As modern society has emerged and developed, the subway has established itself as a representative means of transportation in the city due to its speed, accuracy, and accessibility. According to the Indoor Air Quality Management Act, underground stations have established and managed the maintenance and recommendation standards for PM10, PM2.5, CO2, CO, HCHO, NO2, Rn, VOCs However, th the standards for airborne mold has not been applied for subway stations even though management for the health effect of exposure to mold is necessay. In this study, the correlation with major contributing factors was analyzed by measuring the concentration of airborne molds in the indoor air of underground stations and through literature research. It was confirmed that there was a correlation between the concentration of airborne molds in subway stations and the major contributing factors. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the concentration of airborne molds became higher as the location of the platform became deeper underground, during periods of congestion, and especially in summer. There was no significant correlation with the year of construction. Our findings indicate that appropriate management measures should be devised in response to such contributing factors.

본 연구에서는 토지피복유형에 따른 바이오에어로졸 중 배양성 세균분포를 파악하기 위하여 충청북도 충주시에 위치한 3가지 유형을 대상으로 실시하였다. 토지피복에 따른 기상요소와 바이오에어로졸을 조사하여 측정지점별 미기상변화에 따른 세균 분포를 비교·분석할 수 있었다. 측정지점별 미기상 중 기온의 차이는 도시 숲 8.7℃, 수변 녹지 10.8℃, 도심지 10.2℃로 측정지점 중 도시 숲이 가장 낮은 기온 값을 보였으며, 상대습도는 도시 숲 61.8%, 수변 녹지 59.3%, 도심지 55.7%로 도시 숲이 가장 높은 것으로 분석되었다. 동정된 세균은 43속 99종으로 나타났다. 배양된 세균의 종 다양성 측면에서는 수변녹지 22속, 도시 숲 21속, 도심지 17속으로 조사되었으며, 종수의 경우 수변녹지 37종, 도심지 31종, 도시 숲 31종으로 나타났다. 3가지 유형의 측정지에 모두 존재하는 종은 Bacillus toyonensis와 Pseudarthrobacter oxydan으로 나타났으며, 또한 도시 숲과 수변녹지와 같은 녹지지역에서 존재하는 Herbiconiux flava종을 확인하였다. 측정지점별 미기상환경에 따른 세균농도의 변화를 분석한 결과 도시 숲 333CFU/㎥, 수변 녹지 287CFU/㎥, 도심지 173CFU/㎥ 순으로 나타났으며, 미기상 중 기온변화에 따른 측정지점별 농도변화는 미비하였다. 그러나 상대습도와 풍속은 농도변화와 유사한 경향을 보인 것으로 분석되었다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 토지피복유형에 따른 바이오에어로졸 중 배양성 세균의 분포 정도를 파악하여 측정지점별 바이오에어로졸의 특성을 비교·분석하여 추후 건강한 도시 관리 및 녹지조성의 기초자료를 제공하고자 하였다.

Indoor air contaminated with various pollutants commonly poses a risk to human health, and the need for installing air purifiers has been increasing. However, in commercial air purifiers pollutants-removal efficiency and durability are generally low. Since silver nano-composites are known to have catalytic oxidation and antibacterial capacities, it was anticipated to be applicable for indoor air purifiers. In this study, silver nano-composites were applied to granular activated carbon and scrubber solutions to treat a mixture of three air pollutants including toluene, formaldehyde, and bioaerosol. In the activated carbon deposited with silver nano-particles, the specific surface area decreased, resulting in a 10% loss of adsorption capacity for toluene. However, the removal efficacy of formaldehyde and bioaerosol increased by 10% due to the catalytic oxidation and antibacterial capacities. In the scrubber operation with silver nano-particles, the removal rates of formaldehyde and bioaerosol improved by 20%, while toluene removal was not observed. When the activated carbon column and the scrubber was connected in series, toluene was mainly removed by the activated carbon, and the removal rates of formaldehyde and bioaerosol increased in the presence of silver nano-particles. Consequently, for the improvement of indoor air quality, it is deemed appropriate to apply silver nano-material to indoor environments contaminated with pollutant mixtures.

Odor compounds and air-born microorganisms are simultaneously emitted from various aeration processes such as aerobic digestion, food-waste compositing, and carcass decomposition facilities that are biologically-treating wastes with high organic contents. The air streams emitted from these processes commonly contain sulfur-containing odorous compounds such as hydrogen sulfide(H2S) and bacterial bioaerosols. In this study, a wet-plasma method was applied to remove these air-born pollutants and to minimize safety issues. In addition, the effects of a gas retention time and a liquid-gas ratio were evaluated on removal efficiencies in the wet-plasma system. At the gas reaction time of 1.8 seconds and the liquid-gas ratio of 0.05 mLaq/Lg, the removal efficiency of bioaerosol was approximately 75 %, while the removal efficiency of H2S was lower than 20 %, indicating that the gaseous compound was not effectively oxidized by the plasma reaction at the low liquid addition. When the liquid-gas ratio was increased to 0.25 mLaq/Lg, the removal efficiencies of both H2S and bioaerosol increased to greater than 99 %. At the higher liquid-gas ratio, more ozone was generated by the wet-plasma reaction. The ozone generation was significantly affected by the input electrical energy, and it needed to be removed before discharged from the process.

