The occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms has been reported worldwide and pose a threat to human health through drinking water exposure. The toxins they produced are highly water soluble and can leach into the water body. To eliminate any risk of drinking water exposure, removal of these toxins is essential before the water is consumed. Conventional water treatment techniques such as chlorination, if managed well, can be effectively used to remove some of these toxins, however, saxitoxin and derivatives pose a problem. Little toxicological data are available to evaluate the real threat of these toxins.

C. neoformans-associated cryptococcosis is primarily a disease of immunocompromised persons, has a world-wide distribution, and is often spread by pigeons in the urban environment. In contrast, C. gattii causes infection in normal hosts, has only been described in tropical and semi-tropical areas of the world, and has a unique niche in river gum Eucalyptus trees. Cryptococcosis is acquired through inhalation of the yeast propagules from the environment. C. gattii has been identified as the cause of an emerging infectious disease centered on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. No cases of C. gattii-disease were diagnosed prior to 1999; the current incidence rate is 36 cases per million population. A search was initiated in 2001 to find the ecological niche of this basidiomycetous yeast. C. gaftii was found in the environment in treed areas of Vancouver Island. The highest percentage of colonized-tree clusters were found around central Vancouver Island, with decreasing rates of colonization to the north and south. Climate, soil and vegetation cover of this area, called the Coastal Douglas fir biogeoclimatic zone, is unique to British Columbia and Canada. The concentration of airborne C. gattii was highest in the dry summer months, and lowest during late fall, winter, and early spring, months which have heavy rainfall. The study of the emerging colonization of this organism and subsequent cases of environmentally acquired disease will be informative in planning public health management of new routes of exposure to exotic agents in areas impacted by changing climate and land use patterns. Cryptococcosis is an infection associated with an encapsulated, basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. The route of entry for this organism is through the lungs, with possible systemic spread via the circulatory system to the brain and meninges. There are four cryptococcal serogroups associated with disease in humans and animals, distinguished by capsular polysaccharide antigens. Cryptococcus neoformans: variety grubii (serotype A), variety neoformans (serotype D), and variety gattii (serotypes B and C) (Franzot et at. 1999). C. neoformans variety gattii has recently been elevated to species status, C. gattii. C. neoformans val. grubii and var. neoformans have a world-wide distribution, and are particularly associated with soil and weathered bird droppings. In contrast, C. gattii (CG) is not associated with bird excrement, is primarily found in tropical and subtropical climates, and has a restricted environmental niche associated with specific tree species. (Ellis & Pfiffer 1990) Ellis and Pfeiffer theorize that, as a basidiomycete, CG requires an association with a tree in order to become pathogenic to mammals. In Australia, CG has been found to be associated with five species of Eucalypts, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. tereticornis, E. blakelyi, E. gomphocephala, and E. rudis. Eucalypts, although originally native to Australia, now have a world-wide distribution. CG has been found associated with imported eucalypts in India, California, Brazil, and Egypt. In addition, in Brazil and Columbia, where eucalypts have been naturalized, native trees have been shown to harbour CG (Callejas et al. 1998; Montenegro et al. 2000). In British Columbia, Canada, since the beginning of 1999, there have been 120 confirmed cases of cryptococcal mycoses associated with CG in humans, including 4 fatalities (data from British Columbia Centre for Disease Control), and over 200 cases in animal pets in BC (data from Central Laboratory for Veterinarians). What is remarkable about the BC outbreak of C. gattii-cryptococcosis is that all of the cases have been residents of, or visitors to, a narrow area along the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, BC, from the tip of the island in the south (Victoria) to Courtenay on the north-central island as illustrated in Figure 1. Of the first 38 human cases, 58% were male with a mean age of 59.7 years (range 20 - 82): 36 cases (95%) were Caucasian. Ten cases (26%) presented with meningitis, the remainder presented with respiratory symptoms. Cultures recovered from cases of cryptococcosis associated with the outbreak were typed as serogroup B, which is specific to CG (Bartlett et al. 2003). This was the first reported outbreak of CVG in Canada, or indeed, the world. Where infection with CG is endemic, for example, Australia, the incidence of cryptococcosis ranges from 1.8 - 4.7 per million between the southern and northern states (Sorrell 2001). However, the overall incidence of cryptococcosis in immunocompenent individuals has been estimated at 0.2 per million population per year (Kwon-Chung et al. 1984). The population of Vancouver Island is approximately 720,000,consequently, even if the organism were endemic, one would expect a maximum of 0.15 cases of cryptococcal disease annually.

