We investigated the distribution of asbestos in Seoul for 16 school buildings built before and after 1990, includingkindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. The risk assessment standards of AHERA,HSE and ASTM were reviewed and a comparative analysis of assessment standards was conducted in schoolbuildings. For the risk assessment of 16 schools, 170 samples were selected, each of which was assessed usingstandards of AHERA, HSE and ASTM. The school buildings included the ACM (asbestos containing materials)ranged 3-4% of chrysotile and 1-3% of amosite in classroom ceilings and has 7-8% chrysotile in partitions of studenttoilets. The airborne concentrations of fiber materials were ranged with 0.002-0.022 fiber/cc in school buildingsby PCM. In this study, a simplified rating scale was used three categories of Good, Damaged and SignificantlyDamaged. In the result of comparative analysis for the risk assessment criteria, it was found that 113 samples, 132samples and 82 samples were classified as Good when assessed by AHERA, HSE and ASTM, respectively; and46 samples, 29 samples and 53 samples as Damaged, respectively; and 12 samples, 8 samples and 34 samples asSignificantly Damaged, respectively. From the distribution of asbestos and the comparative analysis for the riskassessment criteria, the management plan and new risk assessment were made based on the Korea backgroundshould be established to control asbestos exposure to students from damaged ACM and will be revealed that theassessment for the current condition and potential for disturbance on asbestos in school buildings.

The current interest in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is mainly due to its effect on human health.Exposure to outdoor PM is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. Indoor air contains a complexmixture of bioaerosols such as bacteria, fungi and allergens. Children are known to be more susceptible tothe exposures of PM and bioaerosols which are represented by airborne bacteria, fungi, and allergens. Thisstudy is to assess concentrations of the atmospheric PM and bioaerosols indoors and outdoors at 15 daycarecenters for children located in Seoul. Particles were measured indoors and outdoors with automatic particlemonitoring using beta radiation absorption. Airborne bacteria and fungi were sampled by Anderson sampler.Analysis shows that average indoor PM10 was 95.7µg/m³ (SD 26.6µg/m³) and average level of airbornebacteria and fungi were 575.0CFU/m³ (SD 431.6CFU/m³) and 77.9CFU/m³ (SD 45.6CFU/m³), respectively.Finally, efficient ventilation and effective air cleaning strategies are necessary to reduce indoor concentrationsof particles and bioaerosols.

This study was to assess the lifetime cancer and non-cancer risk on exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde of worker and user at public facilities in Korea. We measured the concentrations of formaldehyde and VOCs in indoor air at 160 public buildings that 5 kinds of public facilities (30 hotel, 30 fitness center, 25 gosiwon, 30 reading-room and 45 video-room) all over the country. There were estimated the human exposure dose and risks with averages of the using-time and frequency for facility users and office workers, respectively. Carcinogens (benzene and formaldehyde) were estimated the lifetime excess cancer risks (ECRs). Non-carcinogens (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) were estimated the hazard quotients (HQs). HQs of four non-carcinogens did not exceed 1.0 for all subjects in all facilities. Higher HQs of toluene were observed at the reading-room. The average ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene for facility worker and user were 1×10^-4~1×10^-6 level in all facilities. The estimated ECRs for reading-room were the highest and the fitness center and gosiwon were the next higher facilities. Because lifetime ECRs of carcinogens exceeded 1×10^-4 for facility worker in the most facilities, risk management of formaldehyde and benzene in the facilities was necessary. IAQ guidelines should be determined strictly to prevent occurrence of disease caused by poor IAQ beforehand.

This study assessed the health risk of trace elements in indoor children-facilities by multi-pathway measurements (Air, Dust, Wipe, Hand washing). The samples of indoor place were collected at various children's facilities (40 day-care houses, 42 child-care centers, 44 kindergartens, and 42 indoor playgrounds) in summer (Jul~Sep, 2007) and winter (Jan~Feb, 2008) periods, and analyzed by ICP-MS. The lifetime Excess Cancer Risks (ECRs) were estimated for carcinogen trace elements such as As, Cd, Cr and Ni. For carcinogens, the Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) was calculated by considering the process of deciding Cancer Potency Factor (CPF) and Age Dependent Adjust Factor (ADAF) of the data of adults. Both Hazard Quotients (HQs) and Hazard Index (HI) were estimated for the non-carcinogens and children sensitivity trace elements like Cd, Cu, and Cr. The average ECRs for young children were 1×10^-10~1×10^-6 (50%th percentile) level in all facilities. Non-carcinogens and Children's sensitivity materials did not exceed 1.0 (HQs, HI) for all subjects in all facilities. For trace elements their detection rates through multi-pathways were not high and their risk based on health risk assessment was also observed to be acceptable. In addition, through education on the risk of multi-pathway exposure of trace elements for managers of facilities as well as for users the risk control of exposure of children.

