The objective of this study was to establish a test method for assessing radon exhalation rates from building materials considering radon related environmental policy and research in Korea. This method was established in consideration of cost-effectiveness based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) method and the closed chamber method, which is an evaluation method for the emission of hazardous chemical substances from building materials in Korea. The assessment of radon exhalation rates from five types each of granite and marble used in the construction industry in Korea gave mean radon exhalation rates of 0.497 ± 0.467 Bq/m²∙h from granite and 0.193 ± 0.113 Bq/m²∙h from marble, indicating higher radon exhalation rates from granite. These results are consistent with those of a previous study, indicating that granites are more likely to show higher radon exhalation rates than marbles.

Particulate matter (PM) can cause illness, including respiratory diseases, and PM_2.5 compositions are likely to vary according to the emission profiles of industrial complexes. This study analyzed and compared the concentrations and distributions of PM_2.5 and heavy metals in two regions of Republic of Korea: Yeosu·Gwangyang, which houses a massive national industrial complex, and Dangjin, which houses power plants. Further, we conducted a health risk assessment on the residents of the areas near these industrial complexes. Measurements were taken at five different points in each setting over a two-year period from August 2020 to August 2022. We found differences in PM_2.5 concentrations and heavy metal composition ratios across the sites. Specifically, PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the standard of 1 at all measurement sites, while the specific heavy metals exceeding the standard varied across the sites. Ultimately, we observed regional differences in PM_2.5 composition across measurement sites across and within the two regions and variations in health risks and according health effects due to the absence of PM_2.5 toxicity values, and compared the health risks of two industrial complexes with different characteristics. These findings underscore the importance of considering not only PM_2.5 but also its composition in exposure and health risk assessments.

Ji-Yun Jung, Hye-Won Lee, Si-Hyun Park, Jeong-Il Lee, Dan-Ki Yoon, and Cheol-Min Lee. J Environ Health Sci. 2023;49:108-17. https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.2.108

Jeong-In Joen, Hye-Won Lee, Hyun-Jin Choi, Hyung-Jin Jeon, and Cheolmin Lee. J Environ Health Sci. 2021;47:398-409. https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2021.47.5.398

Organic films act as passive air samplers and can be employed to assess the concentration of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), such as phthalates, in the gas phase over a defined period using the kinetic adsorption model. Consequently, indoor organic films have been identified as effective media for evaluating human exposure to SVOCs. This study proposed an organic film-based method for assessing SVOC exposure in the indoor environment. Exposure assessments of various phthalate pathways were conducted on children and adults. Organic films were collected for analysis from 110 residential dwellings in metropolitan areas over a two-month period. The exposure assessments were categorized into inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure pathways. Diethyl phthalate was highest in inhalation exposure, dibutyl phthalate represented the highest dermal exposure, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was identified as the highest contributor to oral exposure. For children, the primary exposure pathways included dermal absorption of DBP, DEP, diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), and di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP); dust ingestion of DEHP and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP); and inhalation of dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The ECR and HQ for inhalation, dermal, and ingestion did not exceed the threshold in children and adults at all pollutants, suggesting no potential health impact. In contrast, the primary routes of exposure for adults were dermal absorption of DBP, DMP, DEP, DiBP, BBP, and DNHP, along with dust ingestion of DEHP and DNOP. The findings of this study provide valuable baseline data for future research in health risk and SVOC exposure assessments utilizing indoor organic films.

Important records can be damaged directly and indirectly. Their restoration, if possible, is difficult as it is very time-consuming and costly. Although measures have been taken to permanently preserve records, most studies focus on preventing short-term damage from physical or biological factors and not on preventive measures against chemical damage from long-term polluted air exposure. This study investigated the types, concentrations, and distribution characteristics of hazardous chemicals present in the valuable archive of the National Library of Korea (NLK) and identified the sources of these pollutants. Mean SO₂, NO_X, CO, CO₂, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations were 1.49 ± 0.44 ppb, 30.52 ± 19.70 ppb, 0.75 ± 0.21 ppm, 368.91 ± 32.23 ppm, and 320.03 ± 44.20 µg/m³, respectively, meeting the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of Korea standards. Toluene (66.43 ± 10.69 µg/m³) and acetaldehyde (157.23 ± 6.43 µg/m³) were present at the highest concentrations, respectively. Two principal components were extracted via a principal component analysis; the primary component (66%) was closely related to outdoor pollution sources and the secondary component (33%) to indoor sources. Results contribute to establishing air quality standards and management measures for preservation of this archive.