• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aquatic plant as a botanical air purification on the indoor air pollution by formaldehyde. Three aquatic plants such as Eichhornia crassipes, Cyperus alternifolius, Echinodorus cordifolius, were selected for this study and they were placed in the artificially contaminated chamber under laboratory condition. The results showed that all three plants could remove the formaldehyde from the contaminated air system effectively. Reduction in the formaldehyde levels by Eichhornia crassipes, which is the floating plant, might be associated with the factors of plant and water. Reduction in the formaldehyde levels by Cyperus helferi and Echinodorus cordifolius, which were emergent plant, was due to the complex effect of plant, soil medium and water. In aquatic plant system, dissolution, microbial degradation in rhizosphere, uptake through root and shoot, sorption to soil and shoot, hydrolysis are known as the main mechanisms of water soluble pollutants in the given system. The advantages of indoor air quality control system using aquatic plants can be; 1) various purifying mechanisms than foliage plants, 2) effective for decontamination of water soluble pollutants; 3) easy for maintenance; 4) diverse application potential. Therefore it was suggested from the results that indoor air control system of aquatic plants should be more effective for reduction of indoor air pollutants.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.179-194
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• 2021

Background and objective: Plant-based biofilter system has become a promising candidate for improving indoor air quality due to its eco-friendly and sustainable nature. However, it remains controversial whether indoor air purification using a biofilter is effective. Methods: This study used the one-group pre- and post-test design to analyze the effects of the operation of the plant-based biofilter system on indoor air quality, students' perception of indoor air quality, health effects, and subjective and objective attentiveness. Results: Results of this study show that the application of the plant-based biofilter system changed the air environment in the classroom. The operation of the plant-based biofilter system significantly decreased PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ and slightly increased temperature and humidity. Satisfaction with air quality and subjective attentiveness were significantly improved but objective attentiveness and health effects were not improved. Conclusion: Further studies need to be conducted for improving indoor air quality of schools and evaluating the health effects and attention of occupants to present the objective performance of the plant-based biofilter system.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.89-95
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• 2021

As the influence of fine dust on society spreads gradually, the public's interest in indoor air is increasingly rising. Air-purifying plants are drawing keen attention due to their natural purifying function enabled by plant physiology. However, as their fine dust reduction mechanism is limited to adsorption only, vegetation bio-filters that optimize purification effects through integration with air-conditioning systems is rising as an alternative. In accordance with the relevant standard test methods, this study looked into the fine dust reduction assessment method by air-conditioning airflow volume that can be used for the industrial spread of vegetation bio-filters. In the case of PM₁₀ at 300 ㎍/m³, it was in the order of EG-B(3,500CMH, 29 min.) < EG-A (2,500CMH, 37 min.) < CG(0CMH, 64 min.) for reaching the maintenance level (100 ㎍/m³) of publicly used facilities. For reaching the WHO Guideline(50 ㎍/m³) requirement, it was in the order of EG-B (51 min.) < EG-A (160 min.) < CG (170 min.). In the case of PM_2.5, it was in the order of EG-B (26 min.) < EG-A (33 min.) < CG (57 min.) for reaching the maintenance level (50 ㎍/m³) of publicly used facilities. It was in the order of EG-B (48 min) < EG-A (140 min) < CG (158 min) for reaching the WHO Guideline (25 ㎍/m³) requirement. The findings from the analysis showed that fine dust can be reduced most efficiently when the system is operated at 3,500CMH level. The limitation of this study is that due to the absence of a way of assessing the stress of plants in vegetation bio-filters, generating optimal air-conditioning air flow of the relevant system and economics analysis against the existing facility-type air purification system have been clarified, which should be explored further though follow-up studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.23 no.4_2
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• pp.583-591
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• 2020

Environmental problems have showen over the past decades due to the rapid development of the world economy and the continued growth of the population. Ocher has been widely used for water treatment research, but few studies have been conducted on adsorption of air pollutants using ocher and porous diatomite earth for indoor air purification. In this study, ocher and diatomite earth were sintered with filters to remove indoor air pollutants. The four types of TMA, H₂S, NH₃ and CH₃COOH were used to study the adsorption efficiency of ocher and porous diatomite filters. With the proper use of ocher, diatomite and copper catalysts, indoor air pollutants could be adsorbed. Alkaline substances (TMA and NH₃) and acidic substances (H₂S and CH₃COOH) were able to adsorb at 120 and 90 minutes, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.665-674
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• 2015