Higher methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation and susceptibility to toxicity in the fetus than in the mother at parturition is well known. However, the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and suckling is not well established. In the human, the effects of MeHg exposure on pregnant and breast-feeding women remain an important issue for elucidation, especially those of continuous uptake in high-fish-consumption populations. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and lactation using our recent animal and human studies data. In the animal study, adult female rats were given a diet containing 5 ${\mu}$g/g Hg (as MeHg) for 8 weeks. Then they were mated and subsequently given the same diet throughout gestation and suckling. On embryonic days 18, 20, 22 and at parturition, the concentrations of Hg in the brains of fetus were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher than those in the mothers. However, during the suckling period Hg concentrations in the brain rapidly declined to about 1/10 of that during late pregnancy. Hg concentrations in blood also decreased rapidly after birth. In human study, Hg concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs-Hg) in 16 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were compared at birth and 3 months of age after parturition. RBCs-Hg concentration in the umbilical cords was about 1.6 times higher than those in the mothers at parturition. However, all the infants showed declines in Hg concentrations throughout the breast-feeding period. The Hg concentration in RBCs-Hg at 3 months of age was about half that at birth. Both the animal and human studies indicated that MeHg exposure to the fetus might be especially high but it dramatically decreases during the suckling period. Therefore, close attention should be paid to the gestation rather than the breast-feeding period to avoid the risk of MeHg to human infants.

Increased signal in T1-weighted images was observed in the experimental manganese (Mn) poisoning of the non-human primate and a patient with Mn neurointoxication. However, our study showed that the increased signals in magnetic resonance images (MRI) were highly prevalent (41.6%) in Mn-exposed workers. Blood Mn concentration correlated with pallidal index. These changes in MRI tend to disappear following the withdrawal from the source of Mn accumulation, despite permanent neurological damage. Thus increased signal intensities on a T1-weighted image reflect exposure to Mn, but not necessarily manganism. Our study also showed that the concentration of Mn required to produce increased signal intensities on MRI is much lower than the threshold necessary to result in overt clinical signs of manganism. Increased signal intensities in the globus pallidus were determined by manganese accumulation in the animal experiment. Reanalysis of the previous data with the structural equation model revealed that pallidal index (Pl) on MRI reflects target organ dose of occupational Mn exposure

Many Japanese today are suffering from health disorders related to their living environment, such as allergies and hypersensitivity to chemical substances. The Sick House/Building Syndrome has been a serious problem since 1996, due to low level exposure to hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in airtight houses. This paper aims to show current status of the syndrome in Japan and practical researches to promote prevention of, and improvement to indoor air pollution due to chemicals.

The atmospheric transportation and dispersion processes of air pollutants are important issues in dealing with air pollution problems. Air pollutants originated from biological and anthropogenic activities are not only limited to the local emission sources, but could also be transported and dispersed to other regions by synoptic weather systems. Besides, the complexity of topography of central Taiwan helps accumulating air pollutants to promote high-concentration episodes. The techniques of tethersonding were applied to monitor the vertical profiles of winds, air temperatures and humidity, as well as to collect air samples, to be analyzed for pollutants ($O_3,\;NO_2$, NO and NMHC) from the ground up to 1000 m. A time period of about one week, 19 -26 October 2002, was chosen as the sampling period due to the high frequency of episode occurrence in autumn based on the past records. Associating with the analysis of weather patterns, the atmospheric characteristics over high-concentration areas can be resolved in more detail. The result of the tethersonding studies showed that weak northerly sea breeze (with thickness about 300 m) with now wind speed (about 1 to 2 m/sec) could help develop high ozone concentrations in the down-wind areas. It is also important to have a built-up aloft of precursors and ozone to develop high concentration on the previous day.

To implement a globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS) in Korea, an interminsterial GHS working group involving 6 ministries established an expert working group composed of 7 experts from relevant organizations and one private consultant to prepare an officialKorean GHS version by March, 2005. As such, the translation and review of the official Korean GHS version, including annexes, started in October, 2004 and was completed on March 15, 2005. The official Korean GHS version has now been posted on the websites of the relevant ministries and organizations to solicit public opinions. The official Korean GHS version will be finalized after a public hearing scheduled forMay, 2005. Collaborative efforts as regards implementing and disseminating the GHS in Korea will be continued to avoid any confusion or duplication and for effective use of resources. The globally harmonized system of classifying and labeling chemicals (GHS) was originally adopted in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), as subsequently reflected in Agenda 21 chapter 19. The work was coordinated and managed under the auspices of the Interorganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals(IOMC) Coordinating Group for the Harmonization of Chemical Classification Systems (UNCEGHS). The technical focal points for completing the work were the International Labour Organization (ILO); Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and United Nations Economic and Social Council's Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG). The work was finalized in October 2002, and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg on 4 September 2002 encouraged countries to implement the new GHS as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008 (UN, 2003). Implementation has already started with pilot countries introducing the system to their national practices in different regions of the world. The GHS text, called the purple book, becameavailable as a W publication in early 2003. The GHS text, called the purple book, becameavailable as a UN publication in early 2003. The GHS system will be kept dynamic, and regularly revised and made more efficient as experience is gained in its implementation. While national or regional governments are the primary audiences for this document, it also contains sufficient context and guidance for those in industry who will ultimately be implementing the national requirements that will be introduced (UN, 2003). The Japanese government published their official Japanese GHS version, the first in Asia, in April 2004 after starting work in January 2003 based on an interministerial chemical coordination committee involving 7 ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and Ministry of Environment (MOE, 2004). Accordingly, similar to the Japanese GHS efforts, this paper presents the interministerial efforts involved in publishing the official Korean GHS version.

