Assessing the health impacts of ambient air pollution is essential for evaluating air-quality management policies. Using nationwide data from 2007 to 2023, this study analyzed long-term trends in six major air pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, PM10, and PM2.5) and examined the responsiveness of two health indicator categories: disease prevalence (asthma, rhinitis, atopy, and stroke) and hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Although concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and CO declined substantially during the study period, prevalence indicators showed no corresponding improvements and instead exhibited weak or inconsistent correlations with air pollutants (e.g., PM10-asthma: r = –0.696; PM10-stroke: r = –0.220), reflecting their limited sensitivity to environmental changes. In contrast, hospitalization rates demonstrated strong and consistent associations with air pollution, particularly particulate matter and NO2. Meanwhile, PM2.5 showed the highest correlations with COPD (r = 0.973) and asthma hospitalizations (r = 0.988), and regression analyses indicated steeper slopes for PM2.5 than for PM10. This suggests a greater relative impact of fine particles on acute disease exacerbation. Principal component analysis further confirmed that hospitalization indicators clustered closely with pollutant-related components, whereas prevalence indicators were structurally independent. Overall, hospitalization rates provide a more objective and responsive measure for evaluating the health impacts of air-quality improvements in South Korea, while prevalence indicators are less suitable for assessing environmental policy outcomes.

Nutrient loads in inland rivers can propagate downstream to estuaries and near-coastal waters, where water-quality conditions may affect fisheries and aquaculture. This study examines the effect of a nutrient load control program on total phosphorus in South Korea. Using a difference-in-differences approach with fixed effect models, the study constructs monitoring stations in the Nakdong, Geum, and Yeongsan rivers as the treatment group and monitoring stations in the Han River as the control group. The study leverages total phosphorus (TP) control as the policy intervention. Using monitor-by-time data from the national Total Maximum Daily Load network from 2007 to 2012, the study found that TP levels decreased by approximately 3.6% after the policy intervention. The study further examines flexible and honest DIDs and finds limited but suggestive evidence of this improvement. The findings provide suggestive evidence of load-based regulation in reducing TP and provide policy-relevant evidence on upstream nutrient control that may inform broader downstream water-quality management in connected river-estuary systems.

This study investigated indoor air quality (IAQ) in 302 facilities (consisting of 638 monitoring points) across five types of multi-use facilities for the health of vulnerable populations in Seoul. The facility types consisted of the following: ICPs (indoor children’s playgrounds), PCCs (postnatal care centers), ECFs (elderly care facilities), HCFs (health care facilities), and CCCs (child care centers). The investigation was carried out over a 1-year period, from January to December 2024. The objective of this research was to provide a scientific basis for IAQ management by identifying characteristics specific to facility types and potential risk levels for vulnerable populations in Seoul. Five indoor air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, CO2, HCHO, and TAB) were continuously measured, and their concentration distributions, temporal variability, and multi-pollutant patterns were analyzed using data visualization and statistical methods. Boxplots and ridgeline plots characterized distributions and seasonality by facility type, while star plots and K-means clustering were used to examine multi-pollutant combinations and inter-facility pattern differences. Most measurements were within national IAQ standards. However, HCFs and PCCs exhibited relatively higher mean levels and variability of HCHO and TAB, indicating a greater need to control chemical and microbiological sources. CO2 concentrations approached or temporarily exceeded the national standard, particularly in HCFs, reflecting differences in occupant density, occupancy time, and ventilation management. Kruskal-Wallis and pairwise Wilcoxon rank-sum tests revealed statistically significant differences among facility types, particularly for CO2 and HCHO, consistent with the visualized multi-pollutant profiles. K-means clustering identified three IAQ patterns-multi-pollutant-elevated, activity/ventilation-influenced, and low-pollutionindicating that management needs may vary across facilities despite uniform national standards. These findings provide a methodological basis for IAQ big data analysis, policy making, and supporting future research integrating multi-year, outdoor, building, activity, and health data.

도시 불투수 지역에서 발생하는 초기 강우 유출수는 고농도의 비점오염물질을 단기간에 하천으로 유입시켜 수질 악화를 초래한다. 본 연구에서는 우수받이 및 맨홀에 설치 가능한 다단 폴리프로필렌 섬유 여과장치를 개발하고, 실험실 및 현장자료를 기반으로 오염물질 제거 효율을 평가하였다. 섬유 여재 조합 실험을 통해 53 μm, 20 μm, 10 μm 구성의 3단 여과가 TSS, TN, TP 제거에 가장 효과적인 것으로 나타났다. 현장 초기유출수 분석 결과, 평균 제거 효율은 TSS 79.7%, TN 31.6%, TP 43.1%로 확인되었다. 또한 SWMM을 이용하여 학사마을 도시유역에 적용 시 25%, 50%, 100% 설치비율에 대해 TSS 47.3∼99.2%, TN 21.6∼49.4%, TP 23.6∼67.7%의 저감효과가 모의되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 공간 제약이 큰 도시지역에서 초기세척효과(first flush)를 제어하기 위한 실용적인 비점오염 관리기술로서 활용 가능성을 제시한다.

