• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.344-352
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• 2023

Background: With its developed port and related industries, the concentration of fine dust is high in Busan compared to other cities in South Korea. Many studies have reported the health effects of fine dust, but there has been a lack of information regarding concentrations of volatile organic compounds among those who exposed to high levels of fine dust. Objectives: This study aimed to define an area with high concentrations of particulate matter and perform biomonitoring surveys among the residents of the area. Methods: Air quality data was collected and the mean level of each district in Busan was derived. We then defined the area with the highest concentrations of PM₁₀ as a target site. Urine samples were collected from the 400 participants and analyzed for VOCs metabolites - trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) and N-AcetylS-(benzyl)-L-cysteine (BMA). Interviews were conducted by trained investigators to examine demographic information. The levels of t,t-MA and BMA were compared with representative South Korean population data (Korean National Environmental Health Survey). The association of the VOC metabolites and fine dust were analyzed by general linear regression analysis. Results: The mean of PM₁₀ in the target site was 42.50 ㎍/m³ from 2018 to 2020. Among the 400 participants in the target site, 74.8% were female and the average age of the participants was 66 years. The geometric mean of t,t-MA was 71.15 ㎍/g creatinine and the BMA was 7.00 ㎍/g creatinine among the residents. The levels were higher than the geometric mean from the 4th KoNEHS. The levels of t,t-MA showed significance in BMI, smoking status, and household income. BMA showed significance in gender and age. Conclusions: Compared to the general population of South Korea, the target site's residents had higher biomonitoring levels. Based on this study, continuous screening for high risk areas, including the target site, and biomonitoring of the residents are required.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.513-525
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• 2006

In recent decades, biofiltration has been widely accepted for the treatment of contaminated air stream containing low concentration of odorous compounds or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, conventional biofilters packed with flexible synthetic polyurethane (PU) foam carriers were operated to remove toluene from a contaminated air stream. PU foams containing various amounts of pulverized activated carbon (PAC) were synthesized for the biofilter media and tested for toluene removal. Four biofilter columns were operated for 60 days to remove gaseous toluene from a contaminated air stream. During the biofiltration experiment, inlet toluene concentration was in the range of 0-150 ppm and EBRT (i.e., empty bed residence time) was kept at 26-42 seconds. Pressure drop of the biofilter bed was less than 3 mm $H_2O/m$ filter bed. The maximum removal capacity of toluene in the biofilters packed with PU-PAC foam was in the order of column II (PAC=7.08%) > column III (PAC=8.97%) > column I (PAC=4.95%) > column IV (PAC=13.52%), while the complete removal capacity was in the order of column II > column I > column III > column IV. The better biofiltration performance in column II was attributed to higher porosity providing favorable conditions for microbial growth. The results of biodegradation kinetic analysis showed that PU-PAC foam with 7.08% of PAC content had higher maximum removal rate ($V_m$=14.99 g toluene/kg dry material/day) than the other PU-PAC foams. In overall, the performance of biofiltration might be affected by the structure and physicochemical properties of PU foam induced by PAC content.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.180-185
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• 2009

Only limited information is available as regards to the exposure levels of naphthalene (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(MAHs) in the interiors of diesel-fueled passenger cars, while many studies investigated the exposure levels of various volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the interiors of gasoline-fueled passenger cars or public buses. Present study was performed to supplement this deficiency by measuring naphthalene (as a representative of PAHs) and MAHs levels inside five diesel-fueled and five gasoline-fueled passenger cars while morning and evening commuting on real roadways. Each car was surveyed five times on different sampling days. The in-vehicle naphthalene levels were higher for the diesel-fueled cars as compared to gasoline-fueled cars, whereas the results were reversed for the in-vehicle MAH levels. The median cabin levels of diesel-fueled cars were 1.3, 7, 13, 4, and 6 ${\mu}g/m^3$ for naphthalene, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and m,pxylene, respectively. With respect to gasoline-fueled cars, their respective levels were 0.7, 11, 21, 7, and 9 ${\mu}g/m^3$ . The median MAHs concentration ratios of gasoline-fueled cars to diesel-fueled cars ranged from 1.50 to 1.75, while the median naphthalene concentration ratio was estimated to be 0.54. In addition, there was no significant difference of both naphthalene and MAHs between the diesel-fueled cars, but the in-vehicle levels were significantly different between gasoline-fueled cars. The concentration levels of both naphthalene and MAHs were higher in the passenger cars than other non-industrial microenvironments. Consequently, it was confirmed that the cabins of both diesel-fueled and gasoline-fueled passenger cars are an important microenvironment associated with the exposure to naphthalene and MAHs.

