Air conditioner filters purify the air of indoor environments by removing air pollutants and supporting the efficiency of the unit’s cooling function. However, an air conditioner filter can become a microenvironment in which some fungi can grow as dust continues to accumulate and favorable humidity conditions are formed. Fungal growth in air conditioner filters could lead to fungal allergies or fungal diseases, in addition to emitting a foul odor. In an effort to understand what species causes this malodorous problem, we investigated the diversity of fungi found in air conditioners. Fungi were sampled from the collected air conditioner filters and grown on DG18 agar media. After purification for pure isolates, species identification was undertaken. Colony morphology was observed on PDA, MEA, CYA, and OA media. Microstructures of fruiting body, mycelia, and spores were examined using a light microscope. Molecular identification was performed by PCR and sequencing of PCR amplicons, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of sequenced DNA markers, including the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), the 28S large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU rDNA), the β-tubulin (BenA) gene, the Calmodulin (CaM) gene, and the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (RPB2) gene. Through this identification process, we found two fungal species, Aspergillus miraensis and Dichotomopilus ramosissimus, which are unrecorded species in Korea. We will now report their morphological and molecular features.

Fungal contaminant in the indoor air is one of risk factors that could damage valuable paper-based records preserved in libraries. In the process of monitoring airborne fungi at the Nara Repository, the National Archives, Seoul, Korea, three fungal strains, DUCC 16098, DUCC 17764, and DUCC17767 were isolated from the archive’s air samples. Fungal identification was performed based on the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), the 28S LSU rDNA, and β-tubulin gene (BenA), and TEF1-α gene. These DUCC 16098, DUCC 17764 and DUCC17767 strains were identified as Clonostachys farinosa, Penicillium cosmopolitanum, and Cephalotrichum purpureofuscum. These species have not been recorded before in Korea. Information on these fungi will help the monitoring and management of airborne fungi in the archival facilities.

We conducted research on the removal performance of various odor substances using a deodorizing agent, hypochlorite ion (OCl-), in odor emission sites where various odor-causing substances occur simultaneously. In experiments treating odor gases containing mixtures of aldehydes (acetaldehyde, n-butyl aldehyde, iso-valeraldehyde, propionaldehyde), sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide), and nitrogen compounds (ammonia and trimethyl amine), it was demonstrated that the introduced odor substances could be simultaneously removed when electrolyzed water was used. The overall removal efficiency was found to be significantly higher than when water alone was used. Particularly, it showed simultaneous effectiveness against acidic, neutral, and alkaline odor substances such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Considering the positive aspects with regard to chemical safety, the use of salt instead of chemicals, and the continuous regeneration of the oxidizing agent, this environmentally friendly deodorization technology is expected to contribute to securing excellent odor removal capabilities and wide-ranging deodorization applications.

Passengers on public buses operating in the metropolitan area are exposed to the closed indoor air for minutes to hours. The indoor air quality of buses is mostly controlled through ceiling-mounted ventilation and filtration devices. A simulation study using a commercial code was conducted for fluid flow analysis to evaluate the potential effectiveness of an air purifier that can be inserted into bus windows to supply clean air from the outside to the inside. As a result of field measurements, the average CO2 concentration inside the bus during morning and evening rush hours ranged from 2,106±309 ppm to 3,308 ± 255 ppm depending on the number of passengers on board. This exceeded the Guideline for Public Transportation. The optimal installation position of an air purifier appeared to be the front side of the bus. In fact, even a low diffusing flow velocity of 0.5m/s was effective enough to maintain a low concentration of CO2 throughout the indoor space. Based on numerical analysis predictions with 45 passengers on board, the maximum CO2 concentration in the breathing zone was 2,203 ppm with the operation of an air purifier.

