• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.378-386
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• 2014

The use of bus stop in the center lane has reduced the emissions of exhaust gas on the road due to the improvement of the traffic speed but has caused a health problem for the citizens who are waiting for the bus in the platform, and thus the air pollution control of bus stop in the center lane is emerging as a more important part. This study was conducted to investigate the air pollution degree for the center lane-bus stops in four regions using mobile air measuring vehicle, and to evaluate the characteristics of air pollution by comparing with the data measured at the urban air monitoring site close to the bus stops. In addition, the correlation analysis was performed to analyze the impact to neighboring region by vehicle exhaust gas. The regional mean concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the center lane-bus stops ranged from 0.025 to 0.043 ppm which shows from 2.5 times to 5.3 times higher than the values of urban air monitoring site selected as a control group. The regional mean concentration of ozone in the center lane-bus stops ranged from 0.023 to 0.034 ppm which shows from 3% to 28% lower than the values of urban air monitoring site selected as a control group. The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and ozone for the sampling regions did not exceed one hour-air quality environmental standard (0.1 ppm). The mean concentration of particulate matter for four center lane-bus stops was $28{\mu}g/m^3$ which shows about 27% higher than the values of urban air monitoring site selected as a control group, and that of particulate matter did not exceed one day-air quality environmental standard ($100{\mu}g/m^3$). In the results of correlation analysis between data from center lane-bus stops and data from urban air monitoring sites, the correlation coefficient (r) of nitrogen dioxide was relatively low as 0.316 to 0.416, and the correlation coefficient was high as the distance was close and vice versa. However, the correlation coefficient of ozone ranged from 0.167 to 0.658 and the correlation coefficient was high as the distance was far and vice versa.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 2018

Recently, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) from China is regarded as a major reason for elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) in Korea. However, local emissions also play an important role in PM pollution, especially in large-scale industrial cities. In this study, PM samples were collected at suburban, residential, and industrial sites in Ulsan, Korea. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were analyzed, and a potential human health risk assessment was conducted. The concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in total suspended particles (TSP) increased during high $PM_{10}$ episodes, and backward trajectory analysis verified the influence of LRAT from China during the high episodes. Furthermore, the concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ at the industrial site were higher than those at the residential site. The risk assessment of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ suggested no significant health effects. The highest levels of PAHs were measured in the particle size of $0.32{\sim}0.56{\mu}m$ at the residential site, and those of heavy metals were detected in the particle size of 1.8~5.6 and $>18{\mu}m$, reflecting different major emissions sources for both groups. On the basis of this preliminary study, we are planning long-term monitoring and modeling studies to quantitatively evaluate the influence of industrial activities on the PM pollution in Ulsan.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2016

In most African urban areas, Particulate Matters (PM) concentration exceeds by far the WHO limits. In these areas, plants can play a key role in removing particles. In this study, we evaluated three ornamental species (Jatropha interrigima, Ficus benjamina, Barleria prionitis) used in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). Leaf-encapsulated saturation isothermal remnant magnetisation (SIRM) were measured and the relationship between PM captured and leaf wettability were done. The sampling were performed at roadsides and Parks. Firstly, Leaf-encapsulated and total leaf SIRM were quantified and the wettability was determined by drop contact angles (DCA). Secondly, the relationship between leaf SIRM and wettability was found. Results showed that leaf SIRM was two to ten times higher at roadsides than in Parks. Total leaf SIRM was also higher on mature leaves in Main roads suggesting a particle accumulation in leaves over time especially in waxy species (Ficus benjamina). This species encapsulated other than 20% of total leaf SIRM. All tested species were highly-wettable ($40^{\circ}$ < DCA < $90^{\circ}$). Thus, Jatropha interrigima with its leaf trichomes and F. benjamina with its leaf waxes were more wettable. A significantly positive correlation was found between wettability intensity and leaf SIRM.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.715-727
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• 2004

