• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2013

The concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere can directly reflect the environmental pollution. The atmospheric pollution in some Cameroonian cities is increasing with the industrial development and urbanization. Air pollution is inherently complex, containing PM of varied size and composition. This PM exists as a dynamic cloud interacting with sunlight and is modified by the meteorology. The reflectometer and the EDXRF spectrometry are applied to determine the concentration of some specific elements at four sites in the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$. The particular aim of the present work is to put in place data base on air pollution in urban area and elaborate regulations on the emissions issued to industrial and vehicle activities. This study provides an overview of the concentration of black carbon and some specific elements in the air, which have impacts on human health. The measurement was done by distinguishing the size of particle. So that, the particle with aerodynamic diameter between $2.5-10{\mu}m$ (so-called coarse particle) and aerodynamic diameter < $2.5{\mu}m$ (so-called fine particle) were considered to obtain more information about levels of the inhalable fraction of the location. The results obtained in four locations of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$ show that the black carbon concentration is very considerable, the element sulfur is a major pollutant and the concentration of fine particle is very greater. The results obtained of fine and coarse filters range from $5-17{\mu}g/m^3$ and $10-18{\mu}g/m^3$ for the black carbon. S, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Hg are the specific findings of this work. The pollutants with a greater concentration are S, Pb, and Zn. These later seem to be non-uniformly, non-regular in some location and high compared to other countries. This work allows us to make a potential relation between pollutants and emission sources. In this framework, some suggestions have been proposed to reduce emissions for an improvement of the air quality in the environment and thus, the one of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.36 no.6_3
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• pp.1681-1690
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• 2020

A scanning lidar system has been developed. The system has two wavelength observation channels of 532 and 1064 nm and is capable of 360-degree horizontal scanning observation. In addition, an analysis method that can classify the measured particle as an indicator of coarse-mode particle (PM2.5-10) and an indicator of fine-mode particles (PM2.5) and calculate the mass concentration of each has been developed by using the backscatter coefficient at two wavelengths. It was applied to the data calculated by observation. The mass concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, which showed a distribution of 22-110 ㎍/㎥ and 7-78 ㎍/㎥, respectively, were successfully calculated in the Ulsan Onsan Industrial Complex using the developed scanning lidar system. The analyzed results showed similar values to the mass concentrations measured on the ground around the lidar observation area, and it was confirmed that high concentrations of 80-110 ㎍/㎥ and 60-78 ㎍/㎥ were measured at points discharged from factories, respectively.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 2004

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of diesel exhaust particles on human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). DNA synthesis, cell viability and morphology of VSMCs after treatment of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) and fine particulate matter (PM$_{2.5}$) were assayed. PM$_{2.5}$ inhibited the DNA synthesis of VSMCs in a concentration -dependent manner, whereat DEP did not affect VSMCs up to 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. These results were confirmed by morphological examination of VSMCs. PM$_{2.5}$ showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity of VSMCs by MTT assay. Fraction 4 (organic acids) and fraction 8 (moderately polar compounds) showed the most potent inhibition of DNA synthesis of VSMCs, and fraction 7 (slightly polar compounds), fraction 9 (higher polar compounds), and fraction 6 (aromatic compounds) were next order. These results were confirmed by morphological examination of VSMCs. These results suggest that PM$_{2.5}$ inhibits the DNA synthesis of VSMCs through the cytotoxicity.oxicity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2017

The efficiency of railway track cleaning vehicle for eliminating fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in a subway tunnel depends strongly on the structure of the air blowing and suction system installed under the train. To increase the efficiency of underbody suction system, this paper proposes a novel method to use the Coanda effect for the air blower and dust suction module. In particular, through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, the flow control device induced by the Coanda effect enables an increase in the overall flow velocity and to stabilize the flow distribution of the suction module at a control angle of $90^{\circ}$. In addition, the flow velocity drop at the edge of the air knife-type blower can be improved by placing small inserts at the edge of the blower. Those 4 modular designs of the dust suction system can help remove the dust accumulated on the track and tunnel by optimizing the blowing and suction flows.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.114-124
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• 2022

