The purpose of this study is to validate and verify a head nose exposure inhalation system for nano particle inhalation toxicity studies. Carbon nano tube(CNT) particles were generated by a chemical vapor deposition(CVD) generator. And purchased single wall carbon nanotubes(SWCNT) and multi wall carbon nanotubes(MWCNT) were generated by an atomizer. CNT particle distribution was measured by Scanning Nano-Particle Spectrometer(SNPS) and Condensation Particle Counter(CPC). Diameter and length of MWCNT generated by CVD were 10~40 nm and 220~20 μm respectively. Particle number concentration of MWCNT generated by CVD were 1.3×105, 4.1×104, 5.6×103#/cc in high, middle, low chamber respectively. Distribution of particles which were less than 100 nm was 45%. Particle number concentration of SWCNT generated by atomizer after magnetic stirring were 8.5×106, 5.3×105, 1.1×104#/cc and after sonication 6.7×106, 4.1×105, 9.5×103#/cc in high, middle, low chambers respectively. Particle number concentration of SWCNT generated by atomizer after magnetic stirring were 6.7×106, 4.6×105, 8.6×103#/cc and after sonication 7.7×106, 5.1×105, 1.3×104#/cc in high, middle, low chambers respectively. We set up head nose exposure inhalation system to conduct a study on nano particle inhalation toxicity. There were sufficient particle number concentrations of nano particles generated in each chamber.

This study was carried out to measure temperature, humidity, and bacterial concentration and species from the indoor air of a greenhouse used for shiitake cultivation. The highest level of humidity in the greenhouse was recorded at over 91.5% and the lowest humidity was recorded at 50% during 12 months. Temperature was between 5.1-30.5oC except for January. These results indicate that bacteria can survive in the indoor air of the greenhouse. Total bacterial concentration exceeded the Korean indoor air quality standard value (8.0 × 102 cfu/m3) in winter. A total of 13 genera and 17 species were isolated and identified from the indoor air of the greenhouse. Especially, 3 species (Kocuria rosea, Staphylococcus xylosus and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens) have been reported to affect on human health. This is first report of airborne bacteria in a greenhouse used for shiitake cultivation.

An elementary school is a significant facility for educating and cultivating children and it is where they spend most of their days. The purpose of this study is to conduct an analysis on PM10 and TBC concentrations in 110 elementary schools in Suwon. We investigated 110 elementary schools from March 2011 to December in 2012. The mean concentration of PM10 and TBC were 51.3 ± 18.0 μg/m3(GM: 47.9 μg/m3) and 311.0 ± 125.3 CFU/m3 (GM:293.3 CFU/m3), respectively. All measurement concentrations did not exceed the Ministry of Education IAQ guidelines. Also, the concentrations of PM10 and TBC were not affected by various conditions such as Outdoor PM10, school construction year, class student number, temperature(oC) and humidity(%). The results of the study suggest that management of the IAQ plan in elementary schools should be implemented through Daily-Pattern and Activity-Pattern analysis for assessment of IAQ.

This study attempted to decompose typical odorous VOCs including toluene, isopropyl alcohol, benzene and acetone using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma in a pilot experiment scale up to 60 m3/min. It utilized oxygen ions(205,000 ions/cm3) and various radicals formed by a plasma generator. Although ozone as a byproduct( approximately 300 ppb) contributes to destroying organic compounds in their gas phase, the residual release could be captured by post manganese filters showing a maximum 30% removal. The present process was more effective for acetone, which is composed of relatively simple molecules, with a 56% decomposition rate. Whilst toluene, benzene and isopropyl alcohol were shown to have of rates of 19%, 37% and 36% respectively.

This study investigated the emission characteristics of airborne particles and bacteria from six types of household vacuum cleaners in the closed chamber. A test cleaner without HEPA filter was examined focusing on the first one minute of initial operation, observing significant generation of airborne particles, and especially for particle size of 0.5 to 2.5 μm, the generation rate increased up to 68.5 × 103 particles/min. Concentrations of airborne particles and bacteria depends on the production year, the motor power, and the dust filter efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. The observed results should be taken into consideration in the design of the vacuum cleaner as well as how they are operated in indoor environment.

In this study we investigated odor (hydrogen sulfide) dispersion around a cubic building by using commercial FLUENT CFD code. The FLUENT Shear-Stress Transport (hereafter SST) k-ω turbulence model was used to simulate odor dispersion from an odor source. The results were compared with a wind tunnel experiment and other simulation results. SST k-ω turbulence model provided good grounds for making reasonable predictions about the building surface concentrations and concentration profiles of selected leeward positions of the cubic building. It was found that a vent, which was positioned 7 m above the top of the square building center, decreased the plume length lower by 0.73 and increased the plume height by 1.43 compared to roof top vents. It was also found that by increasing the vent height there a corresponding decrease in the maximum dimensionless concentration around the roof surface.

