Publications by authors named "Min-Suk Bae"
Formaldehyde (HCHO), a major carbonyl compound in urban air, poses health risks due to its carcinogenic properties. However, the role of FT-PBL exchange in HCHO and the importance of vertical exchange on diurnal variations in HCHO remain unclear. This study investigated the diurnal variability of HCHO in Seoul's planetary boundary layer (PBL) during cold.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study evaluated the health risks and chemical composition of PM and PM in Incheon, South Korea, emphasizing the critical role of particle size in public health impacts. The average concentrations were 10.89 μg/m³ for PM and 8.
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- The study compares fine particulate matter (PM) composition and characteristics during winter and summer at two locations: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea and Changping campus of Peking University in China.
- While average PM concentrations were similar at both sites, significant differences in major components were observed, with Changping exhibiting higher primary organic carbon levels and Gwangju showing more secondary organic carbon.
- The research highlights the need to recognize spatial and seasonal variations in air pollution, suggesting that revising organic mass to organic carbon (OM/OC) ratios could improve the accuracy of air quality research.
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- - The study examined how large-scale incineration facilities affect particulate matter (PM) levels in Seoul during winter, using heat supply records as a stand-in for combustion activity due to data challenges.
- - To evaluate health risks, researchers analyzed dithiothreitol-oxidative potential (DTT-OP) in relation to different PM sources linked to combustion, finding a notable peak in harmful oxidative potential during early morning hours.
- - Results indicated a strong correlation (r = 0.92) between combustion sources and DTT-OP, especially highlighting the impact of biomass burning, suggesting significant health risks associated with local PM sources from incineration in Seoul.
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- The study focused on analyzing fine particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to understand air quality issues in the Seoul Metropolitan Area during a campaign from October to November 2021.
- A significant finding was the identification of a "long-range transport factor," linked to air pollution sources from China, that contributed to elevated oxidative potential in the air, impacting health.
- The research revealed that the levels of toxic substances peaked significantly during the monitoring period, indicating that external PM sources lead to higher pollution levels in Korea.
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- Understanding the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM) requires toxicological data and exposure levels, especially focusing on their oxidative potential (OP) and cell toxicity in urban areas like Beijing and Gwangju.
- The study found that the oxidative potential (OP) and cell toxicity were influenced by chemical components such as acids and benzocarboxylic acids, with OP showing more variation across different locations and seasons.
- A new health index was created using OP, cell toxicity, and PM concentration, which can help predict health effects from PM pollution based on its chemical sources, rather than just measuring PM levels alone.
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- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are harmful chemicals that can cause cancer and are found in the environment, especially in soil.
- A study looked at the risks of PAH pollution in five areas of Korea, finding that Gunsan had moderate to high ecological and cancer risks due to pollution from the air.
- The research suggested that Korea needs to take action to reduce the release of these harmful substances, especially in Gunsan where the pollution levels are concerning.
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- - The study investigated ammonia (NH) concentrations across various source areas in South Korea to understand its role in secondary aerosol formation and PM emissions reduction strategies.
- - NH levels were measured at 45 locations over about 35 weeks, revealing that local sources, particularly livestock, significantly influenced NH concentrations, which averaged below 20.91 ppb in most areas.
- - Findings emphasized the need for focused NH management in urban environments, highlighting automobile and industrial emissions as key contributors, while underscoring the influence of livestock practices on NH levels.
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- The study evaluated the effectiveness of BT stem extract for treating gout (hyperuricemia) and potential cosmetic benefits, identifying active ingredients like caffeic acid and luteolin.
- Different extraction methods revealed that hot water extraction yielded the most product, while 80% ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant activity, yet 100% ethanol exhibited strong enzyme inhibitory effects.
- The findings suggest BT stem extract could be a valuable natural remedy for gout and skin issues, prompting the need for additional research on extraction optimization and effectiveness in practical applications.
