• 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.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2014

The adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was carried out using an activated carbon fiber (ACF) filter in an automobile. The adsorption capacities of formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene on an ACF filter were far better than those of a polypropylene (PP) mat filter and combined (PP+activated carbon) mat filter by batch adsorption in a gas bag. In a continuous flow of air containing toluene vapor through an ACF packed bed, the breakpoint time was very long, the length of the unused bed was short, and sharp "S" -type breakthrough curve was plotted soon after breakpoint, showing a narrow mass transfer zone of toluene on the ACF. The adsorption amount of toluene on the ACF filter was proportional to the specific surface area of the ACF; however, the development of mesopores 2-5 nm in size on the ACF was very effective with regard to the adsorption of toluene. The ACF air clarifier filter is strongly recommended to remove VOCs in newly produced automobiles.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.65-76
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate economical ventilation effectiveness to reduce hazardous materials exposure and damage of workers by analyzing exposure amount of noxious substances under various ventilation conditions of nail salon for indoor environments. Research design, data, and methodology - This study was carried out with cooperation of Nail shop located in SeongNam city to involve an analysis of the environmental impact indoor air quality, pollutant exposure and economical cost-effectiveness in the nail workplace. The hazardous substances were PM-10(Particulate Matter-10㎛), VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds) and Formaldehyde, which are the major materials of nail workplace. Results - PM-10 is reduced by about 60% with air cleaner, forced artificial ventilation by 32%, and natural ventilation by about 12%. TVOCs and Formaldehyde showed similar efficiency (80~100%) after natural ventilation and ventilation after 60 minutes. The removal efficiencies of VOCs and formaldehyde were similar to those of natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation system. However, in case of dust, natural ventilation was reduced by artificial ventilation system due to inflow of external dust during natural ventilation. Conclusions - If the pollution degree of outdoor air is not high, air volume is high, and natural ventilation is performed when the air conditioning and heating system is not operated. Even at the end of the work, it keeps operating for 60 minutes to remove the pollutants generated. Results of this analysis demonstrated that the worker environment can be improved by adopting institutional legislation and guidelines for ventilation.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.77-82
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• 2005

Recently, people's rising interests toward a 'well-being' lifestyle together with research contributions are accelerating the concerns regarding indoor air pollution making indoor air quality management an emerging environmental challenge of the era. The Ministry of Environment began to regulate the air quality of railway stations last year. The newly established 'Indoor Air Quality Act' covers 17 facilities whereas only underground subway stations and underground markets were regulated by previous 'Underground Air Quality Management Act' of 1996. In this study, we carried out the measurement of temperature, relative humidity, CO(carbon monooxide), $CO_2$(carbon dioxide), HCHO(formaldehyde), PM-10(particulate matters), and VOCs(volatile organic compounds) in underground subway stations. Based on the obtained results, we will suggest a way to improve the indoor air quality of the subway stations.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.371-383
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• 1999

This paper discusses the importance of indoor air quality based on literaure review of domestic and foreign studies. A number of international efforts to propose standards and guidelines for indoor environmental quality are also reviewed. The pattern of major studies on indoor air quality focussed on characterizaton of gaseous pollutants, particulates, and other specific pollutants during the past decades, whereas VOCs, specific carcinogen, and microbiological agents might be good target pollutants to investigate the effects of human health in recent years. Management of indoor air quality requires a different approach than that adopted for outdoor air. Adequate ventilation of the indoor environment is essential, and a balance between energy conservation and the need for good air quality is required. The ways for managing indoor air quality that will be of great importance are discussed a role of control policy for guidance on how to achieve good indoor air quality.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Only limited information is available on the measured exposure levels of residents according to the construction age of apartments. As such, present study was conducted to measure and to compare the bedroom, living-room, and outdoor air levels of MTBE and benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and m,p-xylene(BTEX) in both newer and older apartments. For both newer and older apartments, all the compounds except for MTBE showed significantly higher levels in bedrooms or living-rooms as compared to the outdoor concentrations. The ratio of bedroom or living-room median concentration to outdoor concentration was close to 1 for MTBE, whereas it was larger than 1 for other target compounds. It was also found that the bedroom and living-room appeared to have similar indoor sources and sinks for BTEX, but not for MTBE. The median concentration ratios of the newer apartments to the older apartments ranged from 1.63 to 1.81, depending upon the compounds. In contrast, the MTBE concentrations did not differ significantly between the newer and older apartments, thereby suggesting that although newer buildings could emit more VOCs, this is not applicable to all VOCs. Conclusively, the findings of present study should be considered, when designing exposure studies associated with VOC emissions in buildings and/or managing indoor air quality according to construction age of buildings.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.483-490
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• 2019

Assessing the effect of forest fires and measuring the gas concentration around a fire has received little attention. Therefore, the concentrations of various gases in areas surrounding a fire need to be measured by the development of a suitable device. Unlike conventional portable devices, the AQS (Air Quality System) proposed in this paper is a portable instrument that measures five types of gases simultaneously, including CO, CO2, NOx, VOCs, and NH3, and has high durability through sensor protection algorithms. A PC-based program with an AQS connection was developed to monitor the real-time changes in the gas concentration. The reliability of the developed device was proven through a comparison of the results with other commercial gas analyzers. Measurements of the concentration due to indoor and outdoor fires were performed around a fire area to review the applicability and the predicted results were obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.224-224
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.583-585
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.559-560
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• 2006