As indoor activities continue to increase, the importance of indoor air is emphasized. Moreover, children's activities are emphasized as being vulnerable. In this study, vocal organic compounds (VOCs) and CO2 in the indoor air were analyzed among children aged 4 to 7 years attending day care centers in Seoul. In the case of VOCs, the average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in an asthmatic home was 143.9 (μg/m3). The average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthma and rhinitis home was 146.7 (μg/m3). In CO2, the average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthmatic home was 665.9 (ppm). The average concentration measured during a period of 24 hours in the asthma and rhinitis home was 695.9 (ppm). In this study, asthma symptoms increased as the concentration of indoor pollutants increased. Exposure of VOCs (μg/ m3) and CO2 (ppm) among environmental factors shows that respiratory symptoms such as asthma can be induced.

In this study, the condition of the hazardous materials in the bus was monitored according to the ventilation mode of the air conditioning system during bus service. The bus was surveyed using the indoor air quality measurement method of public transportation vehicles within one year of delivery. We evaluate the CO2 and PM10, which are the controlled parameters in buses by the Ministry of Environment, and VOCs and HCHO, the non-controlled parameters. The PM10 concentration increased due to outdoor air intake; however the CO2 concentration was found to decrease. In addition, the concentration of VOCs and HCHO was found to decrease due to the forced ventilation system and the outdoor air intake. These results show that the concentration of the other materials except PM10 can be changed due to the outside air concentration and forced ventilation system. Therefore, through indoor air quality characteristics of the bus according to air condition system are intended to be used as the basis of an operation manual.

In this study, we measured the concentration of Particulate Matter(PM10), Formaldehyde(HCHO), and Total Bacteria Count (TBC) at two facilities: day care centers, and postnatal care centers located in the cities of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Jeolla and Gyeongsang from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015. PM10 concentration was similar to the day care centers and postnatal care centers. HCHO concentration was the highest in the postnatal care centers. TBC concentration was the highest in the day care centers. Comparing the different cities, PM10 concentration was the highest in Gyeonggi, HCHO concentration was the highest in Gyeonggi, and TBC concentration was the highest in Gyeonggi. As a result of HCHO's risk assessment, it was found that adults exceeded the carcinogenicity tolerance of 10−6 specified by the US EPA. This study is expected to be helpful in preventing damage to health from the contaminated indoor air at sensitive facilities, and can be used as basic data for indoor air quality management.

In this study, we investigate a seasonal underground market which is located under a semi-enclosed basement. Under such settings, there is difficulty in managing indoor air quality such as ventilation. Based on the result, we can improve the indoor air environment of the underground market. The underground market in Seoul was divided into four types according to its structural characteristics and the seasonal survey was conducted. In conclusion, we will develop a realistic improvement plan to improve the indoor air environment of the underground market by selecting the underground market through actual survey.

In order to protect the health of students and to prevent environmental harm, the School Health Law has been enacted and enforced. In the current “School Health Law Enforcement Rule”, school facilities, such as student desks and chairs, are required to use a small amount of formaldehyde emission values. In this study, an analysis was conducted with the purpose of using the basic data for the adjustment of the present emission standard. The formaldehyde exposure trend in the classroom was evaluated by examining the newly purchased student desks and chairs. As a result of measuring the compound levels in ten schools, the new student desks and chairs seemed to have contributed little to indoor formaldehyde levels. Only one classroom out of ten schools exceeded the threshold of 100 μg/m³ in Class 2 (without new desks and chairs) [(2)103.7 μg/m³]. A measurement of the classrooms exposed to formaldehyde for more than 10 years did not exceed the standard value. It is also very likely to be a source of contamination due to the recent construction (within 6 months) of indoor building materials, which was the dominant feature of the nine new schools. Although the study comprised a limited measurement, the appraisal results are suitable for HCHO emission.

In this study, the homogeneity and stability of standard samples for proficiency testing in indoor air quality within the country (formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, styrene, TVOC) were evaluated. The procedures and statistical analysis methods applied in ISO/IEC 13528 (2009) and KS A ISO Guide 35 (2005) were applied as evaluation methods. The homogeneity evaluation was a statistical analysis of repeated measurements of each of the 11 ports and between the 11 ports concentration data. As a result, the coefficient of variation (CV) was within the range of 1.9%~5.9%. The difference between the ports was found to be insignificant and met the statistical standard specified in KS Q ISO 13528. The stability evaluation was assessed by the change in concentration over the long-term stability of the standard samples stored for 90 days. The coefficient of variation (CV), which was within the range of 2.6%~9.0%, exhibited changes in the concentration of the long-term stored standard samples. However, the results satisfy the statistical standard specified in KS A ISO Guide 35. Overall, there is no significant difference between the homogeneity of the standard samples by the port and the stability of the long-term stored samples. Therefore, it is considered to be an appropriate method to supply standard samples in an indoor air quality proficiency test.

