This study was designed to verify the effectiveness of smart gardens by improving indoor air quality (IAQ) through the installation of an indoor garden with sensor-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology that identifies pollutants such as particulate matter. In addition, the study aims to introduce indoor gardens for customized indoor air cleaning using the data and IoT technology. New apartments completed in 2016 were selected and divided into four households with indoor gardens installed and four households without indoor gardens. Real-time data and data on PM2.5, CO2, temperature, and humidity were collected through an IoT-based IAQ monitoring system. In addition, in order to examine the effects on the health of occupants, the results were analyzed based on epidemiological data, prevalence data, current maintenance, and recommendation criteria, and were presented and evaluated as indices. The indices were classified into a comfort index, which reflects the temperature and humidity, an IAQ index, which reflects PM2.5 and CO2, and an IAQ composite index. The IAQ index was divided into five grades from “good” to “hazardous”. Using a scale of 1 to 100 points, it was determined as follows: “good (0–20)”, “moderate (21–40)”, “unhealthy for sensitive group (41–60)”, “bad (61–80)”, “hazardous (81–100)”. It showed an increase in the “good” section after installing the indoor garden, and the “bad” section decreased. Additionally, the comfort index was classified into five grades from “very comfortable” to “very uncomfortable”. In the comfort index, the “uncomfortable” section decreased, and the “comfortable” section increased after the indoor garden was installed.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter ⁄ ⁄2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts (PM 2.5 ) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet café (PCrooms), movie theater. For internet café (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest PM 2.5 concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 μg/m 3 (range: 6.8-185.2 μg/m 3 ). The high level of PM 2.5 seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of 10 --6 -10 --4 . Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 ng/m 3 . Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility PM 2.5 . This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

No abstract

During periods where a fine dust watch was announced, we measured particulate matter by the light scattering method and the gravimetric method in accordance with the application of an air cleaner in 3 homes. The first investigation showed a lower indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) concentration distribution than normal when there was a fine dust warning. Also, it was found that the result of the second research was similar to the first research, and was the effect of an air cleaner. The result of a comparison of black carbon (BC) concentration in accordance with an air cleaner at one room showed a lower concentration distribution than normal, as in the first and the second research when there was a fine dust warning. PM2.5 risk reduction effect showed 9.09E-5 (light scattering method)~9.37E-5 (Gravimetric method) and 1.71E-4 (Light scattering method)~1.76E-4 (Gravimetric method). Therefore, it was found that when there was a fine dust watch without ventilation, if air cleaner with the proper capacity is used and the influx of outside air reduced, the harmful effects of the fine dust can be lessened.