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.

Bioaerosols, airborne particles of biological origin, are omnipresent in the common surroundings of humans. In antimicrobial filter system, as particles or organic materials are deposited on the filter surface, the bacteria come into contact with the antimicrobial material less, and thus they can easily grow on particles or organic materials. We selected a carbon fiber ionizer which generated air ions as antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial effect of carbon fiber ionizer on the outlet air and condensate water was tested using application of carbon fiber ionizer in a small-scale commercial air conditioner. In conclusion, the application of carbon fiber ionizer in the air conditioner showed more increasing antimicrobial efficiency.

Characteristics of commercial antimicrobial filter media for bioaerosol removal were estimated. A chitoasn/ medium filter, a catechin/HEPA filter, a silver/HEPA filter, a copper/pre filter, a electret cabin filter and a non-electret cabin filter were used for estimation. Filtration efficiency and antimicrobial efficiency was tested using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The electret cabin filter and the chitosan/medium filter showed the highest filtration and antimicrobial efficiency, respectively.

Bioaerosols become a more noticed and important problem in indoor air quality (IAQ) control. In this study, we investigated antibacterial effects of silver nano-particles on Escherichia coli, the common Gram negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus, the well-mown Gram positive bacteria under aerosol conditions. The bioaerosols containing each bacterial culture were contacted with silver nano-particles sprayed in a closed chamber. Experimental results showed that the silver nano-particles had strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. As anticipated, high antibacterial activity was found at a high silver concentration and a long the contact time. It was also found that the bactericidal rate decreased with time due to the aggregation of silver nano-particles. Overall, the experimental finding suggested that silver nano-particles could be successfully applied to improve indoor air quality.

The objective of this study is to offer basic scientific data to support policy decision-making for the improved control of suspended microorganism and to provide baseline data in order to improve the studies of bioaerosol in Korea. Therefore, this study collected and re-analyzed articles on suspended microorganism in various indoor environments and atmospheric environment in Korea that were published in environmental journals since 1980. The survey on the bioaerosol concentration in hospital among the public facilities have been performed abundantly. Also, the survey on the distribution of microorganism during yellow sand, pollen and fungus in atmosphere have been performed mostly. The impactional sampling method that is the sampling method of suspended microorganism have been used mostly in the survey on bioaerosol in Korea. Among the various indoor environments, the pooled average total bacteria concentration of 222.75 CFU/㎥ (95% CI：210.29 ∼ 245.22 CFU/㎥) was found in hospitals. It were lower than the guideline concentration (800 CFU/㎥) recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment. And the pooled average concentration of bacteria and fungi in houses was 148.06 CFU/㎥(95% CI : 20.39 ∼ 275.74 CFU/㎥) and 22.66 CFU/㎥(95% C I：0 ∼ 49.73 CFU/㎥) respectively. Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Enterococcus., Corynebacterium., Escherichia spp., and Pseudormonas spp. for bacteria and Penicillium spp., and Aspergillus spp. for fungi were showed in various indoor environments.

Bioaerosols are airborne particles of biological origins including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and all varieties of living materials. In suitable hosts, bioaerosols are capable of causing acute or chornic diseases that may be infectious, allergenic, or toxigenic. Bioaerosols from outdoor air accumulate on filters of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system in large quantities and are able to multiply there under certain conditions. In this study, silver was coated on activated carbon fiber (ACF) filters by an electroless plating method, and their efficacy for bioaerosols removal was tested. Physical filtration and biological antimicrobial test were performed. SEM and XRD analyses were used to characterize the morphology and components of ACF filters. Electroless silver-plated ACF filters showed antimicrobial efficiency, whereas pure ACF filters did not. It was found that electroless silver plating did not influence the physical filtration efficiency of ACF filters.

We surveyed the concentrations of PM10, O3, and bioaerosol in public facilities including restaurants, offices, and private academies in Chung-Nam province area. During 3 months (from August 30, 2005), the bioaerosol concentrations were measured by a single stage air cascade sampler using the inertia collision catching method for the flux of 28.29 ℓ/min. The mean values were measured as 101.1㎍/㎥ for PM10 and 12.4 ppb for O3. The concentrations of colony for bacteria and fungi were 464 and 287 CFU/㎥ in restaurants, 223 and 271 CFU/㎥ in offices, and 259 and 107 CFU/㎥ in private academics. It is thus suggested that the regulation of indoor air conditions should be amended to control the quantity of bioaerosol in public facilities.