In this study, the hydrogen sulfide removal performance of materials that can be used instead of NaOH was evaluated to reduce the amount of NaOH, a harmful substance used in chemical cleaning methods. Three alternative chemical agents were evaluated: commercially available chemical-based CB, enzyme-based EB, and natural substance-based NB. The hydrogen sulfide removal performance evaluation consisted of three lab tests: the EL608 method, a method using a bag, a method using a sensor and a chamber, and a field test conducted on a scrubber in operation in the actual field. As a result of evaluation by the EL608 Method, CB was 92.3% (±2.9%), EB 60.5% (±5.8%), and NB 88.3% (±3.6%), similar or somewhat similar to NaOH (5%) 99.8% (0.1%). In the evaluation of the hydrogen sulfide removal performance using Bag, the Michaelis-Menten coefficient was CB 4.30 and EB 5.30, lower than NaOH 6.60, and the affinity for hydrogen sulfide was evaluated to be stronger. Even in the method using the sensor and chamber, CB and EB showed similar hydrogen sulfide removal performance of NaOH, but NB showed low treatment performance. In the evaluation using the scrubber in the actual field, the treatment efficiency of CB and EB was higher than that of NaOH under all hydrogen sulfide inlet concentration conditions. If microorganisms grow on the packing material filled inside the scrubber, treatment efficiency may decrease. In order to prevent this phenomenon, the microbial growth inhibitory function of alternative materials was evaluated, and CB, EB, and NB were all superior to NaOH. As a result of this study, it was shown that CB and EB can replace NaOH because they have excellent performance in removing hydrogen sulfide and inhibiting microbial growth.

Industrial complex areas are an important factor that contributes to economic development. However, these areas also produce a significant amount of noxious air pollutants. In particular, PM10 emitted from industrial complex areas can lead to detrimental effects on human health. This study was conducted to survey environmental conditions and measure the concentration of PM10 in indoor and outdoor living spaces in Yeosu and Gwangyang. In Yeosu, the level of PM10 concentration in indoor living spaces was measured at 49.38 μg/m3, while the outdoor level was measured at 43.60 μg/m3. In Gwangyang, the PM10 concentration in indoor living spaces was measured at 20.08 μg/m3 while the outdoor measurement came to 18.14 μg/m3. When analyzing the percentage of those who were highly concerned with environmental pollution among a survey group of 200 people, Yeosu City had a rate of 76.5%, while Gwangyang City had a comparable rate of 73%. When looking at the time-activity patterns of residents in both locations, Yeosu residents spend more than 80.0% of their time inside their living spaces, while Gwangyang residents spend more than 70.0% of time inside their living spaces. These high rates are largely due to the fact that most of the residents of these areas are elderly. In both Yeosu and Gwangyang, it was found that 40% of residents use TV and radio rather than newspapers or handouts to obtain information about environmental pollution problems in their area.

In this study, a THC removal system was developed using an oxidation catalyst to solve the problems of the existing thermal oxidation methods, RTO and RCO. In addition, this system was applied to industrial sites to confirm the VOCs removal efficiency. As a result of testing to remove THC and VOCs by applying the reaction system for THC removal in industrial sites, the THC removal efficiency range is between 99.5% and 99.9%. The treatment efficiency of individual VOCs treated through this system was the lowest at 79.0% for methylethylketone and the highest at 91.3% for acetaldehyde, and the average treatment efficiency was about 85.4%. From these numbers, the performance was superior to the existing RTO and RCO systems that showed THC removal performance. This is due to the fact that the oxidation reaction of the oxidation catalyst is a very fast catalyst surface reaction, and the characteristics of the catalytic oxidation reaction are complete oxidation and oxidation reaction under rarefied conditions. In this study, the catalyst role in the reaction system for THC removal is to process THC simultaneously with the system heat source. This is believed to be because the reaction of the oxidation catalyst is a strongly exothermic reaction and can sufficiently provide the amount of heat necessary for the system. At the same time, an oxidation reaction that breaks the bonds of the THC component also occurs. This reaction is a strong exothermic reaction, which can help the system maintain a high temperature during the reaction, and is considered an effective system for processing high concentrations of THC in actual industrial sites where THC concentrations are high, as in this study.

