In this study, various conditions and phenomena that occur in the process of removing odorous VOCs by using electrolyzed oxidant were examined. The formation of hypochlorous acid, which is an oxidant produced by electrolysis, was investigated and the properties of the oxidizing agent used to decompose toluene, xylene, and cyclohexane were investigated. As a result, it was found that the production rate and the final concentration of the oxidizing agent increased with the current density. It was found that the degree of removal varies depending on the property of each pollutant. Interestingly, in the batch experiments in which the pH of the produced oxidant was controlled, it was found that the degree of elimination varied depending on the pH of the substance. These results suggest that the difference in the concentration and distribution of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite (OCl−) due to the pH change leads to the difference in oxidizing power on the oxidation characteristics of each substance. Styrene and terpineol showed better degradation characteristics than toluene and xylene in odorous VOC removal experiments by spraying electrolytic oxidant using a lab-scale continuous reactor. In conclusion, the removal of odorous VOCs by the electrolytic oxidant can have various applications in that it can oxidize pollutants of various spectra.

VOCs have been used as the most definitive resource to reflect customer feedback when developing products and services. However, due to the development of the Internet and the emergence of SNS, VOC is no longer the only channel that represents customer opinions. There are also a number of studies showing that many customers express complaints through channels other than VOCs. In this paper, we analyze the difference between the official VOC data and the data collected through the external channel, and suggest ways to reflect the various opinions of customers. To do this, this study uses keyword analysis that can identify differences according to frequency through social network, modular analysis to distinguish topics according to centrality and similarity, and emotional analysis to confirm word polarity (positive and negative). The results of this study show that the opinions of the customers were different depending on channels such as VOCs and external channels. Therefore, the collected data through VOC as well as external channels should be used in order to reflect the opinions of customers. In particular, this paper confirms that the results of one channel may vary depending on the channel characteristics even for the same channel. This confirms that collecting voc only on certain channels may differ from what real customers require. Therefore, data collected through VOCs as well as external channels must be used to reflect various customer feedback.

This study investigates the indoor air quality conditions of the total of 52 buses depend on seasons, time and others. We evaluated the CO₂and PM10, the controlled parameters in express buses by Ministry of Environment and VOCs and HCHO, the non-controlled parameters. The CO₂concentration during peak commute times was 38.5% in summer and 15.4% in autumn, which are higher than the normal. But, PM10 concentration was influenced by the outside air not number of passengers. The concentration of VOCs were not related with other parameters such as number of passengers, seasons, and driving time. And then, the formaldehyde concentration was not related with seasons as it showed little difference between summer and autumn.

Two sewage treatment facilities were selected to identify odor emission characteristics, focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sulfur compounds. The complex odor, 5 kinds of sulfur compounds and 23 kinds of VOCs were analyzed from gas and sludge storages. Hydrogen sulfide was detected in the highest concentration and had the highest odor quotient among the odorous compounds monitored in this study, demonstrating that the contribution of hydrogen sulfide to the complex odor reached up to 90%. For VOCs, the overall contribution to the complex odor was not critical but VOCs can sufficiently trigger an odorous sensation because the sum of the odor quotient reached up to 2.89.

This study was conducted targeting 30 residents of Gwangyang industrial complex area from April to May 2017 to assess their level of exposure to VOCs and conduct a health risk assessment for individual exposure. The aim was to understand the difference in levels of indoor, outdoor and personal exposure to VOCs (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, o-xylene) and a health risk assessment was conducted to determine whether there was any fatal cause from carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic elements from a respiratory disease patients. In the case of benzene in the air, the geometric levels of the group are indoor, outdoor and personal exposure; on the CTE, RME condition and Monte-Carlo analysis, all subjects were seen to exceed the carcinogenicity tolerance of 10−6 specified by the US EPA. In the case of toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, o-xylene on the CTE, RME condition and Monte-Carlo analysis, the non-carcinogenic standard of 1 was not exceeded.