This study was carried out to evaluate non-smoker's exposure levels to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the air of offices in urban areas. A total of 65 offices were selected from two large cities, i.e. Daegu and Daejeon. The field sampling was conducted repeatedly in summer (1999) and winter (1999～2000). The measured ETS markers included respirable suspended particles (RSP as PM$_{40}$ ), vapor and particulate phase ETS markers, including nicotine, 3-ethnyl pyridine (3-EP), ultraviolet absorbing particulate matter (UVPM), fluorescing particulate matter (FPM), and solanseol in ETS particles (SolPM). RSP was measured gravimetrically by a microbalance. The particle samples were then used for the determination of particulate ETS markers by HPLC, while vapor phase markers determined by GC/NPD. The analytical methods were validated for repeatability, linearity, detection limits, and duplication precision. The concentrations of RSP and other ETS markers were significantly higher in smoking offices than non-smoking offices. Despite the similar smoking strength in each office for different seasons, the concentration levels of ETS components appeared to be higher in winter than summer. The contributions of ETS to RSP concentrations based on SolPM, FPM, and UVPM methods were estimated to be in the range of 15.2 ～ 25.3% in smoking offices, whereas 2.4 ～ 15.9% in non-smoking offices. The cooling and heating types did not affect significantly the concentrations of RSP and other ETS markers. Finally, further research issues were suggested to obtain more scientific information on the non-smoker's exposure to ETS with respect to the frame of risk assessment..

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.407-409
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• 2017

Air pollutants of concern include traffic-related air pollution, including particulate matter in respirable coarse and fine size fractions. There are no critical studies to date into associations between knowledge, awareness, and attitudes in using proper respiratory masks and prevalence of respiratory symptoms among urban street vendors in Thailand. In this study, we estimated adverse respiratory health outcomes among street vendors, in particular young adults, in Bangkok, Thailand, using a self-report questionnaire. Street vendors, who were not currently smoking and not having known diagnosed respiratory diseases, were recruited. They were selected from selected roadsides at Chong Nonsi, Bangkok. Participants (n = 30) reported having lower respiratory (50%), upper respiratory (37%), and other symptoms (70%). Also, 53% of participants had never used respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE: masks). Among those using PPE, all used masks not proper for particulate matter. Results suggested knowledge, awareness, and attitudes concerning proper PPE use needs to be increased among street vendors in Bangkok, Thailand.

• IEMEK Journal of Embedded Systems and Applications
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.179-185
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• 2018

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) has various adverse effects on health. Climate and industry activity and traffic volume are the main causes, especially in urban area. In order to construct an effective forecasting system, many measurement systems are required, but it is impossible in reality. Therefore, in this study, we propose a method to infer PM2.5 condition by using rule induction technique. The experimental results showed a classification accuracy of 71%.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.433-438
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• 2002

Trace elements in two air filters (V-50, P-50) artificially loaded with urban dust provided from IAEA were determined non-destructively using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Standard reference material (Urban Particulate Matter, SRM 1648) of National Institute of Standard and Technology was used for analytical quality control. About 20 elements in both of loaded filter samples were determined. To evaluate inter-laboratory comparison and proficiency test, analytical data were statistically treated with the results which collected from 49 laboratories, 40 countries participated in this study using neutron activation analysis, particle induced X-ray emission, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, etc,. From the results of statistical treatment, Z-scores are within ${\pm}2$. Furthermore, accuracy and precision of obtained analytical values are passed according to the criteria of the proficiency test. Consequently, it was proved that analytical quality for air dust samples being performed has been controlled properly.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.637-646
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• 2020

