Earticle

최근 미세먼지 증가에 따른 입자상 물질에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 입자상 물질의 주요배출원에 대한 관심까지 높아 지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 생물성연소 중 입자상 물질을 많이 발생시키는 직화구이를 중심으로 선행연구가 부족하고 최 근 사용량이 증가하고 있는 연탄을 선정하여 연구를 진행하였다. 구이의 시료로는 자체 설문조사를 통하여 과반수 이상 을 차지한 삼겹살과 두 번째로 소비량이 많은 삼치구이를 선정하였다. 분석 항목으로는 입자상 및 가스상 물질 항목을 선 정하여 모의연소장치를 사용하여 실험을 진행하였다. PM2.5/PM10 비는 고기구이 0.95, 생선구이 0.57로 직화구이시 생성 되는 입자상 물질의 대부분은 PM2.5인 것으로 판단 되었다. OC/EC 비는 고기구이에서 16.7 ~ 43.2로 탄소성분 중 대부분 이 유기탄소로 배출되었으며, PM10보다는 PM2.5에서의 높은 농도를 보였다. 또한 다환방향족탄화수소와 휘발성유기화합 물의 분석 결과에 있어서 고기구이가 생선구이보다 높은 수치로 나타났다. 따라서 생물성 연소 부문 중 연탄 직화구이에 대한 관리가 필요 할 것으로 판단된다.

With the growing interest in particulate matters due to the recent fine dust, an interest in the major emission sources of particulate matters is also increasing. In this study, biomass burning methods that accounted for a large portion of emission sources were selected, and an investigation was conducted on under-fired Briquette (Yeontan) broiling, which has been only little studied to date despite the increase in its use. Pork belly that accounted for the majority of responses and grilled Spanish mackerel that came second in consumption in our self-survey were selected as the samples of grilling. Experiments were conducted in a simulated combustion apparatus in order to analyze particulate and gaseous matters. The ratios of PM2.5/PM10 were 0.95 and 0.57 for grilled meat and grilled fish, respectively, and therefore most of the particulate matters produced during under-fired broiling appeared to be PM2.5. The ratio of OC/EC was 16.7 to 43.2 in grilled meat, which indicated that most of carbon components were emitted as OC. In addition, grilled meat showed higher concentrations of PM2.5 than PM10. In addition, the analysis of PAHs and VOCs showed that the concentration was much higher in grilled meat than in grilled fish. Therefore, it is considered that regulation on under-fired briquette (yeontan) broiling in sector of biomass burning is necessary.

본 연구에서는 포장도로에서 발생되는 강우유출수 처리를 위하여 파일럿 규모의 우드칩 충진 수직흐름형 습지를 이용하여 처리시험을 수행하였다. 각 습지는 전처리 목적의 침강지와 우드칩이 전체용적의 25%, 50%, 75%가 충진된 습지로 구성되어 있다. 입도분석 결과 강우유출수에 함유된 입자의 크기는 0.52-30um 크기가 주종을 이루고 있으며 24시간 침강 후에 20um 이상의 입자는 대부분 제거되었다. 또한 20um 보다 작은 크기의 입자는 건기시 수행되는 내부순환에 의해 여과 및 부착 등의 기작에 의해 상당부분 제거되었으나 전체적인 입자의 양은 우드칩의 연화과정에서 탈리되는 입자들에 의해 증가하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 우드칩으로 부터 입자탈리는 초기 75일 동안에 걸쳐 발생하였으며 발생된 우드칩 입자의 농도(밀도)는 충진율이 증가할수록 증가하였다. 본 논문에서는 우드칩 탈리과정을 설명할 수 있는 1차 반응속도 모델을 제안하였으며 우드칩 탈리에 영향을 미치는 주요 수질인자 및 운전조건과의 관계를 분석한 결과 수질인자 중에는 수온, 용존산소, pH 등이 주요 영향인자로 파악되었으며 운전조건으로는 습지내부 운전수위 및 선행건기일수도 탈리속도를 결정하는 주요 변수로 분석되었다.

