• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the level of exposure to volatile organic compounds for different kinds of households in apartments or houses and analyze the relation between atopy-related symptoms and concentration of volatile organic compounds in order to improve indoor air quality and start to build a process to prevent environmental diseases. Method: From July 2010 to November 2010, TVOC concentration levels were measured and analyzed in 402 general households and 236 weak households, totalling 638 households. Residents were asked to fill out a survey on environmental disease. All resources were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 program. Result: In comparing the differences in concentration levels of volatile organic compounds for different types of households, including existing apartments and houses, the type of housing did not affect the concentration level of volatile organic compounds, but the relevance with skin trouble, diagnosed atopy, and atopy systems all had statistical similarities. Moreover, above-limit volatile organic compounds showed statistical relevance with amount of ventilation, time of construction, skin trouble, diagnosed atopy and atopy symptoms. Conclusion: The study concludes that as the time of construction recedes further into the past and as the amount of ventilation is higher, the exposure level to volatile organic compounds was lower and the group that were suffering from atopy symptoms had higher exposure to volatile organic compounds.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-179
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• 2012

Indirect $CO_2$ effect due to non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions from solvent and product use and fugitive NMVOC emissions from fuels in the Republic of Korea and 13 Annex I countries under United Nations Framework on Climate Change were estimated and the proportions of them to total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ranged from 0.092% to 0.45% in 2006. Indirect greenhouse effect ($CO_2$, $CH_4$, and $O_3$) were estimated at 13 photochemical assessment monitoring sites in the Republic of Korea using concentrations of 8 NMVOCs of which indirect global warming potential (GWP) were available. The contribution of toluene to mixing ratio was highest at 11 sites and however, the contribution of toluene to indirect greenhouse effect was highest at nine sites. In contrast to toluene, the contributions of ethane, butane, and ethylene were enhanced. The indirect greenhouse effects of ethane and propane, of which ozone formation potentials are the lowest and the third lowest respectively among targeted 10 NMVOCs, ranked first and fourth highest respectively. Acetaldehyde has relatively higher maximum incremental reactivity and is classified as probable human carcinogen however, its indirect GWP ranked second lowest.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 1998

In this study, a total of 10 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including BTEX were determined in the inside and outside of a highway thnnel in order to evaluate the emission profile of automobile exhaust with respect to the concentrations, relative ratio and correlation coefficient of target analytes. In addition to VOCs, CO $CO_2 and NO_2$ were measured simultaneously. The results of this study indicated that the most abundant compound was toluene followed by benzene and m+p-xylenes, and the correlation coefficients between VOCs except styrene were higher than 0.96. The concentration ratio of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes with respect to benzene measured in the inside of tunnel was 1.5, 0.13, 0.74, respectively. Such ratios were found to be very similar to those measured in tunnels in the USA.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.487-495
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• 2005

Recently, due to the airtightness of buildings or the misuse of building materials, we have been witness SHS (Sick House Syndrome) which can have bad influences on the resident in an existing apartment house as well as newly constructed apartment house start to attract public attention. As a result of this situation, we went to restrict the TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) and formaldehyde. But these guidelines concentrated on only TVOC although TVOC are consist of many individual VOC. Therefore, in this study, we will look about concentration change of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) by using Mock-up test. As result of test, the concentration of four individual VOC (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Styrene) showed quitely low level after 7 days. On the other hand the concentration of Xylene and formaldehyde showed low level after 14 days.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.126-132
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• 2022

Wood Plastic Composite(WPC) has been mostly used for outdoor purposes such as deck materials and trails so far. In this study, WPC panels with improved antibacterial properties, total volatile organic compound emissions (TVOC), and flame retardant were manufactured to use Wood Plastic Compound as interior materials for indoor use. WPC compound was prepared by mixing Chamaecyparis obtusa wood flour with high density polyethylene(HDPE). The prepared WPC compound exhibited excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties, and the total volatile organic compound emission(TVOC) was 0.062 mg/m2·h. The WPC panel(303mm×606mm×10mm) manufactured by a twin screw extruder with the manufactured compound achieved the flame retardant grade 2 standard of KS F 2271.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 1998

Effect of Fermentation temperature on the changes of chemical components in Kakudgi during fermentation was investigated by measuring free sugar, organic acid and volatile compounds up to 57 days at several temperatures. The mannitol was increased in palatable period in contrast with those of other free sugars. The higher the initial fermentation temperature was and the longer the initial fermentation time at 2$0^{\circ}C$ was, the faster the second increasing period was and the less the initial contents was. Lactic acid was increased 6~31 times from a little amount at the initial period. The higher the initial fermentation temperature was and the more the increasing content was. But malic acid which was abundant(55.1% of total nonvolatile organic acid) in the initial fermentation period was remarkably decreased in the palatable period. The change of the sulfides among the volatile compounds was remarkable. Methyl allyl sulfide which was a little in the initial fermentation period was remarkably increased in the final fermentation period, and the correlation coefficients between the content of methyl allyl sulfide and aroma in sensory evaluation were high. It could be suggested that the fermentation temperature should be set to 4$^{\circ}C$ after fermentating at 2$0^{\circ}C$ for 36 hours in the view point of keeping the Kakdugi taste and quality well because of high content of free sugar and nonvolatile organic acids.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2000

