• KIEAE Journal
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2004

As number of new housing construction has been growing, the increasing number of people experiencing from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is distinct. The purpose of this study is to examine the symptoms reported by residents responses to cope with the syndrome and to investigate their environmental characteristics considered relevant to the syndrome. Respondents were housewives living in apartments and were more likely to stay at home. 170 data were collected by both web-based internet survey and conventional questionnaire survey. The findings revealed that the symptom appeared very diverse and composite. The most common symptom was eye irritation. Among diverse coping behaviors, ventilation was most popular.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2008

Formaldehyde has been identified as the most prevalent cause of sick building syndrome (SBS), which has become a major social problem, especially in developing urban areas. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms associated with formaldehyde toxicity have been limited, probably because it is difficult to relate the experimental results obtained from in vitro studies to human exposure in vivo. Using polymerase chain reaction-based suppression subtractive hybridization, we recently identified 27 different formaldehyde-inducible genes including platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene (PDGFRA) and mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) gene which were increased significantly in both formaldehyde-exposed human trachea cells, 680.Tr, and rat tracheas. To establish a possible relationship between induction of these formaldehyde-inducible genes and symptoms of SBS, we examined expression levels of these genes in peripheral lymphocytes of residents of new apartments. Here, we report that the expression of PDGFRA and MDM2 transcripts was significantly higher in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 15 residents in new buildings than in seven control individuals. Our results suggest that the elevated levels of PDGFRA and MDM2 may be associated with the formaldehyde-induced pathophysiology that is closely related with SBS, and that they deserve evaluation as potential biomarkers for formaldehyde intoxication.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.185-186
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• 2006

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.508-516
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• 2010

An efficient code has been developed to predict dispersion of indoor air pollutants The computing capability of the code has been compared with that of a commercial code inn a benchmark test. After that, the code has been employed to compute dispersion of a pollutant released from a new furniture, a kind of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). A sofa which generates formaldehyde is implemented by using an immersed boundary method. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is employed to obtain time-dependent velocity and scalar fields. LES has bee regarded as an academic tool, but the newly-developed code reveals a possibility of application of LES to practical problems, especially dispersion of indoor pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.735-744
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• 2010

An efficient code has been developed to predict dispersion of indoor air pollutants. The computing capability of the code has been compared with that of a commercial code in a benchmark test. After that, the code has been employed to compute dispersion of a pollutant released from a new furniture, a kind of Sick Building Syndrome(SBS). A sofa which generates formaldehyde is implemented by using an immersed boundary method. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is employed to obtain time-dependent velocity and concentration fields. LES has been regarded as an academic tool, but the newly-developed code reveals a possibility of application of LES to practical problems, especially dispersion of indoor pollutants.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.259-263
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to assess the characteristics of self-reported symptoms of workers in office building with HVAC system, and also to provide better workplaces in terms of comfort and health. The methods employed in this study include literature review, field observations, and survey. The self-reported symptoms of workers such as headache, fatigue, itching and dryness regarded as SBS symptoms commonly occur after around 3:00 pm and are relieved after leaving their office buildings. according to results in previous studies, above are possibly related to CO2 concentrations. It is also found work environment factors and the satisfaction on indoor environment are all associated with worker's health. Hopefully, this overview of current work environments concerning the level of satisfaction and health problems of workers would help create healthier indoor environment.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.361-368
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• 2010

Due to the insulation and the air-tightness requirement in modern buildings have resulted NBS(New Building Syndrome) and SBS(Sick Building Syndrome) of IAQ problems. Therefore, energy efficient way of solving such IAQ issues are of major concern in these days and building industries. This paper introduces a method to improve thermal performance with a DI(Dynamic Insulation) concept. The characteristic of the dynamic insulation is that the lower U-value as the higher air velocity through the DI in a micro level. A thermal performance monitoring study has been conducted to show the energy impact of porous DI over the static insulation material. The results show that up to 45% could be improved in the case with DI compared to the conventional insulation.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between worker's ophthalmoxerosis symptom and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) variation after planting indoor plants at newly-built office building. Methods: We selected a new office building located in Sejong-si and occupants who work in the Office for study. The indoor air pollutant was investigated according to applying indoor plants. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: There was VOCs' reduction effect according to placing indoor plants because the concentration of VOCs in newly-built government office (Sejong-si) was highly decreased when the indoor plants was placed at the office. The occupants' SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score was gradually decreased in accordance with applying indoor plants. However, SBS symptoms score was increased when the office was not applied indoor plants. There was not statistical significance in workers' dry eye questionnaire results. Conclusions: There was reduction effect of indoor air pollutant in applied indoor plants office. Also, in case of questionnaire results of ophthalmoxerosis and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score were showed positive effect. This study is needed longer-term study because of complements of difference of individual sensitivity and there are some limitations due to field survey research.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.325-340
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• 1998

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sick building syndrome(SBS) and the environmental factors affecting SBS on 130 underground workers and 60 controls. The study consisted of 1) a review of environmental condition 2) measurement of temperature, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO, and formaldehyde and 3) a questionnaire survey of symptom prevalence and perception of environmental conditions using indoor Air Quality questionnaire recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Bronchitis and dust allergy were more prevalent in underground workers significantly(p < 0.05). Among the 18 symptoms related to the indoor air pollution, the experience rate of dry, itching or irritated eyes, sore or dry throat, chest tightness, tired or strained eyes and dry or itchy skin symptom was significantly different between the underground workers and controls. The diagnostic criteria of SBS was defined as at least 1 symptom is experienced 1-3 times a week during the last 1 month among 18 indoor air pollution related symptoms which can be relieved by moving out of the underground. Applying the criteria, the mean symptom score was significant higher in underground workers than controls significantly (p < 0.05). These resalts indicated that underground workers are under inappropriate ergonomic and physical condition and inadequate ventilation. Their experience rate of symptoms related to indoor air pollution and prevalence of SBS was significantly higher than controls. To reduce the prevalence of SBS of underground workers, the surveillance system of indoor air quality, restriction of using fuel in underground and legislative regulations for the environment are needed to establish a better indoor air quality. Early detection, treatment and prevention of SBS through medical attention is also needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.2 s.74
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• pp.150-157
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• 2006

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is an illness symptom such as irritation of eyes, skin eruption and vomit ing in newly constructed buildings. It is mainly due to the harmful gases from the materials installed in building such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs), floating bacteria, fungi, fungal spores and viruses, human bioeffluents in many modem buildings. The general ways to improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are ventilating, utilizing eco-material without harmful gases and reducing or removing harmful gases through additional treatment to the building materials. This study aimed to improve the Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) by applying surface coating on the building materials and to make safe living environments through the analysis of air quality before and after surface coating treatment in buildings.