Radon is an inert gas, and a naturally occurring radioactive material. Radon is produced by radium and uranium. Generated radon causes lung cancer through the inhalation. Therefore, If uranium contaminated soil is close to indoor spaces, residents may be exposed to this radioactive material(Radon). Generally, radon affects the first to third floors of buildings. But our research team has often detected high radon concentration in the indoor air of high-rise apartments. The reason for this is that building materials containing uranium and radium are brought into apartments. This study was conducted an investigation into the radon emission rate of building materials being used in South Korea. Also, our team conducted an investigation into the radon emission rate of gypsum tiles and concrete found in an apartment(17th floor apartment indoor radon concentration 5.03 pCi/L, Rad- 7(DURRIDGECo.USA)). Finally, we investigated the radon emission rate of bricks containing the soil near a uranium mine. The average radon emission rates of general building materials are as followings: (gypsum board : 0.20·h-1/kg, gravel : 0.05, gypsum tile : 0.02, indoor tile : 0.08, general brick : 0.02, red clay tile : 0.02, concrete : 0.11, uranium mine soil : 4.81). The results regarding the radon emission rate from a 17th floor apartment’s building materials are as followings: (gypsum board : 0.70, concrete : N/A). The results regarding the radon emission rate from bricks containing soil near a uranium mine was 0.19. This experiment indicates that gypsum boards show the highest radon emission rate among general building materials. In particular, the radon emission rate from the gypsum boards in a 17th floor apartment was 3.5 times higher than general gypsum boards. Overall the results suggest that building materials that possess high levels of uranium emit more radon gas than any other materials. South Korea has not established legal regulations on radon emission from building materials. However, the results of this study strongly suggest that it is of the utmost importance to manage the radon emission rate of building materials and control their usage before construction.

We studied the changes in the concentration of total volatile organic compounds generated in newly-built schools (five kindergarten schools, two primary schools, three middle schools, one high school) by the bake-out. Samples were collected in classrooms. By using the bake-out technique the removal efficiency of total volatile organic compounds was 89.1%(maximum) and 27.5%(minimum). By using this bake-out technique the removal efficiency was 42.5% greater than the ventilation method. Therefore, we determined that it is appropriate to apply both the bake-out and ventilation methods in the case of newly-built schools

The objectives of this study were to characterize the factors affecting exposure to the VOCs and NO2 in the vicinity of Gwangyang industrial complex. The VOCs and NO2 levels were measured for residents of an exposure group (industrial area within 5 km) and a control group (15 km farther), respectively using the VOCs and NO2 filter badge as a passive sampler from August to September 2006. The means of indoor, outdoor, workplace and personal exposure levels of benzene were 1.10 ppb, 0.94 ppb, 1.85 ppb and 2.35 ppb respectively in the exposure group. The means regarding toluene for the exposure group were 9.29 ppb indoor, 8.09 ppb outdoor, 14.5 ppb workplace, 14.2 ppb personal exposure. The means regarding ethylbenzene were 4.96 ppb(indoor), 4.45 ppb(outdoor), 6.84 ppb (workplace), 6.10 ppb(personal exposure), and the means regarding xylene were 0.10 ppb(indoor, outdoor), 0.18 ppb(workplace) 0.17 ppb(personal exposure). The means for the indoor, outdoor, workplace and personal exposure level of NO2 were 18.40 ppb, 18.51 ppb, 18.59 ppb, 18.80 ppb respectively in the exposure group. Correlations between personal exposures and workplace concentrations of individual VOCs and NO2 exposures, and each of the microenvironment was statistically significant.

The aim of this study is to analyze error cases induced during the proficiency test of certified odor measurement agencies. In the case of the homogeneity test performed in three panel groups, the geometric mean dilution factor of the site boundary PTMs(proficiency testing materials) was 1.4 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2, 1.8 ± 0.1 and that of the outlet PTMs was 3.7 ± 0.2, 3.7 ± 0.3, 3.7 ± 0.3, respectively. In the case of the stability test for 72 h, the geometric mean dilution factor of the site boundary PTMs was 1.6 ± 0.1 and that of the outlet PTMs was 3.6 ± 0.1. Among error cases induced during the proficiency test of certified odor measurement agencies, the proportion of error cases was in the order of case II(discontinuance of estimation)(40.0%) > case I(error on estimation procedure by panelist)(33.3%) > case III(miswriting of estimation result)(13.3%) > case IV(miswriting of dilution factor) and V(writing of wrong estimation result)(6.7%). Therefore, it seems likely that additional education related to error cases II and I is required.

