• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2020

As society develops rapidly, environmental pollution is becoming a greater risk factor threatening human health. One of the major causes of air pollution that affects human health is particulate matter (PM), which contains a heterogeneous mixture of different particle sizes and chemical compositions. PM is classified by size into general PM (PM₁₀; diameter below 10 ㎛) and fine PM (PM_2.5; diameter below 2.5 ㎛). PM_2.5 can pass through the respiratory tract into the circulatory system and thence throughout the body. PM_2.5 is known to stimulate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses to cells, promoting diseases such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and immunological disorders. Although detailed molecular mechanisms for how PM stimulates disease progression still need to be elucidated, together with national efforts to reduce PM production, significant research has been conducted that demonstrates the harmfulness of PM in disease progression through in vitro and in vivo experiments. This review focuses on the harmfulness of PM in disease progression; we also introduce a biological verification method for determining the hazards of PM.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.415-423
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• 2023

With the increasing attention to environmental pollution caused by particulate matter globally, the automotive industry has also become increasingly interested in particulate matter, especially particulate matter generated by automobile brake systems. Here, we designed a coating composition and analyzed its mechanical properties to reduce particulate matter generated by brake systems during braking of vehicles. We designed a composition to check the mechanical properties change by adding Cr₃C₂ and YSZ to the WC-Ni-Cr composite composition. Based on the designed composition, coating samples were manufactured, and the coating properties were analyzed by Vickers hardness and ball-on-disk tests. As a result of the experiments, we found that the hardness and friction coefficient of the coating increased as the amount of Cr₃C₂ added decreased. Furthermore, we found that the hardness of the coating layer decreased when YSZ was added at 20vol%, but the friction coefficient was higher than the composition with Cr₃C₂ addition.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1096-1104
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• 2015

Particulate $matter_{2.5}$ ($PM_{2.5}$) is notorious for its strong toxic effects on the cardiovascular, skin, nervous, and reproduction systems. However, the molecular mechanism by which $PM_{2.5}$ aggravates disease progression is poorly understood, especially in a water-soluble state. In the current study, we investigated the putative physiological effects of aqueous $PM_{2.5}$ solution on lipoprotein metabolism. Collected $PM_{2.5}$ from Seoul, Korea was dissolved in water, and the water extract (final 3 and 30 ppm) was treated to human serum lipoproteins, macrophages, and dermal cells. $PM_{2.5}$ extract resulted in degradation and aggregation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL); apoA-I in HDL aggregated and apo-B in LDL disappeared. $PM_{2.5}$ treatment (final 30 ppm) also induced cellular uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) into macrophages, especially in the presence of fructose (final 50 mM). Uptake of oxLDL along with production of reactive oxygen species was accelerated by $PM_{2.5}$ solution in a dose-dependent manner. Further, $PM_{2.5}$ solution caused cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblast cells. Microinjection of $PM_{2.5}$ solution into zebrafish embryos induced severe mortality accompanied by impairment of skeletal development. In conclusion, water extract of $PM_{2.5}$ induced oxidative stress as a precursor to cardiovascular toxicity, skin cell senescence, and embryonic toxicity via aggregation and proteolytic degradation of serum lipoproteins.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.315-321
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• 2009

Under-fired charbroiling cooking processes are known as important contributors of particulate matter (PM). In this study, we characterized the emission of particulate matters from under-fired charbroiling cooking processes using the hood method. Accumulated mass concentration of $PM_{10}$ was 92.2~99.5% and particle size of 2.0~2.5 ${\mu}m$ was highest. The concentration of PM increased very sharply at the beginning of charbroiling meats and then gradually decreased as the charbroiling continued. PM concentration also increased very sharply when gravy from meat spilled onto the frame of fire. However, mass concentration during charbroiling using only charcoals was very low compared to that of meats. We estimated the emission factors of charcoal, pork belly and pork shoulder respectively; 0.01~0.02 g/kg, 5.02~6.26 g/kg, 2.86~4.15 g/kg of $PM_{2.5}$, 0.01~0.03 g/kg, 7.44~7.91 g/kg, 4.54~5.56 g/kg of $PM_{10}$, and 0.02~0.05 g/kg, 7.59~7.95 g/kg, 4.93~5.68 g/kg of TSP. The emission factors of charcoal were negligible and the emission factors of pork belly were higher than that of pork shoulder. Emission rates of particulate matters from under-fired charbroiling cooking process were estimated as 578,009~1,265,152 kg/yr of $PM_{2.5}$, 917,539~1,598,619 kg/yr of $PM_{10}$ and 996.358~1,606,703 kg/yr of TSP. But emission factors should be verified with an in-stack cascade impactor because the reported method involves some assumptions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.713-721
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• 2013

This study is about emission characteristics of HAPs and particulate matters emitted by spray of paint and organic solvent usually used in vehicle paint facilities. To analyze emission characteristics of HAPs and particulate matters emitted from vehicle paint facilities are calculated based on the measuring emission quantity of pollutants based on the amount of paint used (kg) and unit area ($m^2$) by paint manufacturers (J company, K company, and R company). In cases of paint manufacturers (J, K, and R), average emission factors of VOCs, carbonyl compound, particulate matter, and PAHs per 1 kg of paint were 327.81 g/kg, 5.98 g/kg, 336.70 g/kg, and 0.0078 g/kg respectively. The average emission factors of VOCs, carbonyl compounds, particulate matters, and PAHs by unit area were $171.55g/m^2$, $3.10g/m^2$, $176.27g/m^2$, and $0.0036g/m^2$ respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.346-354
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• 2014

