• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2008

The spatial limitations of urban environments in general lead to invention and design of a wide range of underground transportation systems such as subways, underground roads and paths, etc. Among them, the application of subway systems in metropolitan cities is most commonly observed to ease those confronted difficulties on this purpose. It in turn leaves passengers and workers to be exposed to indoor air potentially polluted by various sources existing in this underground environment. Specifically when considering the IAQ in a subway station, there exist many IAQ-related parameters to be counted either as individual or as integrated exposures. In this study, a model system has been developed to manage the general IAQ in a subway station. Field survey and $CO_2$ measurements were initially conducted to analyze and understand the relationship between the indoor and outdoor air quality while considering the internal pollution sources such as passengers, subway trains, etc. The measurement data were then employed for the model development with other static information. For the model development, the algorithm of simple continuity was built and applied to model the subway IAQ concerned. In this paper, the recent updated draft version of model developed will be reported and demonstrated.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.410-424
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• 2021

Background: Subway stations have the characteristics of being located underground and are a representative public-use facility used by an unspecified number of people. As concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ) increase, various management measures are being implemented. However, there are few systematic studies and cases of long-term continuous measurement of underground station air quality. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze changes and factors influencing IAQ in subway stations through real-time continuous long-term measurement using IoT-based IAQ sensing equipment, and to evaluate the IAQ improvement effect of a bio-filter system. Methods: The IAQ of a subway station in Seoul was measured using IoT-based sensing equipment. A bio-filter system was installed after collecting the background concentrations for about five months. Based on the data collected over about 21 months, changes in indoor air quality and influencing factors were analyzed and the reduction effect of the bio-filter system was evaluated. Results: As a result of the analysis, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO₂ increased during rush hour according to the change in the number of passengers, and PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were high when a PM warning/watch was issued. There was an effect of improving IAQ with the installation of the bio-filter system. The reduction rate of a new-bio-filter system with improved efficiency was higher than that of the existing bio-filter system. Factors affecting PM_2.5 in the subway station were the outdoor PM_2.5, platform PM_2.5, and the number of passengers. Conclusions: The IAQ in a subway station is affected by passengers, ventilation through the air supply and exhaust, and the spread of particulate matter generated by train operation. Based on these results, it is expected that IAQ can be efficiently improved if a bio-filter system with improved efficiency is developed in consideration of the factors affecting IAQ and proper placement.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.184-191
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• 2014

Air quality in a subway tunnel has been crucial in most of the subway environments where IAQ could be affected by many factors such as the number of passengers, the amount and types of ventilation, train operation factors and other facilities. A modeling approach has been introduced to manage the general IAQ in a subway station. Field surveys and $CO_2$ measurements were initially conducted to analyze and understand the relationship between indoor and outdoor air quality while considering internal pollution sources, such as passengers and subway trains, etc. The measurement data were then employed for the model development with other statistical information. For the model development, the algorithm of simple continuity was set up and applied to model the subway IAQ concerned, while considering the major air transport through staircases and tunnels. Monitored $CO_2$ concentration on the concourse and platform were correlated with modeling results where the correlation values for the concourse and platform were $R^2=0.96$ and $R^2=0.75$, respectively. It implies that the box modeling approach introduced in this study would be beneficial to predict and control the indoor air quality in subway environments.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.324-325
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• 2005

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.5 s.92
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• pp.387-397
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of indoor air quality(IAQ) in 91 public facilities from September 2004 to March 2005 in the Honam province(Chonnam, Gwangju). The measured air pollutants are $PM_{10}$, formaldehyde(HCHO), CO, $CO_{2}$ and total suspended bacteria(TSB), the maintenance standard materials of IAQ management law established by ministry of environment in Korea(MOE). We also surveyed establishment and operation of ventilation equipment. It was measured $1.2m{\sim}1.5m$ on the floor between 8 o'clock AM and 7 o'clock PM. As the result, $PM_{10}$ and CO was showed the highest concentration, $188.89{\mu}g/m^{3}$, 8.67 ppm, at the indoor parking. The concentration of HCHO was the highest in large store and steamer room. The concentration was respectively $118.70{\mu}g/m^{3}\;and\;113.21{\mu}g/m^{3}$. The concentration of $CO_{2}$ was the highest at the reading room of the library on the condition of natural ventilation. The concentration of $CO_{2}$ was 1,816 ppm and higher than the IAQ standards established by MOE. The TSB was just measured in the hospital and silver town. It was the highest at the admission room of hospital. The concentration of TSB was $766CFU/m^{3}$. The public facilities of this study were not exceed each maintenance standards except $CO_{2}$ but it was surveyed that the management will be needed about some air pollutant according to target facilities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.273-278
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of distribution for airborne bio aerosol in 11 public facilities in Seoul from June to July. The collected samples are total suspended bacteria in indoor and outdoor Anderson six stage air sampler by the IAQ standard method of Ministry of Environment in Korea. The concentration of total suspended bacteria in the theater higher than IAQ standards. As the results of the survey, the most high indoor air mean concentration of bacteria $1273CFU/m^3$ was theater and the most high outdoor air mean concentration of bacteria $^229 CFU/m3$was Kindergarten. The mean concentration of bacteria in the theater was higher than the IAQ standards established by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Moreover, this study was for investigation a part of indoor air pollution condition in public facilities. It means that this study can't represent fDr all of public facilities. Therefore, we suggest that long and middle term country plan for management of IAQ should be established through long-term and continuous investigation of IAQ condition. Also above consideration in mind, it is suggest that the research for source contribution of the results on these need further study.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-108
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• 2018