As a result of the increasingly serious air pollution worldwide, there are many social costs in the country. In general, there are legal measures to improve air quality such as investment projects, input of public funds, attraction of private capital, and regulation of air pollution prevention. In this study, we propose future legislative policies through the following analysis on the status of various researches in domestic and foreign countries for the improvement of air quality and related legal system. The domestic indoor air quality is getting better through ongoing management. From a legal perspective, The air quality law, such as indoor air quality law and environmental law, has been continuously revised to improve indoor air quality. However, contrary to the air quality law, indoor air quality management is carried out by various related departments under current law. Due to the different management facilities and management standards of each ministry, the effectiveness of relevant laws is deteriorated in organically managing multi-use facilities. This may lead to confusion and may be an impediment to the effective achievement of the institution's objectives. The pollutants of interior space are one of the main causes not only building materials, but also office equipment such as computers. however, The pollutants to be managed under the current legislation are mainly limited to building materials. In addition, the criteria set for each pollutant have a problem that it depends on the after-regulation standard that is made after the pollutant is released from the pollutant source. There is a need for systematic analysis and research to prevent adverse effects that may occur due to pollution sources through the prevention system. It is time to change the direction of regulation-oriented policies and to make policy changes that can improve air quality through systems such as emission trading system..

While the air quality of public facilities such as daycare centers is managed by law, the management of air quality in residential buildings is not mandatory. For this reason, air quality in an apartments has not been well surveyed. In this study, we investigated the influence of cooking and ventilation on the indoor air quality in an apartment. Continuous measurements were performed using real-time monitoring instruments from June 9 to 17, 2014 in Seoul, Korea. A CO2 meter was used to measure CO2 concentration and temperature. A portable aerosol spectrometer (0.25-32 μm), a nanoparticle aerosol monitor (10-1,000 nm), and an aethalometer (total suspended particulate, black carbon) were also used. During the measurement period, ventilation and cooking activities were observed 8 and 10 times, respectively. In 5 of the observed cases, both activities were done simultaneously. During the ventilation, CO2 concentration and temperature were decreased; however, particle concentrations were increased. When cooking was done, particle concentration was increased in some cases; however, CO2 concentration and temperature were unchanged. Combined cased CO2 concentration and temperature were decreased and particle concentrations were increased.

In this study, the distribution of each facility group, the pollution level of local municipalities and the status of self-measurement were investigated and analyzed using data provided by the Ministry of Environment. It was found that most of the workplaces to be managed are facilities of sensitive class, indoor parking lots and largescale stores. The results of the survey on the total pollution level by facility group showed that the rate of contamination was the highest in the facilities where there are many sensitive users, including the subway station and the underground shopping malls. Through self-measurement, in the case of fine particle matter, it was found that it was present in amounts of 51.71 μg/m3, 50.72 μg/m3, 44.47 μg/m3 and 54.44 μg/m3 in medical institutions, day care centers, elderly care facilities and postnatal care centers, respectively. Also, there were facilities exceeding the standard in the medical institutions. However, most of the pollutants in the facilities surveyed by the municipality are higher than the self-measured concentrations, so it is necessary to examine the cause of such pollution.

The number of children who use day-care centers is increasing. Most indoor air quality (IAQ) management has been based on daily average pollutant concentrations measured once a year. A more comprehensive management of IAQ is needed to protect children’s health from air pollutants in day-care centers. In this study, we investigated the weekly variation of air pollutant concentrations in a nursing room of a day-care center located at the roadside for a week in June of 2014. Average concentrations of CO2, PM10, black carbon, and total surface area of lungdeposited particles during nursing time of the day-care center were 510 ppm, 27.8 μg/m3, 1.87 μg/m3, and 30.6 μm2/cm3, respectively, with a similar diurnal pattern shown on weekdays.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) contains a large variety of substances, of which at least 50 are known to or are believed to be carcinogenic. Although the Ministry of Health and Welfare has started to prevent public exposure to ETS by enacting indoor smoking bans, some facilities still allow their customers or users to smoke indoors. In this study, indoor air quality in a pub was investigated by monitoring particulate matters (PM1.0 and PM2.5), heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb) and nicotine concentration to figure out the influence force of smoking behavior on indoor air quality. Smoking behaviors are revealed to be a major contributor the contamination of indoor air in pubs. The range of PM2.5 mass concentrations were 82.2~208.0 μg/m3 and the mean concentration of PM2.5 was 135.9 μg/m3. In the case of nicotine, the mean concentration was 12.2 μg/m3 with a range from 2.7 to 24.1 μg/m3. In the results of metal analysis, the levels of heavy metals in particulate matters in a pub were found to be much higher than those of the other public facilities.

