• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.295-300
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• 2005

This Study intends to find out the subjective symptom of Construction Business Worker caused by chemical material exposure, also willing to research how much they are exposed to VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds) and under how much harmful circumstance they are working. As the results, the job group among construction business workers which is most highly dangerous degree to be taken ill of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is Interior Worker, next following by order of Clerical Worker, Exterior Worker. According to this result, the continuous exposure in high density must be prevented by the measures for Interior Worker also to be bestowed a compulsory break during working hour for regular exposure to the open air,

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.359-364
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• 2007

The aim of this study were to assess the personal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to estimate the personal exposure using time-weighted average model. Three target VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylene) were analyzed in personal exposure samples and residential indoor, residential outdoor and workplace indoor microenvironments samples in the iron mill 30 workers during working 5 days. Personal exposure to VOCs significantly correlated with workplace concentration p<0.05), suggesting workplace had strong source and major contribution to personal exposure. Personal exposure could be estimated with time activity pattern and time weighted average (TWA) model of residential indoor and workplace concentrations measured. Time weighted mean microenvironments concentrations were close approximately of personal exposure concentrations. Total exposure for participants can be estimated by TWA with microenvironments measurements and time activity pattern.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 1998

Recently, bathes have been suspected to an Important source of indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds(VOCs). Two experiments were conducted to evaluate chloroform exposure and corresponding body burden by exposure routes while bathing. Another experiment was conducted to ekamine the chloro- form dose during dermal exposure and the chloroform decay In breath after dermal exposure. The chioroform dose was determined based on exhaled breath analysis. The ekamine breath concentration measured after normal baths (2.8 Vg/$m^3$) was approxidmately 13 tomes higher that measured prior to normal bathes (0.2 ug/$m^3$). Based on the means of the normalized post exposure chloroform breath concentration. the dermal exposure was estimated to contribute to 74% of total chloroform body burden while bathing. The Internal dose from bathing (Inhalation plus dermal) was comparable to the dose ostimated Srom dally water Ingestion. The rusk associated 10 a weekly, 30-min bath was estimated to be 1 x 10.5, while the rusk firom dally Ingestion of tap water was to be $0.5{\times}0^{-5} for 0.151 and 6.5{\times}10^{-5}$ for 2. 0 1. Chloroform breath concentration Increased gradually during the 60 minute dermal exposure. The breath decay after the dermal exposure showed two-phase mechanism, with early raped decay and the second slow decay. The mathematical model was developed to describe the relationship between water and air chloroform concentrations, with $R^2$ : 0.4 and p<0.02.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2011

Occupational nanomaterial exposure is an important issue in the manufacture of such products. People are also exposed to various nanoparticles in their living environments. In this study, we investigated nanoparticle formation during the reaction of ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a commercial air freshener, one of many widely used consumer products, in a $1-m^3$ reaction chamber. The air freshener contained various VOCs, particularly terpenes. A petri dish containing 0.5 mL of the air freshener specimen was placed in the bottom of the chamber, and ozone was continuously injected into the center of the chamber at a flow rate of 4 L/min with an ozone concentration of either 50, 100 or 200 ppb. Each test was conducted over a period of about 4 h. The higher ozone concentrations produced larger secondary nanoparticles at a faster rate. The amount of ozone reacted was highly correlated with the amount of aerosol formation. Ratios of reacted ozone concentration and of formed particle mass concentration for the three injected ozone concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 ppb were similar to one other; 4.6 : 1.9 : 1.0 and 4.7 : 2.2 : 1.0 for ozone and aerosol mass, respectively.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.445-460
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• 2018

Exposure to indoor air pollution is an emerging world-wide problem, with growing evidence that it is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Whilst most indoor air pollutants are of outdoor origin, these combine with a range of indoor sourced pollutants that may lead to high pollutant levels indoors. The pollutants of greatest concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM), both of which are associated with a range of serious health problems. Whilst current buildings usually use ventilation with outdoor air to remove these pollutants, botanical systems are gaining recognition as an effective alternative. Whilst many years research has shown that traditional potted plants and their substrates are capable of removing VOCs effectively, they are inefficient at removing PM, and are limited in their pollutant removal rates by the need for pollutants to diffuse to the active pollutant removal components of these systems. Active botanical biofiltration, using green wall systems combined with mechanical fans to increase pollutant exposure to the plants and substrate, show greatly increased rates of pollutant removal for both VOCs, PM and also carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). A developing body of research indicates that these systems can outperform existing technologies for indoor air pollutant removal, although further research is required before their use will become widespread. Whilst it is known that plant species selection and substrate characteristics can affect the performance of active botanical systems, optimal characteristics are yet to be identified. Once this research has been completed, it is proposed that active botanical biofiltration will provide a cheap and low energy use alternative to mechanical ventilations systems for the maintenance of indoor environmental quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2016

