As a result of the increasingly serious air pollution worldwide, there are many social costs in the country. In general, there are legal measures to improve air quality such as investment projects, input of public funds, attraction of private capital, and regulation of air pollution prevention. In this study, we propose future legislative policies through the following analysis on the status of various researches in domestic and foreign countries for the improvement of air quality and related legal system. The domestic indoor air quality is getting better through ongoing management. From a legal perspective, The air quality law, such as indoor air quality law and environmental law, has been continuously revised to improve indoor air quality. However, contrary to the air quality law, indoor air quality management is carried out by various related departments under current law. Due to the different management facilities and management standards of each ministry, the effectiveness of relevant laws is deteriorated in organically managing multi-use facilities. This may lead to confusion and may be an impediment to the effective achievement of the institution's objectives. The pollutants of interior space are one of the main causes not only building materials, but also office equipment such as computers. however, The pollutants to be managed under the current legislation are mainly limited to building materials. In addition, the criteria set for each pollutant have a problem that it depends on the after-regulation standard that is made after the pollutant is released from the pollutant source. There is a need for systematic analysis and research to prevent adverse effects that may occur due to pollution sources through the prevention system. It is time to change the direction of regulation-oriented policies and to make policy changes that can improve air quality through systems such as emission trading system..

To gather information on the indoor air quality of the greenhouses used for edible oakwood mushroom cultivation, temperature, humidity, and bacterial concentration and species were investigated in 2015 and 2016 in 21 mushroom greenhouses located in ten different regions in Korea. Temperature and humidity of all the mushroom greenhouses ranged from 16.2 to 30.8°C and from 28.2 to 85.6%, respectively. Bacterial concentration exceeded the Korean indoor air quality standard value (800 cfu/m3) in 15 of the 21 mushroom greenhouses. A total of 33 genera and 76 species were identified in the indoor air of the mushroom greenhouses investigated. Of the identified bacteria, 10 genera and 15 species including Acidovorax oryzae, Bacillus infantis, B. licheniformis, Cellulosimicrobium funkei, Ewingella Americana, Exiguobacterium sibiricum, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Pseudomonas fulva, Raoultella terrigena, Staphylococcus cohnii, S. haemolyticus, S. saprophyticus, S. sciuri, and Streptomyces sindenensis are among those known to have a harmful effect on human health. These bacteria have been reported to cause sepsis, skin infection, bloodstream infection, bacteremia, spondylitis, peritonitis, acute meningitis, endocarditis and urinary tract infection. The results of this study indicate that continuous hygiene management of indoor air is necessary in the greenhouses used for oakwood mushroom cultivation.

Despite increasing public concern following mass media coverage regarding the risk of radon to human health and the need to control it, there remains a lack of infrastructure for measuring and mitigating radon. Against this backdrop, this paper is part of an effort to formulate an environment-management framework that can help resolve environmental issues relating to radon, ease fears regarding the associated risks, and provide radon-specific quality services. This study aimed to suggest locally applicable measures for training experts specializing in the fields of measuring and mitigating radon mainly based on US cases in which radon measurement and mitigation certification programs have been systematically run and supervised. Given the lack of both awareness on radon and experts in Korean circumstances, it is necessary to come up with a scheme to develop a radon-specific education program and a framework for expert accreditation. Thus, as groundwork for their introduction considering local circumstances, top-down measures led by the relevant department of government-led organizations, which will act as the control tower, should first be implemented to best utilize the insufficient human resources in this area. In addition, more systematic and detailed educational programs and an expert certification system need to be developed in accordance with the established foundations, and to support their consistent operation, a relevant administrative system should be constructed.

