• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.5 s.81
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• pp.487-492
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• 2004

Building materials are composed of very complex chemical compounds, and these indoor building materials discharge very much Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs). We performed the environmental chamber test to investigate the Total VOCs(TVOCs) emission characteristics and emission factors about chemical and natural coating materials. As the result, we concluded that TVOCs emission are high at initial time and decreased in course of time. Natural paint was low emission level for TVOCs than chemical paint by small chamber test. The TVOCs emission factor-time profile showed a good fit with the results from the measured and predicted value.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.65-70
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• 2015

This research examines the removal efficiency of benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) by flowing VOCs, which are generated at a petrochemical complex in the Ulsan area, in a sliding arc plasma (SAP) reactor. The SAP reactor process is composed of 5 steps and the analysis was conducted using a BTX detector and TVOC measuring instrument. The removal efficiency of BTX was better at high concentration than at low concentration and the emitted TVOC concentration increased in later steps of the reactor. In addition, the removal efficiency improved, as the flow velocity increased. The maximum permissible concentration of TVOCs in the first step was about 481 ppm and showed over 94.83% efficiency when it was operated in the 2nd step at concentrations beyond 481 ppm. Therefore, there are many factors for improving the removal efficiency of SAP reactors at low concentration and measures should be prepared according to the application method for the various types of industrial reactors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.200-210
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure to ozone and total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) generated during welding work at a shipyard and recommend respiratory protective equipment(RPE) adequate against these hazards. Method: Ozone was collected for about 30 minutes at two-minutes intervals using a direct reading instrument, specifically an ozone analyzer(Serinus 10, Ecotech, Australia). TVOCs were collected for about 30 minutes at three-minute intervals using a portable GC (Alpha 115, Synspec BV, the Netherlands), and were determined simultaneously by area sampling at the welding plume closest to the welder's breathing zone. The total measurements were 162 for ozone($CO_2$ welding 47, TIG 60, stick 55), and 136 for TVOCs($CO_2$ 65, TIG 50, stick 21). Based on these measurements, a literature survey was conducted to assess the adequacy of RPE. Results: Relative to Korean OEL, measurements above STEL 0.2 ppm were 23.4% for $CO_2$, 63.3% for TIG and 14.5% for stick welding. There were significant differences(p=<0.0001) among welding types. Compared with ACGIH peak exposure of 0.4 ppm for ozone, which is not applied in Korea, $CO_2$ welding exceeded it by 10.6%, TIG by 40.0% and stick by 7.3%. Although it was not feasible to compare them directly since there are no Korean OEL, TVOCs had very high levels similar to the concentrations before moving into a new apartment and about 10-20 times the indoor air quality recommendations for some individual measurements. Conclusions: As ozone removal RPE has been recommended in welding environments for a long time(Lunau, 1967), this fact was demonstrated based on the results of the on-site work environment measurements(ozone and TVOCs). In conclusion, for all welding at a shipyard, gas/vapor and particulate combination RPE are recommended. If this is not possible, it should at least be present for TIG welding.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.1 s.73
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• pp.133-140
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• 2006

According to Tokyo protocol which suggests the prevention of global environmental pollution, Korean government establishes the standard of architectural materials emission consistency with best effort to decrease the environmental pollution. But many current architectural materials which are used for constructing and remodeling buildings are composed of a variety of chemicals. These include stimuli bad for the residents' health and safety and harmful discharged air polluting substances such as volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) and formaldehyde(HCHO) that in tern include a variety of carcinogen substances. These discharged substances are also researched into inducing 'sick building syndrome' which induces headache, dizziness, vomiting and concentration failure among residents. But the standard of architectural materials according to the Korean apartment provision is limited to emission factors: HCHO and TVOCs. So the aim of this study is to present a standard of functional material's emission consistency about TVOCs including glues and paints, and a certification grade for green building by instituting a materials standard for green building which has consideration for the residents' safety.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.1 s.94
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• pp.49-56
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to survey the distribution patterns of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and formaldehyde in the various indoor environments using cluster analysis. We investigated VOCs and formaldehyde in subway stations, underground shopping areas, medical centers, maternity recuperation centers, public childcare centers, large stores, funeral houses, and indoor parking lots from June,2005 to May,2006. Concentration of TVOCs in maternity recuperations was 2,605.7 ${\mu}g/m^3$ that was higher than the guideline and other facilities. TVOCs in public childcare centers was 1,951.6 ${\mu}g/m^3$ also it exceeded the guideline. Moreover, concentration of TVOCs in every facility exceeded the guideline of Department of Environment, Korea. In case of formaldehyde, mean concentration, 336.5 ${\mu}g/m^3$, in only public childcare centers exceeded the 120 ${\mu}g/m^3$ of the guideline. Finally, by applying cluster analysis, three pattterns of the indoor air pollutions were distinguished. In the results of analysis, concentrations of TVOCs and formaldehyde of cluster 3 were higher than cluster 1 and 2 that were 2,561.4 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and 184.9 ${\mu}g/m^3$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.114-121
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentrations of volatile organic compounds at elementary, middle, and high schools in Ulsan and its surroundings. Methods: To assess the hazardous chemicals of the 66 classrooms in the 22 schools, the 6 volatile organic compounds such as TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and stylene were measured and analyzed from the beginning of May to the end of December, 2009. Results: The mean concentrations of TVOCs in the elementary schools were higher than those of middle and high schools, and multi-purpose classrooms was higher than that in general ones. The benzene and toluene level in schools in Dong-Gu in the vicinity of assorted industrial complexes was higher than that of schools located in other districts around the Ulsan Metropolitan Area. Conclusion: In case of schools in Ulsan Metropolitan Area, elementary school, schools in Dong-Gu, and multipurpose classrooms over general classrooms should be given a high priority for the management of volatile organic compounds.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.83-87
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• 2003

In recent days, IAQ(Indoor Air Quality) is regarded as one of the most important environmental factors as well as thermal and acoustic comfort. Various architectural materials are applied and air-tightness of the building is more strengthening to save energy consumption. This is why the air quality of the newly built houses became worse. In this study, contaminants(CO, CO$_2$, Radon, TVOCs, HCHO) density was measured in a newly built house and evaluation was carried out by ASHRAE and EPA Standards. As a result, CO, CO$_2$, TSP and Radon density of the newly built house was in a range of ASHRAE and EPA Standards, but it turned out TVOCs and HCHO density exceeds almost 3${\sim}$5 times in comparison with that of ASHRAE and EPA Standards.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.199-200
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• 2004

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.203-204
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• 2004

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we assessed respiratory hazards in the working environment as the work-relatedness of occupational diseases were examined. Methods: The subjects of the study were three Korean meat roasting restaurants, one Chinese restaurant, and two cafeterias. Measurement items were total dust, respirable dust, fine dust (PM_2.5), PAHs, TVOCs, temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Results: The concentration of total dust and respiratory dust in the restaurant was low. Most PAHs were undetectable, but some Napthalene and Acenaphthylene was detected. Thirteen kinds of PAHs were detected in one sample of roasted meat, and Benzo(a)pyrene was 1.496 ㎍/㎥. PM_2.5, TVOCs, CO, and CO₂ were instantaneously high, but the average concentration was low. NO₂ was not detected. Conclusions: The results show that harmful substances such as PM_2.5, PAHs, CO, and TVOCs were generated in the air in the catering industry. When roasting meat, Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogen related to lung cancer, was generated among PAHs. Lung cancer can occur when working for a long time in such a working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the working environment for the health of restaurant workers, and it is necessary to evaluate the concentration of harmful substances by cooking method through further research.