In this study, three pilot-scale wetland systems were built for treating stormwater runoff from asphalt road. Each of the system consists of a settling tank and a vertical flow wetland packed with 25%, 50%, and 75% woodchip as treatment media. According to the analysis of the distributions of particle size, it was found that solids ranging in size 0.52–30 μ m were predominant in the stormwater runoff. After 24-hours settling, those coarser than 20 μm were significantly detained. Further retention, especially for the finer-sized fraction, occurred in the wetland through internal recirculation during the dry day periods. As a primary media of the wetland, woodchip showed a high filtration and attachment capacity for the particulates in pre-settled stormwater, whereas overall amount of solids in the wetland effluent increased due to the detachment of woody elements from the media. This was observed mainly during the initial 75 days of operation, and the size and detachment rate were found to be strongly related with the woodchip packing ratio. The mechanism involving woody particle detachment was modeled as a first-order form. In addition, water quality factors and operational parameters affecting the detachment were analyzed and discussed.

본 연구는 2017년에 실시된 전국 웹설문 조사에 응답한 1,224명을 분석표본으로미세먼지 위험에 대한 주관적 인지수준이 야외활동 제한 형태의 회피행동에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 위험인지변수의 내생변수 가능성을 고려하여 도구변수를사용한 결합추정방식이 시도되었다. 개인들의 주관적 위험인지 수준이 일상적인야외여가활동에 유의미한 변화를 주지는 않았지만, 봄철기간 동안 회피행동에의참여여부와 회피행동 수요(일상적인 야외 여가활동의 제한 횟수)에는 통계적으로유의한 영향을 미친 것으로 나타났다. 한편, 미세먼지 농도가 회피행동 여부나 수준에 직접적인 영향을 미친 것은 아니지만, 주관적 위험인지수준에 영향을 미침으로써 간접적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 야외 여가활동을 줄인 응답자들은 마스크 착용이나 공기청정기 사용 등 미세먼지 관련 다른 종류의 회피행동도 취하고 있는 것으로 분석되었다. 회피행동 수요함수 추정결과를 근거로위험인지수준이 평균에서 1단위 개선되면 야외활동을 평균적으로 월 1회 정도 감소시키지 않아도 되고, 이러한 개선효과의 편익이 월평균 16,000원 정도인 것으로 산정되었다.

Using a national panel web survey data with 1,224 respondents, the tobit demand model of outdoor leisure activity reduction was jointly estimated with risk perceptions about particulate matters (PM10) using an instrument variable approach. Respondents’ risk perceptions of PM10 had significant influences on the participation and demand decisions of averting behavior, while they had no significant impact on demand for daily outdoor leisure activities. Whereas the objective measure of PM10 concentration matched with respondents’ residential region had indirect impacts on averting behavior through changes in respondents’ subjective risk perceptions, Based on estimates of tobit demand model of averting behavior, respondents were willing to pay at least a monthly average of 16,000 won for a one unit reduction(based on a 0-10 linear likert) in their risk perceptions.

간접흡연의 유해성에도 불구하고, 비흡연자는 여전히 담배연기에 노출되고 있는 실정이다. 이에 따라, 흡연부스와 같은 분리형 금연 정책이 간접흡연 관리방안으로 제안되었다. 이번 연구에서는 흡연부스 내 먼지와 VOCs의 농도를 측정하고, 각 물질의 배출계수와 기여도를 평가하였다. 흡연 시 PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0의 농도는 각각 278 μg/m3, 270 μg/m3, 264 μg/m3이었으며, 배출계수는 각각 7682 μg/cig, 7671 μg/cig, 7675 μg/cig이었다. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,pxylenes, styrene, o-xylene의 실내농도는 각각 32.1 μg/m3, 71.7 μg/m3, 12.3 μg/m3, 29.7 μg/m3, 12.0 μg/m3, 6.5 μg/m3이었으며, 배출계수 값은 toluene (632 μg/cig), benzene (313 μg/cig), m,p-xylenes (247 μg/cig), styrene (118 μg/cig), ethylbenzene (85 μg/cig), o-xylene (52 μg/cig)순으로 나타났다. 시도별 담배의 PM10, PM2.5 배출 기여율은 서울시가 각각 4.3%, 4.8%로 전체 17개 시도 중 가장 높은 것으로 나타났다.

