• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.518-527
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• 2014

Objectives: The adverse health effects attributed to exposure to radon have been well known over the world. However, the efforts for prevention and mitigation of radon have not been taken in Korea so far. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation methods applied for various types of houses and public buildings with high level of radon. Methods: Based on the results of "National Radon Survey" performed by the National Institute of Environmental Research(NIER) in 2010-2012, we selected 30 candidate buildings consisting of 20 houses and 10 public buildings with greater than $148Bq/m^3$ of radon level. We measured the concentration of radon in 30 buildings, using E-PERMs and RAD-7 during January to March of 2013. More than five E-PERMs and one RAD-7 per house were installed for seven days. Ten houses and five public buildings were finally chosen to be mitigated after mainly considering the level of radon and the location of buildings nationwide. Three mitigation methods such as Sealing, two types of Active Ventilation(window-shaped and wall-typed ventilations), and Active Soil Depressurization(ASD) were applied, and the concentrations of radon were measured before and after mitigation, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation methods, reduction rates of radon were calculated and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was performed. Results: The mean concentration of 15 buildings just before radon mitigation was $297.8Bq/m^3$, and most of the buildings were located in Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Daegu areas(73.3%), and built in 1959-1998. The level of radon decreased from 48% to 90% and kept the below recommendation limit of $148Bq/m^3$ after installation of radon mitigation. Among mitigation methods applied, the reduction rate(58.7-90.4%) of radon attributed to ASD was the greatest than that of other methods, followed by Active Ventilation(48.4-78.4%) and Sealing(<22%). The effectiveness of radon reduction by window-shaped Active Ventilation(63.2-75.2%) was relatively better than that of wall-typed Active Ventilation(48.4-54.3%). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that ASD could be more effective for radon mitigation. Moreover, our findings would be background information in future for making the strategy for radon mitigation nationwide, as well as for developing Korean-version of mitigation techniques according to types of dwellings in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for mechanical ventilation in the patients with scrub typhus admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. Methods: We retrospectively selected and analyzed clinical data from the medical records of 70 patients (32 men, 38 women) admitted to the ICU with scrub typhus between 2004 and 2014. The patients had a mean${\pm}$standard deviation age of $71.2{\pm}11.1years$ and were evaluated in two groups: those who had been treated with mechanical ventilation (the MV group, n=19) and those who had not (the non-MV group, n=51). Mean ages of the MV group and the non-MV group were $71.2{\pm}8.3years$ and $71.2{\pm}11.1years$, respectively. Results: Significant differences between the two groups were observed with respect to acute respiratory failure (p=0.008), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p=0.015), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (p=0.013), death (p=0.014), and ICU duration (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that the following factors were significantly associated with mechanical ventilation: acute respiratory failure (p=0.011), SOFA score (p=0.005), APACHE II score (p=0.011), platelet count (p=0.009), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p=0.011). Conclusion: Thus, five factors-acute respiratory failure, SOFA score, APACHE II score, platelet count, and LDH-can be the meaningful indicators for mechanical ventilation for the patients with scrub typhus admitted to ICU.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyze the radiation-pattern characteristics above 1 GHz for the electromagnetic wave radiated from multi-slot such as ventilations, etc. on the enclosure of an EUT and so to make recommendations for suitable test methods. An experimental EUT was formed by putting a comb-generator at the center of a rectangular enclosure with 4 slots, and its radiation pattern was analyzed in the frequency range of 1~6 GHz. As analysis results, multi-lobe appears above 2 GHz and the number of multi-lobes is growing as the frequency increases. And real radiated-emission measurements were performed for the experimental EUT by scanning a receiving antenna in the height of 1~4 m and tilting toward maximum radiation, as well as setting the height of a receiving antenna to the central position of the EUT which is prescribed at the present standards. The measured results are +12.8 dB in the scanning and +16.4 in the scanning and tilting compared with the present standard test method. Therefore, the latter must be revised in order to consider the radiation pattern above 1 GHz.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.538-545
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• 2020