점토를 이용하여 세 종류의 새로운 형태의 변형된 유기물점토를 제조하였다. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)를 점토에 층간 삽입시켜 OC-CPC를 합성하였고, Aluminium 축을 갖는 Al-PILC 만든 후, cetylpyridinium chloride를 Al-PILC에 삽입시켜 IOC-CPC 화합물을 합성하였다. IR과 TGA를 이용하여 이들 구조를 분석한 결과 층간 삽입반응이 성공적으로 이루어졌음을 확인할 수 있었다. X-ray 회절을 이용하여 층간 거리를 조사하였는데 OC-CPC가 제일 큰 값을 보여 주었다. 층간 구조를 갖는 화합물들은 삽입반응을 이용하여 구조를 변형시킬 수 있으며 이를 통해 층간거리, 표면적, 공간 크기, 화학적 친화성 같은 여러 물리적 성질들을 바꿀 수 있으므로, 본 논문에서는 자연점토를 이용하여 층간 반응을 통해 휘발성 유기화합물의 흡착에 쓰일 수 있는 유용한 유기점토 화합물을 합성하고 이들의 구조를 확인코자 하였다. 벤젠과 톨루엔의 흡착은 IOC-CPC나 Al-PILC에서 보다 OC-CPC에서 더 잘 이루어졌으며, 자연점토에서는 거의 흡착이 일어나지 않았다. OC-CPC 화합물에서는 친 소수성 성질이 크고 층간 거리도 증가했기 때문에 흡착이 잘 일어났다고 볼 수 있으며, 반면에 친수성이 큰 Al-PILC 에서는 벤젠과 톨루엔 같은 휘발성 유기물에 대한 흡착이 상대적으로 적게 일어났다.

Due to economic feasibility and recycling policy of wastes, various types of residues have been studied particularly for high valued materials, such as gas adsorbents. In this study, the preparation of an adsorbent using the waste from coffee manufacturing process was attempted, and the removal efficiencies the odor and VOCs with acetaldehyde were quantitatively evaluated. The obtained coffee adsorbent had a specific surface area ranging from 400~1024 m2/g, the adsorption amount at the largest specific surface area was about 92.6 mg/g for acetaldehyde. The adsorption time by the characteristics of the adsorbents, such as pore, pore volume and the amount of adsorbent was also measured. This was to determine whether or not coffee adsorbents have any performance as adsorbent.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a source of air pollution and are harmful to both human health and the environment. In this study, we fabricated polyurethane/rare earth (PU/RE) composite nanofibrous membranes via electrospinning with the aim of removing VOCs from air. The morphological structure of PU/RE nanofibrous mats were investigated using FE-SEM, EDX, and XRD experimental analyses. A certain amount of RE (up to 50 wt% compared to PU pellets) particles could be loaded on/into PU fibers. The PU nanofiber containing 50 wt% RE powder had the smallest fiber diameter of 356 nm; it also showed the highest VOCs absorption capacity compared with other composite membranes, having an absorption capacity about 3 times greater than pure PU nanofibers. In addition, all of the PU/RE nanofibrous membranes readily absorbed styrene the most, followed by xylene, toluene, benzene and chloroform. Therefore, the PU/RE nanofibrous membrane can play an important role in removing VOCs from the air, and its development prospects are impressive because they are emerging materials.

VOCs는 인체에 치명적인 질환을 유발하는 물질로써 도장공정중 발생되는 양이 가장 큰 비 중을 차지하고 있다. 일반적으로 소형 도장시설에서 발생되는 VOCs를 처리하는 방법으로 활성탄 흡착 또는 흡착 후 연소 및 촉매 산화법 등을 사용하고 있다. 하지만 활성탄 교체주기, 재생시설 및 재생주기 등을 예측하기 어려워 새로운 처리방법이 필요하다. 비이송식 플라즈마 시스템을 이용한 VOCs 제거방 법은 일반 연소과정이 아닌 고전압 아크 방전에 의한 고온 플라즈마 유동 발생 기술을 이용한 제거방법 으로 화학반응이나 오염이 없는 고순도의 고온 열처리 및 열분해가 가능하다. 본 연구에서는 고온 아크 플라즈마 시스템을 이용하여 특수 환경오염물 및 VOCs 가스 열처리 공정의 핵심기술로 활용하여 작동 가스 유량 변화에 따른 VOCs 처리 효율 및 플라즈마 전력량에 따른 처리 효율을 측정하였다. 또한 유 해가스 처리효율성 증대를 위해 플라즈마 반응기를 최적화하여 제작하였으며 성능을 파악하였다.

In this study, UV irradiation reactors were used to eliminate 4 types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various experimental conditions. The 4 types of VOCs used include acetone (AC), chlorobenzene (CB), dichloromethane (DCM) and methylbenzene (MB). An ozone producing low-pressure mercury lamp that emits UV irradiance at 254 nm and 185 nm was used. The tested operating conditions included UV light intensity, inlet VOCs concentrations, empty bed retention time (EBRT), background gas and relative humidity (RH) of the gas. Firstly, higher UV light intensity is confirmed to have higher VOCs removal efficiency (RE). Higher inlet VOCs concentration will result in lower VOCs RE, and the decreasing trends of different VOCs are not identical. At the same inlet VOCs concentrations, increasing the EBRT will result in a rise in VOCs RE, but a further increase in EBRT will bring about less enhancement in RE. Moreover, UV irradiation in oxygen has the highest VOCs RE compared with that in air and nitrogen gas (N2), indicating that photolysis and photooxidation are both important. Finally, there was no increase the VOCs RE at the increase in RH. All the experimental results indicate that an identical set of operating conditions should be applied when the removal capacities of different VOCs according to the UV irradiation amount are compared.