Non-smokers are still exposed to cigarette smoke, though passive smoking is known to be hazardous. As such, a separate smoking policy such as a smoking booth has been proposed as an indirect smoking management plan. In this study, we measured concentrations of particulate matters and VOCs in smoking booth, developed their emission factors and contribution levels. During smoking, indoor concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 were 278 μg/m3, 270 μg/m3 and 264 μg/m3, respectively, and emission factors of them were 7682 μg/cig., 7671 μg/cig. and 7575 μg/cig., respectively. The indoor levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylenes, styrene, and o-xylene were 32.1 μg/m3, 71.7 μg/m3, 12.3 μg/m3, 29.7 μg/m3, 12.0 μg/m3, and 6.5 μg/m3, respectively, and emission factors of VOCs were toluene (632 μg/cig), benzene (313 μg/cig), m,pxylenes (247 μg/cig), styrene (118 μg/cig), ethylbenzene (85 μg/cig), o-xylene (52 μg/cig) in order. The contribution rates of PM10 and PM2.5 of cigarette smoke in Seoul were 4.3% and 4.8%, respectively, which is higher than other provinces.

본 연구에서는 습지 조성 및 습지 내 식물에 따른 미세먼지 저감 능력 규명을 통해 습지생태계의 가치에 대하여 새로운 시 각의 해석을 제공하고자 하였다. 소형 간이온실(70cm W × 70cm L × 60cm H)로 닫힌계를 형성하였으며, 간이온실 내 메조코즘에 일정 수위가 유지되는 습지(W) 혹은 건조 상태를 유지하는 육상(L) 조건을 조성하였다. 육상과 습지 조건 각각 에 식물종 미식재, 단일종 식재 그리고 두 종 혼합 식재의 총 8가지 조건을 4반복씩 조성하였다. 열린계의 메조코즘에서 초 기 대기질과 닫힌계로의 전환 1시간 경과한 후의 대기질을 측정하여 공기 정화능을 확인하였다. 각 실험구의 대기질로서 PM2.5, PM10농도를 중점적으로 측정하였으며, 2차 실험에서는 식물체의 건중량을 측정하였다. 닫힌계 형성 1시간 후 습 지 환경에서의 PM2.5와 PM10의 감소량은 1차 실험에서 각각 13.7±1.3, 15.0±1.4 ㎍・m-3・hr-1로 나타났으며, 2차 실 험에서는 각각 10.5±2.1, 11.2±2.2 ㎍・m-3・hr-1로 나타났다. 육지 환경에서의 미세먼지 감소량은 1차 실험에서 각각 13.2±1.3, 13.8±1.5 ㎍・m-3・hr-1로 나타났으며, 2차 실험에서는 각각 9.2±1.5, 8.8±1.4 ㎍・m-3・hr-1로 나타났다. 이는 습지의 높은 생산성으로 인한 식물의 생장으로 식물의 조직에 미세먼지 흡착을 통한 저감이나 증산작용을 통한 수분, 또 습지 자체의 수생태계적 특성을 통한 미세먼지 저감 효과가 드러난 것으로 여겨진다. 따라서 습지의 미세먼지 저감 능력은 습지의 또 다른 가치로 볼 수 있으며 이는 미세먼지 문제에 대한 해결방안 중의 하나로 제시될 수 있을 것이다.