The Saemangeum has a dry surface characteristic with a low moisture content ratio due to the saline and silt soil, so the vegetation cover is low compared to other areas. In areas with low vegetation cover, wind erosion has a high probability of scattering dust. If the vegetation cover is increased by cultivating crops that can withstand the Saemangeum reclaimed environment, scattering dust can be reduced by reducing the flow rate at the bottom. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of suppressing the generation of fine dust and scattering dust by cultivating winter forage crops on the Saemangeum reclaimed land. While growing 0.5 ha of barley and 0.5 ha of triticale in Saemangeum reclaimed land, the concentration of fine dust was monitored according to agricultural work and growth stage. Changes in the concentrations of PM-10, PM-2.5, and PM-1.0 were monitored on the leeward, the windward and centering on the crop field. As a result of monitoring, PM-1.0 had little effect on crop cultivation. the concentration of PM-10 and PM-2.5 increased according to tillage and harvesting, and tillage had a higher increasing the concentration of PM-10 and PM-2.5 than that of harvesting. According to the growth stage of crops, the effect of suppressing scattering dust was shown, and the effect of suppressing scattering dust was higher in the heading stage than in the seedling stage. So, it was found that there was an effect of suppressing scattering dust other than the effect of land covering. Through this study, it was possible to know about the generation and suppression effect of scattering dust according to crop cultivation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.45-52
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• 2023

Objectives : Fine dust caused by environmental pollution cause oxidative damage and skin aging. In this study, The possibility of using the Codium fragile extract (CFE) as an anti-aging product for skin improvement was evaluated by confirming the protective effect of skin cells from PM10 (particulate matter 10) through inhibition of ROS and MMPs. Methods : In this study, elastase and collagenase inhibitory activities were evaluated. Cell viability was evaluated by treating keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line) with CFE at various concentrations. The cytoprotective effect from PM10 in keratinocyteswas evaluated using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol]-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. ROS (reactive oxygen species) was measured in keratinocytes damaged by PM10 using DCF-DA (2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate) fluorescence staining. As an anti-aging effect of CFE, MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1) and MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) inhibitory activities were evaluated. Results : As a result, CFE decreased the activity of elastase and collagenase. As a result of evaluating the toxicity of CFE, it is non-toxic at a concentration of 10 to 80 ㎍/㎖. Although cell viability of HaCaT cells treated with PM10 decreased, cell viability increased by 38% when treated with CFE 80 ㎍/㎖. Also, ROS decreased by 8.4%, and MMP-1 and MMP-9 decreased at CFE 80 ㎍/㎖. Conclusions : CFE showed excellent cell protection effect, and it is considered that it can be used in anti-aging products for skin improvement by effectively inhibiting ROS and MMPs from keratinocyte damage caused by fine dust.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.24-35
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• 2003

Recent epidemiologic studies revealed that the concentration of air pollutants and fine particulated matter have some effects on health status and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize background mass concentration of fine particle (PM2.5) and metallic composition from September 2001 to August 2002 in comparison with a medium city, Asan and metropolitan city, Seoul. Conclusively, proper management for fine particles was required in a medium city, Asan, considering the concentrations of metallic elements in fine particles in Asan were relatively higher than those in Seoul. The results were as followed. 1. Average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 37.70(${\pm}18.41{\;}{\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$) and 5.83(${\pm}38.50$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. When the weather conditions were classified as normal and yellow-sand, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in yellow-sand weather condition was significantly higher than those of normal weather condition in both cities (p<0.05). 2. Depending on seasons, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul in spring were 47.76(${\pm}19.07$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$m and 61.53 (${\pm}4.37$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. In summer, the average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 29.44(${\pm}9.85$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$ and 25.42(${\pm}8.10$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. Especially, the concentration was the highest in spring and the lowest in summer among four seasons. 3. Average concentrations of manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), chromium(Cr), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb) and silicon(Si) in fine particles in Asan were significantly higher in Seoul (p<0.05). Average concentration of Si in fine particle in Asan was statistically higher than that of Seoul during yellow -sand condition (p<0.05). 4. Considering the characterization of four seasons, average Pb concentration of fine particle in Asan is significantly higher than that of Seoul in spring(p<0.01). In summer, average Mn and Cr concentrations of fine particle in Asan is higher than those of Seoul (p<0.05). Average Mn, Fe. Cr and Si concentrations in fall (p<0.05), and average Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Si concentrations in winter (p<0.05) in Asan were higher than those of Seoul, respectively. 5. Mass concentrations of each Mn, Fe, Cd and Si in fine particles were significantly correlated with both cities. In normal weather condition, Mn, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Asan, while Mn, Fe, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Seoul. Mn, Fe and Si concentrations in both cities were statistically significant during yellow-sand weather.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2020

