• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.83-90
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• 2007

This study aimed at examining the effect of rooms decorated by eco-friendly finishing materials in a newly built wooden house on the emission of indoor air pollutions. According to the results of examination, the levels of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and styrene in all the rooms were below criteria of indoor air quality of newly-constructed houses. The levels of natural volatile organic compounds (NVOC), anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (AVOC) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) in room R1-1 which had Hwangto wall covering on it, were relatively higher than in room phytoncide wallpaper covered R2-1. The room R2-2 where bamboo charcoal panel used for wall covering showed higher level of AVOC compared to the room R1-2. Living room R1-3 was found to contain less TVOC, compared to the other four rooms. In addition, the ratio of NVOC to TVOC in the living room was higher than in the other rooms. This seemed to be attributed to Cryptomeria Japonica the living room finished material.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.26 no.2 s.52
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• pp.179-185
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the delivery pattern of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in mainstream smoke generated by the combustion of a different ventilated cigarette. To compare the delivery pattern and the concentration of VOCs in mainstream smoke, the six different ventilated cigarette was manufactured and analyzed VOCs using the GC/MS. As a result of this experiments, cambridge filter used to trap the particulate matter in mainstream smoke did not affect on the trapping of VOCs components, and two impinger method among the trapping methods was the best condition to trap VOCs from mainstream smoke. As the slope of the delivery of VOCs such as isoprene, acrylonitrile and toluene were higher than 1, but that of benzene was lower than other VOCs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4377-4384
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• 2014

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.37 million people died of lung cancer all around the world in 2008, occupying the first place in all cancer-related deaths. However, this number might be decreased if patients were detected earlier and treated appropriately. Unfortunately, traditional imaging techniques are not sufficiently satisfactory for early detection of lung cancer because of limitations. As one alternative, breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may reflect the biochemical status of the body and provide clues to some diseases including lung cancer at early stage. Early detection of lung cancer based on breath analysis is becoming more and more valued because it is non-invasive, sensitive, inexpensive and simple. In this review article, we analyze the limitations of traditional imaging techniques in the early detection of lung cancer, illustrate possible mechanisms of the production of VOCs in cancerous cells, present evidence that supports the detection of such disease using breath analysis, and summarize the advances in the study of E-noses based on gas sensitive sensors. In conclusion, the analysis of breath VOCs is a better choice for the early detection of lung cancer compared to imaging techniques. We recommend a more comprehensive technique that integrates the analysis of VOCs and non-VOCs in breath. In addition, VOCs in urine may also be a trend in research on the early detection of lung cancer.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2016

Early detection of toxic gases, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is important for safety and environmental protection. However, the conventional detection methods require long-term measurement times and expensive equipment. In this study, we propose a thin-film-type chemical sensor for VOCs, which consists of self-assembled monosize nanoparticles for 3-D photonic crystal structures and polydimthylsiloxane (PDMS) film. It is operated without any external power source, is truly portable, and has a fast response time. The structure color of the sensor changes when it is exposed to VOCs, because VOCs induce a swelling of the PDMS. Therefore, using this principle of color change, we can create a thin-film sensor for immediate detection of various types of VOCs. The proposed device evidences that a fast response time of just seconds, along with a clear color change, are successfully observed when the sensor is exposed to gas-phase VOCs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2022

Objectives: Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer which is one of the material extrusion (MEX) technologies is an additive manufacturing (AM) process. 3D printers have been distributed widely in Korea, particularly in school and office, even at home. Several studies have shown that nanoparticles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were emitted from an FDM 3D printing process. The objective of this study was to identify types of chemicals possibly emitted from FDM 3D printing materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), nylon, PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PC (polycarbonate) filaments. Methods: 19 FDM 3D printing filaments which have been distributed in Korea were selected and analyzed VOCs emitted of 3D printing materials by headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (headspace GC-MS). Subsamples were put into a vial and heated up to 200℃ (500 rpm) during 20 minutes before analyzing FDM 3D printing filaments. Results: In the case of PLA filament, lactide and methyl methacrylate, the monomer components of one, were detected, and the volume ratio ranged 27~93%, 0.5~37% respectively. In the case of ABS filaments, styrene (50.5~59.1%), the monomer components of one, was detected. Several VOCs among acetaldehyde, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, etc were detected from each FDM 3D printing filaments. Conclusions: Several VOCs, semi-VOCs were emitted from FDM 3D printing filaments in this study and previous studies. Users were possibly exposed to ones so that we strongly believe that we recommend to install the ventilation system such as a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) when they operate the FDM 3D printers in a workplace.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.645-665
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• 2024

For volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from workplaces within the Noksan national industrial complex, the emission characteristics of pollutants were identified through zone-based measurements using vehicles equipped with selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry(SIFT-MS). The average concentration of total VOCs was higher in zones 2, 4, and 5 than in zones 1, 3, and 6, and was 2.1 to 4.2 times higher than background concentrations. The average concentrations of pollutants investigated were (from highest to lowest) methyl ethyl ketone, formaldehyde, methanol, and n-hexane. However, the pollutants that should be prioritized for reduction to decrease ozone generation were (from highest to lowest) methyl ethyl ketone, n-hexane, for maldehyde, and ethylbenzene+xylene. Benzene, a substance governed by atmospheric environmental standards, exhibited a frequency distribution exceeding the stipulated limits, and concentrations exceeding 100 ppb were identified for methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, toluene, and n-hexane. In certain class 4 and 5 workplace facilities, VOC emissions and emission prevention installations were inadequately managed, necessitating the formulation of management measures for small enterprises. Also, workplaces that emit large amounts of VOCs need to upgrade to VOC-prevention installations with higher processing efficiencies. To efficiently monitor VOCs in a wide range of areas, such as the Noksan national industrial complex, it is considered appropriate to monitor workplaces that emit high concentrations of VOCs using mobile SIFT-MS in real time rather than relying on fixed monitoring methods. A specialized method targeting approximately 10 VOCs is necessary to quickly track emission sources.Furthermore, it is essential to phase in a system for the intensive management of suspected workplaces based on accumulated data from SIFT-MS in areas where high VOC concentrations are measured and to establish a cooperative system for sharing data between relevant institutions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2020.11a
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• pp.48-49
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• 2020

Recently, as people's interest in environmental pollution increases, interest in indoor air pollution as well as outdoors is increasing. Accordingly, this study prepares functional paints by mixing powder activated carbon, which is a porous material, into aqueous paints, and examines the adsorption performance of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO). As a result of the experiment, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde (HCHO) tended to decrease as powder activated carbon was incorporated. It is believed that physical adsorption was achieved by the micropores of powdered activated carbon. However, in the adsorption test method, it is judged that the concentration was affected by the inflow of outside air as the chamber cover was opened to put the test object in the empty chamber where a certain concentration was maintained.

• Mycobiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2016

In this paper, we demonstrate the ability of Arabidopsis thaliana to detect different mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the common indoor fungus, Aspergillus versicolor, and demonstrate the potential usage of the plant as a bioindicator to monitor fungal VOCs in indoor air. We evaluated the volatile production of Aspergillus versicolor strains SRRC 108 (NRRL 3449) and SRRC 2559 (ATCC 32662) grown on nutrient rich fungal medium, and grown under conditions to mimic the substrate encountered in the built environment where fungi would typically grow indoors (moist wallboard and ceiling tiles). Using headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we analyzed VOC profiles of the two strains. The most abundant compound produced by both strains on all three media was 1-octen-3-ol. Strain SRRC 2559 made several terpenes not detected from strain SRRC 108. Using a split-plate bioassay, we grew Arabidopsis thaliana in a shared atmosphere with VOCs from the two strains of Aspergillus versicolor grown on yeast extract sucrose medium. The VOCs emitted by SRRC 2559 had an adverse impact on seed germination and plant growth. Chemical standards of individual VOCs from the Aspergillus versicolor mixture (2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-octen-3-ol, limonene, and ${\beta}-farnesene$), and ${\beta}-caryophyllene$ were tested one by one in seed germination and vegetative plant growth assays. The most inhibitory compound to both seed germination and plant growth was 1-octen-3-ol. Our data suggest that Arabidopsis is a useful model for monitoring indoor air quality as it is sensitive to naturally emitted fungal volatile mixtures as well as to chemical standards of individual compounds, and it exhibits relatively quick concentration- and duration-dependent responses.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.60-69
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• 2007

Understanding the behavior of gas phase VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in unsaturated soils is of a great environmental importance for public health concerns. Moment analysis for the breakthrough curves (BTCs) during transport of chemicals in porous media was known to be a useful tool to evaluate the velocity, spreadness, and the skewness of the plume of the chemicals. In this study, the temporal moments of the BTCs of a group of VOCs were analyzed for the gaseous transport in an unsaturated soil. BTCs were measured using lab-scale column experiments for four different VOCs at the water saturation range of 0.04-0.46, and for eleven VOCs at a water saturation of 0.21. The central second and third moments of the VOCs were compared with the water saturation and the first moment. It was found that both central second and third moments increased with the first moment. The central third moment was, however, found to be more sensitive to the first moment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.702-708
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• 2018

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as a significant air pollutant, is generated mainly from the burning of fossil fuels, building materials using painting, etc. The inhalation of a certain amount of VOCs can be deleterious to human health, e.g., headaches, nausea and vomiting. In addition, it can also cause memory loss and even increase the rate of leukemia. Therefore, as one of the methods for reducing VOCs in air, polyacrylonitrile/fly ash (PAN/FA) composite nanofibrous membranes were fabricated by electrospinning. To observe their VOCs adsorption capacity, the morphological structure of PAN/FA nanofibrous mats was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and the VOCs (chloroform, benzene, toluene, and xylene) adsorption capacity of PAN/FA membranes were tested by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results indicated that the PAN nanofiber containing 40 wt. % FA powder had the smallest fiber diameter of 283 nm; they also showed the highest VOCs adsorption capacity compared to other composite membranes.