To assess the wetland systems’ capability to reduce fine dust, we used an artificial wetland module of small-sized greenhouse (70cm W × 70cm L × 60cm H) which creates a closed system. Experiment was performed twice using four species in each experiment. Non-plantation, one species, or two species condition was created in each mesocosm. We measured air quality, primarily PM2.5 and PM10 at the initial open mesocosms and 1hr later since mesocosms were closed. The dry weight of vegetation was measured at the 2nd experiment. The decreased amount of PM2.5 and PM10 was 13.7±1.3 and 13.2±1.3 ㎍・m-3・hr-1 in wetland condition and 15.0±1.4 and 13.8±1.5 ㎍・m-3・hr-1 in dryland condition, respectively. In 2nd experiment, the decreased amount of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in wetland condition was 13.7±1.3 and 9.2±1.5 ㎍・m-3・hr-1, 15.0±1.4 and 8.8±1.4 ㎍・m-3・hr-1 in dryland condition, respectively. Wetland showed higher removal effect due to its high productivity leading to more effective absorption of particulate matter. Furthermore, the aquatic characteristics of wetland system and high humidity helped purifying the air quality. This can be seen as another value of wetlands, which can be presented as one of the solutions to the problem of fine dust.

미세먼지 저감을 위한 경유차 운행 축소 방안으로 경유세 인상이 거론되고 있 다. 하지만 경유세 인상에 대한 사회적 저항이 거세기 때문에 경유 상대가격을 높이는 조치를 취하는 것이 쉽지 않은 상황이다. 특히 사업용 경유화물차는 경유 세가 인상되더라도 인상액만큼 유가보조금을 지급받을 수 있고 이해관계자들이 가장 조직적으로 저항할 가능성이 높기 때문에 논란의 중심에 서 있다. 그러나 이해관계자들의 입장을 분석한 연구가 부족한 탓에 유가보조금 제도를 개편할 수 있는 정치사회적 조건과 전환 관리 방향에 대한 논의는 거의 이뤄지지 않고 있다. 이 연구는 유가보조금 제도 개편을 둘러싼 이해관계자들의 갈등 구도를 분석하고 유가보조금 축소·폐지를 위한 전환 관리의 방향을 모색하는 것을 목표로 한다. 심층면접 결과, 경유화물차 미세먼지 대책의 실효성, 경유세 인상의 필요성, 친환 경화물차로의 대체 가능성, 물류비용 현실화가 이해관계자들 간의 주요 갈등 쟁점으로 확인되었다. 이와 같은 연구 결과로 볼 때, 유가보조금 제도 개편이 추진 될 경우 이해관계자들은 경유화물차의 책임 수준과 정부의 대응 정책 평가, 경유 세 인상과 유가보조금 제도 개편 방안을 놓고 대립할 것으로 예상된다. 하지만 유가보조금 제도 개편을 둘러싼 갈등 구도는 미세먼지 피해에 대한 인식, 경유차 대책, 물류비용 분담 방식에 따라 변할 수 있다. 유가보조금 제도 사례는 전환장 의 형성을 위해 권력과 자원의 재분배를 통한 이해관계의 재조직화가 필요함을 시사한다. 전환 관리는 전략적 틈새 관리를 넘어선 갈등의 재조직화로 확장되어 야 한다.

Diesel tax increase is being discussed as a way to reduce emissions of particulate matters from diesel cars. However, it is not easy to take actions to raise the relative price of diesel because of the social resistance to the diesel tax increase. In particular, business diesel trucks are at the center of the controversy because even if the fuel tax is raised, fuel tax subsidies can be paid as much as the tax increase, and the organized stakeholders in transport industry resist strongly. The purpose of this study is to analyze the conflict structure over the reform of the fuel tax subsidies and to search for directions for transition management to abolish the fuel tax subsidies. As a result of the in-depth interviews, the main issues between stakeholders are the effectiveness of the government’s reduction policy, the necessity of raising the fuel tax on diesel, the possibility of substitution to eco-friendly trucks, and the realization of logistics costs. Therefore, if the reform of the fuel tax subsidies is attempted, stakeholders seem to be confronted with these issues. However, the conflict structure over the reform may change depending on the social awareness of the particulate matter damage, the government’s policy for reducing diesel cars, and the realization of logistics costs. The case of fuel tax subsidies in Korea implies that transformation of conflict structure through redistribution of power and resources is necessary for the formation of transition arena.