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of indoor air and health-related parameters (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis) of subject of study (control group and sensitive group) in two schools. The schools were categorized into two groups of newly-built school and the school older than 5 years. Removal of indoor pollutant was investigated according to volume rates (0%, 1.5%, 3%) of indoor plants inside 3 classrooms respectively. The chemicals of indoor environmental research were PM10, Volatile organic compounds (toluene and benzene), formaldehyde, temperature and humidity. ARIA (Allergic rhinitis impacts on Asthma) test was used to assess health effect for 151 students. Also, The variation of SBS symptoms for students in classroom was measured by intervention. With increasing volume ratio of classrooms, there were positive and significant results between the indoor pollutant and student's health score. Students showed improvement health score during the period of putting indoor plants, which was facilitated by the placement of indoor plants at newly-built school classroom of indoor plants volume ratio 3%. From the results above, it could be tentatively effective newly-built school classroom of indoor plants volume ratio 3% improve indoor air quality and student's health score.

The efficiency of using 7 indoor plants, which were Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Ficus robusta, Sansevienria trifasciata, Rhapis excelsa, Scindapusus aureus, Anthurium andraeanum and Pachira aquatica, for B·T·E (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene) removal were assessed at 1200 Lux light intensity in airtight chambers (1.27 m3). Rhapis excelsa, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens and Ficus robusta were among the most effective plants, completely removing for B·T·E within 38 hours, wherease Scindapusus aureus and Sansevienria trifasciata were the lowest in terms of removal efficiency. But when the removal efficiency was measured per unit leaf area (μg·m−3·−2), it was found that Scindapusus aureus, Anthurium andraeanum and Sansevienria trifasciata removed higher amount than Rhapis excelsa, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens and Ficus robusta. Plants with wide leaves and a big leaf area including Rhapis excelsa and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens showed higher removal efficiencies of B·T·E than those with smaller leaves such as Scindapusus aureus. Among the plants tested over 120 hours, the species that emitted the highest levels of CO2, involved with photosynthesis and respiration in plants, Pachira aquatica (11,560 ppm) was emitting 10 times more CO2 than Scindapusus aureus (1,260 ppm).

This study was conducted to determine the impact of smoke-free regulations on the environment in personal computer(PC) rooms by measuring indoor levels of particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm(PM2.5) before and after the implementation of the regulations. PM2.5 concentrations of 34 PC rooms in Seoul were measured before and after the regulations took effect. A real-time monitor was used to measure PM2.5 concentrations. A field technician recorded the characteristics of PC rooms including indoor volume, number of floors, and the presence of a smoking room and counted the number of burning cigarettes, cigarette butts, vents, and patrons. While outdoor PM2.5 concentrations and the number of patrons were not changed, indoor PM2.5 concentrations, the number of burning cigarettes and cigarette butts in PC rooms were significantly decreased after the regulations were implemented (p < 0.001). Geometric mean(GM) of indoor PM2.5 concentrations in the PC rooms was 139.6 μg/m3 before the regulations took effect and 55.7 μg/m3 after the regulations implemented. After the regulations, smokers were observed in 11 of the 34 PC rooms in which PM2.5 concentrations were not significantly decreased(p = 0.18). When smokers were not observed after the regulations, the GM of indoor PM2.5 concentrations was 37.2 μg/m3. Although PM2.5 concentrations in some PC rooms were decreased after the regulation, higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed in PC rooms with smokers. As such, compliance with the smoke-free regulations should be strictly ensured to achieve a better indoor air quality.