According to the measurements at Seoul Metro subway, the sound level at the time of subway arrival ranged from 77.0 to 92.5 dB(A). The highest level was 92.5 dB(A) at Line-1, and the lowest level was 77.0 dB(A) at Line-5. The sound level of departure ranged from the lowest level of 82.9 dB(A) at Line-5 and the highest level of 95 dB(A) at Line-1. The indoor sound level at subway ranged from the lowest level of 87.2 dB(A) (Line-6) to the highest value of 92.1 dB(A) (Line-1). The results of this study also showed that the sound level at subway platform with Platform Screen Door(PSD) showed 81.8 dB(A) but 89.1 dB(A) without PSD. The sound reduction effect of PSD showed 7.3 dB(A) at platform. Consequently, the sound level in Korean subway was found to exceed the standard set for the American Public Transportation Association (85dB(A)).

House dust mite of the indoor environment is one of the most important causes of allergic asthma and rhinitis. It has been known that more than 70% of Korean children and about 50% of adult with the respiratory allergy are sensitive to house dust mite. The purpose of our study is to find out the relationship between the concentration of formaldehyde (HCHO)/PM10 and the number of house dust mite in the indoor environment. In this study, sampling sites were education, social and dwelling facilities. We inquire the questionnaire of the resident on the indoor air quality in all sampling sites. At the same time, we measured the concentration of formaldeh yde(HCHO)/PM10 as well as house dust mites. it was complained by 20% respondents that the indoor air quality was bad and by 10% that the atopy symptom was evident. When a certain amount of house dust mites were detected, the contents of PM10 were observed high and that of HCHO low. However when the house dust mites were not detected, the concentration of PM10 was low and that of HCHO high. From our results, it is concluded that the indoor air quality (i.e. conc. of PM10/HCHO) is quite related to the contents of house dust mites supporting the fact that the symptom of atopy and asthma is due to these small organisms.

This study was performed to investigate airborne volatile organic compounds(VOCs), formaldehyde, respiratory particulate for concentration in primary schools. The concentrations of major indoor air pollutants(VOCs , benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, formaldehyde, PM-10) were observed from November to December 2006. Sampling was undertaken at 81 primary schools. The sampling sites of air pollutants are classroom and hallway. VOCs with distribution of most of general environmental contamination material will be able to confirm that it shows the log-normal distribution which is similar exposure distribution. The exposure quality of VOCs and the place pollution level was indoor> hallway>outdoor, which whole is located in the metropolis and the industrial areas is higher than farm village area. It tried to observe the I/O ratio, it appeared highly from the interior of the material of most. The mean concentrations of formaldehyde, respiratory particulate were 22.07㎍/㎥, 88.06㎍/㎥ respectively. Indoor and outdoor ratios(I/O) of formaldehyde and respiratory particulate were 3.6 and 1.4, respectively. The concentration of respiratory particulate is 27.2% higher than guideline for school hygiene(100㎍/㎥). From the comparison in the construction year, the highest concentration of formaldehyde is showed under one year. However, as time passed by the concentrations of formaldehyde become lower.

This study was to assess the health risk of VOCs in indoor air under uncontrolled Korean-IAQ regulation. We measured the concentrations of formaldehyde and 5 VOCs (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) in indoor air at 232 public buildings for four kinds of public facility (32 wedding halls, 17 Gymnasiums, 20 Galleries, and 166 Welfare facilities) around the country. There were estimated the human exposure dose and health risk used average time and frequencies of questionaries for subjects such as facility users and office workers. There were estimated the lifetime excess cancer risk (ECR) for carcinogens (formaldehyde and benzene) and hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogens (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene). For the facility user, the average levels of ECRs were 10-4∼10-5 and 10-5 ∼10-6, respectively, for formaldehyde and benzene in all facilities. HQs of four non-carcinogens were not exceeded 1.0 in all facilities and subjects. In addition, there was showed the highest ECR in the smoking facility.