• 분석과학
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.290-297
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• 2011

현재 자동차 실내공기질을 평가하는 방법이 ISO, 중국, 일본에서 개발 중에 있으며, 우리나라에서도 관리기준이 2010년 7월 1일 이후 생산한 신규제작자동차부터 적용되고 있다. 자동차 실내공기질을 관리하기 위해서는 자동차 실내의 내장부품으로부터 방출되는 휘발성 유기화합물을 평가하는 것이 중요하다. 이 연구에서는 모듈단위부품인 도어트림 모듈의 구성부품인 도어트림 암레스트를 ISO 12219-5방법에 따라 완제품을 평가 하였으며, ISO 12219-3방법으로 절단부품과 도어트림 구성소재를 평가하였다. Tenax TA가 충진된 스테인리스 튜브를 이용하여 VOC를 채취하여 TD-GC/MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 두 시험방법을 비교한 결과 도어트림 암레스트로부터 방출되는 물질의 비율이 차이가 있음을 확인하였고, 도어트림 암레스트의 소재를 평가한 결과 PP substrate과 adhesive가 도어트림 암레스트에서 주요 방출원인 소재로 나타났다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.272-280
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of worker exposure to hazardous chemical substances and propose the direction of work environment management for protecting worker's health in the semiconductor assembly process. Methods: Four assembly lines at two semiconductor manufacturing companies were selected for this study. We investigated the types of chemicals that were used and generated during the assembly process, and evaluated the workers' exposure levels to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde and the current work environment management in the semiconductor assembly process. Results: Most of the chemicals used at the assembly process are complex mixtures with high molecular weight such as adhesives and epoxy molding compounds(EMCs). These complex mixtures are stable when they are used at room temperature. However workers can be exposed to volatile organic compounds(VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde when they are used at high temperature over $100^{\circ}C$. The concentration levels of benzene and formaldehyde in chip molding process were higher than other processes. The reason was that by-products were generated during the mold process due to thermal decomposition of EMC and machine cleaner at the process temperature($180^{\circ}C$). Conclusions: Most of the employees working at semiconductor assembly process are exposed directly or indirectly to various chemicals. Although the concentration levels are very lower than occupational exposure limits, workers can be exposed to carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde. Therefore, workers employed in the semiconductor assembly process should be informed of these exposure characteristics.

• 한국환경독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경독성학회 2003년도 추계국제학술대회
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• pp.27-27
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• 2003

Lake Texoma is located on the border of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. It has 93,000 surface acres, and is a focus of the recreation, and farming industries in the region. There are potential stressors around the Lake Texoma watershed that may cause adverse ecological effects in the lake. System assimilative capacity (SAC) is the ability of abiotic and biotic processes to atteuniate the stressors. SAC Exceeded indicates potential of occuring adverse eco-effects. A number of representative chemical release sites and stressor sources in the surrounding watershed were characterized, and several impact sites having stressors sources, such as being near agriculture, landfills, housing areas, oil production fields and heavy use recreational activity, were selected for surface water, sediment, and groundwater monitoring. A paired reference site, having similar physical characteristics as its impact site, was also chosen based on its proximity to the impact site. Lake water samples were collected at locations identified as marina entrance, gasoline filling station, and boat dock at five marinas selected on Lake Texoma from September 1999 to December 2001. Paired water and sediment samples were also collected. Groundwater samples were collected at about 70 producing monitoring wells. Water quality parameters measured were inorganics (nitrate, nitrite, orthophosphate, ammonia, sulfate, and chloride), dissolved methane, total organic carbon (TOC) (or DOC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and BTEX, and a suite of metals. Biotic communities were evaluated at impact and reference sites. Five basic components were measured; two terrestirial components (plants and bird comminitires) and three aquatic components (benthic inverbrates, litteral-zone fishes, ecosystem attribures). Potential impacts to these comminites were evaluated.

• 멤브레인
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.44-51
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• 2005

유기증기에 대한 PDMS의 단점을 보완하기 위해 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)와 1,4-butanediol(BD)를 이용하여 poly(dimethylsiloxane)를 기초로 한 polyurethane-polysiloxanes (PU/PDMS)를 합성하였다. 그리고 poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)를 다공성 지지체로 이용하여 복합막을 제조하여 SEM 분석으로 코팅층의 존재와 두께를 확인하였다. 증기투과실험에서 투과온도와 feed의 농도가 증가할수록 flux는 점차 증가하였고, separation factor는 이와 반대로 점차 감소하는 'trade-off'현상을 보였다. 본 연구에서의 PU/PDMS는 soft segment의 함량보다는 비교적 hard segment의 함량이 높기 때문에 투과온도의 증가에 따른 영향이 크지 않았던 것으로 사료된다. PU/PDMS막은 VOCs와 상대적으로 높은 친화도를 가지고 있기 때문에 PU/PDMS 균질막과 비교하여 복합막의 형태에서도 향상된 flux와 높은 separation factor를 나타내었다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.192-202
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• 2010