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) detected frequently in the indoor air of child-care centers causes neurological disorders, lung, eyes, and bronchial irritation, and acute and chronic toxicity. In this study, the distributions of carcinogenic VOCs detected in child-care centers were characterized and a health risk assessment of the VOCs was performed, which can provide the necessary information for drawing up safety plans with respect to the concerned materials. The sampling of sites in day-care centers was undertaken two times: in the morning (10:00~12:00), and afternoon(16:00~20:00)-at 23 daycare centers located in Seoul, Korea from April, 2012 to July, 2012. The overall average concentrations of individual VOCs were benzene(1.61 μg/m3) > carbon tetrachloride (0.78 μg/m3) > chloroform(0.67 μg/m3) in order. Indoor/outdoor(I/O) ratios of benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform were 1.33, 1.09, 1.72, respectively. Benzene and carbon tetrachloride are thought to be more strongly associated with outdoor sources as compared to chloroform. Spearman correlation of benzene, carbon tetrachloride between indoor and outdoor concentration showed statistically significant levels(p < 0.05). The linear correlations for benzene, styrene, and carbon tetrachloride were tested. A significant correlation was observed only for carbon tetrachloride, accounting for 83 % of the variance. The risk assessment of the carcinogenic VOCs for teachers, infants, and children showed that none of the targeted VOCs posed a serious risk.

The study of odor generation conditions in urban areas which were outside odor controlled(or management) areas were investigated using the air dilution olfactory method and instrumental analysis in Incheon city. From the study the generation of odor from residential sources and industrial sources was different from region to region. Odor intensity was high in industrial regions in the afternoon, but was low in school regions in urban areas. From the analysis, more effective regional policy suggestions to address different kinds of odor problems in urban areas are proposed.

This research determined the threshold value of 10 specified offensive odor substances based on the 3 point comparison sensory method. The panelist's thresholds were calculated by taking the arithmetic, geometric mean, and 50th percentile. Three methods of calculating the odor thresholds from the same data are compared. For 10 odor substances, the panelist's thresholds revealed a logarithmically normal distribution. The 50th percentile was the best method among the three methods of calculating the odor threshold from the 270 thresholds of 18 panels. As a result, the threshold values of individual odor substances, including i-valeric acid, n-valeric acid, n-butyric acid, and butyl acetate ranged between 0.0001~0.006 ppm, while the values of methyl ethyl ketone and toluene were relatively higher than that of other substances at 0.7107 ppm and 1.2139 ppm, respectively. The threshold values of the 10 specified odor substances were compared in Korea and overseas, which showed that the characteristics of sensory response varied by substance and nation.

Residential thermal conditions are important because people spend the majority of their time in the home environment. Indoor temperature and relative humidity(RH) were measured continuously over 1 year in 14 residences in Seoul, Korea. The relationship between residential indoor and outdoor conditions were determined by four meteorological parameters-temperature, apparent temperature(AT), RH, and absolute humidity(AH). Outdoor and indoor temperature, AT and AH were closely correlated, but RH was not. While indoor temperatures, AT, and AH were significantly higher than the corresponding outdoor levels, indoor RH was significantly lower than outdoor RH. Regression models between indoor and outdoor temperature detected a heating threshold at 15.0oC of outdoor temperature. The indoor thermal conditions were significantly different by the two residence types. Indoor temperatures in apartments were lower in summer and higher in winter than those in detached houses. However, indoor RHs in apartments were lower than in detached houses. During tropical nights, the daily temperature range was higher in residences with air-conditioning than in naturally ventilated residences.

Landfills are nettlesome sources of malodorous gases as well as methane that has the second largest radiative forcing of long residence-greenhouse gases, followed carbon dioxide. Because methane and malodorous gases are simultaneously emitted in landfills, investigation of whether or not methane and malodorous gases affect each other’s degradation is important. Amines such as monomethylamine(MMA), dimethylamine(DMA) and trimethylamine(TMA) are representative malodorous gases from landfills. In this study, the effect of amines on the bio-oxidation of methane was evaluated using a methane-oxidizing consortium where the dominant bacteria were Methylocystis spp. Amines inhibited the methane oxidation by the consortium, and the inhibition effect increased in the order of TMA > DMA > MMA. Methane oxidation rates in the consortium decreased with increasing amine/methane ratio(mol/mol). These results can be used to design and optimize the biological processes for simultaneous removal of methane and malodorous gases.