The final goal of this research is to develop a botanical biofiltration system, which combines green interior, biofiltering, and automatic irrigation, which can purify indoor air pollutants according to indoor space and the size of biofilter. The biofilter used in this experiment was designed as an integral form of water metering pump, water tank, blower, humidifier, and multi-level planting space in order to be more suitable for indoor space utilization. This study was performed to compare indoor air quality between the space adjacent to a botanical biofilter and the space away from the biofilter (control) without generation of artificial indoor air pollutants, and to evaluate plant growth depending on multiple floors within the biofilter. Each concentration of indoor air pollutants such as TVOCs, monoxide, and dioxide in the space treated with the biofilter was lower than that of control. Dracaena sanderiana ‘Vitoria’ and Epipremnum aureum ‘N Joy’ also showed normal growth responses regardless of multiple floors within the biofilter. Hence, it was confirmed that the wall-typed botanical biofilter suitable for indoor plants was effective for indoor air purification.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.3-8
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of the Phytofiltration system on the improvement of indoor air quality. Measurement was performed in a full-scale mock up model to examine the purification efficiency of air by plants. Seven species of plants, which were recommended by NASA, were used in measurements. Two species of plants that showed outstanding purifying effects were chosen for further measurements. The measurements were performed according to the positions and amounts of plants. Thermal environment, the concentration of Toluene and Formaldehyde were monitored. Ficus Benjamiana and Aglaonema brevispathum were excellent in diluting the concentration of contaminants. The effect of diluting concentration became better as the amount of plants increased. The reducing effect was the best when the plants were placed near window.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2018.11a
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• pp.16-17
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• 2018

A few years ago, the rapid degradation of domestic air quality has led to the efforts of exhaust gas policy and fine dust mask, but it is not a fundamental measure. In Korea, photocatalyst will be applied to residential and multi-use facilites to purify indoor and outdoor air. Also, in this study, it is tried to produce exposed concrete that is aesthetically pleasing as well as air purification of indoor by combining with light transparent concrete according to the increasing interest in human indoor living environment. For this purpose, we have developed a block formwork for photocatalysis light transparent concrete and established a suitable manufacturing method for on-site construction.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2004

Three methods for VOCs emissions control in indoor air are reduction at the source, ventilation between indoor and outdoor, and removal. The best alternative should be to replace highly emitting sources with sources having low emissions, but the pertinent information on VOCs is not always available from manufactures. Other ways of improving indoor air quality are needed. It is to increase the outside fresh-air flow to dilute the pollutants, but this method would generally provide only a dilution effect without destruction in residence. An ideal alternative to existing technologies would be a chemical oxidation process able to treat large volumes of slightly contaminated air at normal temperature without additional oxidant such as ozone generator and ion generator. Photocatalytic oxidation(PCO) represents such a process. It is characterized by a surface reaction assisted by light radiation inducing the formation of superoxide, hydroperoxide anions, or hydroxyl radicals, which are powerful oxidants. In comparison with other VOCs removal methods, PCO offers several advantages. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibilities for photocatalytic purification of slightly contaminated indoor air by using visible light such as flurescent visible light(FVL). In this study, a PCO of relatively concentrated benzene using common FVL lamps was investigated as batch type and total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) using a common FVL lamp and penetrated sun light over window. The results of this study shown the possibility of TiO$_2$ photocatalyst application in the area of indoor air quality control.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.509-514
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• 2016

From the point of view to prevent airborne infection-related diseases such as H1N1, SARS, and MERS, an actual application of air cleaning and purification systems including technologies like UVGI has become increasingly important. Recently, an air purification system using REME (Reflective Electro Magnetic Energy) developed in the U.S. is applied for indoor air purification and sterilization technology to counteract the outbreak of new airborne infections. In this study, an air sterilization performance experiment using REME was carried out. The results verified that air sterilization performance in the case of installing a REME system in a medical center was 31%, namely the number of floating bacteria decreased by 31% after only a five-day operation. In addition, the number of culture collections in the REME operating air conditioning systems using nonpathogenic Geobacillus stearothemophilus as a biological indicator decreased maximally to 67%. A field application of REME technology will be useful to prevent airborne infection-related diseases, especially in response to public health crises due to the advent of emerging diseases.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Indoor particulate matter(PM) is a carcinogen and needs to be removed and managed. It is generally reduced and removed through ventilation and filtration. Owing to the recent occurrence of high-concentration fine dust and yellow dust in the atmosphere, however, it is difficult to expect the purification of indoor air through the simple introduction of the outside air. For residential buildings, in particular, they are highly dependent on natural ventilation but the lack of natural ventilation is worsening because concerns over the inflow of external pollutants are increasing. Therefore, this study designed and manufactured a window ventilation system that does not require a duct to improve the maintenance and management problems of general ventilation system, and constructed indoor PM concentration change data through performance evaluation.