Senior citizens are reported to be highly sensitive to environmental pollutants, including fine particulate matter. The purpose of this study is to investigate the distributions of fine particulate matter concentrations in town halls and senior citizens’ halls, where senior citizens typically spend a lot of time. The results of this investigation will serve as fundamental data for conducting indoor air quality studies and establishing a regional environmental health policy governing senior citizens’ facilities in Yeongwol county in the future. From January 4 to February 1, 2017, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in 170 seniors’ facilities located in Yeongwol county were measured. The average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 that were measured from each seniors’ facility chosen from Yeongwol county were 25.1 ± 18.9 μg/m3and 12.5 ± 9.3 μg/m3 respectively. Average concentrations and the average of maximum concentrations were lower than the living space standard of 100 μg/m3 for PM10 and the atmospheric environment standard of 50 μg/m3 for PM2.5, which were set by the Ministry of Environment for populations vulnerable to environmental pollution. As a result of analyzing the sources in seniors’ facilities in Yeongwol county during the winter months, it was found that indoor sources of air pollution such as cooking is main sources rather than outdoor sources of air pollution.

본 연구에서는 열분해잔사유(Pyrolysis Fuel Oil, PFO)를 이용한 Pitch계 활성탄소섬유를 제조하였다. 제조한 Pitch안정화 섬유의 탄화 및 활성화 온도를 850, 880, 900 ℃로 달리하여 각각 다른 샘플의 기공형성에 대한 영향을 알아보기 위해 BET 와 SEM을 이용하여 비교 분석하였다. 세 가지 샘플 ACF850, ACF880, ACF900를 분석한 결과 ACF880의 비표면적과 미세 기공표면적이 각각 1,420 m2·g-1, 1,270 m2·g-1으로 가장 높았으며, 외부비표면적과 BJH흡착누적공극표면에서 가장 낮은 중기공표면적이 도출되었다. 또한 N2가스 등온흡착곡선을 분석한 결과, 미세기공의 분포가 균일한 것을 확인할 수 있었다. ACF880은 흡착률 및 흡착속도에서도 가장 높은 결과값을 보이며, 흡착속도는 미세기공표면적과 비례하며 중기공표면적과 반비례함을 알 수 있었다. 제조한 Pitch계 활성탄소섬유를 라돈 연속측정방법을 통해 48시간 동안 측정한 결과 샘플 모두 라돈 흡착성능을 보였다. 제 조한 샘플 중 ACF880이 34.0%로 가장 높은 흡착률을 보였으며, ACF850이 29.5%로 가장 낮은 흡착률을 나타내었다. 이는 비표면적이 높을수록 흡착률이 높아지는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이를 선형회귀선 기울기로 환산하여 흡착속도로 확인한 결과 ACF880이 -1.89로 가장 빠른 것을 확인하였으며, ACF900이 -1.48로 가장 낮은 흡착속도를 보여 미세기공표면적이 높을수 록, 중기공표면적이 낮을수록 흡착속도가 증가하는 것을 알 수 있었다.

While the air quality of public facilities such as daycare centers is managed by law, the management of air quality in residential buildings is not mandatory. For this reason, air quality in an apartments has not been well surveyed. In this study, we investigated the influence of cooking and ventilation on the indoor air quality in an apartment. Continuous measurements were performed using real-time monitoring instruments from June 9 to 17, 2014 in Seoul, Korea. A CO2 meter was used to measure CO2 concentration and temperature. A portable aerosol spectrometer (0.25-32 μm), a nanoparticle aerosol monitor (10-1,000 nm), and an aethalometer (total suspended particulate, black carbon) were also used. During the measurement period, ventilation and cooking activities were observed 8 and 10 times, respectively. In 5 of the observed cases, both activities were done simultaneously. During the ventilation, CO2 concentration and temperature were decreased; however, particle concentrations were increased. When cooking was done, particle concentration was increased in some cases; however, CO2 concentration and temperature were unchanged. Combined cased CO2 concentration and temperature were decreased and particle concentrations were increased.