Optical properties of asbestos were analyzed with aid of chromameter and spectral sensor for wireless indoor air monitoring sensor network system. To achieve a highly selective recognition, different color filters were utilized to monitor the chrominance value and wavelength changes. LabVIEW based data matching program was developed to separate asbestos from other particulate matters by matching chrominance value and wavelength of asbestos simultaneously. We suggest these optical data for the future optical property based wireless asbestos sensor network development as a part of smart indoor air monitoring system.

Optical properties of asbestos were analyzed with aid of chromameter and spectral sensor for wireless indoor air monitoring sensor network system. To achieve a highly selective recognition, different color filters were utilized to monitor the chrominance value and wavelength changes. LabVIEW based data matching program was developed to separate asbestos from other particulate matters by matching chrominance value and wavelength of asbestos simultaneously. We suggest these optical data for the future optical property based wireless asbestos sensor network development as a part of smart indoor air monitoring system.

$PM_{10}$ and 16 PAHs were measured in indoor and outdoor air of 5 different old houses, new and sick houses, respectively. $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured in indoor of three different kinds of houses ranged from 23 to 43 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and in outdoor ranged in 40-64 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Sum of average concentrations of PAHs in old, new and sick houses indoor air were 3.7 $ng/m^3$, 6.6 $ng/m^3$ and 16.1 $ng/m^3$, respectively, which were lower than those of outdoors. Most of the indoor/outdoor ratio for PAHs in each house were less than 1.0 and significant correlation(p<0.05) between indoor and outdoor samples was observed.

Background: Particulate matters (PM) comprise a heterogeneous mixture of particles suspended in air. A recent study found that urban PMs may penetrate into hair follicles via transfollicular and transdermal routes in dorsal skin. Objective: To investigate the effects of PM on ex vivo cultured human scalp hair follicles and hair follicular keratinocytes in vitro. Methods: TUNEL staining was employed to check cells undergoing apoptosis in cultured hair follicles after PM treatment. MTT assay was employed to check cell viability after PM treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to quantitate the expression of inflammatory genes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and Duox1. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA after PM treatment. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using a chemical fluorescent probe by a fluorescence plate reader. Results: Abundant TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the keratinocyte region of hair including the epidermis, sebaceous gland, outer root sheath (ORS), inner root sheath (IRS), and bulb region. The viability of follicular cells, including the ORS, was found to be decreased upon PM exposure. mRNA expression and protein levels of inflammatory response genes and MMPs were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner by PM treatment. ROS levels were also increased by PM. Conclusion: These data strongly suggest that penetrated PMs from air pollution may cause apoptotic cell death to follicular keratinocytes by increased production of ROS and inflammatory cytokines, which could impair hair growth.

The demand for truck bus radial (TBR) tires with enhanced fuel efficiency and wear resistance have grown in recent years. In addition, as the issue of particulate matter and air pollution increases, efforts are being made to reduce the generation of particulate matter. In this study, we investigated the effect of varying the content of butadiene rubber (BR) on the properties of the rubber compounds and the amount of particulate matter in the TBR tire tread compound. Furthermore, we utilized carbon black in the NR/BR blend compounds owing to its excellent compatibility, and we used silica in the ENR-25/BR blend compounds because it can interact chemically with epoxide groups. The NR/BR blend compounds and the ENR-25/BR blend compounds were evaluated by varying their BR content between 20 phr and 30 phr. The results showed that the ENR-25/BR blend compounds had superior wear resistance than the NR/BR blend compounds. This was caused by the interaction between silica and ENR. In addition, it was confirmed that the increased wear resistance as the BR content increased. Furthermore, compared to the NR/BR blend compounds, ENR-25/BR blend compounds exhibited a lower tan 𝛿 value at 60℃ because silica was used as filler. This indicates a higher fuel efficiency. The measurement results for wear particulate matter showed that as increasing the BR content resulted in generation of less wear particulate matter. This was caused by the increased wear resistance. Moreover, the ENR-25/BR blend compounds with excellent filler-rubber interaction exhibited lower quantities of generated wear particulate matters as compared to the NR/BR blend compounds.