Particulate matters of PM_2.5, particularly focusing on 0.1~1 ㎛ decrease the efficiency of dust-collector due to the brownian-motion. This study is to verify the effect of coagulant on the particle size distributions of potassium and PM_2.5. The activated coagulant was spayed to the coal fired fluidized bed combustion boiler by the weight ratio of 1,200 : 1 = coal : coagulant, and the size distributions of captured particles at both the cyclone (FP) and electrostatic precipitator (EP) were measured. As the result of XRP analysis, the potassium content of FP increased to 13.33% (averagely from 1.65% to 1.87%) and, in EP at 17.68% (averagely from 1.65% to 2.03%). And it was confirmed by the particle size distribution analyzer and SEM image analysis that the distribution rates of PM_2.5 decreased at 89.53% on average in FP, and at 88.57% in EP. The total dust concentration (mg/㎥) confirmed by tele-monitering system (TMS) decreased during the primary test from 2.6 to 1.7~1.9 and also the secondary test from 2.9 to 1.7~1.9.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.118-127
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• 2021

Recently, the public's interest in the air environment has increased, and public health is threatened by fine particulate matter. Furthermore, the government continues efforts to improve air quality by expanding the monitoring of air pollutants and reinforcing environmental standards. Since air quality differs depending on the region in the Korean Peninsula, it is currently necessary to identify the cause and search for influencing factors. In this study, the atmospheric environment and regional differences in cities located in the Chungnam Province were observed. As a research method, regression analysis was performed for weather conditions, such as temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and season and targeted at air pollutants, such as SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5, as well as heavy metals contained in particulate matter, such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Mn, Fe, Al, Ca, and Mg. In the case of PM₁₀, the concentrations of Mn(0.4884) in Cheonan, CO(0.3329) in Dangjin, and Mg(0.5691) in Seosan were highest. In the case of PM_2.5, Cheonan NO₂(0.4759), Dangjin CO(0.4128), and Seosan NO₂(0.3715) were significantly affected. In summary, the influencing factors vary according to the region in Chungnam province in terms of air quality, and there is a difference in the degree of contribution. Therefore, it is considered that the Korean government's management of air quality is required for each region.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2017

The Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) - Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) system was applied to investigate the influence of major point sources located in Chungcheongnam-do (CN) on surface $PM_{2.5}$ (Particulate Matter of which diameter is $2.5{\mu}m$ or less) concentrations in its surrounding areas. Uncertainties associated with contribution estimations were examined through cross-comparison of modeling results using various combinations of model inputs and setups; two meteorological datasets developed with WRF for 2010 and 2014, and two domestic emission inventories for 2010 and 2013 were used to estimate contributions of major point sources in CN. The results show that contributions of major point sources in CN to annual $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations over Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and CN ranged $0.51{\sim}1.63{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.71{\sim}1.62{\mu}g/m^3$, $0.63{\sim}1.66{\mu}g/m^3$, and $1.04{\sim}1.86{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, depending on meteorology and emission inventory choice. It indicates that the contributions over the surrounding areas can be affected by model inputs significantly. Nitrate was the most dominant $PM_{2.5}$ component that was increased by major point sources in CN followed by sulfate, ammonium, and others. Based on the model simulations, it was estimated that primary $PM_{2.5}$ $(PPM)-to-PM_{2.5}$ conversion rates were 41.3~50.7 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 12.4~18.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, respectively. In addition, spatial gradients of PPM contributions show very steep trends. $NO_X$-to-nitrate conversion rates were 7.61~12.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.94~11.3 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the sub-regions in the SMA. $SO_2$-to-sulfate conversion rates were 4.04~5.28 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for CN, and 3.73~4.43 ($10^{-6}{\mu}g/m^3/TPY$) for the SMA, respectively.