We studied the changes in the concentration of total volatile organic compounds generated in newly-built schools (five kindergarten schools, two primary schools, three middle schools, one high school) by the bake-out. Samples were collected in classrooms. By using the bake-out technique the removal efficiency of total volatile organic compounds was 89.1%(maximum) and 27.5%(minimum). By using this bake-out technique the removal efficiency was 42.5% greater than the ventilation method. Therefore, we determined that it is appropriate to apply both the bake-out and ventilation methods in the case of newly-built schools

In order to evaluate the quality of indoor air due to the remodeling and newly-built in S City, 60 schools wereinvestigated in formaldehyde (HCHO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). One school exceeded thenational standard of formaldehyde 100µg/m³ at 1st measurement. Thirty-eight schools showed higher level ofTVOCs over 400µg/m³ at 1st measurement. Twelve schools showed higher level of TVOCs over 400µg/m³ at2nd measurement. This result derived from TVOCs which originated from the building materials and finishingmaterials. To prevent the pollution of indoor air quality at schools caused by formaldehyde and TVOCs, therecommendation of environmentally-friendly building materials, the diminishment of emission by bakeout process,the efficient combination of natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation, and antibacterial effect of chemicalcontrol measures as photo-catalysts should be given positive investigation.

The indoor air quality in public facilities has been well maintained as consciousness of facility owners is improved.However, the risk of PM2.5 and heavy metals in particulate matters have not been highlighted until now. So weinvestigated the particulate matters on major public transportation facilities such as subway, port and bus terminals.And we tried to figure out the characteristics of each facility groups by comparing the mass and metal concentrationbetween PM2.5 and PM10. As a results, the correlation between concentration of indoor particulate matters andthat of outdoor particulate matters shows higher strength in the case of bus terminals and port platforms thansubway platforms. However the total concentration of particulate matters and heavy metals were much higher insubway platforms than that of terminals and port platforms.

This study was performed to investigate the distribution of indoor air pollutants in medical facility in Gyeonggi-do area from February to November, 2012, and to conduct the health risk assessment from obtained data. PM10, CO₂, formaldehyde, CO, and total bacteria count(TBC) did not exceed the maintained standards, but mean concentration of TVOC was 402.3 ㎍/㎥ and thirteen of them exceeded the recommended standard. In the concentration distribution of pollutants for the monthly samples, CO₂, formaldehyde, TVOC, TBC were the highest level in August. From the factor analysis of indoor air pollution provided three factors; the first factor was seasonal factor (indoor temperature and humidity, TBC and formaldehyde), the second factor was ventilation factor (CO₂, PM10 and CO), and the third factor was building(or interior) factor (TVOCs). In the health risk assessment results, the excess carcinogenesis of formaldehyde for resonable maximum exposure worker was 1.21×10-⁴ which means exceeding the cancer criteria(1.0×10-⁴). We confirmed the probability of health effect caused by TVOC. The lifetime excess cancer risk of carcinogens(benzene, formaldehyde) and hazard quotient of non-carcinogens(toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene), and risk of regulation substances(PM10, CO₂) were safety level for inpatients and out patients.

This study investigated the effect of smoking on Indoor Air Quality in smoking allowed buildings. Total 26 buildings(Restaurants 3, Billiards 4, Karaokes 6, Golfs 7, Pubs 6) were surveyed for nicotine, PM₁₀, CO₂, CO, NO₂, HCHO, TVOCs, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene and xylene at quiet and busy time, respectively. The concentrations of nicotine, PM₁₀, CO₂ and benzene were significantly higher(p<0.05) at busy time compared to the quiet time. Some buildings exceeded Indoor Air Quality Standards for PM₁₀, CO₂, HCHO and TVOCs. Our results show that smoking-ban legistration should be introduced to improve Indoor Air Quality.

The purpose of this study were to investigate the state of indoor environmental factors and energy consumption during winter in residential houses and to analyze factors which influenced this environment. Energy consumptions and indoor environmental factors of this survey were conducted in 21 houses(apartment, 11 and detached houses,10) between December, 2010 and February, 2011 which measured energy consumptions and indoor environmental factors as well as kept records of interviews with residents and other related factors. The results obtained were as follows. Indoor environmental factors which were found to influence apartment houses higher than detached houses. The average gas consumption of detached houses(90.98³) was higher than that of apartment houses(76.33³). Gas consumption showed positive correlations to temperature and carbon dioxide in the residential houses. The mean concentration of PM₁₀, and CO₂ in large family were higher than those of small family. We found that the more gas consumption, the higher concentration of PM₁₀, CO₂ and temperature(p<0.01).