• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2002

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) increases the risk of lung cancer and other diverse health effect for nonsmokers. Health risk assessment of nonsmokers related to ETS exposure requires large and exact data of ETS exposure to nonsmokers. This study presented the data of ETS exposure to workers at three category of restaurants(Korean restaurant, coffee shop, wine shop) in Seoul. Markers of ETS exposure measured in this study were area and personal NO$_2$, area and urine nicotine, area respiratory suspended particulate(RSP) and urine cotinine. The mean concentration of RSP and nicotine of all restaurant indoor samples was 177.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥(range:75.3~317.0$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥) and 7.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥(range:0~57.3$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥). The mean concentration of urine cotinine measured for the biomarker of ETS exposure was 77.3ng/mL(range:17.3~174.6ng/mL). In all measurements, the concentration of ETS markers at the wine shop was higher than those at other restaurants. The correlation coefficient among the ETS markers measured in the study was significant between area RSP and nicotine concentration and between area NO$_2$and nicotine concentration.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.5 s.81
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• pp.353-357
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• 2004

The purpose of this research is to characterize formaldehyde as trace toxic air pollutant in the underground spaces in Gyungnam province. Air samples of formaldehyde were taken in the three underground spaces for ten months from April 2003 to January 2004. The IAQ(Indoor Air Quality) of underground spaces were controled using central ventilation(supply/exhaust) system. The levels of GM of airborne formaldehyde concentrations in three sampling spaces were well below applicable standards, Korean Ministry of Environment, 0.1 ppm. However, some sample of airborne formaldehyde concentrations in underground spaces 'B' and 'C' were in excess of standard, due to the commercial products in shop, structural material, and the climate having high humidity and temperature. There are statistical differences in levels of formaldehyde by sampling spaces (p=0.086).

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.21 no.1 s.59
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• pp.58-65
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• 2006

This study is measured in at ozone concentrated places in school and outside of school where places that use copy machine and the others do not use one. Library copy room, Search room, Y-Copy, J-copy, R-shop are the places using copy machines and Search room, K-apt, J-billiard hall are the opposite. The measurement was held three times a day-the morning, the afternoon and the evening-once for each at indoor and outdoor. 8 places were lower than domestic ozone concentration standard(0.06ppm). The indoor ozone concentration average was the highest in Search room of school and was the lowest in Library restroom. The outdoor ozone concentration average was the highest in J-billiard hall.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2009

A lesser degree of research is available with respect to indoor radon characteristics associated with occupants' exposure. The present study evaluated the radon levels in several public-access buildings or underground facilities, and their temporal variation in underground facilities. Radon measurements were conducted in 2005 and 2006, utilizing a continuous radon detector. A solid alpha detector (RAD7) was utilized to measure indoor radon levels. The mean radon concentrations obtained from the building or facilities were in a descending order: platforms of Daegu subway line 2, 2005 (32 $Bq/m^3$), hot-air bathroom (14 $Bq/m^3$), basement of office building (14 $Bq/m^3$), underground parking garage (14 $Bq/m^3$), underground shop (12 $Bq/m^3$), nursery (10 $Bq/m^3$), platforms of Daegu subway line 2, 2006 (9.0 $Bq/m^3$), platforms of Daegu subway line 1, 2006 (8.9 $Bq/m^3$), supermarket (7.9 $Bq/m^3$), hospital (7.3 $Bq/m^3$), and second-floor of office building (5.7 $Bq/m^3$). In general, underground-level facilities exhibited higher radon levels as compared with ground-level facilities. It was suggested that ventilation is an important parameter regarding the indoor levels of a subway. There was a decreasing or increasing trend in hourly-radon levels in a subway, whereas no trend were observed in a basement of office building. In addition, the radon levels in the subway lines 1 and 2 varied according to the platforms. The radon levels in the present study were much lower than those of previous studies. The average annual effective dose (AED) of radiation from indoor radon exposure was estimated to be between 0.043 and 0.242 mSv/yr, depending on facility types. These AEDs were substantially lower than the worldwide average AED (2.4 mSv/yr).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the generating characteristics of VOCs and the exposure effect to chemicals among laundry workers and to identify the current status of occupational safety and health through health check-ups. Methods: During the six-month period from April to September 2015, this study quantitatively measured seven VOCs in ten laundries and carried out health examinations on 35 workers. Results: Comparing the monitoring results for the ten laundries, they were classified into three groups by ventilation system, dry-cleaning and size of shop. The average concentration of toluene, chlorobenzene, xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, styrene and TCE were 23.9, 15.6, 5.5, 2.8, 0.9, 0.3 and $1.3{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. During dry-cleaning, VOC concentrations were 1.3-8.9 times higher than usual. On the other hand, at night the concentrations of toluene, chlorobenzene, xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, styrene and TCE were 64.3, 41.5, 12.2, 6.3, 1.1, 1.2 and $6.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The health checkup results for the 35 workers showed that 13 workers were diagnosed as normal, while 22 workers were diagnosed as requiring continuous monitoring or re-checkup of liver and hematogenous functions. Conclusions: Although the results of exposure evaluation to VOCs did not exceed reference value and items had a low correlation with health checkup items, it is necessary to improve indoor air quality due to VOC volatilization from clothes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2011