산업, 농업 및 생활계 화학물질의 사용 확대에 따라 수계 환경에서 신종미량오염물질(Emerging Micropollutants, EMPs)의 검출 빈도가 증가하고 있으며, 이에 따라 장기적인 생태계 및 수돗물 안전성에 대한 시민들의 우려가 커지고 있다. EMPs는 많은 경우 기존 정수 및 하⋅폐수처리 공정에서 완전히 제거되지 않아, 사후적 대응 중심의 기존 수질관리 방식의 한계를 드러내고 있다. 본 총설에서는 EMPs 관리를 위한 위해성 기반 우선순위 설정 방법으로서 위해지수와 가중평균 위해지수를 검토하고, 대한민국과 더불어 수질관련 주요 국가인 일본, 미국, 유럽연합의 EMPs 관리체계를 비교 분석하였다. 공공수역과 수돗물을 대상으로 규제 및 비규제 단계의 감시, 관리 제도를 중심으로 분석을 수행하였다. 비교 결과, 주요 국가들은 EMPs를 규제 이전 단계에서 감시 및 위해성 평가한 후 단계적으로 규제에 포함하는 관리 전략을 공통적으로 채택하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 국가 간 공통적으로 관리 또는 감시되고 있는 EMPs는 총 103종으로 확인되었으며, 이 중 산업용 화학물질과 농약류가 다수를 차지하였고, 의약물질 및 조류기인 독소에 대한 관리 중요성도 점차 증가하고 있었다. 본 총설의 분석 결과는 배출원 관리, 감시, 단계적 규제를 연계한 선제적이고 위해성 기반의 EMPs 관리체계 구축 필요성을 강조하며, 국내 EMPs 관리 전략 고도화를 위한 과학적 근거를 제공한다.

우리나라의 선박부문 대기오염물질 배출량 산정에 활용되는 배출계수는 유럽환경청의 가이드라인에서 제시하는 수치를 적용 하고 있다. 유럽환경청 가이드라인에서 제시하고 있는 수치는 2000년대 초에 발간된 문헌자료 기반의 배출계수로 선박부문의 다양한 규 제가 시행중인 현재의 배출상황과는 차이가 존재한다. 이에, 본 연구에서는 항만 입출항 선박현황을 조사하여, 여객선, 벌크선, 컨테이너 선, 탱커선 등 주요 선종을 대상으로 배기가스 실측 분석연구를 수행하였다. 배기가스 내 5종의 물질(CO2, CO, NOx, SOx, BC)을 대상으로 선박 운항형태별(운항모드,접안모드), 유종별(경유, 벙커유) 배출계수를 제시하였다. 실측기반의 배출계수를 활용하여 대기오염물질을 산 정하는 경우, 배출량 통계 정합성 확보에 기여할 수 있으며, 정확한 배출량 산출을 토대로 국가 대기환경개선 목표 달성에 이바지할 것으 로 기대된다.

This study examined the applicability of the ATP bioluminescence assay for the efficient screening of paper-based records requiring disinfection for preservation. For the investigation, microbial contamination was measured on the surfaces of six types of paper-based records (fine-print paper, medium-print paper, ground paper, newsprint paper, practice paper, and tracing paper) using two ATP luminometers (Lumitester SMART PD-30 and 3MTM Clean-TraceTM LM1) at the National Archives of Korea. Among the six paper-based record types, medium-quality paper, tracing paper, and fineprint paper exhibited the highest contamination levels, confirming varying degrees of vulnerability based on the materials. RLU values were measured in the records of old drawings from the year 1111 and in records from the year 1831. RLU values were also present in the records from the years 1904 and 1911. The records from the year 1922 showed high RLU values of 3,639 and 2,662 in both ATP luminometers, indicating a very high level of microbial contamination. The RLU of the drawings stored in NF501 storage ranged from 7 to 57 (LM1 measurement) and 64 to 524 (PD-30 measurement). Overall, measurements of records on paper materials that had not been disinfected showed microbial contamination levels ranging from low to very high, and these materials consisted of records dating from 1900 to 2003. Furthermore, the Lumitester SMART PD-30 luminometer yielded significantly higher RLU values than the 3MTM Clean-TraceTM LM luminometer, demonstrating a substantial discrepancy between the two devices. Therefore, to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the disinfection process, it is necessary to standardize the use of ATP-specific detection methods.