For indoor air quality at a newly built apartment before move-in, we monitored formaldehyde and VOCs and assessed human exposure and probabilistic health risk. We selected 801 newly built apartments all over the country. The results of the research on the condition show the mean concentrations of formaldehyde 294 ㎍/㎥, 210(median) 1497㎍/㎥(maximum), benzene 6㎍/㎥, (4 and 92㎍/㎥), toluene 1003㎍/㎥(773 and 5013 ㎍/㎥), ethylbenzene 120㎍/㎥, (62 and 1192㎍/㎥), xylene 287㎍/㎥(138 and 2723㎍/㎥) and styrene 64㎍/㎥, (42 and 531㎍/㎥). Formaldehyde from carcinogen and toluene and xylene from non-carcinogen were assessed the risk for human health. The excess cancer risk of formaldehyde for human beings between carcinogens is per 1.36 of average 1000 persons. This implies that it is over a level per 1.00 of 1000 persons demanding active risk reduction. Hence, we strongly need the active reduction plan and accurate source assumption. Among a variety of factors affecting indoor air quality for householders, closing construction or density of indoor air processing additional interior construction and indoor area, indoor air quality with a variety of districts show significant. The excess cancer risk for human beings of formaldehyde between carcinogens is per 1.36 of average 1000 persons. Non-carcinogen toxicity rate for human-beings with toluene and xylene among non-carcinogens is over HQ 1 from Seoul to local area.

Recently, indoor air quality (IAQ) in workplace, residence, and schools has been one of the major concerns of people, scientists and the related public. This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of indoor air quality(IAQ) in kindergartens, elementary school, middle schools, and high schools from June 2004 to May 2005 in Korea. We measured indoor air pollutants such as PM10, CO2, formaldehyde, total bacteria colony(TBC), CO, radon, total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs), asbestos, and O3 from school classrooms. The subjects were classified by building year based on the time span of 1, 1 - 3, 3 - 5, and 5 - 10 years. The levels of pollutants and physical factor in schools were compared with standards and guidelines of indoor air quality on the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education, and Human Resources Development of Korea. The major results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows. Asbestos and O3 were not detected in all surveyed classrooms. However, we were able to detect CO, TBC, TVOCs, and formaldehyde in kindergartens, TBC in elementary schools, TBC, TVOCs and formaldehyde in middle schools, and formaldehyde in high schools. This study was conducted to provide a basis for the management IAQ in school. Therefore, we suggest that a national plan for the management of IAQ in school should be established through a long-term, continuous investigation for the proper assessment of IAQ in school and for the health risk assessment for student.

This study was performed to investigate the health status of 600 owner-driver of taxi in Seoul City during from August 1, 2003 to February 28, 2004. The prevalence of subjective symptoms were surveyed by a general health questionnaires such as Todai Health Index (THI) and the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). In the THI health check table, prevalence of the complaints of mental subjective symptom by age was high in the items of fabrication (L), digestion (C), and aggressiveness (F) from 31 to 40 years old drivers and mental subjective symptom by age was high in all items except for tiredness (I), melancholia (N), and hypersensitivity (P) for the 60 years old drivers and showed in the items of melancholia (N) and hypersensitivity (P) for the 40 years old. From the complaints of mental and physical subjective symptoms about work satisfaction in the THI health check table, the strong dissatisfaction showed in the all items except for eye and skin trouble (B). All items except hypersensitivity (P) showed dissatisfaction in prevalence of complains of mental and physical subjective symptoms about work satisfaction in the CMI health check table. From the complains of mental and physical subjective symptoms on salary satisfaction in the THI health check table, the taxi driver who earn the salary of 1 million won showed statistically significant symptom of eye and skin trouble (B) and showed high tendency in all items except for respiratory (A) and digestion (C) systems. It is suggested that the appropriate health control for owner-driver of taxi should be applied to reduce the prevalence of complaints that showed mainly in the irregular working time and sleeping disorders.

This study was to assess the lifetime cancer and non-cancer risk of exposure of worker and user at public facilities in Korea to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We measured the concentrations of two aldehydes and five VOCs in indoor air at 424 public buildings that 8 kinds of public facilities (70 movie theaters, 86 offices, 86 restaurants, 70 academies, 22 auditoriums, 30 PC-rooms, 30 singing-rooms and 30 bars) all over the country. There were estimated the human exposure dose and risks with averages of the using-time and frequency for facility users and office workers, respectively. Carcinogens (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene) were estimated the lifetime excess cancer risks (ECRs). non-carcinogens (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) were estimated the hazard quotients (HQs). The average ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene for facility worker and user were 1×10-3~1×10-4 and 1×10-4~1×10-5 level, respectively, in all facilities. HQs of four non-carcinogens did not exceed 1.0 for all subjects in all facilities. The estimated ECRs for restaurant and auditorium were the highest, and the PC-room and bar were the next higher facilities. Furthermore, people in a smoking facility had the highest cancer risk. Higher ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene were observed in indoor smoking facilities such as restaurant and auditorium. Higher HQs of toluene and xylene were observed at the restaurant and office building.