• Atmosphere
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.493-506
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• 2008

In order to examine the variational features of Asian dust outbreak in recent years, observed WMO synop data were employed for the period from 1996 to 2007. We first divided Asian dust source regions into four subregions; 1) Taklamakan, 2) Gobi, 3) Inner Mongolia-Manchuria and 4) Loess, and the meteorogical variables such as wind speed, precipitation and threshold wind speed observed during the Asian dust outbreak period were compared with those during non-Asian dust period. The results showed that temporal variation of occurrence frequency of dust outbreak had a strong positive correlation with the frequency of strong wind speed and low precipitation in each of the 4 source regions. Spatial distributions of frequency of dust occurrence after 2002 showed increasing trend in Gobi and Inner Mongolia-Manchuria but decreasing trend in Loess region. This is showing a shift in main source region toward Northwest, especially since 2003.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.256-271
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• 2016

The source and transport of the severe Asian dust event (ADE) recently observed in the Korean peninsula were analyzed based on observations (surface weather charts and satellite data) and modeling study (WRF-CMAQ modeling systems). The ADE occurred on 20-21 March 2010 in South Korea with very high $PM_{10}$ concentrations (up to approximately $3,000{\mu}g/m^3$ in Daegu and Jeju). The dominant meteorological conditions affecting the dust outbreak and transport processes were found to be associated with the two synoptic features: (1) strong airflows (i.e., westerlies) induced by a strong pressure gradient resulting from a dense isobar pattern (west-high and east-low) between Tuva Republic and Mongolia and (2) a rapid movement of the strong westerlies merged with airflows generated near Gobi Desert and Inner Mongolia. The merged strong westerlies with a low pressure played a pivotal role in the huge amount of AD and its transport height of 5-8 km. The time and location of dust emissions calculated in the source regions were similar to those observed in the weather charts and satellite image. The ADE simulation mostly showed agreement in the patterns and the concentration levels of modeled dust (including $PM_{10}$) with those of the observations.

• Atmosphere
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.267-277
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• 2008

The occurrence and strength of the Asian Dust over the Korea Peninsular have been increased by the expansion of the desert area. For the continuous monitoring of the Asian Dust event, the geostationary satellites provide useful information by detecting the outbreak of the event as well as the long-range transportation of dust. The Infrared Optical Depth Index (IODI) derived from the MTSAT-1R data, indicating a quantitative index of the dust intensity, has been produced in real-time at Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) since spring of 2007 for the forecast of Asian dust. The data processing algorithm for IODI consists of mainly two steps. The first step is to detect dust area by using brightness temperature difference between two thermal window channels which are influenced with different extinction coefficients by dust. Here we use dynamic threshold values based on the change of surface temperature. In the second step, the IODI is calculated using the ratio between current IR1 brightness temperature and the maximum brightness temperature of the last 10 days which we assume the clear sky. Validation with AOD retrieved from MODIS shows a good agreement over the ocean. Comparison of IODI with the ground based PM10 observation network in Korea shows distinct characteristics depending on the altitude of dust layer estimated from the Lidar data. In the case that the altitude of dust layer is relatively high, the intensity of IODI is larger than that of PM10. On the other hand, when the altitude of dust layer is lower, IODI seems to be relatively small comparing with PM10 measurement.

• Atmosphere
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2007

Simulation results of Asian Dust Aerosol Model (ADAM) for the period of April 7-9, 2006 were analyzed, comparing with observed PM10 data. ADAM simulated around ten times lower than on-site PM10 concentration in the source regions: Zhurihe, Tongliao, Yushe, Dalian and Huimin. As the result of this low concentration, transported amounts of Asian Dust were under-estimated as well. In order to quantify a forecasting accuracy, Bias and RMSE were calculated. Even though remarkably negative Biases and high RMSEs were observed, ADAM simulation had followed well up the time of dust outbreak and a transported path. However, the emission process to generate dust from source regions requires a great enhancement. The PM10 concentration at the surface reached up to $2,300{\mu}gm^{-3}$ at Baeknyoungdo and Seoul (Mt. Gwanak), up to $1,750{\mu}gm^{-3}$ at KGAWO about 18:00 LST in April 8, respectively; however, ADAM did not simulate the same result on its second peak. It is considered that traveling Asian dust might have been lagged over the Korean peninsula by the blocking of surface high pressure. Moreover, the current RDAPS's 30 km grid resolution (which ADAM adopts as the meteorological input data) might not adequately represent small-scale atmospheric motions below planetary boundary layer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 1991

