• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제83권2호
• /
• pp.116-121
• /
• 2020

Particulate matter (PM) is suspended dust that has a diameter of <10 ㎛ and can be inhaled by humans and deposited in the lungs, particularly the alveoli. Recent studies have shown that PM has an adverse effect on respiratory diseases. The aim of this article is to review respiratory diseases associated with PM. According to existing studies, PM is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, and several other respiratory diseases and increases the mortality rates of these diseases. Moreover, increased exposure in the high concentration of atmospheric PM is associated with the development of lung cancer. The most simple and common way to protect an individual from airborne PM is to wear a face mask that filters out PM. In areas of high concentration PM, it is recommended to wear a face mask to minimize the exposure to PM. However, the use of N95 or KF94 masks can interfere with respiration in patients with chronic respiratory diseases who exhibit low pulmonary function, leading to an increased risk of respiratory failure. Conclusionally, reduction of the total amount of PM is considered to be important factor and strengthening the national warning notification system to vulnerable patients and proper early management of exacerbated patients will be needed in the future.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제55권5호
• /
• pp.1830-1837
• /
• 2023

The thermal cutting of contaminated or activated metals during decommissioning nuclear power plants inevitably results in the release of radioactive aerosol. Since radioactive aerosols are pernicious particles that contribute to the internal dose of workers, air conditioning units with a HEPA filter are used to remove radioactive aerosols. However, a HEPA filter cannot be used permanently. This study evaluates the efficiency and lifetime of filters in actual metal cutting condition using a plasma arc cutter and a high-resolution aerosol detector. The number concentration and size distribution of aerosols from 6 nm to 10 ㎛ were measured on both the upstream and downstream sides of the filter. The total aerosol removal efficiency of HEPA filter satisfies the standard of removing at least 99.97% of 0.3 ㎛ airborne particles, even if the pressure drop increases due to dust feeding load. The pressure drop and particle size removal efficiency at 0.3 ㎛ of the HEPA filter were found to increase with repeated cutting experiments. By contrast, the efficiency of used HEPA filter reduced in removing nano-sized aerosols by up to 79.26%. Altogether, these results can be used to determine the performance guidance and replacement frequency of HEPA filters used in nuclear power plants.

• 환경정책연구
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.83-101
• /
• 2005

납은 우리나라를 위시한 많은 국가에서 대기환경 기준으로 설정하여 규제하고 있는 중 금속물질이다. 본 연구에서는 납에 대한 농도분포특성을 시공간적인 기준으로 비교분석을 시도하고, 이를 통해 농도분포의 장주기적인 변화추이를 파악하고자 하였다. 이를 위해, 1958년 1월부터 2003년 12월까지 환경부의 대기 중금속 측정망으로부터 관측한 국내 주요 도시지점들(서울, 부산, 대구, 인천, 광주, 대전, 울산, 수원, 안산, 원주, 춘천, 여수, 포항)로부터 확보한 자료를 분석하였다. 그 결과, 납농도는 지난 6년간 공업지대를 포함한 고농도 관측점들을 중심으로 일정 수준 경감한 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 이는 공업지역에 국한되어 나타나는 결과로 그 외 지역에는 그러한 변화가 보다 불규칙한 경향으로 나타났다. 계절적 변화 역시 과거로부터 꾸준히 봄과 겨울기간에 고농도가 나타나는 경향이 지속하였다. 납은 공간적 기준에서 분포특성을 비교할 경우, 최고농도를 기록한 지역이 여타 지역에 비해 최저 2.3배에서 최고 12배까지 높게 나타났다. 아직까지 본 연구에서 확인한 것과 같이 수 십 ng $m^{-3}$대의 저농도 지역조차 국외에서 관측한 배경농도보다 10여배 정도 더 오염되었다는 점이 확인된다. 아직까지 인위적활동의 유형이나 강도에 납성분의 농도분포가 큰 영향을 받는다는 것을 감안하면, 보다 지속적인 관점에서 납성분에 대한 관리대책을 제시하는 것이 중요하다.