The outdoor coal storage sheds of thermal power plants are being converted to indoor coal storage sheds worldwide because of the environmental pollution problems in the surrounding areas. On the other hand, indoor coal storage sheds are causing problems, such as indoor coal scattering and harmful gas generation. In this study, the ventilation method of indoor coal storage sheds was analyzed in terms of the internal flow characteristics and ventilation according to the outside wind velocity and direction. CFD analysis was performed based on the actual flow measurement information inside the indoor coal storage sheds. A comparison of the wind speed of 6 m/s and 2 m/s when the outside wind direction was easterly showed that the stream velocity to the monitor louver was faster and the recirculation area was clearer at 6 m/s than at 2 m/s. In addition, the trend of a westerly wind was similar to that of the easterly wind. The ventilation rate according to the wind speed was 13.1 times and 4.4 times for a wind speed of 6 m/s and 2 m/s, respectively. If the wind speed is 2 m/s, the situation does not meet the required number of ventilations per hour in a general plant, and needs to be improved.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

This research was conducted to provide basic data of surplus heat for designing solar heat-storage systems. The surplus heat is defined as the heat exhausted by forced ventilations from the greenhouses to control the greenhouse temperature within setting limits. Various simulations were performed to compare the differences of thermal behaviors among greenhouse types as well as among several domestic areas by using pseudo-TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) data manipulated based both on the weather data supplied from Korean Meteorological Administration and the TMY data supplied from The Korean Solar Energy Society. Additional analyses were carried out to examine the required heating energy together with some others such as the energy balances in greenhouses to be considered. The results of those researches are summarized as follows. Regional surplus solar heats for the nine regions with 4-type were analyzed. The results showed that the ratio of surplus solar energy compared to heating energy was the highest in Jeju (about 212.0~228.0%) for each greenhouse type. And followed by Busan, Kwangju, Jinju, Daegu, Daejeon, Jeonju, Suwon and Daekwanryung. And irrespective of greenhouse types, surplus solar energy alone could cover up nearly all of the required supplemental heating energy except for a few areas.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.195-206
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• 2012

This study is about an analysis of surplus solar energy by important greenhouse types as well as setting temperature different by using Typical Meteorological Year data which was secured in order to provide basic data for designing an optimum thermal storage system to accumulate surplus solar energy generating in greenhouses during the daytime. Depending on the setting temperatures of $15{\sim}19^{\circ}C$ for greenhouse heating during day and night, surplus heat amounts were varied at the rate of about $0.2{\sim}6.9%/4^{\circ}C$ with some variations according to the greenhouse types and regions. On the other hand, the variations of supplemental heat requirements were about $29.7{\sim}50.0%/4^{\circ}C$. Depending on the setting temperatures for greenhouse ventilations(low $25{\sim}29^{\circ}C$ and high $27{\sim}31^{\circ}C$), surplus heat amounts were varied at the rate of about $-9.9{\sim}-35.6%/4^{\circ}C$ in auto-type greenhouse. But in single-type greenhouses, they were about $-5.1{\sim}-13.4%/4^{\circ}C$. There were not significant changes in supplemental heat amounts depending on setting temperatures of ventilation for both greenhouse types and regions.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2014

Phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, and products in phosphate processing facility contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Therefore, they may give rise to enhanced radiation dose to workers due to inhalation of airborne particulates. Internal dose due to particle inhalation varies depending on particle properties. The objective of the present study was to characterize particle properties at the largest phosphate processing facility in Korea. A cascade impactor was employed to sample airborne particulates at various processing areas in the plant. The collected samples were used for characterization of particle size distribution, particle concentration in the air, and shape analysis. Aerodynamic diameters of airborne particulates ranged 0.03-100 ${\mu}m$ with the highest concentration at the particle size range of 4.7-5.8 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 5.22 ${\mu}m$) or 5.8-9.0 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 7.22 ${\mu}m$). Particle concentrations in the air varied widely by sampling area up to more than two orders of magnitude. The large variation resulted from the variability of mechanical operations and building ventilations. The airborne particulates appeared as spheroids or rough spherical fragments across all sampling areas and sampled size intervals. Average mass densities of phosphate rocks, phosphogypsums, and fertilizers were 3.1-3.4, 2.1-2.6, and 1.7 $gcm^{-3}$, respectively. Radioactivity concentration of uranium series in phosphate rocks varied with country of origin, ranging 94-866 $Bqkg^{-1}$. Among the uranium series, uranium was mostly concentrated on products, including phosphoric acid or fertilizers whereas radium was concentrated on byproducts or phosphogypsum. No significant radioactivity of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{228}Ra$ were found in fertilizer. However, $^{40}K$ concentration in fertilizer was up to 5,000 Bq $g^{-1}$. The database established in this study can be used for the accurate risk assessment of workers due to inhalation of airborne particles containing NORM. In addition, the findings can be used as a basic data for development of safety standard and guide and for practical radiation safety management at the facility.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.81-90
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the thermal environment status of nursery rooms in workplace daycare centers in Jeju and propose measures to improve their indoor physical thermal environment. For this purpose, measurements were performed in the winter indoor physical environment of 51 nursery rooms in 11 workplace daycare centers and a psychological evaluation survey on the thermal environment of nursery rooms was conducted for 70 nursery teachers. The investigation was carried out over 11 days in January 2017. The results are as follow. The average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms was $21.3^{\circ}C$($18.7-23.8^{\circ}C$) and the indoor temperatures of 47 nursery rooms (92.9%) were higher than the environmental hygiene management standard for domestic school facilities ($18-20^{\circ}C$). The average relative humidity was 33.9% (16.4-56.0%), and 37 nursery rooms (86.3%) showed a lower average relative humidity than the standard (40-70%). The average absolute humidity was $9.1g/m^3$ ($4.7-13.6g/m^3$), which was lower than the standard for preventing influenza ($10g/m^3$). When the indoor temperature and humidity of the nursery rooms were compared with international standards, it was found that 85% or more of the 51 nursery rooms maintained appropriate indoor temperatures, but 40-50% of the nursery rooms maintained a low humidity condition. Therefore, they need to pay attention to maintaining the appropriate humidity of the nursery room to keep the children healthy. The average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms showed a weak negative correlation with the average relative humidity. The indoor temperature had a significant effect on the relative humidity: a higher indoor temperature resulted in lower relative humidity. Regarding the fluctuations in the average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms during the day, in daycare centers that used floor heating, the indoor temperature gradually increased form the morning to the afternoon and tended to decrease during lunch time and the morning and afternoon snack times, due to ventilation. The daycare centers that used both floor heating and ceiling-type air conditioners showed a higher indoor temperature and greater fluctuations in temperature compared to the daycare centers that used floor heating only. In the survey results, the average value of the whole body thermal sensation was 3.0 (neutral): 32 respondents (62.7%) answered, "Neutral", Which was the largest number, followed by 21 respondents (30%) who answered, "Slightly hot" and 17 respondents (24.2%) who answered, "Slightly cold." Twenty-nine respondents answered, "Slightly dry," which was the largest number, followed by 28 respondents (54.9%) who answered, "Neutral" and 10 respondents (19.6%) who answered, "Dry." The total number of respondents who answered, "Slightly dry" or "Dry" was large at 39 (56.4%), which suggests the need for indoor environment management to prevent a low-humidity environment. To summarize the above results about the thermal environment of nursery rooms, as the indoor temperature increased, the relative humidity decreased. This suggests the effect of room temperature on the indoor relative humidity; however, frequent ventilations also greatly decrease the relative humidity. Therefore, the ventilation method and the usage of air conditioning systems need to be re-examined.