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).

본 연구에서는 혼합 자일렌에서 에틸벤젠을 분리하기 위하여 제올라이트 분리막을 이용하였다. 마이크로웨이브 합성 온도에 변화를 주어 제조한 TS-1 제올라이트 결정을 알루미나 튜브에 성장시키기 위해 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane를 코팅 후 TS-1 nano seed를 안착시키고 마이크로웨이브 합성법을 이용한 2차 성장을 통해 3~4 mum의 두께를 가지는 얇은 TS-1 제올라이트 분리막을 제조하였다. 제조한 분리막을 이용하여 에틸벤젠/메타자일렌/파라자일렌이 혼합된 혼합 자일렌으로부터 에틸벤젠을 분리하였다. 마이크로웨이브 합성 온도가 증가할수록 제올라이트 결정의 크기가 비례하여 증가하였다. 또한 반응기의 온도가 200℃에서 가장 높은 투과 플럭스와 선택도를 가졌다. 가장 좋은 에틸벤젠 분리 성능을 보인 분리막은 마이크로웨이브 합성 온도가 170℃인 분리막이고 선택도 값은 2.64였다(에틸벤젠 투과 플럭스 : 1703.0 mol/m2·s·Pa).

The aggregate risk assessment on xylene and ethylbenzene was carried out according to the guidance established newly in 2010 with the purpose of providing information for risk management. In human exposure assessment, the results indicated that lower ages were exposed more and that, in the interior space at home, the highest level of human exposure occurred via inhalation. At outdoor spaces, exposures via inhalation and drinking were less than 1%. In human health risk characterization, xylene showed HI(Hazard Index) < 1 in all ages. When reasonable maximum exposure(RME) was applied, HI for young children was 0.64. The HI of ethylbenzene was also below 1(0.02~0.04) in all ages, indicating no potential risk. From this study, it is considered that xylene need to be continous monitoring with interest because this substance may be more sensitive on young age group. In additon, to reduce the uncertainty of the risk assessment, the korean exposure factors on young age group such as infant, children had to be established as soon as possible.