Particulate matter is known to have adverse effects on health, making it crucial to accurately gauge its concentration levels. While the recent advent of low-cost air sensors has enabled real-time measurement of particulate matter, discrepancies in concentrations can arise depending on the sensor used, the measuring environment, and the manufacturer. In light of this, we aimed to propose a method to calibrate measurements between low-cost air sensor devices. In our study, we introduced decision tree techniques, commonly used in machine learning for classification and regression problems, to categorize particulate matter concentration intervals. For each interval, both univariate and multivariate multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to derive calibration equations. The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 measured indoors and outdoors with two types of LCS equipment and the GRIMM 11-A device were compared and analyzed, confirming the necessity for distinguishing between indoor and outdoor spaces and categorizing concentration intervals. Furthermore, the decision tree calibration method showed greater accuracy than traditional methods. On the other hand, during univariate regression analysis, the proportion exceeding a PM2.5/PM10 ratio of 1 was significantly high. However, using multivariate regression analysis, the exceedance rate decreased to 79.1% for IAQ-C7 and 89.3% for PMM-130, demonstrating that calibration through multivariate regression analysis considering both PM10 and PM2.5 is more effective. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the accurate calibration of particulate matter measurements and have showcased the potential for scientifically and rationally calibrating data using machine learning.

In this study, the performances of H2S, NH3, and HCl sensors for real-time monitoring in small emission facilities (4, 5 grades in Korea) were evaluated at high concentration conditions of those gases. And the proper approach for the collection of reliable measurement data by sensors was suggested through finding out the effect on sensor performances according to changes in temperature and humidity (relative humidity, RH) settings. In addition, an assessment on sensor data correction considering the effects produced by environmental settings was conducted. The effects were tested in four different conditions of temperature and humidity. The sensor performances (reproducibility, precision, lower detection limit (LDL), and linearity) were good for all three sensors. The intercept (ADC0) values for all three sensors were good for the changes of temperature and humidity conditions. The variation in the slope value of the NH3 sensor showed the highest value, and this was followed by the HCl, H2S sensors. The results of this study can be helpful for data collection by enabling the more reliable and precise measurements of concentrations measured by sensors.

The levels of Indoor radon can increase in newly built apartments that mainly use construction materials such as concrete. However, radon measurement in newly built buildings has only been implemented recently, and there is a lack of sufficient data for radon management purposes. This study aimed to determine the levels of indoor radon in newly built apartments by regions, sizes of household, and floor (lower, middle, upper floor), and to explore the trend of radon reduction by time according to ventilation methods. Indoor radon was measured in 48 households in four regions (Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do). Measurements were performed for 48 hours and 24 hours under closed and ventilated conditions using real-time measurement devices FRD400 and RAD7, respectively. To analyze changes in radon concentration by floors, data were collected by dividing households into lower, middle, and upper floors according to their vertical height. The concentrations of indoor radon ranged from 12.1 Bq/m3 to 559.0 Bq/m3 when windows were closed and 12.0 Bq/m3~500.0 Bq/m3 when ventilated (including both mechanical and natural ventilation). On average, the concentration of closed conditions of household when sealed (arithmetic average 185.3 Bq/m3) was 1.5 times higher than the concentration during ventilation (including mechanical and natural ventilation: 123.8 Bq/m3), and around three times higher than the average for mechanical ventilation (65.7 Bq/m3). It was found that the indoor radon concentration statistically increased as the height increased and the size of the house became smaller. Typically, it took 7 to 8 hours to exceed the standard of 148 Bq/m3 after windows were closed. It decreased to less than 148 Bq/m3 within 3 to 4 hours after operating the mechanical ventilation system. However, in the case of natural ventilation, it takes more than 24 hours to reach below the standard value, and the concentrations stagnated after 24 hours. In conclusion, radon concentration in narrow spaces can be relatively high if ventilation is not sufficient due to the nature of apartments with wall-type structures. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare various radon reduction measures according to floor, size, and ventilation methods.

