• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1991

To assess biological air quality, concentrations of viable airborne microbes were determined in hospital home and outdoor air from August 25 to October 18, 1990. Bacteria, fungi and thermophilic bacteria were sampled using gravitational and suctional sampling method. In bacteria groups, the Staphylococcus spp. was identified by microscopic examination and biochemical tests. Results of the study are as follows. 1. Results using the gravitational sampling method indicated that average numbers of airborne microbes in hospital home and outdoor air were 21.5, 12.2 and 17.6 CFU/plate, respectively. These levels are well within an appropriate standard of 50 CFU/plate suggested by Endo. 2. Results using the suctional sampling method indicated that total airborne microbe concentrations in hospital, home and outdoor air were 1,998, 1,363 and $1,880CFU/m^3$, respectively. All of the results were within the recommended remedial action level, $10,000CFU/m^3$ of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH). 3. Concentration of thermophilic bacteria in hospital and outdoor air were 79 and $111CFU/m^3$, respectively. Thermophilic bacteria were not detected in the home air. These results were within the remedial action level, $500CFU/m^3$. 4. Concentrations of Gram negative bacilli in holpital home and outdoor air were 20.3, 23.6 and $16.8CFU/m^3$, respectively. all were within the remedial action level, $500CFU/m^3$, recommended by ACGIH. 5. Concentrations of Staphylococcus spp. in hospital, home and outdoor air were 34.8, 14.7, and $22.4CFU/m^3$. respectively. all were within the remedial action level, $75CFU/m^3$, recommended by ACGIH. The percentages of Staphylococcus spp. in total bacteria in hospital, home and outdoor air were 19.0, 10.2 and 14.5%, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2009

This study evaluated the bacterial concentrations and affecting factors at the laboratories of a university in Seoul, Korea. Thirty-three samples of total airborne bacteria (TAB) and eighteen samples of gram negative bacteria (GNB) were collected from both microbiology laboratories (7) and chemistry laboratories (6). GM (GSD) of TAB and GNB concentrations were 194 (2.52) $cfu/m^3$, 24 (4.1) $cfu/m^3$, respectively. TAB concentrations in the chemical laboratories (GM (GSD): 193 (2.0) $cfu/m^3$) were not significantly different from those in microbial laboratories (GM (GSD): 202 (2.7) $cfu/m^3$, (p>0.05)). GM (GSD) of TAB concentrationsat the top of sink, the center of laboratory, and the front of ventilation ventilation device within laboratories, 182 (3.2) $cfu/m^3$, 217 (2.2) $cfu/m^3$, 176 (2.4) $cfu/m^3$, respectively, were not significantly different (p=0.48). Related factors were measured such as temperature, relative humidity, floor of laboratory, number of persons and laboratory area. TAB concentrations were significantly related to temperature (r=0.36, p<0.05), and the floor of laboratory and temperature were also significantly related (r=0.49, p<0.001). However, other factors such as relative humidity, number of persons and laboratory area did not show any significant relationship with TAB concentrations (p>0.05). TAB concentrations were affected significantly by cleaning frequency (p<0.001) and floor of laboratory (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference (p<0.01) between TAB indoor concentrations and TAB outdoor concentrations. However, other factors such as general ventilation did not affect TAB concentrations (p>0.05) in this study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.324-333
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• 2016

Objectives: We aimed to compare the sampling performance of different flow-based impactor samplers for collecting fungal spores and bacteria and to explore the association of the level of bioaerosols with activity patterns of occupants in daycare center settings. Methods: For comparison of sampling performance, two different flow-based samplers (greater than 100 L/min or not) were selected; a low flow-based sampler (one-stage Andersen sampler) and two high flow-based samplers (DUO SAS SUPER 360 sampler, BUCK bio-culture sampler). We collected airborne mold and bacteria in 30 daycare centers with various levels of contaminated air. Three repeat samplings per each sampler were performed. Mold and bacteria were grown for 96 hours at $25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and 48 hours at $35{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, respectively. The Andersen and SAS samplers were used for investigating the association between the level of bioaerosols and the activity patterns of occupants in daycares. Particular matters 10($PM_{10}$), temperature, and relative humidity were monitored as well. Samplings were carried out with one-hour interval from 9 to 5 O'clock. For statistical comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon's signed rank test, and multiple regression analysis were carried out. Results: The airborne level of molds by the low flow-based sampler were significantly higher than that of high flow-based samplers (indoor, P=0.037; outdoor, P=0.041). However, no statistical difference was observed in the airborne level of bacteria by each sampler. Also the level of bioaerosols varied by the time, particularly with different activity patterns in daycare centers. The higher level of mold and bacteria were observed in play time in indoor. Similarly, the concentrations of $PM_{10}$ were significantly associated with the level of bioaerosols (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the flow rate of sampler, rather than total air volume, could be able to affect the results of sampling. Also, the level of airborne mold and bacteria vary behavior patterns of occupants in indoor of daycare settings. Therefore, different samplers with other flow rate may be selected for mold or bacteria sampling, and activity patterns should be considered for bioaerosol sampling as well.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.300-310
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• 2012

Objectives: Indoor air quality problems in public spaces have recently become a very important issue in South Korea, because many spend a long time every day indoors. In this study, an extensive literature review was performed on the subject of suspended bacteria and fungi in public facilities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent and types of suspended bacteria and fungi in indoor air in South Korea. This study will provide direction to the research in the field of indoor air. Methods: Article reviews was conducted using a search engine and the following keywords; 'bacteria', 'total suspended bacteria', 'fungi' and 'indoor air' from published articles since 2000. Results: Most of the places of measurement were schools, kindergartens, childcare centers and general hospitals. The highest concentrations of total suspended bacteria and fungi were found in schools and kindergartens. Some public facilities exceeded the standard of 800 CFU/$m^3$. There were few studies on other suspended bacteria: Gram Negative Bacteria, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions: It appears that more studies with intensive controls are needed. It was found that schools and kindergartens were most susceptible to microbial indoor air pollution. These results may be able to suggest an indoor standard for suspended bacteria and fungi in South Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.868-876
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• 2015