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- Regional air pollution in Northeast Asia is rising due to increased energy consumption from population growth and industrialization, with a study focusing on fine particulate matter (PM) sampling in Korea and China.* -
- The analysis showed that the main sources of PM in Korea included secondary nitrates, secondary sulfates, and biomass burning, while in China, dust and coal combustion were significant contributors.* -
- The study found that aged PM with secondary products increases oxidative potential, highlighting the need for actions to mitigate the effects of long-range PM transport on air quality.*
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- - The study examined the effects of natural dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and ship emissions on marine air quality and particulate matter (PM) around South Korea, using modeling from field data collected in 2017 and 2018.
- - DMS oxidation increased the levels of sulfur dioxide and sulfate in the atmosphere, while slightly decreasing nitrate levels, indicating its role in marine air chemistry.
- - Ship emissions significantly raised concentrations of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia, and were found to be a major contributor to non-sea-salt sulfur in PM, highlighting the impact of maritime activities on air quality.
Integration of air quality model with GIS for the monitoring of PM2.5 from local primary emission at a rural site.
Environ Monit Assess
September 2021
Article Synopsis
- * An integrated air quality observation and modeling system was created to monitor and analyze air pollution levels using GIS technology, allowing for visualization of pollutant concentrations.
- * Findings revealed that particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the village were significantly influenced by weather conditions and emissions, with the asphalt manufacturing facility contributing roughly 47.6% of PM at the measurement station during the study period from December 2014 to December 2015.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focused on assessing the contributions of particulate matter (PM) along Korea's southwest shoreline through air sampling conducted via ships during summer 2017 and 2018, revealing a mean PM concentration of 19.3 μg/m along the route.
- - It analyzed PM's chemical characteristics and sourced pollution using a positive matrix factorization model, identifying six source categories including sulfate-rich and biomass burning contributions, alongside evidence of secondary aerosol formation.
- - Results indicated that long-range transport of PM significantly influences oxidative potential, with stronger associations noted during specific events linked to wind patterns, supporting the idea that these transport mechanisms elevate PM's harmful effects.
Article Synopsis
- * It found that while PM levels in the air decreased by about 2.5%, media coverage and internet searches related to air quality increased significantly, with a 10.5 times rise in media articles.
- * The research suggests a strong connection between scientific findings and social data, indicating that increased media attention leads to heightened public interest and concern about air quality, highlighting the need for scientists to better communicate current situations to the public.
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- Agricultural burning and forest fires in Northeast Asia contribute significantly to fine particulate pollution, affecting air quality.
- A study showed that burning rice straw produced less fine particles and elemental carbon compared to burning pine stems.
- Additionally, fine particles from rice straw had a higher oxidative potential and better cloud formation traits, indicating different environmental impacts between the two types of burning.
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- Measuring isotopic ratios in aerosol particles helps distinguish between fossil and non-fossil sources and study how aerosols form, with a specific focus on samples collected in Beijing and Changdao, North China Plain, during 2016.
- The study found significant differences in the isotopic composition of total carbon and nitrogen between the two locations, indicating that aerosol sources and contributions vary regionally; in Beijing, fossil fuel sources accounted for about 52% of total carbon and 45% of total nitrogen.
- The results suggest that vehicle emissions, influenced by fossil fuel combustion, play a major role in increasing aerosol levels, highlighting the effectiveness of using multiple isotopic techniques to identify key pollution sources and better understand the composition of secondary inorganic aerosol
Article Synopsis
- Socheongryongtang is a traditional Korean remedy studied for its effects on pulmonary diseases, particularly COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
- In research involving BALB/c mice, it was found that socheongryongtang significantly reduced inflammatory markers such as WBC levels, neutrophils, and several COPD-related cytokines and chemokines compared to a control group treated with LPS.
- The findings suggest that socheongryongtang has potential therapeutic effects not only for COPD but also for other respiratory diseases, warranting further investigation.
