• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

The international concern on the inhalable fine dust is continuing to increase. In addition to the toxic properties of the fine dust itself, it can be more dangerous than other environmental factors since the dust pollution is hard to be detected by human sense. Although the information on outdoor air condition can be acquired easily, the indoor dust concentration is another problem because the indoor air condition is influenced by the architectural environment and human activity. It means occupants may be exposed to indoor dust pollution over a long period without being aware. Therefore the indoor dust concentration should be measured separately and visualized as an intuitive information. By visualizing, the indoor dust concentration in each space can be recognized practically in compare with the degree of pollution in adjacent spaces. Besides the visualization outcome can be used as base data for related research such as an analysis of the relation between indoor dust concentration and architectural environment. Meanwhile, with the development of network and micro sensing devices, it became possible to collect wide range of indoor environment data. In this regards, this paper suggests a system for visualization of indoor dust concentration and demonstrates it on an actual space.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.630-637
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the secular changes in indoor airborne dust or endotoxin levels in the dust from swine confinement buildings. Indoor levels were compared with the level at the exhaust outlet in order to examine the contribution potential of indoor dust to nearby ambient air dust. Methods: Comparisons were made on inhalable and respirable dust levels reported in 2002, 2012, and 2017 from 14, 10, and 36 swine fattening confinement buildings in Korea, respectively. This data was produced by the same research group. Levels of endotoxin adsorbed into inhalable or respirable dust were also compared. Samples of inhalable or respirable dust were collected indoors and at exhaust outlets from 17 swine fattening confinement buildings in 2019, and dust levels were compared between the indoor and the outlet. Results: The outlet inhalable dust level (0.111 mg/㎥) was approximately 19% of that from indoors, and the respirable dust level (0.033 mg/㎥) was approximately 74% of that from indoors. The outlet respirable dust levels were lower than the airborne fine dust levels in the towns where those farms are located. No significant difference was observed in the inhalable dust levels among the years examined, but the respirable dust level in 2017 (0.143 mg/㎥) was significantly lower than in 2002 (0.328 mg/㎥). The level of endotoxin in inhalable dust was significantly higher in 2017 (722 EU/㎥) than in both 2002 (75 EU/㎥) and 2012 (171 EU/㎥). Conclusion: Even though no apparent contribution from swine farm indoor dust to nearby ambient air dust was observed in terms of amount, a certain control strategy to reduce the production of airborne dust and endotoxin from swine farms is merited.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.382-391
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• 2009

The aim of the study was to assess the levels in typical central borough of phthalate exposure by monitoring children's facilities (19 kindergartens and 21 elementary schools) and households (17 old apartments and 22 new apartments) via sampling indoor floor dust. A vacuum cleaner specifically prepared for sampling dust was attached to a filter of a vacuum cleaner dust collecting container. During the sample preparation process, containers made of glass were used and analysis was performed using GC-MSD. The mean concentration of DEHP was $412{\mu}g/g$, DnBP was $24{\mu}g/g$, and BBzP was $10{\mu}g/g$ dust. The indoor characteristics including floor, wall materials, years after construction, water leakage history for the past three years, and ventilation were also examined to categorize phthalate esters from the dust samples. From the flooring and wallpaper materials of kindergartens and elementary schools, DEHP in the dust sample appeared at a statistically significant level (p<0.05) when PVC materials were present. DEHP in the indoor dust also increased significantly (p<0.01) during the construction period. The daily intake of DEHP measured from indoor dust was 0.08~$19.7{\mu}g/kg/day$ for children and 0.02~$1.1{\mu}g/kg/day$ for adults (women). The results clearly revealed that phthalate exposure is greater in children than in adults (women) due to the indoor dust.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2018.11a
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• pp.89-90
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• 2018

In recent years, harmful substances and fine dust in the air are caused by respiratory and cardiovascular diseases through various mechanisms when they are introduced into the human body through respiration, thereby exacerbating human health and causing cancer by prolonged exposure do. In order to prevent such fine dust from being introduced into the room and to improve indoor air quality, improvement of air quality has attracted attention. Among indoor air pollutants, fine dust and CO₂ are pollutants that are directly affected by indoor number and activity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the basic performance of cement matrix using photosynthetic bacteria as a basic study of fine dust and CO₂ adsorption type matrix to suppress indoor air pollution and improve air quality.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.719-723
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• 2006

House dust mite was the most important cause of allergic asthma and rhinitis. More than 70% of Korean children and about 50% of adult with respiratory allergy were sensitive to house dust mite. This experiment was indoor environment in house and house dust mite existence inquiry. From 23rd December 2005 to 28th February 2006, dust samples were collected from the bedclothes by a vacuum cleaner and air sampler And the levels of Der f1 and Der p1 were determined by ELISA((Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The results were as follows : 1 The dust mites allergy contaminations of bedclothes in house were higher than international standards(2000 ng/g). 2. In type of dust mite, the Korean house the almost have the D. farinae other than D. pteronyeeinus of mite. 3. The Der f1 and Der p1 levels per gram of dust from the bedclothes were 2074.99 ng on average, but they did not exist in air. The concentrations of house dust mite were significantly high in the bedclothes. This results suggest that the bedclothes have enough concentrations of dust mites to develop the sensitization. The control of indoor environment should be emphasized to prevent the sensitization by the repeated exposure to dust mite.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the indoor environment i.e. house type and age, ventilation method, use of bed & sofa, cockroach, ants, etc. on HDM (House dust mites), especially Der fI allergen. Method: Samples of dust from mattresses, pillows and the floor were collected by using a vacuum cleaner from April. 2000. The amount of Group I allergen(Der. fI) of HDM (house dust mites) were measured by two-site ELISA. Indoor Environmental characteristics were accessed by using questionnaires on 178 house wives living in the Seoul area. Results: The amount of HDM allergen (Der fI) was higher in sofa using house. There were higher concentrations of HDM allergen (Der fI) in sofas made from quilt material than for those that were made from leather. Homes that had pets like dogs living in them had higher concentrations of HDM allergen (Der fI) than without dogs. Conclusion: The photophobic mites thrive in dark. warm and humid environments; Items such as pillows. mattresses, box springs, blankets. carpets. and upholstered furniture should be considered ideal environments for the mite. Therefore, an indoor environmental control program should be carried out to avoid the HDM allergen.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 1997