This study aimed to suggest the severity of indoor air pollutants in screen gold arenas which were not sufficiently investigated in Korea up to now and to help users to enjoy golf in more pleasant indoor environment. The indoor environment survey was conducted with 21 screen gold arenas in Seoul from Oct. 28, 2008 to March 13, 2009. Indoor air quality was measured and analyzed in accordance with the Air Pollution Process Test Method specified bu NIOSH(2005). The screen golf arenas are mostly in the underground floors in this study, 4 on the ground floors(19.0%) and 17 in the underground floors(81.0%). In the air in screen golf arenas, the geometric mean of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were 2.92 ${\mu}g/m^3$, 70.34 ${\mu}g/m^3$, 14.00${\mu}g/m^3$ and 31.43 ${\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, which exceeded the exposure limites. Each arena exceeded the exposure limit for one pollutant each. However, styrene didn't exceed the limit as 8.09 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Furthermore, the geometric mean of formaldehyde was 63.11${\mu}g/m^3$ and 7 arenas exceeded the limit. The geometric mean of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) was 428.41${\mu}g/m^3$ and 10 arenas exceeded the limit. For the density distribution of pollutants by location, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene and formaldehyde showed higher density distribution in underground spaces, for which the statistically significant difference was not found. However, PM10 showed the statistically significant difference (p<0.05). In accordance with the analysis on the correlation between the density of pollutants in the screen golf arenas, Pearson correlation coefficient between ethylbenzene and styrene was 0.980, very significant correlation(p<0.01). The correlation coefficients between the density of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene and that of VOCs were 0.543, 0.434, 0.451 and 0.459, respectively, which demonstrated the statistically significant difference (p<0.05).

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.121-133
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• 2011

This study suggests criteria to conduct a risk assessment of VOCs and formaldehyde in uncontrolled public facilities. Pollutants and facilities were selected based on two years of monitoring data and exposure scenarios in 573 uncontrolled public facilities, composed of 10 types of public institutions. With the exception of social welfare facilities, lifetime ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene in each facility were higher in employees than in users, except in social welfare facilities. In social welfare facilities, the risk of benzene for users ($1{\times}10^{-5}$) was higher than that of workers ($1{\times}10^{-6}$) because facility users live in the facility 24 hours per day, compared to workers who spend an average of 8 hours per day in the facility. The risk of benzene to workers in restaurants, academies, performance halls, internet cafe and pubs were estimated as high as $1{\times}10^{-4}$ and the risk to workers in the theaters and karaoke bars were recorded as $1{\times}10^{-5}$. Because lifetime ECRs of carcinogens exceeded $1{\times}10^{-4}$ for workers and users in most facilities, risk management of formaldehyde and benzene in these facilities is necessary. Although HQs of toluene and xylenes did not exceed 1.0, their HQs did exceed 0.1 in some facilities, so they were evaluated as potentially harmful materials. Additionally, criteria for health protection in IAQ by facility are suggested at $60-100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for formaldehyde, $400-500\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for TVOCs, $10-20\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for benzene, $150-170\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for toluene and $100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for xylenes, based on the survey on IAQ and HRA methodology. The excess rates of IAQ to health protection criteria in all facilities were 16% for formaldehyde, 8% for TVOCs and benzene, 9% for toulene, and 5% for xylenes.

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.265-274
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• 2016

목적: 본 연구에서는 신축사무실 건물 및 재실자를 대상으로 식물적용에 따른 안구건조 증상 및 실내공기질 등에 대한 변화를 평가하고자 하였다. 방법: 세종시 정부청사 신축건물 및 사무실 재실자를 대상으로 하였다. 식물적용에 따라 실내공기질을 측정하였으며, 휘발성유기화합물류와 알데하이드류 및 온 습도를 측정하여 평가하였다. 안구건조 증상은 Ocular surface disease index(OSDI)를 이용하여 정상, 경도, 중등도, 및 중증으로 분류하여 측정하였다. 결과: 식물적용사무실에서 휘발성유기화합물류의 감소율이 다소 높게 나타나 식물적용으로 인한 저감효과가 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 식물적용 재실자에서 새건물증후군 증상 점수가 점차적으로 감소하였고, 식물미적용사무실 재실자에서는 새건물증후군 증상 점수가 상승하였다. 재실자의 안구건조설문결과에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 관찰되지 않았다. 결론: 식물적용 사무실 내 유해물질의 감소효과가 있었고, 재실자를 통한 설문조사결과 안구건조 및 새건물증후군 증상에 긍정적인 효과는 있었다. 개인의 민감도 등에 의한 차이 및 현장조사로 인한 연구의 제한점 등을 보완한 장기 연구가 필요하다.