This study was conducted to determine the impact of smoke-free regulations on the environment in personal computer(PC) rooms by measuring indoor levels of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm(PM2.5) before and after the implementation of the regulations. PM2.5 concentrations of 34 PC rooms in Seoul were measured before and after the regulations took effect. A real-time monitor was used to measure PM2.5 concentrations. A field technician recorded the characteristics of PC rooms including indoor volume, number of floors, and the presence of a smoking room and counted the number of burning cigarettes, cigarette butts, vents, and patrons. While outdoor PM2.5 concentrations and the number of patrons were not changed, indoor PM2.5 concentrations, the number of burning cigarettes and cigarette butts in PC rooms were significantly decreased after the regulations were implemented (p < 0.001). Geometric mean(GM) of indoor PM2.5 concentrations in the PC rooms was 139.6 μg/m3 before the regulations took effect and 55.7 μg/m3 after the regulations implemented. After the regulations, smokers were observed in 11 of the 34 PC rooms in which PM2.5 concentrations were not significantly decreased(p = 0.18). When smokers were not observed after the regulations, the GM of indoor PM2.5 concentrations was 37.2 μg/m3. Although PM2.5 concentrations in some PC rooms were decreased after the regulation, higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed in PC rooms with smokers. As such, compliance with the smoke-free regulations should be strictly ensured to achieve a better indoor air quality.

In this study, ELF-MF levels of subway trains were measured to understand the status of the intensity of ELFMF. The measurement points for the train are selected in the center of each train compartment(pantagraph compartment, motor-driven compartment and the compartment that is not connected to any other electric equipment) using EMDEX II. ELF-MF levels of trains were measured from the starting to the terminal station in each lines(Seoul line 1-9, Incheon line 1, Incheon international airport line, Gyungui line, Bundang line, Gyeongchun line, Joongang line, Suin line). We found that the mean and range of ELF-MF levels in the DC power subway train are 2.4 and 0.1~125.9 mG, respectively, while the mean and range of ELF-MF levels in the AC power subway train are 10.4and 0.0~156.3 mG, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum ELF-MF level(156.3 mG) was lower than the reference level(ICNIRP 833 mG, 60Hz). The findings of this study in relation to the characteristics of ELF-MF for subway will be useful to derive the ELF-MF exposure coefficient from our living environment in a subsequent study.

Odor compounds and air-born microorganisms are simultaneously emitted from various aeration processes such as aerobic digestion, food-waste compositing, and carcass decomposition facilities that are biologically-treating wastes with high organic contents. The air streams emitted from these processes commonly contain sulfur-containing odorous compounds such as hydrogen sulfide(H2S) and bacterial bioaerosols. In this study, a wet-plasma method was applied to remove these air-born pollutants and to minimize safety issues. In addition, the effects of a gas retention time and a liquid-gas ratio were evaluated on removal efficiencies in the wet-plasma system. At the gas reaction time of 1.8 seconds and the liquid-gas ratio of 0.05 mLaq/Lg, the removal efficiency of bioaerosol was approximately 75 %, while the removal efficiency of H2S was lower than 20 %, indicating that the gaseous compound was not effectively oxidized by the plasma reaction at the low liquid addition. When the liquid-gas ratio was increased to 0.25 mLaq/Lg, the removal efficiencies of both H2S and bioaerosol increased to greater than 99 %. At the higher liquid-gas ratio, more ozone was generated by the wet-plasma reaction. The ozone generation was significantly affected by the input electrical energy, and it needed to be removed before discharged from the process.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of asbestos containing materials in public facilities in Korea. We investigated 201 public facilities between January and December in 2009. PACM were collected according to EPA AHERA rules, and analyzed using the US EPA method 600/R/116. The air samples from public facilities were analyzed by PCM. For the survey on ACM risk assessment, we used both the ASTM rules and Korea ACM risk assessment(developed by the Korea ministry of employment and labor). Public facilities showed that ceiling textiles contained chrysolite/amosite(2 and 25%) and cement flat boards contained chrysolite(5 and 26%). Also, gaskets contained chrysolite(3 and 95%) and Floor tile & carpet contained chrysolite(less than 1 and 6%). PCM analysis was performed on all air samples, and it was found that the concentration of fiber did not exceed the Korean guideline(0.01f/cc). In this study, it was found that according to the ASTM rule of asbestos material, 70 materials were “Abatement” grade and 344 materials were “Q&M” grade when assessed by ASTM B-line. Furthermore, based on the adjusted Korea ACM risk assessment 22 materials rated as were “Fair” and 390 materials were “Good”.

