This study was conducted to identify and assess key parameters affecting greenhouse gas emissions and odor intensity at a naturally ventilated dairy farm. Measurement data of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), odorants (NH3 and H2S), and meteorological data (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation) were posited as the parameters influencing those emissions. Carbon dioxide and methane emissions correlated well to CO2-equivalent emissions and the contribution of carbon dioxide emissions (R2=0.9181) was greater than that of methane emissions (R2=0.8854). Hydrogen sulfide emissions were highly correlated with odor intensity (R2=0.9989), but the contribution of ammonia emissions to odor intensity was not significant (R2=0.0081). No correlation among CO2-equivalent and odor intensity emissions and meteorological parameters was observed. In this study, the relationship between emissions of greenhouse gases and odor intensity in a naturally ventilated dairy barn mainly depended upon carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide emissions. The results in this study will be helpful in the mitigation planning of greenhouse gases and odor in animal feeding operations (CFOs).

In this study, we learned about the effects of indoor radon concentration reduction associated with the operation of a mechanical ventilation system at an apartment house. The experimental parameters were mainly the indoor radon level and air change rate, which were controlled by the amount of emissions released and fan motor speed. Even at the high level of radon diffused in an apartment house, indoor radon concentrations converged to the Korean national guideline level within 3 to 4 hours when the air was ventilated at 0.5 ACH and 0.7 ACH. In the case of 0.3 ACH, however, where the degree of ventilation was insufficient compared to the legal air change rate, the high concentration indoor radon could not be sufficiently removed even if the mechanical ventilation system was operated for more than 14 hours continuously. When the indoor radon level was high, the reduction rate was 34.3% for 0.3 ACH, 70.4% for 0.5 ACH, and 69.7% for 0.7 ACH at 6 hours-operation, while at the medium-level, indoor radon can be reduced by 46.2% (0.3 ACH) to 73.2% (0.7 ACH). Depending on the indoor concentration range, it may be required to secure a ventilation rate of 0.5 ACH or more at all times. In addition, in apartment houses with excellent airtight performance, even if indoor radon is at a level similar to the national guideline, it is difficult to expect a reduction in the concentration due to natural decay. Therefore, it is desirable to lower the indoor concentrations as much as possible.

Ammonia (NH3) is a basic gas in the atmosphere and is known to play an important role in producing adverse health and environmental effects. Atmospheric NH3 causes stunted livestock growth, decreased visibility, and induces lung diseases when high concentrations occur. In addition, atmospheric NH3 reacts with acidic species (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, etc.) and produces secondary inorganic aerosol. In this study, the NH3 concentration and ventilation of Rooms 1 to 3 inside a sow facility were measured during the period from March 25 to May 31, 2021. It was difficult to conduct long-term field experiments at housing where pigs are raised. However, in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of the data, repeated experiments were conducted in three pig rooms in the same environment. The average concentration of NH3 in Rooms 1 to 3 was measured to be 7.6 ± 2.7 ppm, 8.2 ± 2.8 ppm, and 8.2 ± 2.7 ppm, respectively. The average internal temperatures were 21.0 oC, 21.2 °C, and 21.8 °C, and the internal humidity was 49.3%, 49.2%, and 49.2%, respectively. The ventilation per pig in Rooms 1 to 3 was measured as 60.4m3/hour∙pig, 62.5m3/hour∙pig, and 64.9m3/hour∙pig, respectively. At this time, NH3 emissions from Rooms 1 to 3 were found to be 6.9 ± 0.8 g/day∙pig, 7.9 ± 1.5 g/day∙pig, and 8.2 ± 1.3 g/day∙pig, respectively. As a result of the correlation analysis, the NH3 concentration was analyzed as producing a negative correlation between the ventilation (r=-0.73) and the internal temperature (r=-0.60) increase. Finally, as a result of calculating the national NH3 emission factor, the NH3 emission of one sow room in spring was 7.7 ± 1.4 g/day∙pig, and the NH3 emission of one year was 2.8 kg/ year∙pig.