This study describes the effects of polyurethane/loess powder (PU/LP) nanofiber thin films composite produced from electrospun for absorption volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air. Environmental issue has become a focus with improving people's living quality. The VOCs are one of the factors that affect the environmental safety. So, in order to improve the environment and safety for people, many air cleaning techniques have been investigated. One of the methods is nanofiber filtration technology. In this study, the PU nanofiber thin film has been studied that it has the adsorption of VOCs capacity, and LP nanoparticles (NPs) can be used as an additive to load into PU nanofiber thin film by electrospinning. For studying PU/LP nanofiber thin films's absorption of VOCs capacity, 4 samples (0, 10, 30, and 50 wt% LP with respect to PU) were manufactured, respectively. The results show that PU composite mats containing 30 wt% LP NPs has the highest VOCs absorption capacity, and the adsorption capacity for toluene was the highest compared to benzene and chloroform.

Per capita nail-products use and airborne VOCs emission in four techniques of nail care (full coat coloring, UVgel polish, repair silk, and acrylic overlay) are estimated in this study. These assessments were carried out in a sealed test chamber using artificial hand and nails. A polish remover and a gel cleanser as cleanser and acrylic liquid as solvent were the most commonly used nail products in all 4 of the nail care techniques. Acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and methanol, which are major components of a polish remover, were commonly detected in all nail care techniques while acetone was detected the most. In addition to these airborne VOCs, a variety of other components such as ethyl acetate, cyclohexane, and toluene were identified in full coat coloring technique. In the process of UV-gel polish care technique, the main airborne VOCs were caused by solvents and were not involved in the curing process of UV gels (base gel and top gel) and gel bonder. In the case of repair silk nail care techniques, which generated the most VOCs, the total amount of VOCs detected was about 1,118.8 ± 359.6 mg/capita. Of the VOCs, butane (862.2 ± 283.9 mg/capita), which is contained in glue dryer, represented the largest share. In the process of acrylic overlay nail care technique, ethyl methacrylate (EMA), which is the basic element of acrylic, and highly toxic methyl methacrylate (MMA) were detected at 396.6 ± 42.3 mg/capita and 141.8 ± 8.2 mg/capita, respectively. The per capita data is very useful in designing a ventilation system for environmental improvement of a nail shop and setting a health care policy for nail artists and customers.

The consumer products in the living environments include a variety of chemicals which could be harmful in the human health. The aim of this study was to assess the inhalation exposure and risk for cleaning workers who had used bleach in the university. A total of 81 cleaning workers took part in this study. Frequency and amount of cleaning bleach during working hours were investigated by questionnaire interviews. Exposure assessment was used by the exposure algorithm and exposure factors. Used cleaning bleaches were analyzed to identify the ingredients, and risk by exposure was assessed by separating as carcinogen and non-carcinogen substances. The results of chemical substances and the questionnaire were used to assess the exposure factors, and the inhalation doses were calculated through inhalation exposure algorithm. According to the questionnaires for the cleaning workers, frequence of cleaning bleach was 11.66 ± 7.21 times per month. And average usage time and amount per cleaning work were 30.78 ± 36.00 minute and 20099.53 ± 12998.60 mg, respectively. Risks for carcinogenic substances of formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, and chloroform were exceeded by 56.79%, 27.16%, and 82.72% as the reference value of 10−6, respectively.

We measured VOCs and NO2 in the indoor and outdoor air at 125 houses in Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnamdo, from March 2007 to January 2008. The concentration of benzene measured in the Gwangyang survey group was higher than in Yeosu and Hadong, and showed a statistically significant difference from Yeosu (p<0.05). The concentration of toluene in outdoor air was highest in the Gwangyang survey group. The concentration of NO2 measured in the Yeosu survey group was higher than in Gwangyang and Hadong, and showed a statistically significant difference from Hadong (p<0.01). According to the results of a correlation analysis, VOCs (benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene) exposure of individuals showed a significant correlation with the residential indoor air (p<0.01). Also, VOCs of residential indoor and outdoor air showed a significant correlation (p<0.01). The concentration of NO2 exposure of individuals measured in the Yeosu comparison group showed a high correlation with the residential indoor air.

