• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2018

Environmental contaminants are one of the important causal factors for development of various human diseases. In particular, the perinatal period is highly vulnerable to environmental toxicants and resultant dysregulation of fetal development can cause detrimental health outcomes potentially affecting life-long health. Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs), emerging environmental pollutants, are man-made organic molecules, which are widely used in diverse industries and consumer products. PFCs are non-degradable and bioaccumulate in the environment. Importantly, PFCs can be found in cord blood and breast milk as well as in the general population. Due to their physicochemical properties and potential toxicity, many studies have evaluated the health effects of PFCs. This review summarizes the epidemiological and experimental studies addressing the association of PFCs with neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. While the relationships between PFC levels and changes in neural and immune health are not yet conclusive, accumulative studies provide evidence for positive associations between PFC levels and the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reduced immune response to vaccination both in children and adults. In conclusion, PFCs have the potential to affect human health linked with neurological disorders and immunosuppressive responses. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the effects of PFCs on human health is still in its infancy. Therefore, along with efforts to develop methods to reduce exposure to PFCs, studies on the mode of action of these chemicals are required in the near future.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

With industrial development, the inevitable increase in both organic and inorganic waste necessitates the exploration of waste treatment and utilization methods. This study focuses on co-pyrolyzing lignin and red mud to generate metalbiochar, aiming to demonstrate their potential as effective adsorbents for water pollutant removal. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed mass loss of lignin below 660℃, with additional mass loss occurring (>660℃) due to the phase change of metals (i.e., Fe) in red mud. Characterization of the metal-biochar indicated porous structure embedded with zero-valent iron/magnetite and specific functional groups. The adsorption experiments with 2,4-dichlorophenol and Cd(II) revealed the removal efficiency of the two pollutants reached its maximum at the initial pH of 2.8. These findings suggest that copyrolysis of lignin and red mud can transform waste into valuable materials, serving as effective adsorbents for diverse water pollutants.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2024

This study investigates the sources and characteristics of odor pollutants, focusing on total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia in traditional markets. The objective is to assess the impact of these odors on market environments and evaluate the effectiveness of new odor-reducing techniques. Research design, data, and methodology: Conducted in Wonju Traditional Market, the research employed a longitudinal design to analyze odor concentrations over time through continuous monitoring at five strategically established points. Measurements were taken continuously for five minutes at one-minute intervals using the AOMS-1000 odor-measuring equipment. The study also applied a sewage odor-reducing substance spraying device designed to minimize unpleasant odors. Data was collected in the summer of 2022 and again in the summer of 2023, allowing for a comparative analysis of odor levels before and after implementing the odor-reducing technique. Results: Findings revealed significant concentrations of TVOCs, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, with a notable reduction in pollutants following the introduction of the odor-reducing device. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of effective odor management in traditional markets. It recommends the adoption of advanced technologies such as biofilters, electrostatic precipitators, and photocatalytic purification systems to better control odor emissions. Implementing these solutions can significantly enhance the shopping experience for consumers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the impact of aquariums on indoor air quality for improving humidity and reducing indoor air pollutants. Methods: An air-conditioning chamber was used to determine humidity increase by aquarium volume at three different temperatures ($20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$). Humidity increase was measured for 21 hours ($20^{\circ}C$) and 12 hours ($25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) while placing five different volume of aquarium in the chamber. Concentrations of several volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde were measured after a known amount was injected into the chamber with and without an aquarium. Results: The humidity inside the chamber increased when the aquarium was inside the chamber. Humidity change was similar at $20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, and $30^{\circ}C$, but slightly higher at higher temperatures. The bigger the aquarium volume, the higher was the humidity increase that occurred. Humidity increase by the aquarium was sufficient to increase indoor humidity in winter and negligible in summer. Concentrations of some water-soluble indoor air pollutants and formaldehyde were decreased with the aquarium inside the chamber. Conclusions: An aquarium could increase indoor humidity in winter, while the humidity increase is negligible in summer. An aquarium could decrease some water-soluble indoor air pollutants, including formaldehyde. This result implies that an aquarium may have positive effects on indoor environmental quality.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.531-539
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• 2013

In order to apply a water quality indicator as a certain target pollutant, the indicator should have the representability of an index for the management of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Scientific groundwork and treatment technologies also should be provided for the application of the indicator. This study analyzed the applicability of major water quality indicators for target pollutants. The results showed that four water quality indicators of TOC, T-N, SS & T-Coli can be considered as target pollutants besides existing BOD and T-P. These indicators can be applied with the preparations such as essential basic data, pollution load estimation framework as well as legal criteria setting when the need is raised. As the importance of TOC, which is considered as a replacement of BOD, is emphasized, technical and institutional terms are being prepared in order to determine TOC as another target pollutant in the near future. It could be considered to combine TOC with BOD for the time being during the $3^{rd}$ stage of TMDLs in view of the present conditions for the management of TOC. TOC can be the most effective index for the organic matter and help to be managed more systematically in the waterbodies where rivers and lakes are mutually connected.