Article Synopsis
- The study collected ambient fine particles from Beijing and Gwangju in January 2018, analyzing organic matter (OM) using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
- It found that over 90% of the organic compounds consisted of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (CHO), and those containing nitrogen (CHON), with higher CHON levels during days of elevated PM concentrations.
- Notably, while CHON compounds in Beijing showed no correlation with certain ion species, in Gwangju, they were linked to particulate nitrate and ammonium, indicating different influences of secondary aerosols in these urban environments.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the light absorption properties of fine organic aerosols resulting from the burning of four different biomass materials using UV-spectrophotometry and Aethalometer measurements.
- The experiments revealed that wood chips produced stronger light absorption than other biomass emissions and that organic carbon to elemental carbon (OC/EC) ratios decreased with increased combustion temperature.
- The findings indicate that both the type of biomass and the burning conditions significantly affect the light absorption properties of organic aerosols from biomass burning emissions.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed global trends in sea spray aerosol (SSA) emissions, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) flux, and aerosol optical depth (AOD) from 2000-2015 using satellite and modeling data.
- SSA emissions increased overall, especially in the tropical southeastern Pacific and Southern Ocean, while DMS fluxes exhibited a significant downward trend in most oceans, besides some increases at low latitudes.
- AOD showed rising trends in the Southern Hemisphere largely due to SSA emissions, contrasting with declining trends in the Northern Hemisphere, indicating differing contributions from natural and anthropogenic sources.
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- In December 2016, the WHO reported 383,000 asthma-related deaths and 235 million people suffering from asthma, highlighting the need for new, safer asthma medications.
- The study assessed the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of C. japonica oil, using an ovalbumin asthma murine model and various treatment groups to compare its efficacy against existing treatments.
- Results showed that C. japonica oil effectively reduced key inflammatory markers and cells associated with asthma, suggesting that it is a promising new drug candidate, with oleic acid identified as its main active component.
Ethanol Extract of Leaf Ameliorates Hyperuricemia in Mice via Inhibition of Hepatic and Serum Xanthine Oxidase Activity.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
December 2018
Article Synopsis
- Bureau (Moraceae), a plant found in Northeast Asia, has been studied for its potential effects on xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, hyperuricemia, and gout for the first time.
- The study found that the ethanol extract of CT leaves (CTLE) significantly inhibited XO activity and reduced serum uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice when administered orally.
- Key chemical compounds, including stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, vitamin E, rutin, and kaempferol, were identified in CTLE, with kaempferol showing the highest XO inhibitory activity, suggesting CTLE could be a viable alternative to conventional medications for treating hyperuricemia and gout.
Article Synopsis
- H.Ohba leaf, a traditional Korean medicinal material, has not been scientifically analyzed for its components or health benefits until now.
- The study investigated different solvent extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol, and water) for antioxidant, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, and elastase inhibitory activities, finding the hot water extract to be particularly effective in scavenging free radicals.
- The research suggests that hot water and hexane extracts could have potential uses in treating oxidative-related diseases, skin aging, and gout, marking the first report on their chemical profiles and biological effects.
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- A study collected 263 fine particulate matter samples over 14 months in Fresno and Bakersfield, California, analyzing their chemical components to understand sources contributing to organic carbon (OC) levels.
- The research utilized Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) models, identifying six stable source categories, including biomass burning and mobile sources, while revealing seasonal variations and wind transport influences.
- Results indicated specific contributions to OC, with wood smoke (24%) and mobile sources (19%) being significant, and advanced modeling techniques were employed to further understand aerosol transport effects from events like forest fires.
Article Synopsis
- Fine particulate matter (PM) less than 2.5 µm is linked to negative health effects, but toxicity levels vary based on particle size and chemical components.
- Different sources of fine particles were assessed—including diesel and gasoline engines, biomass burning, coal combustion, and road dust—to determine their toxicity.
- Diesel engine exhaust particles were found to be the most toxic, followed by gasoline exhaust, biomass burning, and coal, indicating that traffic is a key factor in the harmful effects of fine particles.