The purpose of this study is to characterize the indoor-outdoor relationship of airborne pollutants and recognize probable sources in inside and outside individual apartments in Seoul metropolitan. Simultaneous air monitoring in inside and outside of the 16 Korean Apartments classified into 2groups: less than 1 year old and more than 4 years old from October, 2004 to February, 2005were sampled f3r airborne pollutants(volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, respiratory particles, carbon dioxide and bacteria) using the Korean Indoor Air Quality Official Method. The concentrations of $CO_2$, TVOCs, HCHO, bacteria and PM10 in the less than 1 year old apartments were determined to be $773.6{\pm}422.3ppm$, $4,393.8{\pm}2,758.2{\mu}g/m^3$, $98.0{\pm}56.4{\mu}g/m^3$, $254.0{\pm}186.3CFU/m^3$ and $31.7{\pm}14.8{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, Also, the concentrations of those in the more than 4 years old apartments were determined to be $798.9{\pm}266.5ppm$, $792.7{\pm}398.3{\mu}g/m^3$, $70.0{\pm}30.7{\mu}g/m^3$, $245.6{\pm}122.0CFU/m^3$, $49.7f28.7{\pm}g/m^3$, respectively. The average ratios of the indoor and outdoor concentrations of $CO_2$, TVOCs, HCHO, bacteria and PM10 were 2.2, 3.6, 3.1, 3.9 and 1.4, respectively. These results of this analysis is suggested that $CO_2$, TVOCs, HCHO, bacteria and PM10 in indoor air are both emitted from source within the apartment environment and partly come from outdoor air. With the above considerations in mind, it is suggested that the research for source contribution of indoor air pollutants should be expanded and the detailed interpretation of the results on these needed further study(using principal component analysis(PCA).

This study aims to identify the relationship between characteristics of aqueous organic matter and chlorination by-products formation potential according to temporal effect of Juam reservoir in Sun-Choen. The molecular weight distribution and chemical composition of precursors and their relationship with disinfection by-products(DBPs) were investigated. Most of the organic matters was responsible for the major DBP precursors in the raw water are small compounds with a molecular weight less than IKDa, Aromatic contents determined by SUVA correlated well with DBPs, THMs, and HAAs formation. Especially, THMFP/DOC showed better correlation with SUVA than HAAFP/DOC and DBPFP/DOC with SUVA in Juam reservoir. Therefore, effective removal of small molecules or hydrophobic organic matter prior to disinfection process will significantly reduce the DBP concentration in the finished water.

Chlorine disinfection has been used in drinking water supply to disinfect the water-borne microbial disease which may cause to serious human disease. it is still the least costly, relatively easy to use, Chlorination is the primary means to disinfect portable water supplies and control bacterial growth in the distribution system. However, chlorine reacts with natural organic matter(NOM), that presents in nearly all water sources, and then produces disinfection by-products(DBPs), that have adverse health effects. Although the existent DBPs have been reported in drinking water supplies, it is not feasible to predict the levels of the various DBPs due to the complex chemistry reaction involved. 1. The objectives of this study is to investigate seasonal variation difference concentration of DBPs in the plant to tap water. The average concentration of THMs was 20.04 ${\mu}g/{\ell}$ , HAAs 8-15 ${\mu}g/{\ell}$ , HANs 2-4.5 ${\mu}g/{\ell}$ respectively. 2. Distant variation of DBPs furmation by the distance is that THMs concentration increased by 17% at 2km point from the plant and by 28% at 7km and HAAs, HANs also increase each by 16%, 32% at 2 km from the plant and 35%, 56% at 7 km. DBPs increase in water supply pipe continually, 3. The seasonal occurrence of BBPs is that in May and August DBPs concentration is very higher than in march, in May DBPs concentration is highest. The temperature is main factor of DBPs formation, precursor also. 4. Precursor which was accumulated for winter flowed into the raw water by flooding in spring and summer and produced DBPs. 5. Therefore for the supply of secure drinking water, it is required to protect precursor of flowing into raw water and to add to BCAA and DBAA to drinking water standards.

