• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.57-87
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• 2009

Sick House Syndrome(SHS) is the environmental health problem which is difficult to clarify a causal relationship and a responsibility. This paper is focused on a National Environmental Dispute Resolution Commission(NEDRC)'s judgment on SHS and the process of the change of knowledge and policies related to SHS. In the process of the resolving the SHS dispute, NEDRC functioned as a boundary organization, which helps stabilize the boundary between science and policy, and provides space of mutual collaboration and produces boundary objects. NEDRC had necessary characteristics and resources to make scientific knowledge and policies of SHS. First, it was important for SHS to define a problem clearly and to justify the related information whereupon legal authority was effective. In addition, for the procedure of deciding polities, the role of the Ministry of Environment(ME) was essential. However, due to the condition of ME, the discussion of SHS had been limited to the scope of dispute, excluding scientific discussion.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.289-292
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• 2005

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2005

The chief aim of this study is to prepare the rational alternative plan of the environmental friendly intoner design which can improve sick house syndrome of an apartment house and clarify future-development and the method proposal of use activation and point out the present problem depended to investigate development and the use actual condition of domestic environmental friendly interior materials related in-and-outside-the-country example on a foundation about the various precedence researches on environmental friendly interior materials. The study was witten at first the concept of the environmental interior design which leads environmental friendly charactenstics of material, a interior design, and construction, at the first in the conceptual definition of sick house syndrome. and then it was introduced the present condition of domestic environmental interior materials, interior design and construction and an environmental regulation and standard of in-and-outside-the-country In Conclusion, it may try to present comprehensive analysis and an expansive alternative plan.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.255-260
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• 2008

The purposes of this study were to determine the actual state of the indoor air quality by TVOC concentration and residents' responses and to analyze the influencing factors of IAQ in newly built university dormitory. The field measurements on the levels of TVOC and HCHO were carried out three times at an interval of 4 weeks in 3 rooms of a dormitory. The questionnaire survey on the residents that inquired into the lifestyle, the consciousness related to IAQ, and the responses of SHS was fulfilled. According to the results, the level of TVOC was approximately $0.14{\sim}18.5ppm$ and HCHO was $0.23{\sim}6.89ppm$ during 3 month since construction completion, which are seriously in excess of standard level, and seemed to be on the decrease as time goes by. The factors influencing the differences of the levels of TVOC or HCHO were the amount of ventilation including infiltration, heating temperature, relative humidity, or the use of living things including chemical. However, the residents rarely felt the responses of SHS and did not be conscious of the importance of ventilation.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.135-143
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• 2009

The purposes of this study were to determine the actual state of the indoor air quality by measuring TVOC Concentration and surveying residents' responses in a newly built university dormitory and to analyze the influencing factors of IAQ. Field measurements on the concentrations of TVOC and HCHO were carried out three times at 4 week intervals in 3 rooms of a dormitory. A questionnaire survey was conducted on residents which inquired into the resident's lifestyle, their consciousness of IAQ, and the responses to SHS. According to the results, TVOC concentrations were 0.14~18.5 ppm and HCHO concentrations were 0.23~6.89 ppm during the 3 months following the completion of construction, showing a serious state in which standard levels are exceeded, though these levels seemed to decrease over time. The factors influencing the differences in the levels of TVOC and HCHO were the ventilation volume including infiltration, the heating temperature, relative humidity, or the use of living matter that include chemical ingredients. However, the residents rarely felt the symptoms of SHS and were not conscious of the importance of ventilation.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2004

Recently, indoor air pollution has been seriously apprehended, and became a striking issue, due to the airtightness of buildings or the misuse of building materials. Especially, SHS(Sick House Syndrome) and MCS(Multi Chemical Sensitivity) which can have bad influences on the resident in an existing apartment house as well as newly constructed apartment house start to attract public attention. The emission rates of VOCs is sensitively affected by the indoor/outdoor condition, construction materials, construction method, and character of ventilation facilities. Therefore, in this study, by measuring the indoor air pollution substance of the existing apartment house, the problem over this tends to be grasped and it is going to secure an improvement methods.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.11-16
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• 2005

The recent trends of high-density and high-rise in apartment housing have caused the problems of decrease in ventilation rates and increase of indoor pollutant contaminants. SHS(Sick House Syndrome) has now become a major issue and threats the health of residents. To solve these indoor air problems, increase in ventilation rate is considered as one of the most efficient approach. Thus, the recent housing development is pursuing improvement in the site design and the layout of apartment building blocks to promote natural ventilation is now investigated as one of the fundamental solutions. This study was focused on the air flow characteristics of outdoor environment in an apartment complex to keep the pollutants out of the site. Age of air and pressure difference have been used as indices of the outdoor air quality. Four different types of apartment building layouts have been analyzed by CFD simulation. This study again selected a real apartment housing complex as a case study model. By analyzing the pressure differences between the front and rear of an apartment building block, the ventilation performance in each individual unit was evaluated, and its impact on ventilation performance is investigated by analyzing the stagnant air around the apartment building blocks. During this process, existing patterns of apartment housing layout have been evaluated, and the most appropriate site layout has been chosen to analyze the outdoor airflow patterns. Based on the analysis of airflow patterns of site layout, the possibilities of improving ventilation performance of an individual apartment housing is proposed.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.487-495
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• 2005

Recently, due to the airtightness of buildings or the misuse of building materials, we have been witness SHS (Sick House Syndrome) which can have bad influences on the resident in an existing apartment house as well as newly constructed apartment house start to attract public attention. As a result of this situation, we went to restrict the TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) and formaldehyde. But these guidelines concentrated on only TVOC although TVOC are consist of many individual VOC. Therefore, in this study, we will look about concentration change of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) by using Mock-up test. As result of test, the concentration of four individual VOC (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene) showed quitely low level after 7 days. On the other hand the concentration of Xylene and formaldehyde showed low level after 14 days.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.9-16
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze the safety issues with regard to architectural elements in housing. Causes of accidents and threats to health are reviewed for 'safety' aspects. Threats to health tend to draw more attention due to recent increase of SHS and its public perceptions. The majority of victims by accidents in residential houses are on juveniles aged under 14 in bathrooms and living rooms. Non-slip finish materials are recommended to floors for access and circulation and protective pads to furniture edges. Colored glass may increase the safety of the windows in the living room. Handles and non-slip mats will be a good addition for the safety. Human scale design of the kitchen system is mandatory and appropriate size of storages for hazardous equipment are to be provided. Passive air ventilation for better air quality by dwellers in residence is occasionally used whereas large-scale apartments provide mechanical ventilation to supplement the volume of fresh air. Since the internal air quality is proved one of the major causes of atopic and respiratory diseases, steady effort to achive better air quality utilizing appropriate materials, plants and equipment is mandatory. Frequent cleaning and the use of anti-fungus materials are necessary because House Dust Mites are believed to be one of main causes of such diseases.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.1220-1224
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• 2008

Because of the high airtightness and insulation of the building, indoor environment has been largely polluted resulted from insufficient ventilation and occurrence of new air pollutant. These factors have made worse indoor air quality and caused symptoms of the SHS(Sick House Syndrome), MCS(Multi Chemical Sensitivity). The purpose of this study is to present the fundamental strategies for improving the Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) in newly-constructed apartment buildings. To investigate the concentration of indoor air pollutants such as Formaldehyde and VOCs, the field measurement were conducted.