Diurnal variation of $PM_{10}$ concentration was investigated for 24 sites in library including reading room, bookstock room, lobby, office and so on, and 9 sites in student building at Kangwon National University using scattering light integrated type digital dust indicator. The dimensional conversion factors for mass concentrations (K) were determined by comparing between the $PM_{10}$ concentrations collected by $PM_{10}$ hig volume air sampler and the digital dust indicator. The dimensional conversion factor (K) was 3.33 for indoor air in this experiment. The highest concentrations were 649 $\mug/m^3$/day for smoking room in the library and 242 $\mug/m^3$/day for circle room in the student building. Most of spaces in the library except a office and bookstock rooms were over 150 $\mug/m^3$/day of $PM_{10}$ concentrations and 6 indoor spaces were over the guideline for indoor air quality in student building except a health center and two restaurants. Therefore, it should be required to make an improvement on the indoor air quaility for public facilities in the university buildings.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.322-331
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• 2024

Background: The increase in population density and human activities due to urbanization and industrialization has led to the release of environmental pollutants through various pathways. These include air, water, and soil and result in environmental contamination. Objectives: This study aimed to conduct exposure and risk assessments for five non-carcinogenic and three carcinogenic heavy metals in indoor dust and sought to propose dust exposure limits for children and adults. Methods: The study collected and analyzed indoor dust from 20 households in Myeodo-dong, Yeosu, between June 28 and 30, 2023. The exposure scenario for indoor dust was assessed for children and adults, calculating inhalation, dermal, and ingestion exposures, followed by a risk assessment categorized into non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic substances. Exposure limits for heavy metals in indoor dust were determined by calculating concentrations where the hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic substances remains below 1 and the total cancer risk (TCR) for carcinogenic substances stays below 1×10^-6. Results: The highest concentration of heavy metals in indoor dust was found for Zn, with a maximum value of 4912.01 ㎍/g, while Cd had the lowest concentration at 0.001 ㎍/g. There were strong positive correlations observed between Cu-Ni (0.590), Mn-Ni (0.706), Co-Zn (0.601), Co-Pb (0.930), Co-Cr (0.961), Zn-Pb (0.728), Zn-Ni (0.611), Zn-Cr (0.709), and Pb-Cr (0.982) (p<0.01). The assessment revealed no significant health risks for the five non-carcinogenic metals, as the HI remained below 1. However, two of the carcinogenic metals (Cd, Ni) exceeded the recommended exposure limits (TCR>1×10^-6). The exposure limits for carcinogenic substances were found to be relatively lower compared to those for non-carcinogenic substances, and children had lower exposure limits than adults. Conclusions: This study focused on Myeodo-dong in Yeosu, a region vulnerable to environmental pollution, assessing the potential health risks and proposing exposure standards for eight heavy metals found in indoor dust. The results showed no significant health risk for the five non-carcinogenic metals (HI<1), while three of the two carcinogenic metals (Cd, Ni) exceeded safe exposure limits (TCR>1×10^-6).

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.44-52
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• 2017

This paper is based on a study of the response characteristics of photoelectric type smoke detector chambers according to dust color. Due to an amendment to the Fire Safety Codes to automatic fire alarm systems and visual alarm device, the installation of indoor smoke detectors has become mandatory, but in Korea there is still insufficient research on the non-operation or false alarms that could arise in indoor environments by indoor dust and other environmental conditions etc. In light of this, for this study, research was conducted on the indoor adaptability of smoke detector under various colors of fiber dust that were judged to occur most frequently in among the common indoor dust, photoelectric smoke detector with the lattice-type smoke detection chamber that the smoke detector which is most popular in the country was used, and four colors of fiber dust (brown, white, gray and black) were used the test dusts for carrying out dust and sensitivity testing. Also, the voltage of the photocell part of the smoke chamber was measured, and the scattering phenomenon in the chamber was observed. The result of the testing showed that all four dust types were suitable for dust and sensitivity testing under conditions of pollution A. Yet, there were occasions, at pollution B or C, where the brown, white and gray dust would cause fail alarm during operation testing. And black dust was confirmed to cause non-operation during operation testing. In the case of brown and white dust, the voltage measurement result of the photocell part of the smoke chamber confirmed that the voltage increases as the pollution level increases, and in the case of gray and black dust, the voltage decreases.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.495-503
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• 2000

Dust samples were collected from 17 middle and high schools in the Jeonju-city. heavy metal concentrations were determined for the dry-deposited dusts from indoor and outdoor of classroom and playground of each sampling site. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in indoor\`s dusts were highly concentrated. Also heavy metal concentrations in outdoor\`s dusts were similar to that of indoor\`s dusts. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn in the dusts were much higher than the world average contents in soil and environmental orientation value. These levels are similar to those of the dust samples at middle schools located at Kangseo-gu and Yangchon-gu , Seoul. Playground dusts in 6 schools exhibited the enhanced heavy metal pollution with a pollution index (by Kloke) greater than 1.0. Most indoor and outdoor dusts exhibited the enhanced heavy metal pollution with a pollution index(by Cullbard et al.) greater than 1.0.