• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.2 s.57
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• pp.185-188
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• 2007

PM10 and PM2.5 in ambient air were collected in Seongbuk-gu area of Seoul for one year, from April 2005 to February 2006, and the concentration of PM-bound mercury was monitored. The annual concentrations of particles were $66.4{\pm}43.2{\mu}g/m^3\;(47.6{\pm}19.1{\mu}g/m^3-106.1{\pm}78.0{\mu}g/m^3)$ in PM10 and $37.2{\pm}20.4{\mu}g/m^3\;(28.0{\pm}23.4{\mu}g/m^3{\sim}42.7{\pm}21.4{\mu}g/m^3)$ in PM2.5, which is about 56% of PM10 concentration. The annual average concentrations of mercury were $0.125{\pm}0.078ng/m^3\;in\;PM10\;and\;0.141{\pm}0.080ng/m^3$ in PM2.5, respectively. In April of Asian dust season in Korea, mercury showed the highest concentration in both PM10 and PM2.5.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.193-196
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• 2004

To evaluate the acute effects of fine particles on pulmonary function, a longitudinal study was conducted. This study was carried out for the schoolchildren (3rd and 6th grades) living in Beijing, China. Children were asked to record their daily levels of peak expiratory flow rate using portable peak flow meter (mini-Wright) for 40 days. The relationship between daily PEFR and fine particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, height, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and daily average temperature and relative humidity as extraneous variables. The total number of students participating in this longitudinal study was 87. Daily measured PEFR was in the range of $253{\sim}501L/min$. On the daily basis, a PEFR measured in the morning was shown to be lower than that measured in the evening (or afternoon). The daily mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ over the study period were $180.2\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $103.2\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The IQR (inter-quartile range) of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were $91.8\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $58.0\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Daily mean PEFR was regressed with the 24-hour average $PM_{10}$ (or $PM_{2.5}$) levels, weather information such as air temperature and relative humidity, and individual characteristics including gender, height, and respiratory symptoms. The analysis showed that the increase of fine particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEFR. The IQR increments of $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}$ (at 1-day time lag) were also shown to be related with 1.54L/min (95% Confidence intervals -2.14, -0.94) and 1.56L/min (95% CI -2.16, -0.95) decline in PEFR.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.751-765
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• 2017

This research investigates the characteristics of meteorological variation and fine particles ($PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$) for case related to the haze occurrence (Asian dust, long range transport, stationary) in Busan. Haze occurrence day was 559 days for 20 years (from 1996 to 2015), haze occurrence frequency was 82 days (14.7%) in March, followed by 67 days (12.0%) in February and 56 days (10.0%) in May. Asian dust occurred most frequently in spring and least in winter, whereas haze occurrence frequency was 31.5% in spring, 29.7% in winter, 21.1% in fall, and 17.7% in summer. $PM_{10}$ concentration was highest in the occurrence of Asian dust, followed by haze and haze + mist, whereas $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was highest in the occurrence of haze. These results indicate that understanding the relation between meteorological phenomena and fine particle concentration can provide insight into establishing a strategy to control urban air quality.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.182-193
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• 2017

In order to examine the variation characteristics of chemical compositions in relation to the inflow pathways of Asian dust, $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ aerosols were collected at Gosan site of Jeju Island during the Asian dust days between 2010 and 2015, and their chemical compositions were analyzed. The mean mass concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ during Asian dust days were $130.0{\pm}90.2$ and $38.2{\pm}24.7{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The composition ratios of major secondary pollutants ($nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$) were high as 53.7 % for $PM_{10-2.5}$ and 90.6 % for $PM_{2.5}$. When the Asian dusts had been transported to the Korean Peninsula via Loess Plateau of central China, the concentrations of $nss-Ca^{2+}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $nss-SO_4{^{2-}}$, and $NO_3{^-}$ increased more noticeably. Whereas in case when the inflow pathways of Asian dust had been through the Bohai bay, the concentrations of the crustal species such as Al, Fe, and Ca were relatively high in coarse particles. The atmospheric aerosols were acidified largely by sulfuric and nitric acids. They were neutralized mainly by calcium carbonate in coarse particle mode passed through Manchuria area, but by ammonia in fine particle mode passed through Loess plateau and Bohai bay. Ammonium salts are assumed to exist as ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate in coarse particles, but mostly as ammonium sulfate in fine particles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.216-225
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• 2003

Fine particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 ${\mu}m$ (PM2.5) were collected from three sites in Beijing during April, August, and November 2000 and January 2001. After chemical components in samples are analyzed, a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model using PARs as tracers is applied to quantify the source contributions to PM2.5 in Beijing. The results show that the major sources are coal combustion, fugitive dust, vehicle exhaust, secondary sulfate and nitrate, and organic matter while biomass burning and construction dust contribute only a small fraction. In addition, source inventory in Beijing is used to determine the primary source contributions. The two methods result in comparable results. Source apportionment at three sampling sites presents similar contributions to PM2.5 although the sites are far away from each other. However, distinct seasonal pattern is presented for the source contributions from coal combustion, fugitive dust, biomass burning, secondary sulfate and nitrate.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2012