Under the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Promotion Act, smoking areas in coffee shops in Korea should be divided off from other areas. The effect on indoor air quality of different division types for smoking areas was evaluated. Using real-time monitors, fine particulate matter <2.5 ${\mu}m$ in diameter ($PM_{2.5}$) concentrations were measured simultaneously in the smoking and non-smoking areas of 30 coffee shops in Seoul. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in smoking and non-smoking areas were 132 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and 52 ${\mu}g/m^3$, respectively; significantly different. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking areas were 39 ${\mu}g/m^3$ in the glass-wall type and 64 ${\mu}g/m^3$ in the separate-floor type. These $PM_{2.5}$ levels were above the US national ambient air quality standard of 35 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Although indoor $PM_{2.5}$ levels in non-smoking areas were reduced by the division, the rates of reduction were not significantly different by division type. Our results demonstrated that $PM_{2.5}$ from smoking areas can infiltrate into non-smoking areas. Therefore, a complete indoor smoking ban in coffee shops is the only way to protect customers and workers in non-smoking areas.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.65-76
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate economical ventilation effectiveness to reduce hazardous materials exposure and damage of workers by analyzing exposure amount of noxious substances under various ventilation conditions of nail salon for indoor environments. Research design, data, and methodology - This study was carried out with cooperation of Nail shop located in SeongNam city to involve an analysis of the environmental impact indoor air quality, pollutant exposure and economical cost-effectiveness in the nail workplace. The hazardous substances were PM-10(Particulate Matter-10㎛), VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds) and Formaldehyde, which are the major materials of nail workplace. Results - PM-10 is reduced by about 60% with air cleaner, forced artificial ventilation by 32%, and natural ventilation by about 12%. TVOCs and Formaldehyde showed similar efficiency (80~100%) after natural ventilation and ventilation after 60 minutes. The removal efficiencies of VOCs and formaldehyde were similar to those of natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation system. However, in case of dust, natural ventilation was reduced by artificial ventilation system due to inflow of external dust during natural ventilation. Conclusions - If the pollution degree of outdoor air is not high, air volume is high, and natural ventilation is performed when the air conditioning and heating system is not operated. Even at the end of the work, it keeps operating for 60 minutes to remove the pollutants generated. Results of this analysis demonstrated that the worker environment can be improved by adopting institutional legislation and guidelines for ventilation.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.16 no.2 s.61
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• pp.13-23
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• 2007

This paper has focused on comprehending the interior designs and characteristics of modern department stores in Korea by looking into the birth and changes of those built under the Japanese Forced Occupation Period. The first modem department stores including Mitsukoshi, Georgia and Hwashin Department Stores began to appear in Korea under the Japanese Colonial Rule. They considered a variety of architectural elements like construction planning, shop arrangement, path of customer movement and interior design. The interior of modem department stores aimed to pursue the so-called modernization movement, but failed to fully contain the unique characteristics of the times in that particular period. Modem department stores took on new western styles prevailed in Korea and were characterized by the eclecticism in which various architectural forms exist together. In other words, their interiors implied a sign of the times in the confusing and corrupt world then. Especially those modern department stores were designed, repaired and extended by foreign designers who were ignorant of the history of Korean architecture. What is worse, their further remodelling practices made big mistakes by considering only functional and economical aspects and giving a back seat to the architectural and historical value of existing modern department stores. Therefore, we should make more efforts to study and conserve the fundamentals of modem architectures like modem department stores in order to have better understanding of the aesthetic value of indoor space and facilitating smooth communication between past and present.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3659-3665
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• 2015

Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking has becoming popular especially among young people worldwide. Smokers are attracted by its sweeter, smoother smoke, social ambience and the misconception of reduced harm. The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of waterpipe tobacco policies and practices in reducing its prevalence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted electronically using the PubMed, OVID, Science Direct, Proquest and Embase databases. All possible studies from 1980 to 2013 were initially screened based on titles and abstracts. The selected articles were subjected to data extraction and quality rating. Results: Three studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for this review. Almost all of the waterpipe tobacco products and its accessories did not comply with the regulations on health warning labelling practices as stipulated under Article 11 of WHO FCTC. In addition, the grisly new warning labels for cigarettes introduced by Food and Drug Administration did not affect hookah tobacco smoking generally. Indoor air quality in smoking lounges was found to be poor and some hookah lounges were operated without smoke shop certification. Conclusions: Our findings revealed the availability of minimal information on the practices in controlling waterpipe smoking in reducing its prevalence. The lack of comprehensive legislations or practices in controlling waterpipe smoking warrants further research and policy initiatives to curb this burgeoning global epidemic, especially among the vulnerable younger population.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.329-337
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• 2017

A major concern regarding most auto-repair shops in residential areas is the emission of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the local atmosphere, especially during painting operations. VOCs contribute to poor local air quality and are responsible for the perceived odor and discomfort experienced by local residents. Sixteen major VOCs (6 aromatic hydrocarbons and 10 aliphatic carbonyl compounds) were selected as potential target compounds. The site was an auto-repair shop located in a central region of Seoul, South Korea, where the air quality of the site has been a subject of residents' complaints. The sampling points were as follows: 1) in the painting booth with new (NB) or old (OB) removal system, (2) in the exhaust duct after new (ND) or old (OD) odor removal filter, and (3) 2 m below the discharge vent (4 m above the ground) (outdoor air, OA). Each sample was coded: (1) before painting (BP), (2) during painting (DP), and (3) after painting (AP). The toluene level in the duct with the new removal filter during painting (ND-DP) was 1.5 ppm (v/v), while it was 3.8 ppm (v/v) in the right duct with an old removal filter during painting (OD-DP). Accordingly, the effect of filter replacement was reflected by differences in VOC levels. Therefore, accurate monitoring of odorous VOCs is an important step to reduce odor nuisance from local sources.