The demand for truck bus radial (TBR) tires with enhanced fuel efficiency and wear resistance have grown in recent years. In addition, as the issue of particulate matter and air pollution increases, efforts are being made to reduce the generation of particulate matter. In this study, the properties of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) containing a silica-friendly functional group were evaluated by considering it as a base rubber and varying the silica ratio in this binary filler system. The results showed that the wear resistance of the NR/BR blend compound decreased as the silica ratio increased. In contrast, the ENR/BR blend compound exhibited an increase in wear resistance as the silica ratio was increased. In particular, the ENR-50/BR blend compound showed the best wear resistance due to the presence of several epoxide groups. Furthermore, we observed that for tan 𝛿 at 60℃, higher epoxide content resulted in the higher T_g of the rubber, indicating a higher tan 𝛿 at 60℃. On the other hand, it was confirmed that increasing the silica ratio decreased the value of tan 𝛿 at 60℃ in all compounds. In addition, we measured the amount of wear particulate matters generated from the compound wear. These measurements confirmed that in the binary filler system, regardless of the filler type, the quantity of the generated wear particulate matters as the filler-rubber interaction increased. In conclusion, the silica filled ENR/BR blend compound exhibited the lowest generation of wear particulate matters.

Objectives: High concentrations of airborne particulate matters (PM) can affect the health of passengers using public transportation. The objectives of this research were to develop a PM control system for a railway cabin and to evaluate the performance of the device under conditions of an actual journey. Methods: This study measured the concentrations of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ simultaneously in a reference cabin and a cabin with the PM control device. Results: The average $PM_{10}$ concentration in the reference cabin was 100 ${\mu}g/m^3$, and the $PM_{10}$ concentration in the cabin with the control device was 79 ${\mu}g/m^3$. While the overall control efficiency of the control device was 15.4%, reduction was more effective for peak $PM_{10}$ concentration. However, $PM_{2.5}$ levels did not differ greatly between the reference cabin and the cabin with the control device. The ratio of $PM_{2.5}$ to $PM_{10}$ was 0.37. $PM_{10}$ concentrations in cabins were not associated with ambient concentrations, indicating that the main sources of $PM_{10}$ were present in cabins. Additionally, average $CO_2$ concentration in the cabins was 1,359 ppm, less than the maximum of 2,000 ppm set out by the Korean Ministry of Environment's guideline. The $CO_2$ concentration in cabins was significantly associated with the number of passengers: the in-cabin concentration = $23.4{\times}N+460.2$, where N is the number of passengers. Conclusions: Application of the PM control device can improve $PM_{10}$ concentration, especially at peak levels but not $PM_{2.5}$ concentration.