In this study, the distribution of each facility group, the pollution level of local municipalities and the status of self-measurement were investigated and analyzed using data provided by the Ministry of Environment. It was found that most of the workplaces to be managed are facilities of sensitive class, indoor parking lots and largescale stores. The results of the survey on the total pollution level by facility group showed that the rate of contamination was the highest in the facilities where there are many sensitive users, including the subway station and the underground shopping malls. Through self-measurement, in the case of fine particle matter, it was found that it was present in amounts of 51.71 μg/m3, 50.72 μg/m3, 44.47 μg/m3 and 54.44 μg/m3 in medical institutions, day care centers, elderly care facilities and postnatal care centers, respectively. Also, there were facilities exceeding the standard in the medical institutions. However, most of the pollutants in the facilities surveyed by the municipality are higher than the self-measured concentrations, so it is necessary to examine the cause of such pollution.

The number of children who use day-care centers is increasing. Most indoor air quality (IAQ) management has been based on daily average pollutant concentrations measured once a year. A more comprehensive management of IAQ is needed to protect children’s health from air pollutants in day-care centers. In this study, we investigated the weekly variation of air pollutant concentrations in a nursing room of a day-care center located at the roadside for a week in June of 2014. Average concentrations of CO2, PM10, black carbon, and total surface area of lungdeposited particles during nursing time of the day-care center were 510 ppm, 27.8 μg/m3, 1.87 μg/m3, and 30.6 μm2/cm3, respectively, with a similar diurnal pattern shown on weekdays.

Since people spend more than 85% of their time indoors, understanding indoor aerosol behavior is important in order to protect human health against aerosol exposure. In this article, exposure, behavior, and control technologies for indoor aerosols are addressed. Previous studies conducted in Korea during the period from 2004 to 2016 were reviewed. Most studies were focused on field surveys of PM10 concentration in public facilities regulated by law. More fundamental studies are needed in order to control indoor aerosols effectively due to the fact that Korea has different building structures and lifestyles compared with western countries.

몇 가지 도자기 분화 식물의 관상 위치에 따른 생장 반응 을 알아보기 위해 호랑가시나무 (Ilex cornuta Lindl.), 백자단 (Cotoneaster dammeri), 무늬산호수(Ardisia pusilla ‘Variegata’) 및 석곡(Dendrobium moniliforme Sw.)을 수태로 도자기분에 심어 재배온실, 실내의 밝은 쪽, 중간 쪽, 어두운 쪽에서 3개월 간 처리한 후에 식물의 생존율 및 생육 조사를 하였다. 실내위 치에 따른 호랑가시나무의 생존율은 온실이 100%, 실내 밝은 쪽은 80%, 중간은 60%, 어두운 쪽은 60%이었다. 석곡은 호랑 가시나무와 비슷한 생존율을 보였고, 무늬산호수의 생존율은 모든 처리에서 100%이었다. 하지만 백자단은 온실에서 75%, 실내 밝은 쪽은 50%, 중간은 25%, 어두운 쪽은 25%이었다. 호 랑가시나무의 처리기간내의 초장 생장율은 온실이 31.1%, 실 내의 밝은 쪽은 27.3%, 중간 쪽은 27.3%, 어두운 쪽은 4.4%이 었고, 백자단, 무늬산호수 및 석곡의 초장 생장율도 호랑가시 나무와 유사한 경향으로 광도가 낮아질수록 감소하였다. 한편 호랑가시나무의 엽수 증가율 또한 초장 생장율과 비례하여 온 실이 7.5%, 실내 밝은 쪽은 7.2%, 중간 쪽은 6.1% 그리고 어 두운 쪽은 2.7%로 나타났고, 백자단, 무늬산호수 및 석곡의 엽 수 생장율도 호랑가시와 유사한 경향으로 광도가 낮아질수록 감소하였다. 따라서 도자기 분화 식물을 실내에서 오랫동안 관상하기 위해서는 햇볕이 가장 잘 드는 실내 밝은 쪽에서 관 리하는 것이 바람직하다.