The biological activity of particles is largely dependent on their size in biological systems. Dispersion in the aqueous phase has been both a critical impediment to and a prerequisite for particle studies. Carbon black has been used as a surrogate to investigate the biological effects of carbonaceous particles. Here, biocompatible methods were established to disperse carbon black into ultrafine and fine particles which are generally distinguished by the small size of 100 nm. Carbon black with a distinct particle size, N330 and N990 were suspended in blood plasma, cell culture media, Krebs-Ringer's solution (KR), or physiological salt solution (PSS). Large clumps were observed in all dispersion preparations; however, sonication improved dispersion - averaged particle sizes for N330 and N990 were $85.0{\pm}42.9$ and $112.4{\pm}67.9$ nm, respectively, in plasma; the corresponding sizes in culture media were $84.8{\pm}38.4$ and $164.1{\pm}77.8$ nm. However, sonication was not enough to disperse N330 less than 100 nm in either KR or PSS. Application of Tween 80 along with sonication reduced the size of N330 to less than 100 nm, and dispersed N990 larger than 100 nm ($73.6{\pm}28.8$ and $80.1{\pm}30.0$ nm for N330 and $349.5{\pm}161.8$ and $399.8{\pm}181.1$ nm for N990 in KR and PSS, respectively). In contrast, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) exhibited little effect. Electron microscopy confirmed the typical aciniform structure of the carbon arrays; however, zeta potential measurement failed to explain the dispersibility of carbon black. The methods established in this study could disperse carbon black into ultrafine and fine particles, and may serve as a useful model for the study of particle toxicity, particularly size-related effects.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.45-56
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate seasonal distributions of fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at three cities. $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected on glass fiber filters at urban (Chuncheon), metropolitan (Seoul), and industrial complex sites (Ulsan) from September, 2002 to February, 2004 using the Andersen FH 95 Particulate Sampler. About five 24-hour samples were collected from each site per season. The filters were analyzed for mass and six selected PAHs concentrations. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were the highest either in winter or spring, which could be attributed to the increase of fossil fuel combustion in winter or the transport of yellow sand to the Korean peninsula from China in spring, respectively. Regional $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in the order of Seoul>Chuncheon>Ulsan without statistical difference among cities. The filters were extracted using dichloromethane in an ultrasonicator and analyzed for six PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene) with HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations were statistically different among seasons in each site, and the highest concentrations were observed in winter at each sampling site. For total samples collected, the median total PAHs concentrations in Chuncheon ($4.6ng/m^3$) and Seoul ($4.4ng/m^3$) were approximately two times higher than that in Ulsan ($2.1ng/m^3$). Chrysene was a component found in the highest proportion among total PAHs at each site. Carcinogenic risks calculated based on the BaP toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) over the whole sampling period were higher in the order of Chuncheon>Seoul>Ulsan. This study suggests that the atmosphere of Chuncheon is contaminated with particulate matter and PAHs at the levels equivalent to those of Seoul and that an appropriate measure needs to be taken to mitigate human health risks from inhalation exposure to airborne fine particles.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.289-292
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• 1999

In recent year, there has been a progressive increase in urban air pollution that is Characterized by high concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM10), resulting primarily from increase of automobils, especially diesel engine powered cars. Although the mechanisms of underling respiratory morbidity due to PM10 are not nuclear, it is thought that the fine particles (PM2.5) are of gratest concern to health since they can be breathed most deeply into the lung, where they are likely to be more toxic than the larger particles.(omitted)

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-112
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• 2000

Elemental carbon(EC) and organic carbon(OC) in fine particles (PM2.5) were collected from October 1995 through August 1996 in the Chongju area. The annual mean concentrations of EC and OC were 4.44 and 4.99 $\mu\textrm{g}$/m3 respectively. EC showed seasonal variation (p<0.01) The magnitude of the seasonal mean EC concen-tration progresses in the following manner : fall>winter>spring>summer. However OC was not statistically seasonal difference(p=0.20) The annual average OC/EC ratio was 1.12 suggesting that organic carbon measured may by emitted directly in particulate form(primary aerosol) The contribution of EC to PM2.5 mass follows a general pattern in which fall(14.6%) > winter (9.8%) >spring(7.8%) =summer(7.8%) and the contribution of OC to the PM2.5 mass varies in order fall(13.8%) >winter(11.3%) >spring(10.5%) >summer (9.4%) Total carbona-ceous particles(EC and OC) accounted for 17-28% of the PM2.5 mass.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 2018

Filter-based sampling techniques are the conventional way to collect particulate matter, but particles collected and entangled in the filter fibers are difficult to be removed and thus not suited for the following cell- and animal-based exposure experiments. Collecting aerosol particles in powder form using a cyclone instead of a filter would be a possible way to solve this problem. We developed a hybrid virtual-impactor/cyclone high-volume fine and coarse particle sampler and assessed its performance. The developed system achieved 50% collection efficiency with components having the following aerodynamic cut-off diameters: virtual impactor, $2.4{\mu}m$; fine-particle cyclone, $0.18-0.30{\mu}m$; and coarse-particle cyclone, $0.7{\mu}m$. The virtual impactor used in our set-up had good $PM_{2.5}$ separation performance, comparable to that reported for a conventional real impactor. The newly developed sampler can collect fine and coarse particles simultaneously, in combination with exposure testing with collected fine- and coarse-particulate matter samples, should help researchers to elucidate the mechanism by which airborne particles result in adverse health effect in detail.