In the workplace, the arsenic is used in the semiconductor production and the manufacturing of pigments, glass, pesticides and fungicides. Therefore, workers may be exposed to airborne arsenic during its use in manufacturing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of particulate matters (PMs) doped with arsenic (PMs-Arsenic) using a rodent model and to compare the genotoxicity in various concentrations and to examine the role of PMs-Arsenic in the induction of signaling pathway in the lung. Mice were exposed to PMs $124.4{\pm}24.5\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (low concentration), $220.2{\pm}34.5\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (middle concentration), $426.4{\pm}40.3\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (high concentration) doped with arsenic $1.4\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (Low concentration), $2.5\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (middle concentration), $5.7\;{\mu}g/m^3$ (high concentration) for 4 wks (6 h/d, 5 d/wk), respectively in the whole-body inhalation exposure chambers. To determine the level of genotoxicity, Chromosomal aberration (CA) assay in splenic lymphocytes and Supravital micronucleus (SMN) assay were performed. Then, signal pathway in the lung was analyzed. In the genotoxicity experiments, the increases of aberrant cells were concentration-dependent. Also, PMs-arsenic caused peripheral blood micronucleus frequency at high concentration. The inhalation of PMs-Arsenic increased an expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt: protein kinase B) and phpsphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) at high concentration group. Taken together, inhaled PMs-Arsenic caused genotoxicity and altered Akt signaling pathway in the lung. Therefore, the inhalation of PMs-Arsenic needs for a careful risk assessment in the workplace.

Concentrations of suspended particulate matters (SPM) and their distribution patterns were monitored three times in the East China Sea during the winter season in 1998 and 1999. SPM concentrations showed significant temporal variations controlled by the atmospheric conditions and sea states. In coastal area, SPM values were about 10-20 mg/l in fair weather conditions, but exceeded 100mg/l during the storm periods. Turbid waters were distributed widespread in the continental shelf of the East China Sea and the coastal area of the Korean Peninsula, and these two areas were connected along a NE-SW direction. The distribution patterns of turbid waters were interpreted as representing the transport behavior of suspended matter. Although the primary source of inner shelf mud deposits of Korea seems to be the Korean Peninsula, contribution from the East China Sea to the coastal area of Korea increases especially during the winter season.

Ambient air pollution, in particular, particulate matter (PM) pollution imposes serious health concerns such as hospitalization and premature deaths, worldwide. While commercial breathing masks are in use for protection against this hazardous issue, yet their efficiency in filtering PM was not up to the par, besides several other discomforts such as poor breathability due to reduced air flow, sweat production etc. In this study, commercial face mask coated with β-glucan, a high molecular weight polymer is tested for its efficacy in filtering PM. Quantification of PM before and after filtration and microscopic observation (using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) of the fabric used in filtering the dust pollutants (generated from wood chips and cigarette) showed that β-glucan coated fabric were significantly efficient in capturing PM (size of 10 and 2.5 ㎛ in diameter) than that of the untreated control fabric, wherein the former had filtration efficacy with fold increase of 11.6 and 2.6 towards capturing PM2.5 and PM10 respectively than the latter. Thus, β-glucan coated fabric was found to be effective in filtering PM.

To compare the pulmonary toxicity between ultrafine colloidal silica particles (UFCSs) and fine colloidal silica particles (FCSs), mice were intratracheally instilled with 3 mg of 14-nm UFCSs and 230-nm FCSs and pathologically examined from 30 mill to 24 hr post-exposure. Histopathologically, lungs exposed to both sizes of particles showed bronchiolar degeneration and necrosis, neutrophilic inflammation in alveoli with alveolar type II cell proliferation and particle-laden alveolar macrophage accumulation. UFCSs, however, induced extensive alveolar hemorrhage compared to FCSs from 30 min onwards. UFCSs also caused more severe bronchiolar epithelial cell necrosis and neutrophil influx in alveoli than FCSs at 12 and 24 hr post-exposure. Laminin positive immunolabellings in basement membranes of bronchioles and alveoli of UFCSs treated animals was weaker than those of FCSs treated animals in all observation times. Electron microscopy demonstrated UFCSs and FCSs on bronchiolar and alveolar wall surface as well as in the cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages and neutrophils. Type I alveolar epithelial cell erosion with basement membrane damage in UFCSs treated animals was more severe than those in FCSs treated animals. At 12 and 24 hr post-exposure, bronchiolar epithelia cells in UFCSs treated animals showed more intense vacuolation and necrosis compared to FCSs treated animals. These findings suggest that UFCSs has greater ability to induce lung inflammation and tissue damages than FCSs.