, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m＋p-xylenes, styrene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene. Among 10 target VOCs, the most abundant compounds appeared to be toluene (1.5 ∼ 102 ppb) and xylenes (0.1 ∼ 114 ppb), while benzene levels were in the range of 0.3 ∼6 ppb. It was found that the general trends of VOC levels were significantly dependent on traffic conditions at the sampling site since VOC concentrations were at their maximum during rush hours (AM 7∼9 and PM 7 ∼9). However, some VOCs such as toluene, xylenes, and ethylbenzene were likely to be affected by a number of unknown sources other than vehicle exhaust, being attributed to the use of paints, and/or the evaporation of solvents used nearby the sampling site. In some instances, extremely high concentrations were found for these compounds, which can not be explained solely by the impact of vehicle exhaust. The results of this study may be useful for estimating the relative importance of different emission sources in large urban areas. Finally, it was suggested that the median value might be more desirable than the arithmetic mean as a representative value for the VOC data group, since the cumulative probability distribution (n=658) does not follow the normal distribution pattern.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.656-662
• /
• 1999

We have obtained retention data of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, and acetophenone at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 $^{\circ}C$ in 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, and 80/20 (v/v %) methanol/water eluents using a $C_18$ phase with a high ligand density. We drew van't Hoff plots from the data, and computed enthalpies and entropies of solute transfer from the mobile to the stationary phase. The cavity formation effect was found the major factor that governs the solute distribution between the mobile and stationary phases. The hydrophobic effect became significant in highly aqueous mobile phases. We also concluded that the Shodex C18-5B stationary phase was a polymer-like phase with a high ligand density, and followed a partially adsorption-like mechanism.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2015

Recently, some researchers have been carried out risk assessment of vehicles exhaust on human health. Especially, some of VOCs which is non-controlled, was classified to hazardous pollutant, such as 1,3-Butadiene and BTEX(Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene). Therefore, the profile on non-controlled pollutant may be needed in the future, because it would be critical data or information to control them. Additionally, with increasing amount of motorcycle, the source profiling is essential for estimating emission factor and amount on motorcycle exhaust. For these, in this study, imported motorcycles (8 vehicles) were selected as a test model while considering the increasing ratio on sales volume between 2013 and 2014; it was also compared with domestic motorcycles on those. The experiment was conducted by driving mode, UDC and ECE+EUDC that made from EURO III. In addition, it was performed at cold start driving mode without effect by displacement, for evaluating only correlation of BTEX with HC. In order to apply the ratio (m,p-Xylene/o-Xylene) as a marker, the ratio was compared with those of tunnel, road side and residential area. As a result, it showed best correlation ($R^2=0.98$) among those. In the future, it has to be considered as a marker for effect evaluation to atmospheric environment by exhaust emission.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.178-186
• /
• 2014

Background: This study was conducted to assess health risks in regard to exposure by children to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in children's products. Methods: Ten VOCs were measured by head-space gas chromatography in children's products, including toys, oil pastels, sign pens, furniture, ball pools, and playmats. We estimated the average daily dose (ADD) via inhalation during the use of these children's products and calculated hazard quotient (HQ) by dividing ADD by reference dose of VOCs. Results: Among the measured VOCs, five compounds were identified in children's products: benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, and xylene. The detection rates of VOCs in toys, ball pools, furniture, playmats, sign pens, and oil pastels were 85%, 100%, 100%, 30%, 100%, and 60%, respectively. The maximum levels of VOCs were 0.18 mg benzene/kg in toys, 5.92 mg toluene/kg in playmats, 10.37 mg ethylbenzene/kg in ball pools, 24.85 mg xylene/kg in toys, and 118.29 mg styrene/kg in ball pools. From exposure levels of VOCs in the children's products HQs were calculated within a range of $5.71{\times}10^{-10}$ to $4.77{\times}10^{-4}$. The HQ of xylene was the highest for children aged 0-6 playing on the playmats. However, the HQ via inhalation exposure to VOCs in individual products did not exceed 1.00. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that the use of these children's products do not pose health risks to children.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.543-553
• /
• 2005

In recent days, photochemical smog due to the rapid industry development and vehicle increasement has become a critical pollutant in the metropolitan area and the number of ozone alarm signal has increased every year. This research was performed to evaluate VOCs emission source characteristics and concentration of VOCs in Daegu. The site average concentration was observed in the following order: industrial area > commercial area > residential area. Most of the VOCs species except toluene showed variations with higher concentration during nighttime, and lower concentration during the daytime. The major VOCs of stationary emission source were BTEX(benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene. xylene) and methylene chloride, trichloroethene and styrene. Also, those of automobile exhaust were toluene and benzene. Also, the major VOCs concentration emited by the vehicle fuel was observed in the following order: gasoline > light oil > liquefied petroleum gas (L.P.G). Correlation coefficients values were estimated between major VOCs such as toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene. Results showed that correlation coefficient values were significant magnitude above 0.76. Also, there showed highly significant correlations among ethyl benzene, m,p-xylene, and o-xylene concentration(Pearson correlation coefficients, r=0.868-0.982). Calculated correlation coefficients among commercial area,industrial area and residential area were 0.934-0.981, they showed high correlation. There showed highly correlation between stationary emission source and industrial area, compared with commercial area and residential area. Also, calculated correlation coefficients among commercial area, industrial area, residential area and automobile exhaust were 0.732, 0.725, 0.777, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.12 no.9
• /
• pp.967-976
• /
• 2003