Objectives: Although a number of epidemiologic studies have examined the association between air pollution and mortality, data limitations have resulted in fewer studies of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ${\leq}2.5{\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). We conducted a time-series study of the acute effects of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ${\leq}10{\mu}m$($PM_{10}$) and $PM_{2.5}$ on the increased risk of death for all causes and cardiovascular mortality in Seoul, Korea from 2006 to 2010. Methods: We applied the generalized additive model (GAM) with penalized splines, adjusting for time, day of week, holiday, temperature, and relative humidity in order to investigate the association between risk of mortality and particulate matter. Results: We found that $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were associated with an increased risk of mortality for all causes and of cardiovascular mortality in Seoul. A $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in the concentration of $PM_{10}$ corresponded to 0.44% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.25-0.63%), and 0.95% (95% CI: 0.16-1.73%) increase of all causes and of cardiovascular mortality. A $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase in the concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ corresponded to 0.76% (95% CI: 0.40-1.12%), and 1.63% (95% CI: 0.89-2.37%) increase of all causes and cardiovascular mortality. Conclusion: We conclude that $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ have an adverse effect on population health and that this strengthens the rationale for further limiting levels of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ in Seoul.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2014

This study focused on the performance of the newly developed hybrid filter system to capture fine particulate matter and mercury compounds in a coal-fired power plant. The hybrid filter system combining bag-filter and electrostatic precipitator had been developed to remove fine particulate matter. However, it would have a good performance to control mercury compounds as well. In Hybrid filter capture system, the total removal efficiency of total mercury compounds consisting of particulate mercury ($Hg_p$), oxidized mercury ($Hg^{2+}$), and elemental mercury ($Hg^0$) was 66.2%. The speciation of mercury compounds at inlet and outlet of Hybrid filter capture system were 1.3% and 0% of $Hg_p$, 85.2% and 68.1% of $Hg^0$, and 13.5% and 31.9% of $Hg^{2+}$, respectively. In hybrid filter capture system injected with 100% of flue-gas, the removal efficiency of total mercury was calculated to increase to 93.5%.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2013

This study was performed to examine the in vitro toxicities which are incurred due to the mobilization metals from standard reference material (SRM) 1648, fine ($PM_{2.5}$), and coarse ($PM_{10}$) particulate matter collected in Seoul metropolitan area. DNA single strand breaks of approximately 74% and 62% for $PM_{2.5}$ and for $PM_{10}$, respectively, were observed in the presence of chelator (EDTA or citrate)/reductant (ascorbate), as compared to the control by 2% without chelator or reductant. $PM_{2.5}$ induced about 40% more carbonyl formation with proteins in the presence of EDTA/ascorbate than $PM_{10}$. Therefore, more damage to biomolecules was incurred upon exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ than to $PM_{10}$. The treatment of a specific chelator, desferrioxamine, to the reaction mixture containing chelator plus reductant decreased the extent of damage to DNA to the level of the control, but did not substantially decrease the extent of damage to proteins. This suggests that different arrays of metals were involved in the oxidation of DNA and proteins.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2017

Objectives: This on-site study was performed to evaluate the reduction efficiency of an air cleaner on particulate matters and biological agents in a swine facility. Materials and Methods: Particulate matter was measured using a real-time monitoring recorder and biological agents were sampled with a one-stage impactor and then analyzed based on the microbial culture method. An experimental process for the reduction effect on airborne pollutants through air cleaner operation consisted of three conditions: no treatment, wet scrapper by water spray and wet scrapper by disinfectant spray. Results: Geometric mean levels of particulate matter(TSP, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_1$) were presented at $1,608{\mu}g/m^3$, $1,373.8{\mu}g/m^3$, $401.8{\mu}g/m^3$ and $144.5{\mu}g/m^3$ for no treatment; $1,503{\mu}g/m^3$, $1,017{\mu}g/m^3$, $159.4{\mu}g/m^3$ and $69.8{\mu}g/m^3$ for wet scrapper by water spray; and $1,222.17{\mu}g/m^3$, $477.17{\mu}g/m^3$, $33.2{\mu}g/m^3$ and $11.1{\mu}g/m^3$ for wet scrapper by disinfectant spray, respectively. In the case of biological agents, the geometric averaged concentrations of total airborne bacteria and fungi were as follows: $45,371cfu/m^3$ and $13,474cfu/m^3$ for no treatment, $43,286cfu/m^3$ and $8,610cfu/m^3$ for wet scrapper by water spray, and $2,440cfu/m^3$ and 1,867 cfu/ for wet scrapper by disinfectant spray, respectively. Regardless of particulate matter and biological agent, the highest concentrations were found for no treatment, while the lowest concentrations were found with wet scrapper by disinfectant spray. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained from this on-site evaluation, there was a significant reduction effect on particulate matter and biological agents through the application of an air cleaner in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.497-504
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• 2023

In this study, Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) + Diesel particulate filter (DPF) system was installed on a ship with a low-speed engine to conduct the on-board test. The target ship (2,881 gross tons, rated power 1,470 kW@240 rpm ×1) is a general cargo ship sailing in the coastal area. Drawing development, approvals and temporary survey of the ship were performed for the installation of the after-treatment system. For performance evaluation, the gaseous emission analyzer was used according to the NOx technical code and ISO-8178 method of measurement. The particulate matter analyzer used a smoke meter to measure black carbon, as discussed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Tests were conducted using MGO (0.043%) and LSFO (0.42%) fuels according to the sulfur content. The test conditions were selected by considering the engine rpm (130, 160 and 180). Gaseous emission and particulate matter (smoke) were measured according to the test conditions to confirm the reduction efficiency of the after treatment system. The results of NOx emission and particulate matter (smoke) revealed that reduction efficiency was more than 90%. The exhaust pressure met the allowable back pressure (less than 50 mbar). This study confirms the importance of the on-board test and the potential of SCR + DPF systems as a response technology for reducing nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.