It is observed that the outbreak of dust storms (yellow sand) from Northern China and Mongolia occurs a few times in April 1988 and 1990. It is found that a dust storm initiated with strong gusty winds after the passage of a cold front, particularly after defrost of the ground surface of a source region in the early spring. According to meteorological chart, satellite images and trajectory analyses, dust clouds invaded Korea in April 1988 and 1990 were landing in the sink area after 2 $\sim$ 4 days travelling for 2,000 $\sim$ 3,000 km from a source region. It was also observed that in the west coast total suspended particulated (TSP) were 100 $\sim$ 200 $\mug m^{-3}$ and sulphates $(SO_4=)$ were 3 $\sim$ 10 $\mug m^{-3}$. These values clearly exceed the concentrations of a background level measured in the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. Trajectory analyses and meteorological analyses suggest that the high values occurred with prevailing westerly flows coming from anthropogenic sources in China. High concentrations of air pollutants occurred in the backside of an anticyclone and in the area "col".col".uot;.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.521-529
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• 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused changes in human activity, and these changes may possibly increase or decrease exposure to fine dust (PM_2.5). Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the exposure to PM_2.5 in relation to the outbreak of COVID-19. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the exposure to PM_2.5 concentrations by the variation of dynamic populations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: This study evaluated exposure to PM_2.5 concentrations by changes in the dynamic population distribution in Guro-gu, Seoul, before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 between Jan and Feb, 2020. Gurogu was divided into 2,204 scale standard grids of 100 m×100 m. Hourly PM_2.5 concentrations were modeled by the inverse distance weight method using 24 sensor-based air monitoring instruments. Hourly dynamic population distribution was evaluated according to gender and age using mobile phone network data and time-activity patterns. Results: Compared to before, the population exposure to PM_2.5 decreased after the outbreak of COVID-19. The concentration of PM_2.5 after the outbreak of COVID-19 decreased by about 41% on average. The variation of dynamic population before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 decreased by about 18% on average. Conclusions: Comparing before and after the outbreak of COVID-19, the population exposures to PM_2.5 decreased by about 40%. This can be explained to suggest that changes in people's activity patterns due to the outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in a decrease in exposure to PM_2.5.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.36 no.12B
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• pp.1708-1721
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• 2011

Recent outbreak of cattle diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease(FMD) requires constant monitoring of burial sites of mass cull of cattles. However, current monitoring system takes environmental samples from burial sites with period of between one and two weeks, which makes it impossible for non-stop management of hazardous bio-waste. Therefore, in this study, we suggest an improved real-time environmental monitoring system for such bio-hazardous sites based on wireless sensor networks, which makes constant surveillance of the FMD burial sites possible. The system consists mainly several wireless environmental monitoring sensors(i.e dust, Co2, VOC, NH3, H2S, temperature, humidity) nodes and GPS location tracking nodes. Through analysis of the relayed of the environmental monitoring data via gateway, the system makes it possible for constant monitoring and quick response for emergency situation of the burial sites. In order to test the effectiveness of the system, we have installed a set of sensor to gas outlets of the burial sites, then collected and analyzed measured bio-sensing data. We have conducted simulated emergency test runs and was able to detect and monitor the foul smell constantly. With our study, we confirm that the preventive measures and quick response of bio environmental accident are possible with the help of a real-time environmental monitoring system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics and working environments of sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases associated with a tire manufacturer in Korea, and review possible occupational risk factors for cardiovascular disease including nanoparticles (ultrafine particles, UFPs). Methods: We reviewed (i) the clinical course of SCD cases and (ii) occupational and non-occupational risk factors including chemicals, the physical work environment, and job characteristics. Results: Possible occupational factors were chemicals, UFPs of rubber fume, a hot environment, shift work, overworking, and noise exposure. The mean diameter of rubber fume (63-73 nm) was (larger than diesel exhaust [12 nm] and outdoor dust [50 nm]). The concentration of carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide and styrene were lower than the limit of detection. Five SCD cases were exposed to shift work and overworking. Most of the cases had several non-occupational factors such as hypertension, overweight and smoking. Conclusion: The diameter of rubber fume was larger than outdoor and the diesel exhaust, the most well known particulate having a causal relationship with cardiovascular disease. The possibility of a causal relation between UFPs of rubber fume and SCD was not supported in this study. However, it is necessary to continue studying the relationship between large sized UFPs and SCD.