The study measured the volatile organic compounds consistency of the child tympanitis patient family. Benzene, the result which analyzes toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and TVOC consistency, case of personal exposure they were 0.518 μg/m3, 0.909 μg/m3, 1.299 μg/m3, 0.960 μg/m3 and 273.718 μg/m3 respectively, case it appeared with benzene the interior 0.539 μg/m3 and toluene 1.433 μg/m3 and ethylbenzene 1.253 μg/m3 and xylene 1.899 μg/m3 and TVOC 262.132 μg/m3. The consistency of the outdoor benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and TVOC appeared respectively with 0.512 μg/m3, 0.474 μg/m3, 1.177 μg/m3, 0.862 μg/m3 and 22.306 μg/m3. Personal exposure, the residential interior, interrelationship analytical result Benzene of outdoor consistency and Ethyl benzene, Xylene and TVOC personal exposures with the interior and outdoor consistency showed the interrelationship which considers(p < 0.01). VOCs consistency which it follows in residential type the detached home > the multi generation house > the consistency price came out with the apartment order, VOCs consistency which it follows construction year possibility the year valence which is built 4 years at once rises the consistency appeared more highly the case where the case is above 4 years than.

Activated carbon fibers(ACFs) were prepared in this research from a polyacrylonitrile(PAN) precursor with the KOH(1~4 M) pretreatment and following activation at 800oC in a lab-scale. The sample ACFs were characterized according to their textural properties, and evaluated for CO2 adsorption capacity. The surface area and pore volume of ACFs increased according to the pretreatment with KOH; for example, 4M-KOH aqueous solution resulted in 1552.5 m2/g specific surface area and 0.605 cc/g pore volume. It also showed high CO2 adsorption amount(3.11 mmol/g) which showed a proportional increase with reaction pressure.

The objective of this study is to censure the provision of correct information to the public through investigating radon emanation by building materials that are used in domestic construction environment. Radon emanation has been identified in 10 framing materials and 16 finishing materials of 26 building materials used in the domestic construction-industry. Radon emanation was measured using the closed chamber method based on CR-39 nuclear track detectors(NTDs). On Brick-General in framing materials, the highest radon emanation rates were 0.60028 Bq/ m2·h for surface and 0.00733 Bq/kg·h for mass, while on Ceiling-Tex Cement Plaster in finishing materials. The highest radon emanation rates were 0.47708 Bq/m2·h for surface and 0.05885 Bq/kg·h for mass.

The world energy crisis and the universal interest in comfort buildings are not only leading the thriving Passive House and Nearly Zero Energy House strategies but also encouraging the development of higher performance HVAC systems and alternative energy sources for occupants and sensible energy consumption. However, household appliances have been used to control the indoor environment such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air cleaners are became popular, occupants have come to rely on these appliances heavily and are overusing energy on indoor environment manage easily and quickly. In addition, the intense air tightness of current residential buildings makes possible to reduce harmful outdoor conditions but has made the indoor environment isolated from the outdoors. As well, climate change due to global warming and the urban heat island effect have broken the natural bond between humans and the environment. As high-rise, air tight buildings have become the most common residential building type in South Korea, occupants in high-rise residential buildings inevitably lose the chances to have the natural environment by the change of season to feel the warm sunlights of spring and the dry leafy smell on an autumn breeze. In this sense, regional weather data was analysed to establish comfort residential building strategies that commune with nature and o

The adsorption/desorption characteristics of toluene vapors filled with activated carbon(AC) were studied. Adsorption performance of AC was investigated according to flow rate, moisture content, and other factors. The breakthrough time was shortened as the flow rate and moisture content increased. The AC loaded with toluene was regenerated by programmed heating and pressure. AC was regenerated well, as the conditions of heating temperature(80oC) and pressure(100 torr) were appropriate. Toluene is more easily removed at low temperature than through thermal desorption methods. The test of AC regeneration was carried out three times.

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are harmful substances that contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion, tropospheric photochemical ozone formation, and carcinogenic human health effects. Worldwide, there are major concerns over the emission of VOCs. Any plans for pollution reduction and management should be established based on database of VOC emission and characteristics. In this paper, the status of VOCs by year, region, and industry were investigated, and then technologies for VOC emission control were introduced. The estimation of VOC emissions by year was gradually increased, and VOC emission due to the utilization of organic solvents was the most common form. VOCs in the atmosphere were detected at the highest concentration in industrial complexes. In most of the industry, it was confirmed that emissions of toluene were the highest among the VOCs. Finally, available VOCs control technologies were introduced, including thermal and catalytic oxidation, adsorption, absorption, biological treatment, non-thermal plasma, electron beam irradiation, and photocatalyst.