In the current study, oxidative decomposition of a volatile organic compound was investigated at room temperature and pressure. The experiment was carried out in lower ethylene concentration and with various higher gas flow rates. The reactor has 7 different compartments in which the reaction takes place independently. Plasma was generated inside each compartment by the application of alternating current (AC) voltage. 5 wt% manganese loaded and 5 wt% silver loaded 13X zeolite were used as catalysts. Bare zeolite showed higher ethylene decomposition efficiency than Ag loaded and Mn loaded zeolite. Ozone concentration was increased slightly while increasing the SIE, reached a maximum and started decreasing. Ag loaded zeolite also showed similar decomposition efficiency, but the concentration of ozone was greatly lowered.

The study analyzed performance assessment factors of VOCs odor sensors from 3 different manufacturers, such as minimum detection limit, humidity stability and temperature stability. Through the minimum detection limit assessment, it was found that a VOCs sensor was able to detect TVOCs at the concentration of 5 ppb. The standard deviation ratio was over 10%, and it increased as humidity rose. The range of temperatures in which the VOCs odor sensor using photoionization could operate was between 25oC and 40oC, and the sensor output values were unstable at low temperatures. In terms of the temperature stability of the metal oxide semiconductor sensor for measuring complex odors, the sensor output values dropped considerably to 0~10oC, and were similar to the concentrations of odorous gases generated at 25oC. The results of the test of VOCs odor sensor outputs after temperature and humidity pre-treatment revealed that the respective stable output values at 50% humidity and 25oC were similar to the concentrations of manufactured odors. In terms of temperature and humidity stability of the VOCs odor sensors, all target VOCs substances had stable output values at 25oC to 40oC and at 50% to 65% relative humidities, and unstable values at low temperatures and high humidities. Therefore, the implementation of pre-treatment systems including temperature and humidity correction (25~40oC, 50~65% RH) is required for the stable use of VOCs odor sensors.

About half of the South Korean population lives in the three major metropolitan areas, which are Seoul, Kyeonggi and Incheon. Among this group, more than 50% live in apartments. In this study, the relationship between the concentration of indoor VOCs and environmental factors was investigated in metropolitan apartments in the occupation stage. The maximum concentration of TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) was monitored in spring season. Among the identified VOCs, toluene was present in the highest amount, followed by terpene, aldehyde and hydrocarbon. Due to the specific indoor sources, the I/O ratio of terpene (e.g. d-limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene) was relatively higher than that of the others. The construction year and length of residence were revealed as the environmental factors having the greatest influence on the concentration of indoor benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene and hydrocarbon, and the relationship was statistically significant. The floor and size of the apartment influenced the levels of indoor nonanal. The relationships between individual VOCs showed highly positive correlations that are statistically significant. Through the relationship study, it was found that factors including newly built apartment, short period of time after moving in, high floors and small floor area were the main factors inducing an increased concentration of indoor VOCs in apartments.

The concentration of VOCs, NO2 was measured both inside and outside residential homes surrounding an industrial complex. Measurements were performed in the area of the industrial complexes and around 10 km away from the industrial complex area. Benzene did not exceed the air quality standard value. Toluene exhibited a high value of concentration in outdoor Yeosu investigated group. The concentration of NO2 is higher than outside concentrations of houses in both inside housing research group compared with the group of Gwangyang and Yeosu. Benzene and toluene showed high correlation (p<0.001) in the housing interior in Gwangyang, It showed a high correlation (p<0.01) in the housing interior in the comparison group. In Yeosu there was a high correlation (p<0.001) between the inside and outside of the housing in the survey group. In the control group there was only high correlation (p<0.05) in the inside of the housing.

This study attempts to investigate the impact of pollution by VOCs at schools located around Shihwa national industrial complex. Schools around the Shihwa national industrial complex were divided into two categories based on location, with five schools located near the industrial complex and five schools located near housing development. Samples of the indoor air and the outdoor air were collected from each classified school and analyzed to evaluate the impact of the industrial complex on each school through a comparison and to find the correlation between them. In combination with this, this study attempted to conduct comparative evaluations of the schools in which there might be relatively higher indoor air pollution since new construction and extension or remodelling had recently been carried out with other schools. The samples collected from 10 places in total were analyzed, using GC/MS. TVOCs, and individual component of VOCs, were detected in the schools near shihwa national industrial complex at higher levels than in the schools nearby housing development. TVOCs were detected at the schools in the industrial complex st levels of 166.5 μg/m3, that is, about 1.5 times higher than the level detected at the schools outside the industrial complex. TVOCs were found in the indoor air of the schools that had been extended or remodelled less than 3 years ago at levels of 188.8 μg/m3, while in schools where more than 3 years had passed since extention or remodelling they were found at levels of 97.5 μg/m3, meaning they were about 1.9 times higher in schools in the first 3 years.