This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of total culturable bacteria (TCB) and to identify the bacteria in thirty public facilities (7 elderly-care facilities, 4 hypermarkets, 4 university hospitals, 7 child care facilities, 4 subway stations and 4 bus terminals) in Seoul and Gyeonggi-Do Province. Although all concentrations measured in these study facilities did not exceed the national maintenance standard, it is believed that elderly-, child-care facilities should be high priority facilities to improve the indoor air quality and it is important to study the health effects and the airborne bacteria concentration of public facilities including non-culturable bacteria or allergen.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.273-278
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of distribution for airborne bio aerosol in 11 public facilities in Seoul from June to July. The collected samples are total suspended bacteria in indoor and outdoor Anderson six stage air sampler by the IAQ standard method of Ministry of Environment in Korea. The concentration of total suspended bacteria in the theater higher than IAQ standards. As the results of the survey, the most high indoor air mean concentration of bacteria $1273CFU/m^3$ was theater and the most high outdoor air mean concentration of bacteria $^229 CFU/m3$was Kindergarten. The mean concentration of bacteria in the theater was higher than the IAQ standards established by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Moreover, this study was for investigation a part of indoor air pollution condition in public facilities. It means that this study can't represent fDr all of public facilities. Therefore, we suggest that long and middle term country plan for management of IAQ should be established through long-term and continuous investigation of IAQ condition. Also above consideration in mind, it is suggest that the research for source contribution of the results on these need further study.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of airborne bioaerosol in public facilities in Seoul. A total of 17 public facilities were investigated from December, 2002 to February, 2003. As results of the survey, the mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi in indoor air of public facilities were $378.08\pm296.33$ CFU/㎥ by RCS and $106.38\pm171.63$ CFU/㎥ and $347.46\pm335.32$ CFU/㎥ and $95.23\pm62.61$ CFU/㎥, by Six-stage cascade air sampler respectively. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $517.14\pm343.93$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $215,83\pm100.71$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $83.14\pm79.16$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $133.50\pm248.07$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air were 449.44 CFU/㎥ for the ground and $217.50\pm103.68$ CFU/㎥ for the underground. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air were $63.89\pm77.66$ CFU/㎥ for the ground and $202.00\pm290.08$ CFU/㎥ for the underground.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the concentration variation of airborne bacteria and endotoxin by the temperature in the compost pile in order to identify the generation characteristics of biological factors in the exhaust gases generated from lab-scale sludge compositing reactors (0.06 $m^3$ of total reactor volume). Airborne bacteria showed the highest concentration of generation ($1.03{\times}10^5\;CFU/m^3$) in the composting reactor without mechanical agitation, and similar change tendency to temperature variation of composting, but somewhat lower statistical significance (p>0.05). In the compost reactor with mechanical agitation, endotoxin showed similar generation characteristic to temperature variation of composting (statistical significance; p<0.05) and the highest generation concentration to 1,415 EU/$m^3$. Mechanical agitation of the composting process affected activity of microorganism and positive generation of endotoxin in exhaust gases. Endotoxin and airborne bacteria showed similar tendency of generation, especially the highest statistical correlation was observed in the compost reactor without mechanical agitation (statistical significance: p<0.01).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2017

Objective: Bacterial abundance and community compositions have been examined in Asian dust events, clarifying their impacts on public health. This study aims to determine the bacterial community compositions and viable bacteria in Asian dust particles in the Asian dust or non-Asian dust event of March 2016. Methods: The dust samples were collected using the high volume air sampler or high volume cascade impactor, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR, followed by pyrosequencing. Bacterial diversity index, richness estimate and community composition in the particles were analyzed from the sequencing data using Mothur software. Results: The results showed that the diversity and richness during Asian dust events were higher than them in non-Asian dust events. The total bacterial community analysis showed that at the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant of Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events. In addition, the bacterial colony counts were higher during Asian dust event, comparing with non-Asian dust event. Conclusions: This study showed that bacterial community and richness of Asian dust samples was more complex and higher than non-Asian dust samples in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, which could affect public health and environment. Thus, the continuous monitoring of Asian dust could be an alternative for managing airborne bacteria.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.174-184
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to improve the working environment by identifying the work satisfaction of the cleaning workers of the aircraft and measuring and assessing the harmful factors of the cleaning process. Methods: We asked 23 cleaning companies for questionnaires and got 100 answers from 5 companies. The A-E Airline health manager has been contacted to establish a site survey schedule. The in-flight and lounge were measured using direct reading equipment. The harmful factor to be measured are noise, dust, temperature, volatile organic compound, total airborne bacteria, and total airborne bacteria. Results: Uncomfortable positions when replacing blanket, cleaning the table, and cleaning the floor have been identified as factor that reduce work satisfaction. Noise when replacing newspapers and cleaning toilets has been identified as a factor that lowers work satisfaction. Temperature and humidity were found to reduce work satisfaction during in-flight disinfection. Measurements of aircraft cabin and lounge with direct read equipment have shown that none of the items exceed the exposure criteria. Conclusions: As a result of measuring direct-reading equipment, no items exceeded the exposure criteria for each harmful factor. A clear survey of the working environment is required based on the results, and additional research is needed using personal sample measurement.