Ambient Endotoxin and Chemical Pollutant (PM_(10), PM_(2.5), and O_3) Levels in South Korea

• Published in: Aerosol and Air Quality Research 2019-04, Vol.19 (4), p.786-793
• Main Authors: Sung Ho Hwang, Dong Uk Park
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1680-8584
• DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.2018.06.0235

We measured the levels of airborne endotoxins in South Korea and compared them to PM_(10), PM_(2.5), and O_3 levels in ambient environments; environmental factors affecting these levels were also analyzed. A total of 81 air samples were collected and analyzed using the kinetic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. The geometric mean was determined for the levels of endotoxin (0.132 EU m^(-3)), PM_(10) (51.9 μg m^(-3)), PM_(2.5) (22.6 μg m^(-3)), and O_3 (0.018 ppm). The endotoxin levels were significantly higher in fall and winter than in summer. The levels of PM_(10) and PM_(2.5) were significantly higher, and the level of O_3 was by far its highest, in spring. Negative correlations were found between the endotoxin and O_3 levels (r = -0.491) and between the endotoxin levels and temperature (r = -0.302). The PM_(10) levels were also negatively associated with the O_3 levels and temperature but positively associated with the PM_(2.5) levels. Given the negative relationship between airborne endotoxins and O_3 determined here, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to identify the responsible mechanisms.