• 한국항만경제학회지
• /
• 제37권1호
• /
• pp.143-157
• /
• 2021

세계보건기구(World Health Organization, WHO), 경제개발협력기구(Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD)등 국제기구 및 주요 선진국에서는 대기오염의 심각성을 인지하고 있다. 또한 국제해사기구(International Maritime Organization, IMO) 등의 국제기구에서도 선박에서 발생하는 대기오염을 감소시키 위해 다양한 규제를 시행하고 있다. 이러한 국제적인 흐름에 따라 국내에서도 「항만지역등 대기질 개선에 관한 특별법」(이하 특별법)을 제정하며, 항만에서 기인하는 대기오염을 감소시키려는 노력을 보이고 있다. 특별법의 목적은 항만지역 등의 대기질을 개선하기 위하여 종합적인 시책을 추진하는 것이다. 본 연구는 이러한 정책적 움직임에 맞추어 항만에서 기인하는 대기오염물질 배출원별 배출량을 파악하여 정책의 우선순위 설정에 기초자료를 마련하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 선박, 차량, 하역장비, 하역/야적재비산먼지, 도로재비산먼지, 철도 6개 부문으로 분류하여 분석을 시행하였으며, 유럽환경청(European Environment Agency, EEA)과 미국환경보호국(United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA)에서 제시하는 방법론을 이용하였다. 분석대상 오염물질은 일산화탄소(CO), 질소산화물(NOX), 황산화물(SOX), 총부유물질(TSP), 미세먼지 및 초미세먼지(PM10, PM2.5), 암모니아(NH3)를 대상으로 분석하였다. 분석결과 총 7,122톤의 배출량이 발생한 것으로 나타났다. 물질별로는 NOX가 5,084톤으로 가장많은 비중을 차지하는 것으로 나타났으며, 다음으로 CO(984톤), SOx(530톤), TSP(335톤)의 순으로 나타났다. 배출원 별로는 선박이 4,107톤으로써 가장 많은 비중을 차지하며 다음으로 차량이 2,622톤으로써 높은 배출량을 보였다. 이는 각각 전체 배출량의 57.6%와 36.8%로써 항만 대기오염을 유발하는 주요원인으로 판명되어 이들 배출원에 대한 대책이 필요함을 시사하였다.

• 한국대기환경학회지
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.163-176
• /
• 1998

In this study, airborne particle samples were obtained to determine the concentrations of particulate air pollutants in indoor and outdoor air of public facilities in Taegu area. Total of 12 public facilities, regulated by the Public Sanitary Law, were selected as sampling sites, which include three underground arcades, one railway and two bus terminals, three general hospitals, and three department stores. In each place, sampling was carried out seasonally during the period of October 1994 to July 1995, and four samples per each site per season were collected both indoors and outdoors simultaneously. After determination of suspended particulate matter (SPM) mass concentrations, the particle samples were divided into two parts for subsequent chemical analysis: one for the analysis of trace elements and the other for water soluble ions. Seasonal levels of SPM appeared to be the highest in spring and the lowest in summer both indoors and outdoors, while locational variations of highest in statioyterminals, and lowest in department stores . SPM concentrations indoors and outdoors did not show any significant differences each other in most places . However, there were significant correlations between indoor and outdoor levels of SPM and other chemical species . These results indicates that indoor SPM levels are likely to be significantly affected by outdoor sources in many places. The most significant source of SPM was estimated to be the resuspension of soil/road dust both indoors and outdoors . The concentrations of toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu) in underground arcades appeared to be very much lower than the established air quality guidelines for underground environments. In addition, it is likely that micro-environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air velocity, play a less significant role than outdoor air quality as a factor affecting the levels of particulate pollutants in indoor environments of public facilities in Taegu area.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제55권9호
• /
• pp.322-329
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Aeroallergens are important causative factors of allergic diseases. Previous studies on aeroallergen sensitization rates investigated patients groups that had visited pediatric allergy clinics. In contrast, we investigated sensitization rates in a general population group of elementary school to teenage students in Incheon, Jeju, and Ulsan. Methods: After obtaining parental consent, skin-prick tests were performed on 5,094 students between March and June 2010. Elementary school students were tested for 18 common aeroallergens, whereas middle and high school students were tested for 25 allergens. The 25 allergens included Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, pollen (birch, alder, oak, Japanese cedar, pine, willow, elm, maple, Bermuda grass, timothy grass, rye grass, orchard grass, meadow grass, vernal grass, mugwort, Japanese hop, fat hen, ragweed, and plantain), and mold (Penicillatum, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria). Results: The sensitization rates in descending order were 25.79% (D. pteronyssinus ), 18.66% (D. farinae ), 6.20% (mugwort), and 4.07% (willow) in Incheon; 33.35% (D. pteronyssinus ), 24.78% (D. farinae), 15.36% (Japanese cedar), and 7.33% (Alternaria) in Jeju; and 32.79% (D. pteronyssinus), 30.27% (D. farinae), 10.13% (alder), and 8.68% (birch) in Ulsan. The dust mite allergen showed the highest sensitization rate among the 3 regions. The sensitization rate of tree pollen was the highest in Ulsan, whereas that of Alternaria was the highest in Jeju. The ragweed sensitization rates were 0.99% in Incheon, 1.07% in Jeju, and 0.81% in Ulsan. Conclusion: The differences in sensitization rates were because of different regional environmental conditions and distinct surrounding biological species. Hence, subsequent nationwide studies are required.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제29권6호
• /
• pp.623-631
• /
• 2020