음식물류 폐기물은 높은 수분 및 유기물 함량으로 인해 쉽게 부패되며, 그 과정에서 TVOC 및 황화수소 등 많은 종류의 악취와 다양한 미생물들이 발생한다. 황계열 및 TVOC 와 같은 악취물질은 수거용기 내부에서 발생하여 생활악취 민원의 주요 원인이 되고 있다. 또한 음식물류 폐기물을 버리고 부패되는 과정에서 부유미생물이 발생하여 병원성 세균감염 및 알레르기를 일으킬 가능성이 있다. 따라서 음식물류 폐기물의 악취 및 부유미생물에 대한 대책이 시급한 상황이나 이에 대한 연구는 미흡한 실정이다. 음식물류 폐기물에서 발생하는 악취 및 부유미생물은 계절, 기온, 재료에 따라 많은 차이가 생겨 처리장치의 설계인자를 도출하거나 성능을 정량적으로 평가하기에 어려움이 있다. 따라서 처리장치의 설계 및 성능평가를 위해 성상이 비교적 일정한 표준화 된 음식물류 폐기물의 제조가 필요하며 본 연구에서는 서울시에서 규정한 ‘음식물쓰레기 감량기기, 종량기기 가이드라인(2014)’의 중량비율을 참고하여 채소류, 과일류, 곡물류, 어육류 및 함수율을 조정하여 표준화 된 음식물류 폐기물을 제조하였다. 제조한 음식물류 폐기물의 부패기간에 따른 TVOC 및 복합악취, 부유미생물의 발생 경향을 파악함으로써 처리장치의 기초설계 인자를 도출하고자 하였다. 실험실에서 제조한 음식물류 폐기물의 부패기간에 따른 악취 및 부유미생물의 농도 변화를 측정하기 위하여 12시간 간격으로 TVOC, 복합악취, 부유미생물의 농도변화를 관찰하였다. 실험결과 TVOC, 복합악취, 부유미생물 농도가 60시간까지 지속적으로 증가하였으며 최대농도는 TVOC 86 ppm, 복합악취 3000배, 부유미생물 2517 CFU/m³로 측정되었다. 그리고 72시간 부패 후 TVOC 농도는 84 ppm이 측정되어 소량 감소되었지만 복합악취와 부유미생물의 농도는 복합악취 1000배, 부유미생물 1700 CFU/m³로 측정되었으며 확연히 감소되는 경향을 볼 수 있었다.

최근 도시 인구의 증가에 따라 하수 및 분뇨 발생량이 증가하고 있으며, 다양한 오염원으로부터 유입되는 하수에는 질병을 유발할 수 있는 다양한 병원성 미생물이 존재한다고 알려져 있다. 하수처리를 위한 다양한 공정에서는 미생물을 포함하고 있는 bioaerosol이 발생할 수 있으며, 하수 및 분뇨에 포함된 병원성 박테리라 등을 포함하고 있을 가능성이 높다. 따라서 호흡을 통해 하수처리장의 근무자 및 주변 주민에게 위해를 가할 수 있으므로, bioaerosol의 발생 특성 및 감소에 관한 연구가 필요한 현실이다. 하수처리공정 중 bioaerosol이 발생하는 대표적인 환경으로는 활성 슬러지 공정이 있으며, 폭기조에서의 대량 폭기로 인한 높은 농도의 bioaerosol이 발생한다고 알려져 있다. 최근에는 기존의 재래식 활성슬러지 공정(CAS, Conventional Activated Sludge)보다 소요 면적이 적고, 고농도의 미생물 농도를 유지하고 있어 수질 처리 효율이 좋은 호기성 MBR(Membrane bioreactor)의 사용이 증대되고 있다. 그러나 호기성 MBR은 고농도의 미생물 농도 유지 및 멤브레인의 파울링 감소를 위해서는 많은 양의 공기 폭기를 유지해야하므로, 상대적으로 높은 농도의 bioaerosol의 발생이 한정된 공간에서 이루어질 것으로 예상된다. 호기성 MBR의 특성상 운전 조건에 따라서 반응기 내 미생물의 농도 및 특성이 달라질 것이며, 이에 따라 bioaerosol의 발생량 및 특성도 영향을 받을 것으로 예상된다. 그러나 국내에서는 하수처리 과정 중 호기성 MBR 공정에서의 bioaerosol 발생에 관한 연구가 전무하며, 이에 대한 기초 연구 및 발생량 감소를 위한 연구가 미흡한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 하수처리장 MBR 공정에서 운전 조건에 따른 반응기 내 미생물 농도 및 특성을 확인하고, bioaerosol 발생량을 비교하고자 하였다. 더불어 bioaerosol 발생량을 저감할 수 있는 방안에 대한 연구를 추가적으로 진행하고자 하였다.

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.