This study was performed to investigate the characteristics of distribution for airborne bio aerosol in 11 public facilities in Seoul from June to July. The collected samples are total suspended bacteria in indoor and outdoor Anderson six stage air sampler by the IAQ standard method of Ministry of Environment in Korea. The concentration of total suspended bacteria in the theater higher than IAQ standards. As the results of the survey, the most high indoor air mean concentration of bacteria $1273CFU/m^3$ was theater and the most high outdoor air mean concentration of bacteria $^229 CFU/m3$was Kindergarten. The mean concentration of bacteria in the theater was higher than the IAQ standards established by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Moreover, this study was for investigation a part of indoor air pollution condition in public facilities. It means that this study can't represent fDr all of public facilities. Therefore, we suggest that long and middle term country plan for management of IAQ should be established through long-term and continuous investigation of IAQ condition. Also above consideration in mind, it is suggest that the research for source contribution of the results on these need further study.

Endocrine disrupting effects of four pharmaceutical products were evaluated with fish. The test pharmaceuticals, i.e., sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, oxytetracycline and tetracycline have been often detected in aquatic environment, but their ecological hazard on receptors of various trophic levels has seldom been evaluated. In the present study, we conducted acute toxicity assays with a fish, Japanese medake (Oryziα lαtipes). The vitellogenin induced in female fish normally, but a endocrine disrupting chemical could give effects even male fish. We have tried 4 pharmaceutic chemicals to find out the endocrine disrupting effects. Sulfamethoxazole 1, 0.5 ppm induced vitellogenin even at male Japanese medaka. Sulfamethazine 10, 5, 1 ppm could induced vitellogenin at male fish. Oxytetracycline 10, 5, 1ppm could induced vitellogenin With the fish. Tetracycline 10, 5 ppm could induced vitellogenin at male fish. Some pharmaceuticals such as sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, oxytetracycline and tetracycline could give effects to male Oryzias latipes. They could induced vitellogenin under exposure range 0.5 ${\sim}$ 10 ppm of chemicals at male Oryzias latipes.

This study was conducted to compare the fluoride concentrations in urine of preschool children aged 3${\sim}$6 years between residing in community water fluoridation area(Kwangju City) and non-fluoridation area(Sungnam City). The acid-diffusible fluoride in the urine and drinking water was isolated by the acid-diffusion technique and measured with a fluoride electrode. The mean daily fluoride excretion to urine of children residing in Kwangju and Sungnam were $1.27{\pm}0.75mgF^-$/g creatinine and $0.87{\pm}47 mgF^-$/g creatinine, respectively. It is concluded from this investigation that the $F^-$concentration in urine sample of kindergarten and drinking water of children living in Kwanju(fluoridated areas) were significantly higher than that of children living in Sungnam(non-fluoridated areas).

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

Indoor air quality can be affected by indoor sources, ventilation, decay and outdoor levels. Although technologies exist to measure these factors, direct measurements are often difficult. The purpose of this study was to develop an alternative method to characterize indoor environmental factors by multiple indoor and outdoor measurements. Indoor and outdoor NO$_2$ and VOCs(benzene, toluene, xylene) concentrations were measured every 3 days for 60 consecutive days in 30 houses in Seoul, Asan and Daegu, Korea. Using a mass balance model and regression analysis, penetration factor (ventilation rate divided by the sum of ventilation rate and deposition constant) and source strength factor (source strength divided by the sum of ventilation rate and deposition constant) were calculated using multiple indoor and outdoor measurements. Subsequently, NO$_2$ and VOCs source strengths (ppb/hr) and deposition constant (K, hr$^{-1}$) were estimated. Deposition constants of NO$_2$, toluene and xylene were 0.98 ${\pm}$ 0.28, 0.71 ${\pm}$ 0.24 and 0.74 ${\pm}$ 0.53 hr$^{-1}$, respectively. Source strengths of NO$_2$, toluene and xylene were 16.28 ${\pm}$ 7.47,31.25 ${\pm}$ 38.45 and 23.45 ${\pm}$ 19.67 ppb/hr, respectively In conclusion, indoor environmental factors were effectively characterized by this method using multiple indoor and outdoor measurements.