Schools are one of the critical social infrastructures in a society, the first place for social activity and the most important indoor environment for children besides the home. Poor IAQ in classrooms can increase the chance of long-term and short-term health problems for students and staffs; affects productivity of teachers; and degrade the student learning environment and comfort levels. The primary objective of this paper is to review and summarize available scientific evidence on indoor air quality of schools and related health effects in children. It was found that the indoor air pollutant levels in school buildings varied over a wide range in different parts of the world depending on site characteristics, climatic conditions, outdoor pollution levels, occupant activities, ventilation type and building practices. Among the indoor air pollutants, particulate matter concentrations were found to be very high in many schools. Outdoor pollutant sources also play a major role in affecting the IAQ of the school building. Hence, scientific knowledge on sources of indoor pollutants, quantification of emissions, temporal and spatial dispersion of pollutants, toxicological properties, chemical and morphological characteristics of the pollutants and associated health risk among children in the school buildings are essential to evaluate the adequacy and cost effectiveness of control strategies for mitigating the IAQ issues.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.876-887
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• 2006

Recently, there have been a large number of remodeling (or renovation) works in old buildings in urban areas. Compared to new buildings, environmental risk might be more significant in such buildings where remodeling works are going on, since some parts of the building may still be in service for people. This study was carried out to investigate the impacts of remodeling works on the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a large building (a 22 stories university library). Indoor air monitoring was conducted during and after the remodeling works every two weeks for a one year period, and target compounds included BTEX, styrene, TVOC, carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. $CO,\;CO_2,\;PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$. Overall, the IAQ appeared to be recovered within two months after the remodeling works. However, in some places, concentrations of formaldehyde, toluene, xylene. and ethylbenzene showed higher levels even after works than those during the works. The results indicate that painting, glues and office furnitures are major sources of aromatic VOCs and formaldehyde. Therefore, in order to decrease the concentrations of toxic VOCs, the use of environmental-friendly building materials is strongly recommended during the remodeling works. In addition, IAQ control and management scheme (for example, baking the inside of the building) should be taken into consideration before reopening the buildings.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.397-407
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate human health risk assessment of indoor air pollutants at small-sized public-use facilities (e.g., daycare centers, hospital and elderly care facilities) that the susceptible population is mainly used. Methods: To assess indoor air quality (IAQ), the concentrations of indoor air contaminants such as HCHO, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, PM-10, CO, $NO_2$ and $O_3$ in air samples were measured according to the Indoor Air Quality Standard Method. By conducting the questionnaire survey, the major factors influencing IAQ were identified. Human health risk assessment was carried out in the consideration of type of use (user and worker) at 75 daycare centers, 34 hospitals and 40 elderly care facilities. Results: As a result of measurement of indoor air contaminants, the average concentration of HCHO and TVOCs in hospitals was higher than daycare centers and elderly care facilities, about 8.8 and 23.5% of hospitals were exceeded by IAQ standard. In human health risk assessment, for the user of daycare centers and elderly care facilities, the mean carcinogenic risk of HCHO inhalation was higher than acceptable value. Except for HCHO, other values were determined under acceptable risk. Similarly, for the worker of hospitals, the mean carcinogenic risk of HCHO inhalation was higher than acceptable value and other values were evaluated under acceptable risk. In contrast, the risk levels of other contaminants measured in elderly care facilities were acceptable. In the determination of factors influencing IAQ, the construction year, building type, ventilation time, and the use of air cleaner were identified. Conclusions: This study provides the information for establishing the plans of public health management of IAQ at small-sized public-use facilities that have not yet been placed under the regulation. The findings suggest the consideration of human health risk assessment results for the IAQ standards.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.444-456
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• 2020

Objectives: This study developed an index for the indoor air quality management of city buses to allow the provision of indoor air quality information to city bus users. Methods: Nine city buses in Seoul were measured for PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO₂, temperature, and relative humidity through IoT sensors. Big data collected through the sensors was analyzed to identify indoor air quality on city buses and graded through the index. Results: As a result of dividing the measured city bus data into five grades through the IAQ index, PM₁₀ was rated "good" for 30.4% of the total measured values, and 9.2% were rated "risky". For PM_2.5, 67.7 percent were rated "good" and 0.4 percent were rated "risky". For CO₂, 0.9% were 'good' and 1.1% were 'risky'. The results of the classification through the IAQ index for city buses showed that the impact of good, normal, sensitive, bad, and dangerous were 2.7, 38.8, 46.0, 12.4, and 0.1%, respectively. According to the analysis by measurement area, Seocho-gu, Gangnam-gu, Seongdong-gu, Gwangjin-gu, and Dobong-gu are "normal" and other areas (Seodaemoon-gu, Jongno-gu, Yongsan-gu, Jung-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Junggye-gu, Gangbuk-gu, and Nowon-gu) are all rated "sensitive". Conclusions: When analyzing cases where PM₁₀ and CO₂ indices are in the "bad" zone, the concentration is generally found to increase during rush hour, during which there are a large number of passengers. It is expected that indoor air quality management in vehicles will be necessary during rush hour.