This study analyzes the effect of negative air ions on the concentration of airborne particulate matter and evaluates the expected purification efficiency of open spaces for particulate matter by investigating the amount of negative air ions generated by plants. This study establishes a negative air ion generation treatment environment, plant environment, and control environment to measure the purification efficiency of particulate matter under the conditions of each, analyzing the expected purification efficiency by designing a particulate matter purification model. Results show that the amount of generated negative air ion according to environment was negative air ion generation treatment environment > plant environment > control environment; this order also applies to the particulate matter purification efficiency. Moreover, it took 65 min for the negative ion generation treatment environment, 90 min for the plant environment, and 240 min for the control environment to reach the standard expected purification efficiency of particulate matter concentration of 960 mg/㎥ for PM₁₀. For PM_2.5, with the designated maximum concentration of 700 mg/㎥, it took 60 min for the negative ion generation treatment environment, 80 min for the plant environment, and more than 240 min for the control environment. Based on these results, the expected purification efficiency compared to the control environment was quadrupled in the negative ion generation treatment environment and tripled in the plant environment on average.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.151-157
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to evaluate $PM_{10}$ concentrations at eight highway tollgate booths from July to September 2017. Methods: A total of 16 samples were collected from eight toll booths. Each $PM_{10}$ sample was collected using a 37 mm PTFE filter attached to a Personal Environment Monitor. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of $PM_{10}$ in the toll booths was $83.51{\mu}g/m^3$. The mean $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured on freight roadways were much higher than those of measured on general roadways($102.46{\mu}g/m^3$ and $68.05{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). $PM_{10}$ was revealed to be higher in the morning($105.59{\mu}g/m^3$) than at dawn or in the afternoon($71.26{\mu}g/m^3$ and $61.22{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively). The mean $PM_{10}$ concentration in toll booths ventilated through an air conditioner was higher than that for those using a window or no ventilation. The rate of exceeding the Ministry of Environment Maintenance Limit($200{\mu}g/m^3$) was 6.25%, and the rate of exceeding the Ministry of Labor Recommended Limit($150{\mu}g/m^3$) was 12.5%. Conclusions: In order to protect the health of toll booth workers exposed to airborne dust, it is necessary to check the exposure level from indoor air quality on a regular basis and to manage it appropriately according to the results.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2024

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion: Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.366-379
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess airborne particulate matter(PM) pollution and its effect on health of residents living near Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu metropolitan region. Methods: The California Puff(CALPUFF) dispersion model, version 5.8, which can estimate the dispersion direction and range of airborn $PM_{10}$ was used to determine the possible areas affected by $PM_{10}$ pollutants emitted from Ansim briquette fuel complex. The CALPUFF modeling with 200 m grid-cell resolution was performed based on $PM_{10}$ emissions estimated from the amount of coal consumption in the fuel complex for four months in 2012. The Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) fields were processed using CALMET to produce CALPUFF-ready meteorological inputs. Also, the distance from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex to the residence of each environmental pneumoconiosis patient was analyzed. In addition, the affecting region of the pollutants emitted from briquette factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was determined. Results: CALPUFF modeling results showed that the highest concentrations of $PM_{10}$ were found near around the fuel complex. The modeled $PM_{10}$ distributions were characterized by significant decreases in concentration with distance from the complex. Seasonally, the highest concentration of $45{\mu}g/m^3$ was calculated in October which was mostly due to the distinct variation of amount of emission. Additional modeling with the maximum $PM_{10}$ emission of about 88 tons per year in 1986 showed that the highest concentration in October was nearly increased by 8 times than the concentration modeled with emission of 2010. As a result of medical examination and interviews for the residents in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its surroundings, 8 environmental pneumoconiosis patients were found. These patients do not have occupational exposure and history. These patients have lived 0.3~1.1 km area in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and its surroundings. Conclusions: Airborne particles emitted from Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex can contribute to significant increase in $PM_{10}$ concentration in residential areas near around the complex. Especially, the residents near fuel complex may exposed to the pollutants emitted from the factories in Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.