• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2000

In order to understand the wintertime intermittent characteristics of the trans-boundary air pollutant transport observed in East Asia, a numerical simulation of the long-range transport of pollutants was applied using an atmospheric transport model(STEM-II). The numerical simulation was carried out for the entire month of January 1997 and specific atmospheric aerosol (including sulfate, nitrate, and other ion compounds0 observation data were compared from four observation sites(Cheju Island, Kanghwa Island, Dazaifu, and Fukue Island). The observation data revealed that concentration peaks were intermittently observed at 3 to 4-day intervals plus the four observation sites exhibited a very similar spatial variation. The horizontal and spatial scale of the heavily polluted air masses was analyzed based on numerical results. The mechanism of the intermittent transport of air pollutants was clearly explained by a comparison of the observed data with the numerical output. It was found that the wind pattern variations associated with the synoptic scale pressure system changes play an extremely important role in the transport of pollutants in this region.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• 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.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.214-222
• /
• 2022

In these proceedings, we will address the problem of air pollution on the premises of the Cement factory SHARRCEM L.L.C. in Hani Elezit in the Republic of Kosovo respectively around the clinker cooler, rotary kiln, and raw material mill. By air pollution, we mean the introduction of chemicals, particles, or other harmful materials into the atmosphere which in one way or another causing damage to the development of plants and organisms. Air pollution occurs when certain substances are released into the air, which depending on the quantitative level, can be harmful to human health, animals, and the environment in general. The analysis of air shows the influence of the extractive and processing industry on the chemical composition of air. Parameters analyzed though under control such as the case of carbon dioxide, due to the increasing production capacity of cement, the production of hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of CO₂ gas made CO₂ production a concern. With the purchase of the latest technology by the SHARCEM Factory in Hani Elezit, the amount of air pollution has been reduced and the allowed parameters of environmental pollution have been kept under control. Air pollutants are introduced into the atmosphere from various sources which change the composition of the atmosphere and affect the biotic environment.The concentration of air pollutants depends not only on the quantities that are emitted from the sources of air pollution but also on the ability of the atmosphere to absorb or disperse these emissions. Sources of air pollutants include vehicles, industry, indoor sources, and natural resources. There are some natural pollutants, such as natural fog, particles from volcanic eruptions, pollen grains, bacteria, and so on.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.137-148
• /
• 2009

This study quantitatively investigated the emissions of indoor air pollutants associated with the utilization of air fresheners indoors, and evaluated individual exposure to five specified indoor air pollutants, which were chosen on the basis of selection criteria. An electrically-polished stainless steel chamber (50L) was employed to achieve this purpose. Test air fresheners were selected through three steps: first, on the basis of market sales; second, on the basis on a preliminary head-space study; and lastly, on the basis of emissions of toxic compounds (benzene, ethyl benzene, limonene, toluene, and xylene). The empirical mathematical model fitted well with the time-series concentrations in the environmental chamber (in most cases, determination coefficient, $R^2{\gtrsim}$0.9), thereby suggesting that the empirical model was suitable for testing emissions. The concentration equilibrium appeared 180 min after the introduction of sample air fresheners into the chamber. Both the chamber concentrations of emission rates or factors varied greatly according to air freshener type. It is noteworthy that although benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylene were emitted from all test air fresheners, their exposure levels were not significant enough to result in any significant health risk. However, certain type of air fresheners were observed to emit significant amount of limonene, which is potentially reactive with ozone to generate secondary pollutants with oxidants such as ozone, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrogen oxides. The exposure levels to limonene associated with the utilization of three air fresheners were estimated to be 13 to 175 times higher than that of other air fresheners. This information can help consumers to select low-pollutant-emitting air fresheners.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.403-410
• /
• 2017

With the growing importance of GHG reduction, wood pellets are considered as a cheaper renewable energy and carbon neutral. On the other hand, there is a concern that the burning wood pellets may release even more air pollutants such as CO and VOCs. In this study, we analyzed the social costs of burning fuels including wood pellets and coals based on the unit calorific value. The social costs were calculated by sum of the import costs of the fuels and the emission costs of the air pollutants. The results showed that wood pellets are inferior to coals in the aspect of the social costs. It is necessary to improve the quality of the wood pellets and pellet boiler facilities for being used eco-friendly energy sources in the future. We suggest that the control facilities of CO and VOCs should be installed, if the control costs are lower than the pollution costs.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2020