Vehicle occupant exposure to air pollutants has been a subject of concern in recent years because of higher levels of air pollutants inside gasoline or diesel-using vehicle, comparing to the surrounding atmosphere. This study evaluated the potential exposure to respirable suspended particulate (RSP), nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), comparing weekday (Monday and Thursday) and weekend (Saturday). Indoor mean concentrations of RSP inside vehicle were 51.2 $ug/m^3$ and 75.52 $ug/m^3$ in weekday and weekend, respectively. Measured indoor NO$_2$ concentrations were 14,8 ppb and 20.8 ppb, respectively. Benzene and toluene mean concentrations inside vehicle were 5.4${\pm}$2.4 ppb and 23.8${\pm}$33.8 ppb, respectively.

3-Monochloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a contaminant of acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Several reports have suggested that chronic exposure to 3-MCPD could produce neurotoxicity in vitro or neurobehavioral effects inaspects of experimental animals. Disturbance of the nitric oxide signaling pathway by chronic exposure to 3-MCPD may be a causal factor of neurological disorders in rats. In order to investigate the relationship between 3-MCPD administration and expression of inducibal nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the numbers and distribution patterns of iNOS-immunoreactive neurons were examined. At the all three bregma level examined, the optical density of iNOS-postive neurons was significantly increased following exposure to 3-MCPD. The change was more severe in the upper layer than in deep layer of the cortex. These data suggest that 3-MCPD toxicity may be mediated through disturbances to the nitric oxide signaling pathway.

Exposure to UVB radiation can cause diverse biological photodamage to skin. Eeb 761 and Korean red ginseng are the major and most effective natural drug against a variety of oxidative damage. But, the protective effects against UVB radiation have not been clearly identified. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of topical EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng on pigmentation by UVB radiation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines($IL-l{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) and melanogenesis proteins(tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2) mRNA were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis. The in vivo protection against pigmentation was calculated using chromameter. The mRNA level of IL-lf and TNF-a were increased by UVB irradiation in treated and non-treated group, while no significant changes were observed in IL-6 level. Topical treatment with EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng remarkably reduced expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 in the non-irradiated and irradiated skin. Application of EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng significantly protected the WB-induced skin pigmentation and Korean red ginseng was more effective. Our study suggests that topical ECb761 and Korean red ginseng can regulate melanogenic proteins and protect UVB radiation on skin pigmentation.

To evaluate the acute effects of fine particles on pulmonary function, a longitudinal study was conducted. This study was carried out for the schoolchildren(3rd and 4th grades) living in Inner-Mongolia, China. 113 Chinese children were asked to record their daily levels of peak expiratory flow rate(PEPR) using portable peak flow meter(mini-Wright) for 40 days and 3 time everyday(12 April 2004 to 21 May 2004). The atmospheric concentration of fine particles in study area was also determined everyday during same period. The relationship between dailypeak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) and fine particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, age, height, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and daily average relative humidity as extraneous variables. The analysis showed that the increase of fine particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEPR. The IQR(inter-quartile range) increments of $PM_{10}$ or $PM_{2.5}(66.0{\mu}g/m^3$ and $118.9{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively) were also shown to be related with 1.422L/min(95% Confidence intervals: 0.270 ${\sim}$ 2.574) and 1.214L1min(95% Cl: 0.010 ${\sim}$ 2.418) decline in PEFR.

$PM_{10}$ and 16 PAHs were measured in indoor and outdoor air of 5 different old houses, new and sick houses, respectively. $PM_{10}$ concentrations measured in indoor of three different kinds of houses ranged from 23 to 43 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and in outdoor ranged in 40-64 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Sum of average concentrations of PAHs in old, new and sick houses indoor air were 3.7 $ng/m^3$, 6.6 $ng/m^3$ and 16.1 $ng/m^3$, respectively, which were lower than those of outdoors. Most of the indoor/outdoor ratio for PAHs in each house were less than 1.0 and significant correlation(p<0.05) between indoor and outdoor samples was observed.

Porous building materials are not only sources of indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but they are also strong sinks of these pollutants. Volatile organic compounds have been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, increase in the incidence of malformed sperm and decrease in the percentage of moving sperm. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the direct effects of various volatile organic compounds (phenol, formaldehyde; HCHO, ethanol, toluene, styrene) on motility and survival rate of human sperm in vitro. Semen samples from 3 health subjects were prepared using swim-up method and 1-10mM volatile organic compounds were added to the test medium. HCHO and phenol produced significant decreases in the motility and survival rate with a different potency. The most potent inhibition of motility and survival rate was observed after exposure to HCHO. Less than 1mM HCHO significantly inhibited sperm motility. When ethanol is added directly to sperm, at concentrations equivalent to that in serum after heavy drinking, these damaging effects were lowest compared with other volatile organic compounds. Present study shows that each compound has differential toxic potency to human sperm and we need special caution for the use of HCHO and phenol.