In this study, we analyzed the factors affecting the concentration of airborne asbestos fiber in the indoor and outdoor environment of a slate roofing house, and performed a health risk assessment of residents living in houses with slate roofs. Sampling was conducted at ten houses with slate roofs on 3 different days under different weather conditions. A high flow rate pump was used for sampling. The specimen was assessed using a phase-contrast microscope. The degree of risk of exposure to asbestos was assessed using EPA’s carcinogen risk assessment method. Asbestos fiber concentrations for slate roofing houses were 2.43 fiber/L inside and 2.46 fiber/L outside, respectively. The correlation between the indoor and outdoor asbestos fiber concentration was 0.486. But on both sides, the asbestos fiber concentrations did not exceed the standard (10 fiber/L) for ambient air in Korea. The factors affecting the concentration of asbestos fiber were year of construction (p<0.05), total roof area (p<0.05) and average wind velocity (p<0.01). According to EPA’s ELCR (Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk) on air pollution substances, a level of 1.0E-04~1.0E-06 should be maintained. However, the ELCR level of 6 out of 10 houses was over 1.0E-04. Therefore, a risk management plan for residents of slate roofing houses must be prepared immediately.

Mold is one of the important bio-aerosols affecting human health in the indoor environment. To manage mold contamination, it is necessary to use an appropriate method for its detection and enumeration. Recently, the impaction method of ISO 16000-18 has been established as one of methods to detect and enumerate molds in air. To investigate the general use of the impaction method for mold detection in domestic indoor environments, the suitability of the method was assessed using different antibiotics, media and air samplers. All of the three antibiotics tested - ampicillin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin - showed inhibitory effects on bacterial colony formation on MEA and DG-18 media, without inhibiting mold growth. Of these three antibiotics, ampicillin was the most effective. There was no statistical difference between MEA and DG-18 media in the measurement of mold concentration. The formation of discriminative colony morphology was more apparent in DG-18 media. No significant difference in the measurement of mold concentration was found between Andersen samplers and MAS- 100NT samplers, which are two major samplers introduced in Korea.

With the purpose of selecting succulents that are capable of retaining their ornamental value under lower light levels of indoor spaces, this experiment was conducted in two different locations within an apartment balcony (0.0 m and 1.6 m from t he w indow) and u nder d iffering l ight intensities (13.5 μmol･m-2 ･s-1 and 96.4 μmol･m-2 ･s-1). Ninety-seven species of succulents from 23 genera were selected as experiment material, based on the criteria of propagation ease and affordable price. As a result, 37 species were selected as suitable for indoor decoration and consisted of 27 species (Echeveria macdougallii, E. 'Momotaro', E. 'Fun Queen', E. derenbergii, E. 'Pulv-oliver', E. multicaulis, E. lilacina, Crassula 'Buddhas Temple', C. mesembryanthemoides, C. ‘Moonglow’, C. ovata, C. ovata 'Gollum', C. ovata 'Tricolor', Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum', A.sedifolium × A. spathulatum, A. sedifolium, Graptoveria 'Albert Baynes', × Graptoveria 'Silver Star', Pachyphytum oviferum, P. oviferum 'Momobijin', Sedum clavatum, S. morganianum, Sinocrassula yunnanensis, S. densirosulata, Kalanchoe tetraphylla, Cotyledon tomentosa, Adromischus cooperi) from Crassulaceae, 6 species (Haworthia fasciata, H. retusa, H. turgida var. longibracteata, Aloe perfoliata, A. juvenna, Gasteria gracilis) from Asphodelaceae, 2 species (Corpuscularia lehmannii, Faucaria bosscheana) from Aizoaceae, 1 species (Peperomia graveolens) from Piperaceae, a nd 1 s pecies (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’) from Asparagaceae. The majority (67.6% of the selected species) of the selected species had overwintering temperature of 0 – 5°C and while most of the selected species had fibrous roots, all species with thick roots were selected as suitable. Of the selected species, 78.3% had a growth rate of moderate level or faster, and 56.8% were summer growing type. Sixty species were found to be unsuitable, and included 5 genera from Crassulaceae (× Pachyveria, × Sedeveria, Graptopetalum, Orostachys, Monanthes) and o ne g enus f rom Asteraceae (Senecio).

