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.

During periods where a fine dust watch was announced, we measured particulate matter by the light scattering method and the gravimetric method in accordance with the application of an air cleaner in 3 homes. The first investigation showed a lower indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentration distribution than normal when there was a fine dust warning. Also, it was found that the result of the second research was similar to the first research, and was the effect of an air cleaner. The result of a comparison of black carbon (BC) concentration in accordance with an air cleaner at one room showed a lower concentration distribution than normal, as in the first and the second research when there was a fine dust warning. PM2.5 risk reduction effect showed 9.09E-5 (light scattering method) ~ 9.37E-5 (Gravimetric method) and 1.71E-4 (Light scattering method) ~ 1.76E-4 (Gravimetric method). Therefore, it was found that when there was a fine dust watch without ventilation, if air cleaner with the proper capacity is used and the influx of outside air reduced, the harmful effects of the fine dust can be lessened.

Ground arthropods are abundant in urban ecosystem, but our understanding on their ecological traits is little. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect of urbanization on ground arthropod communities. Ground arthropods were monitored once a week from April to December 2005 in 6 sites: Yamato River riverbank (Site 1), Daisen Park (Site 2), Oizumi forest area (Site 3), Osaka Prefecture University campus (Site 4), Paddy field (Site 5), and Satoyama (Site 6). A total of 221,000 individuals of ground arthropods belonging to 19 orders were collected in 6 sites. Isopoda including Porcellionidae and Armadillidiidae was the 1st dominant and 195161 individuals were collected, representing 88.3% of the total. Mean density of ground arthropods in Site 1- 4, urbanized areas, was much higher than in paddy field and Satoyama. Pattern of ground arthropod community in riverbank did not differ with those of urban park, urban forest area, and campus. Our finding showed that ground arthropods in urban area tend to increase biomass and specific groups in area disturbed and urbanized by human activities.

Developing proper reduction strategies of indoor radon which have been an important issue in Korea requires proper information on source characteristics a phosphate gypsum board which is a common building material used for inter-wall thermal protection in Korea could be a major source of indoor radon level. This study evaluated the correlation between indoor radon concentration and the attribution of gypsum board content in building materials. In this study we valuated indoor/outdoor radon from 58 facilities selected based on the information availability of gypsum content in the building material across 8 different cities in Korea. Our results showed that indoor radon concentrations were 2 to 3 times higher than outdoor but those results were not significantly attributed from gypsum contents in the building material. Indeed, phosphate content in gypsum board did not significantly play a role in indoor radon level variations. It is concluded that physical environmental condition such as temperature, relative humidity, radon exhalation rate out of each building materials, as well as pathway from external sources (e.g., soil) needs to be identified to develop indoor radon reduction strategies.

Recently, airborne fungi as indoor air pollutant have attention due to its health related problems such as asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, atopy, pneumonia, building syndrome and etc.. However, it is considered that current laws and policies in Korea are not efficient to deal with these problems. Our research investigated influential factors and species distribution on the basis of previous research related to airborne fungi issue conduced in Korea by applying meta analysis technique. We selected 15 articles containing variables affecting fungi population such as outdoor air characteristics, temperature, location, and ventilation to evaluate significant factors. It was confirmed that airborne fungi level has partial correlation to those factors despite of limited sample size. It is required that the consistent and systematic research effort should be extended to characterize health effect caused by these fungi as well as to control them efficiently.

 ,  , Synanthedon velox (Fixsen) is redescribed and the genus Bembecia is reported for the first time from Korea with B. pavicevia Tosevski, Description, images of the adult, genitalia, and the Korean common names of two species are provided. Their host plants are listed and their biology is briefly summarized.

In this study, we investigated PM10, NO2, and 1-hydroxypyrene(1-OHP) in urine at indoor environments which are 35 houses and 20 hospitals for using air cleaner and non-using air cleaner in Seoul metropolitan area and Kyoung-gi province from April, 2003 to February, 2004. Moreover, we examined effect of improvement for indoor air quality and health effect by concentration of 1-OHP also we investigated removal efficiency by air cleaner for PM10, NO2, and 1-OHP that were 28.5%, 27.4%, and 42.1% respectively. Concentration of PM10, NO2, and 1-OHP were 19.02±18.14㎍/m3, 8.66±3.06ppb, and 0.19±0.18㎍/g creatinine when air cleaner was no worked. The concentration for PM10, NO2, and 1-OHP were 13.60±10.79㎍/m3, 6.29±2.71ppb, and 0.11±0.10㎍/g creatinine, respectively. It was significant statistically. Therefore, it is considered using the air cleaner to remove the partial pollutants in indoor environment and is positive effect for health.

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of airborne bioaerosol in public facilities in Seoul. A total of 17 public facilities were investigated from December, 2002 to February, 2003. As results of the survey, the mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi in indoor air of public facilities were 378.08±296.33CFU/m3 by RCS and 106.38±171.63CFU/m3 and 347.46±335.32CFU/m3 and 95.23±62.61CFU/m3, by Six-stage cascade air sampler respectively. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air (by ventilation method) were 517.14±343.93CFU/m3 of natural ventilation and 215,83±100.71CFU/m3 of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air (by ventilation method) were 83.14±79.16CFU/m3 of natural ventilation and 133.50±248.07 CFU/m3 of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air were 449.44CFU/m3 for the ground and 217.50±103.68CFU/m3 for the underground. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air were 63.89±77.66CFU/m3 for the ground and 202.00±290.08CFU/m3 for the underground.