Objectives: Exposure to volatile organic compounds such as trichloroethylene(TCE) and perchloroethylene(PCE), along with Agent Orange, that were issued around Camp Carroll US Army Base situated in Waegwan, Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea. The main objective of this study was to assess the exposure to TCE and PCE of residents of the area surrounding Camp Carroll. Methods: The TCE, PCE and trichloroethanol(TCEOH) concentrations in blood and trichlroroacetic acid(TCA) and TCEOH concentrations in urine were measured and analyzed in a total of 1,033 residents around Camp Carroll. TCA and TCEOH are metabolites of TCE and PCE, respectively. The information on demographic characteristics and exposure variables in relation to underground water were obtained through a questionnaire completed by the subjects. Results: TCE, PCE and TCEOH concentrations were not detected in blood. Detection rates of TCA and TECOH concentrations in urine were 98.5% and 36.6%, respectively. Creatinine-corrected average TCA and TCEOH concentrations were $12.23{\pm}23.81{\mu}g/g$ and $0.66{\pm}4.31{\mu}g/g$, respectively. A significant difference was not shown between the drinking group and no drinking group for underground water, which was assumed as a potential route of exposure to TCE and PCE through the consumption of ground water. However, females drinking ground water showed a significantly higher mean level of TCA in urine than did males. There was no significant difference according to drinking ground water as a potential source of exposure to TCE and PCE in residents around Camp Carroll. Conclusions: Considering the statistical analysis of factors affecting exposure to TCE and PCE in ground water along with previous reports, TCA in urine as exposure to TCE and PCE might not be appropriate because it is found in chlorinated drinking water. Therefore, TCA concentration in urine may be the result of drinking of chlorinated water.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO₂-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2020

Objectives: 3D printing technologies have become widely developed and are increasingly being used for a variety of purposes. Recently, the evaluation of 3D printing operations has been conducted through chamber test studies, and actual workplace studies have yet to be completed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the emission of volatile organic compounds(VOCs), metals, and particles from printing operations at a workplace. This included monitoring conducted at a commercial 3D printing service workplace where the processes involved material extrusion, material jetting, binder jetting, vat photo polymerization, and powder bed fusion. Methods: Area samples were collected with using a Tenax TA tube for VOC emission and MCE filter for metals in the workplace. For particle monitoring, Mini Particle Samplers(MPS) were also placed in the printer, indoor work area, and outdoor area. The objective was to analyze and identify particles' size, morphology, and chemical composition using transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy(TEM-EDS) in the workplace. Results: The monitoring revealed that the concentration of VOCs and metals generated during the 3D printing process was low. However, it also revealed that within the 3D printing area, the highest concentration of total volatile organic compounds(TVOC) was 4,164 ppb at the vat photopolymerization 3D printing workplace, and the lowest was 148 ppb at the material extrusion 3D printing workplace. For the metals monitoring, chromium, which, is carcinogenic for humans, was detected in the workplace. As a characteristic of the particles, nano-sized particles were also found during the monitoring, but most of them were agglomerated with large and small particles. Conclusions: Based on the monitoring conducted at the commercial 3D printing operation, the results revealed that the concentration of VOCs and metals in the workplace were within Korea's occupational exposure limits. However, due to the emission of nano-sized particles during 3D printing operations, it was recommended that the exposure to VOCs and metals in the workplace should be minimized out of concern for workers' health. It was also shown that the characteristics of particles emitted from 3D printing operations may spread widely within an indoor workplace.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-152
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toluene diisocyanates (TDIs) exposure among polyurethane waterproofing workers in the construction industry. Methods: Task-based personal air samplings were carried out at seven construction sites using organic vapor monitor for VOCs (n=88) and glass fiber filters coated with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine(1-2PP) for TDIs (n=81). The concentration of VOCs and TDIs were shown for four different work types(mixing paint, primer roller painting, urethane resin spread painting, painter assistant) at five different worksites (rooftop, ground parking lot, piloti, bathroom, and swimming pool). The two TDI sampling methods (filter vs impinger) were evaluated in parallel to compare the concentrations. Results: The geometric mean(GM) concentration of VOCs Exposure Index (EI) was highest for primer roller painting (1.4), followed in order by, urethane resin spread painting (0.85), mixing paint (0.53), and painter assistant (0.35) by work types. The GM of VOCs EI was highest for bathroom (1.4) followed in order by, swimming pool (0.85), piloti (0.89), ground parking lot (0.82) and rooftop (0.57) by worksites. The GM of 2,4-/2,6-TDI concentration was 0.052 ppb and 0.432 ppb each. There was no statistical difference in TDIs concentrations among worksites. The concentration of 2,6-TDI was ten times higher than that of 2,4-TDI. The concentration of 2,6-TDI by impinger method was 5.7 times higher than that by filter method. Conclusions: In this study, we found 38.6% of the VOCs samples exceeded the occupational exposure limits and 19.8% of the 2,6-TDI samples exceeded 1 ppb among polyurethane waterproofing workers. The most important determinants that increase the concentration of VOCs and TDIs was indoor environment and primer painting work.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.659-670
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• 1997

Vehicle occupant exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been a subject of concern In recent years because of higher levels of VOCs Inside vehicles as compared to the surrounding ambient atmosphere and because of the toxicity of VOCs. The effectiveness of two commercial ACDs for the removal of selected VOCs in the interior of automobiles was evaluated on 115 commutes throegh urban (Taegu) commutes by two cars and 9 idles. The idling and commuting studios conducted under four different driving conditions showed that the ho commercial ACDs were not effective for the removal of VOCs in the interior of vehicles. The concentrations of all target VOCs except benzene were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the interior of older car than of newer cu. The mean levels of benzene and toluene measured in thins study were well excess of earlier other studios In the United States, besides Los Angeles with which was comparable. It was reported that the in-vehicle exposure to benzene and corresponding upper-bound cancel risk were about 8 times higher than those for outdoor environment, while they were about half of those from Indoor environment.