This study investigates and analyzes the major characteristics of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) in the Seosan area, based on a geological map of NOA distribution. The study area includes Daesan-eup, Seokmun-myeon, and Palbongmyeon in Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, with 32 samples collected from nine sites. The asbestos-containing rocks primarily consist of dolomite, limestone, calcareous silicate rock, and marble, most of which exhibit a mass-fiber morphology. While the weathering grade of the outcrops is generally within level 3, some areas show higher weathering levels (grade 4), indicating potential risks of asbestos dispersion into the air. The collected samples were analyzed using polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-EDS). The primary asbestos types identified were tremolite and actinolite asbestos of the amphibole group, with anthophyllite asbestos detected in some locations. Notably, certain asbestos-containing rocks were found near coastal areas and docks, highlighting the need for continued monitoring in the event of future development activities.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the environmental awareness and health impact of respiratory diseases among residents in the exposure area (Banwoldong) and the control area. Additionally, it sought to identify the correlation between environmental factors in the exposure area and their effects on health. Methods: This study utilized a 2021 survey of 20 residents to assess environmental awareness using a 5-point Likert scale. The measurement of indoor particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), temperature, and humidity was conducted using a direct-reading laser light scattering device, the DT-9881M (SANE Cal. Co., Ltd., Korea). Additionally, a cohort analysis was conducted using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data (2002~2022) to evaluate the onset of chronic disease, focusing on residency and diagnostic records. Results: In the environmental awareness assessment, women showed a statistically significantly higher level of awareness than men regarding water pollution (p=0.0039) and soil pollution (p=0.007). Also, the incidence of respiratory diseases and asthma was statistically significantly higher in the exposure area than in the control area (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study found significantly higher rates of respiratory diseases in the exposure area compared to the control area. Long-term exposure (≥5 years) to environmental factors in the exposure area was found to be associated with a greater health impact. This suggests a strong link between environmental factors and respiratory diseases. The results emphasize the need for region-specific environmental policies to address pollution-related health disparities.

This study investigated the correlation between compound malodor and total hydrocarbons (THC) to evaluate the potential use of THC as a predictor of compound malodor. A total of 87 samples were analyzed from five target facilities: two petrochemical manufacturing facilities (A, B), a wastewater treatment facility (C), a recycled plastic injection molding facility (D), and a surfactant manufacturing facility (E). The correlation coefficients of compound malodor and THC for each facility were as follows: A: 0.6698, B: 0.8068, C: –0.2767, D: 0.2071, and E: 0.7695. The correlation coefficient for all facilities was 0.5634, indicating a weak correlation. The coefficients of determination for the regression analysis to predict the compound malodor for facilities A, B, and E were 0.4093, 0.6316, and 0.5695, respectively, which validated the results of the correlation analysis. These values improved to 0.8394, 0.6941, and 0.7476 in the multiple regression analysis with the VOC analysis results added as independent variables. Therefore, it is expected that THC measurement that considers the characteristics of the facility can be used to establish a systematic odor management plan.

This study evaluated changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aerosol particle concentrations following the use of certain spray-type household chemical products in an indoor environment. Four commercially available products in South Korea (including sticker/tar removers, a razor cleaner, and a fabric stain remover) were analyzed using real-time VOC monitoring with proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and particle number concentration measurement with an Optical Particle Sizer. Immediately after spraying 17 grams of each product, VOC concentrations increased sharply, and hazardous substances such as benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and acrolein remained at elevated levels for a certain period. Additionally, some products exhibited benzene concentrations exceeding levels of potential exposure concern, and the operation of an air purifier reduced VOC levels by 73%. This research provides insight into changes in indoor air quality and associated exposure risks due to household chemical use, and it may serve as a basis for future air quality management and regulatory standards.

Korea is a major chestnut producer, and about half of its production is discarded as chestnut shells. This study aimed to manufacture an environmentally friendly adsorbent using these wastes. For this purpose, the optimum carbonization temperature of chestnut shells was derived through thermogravimetric analysis, with structural change confirmed through SEM analysis. The results showed that the sample that carbonized at 350oC for 60 min after phosphorylation had both the highest initial acetaldehyde removal rate and the longest duration compared to other samples. As a result, an eco-friendly adsorbent for acetaldehyde was produced from chestnut shell biomass. Through this research, it was confirmed that the adsorbent can be effectively used for acetaldehyde control while addressing the issue of recycling chestnut shell wastes.

This study measured and analyzed the discharge concentration and characteristics of odor substances emitted from the discharge outlets of asphalt manufacturing facilities in South Korea. Measured factors included flow rate, composite odors, and 22 designated odor substances. After applying the dilution factor of composite odors emitted from 33 asphalt manufacturing facilities located in various regions to the composite odor emission standard of 500 times, it was found that more than half of these facilities exceeded the emission standard. The contribution rate of the designated odor substances from the discharge outlets was the highest for acetaldehyde at over 50%, followed by hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. The correlation between composite odors and the concentration of major designated odor substances was analyzed, and it was found that methyl mercaptan and acetaldehyde showed some correlation with the composite odor dilution factor. The methyl mercaptan odor intensity corresponding to the odor intensity of 4.5 to 5 ppb, which is the allowable odor dilution multiple emission standard of the odor emission source outlet, was estimated to be approximately 1.6 to 2.2 ppb, and the corresponding methyl mercaptan emission concentration range was estimated to be 0.98 to 2.02 ppb. The composite odor emission coefficient of asphalt concrete manufacturing facilities was estimated to be higher for general asphalt concrete than for asphalt concrete recycling facilities, and the composite odor emission coefficient of newly produced general asphalt concrete was estimated to be greater than that of recycled asphalt concrete. In terms of fuel usage, the composite odor emission coefficient of facilities that used Bunker C fuel oil was estimated to be higher than that of facilities powered by LPG and LNG fuel. It was deemed necessary to select 2 to 3 major designated odor substances that are correlated with the composite odor dilution factor for each major odor emission source, set the designated odor substance concentration corresponding to the composite odor dilution factor emission allowance standard, and review a plan to monitor the designated odor substances at the emission point.

This study evaluated the emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 29 asphalt concrete (ascon) manufacturing facilities in South Korea. VOC concentrations were measured inside industrial stacks and storage silos and during and after the truck loading process. Based on these measurements, emission factors were calculated according to facility type and fuel consumption rate. Afterward, they were compared with emission factors set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The major VOCs emitted from ascon manufacturing facilities were identified as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylene isomers (o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene). The emission concentrations of the VOCs were found to be relatively higher inside industrial stacks and storage silos. Emission factors varied depending on the facility type, with lower values observed in manufacturing facilities using recycled ascon compared to conventional ascon facilities. The emission factors derived in this research were found to be lower than those reported by the U.S. EPA. This difference is attributed to the fact that the emission factors in this study were calculated based on VOC concentrations after treatment by pollution control facilities. As the Clean Air Policy Support System (CAPSS) also sets emission factors based on post-treatment concentrations, this study’s findings can serve as fundamental data to enhance the accuracy of VOC emission estimations.