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in essentially all natural and synthetic materials from petrol to flowers. In this study, indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations of houses, offices and internet-cafes were measured and compared simultaneously with personal exposures of each 50 participants in Asan and Seoul, respectively. Also, factors that influence personal VOCs exposure were statistically analyzed using questionnaires in relation to house characteristics, time activities, and health effects. All VOCs concentrations were measured by OVM passive samplers (3M) and analyzed with GC/MS. Target pollutants among VOCs were Toluene, o-Xylene, m/p-Xylene, Ethylbenzene, MIBK, n-Octane, Styrene, Trichloroethylene, and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene. Indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations measured in Seoul were significantly higher than those in Asan except Ethylbenzene. Residential indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for all target compounds ranged from 0.94 to 1.51 and I/O ratios of Asan were a little higher than those of Seoul. Relationship between personal VOCs exposure, and indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations suggested that time-activity pattern could affect the high exposure to air pollutant. Factors that influence indoor VOCs level and personal exposure with regard to house characteristics in houses were building age, inside smoking and house type. In addition insecticide and cosmetics interestingly affected the VOCs personal exposure. Higher exposure to VOCs might be caused to be exciting increase and memory reduction, considering the relationship between measured VOCs concentrations and questionnaire (p<0.05).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.515-523
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Based on the results of a chemical substance emissions survey, we investigated characteristics of chemical emissions in industrial complexes and used them as basic data for chemical management. Methods: The emissions and characteristics of chemicals by major industrial complexes from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed using the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. To understand the status of chemical accidents for major chemicals emitted from the industrial complexes, the Chemistry Safety Clearing-house system of the National Institute of Chemical Safety was used. Results: Emissions from the top five industrial complexes accounted for about 30% of total chemical emissions. The chemical emission was the highest in the order of Ulsan Mipo Industrial Complex and Okpo Industrial Complex. The main chemicals emitted were xylene, ethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, toluene, dichloromethane, and others. Carcinogen emissions differed by industrial complex, but ethylbenzene and dichloromethane were the major chemicals for this type of emissions. Conclusion: Recently, the use and emission of chemicals have been continuously increasing. A chemical management plan should be prepared considering the characteristics of industrial complexes and chemical substance emissions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.967-974
• /
• 2018

In this study, we evaluated the photocatalytic oxidation efficiency of aromatic volatile hydrocarbons by using $WO_3$-doped $TiO_2$ nanotubes (WTNTs) under visible-light irradiation. One-dimensional WTNTs were synthesized by ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method and impregnation. XRD analysis revealed successful incorporation of $WO_3$ into $TiO_2$ nanotube (TNT) structures. UV-Vis spectra exhibited that the synthesized WTNT samples can be activated under visible light irradiation. FE-SEM and TEM images showed the one-dimensional structure of the prepared TNTs and WTNTs. The photocatalytic oxidation efficiencies of toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene were higher using WTNT samples than undoped TNT. These results were explained based on the charge separation ability, adsorption capability, and light absorption of the sample photocatalysts. Among the different light sources, light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are more highly energy-efficient than 8-W daylight used for the photocatalytic oxidation of toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene, though the photocatalytic oxidation efficiency is higher for 8-W daylight.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.62-68
• /
• 2023

Silicon (Si) is considered as a promising substitute for the conventional graphite due to its high theoretical specific capacity (3579 mAh/g, Li₁₅Si₄) and proper working voltage (~0.3V vs Li⁺/Li). However, the large volume change of Si during (de)lithiation brings about severe degradation of battery performances, rendering it difficult to be applied in the practical battery directly. As a one feasible candidate of industrial Si anode, silicon monoxide (SiO_x) demonstrates great electrochemical stability with its specialized strategy, downsized Si nanocrystallites surrounded by Li⁺ inactive buffer phase (Li₂O and Li₄SiO₄). Nevertheless, SiO_x inherently has the initial irreversible capacity and poor electrical conductivity. To overcome those issues, conformal carbon coating has been performed on SiO_x utilizing ethylbenzene as the carbon precursor of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Through various characterizations, it is confirmed that the carbon is homogeneously coated on the surface of SiO_x. Accordingly, the carbon-coated SiOx from CVD using ethylbenzene demonstrates 73% of the first cycle efficiency and great cycle life (88.1% capacity retention at 50th cycle). This work provides a promising synthetic route of the uniform and scalable carbon coating on Si anode for high-energy density.