In this study, we compared efficiency of different aquatic plants in removing indoor pollutants and examined their potential to purify indoor air. Two liter of water in chamber was used as the control, while the other chambers containing water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and water coin (Hydrocotyle umbellata) were used as treatment groups. Temperatures inside all the chambers were maintained between 20 ℃ and 23 ℃. Humidity in the chambers with aquatic plants increased by 30% and 50% control respectively. The removal of formaldehyde per unit leaf area was examined in each aquatic plant. It turned out that water hyacinth removed the highest amount of formaldehyde, followed by water lettuce and water coin. Both water hyacinth and water lettuce increased the amount of removal of formaldehyde until the end of the experiment. In the case of airborne dust (PM 10) and fine dust (PM 2.5), water coin, which had the highest number of leaves, removed more PM 10 and PM 2.5 than the other aquatic plants, with statistically significant difference. In addition, both water coin and water hyacinth smoothly opened and closed stomata before and after the experiment. Consequently, as the aquatic plants were effective in controlling humidity and removing pollutants, they can be used as air purifying plants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.416-426
• /
• 2019

Objectives: In recent years, transboundary air pollution from mainland East Asia has led to growing concerns about air pollution in Japan. Air pollution is reportedly associated with the exacerbation of respiratory diseases. In this study, we assessed the effects of air pollution on respiratory symptoms and the health status of participants with and without chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: Participants (n=2753) with and without chronic respiratory diseases who visited healthcare facilities in Japan during February from 2010 to 2015 filled out a self-report questionnaire regarding their symptoms and perceived health status. Participants were followed up during April-May and June-July. Results: Oxidant concentrations were associated with respiratory symptoms, overall health, and quality of life (QoL). Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate matter <$2.5{\mu}m$ levels were associated with physical fitness; SPM was also associated with QoL. Recent experience of an Asian sand dust event had a significant effect on allergic symptoms, change in health, and QoL. Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms were more strongly affected by oxidants than by other pollutants. Significant associations of air pollutants were found with a comprehensive range of items related to perceived health status, including overall health and QoL. Although the effects of air pollutants on respiratory symptoms and health status were more apparent among patients with respiratory diseases, the adverse effects of air pollutants were significant even among participants without such conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.441-448
• /
• 1996

The cyclone/annular denuder system/filter pack sampling system (ADS) was used to collect the acidic air pollutants in Chongju city. The data set was collected on nine different days with 24 hour sampling period from July 27 through August 27, 1995. The chemical species measured were $HNO_3, HNO_2, SO_2 and NH_3$ in the gas phase, and $PM_{2.5}(d_P<2.5 \mum), SO_4^{2-}, NO_3^- and NH_4^+$ in the particulate phase. Mean concentrations measured from this study were: $0.90 \mug/m^3 for HNO_3, 1.27 \mug/m^3 for HNO_2, 10.9 \mug/m^3 for SO_2, 4.82 \mug/m^3 for NH_3, 27.5 \mug/m^3 for PM_{2.5}, 5.24 \mug/m^3 for SO_4^{2-}, 1.22 \mug/m^3 for NO_3^-, and 1.64 \mug/m^3 for NH_4^+$. The fine particle $(PM_{2.5})$ mass measured for the ADS samples was slightly higher than the fine particle mass measured for the corresponding dichotomous sampler. For the wind coming from Chongju industrial complex the concentrations of acidic air pollutants measured were higher when compared with other directions. Specially, $SO_2 and PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for the wind coming from Chongju industrial complex were 3.6 and about 2 times, respectively, higher than those of other wind directions. High correlations were observed between $PM_{2.5} and fine particle's ion components $(r=0.82 with SO_4^{2-}, r=0.76 with NO_3^- and r=0.89 with NH_4^+). NH_4^+ and SO_4^{2-}$ was also highly correlated (r=0.97).

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.281-289
• /
• 2020

Environmental fate of ionizable organic pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are of increasing interest but has not been well understood because of uncertain values for parameters related with atmospheric interphase partitioning behavior. In the present study, not only the values for air-water partition coefficient (K_AW) and dissociation constant (pKa) of PFAAs were induced by adjusting to in situ measurements of air-water distribution coefficient between vapor phase and rainwater but also gas-particle partition coefficients were also estimated using three-phase partitioning model of ionizable organic pollutants, in situ measurements of PFAAs in aerosol and air vapor phase, and obtained parameter values. The pKa values of PFAAs we obtained were close to the minimum values suggested in literature except for perfluorooctane sulfonic acids, and COSMOtherm-modeled K_AW values were assessed to more appropriate among suggested values. When applying parameter values we obtained, it was predicted that air particle-associated fate and transport of PFAAs could be negligible and PFAAs could distribute ubiquitously along the transection from urban to rural region by pH-dependent phase transfer in air. Our study is expected to have some implications in prediction of the environmental redistribution of other ionizable organic compounds.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.801-810
• /
• 2013

A field study was conducted to evaluate air quality from gas stations with and without Stage II vapor recovery systems that are currently used to reduce VOCs. The THC and VOCs levels were monitored for the test at three locations (inside office, around refueling area, site boundary) from a total of five gas stations. The results showed a considerable reduction in THC concentration which ranged from 48.7% to 81.8% with and without the operation of the Stage II VRS. Acoording to our comparative analysis, BTEX and other 19 VOCs levels were also significantly reduced with Stage II vapor recovery systems.