This study was performed to investigate the levels of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in water and rice samples taken from five sites on a stream used for agricultural water in the Jeon-buk area, Korea. The water samples were collected by the recommendation methods of the World Health Organization, and rice samples were randomly selected from the paddy rice. The water and rice samples were analyzed by the recommendation methods of Food Code of Korea and using ICP. Although there was variation between sampling sites, the levels of the metals of rice were on average much higher than those of water. The ratios of metal levels of rice to water were: Cd 8.0${\sim}$35.4; Cu 2.2${\sim}$7.2; Pb 5.9${\sim}$18.3; and Zn 10.6${\sim}$75,7. These results indicate that there was transfer of the metals from the water to the rice, This study also suggests that there might be another pathways for the transfer of the metals to the rice.

A worker who grinded the inner parts of camshafts for automobile engines using water-soluble metalworking fluid (MWF) for 14 years was diagnosed with sinusitis. We postulated that the outbreak of sinusitis could be associated with exposure to microbes contaminated in water-soluble MWF during the grinding operation. To suggest responsible agents for this outbreak, quantitative exposure assessment for chemical and biological agents and prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms by questionnaire were studied. The exposure ranges of MWF mist (0.59 $mg/m^3$to 2.12 $mg/m^3$) measured during grinding exceeded 0.5 $mg/m^3$ of the recommended exposure limit (REL). Grinder's exposures to bacteria, fungi and endotoxins were also generally higher than not only the proposed standards, but also those reported by several studies to identify the cause of respiratory effects. Statistical test indicated that the prevalence rate of reported symptoms related to nasal cavities showed no significant differences among the operations. Evaluation on grinding operation characteristics and quantitative exposure assessment indicated that repeated exposure to MWF mist including microbes contaminated from the use of water-soluble MWF may cause respiratory diseases like sinusitis or at least increase susceptibility to the development of sinusitis

Ten phosphate corrosion inhibitors meet the required standards and drinking waters containing corrosion inhibitors also within 27 items of water quality standards. In addition, the T-P concentration was observed at a level of 2.342-2.909mg/L. Those results indicate that the corrosion inhibitors are not harmful and, as for drinking waters with inhibitors, they can be considered not to have any toxic influence on human body when used below the regulated level of 10mg/L.

32 Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) were measured by thermal desorption/gas chrornatography/mass spectrometry in normal houses, new and sick houses. The sum concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in living room of new and sick houses showed 606 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and 645 ${\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, These figures were about 40 times higher than the values 14 ${\mu}g/m^3$ in normal houses. Among the chlorinated hydrocarbons trichloroethylene in the new and sick houses were at least 50-100 times higher than the mean concentrations in normal houses. But no significant differences could be shown for the concentration of VOCs in indoor air between new houses and sick houses (p<0.05).

Ethylene oxide is a genotoxic carcinogen with widespread uses as industrial chemical intermediate and gaseous sterilant. 2-hydroxyethylated N-terminal valine in Hb is a good biomarker for biological monitoring of ethylene oxide exposure, because of its stability. We studied the determination method of (N-2-hydroxy-ethyl)valine in hemoglobin adduct by using GC/MS. PFPITC and TBMS were used as appropriate derivatives. Ethylene oxide formed Hb adducts as (N-2-hydroxy-ethyl)valine(HEV) in mouse with ethylene oxide inhalation exposure. Standard HEV can be synthesized with 2-amino-ethanol and 2-bromo-3-methylbutyric acid. GC/MS can measured them after derivatization with pentafluorophenylisothiocianate(PFPITC) and N-(tertiary butyl dimethylsiiyl)-N-methyl-trifluoroacetamide(TBDMS-TFA) by using Edman procedure. Concentrations of Hb adduct were proportionally increased with exposure levels. They were 230${\pm}$35(nmol g$^{-1}$ globin) and 410${\pm}$72(nmol $g^{-1}$ globin) at 200ppm and 400ppm ethylene oxide inhalation exposure, respectively.

The expression of the glutathione S-transferase (GST), whose induction accounts for antioxidant defense system, is regulated by activation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$), Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. Toluene has been implicated in one of the important causes of SHS. The present study investigated the effects of toluene treatment on the induction of GSTA2 gene and its mechanism. H411E cells treated with toluene, and GSTA2 expression was determined by immunoblot analysis. The translocation of $C/EBP{\beta}$ was assessed by immunocytochemical assays. $C/EBP{\beta}$ DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. The role of the C/EBP binding site in the induction of the GSTA2 gene was assessed by luciferase reporter-gene activity. Toluene induced GSTA2 protein expression. In toluene-treated cells, $C/EBP{\beta}$ translocated to the nucleus and bound to the consensus sequence of C/EBP (TTGCGCAA). Toluene treatment increased luciferase reporter-gene activity in cells transfected with the C/EBP-containing regulatory region of the GSTA2 gene. Oxidative stress is believed to play an important role in the induction of GSTA2 gene by toluene This study shows that toluene-induced GSTA2 gene expression is dependent upon nuclear translocation and binding of $C/EBP{\beta}$ to the C/EBP response element in the GSTA2 gene promoter.