A bench-scale air biofilter was evaluated for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a gas stream. Compost and peat were used as the biological attachment media. Biofilter operating parameters such as incoming VOCs concentrations, temperature, and packing materials were examined. After 26 days of acclimation periods, at 25$^{\circ}C$ and 45$^{\circ}C$, the biofilter removed more than 90% of 30 to 72 mg/㎥ of total VOC. After 40 days of operation, the concentrations of isoprene, toluene, and m-xylene were reduced to 96∼99, 91∼93, and 91∼93% of the original concentrations. VOC removal efficiency was not affected by the temperature. The medium pH was maintained near neutral (pH 6.5∼7.1). After 37 days of operation, the total bacteria count in the biofilter media increased to 1.12${\times}$10(sup)8 cells/g of medium.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.363-376
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• 2003

In this study, the fugitive emission characteristics of airborne volatile organic compounds from different source categories were evaluated with respect to the concentrations measured in the vicinity of the sources. A total of 22 different sources were investigated, including gasoline storage and filling stations, painting spray booth, laundry, printing officer, textile industries, and a number of environmental sanitary facilities such as landfill, wastewater treatment and incineration plants. The target VOCs included 83 individual compounds, which were determined by adsorption sampling and thermal desorption coupled with GC/MS analysis. Overall, the aliphatic compounds appeared to be the most abundant class of compounds in terms of their concentrations, followed by aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons. As a single compound, however, toluene was the most abundant one, explaining 11% of the total VOC concentrations as an average of all the dataset. Among source categories, petroleum associated sources such as gasoline storage/filling stations, and laundry factory were identified as the most significant sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons, while aromatic VOCs were dominantly emitted from the sources handling organic solvents, such as painting booth, printing offices, and textile dyeing processes. However. there was no apparent pattern in terms of the contributions of eath group to the total VOCs concentrations in environmental sanitary facilities. It was also found that the activated carbon adsorption tower installed for the VOC emission control in some facilities do not show any effective performances, which may result in the increased VOC levels in the ambient atmosphere.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2023

Background: There is little information about the airborne hazardous agents released during the heat treatment when manufacturing a welding material. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne hazardous agents generated at welding material manufacturing sites through area sampling. Methods: concentration of airborne particles was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and optical particle sizer. Total suspended particles (TSP) and respirable dust samples were collected on polyvinyl chloride filters and weighed to measure the mass concentrations. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. Results: The average mass concentration of TSP was 683.1±677.4 ㎍/m³, with respirable dust accounting for 38.6% of the TSP. The average concentration of the airborne particles less than 10 ㎛ in diameter was 11.2-22.8×10⁴ particles/cm³, and the average number of the particles with a diameter of 10-100 nm was approximately 78-86% of the total measured particles (<10 ㎛). In the case of volatile organic compounds, the heat treatment process concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during combustion than during cooling. The airborne heavy metal concentrations differed depending on the materials used for heat treatment. The content of heavy metals in the airborne particles was approximately 32.6%. Conclusions: Nanoparticle exposure increased as the number of particles in the air around the heat treatment process increases, and the ratio of heavy metals in dust generated after the heat treatment process is high, which may adversely affect workers' health.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

Background: Emerging reports suggest the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to emissions from some additive manufacturing (AM) processes. There is a paucity of real-world data on emissions from AM machines in industrial workplaces and personal exposures among AM operators. Methods: Airborne particle and organic chemical emissions and personal exposures were characterized using real-time and time-integrated sampling techniques in four manufacturing facilities using industrial-scale material extrusion and material jetting AM processes. Results: Using a condensation nuclei counter, number-based particle emission rates (ERs) (number/min) from material extrusion AM machines ranged from $4.1{\times}10^{10}$ (Ultem filament) to $2.2{\times}10^{11}$ [acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate filaments). For these same machines, total volatile organic compound ERs (${\mu}g/min$) ranged from $1.9{\times}10^4$ (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate) to $9.4{\times}10^4$ (Ultem). For the material jetting machines, the number-based particle ER was higher when the lid was open ($2.3{\times}10^{10}number/min$) than when the lid was closed ($1.5-5.5{\times}10^9number/min$); total volatile organic compound ERs were similar regardless of the lid position. Low levels of acetone, benzene, toluene, and m,p-xylene were common to both AM processes. Carbonyl compounds were detected; however, none were specifically attributed to the AM processes. Personal exposures to metals (aluminum and iron) and eight volatile organic compounds were all below National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-recommended exposure levels. Conclusion: Industrial-scale AM machines using thermoplastics and resins released particles and organic vapors into workplace air. More research is needed to understand factors influencing real-world industrial-scale AM process emissions and exposures.