CALMET (California Meteorological Model), which is a meteorological subroutine for an air quality dispersion mode (CALPUFF; California Puff Model), closely related with the land surface structure. In this study, the sensitivity of micro-meteorological parameters including wind speed and roughness height, Albedo, Bowen ratio, soil heat flux, and leaf area index were closely evaluated with change of land-use in relation to urban development. As a result, although no consistent dependence of roughness height on surface wind was found, it showed that high value of surface roughness could lead to the increase of friction velocity, influence the Monin-Obukhov length and the mixing height. At the same time, the increasing Albedo reduced friction velocity and mixing height. Thus, it was concluded for the CALMET modelling that it is necessary to first define the roughness height, Albedo, and Bowen ratio according to land-use.

Fungi have been known as an irritant or causal agent of asthma. Thus, information on their concentration and diversity in indoor air of asthmatic patient’s houses is valuable for the management of these micro-organisms. The present study was performed to investigate fungal concentration and diversity in indoor air of resident spaces in two adult patient’s houses in winter. Air samples were collected in February of 2018 from living rooms and bedrooms of two asthma patients’ houses located in two different places in Incheon city using an impaction method. The average concentrations of airborne fungi did not exceed the 500 CFU/m3 level which is recommended by the Enforcement Managements of the Indoor Air Quality, Ministry of Environment, Korea. A total of four genera and 23 species were identified based on morphological and molecular methods. Aspergillus and Penicillium were two major genera. Aspergillus pseudoglaucus and Penicillium citrinum were commonly found between the two patient’s houses. Among the identified fungi, three species, Aspergillus venenatus, Penicillium jamesonlandense, and Penicillium salami were found to be unrecorded species in Korea. The morphological and molecular characteristics of these three unrecorded species were described. Since these species produce spores well and a lot, they are considered to be a species that needs management. This study provides basic information on the fungi for indoor air quality management in the living spaces of asthma patients in winter in Korea.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals to which humans are exposed frequently via various mediums, including vehicle emissions that contain fine dust and heavy metals, use of organic solvent building materials, furniture, and smoking. Exposure to high concentrations of VOCs may result in loss of consciousness, paralysis, convulsions, and, in the most severe cases, death. Therefore, the present study investigated the indoor and outdoor concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and five types of VOCs (benzene, toluene, styrene, m,p-xylene, and o-xylene) in apartments, a representative residential environment accounting for ~55% of the housing in the Seoul metropolitan area. The research was conducted over four seasons from May 2020 to February 2021, and the levels of VOC concentrations were analyzed by classifying them by season, weekday/weekend, and indoor/outdoor locations. The seasonal trend in VOC concentrations showed that TVOC concentration was highest in summer, with values of 1630.93 ± 1184.10 μg/m3 and 1610.36 ± 1363.43 μg/m3 for indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. The seasonal trends of the concentrations of the five types of VOCs showed that concentrations of benzene and toluene were highest in spring, the concentrations of m,p-xylene and o-xylene were highest in summer, and the concentration of styrene was highest in winter, irrespective of spatial characteristics such as indoor/outdoor environments. In all four seasons, the indoor concentrations were higher than the outdoor concentrations. These results reveal the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the VOCs and so can serve as useful basic data for managing indoor and outdoor levels of VOCs.

In this study, we investigated the Indoor and Outdoor concentrations of PM10 in Y area, Jeollanam-do. We conducted personal exposure concentration estimates, and Exposure and Risk Assessments using the Time-weighted Average Model. The concentration of Indoor PM10 was 49.38 μg/m3 and that of Outdoor PM10 was 48.02 μg/m3, with the Indoor/ Outdoor Ratio value being 1 or more, and it was found that there was an indoor source of pollution. The Indoor/Outdoor Cr ratio value was 1 or more, and the source of Cr was confirmed to be indoor. Based on our analysis, there was a positive correlation between heavy metals Ni, Cr, and Mn (p<0.05). Using the Time-Weighted Average model, we determined the PM10 personal exposure concentration to be 49.36 μg/m3 and confirmed the feasibility of this model in utilizing the PM10 personal exposure concentrations. In this study, the findings are likely to provide useful data that can be used to determine the concentration of indoor pollutants that are not easy to survey. However, to accurately evaluate indoor air quality, more factors need to be considered and evaluated.