Acute toxicities of five pharmaceutical products were evaluated with aquatic microbes, invertebrates, and fish. The test pharmaceuticals, i.e., cimetidine, carbamazepine, diltiazem, acetaminophene, and metformin have been often detected in aquatic environment, but theire cological hazard on receptors of various trophic levels has seldom been evaluated. In the present study, we conducted acute toxicity assays with a marine bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, an invertebrate, Daphnia magna, and a fish, Japanese medake (Oryzias latipes). In general, D. magna, showed the most sensitive response to the test chemicals. Diltiazem exhibited the lowest EC50 value after 96 hr of exposure at 7.6 mg/L, followed by cimetidine >acetaminophen > metformin = carbamazepine in an order of decreasing susceptibility. With the fish, diltiazem and carbamazepine showed the 96 hr EC50 values at 14.1${\sim}$35.4 mg/L while acetaminophen, cimetidine, and metformin did not cause 50% mortality at 100 mg/L. Similar pattern was noted with the Microtox Assay, with which the median effective concentrations for acetaminophen, cimetidine, and metformin were found at the range between 301.8 and 755.4 mg/L. Carbamazepine and diltiazem exposure to the microbes resulted in EC50 values around 50 mg/L. Predicted no effect concentrations (PECs) of these pharmaceuticals derived from the EC5O values obtained from this study, and predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) obtained from available literatures were utilized to estimate ecological risks of the test compounds. No test pharmaceuticals resulted in risk quotients (PEC/PNEC) greater than 1, which suggests no serious potential ecological concerns. It should be noted however that further studies including the refinement of PEC derivation, identification and toxicity assessment of the metabolites and/or their interactions with other stressors may be warranted to better understand the environmental consequences of the residual pharmaceutical discharge to the waterway.

The removal of 1,4-dioxane and the biodegradability enhancement of dioxane contaminated water was investigated using $O_3-H_2O_2$ based advanced oxidation process. Experiments were conducted using a bubble column reactor under different dioxane and peroxide concentrations as well as PH. The $O_3-H_2O_2$ process effectively converted dioxane to more biodegradable intermediates and increased the biodegradability and average oxidation state of dioxane in the solution.

Nitrate-selective ion exchange resins involving bulky trialkyl amino as functional group were synthesized by the reaction of chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer and the corresponding tripropylamine in ethanol. Fundmental properties such as bulk density, water content, effeative diameter, uniformity coefficient, appearance index, exchange capacity and particle size distribution were fully measured. The synthesized resins appeared to be good for nitrate selection.

The possible use of milk factory waste water as fermentation media for the production of citric acid by cells of Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 has been investigated. The addition of $Mn^{2+}$, $Fe^{2+}$ and $Cu^{2+}$ to a medium promoted the citric acid production steadily, but addition of another metal ion $Mg^{2+}$decreased the citric acid production. The concentrations of citric acid were marked up to 7.2g/1 and 16.5g/l in a batch bioreactor by A. niger ATCC 9142 with 50g/1 and 100g/l of reducing sugar concentration in milk factory waste water, respectively.

The objective of this study is to develop the sorbent of oyster shell, which can remove gaseous acid pollutants emitted from the incinerator and power plants. The physicochemical properties of prepared absorbents have been measured using ICP and BET Also, this study is to investigate the Hydration/calcination reaction in the fixed bed reactor. Thus, the results could be summarized as follows. Oyster shell can be used in powder type without former processing. It should be also noted that sulfation reactivity of oyster sample increases to about 5 times by calcination/hydration reaction due to the increase of specific surface area and pore volume. From these experiments, we have found that both $SO_2$ and $NO_x$ in simulated flue gas can be effectively removed by use of oyster absorbent.

Active sampler has been widely used to measure nicotine concentration in air. The experiments were conducted to compare the active sampler method with diffusive sampler in exposure chamber and smoking areas, respectively. The result of these tests that indicated that passive sampler can be used instead of active sampler in ETS, because coefficient of determination was 0.9292 between active and passive sampling in smoking area

The work of hairdressers includes washing, coloring, bleaching, permanent waving, conditioning, and cutting hair. Hairdressers are subjected to a number of physical and toxicological hazards. The toxicological hazards are those resulting from exposure to a wide range of chemicals and from chemicals are usually classified active processes. In this study, twenty beauty shops were selected to assess the exposure to indoor air pollutants such as VOCS and particulate matter($PM_{10}$) during one month from September 1 to September 30, 2003. Indoor air quality of beauty shops might be worse by vehicle emissions because the beauty shops were generally located near roadways. Personal exposures to VOCs and PM lo were related to indoor concentrations of beauty shops. According to the questionnaire, hairdressers complained of sore throat, eye irritation, and nervousness as physical symptoms. Conclusively, customers as well as workers in the beauty shops might be highly exposed to air pollutants from indoor sources and outdoor sources. Therefore, proper management methods should be taken to improve the indoor air quality in beauty shops.