Considering the characteristics of aldehydes among volatile organic compounds, a combined process was established by linking an absorbent and a photocatalytic reactor. Experiments to find the optimal operating conditions of the combined process showed that as the amount of photocatalyst coating increases, the wavelength of the ultraviolet lamp used becomes shorter, the photodegradation rate becomes faster, and the removal efficiency increases. It was also demonstrated that by controlling the relative humidity during the connection process of the combined process, the re-evaporation phenomenon at the front end (absorption area) of the hybrid process can be improved and the removal efficiency at the back end (photocatalytic reaction area) can be significantly enhanced. This confirmed the need for a combined process that complements the advantages and disadvantages of each process.

This review paper aimed to comprehensively assess the ventilation methods and ventilation rates of livestock sheds, various livestock odor mitigation technologies, and the design flow rate of odor mitigation devices. The most efficient ventilation method for livestock odor control was found to be mechanical ventilation. When livestock odor is at its most severe during summer, ventilation systems are operated at the maximum ventilation rate, which is 5-25 times higher than the ventilation rate in winter. Therefore, the mitigation facilities of livestock odor must be designed while considering the maximum ventilation rate. There is a significant amount of research data on various livestock odor control technologies using various physical, chemical, biological, and complex technologies applied to livestock farms. Biofiltration and photocatalytic oxidation are considered the most promising methods due to their cost-effectiveness and simplicity. Biofiltration is effective for removing hydrophilic odors, but requires improvement for the efficient removal of hydrophobic odors and the control of accumulated excess biomass. The advantages of the photocatalytic oxidation method include its excellent hydrogen sulfide and ammonia removal rates and relatively low ozone emissions. However, it requires technology to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Investment in installing and operating these odor mitigation technologies is only realistic for large-sized farms. Therefore, it is imperative for small and medium-sized livestock farms to develop odor mitigation technology that is inexpensive and has low installation, operation, and maintenance costs.

Odor is a type of air pollution where irritating substances enter through the olfactory system, causing discomfort. At present, the government is formulating various measures and policies to address this type of pollution. This paper seeks to analyze major research cases from both domestic and overseas settings in relation to odor management. In addition, it reviews the potential of addressing environmental issues using a living lab approach in conjunction with community mapping and citizen science. For example, in one domestic case, the Magok smart city living lab project, citizens’ data on community mapping of odor were collected for analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) to derive results. Additionally, in an overseas case in California, citizens directly participated in monitoring air quality using the Community-based monitoring (CBM) method, and both CBM and existing methods were used to assess the level of pollutants for effective data collection. In both of these cases, the potential to address environmental issues was seen to manifest through the development of citizens’ determination and ability to independently solve local problems. However, there are still problems in implementing citizen science, such as the lack of infrastructure and resources available, issues with data collection methodology, questions of objectivity regarding collected data, and concerns about sustainability and expertise in relation to civic participation. Addressing these problems would require an institutional foundation and systematic civic education. This study highlights the potential of addressing environmental problems inherent in the living lab system based on citizen science by analyzing two cases. In addition, this study suggests that if systematic civic education measures are introduced to address issues within existing citizen science research approaches, such measures would be valuable within the educational living lab framework in that they would become effective in tackling not only environmental problems but also social problems as well.

Although many attempts have been made to solve the atmospheric diffusion equation, there are many limits that prevent both solving it and its application. The causes of these impediments are primarily due to both the partial differentiation term and the turbulence diffusion coefficient. In consideration of this dilemma, this study aims to discuss the methodology and cases of utilizing a passive air sampler to increase the applicability of atmospheric dispersion modeling. Passive air samplers do not require pumps or electric power, allowing us to achieve a high resolution of spatial distribution data at a low cost and with minimal effort. They are also used to validate and calibrate the results of dispersion modeling. Currently, passive air samplers are able to measure air pollutants, including SO2, NO2, O3, dust, asbestos, heavy metals, indoor HCHO, and CO2. Additionally, they can measure odorous substances such as NH3, H2S, and VOCs. In this paper, many cases for application were introduced for several purposes, such as classifying the VOCs’ emission characteristics, surveying spatial distribution, identifying sources of airborne or odorous pollutants, and so on. In conclusion, the validation and calibration cases for modeling results were discussed, which will be very beneficial for increasing the accuracy and reliability of modeling results.