Four fungal species, during indoor air monitoring for fungi that possibly affect the field testing of a newly bred shiitake cultivar in cultivation houses located in Cheongyang, Chungnam Province and Jangheung, Jeonnam Province. Of these species, two are known to be plant pathogens and the other two are saprobes but potent contaminators in the mushroom cultivation environment. This study reports the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of these four species based on nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 18S rDNA region, including their known information.

We measured VOCs and NO2 in the indoor and outdoor air at 125 houses in Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnamdo, from March 2007 to January 2008. The concentration of benzene measured in the Gwangyang survey group was higher than in Yeosu and Hadong, and showed a statistically significant difference from Yeosu (p<0.05). The concentration of toluene in outdoor air was highest in the Gwangyang survey group. The concentration of NO2 measured in the Yeosu survey group was higher than in Gwangyang and Hadong, and showed a statistically significant difference from Hadong (p<0.01). According to the results of a correlation analysis, VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene) exposure of individuals showed a significant correlation with the residential indoor air (p<0.01). Also, VOCs of residential indoor and outdoor air showed a significant correlation (p<0.01). The concentration of NO2 exposure of individuals measured in the Yeosu comparison group showed a high correlation with the residential indoor air.

About half of the South Korean population lives in the three major metropolitan areas, which are Seoul, Kyeonggi and Incheon. Among this group, more than 50% live in apartments. In this study, the relationship between the concentration of indoor VOCs and environmental factors was investigated in metropolitan apartments in the occupation stage. The maximum concentration of TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) was monitored in spring season. Among the identified VOCs, toluene was present in the highest amount, followed by terpene, aldehyde and hydrocarbon. Due to the specific indoor sources, the I/O ratio of terpene (e.g. d-limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene) was relatively higher than that of the others. The construction year and length of residence were revealed as the environmental factors having the greatest influence on the concentration of indoor benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene and hydrocarbon, and the relationship was statistically significant. The floor and size of the apartment influenced the levels of indoor nonanal. The relationships between individual VOCs showed highly positive correlations that are statistically significant. Through the relationship study, it was found that factors including newly built apartment, short period of time after moving in, high floors and small floor area were the main factors inducing an increased concentration of indoor VOCs in apartments.

The objective of this study was to assess RF-EMF exposure levels in indoor daycare centers in a Metropolitan city. RF-EMF measurements were collected and surveyed from 50 volunteer daycare centers in the Korea between October 2013 and October 2014. Through our research, it was found that the main exposure source for indoor daycare centers is the frequency bands for TV and Radio broadcasting (FM: 88.1~107.9 MHz), mobile phone (869~894 MHz, 1840~1870 MHz, 1885~2170 MHz), wireless LAN and home electronics, etc., including TRS, Wireless Data Communication. The RF-EMF exposure levels for all daycare centers were far below the recommended standards of EMF Guideline Korea and international reference levels proposed by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection). However, in terms of long term health effects some uncertainty exists, and thus minimizing exposure may reduce this uncertainty. The data we collected will be useful data for determining RF-EMF management and risk communication at daycare centers.

The indoor air quality of residences has been regulated by designating recommended standard levels of pollutants for newly built apartments. But as of yet, no related guideline has been established for dwellings that are already occupied. From a sociological viewpoint, the gap between the rich and poor has been gradually increasing with economic development, and this has extended to the diversification of house types and living environments. Specifically, people who have the lowest income levels may live in temporary houses such as vinyl greenhouses and shanty houses, and their living environment is mostly inadequate as a result. In this study, we surveyed the indoor air quality in normal and socially vulnerable houses after the occupation stage and tried to figure out the main factors influencing indoor air quality. Airborne fungi are detected more frequently in lower living standard houses. Put another way, the concentration of airborne bacteria and the volatile organic compound levels are much higher than in normal dwellings.