The waste seashells were used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from a hot gas stream, The sulphidation of waste seashells with H$_2$S was studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer at temperature between 600 and 800${\circ}$C . The desulfurization performance of the waste seashell sorbents was experimentally tested in a fixed bed reactor system. Sulfidation experiments performed under reaction conditions similar to those at the exit of a coal gasifier showed that preparation procedure and technique, the type and the amount of seashell, and the size of the seashell affect the H2S removal capacity of the sorbents. The pore structure of fresh and sulfided seashell sorbents was analyzed using mercury porosimetry, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy.

Characterization of particle behavior is becoming more important in performance evaluation of water treatment system as well as in operation of the system because conventional parameter, turbidity has lack of explaining ability on small sized microorganisms such like Cryptosporidium etc. Accordingly, particle counter has been introduced in evaluation and operation of the treatment system. However researches on the relationship between turbidity, particle count and/or different sand/anthracite sizes have not been concurrent. Therefore in this study, the relationship was investigated to improve performance evaluation of sand filter so as to help choosing sand/anthracite effective size as a design parameter of water treatment facility. According to the results, too small or too large effective size media filter reached to turbidity limit(0.1 NTU)earlier. However, because shallow sand layer may cause early breakthrough, the depth of sand layer should be provided enough in order to compromise water quality and productivity.

The calcination characteristic of waste eggshell were examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), qualitative and quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence, and microstructural analysis by scanning electronic microscopy(SEM). The calcined sample was lager grain and pore size.

This study aimed to develop a novel anaerobic two-stage process converting food waste to $H_2$ and $CH_2$. The anaerobic two-stage process was devised by combining hydrogen fermentation with methane fermentation. At the high loading rate of 12.3 kg $Vs/m^3/d$, it could remove 72.5%of VS and convert $VS_{removed}$ to $H_2$ (28.2%) and $CH_4$ (69.9%) on COD basis in 8 days.

In this study, we investigated the gas chromatography (GC) and pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD) system for the analysis of four major reduced S compounds including hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S)$; methyl mercaptan ($CH_3SH$); dimethyl sulfide (DMS); and dimethyl disulfide(DMDS) contained in environmental samples. To analyze these compounds in high concentration range (above ppb level), we developed a high mode analytical setting with the loop-injection system. By contrast, we also established a low mode setting for the analysis of low concentration samples (ppt-level samples from ambient air) by the combination with thermal desorption unit(TDU). Comparative analysis of both settings revealed that relative detection properties of four S compounds are systematic enough. The results of high mode analysis indicated that the patterns were systematic among compounds: H2S exhibited the lowest sensitivity, while DMBS showed the strongest one. The results were also compared in terms of sensitivity reductions for all compounds by dividing slope ratios between low and high mode system. Although low mode system exhibited significant reductions on the order of a few tens times, their detection characteristics were highly consistent as it was shown in the high mode setting. To learn more about absolute and relative relations between two different modes of S analysis, future studies may have to be directed to cover more complicated nature of GC/PFPD performance. Hydrogen sulfide($H_2S$) was over in summer about low level of olfactory sense 410 ppt, Methyl mercaptan(C$H_3SH$) was over in apring and summer about low level of olfactory sense 70, Dimethyl sulfide(DMS) was not over in four season about low level of olfactory sense 2,200 ppt. Carbon disulfide($CS_2$) was not over in four deason about Tow level of olfactory sense 210,000, Dimethyl disulfide(DMDS) was not over in summer about low level of olfactory sense2,000.

Since 2003, Korean government has restricted landfill application of organic waste, which shares approximately 56% of total waste sludge from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. In addition, enforcement of the ocean disposal prohibition law is effective from 2005. Organic sludge was composted for the purpose of converting to organic fertilizer. After moisture content was regulated with bulking agents aerobic treatment performed. When composting was conducted, commercial and activated microbe materials, identified from soil were seeded in sewage sludge. Carbon dioxide production was increased sharply after 24 hours. Temperature and pH of compost reached to $66.2^{\circ}C$ and 8. Heavy metals were lower than their regulatory limits, which enable it to utilize as organic fertilizer.