This study investigates the emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes (HCHO) from ventilation air filters manufactured using two different bonding methods: chemical bonding and thermal bonding. Small-chamber tests were conducted in accordance with KS ISO 16000-9:2006 to quantitatively compare the hazardous substance emissions of five filter specimens with varying bonding mechanisms and exposure surface conditions. The results show that filters produced by thermal bonding exhibited non-detectable (N.D.) levels of toluene, TVOC, and formaldehyde, demonstrating that this manufacturing method inherently minimizes chemical emissions by avoiding the use of adhesives. In contrast, filters manufactured through chemical bonding released formaldehyde ranging from 0.002 to 0.006 mg/m2·h, which is attributed to residual binder components used during the manufacturing process. Although these levels meet the highest grade criteria (≤ 0.008 mg/m2·h) in the Korean eco-friendly building material certification for wallcoverings, meaningful emissions were still observed, and potential grade changes may occur depending on adhesive type, solid content, and coating amount. Furthermore, this study found that differences in the exposed surface (single-sided vs. double-sided) significantly influenced calculated emission rates. This result revealed the limitations of applying building-material-based chamber test methods to filter materials through which air directly flows. These findings highlight the necessity of developing dedicated testing standards for ventilation filters, including appropriate exposure definitions. Overall, this research confirms that ventilation filters should be incorporated into institutional management frameworks alongside conventional building finishing materials, given their direct influence on indoor air quality.

본 연구에서는 어린이집 급식실에 설치된 냉장고, 냉동 고, 자외선 살균기 손잡이의 미생물 오염도를 조사하고 위 생 관리 방안을 제시하고자 하였다. 실험에 사용된 손잡 이는 전라남도 소재 어린이집 101곳의 냉장고, 냉동고, 자 외선 살균기를 대상으로 하였다. 냉장고, 냉동고, 자외선 살균기 손잡이의 일반세균 오염도는 평균 1 .9 ±0.9 log CFU/ 100 cm2, 1.9±0.7 log CFU/100 cm2, 2.0±1.1 log CFU/100 cm2로 나타났으며, 자외선 살균기의 오염도가 가장 높게 나타났다. 즉각적인 안전 조치가 필요한 급식 설비 손잡 이 수는 가정 4건, 국공립 6건, 민간 7건으로 민간 어린이 집 급식 설비 손잡이에서 일반세균수 오염에 가장 취약하 였다. 냉장고, 냉동고, 자외선 살균기의 대장균군 오염도 는 평균 1.4±1.4 log CFU/100 cm2, 1.1±1.1 log CFU/100 cm2, 1.1±1.0 log CFU/100 cm2로 나타나 냉장고의 오염도 가 가장 높게 나타났다. 보육시설 별로는 지역아동센터, 가정, 국공립, 민간 어린이집 순으로 높게 나타났다. 즉각 적인 안전 조치가 필요한 급식 설비 손잡이 수는 지역 아 동 0건, 가정 2건, 국공립 5건, 민간 10건으로 민간 어린이집 급식 설비 손잡이에서 대장균군 수 오염에 가장 취 약하였다. 어린이집 급식실 설비 손잡이의 살균 기준을 제 시하고자 대장균 저감화 효과를 실험하였다. 소독 티슈와 70% 에탄올을 이용하여 실험한 결과, 어린이집 급식실 설 비 손잡이를 살균할 시 소독 티슈를 새것으로 바꾸어 총 3회 살균하는 방법과 70% 에탄올 4회 분무 후 5분 건조 하는 방법이 가장 적합한 방법으로 나타났다. 이러한 결 과를 종합하여 볼 때, 어린이집 급식실 설비 손잡이에 의 한 교차오염을 예방하기 위하여 설비 손잡이를 소독 티슈 새것으로 교체하며 총 3회 이상 살균하거나, 70% 에탄올 4회 이상 분무 후 자연 건조하는 방법을 활용하여야 할 것으로 판단되었다.

This study assessed the dietary exposure to microcystins (MCs) through consumption of leafy vegetables in Korea by combining the data on contamination levels reported in published literature with intake and body weight data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated for lettuce, spinach, napa cabbage, and cabbage, and hazard indices (HI) were derived using tolerable daily intake (TDI) values from the World Health Organization (WHO, 0.04 g/kg bw/day) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA, 0.0064 g/kg bw/day). The results showed that under low-contamination conditions, the HI values, remained below 1 across all population groups, suggesting limited current risk. However, under high-concentration scenarios, the HI values exceeded 1 substantially, reaching tens to hundreds of times higher in infants, the elderly, and high-intake groups, underscoring the vulnerability of sensitive subpopulations. Because MC concentrations vary markedly across sites and seasons—even over short periods—continuous, seasonally responsive monitoring is warranted to capture episodic peaks and protect high-risk groups. These findings highlight the importance of integrating Korean dietary patterns into exposure assessment and provide a scientific basis for proactive food-safety management amid climate-driven cyanobacterial blooms.