• Atmosphere
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 2019

Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM_2.5 were measured with Sunset Laboratory Model-5 Semi-Continuous OC/EC Field Analyzer by NIOSH/TOT method at Anmyeondo Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Regional Station (37°32'N, 127°19'E) in July and August, 2017. The mean values of OC and EC were 3.7 ㎍ m^-3 and 0.7 ㎍ m^-3, respectively. During the study period, the concentrations of reactive gases and aerosol compositions were evidently lower than those of other seasons. It is mostly due to meteorological setting of the northeast Asia, where the influence of continental outflow is at its minimum during this season under southwesterly wind. While the diurnal variation of OC and EC were not clear, the concentrations of O₃, CO, NOx, EC, and OC were evidently enhanced under easterly wind at night from 20:00 to 8:00. However, the high concentration of EC was observed concurrently with CO and NOx under northerly wind during 20:00~24:00. It indicates the influence of thermal power plant and industrial facilities, which was recognized as a major emission source during KORUS-AQ campaign. The diurnal variations of pollutants clearly showed the influence of land-sea breeze, in which OC showed good correlation between EC and O₃ in seabreeze. It is estimated to be the recirculation of pollutants in land-sea breeze cycle. This study suggests that in general, Anmyeondo station serves well as a background monitoring station. However, the variation in meteorological condition is so dynamic that it is primary factor to determine the concentrations of secondary species as well as primary pollutants at Anmyeondo station.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.8-15
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• 2016

Bioremediation, which uses microbes to degrade most organic pollutants in soil and groundwater, can be used in solving environmental issues in various polluted sites. In this research, a wind-driven bioventing system is built to degrade about 20,000 mg/kg of high concentration diesel pollutants in soil-pollution mode. The wind-driven bioventing test was proceeded by the bioaugmentation method, and the indigenous microbes used were Bacillus cereus, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Pseudomonas putida. The phenomenon of two-stage diesel degradation of different rates was noted in the test. In order to interpret the results of the mode test, three microbes were used to degrade diesel pollutants of same high concentration in separated aerated batch-mixing vessels. The data derived thereof was input into the Haldane equation and calculated by non-linear regression analysis and trial-and-error methods to establish the kinetic parameters of these three microbes in bioventing diesel degradation. The results show that in the derivation of μ_m (maximum specific growth rate) in biodegradation kinetics parameters, K_s (half-saturation constant) for diesel substance affinity, and K_i (inhibition coefficient) for the adaptability of high concentration diesel degradation. The K_s is the lowest in the trend of the first stage degradation of Bacillus cereus in a high diesel concentration, whereas K_i is the highest, denoting that Bacillus cereus has the best adaptability in a high diesel concentration and is the most efficient in diesel substance affinity. All three microbes have a degradation rate of over 50% with regards to Pristane and Phytane, which are branched alkanes and the most important biological markers.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.299-308
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• 2000

This study analyzed solid wastes generated from a school. The emission potential of hazardous pollutants generated from incineration of the school solid wastes (SSWs) was analyzed. Components of the SSWs were identified and the SSWs were classified into combustible and non-combustible wasts. The combustible wastes consisted of papers of 56.5^ plastics of 30.2% woods of 7.1% and fibers of 6.1% based on weight of the wastes. The moisture content and the ash content of the combustible wastes were 18~20% and 11~13% respectively. The combustible wastes of the SSWs were incinerated by using a small-scale incinerator. Fly and bottom ashes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected from the incineration. Also the metal leaching experiments on the fly and bottom ashes were performed, In analysis of metals leached from the ashes the total amounts of metals leached in the acid solution (pH=3) were much greater than those in the neutral solution (pH=5.8~6.2) For the same amounts of the fly and bottom ashes the total amounts of metals leached from the fly ashes were much greater than those from the bottom ashes. The VOCs produced from incineration of the SSWs consisted of aromatics of 42.1% aliphatic alkenes of 26.3% oxidized forms of 17.3% and aliphatic alkanes of 14.3% In addition the considerable amounts of hazardous air pollutants (e.g benzene chloro-benzene and chloro-alkanes) and compounds (e. g, aliphatic alkenes) with high potential of ozone or photochemical smog formation were identified from the incineration experiment of the SSWs.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.1 s.56
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• pp.27-36
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• 2007

Cyanides and dichlorophenols were important pollutants in industrial effluents of steel, petroleum, plastics, pesticides, synthetic dye and/or fiber manufacturing. The toxic effects of cyanide and 3, 5-dichlorophenol in the unary and binary solutions to Vibrio fischeri were determined using the newly developed $N-tox^{(R)}$ bioassay system. This bioassay system relies upon the attenuation of light intensity emitted by Vibrio fischeri exposed to various pollutants including metals and organic compounds. Most of studies dealing with toxicity of pollutants concerned single chemical species, while the organisms were typically exposed to pollutant mixtures. The present study showed that the toxicity of some binary combinations of cyanide and 3, 5-dichlorophenol significantly was lower than the predicted toxicity from the addicted model. This antagonistic interaction was well explained by chemical interaction model presented in this study.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2010

While increased use of motor cycles in the recent years for various demands could worsen air quality, only few studies have been conducted on estimation of emission factors and characterization of emissions from motorcycle. In this study, emissions from selected six models of motorcycle based on largest market share and production rate were investigated. To investigate gaseous and carbonaceous air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbon (THC), nitrogen oxide ($NO_x$), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC), total 124 motorcycles between 2003 and 2007 model year were tested with regulatory driving conditions, such as CVS-40 and CVS-47 mode. These motorcycles were further sub-categorized based on their displacement (< 50 cc, 50~150 cc, and $\geq$ 150 cc), type of stroke (2- and 4 strokes) and model year (2003~2005 and 2006~2007). Tested motorcycles with recent model year (2006~2007) exhibited less emissions of regulatory gaseous and carbonaceous air pollutants compared to old model year (2003~2005). Chemical analysis showed that CO present in highest concentration followed by THC and $NO_x$ for all tested motorcycles. Interestingly, two strokes motorcycle produced higher THC emission but less CO and $NO_x$ than those of four strokes. For all types of displacement and stroke, emission factors (gram per kilometer) of THC and CO except $NO_x$ with recent model year (2006~2007) showed decreased trend compared to old model year (2003~2005). In addition to this, due to mixed combustion between gasoline fuel and lubricant, two strokes motorcycle showed OC > EC emission trend.