Background and objective: The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of particulate matter (PM) reduction under different characteristics of leaves in 18 different species of indoor plants. Methods: First, a particular amount of PM was added to the glass chambers (0.9×0.86×1.3 m) containing the indoor plant (height = 40 ± 20 cm), and the PM concentration were measured at 2-hour intervals. The experiment with the same conditions was conducted in the empty chamber as the control plot. Results: The range of PM reduction per unit leaf area of 18 species of experimental plants was 3.3-286.2 ㎍·m^-2 leaf, total leaf area was 1,123-4,270 cm², and leaf thickness was 0.14-0.80 mm and leaf size 2.27-234.47 cm². As time passed, the concentration of PM decreased more in the chamber with plants than in the empty chamber. Among the 18 indoor plants, the ones with the greatest reduction in PM2.5 in 2 hours and 4 hours of exposure to PM2.5 were Pachira aquatica and Dieffenbachia amoena. As the exposure time of PM increased, the efficiency of reducing PM2.5 was higher in plants with medium-sized leaves than plants with large or small leaves. The effect of reducing PM2.5 was higher in linear leaves than round or lobed leaves. Plants with high total leaf area did not have advantage in reducing PM because the leaves were relatively small and there were many overlapping parts between leaves. In the correlation between leaf characteristics and PM 2.5 reductions, all leaf area and leaf thickness showed a negative and leaf size showed a positive correlation with PM reduction. Conclusion: The PM reduction effect of plants with medium-sized leaves and long linear leaves was relatively high. Moreover, plants with a large total leaf area without overlapping leaves will have advantaged in reducing PM. Plants are effective in reducing PM, and leaf characteristics are an important factor that affects PM reduction.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2011

In order to investigate the effects of local and synoptic meteorological conditions on urban scale particulate air pollutants observed over the Busan coastal area, power spectrum analysis was applied to observed particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter $\leq10\;{\mu}m$ ($PM_{10}$) for the period from 1 October, 1993 to 31 December, 2004. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was used to obtain the hourly mean observed $PM_{10}$ concentrations to identify different periodicity scales of $PM_{10}$ concentrations. The results showed that, aside from the typical and well-known periodicities such as diurnal and annual variations caused by anthropogenic influences, three other significant power spectral density peaks were identified: 7-day, 21-day and 2.25-year periodicities. Cospectrum analysis indicated that the seven-day variations were closely related to the synoptic meteorological conditions such as weak wind speed, which are relevant to the stagnant high pressure system slowly passing through the Korean Peninsula. The intra-seasonal 21-day variation was negatively correlated with wind speed but was consistently positively correlated with relative humidity, which is related to aerosol formation that can be achieved as a result of the hygroscopic characteristics of aerosols. However, the quasibiennial 2.25-year variation was correlated with the frequency of Asian dust occurrence, the periodicities of which have been recorded inter-annually over the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.469-476
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• 2000

This study was performed to understand the behavior and source characteristics of particulate trace metals in Daegu area. To do this, total of 84 samples had been collected from January to December 1999. TSP (total suspended particulate matter) and PM-10(particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) were collected by filters on portable air sampler, and in TSP and PM-10 were analyzed by ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer) after preliminary treatment. The results were follow as: first, annul means of TSP and PM-10 concentration were 123 and 69$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎤ respectively. The concentration of TSP adn PM-10 were highest in winter season compared to other seasons. Second, the concentration of Al, Fe, Mn were higher in TSP than in PM-10, indicating that these metals are generally associate with natural contributions. Third, a hierarchical clustering technique was used to group 9 metals. The results from the cluster analysis of TSP and PM-10 shows a similar clustering pattern : Fe, Al in a group and the rest of the metals such as Ni, Cr, As, Mn, Cd, Pb, Zn in the other group. One group of metal such as Fe, Al is associated with natural sources such as soil and dust. The other is closely related to urban anthropogenic sources such as fuel combustion, incineration, and refuse burning, Finally, using Al as a reference element, enrichment factors were used for identifying the major particulate contributors. The enrichment factors of Al. Fe<10 (standard value of enrichment factor) were considered to have a significant dust and soil source and termed nonenriched. Ni, Cr, As, Mn, Cd, Pb, Zn》10 is enriched and has a significant which is contributed by athropogenic sources.