• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.183-191
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• 2010

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of bioaerosols in industries suspected to have high levels of bioaerosol exposure. Methods: We selected 11 plants including 3 livestock feed plants (LF industry), 3 metal working fluids handling plants (MWFs industry), and 5 sawmills and measured total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage cascade impactor, and gelatin filters. Endotoxins were measured with polycarbonate filters. Results: The geometric means (GM) of the airborne concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxins were 1,864, $2,252\;CFU/m^3$, and $31.5\;EU/m^3$, respectively at the sawmills, followed by the LF industry (535, $585\;CFU/m^3$, and $22.0\;EU/m^3$) and MWFs industry (258, $331\;CFU/m^3$, and $8.7\;EU/m^3$). These concentrations by industry type were significantly statistically different (p < 0.01). The ratio of indoor to outdoor concentration was 6.2, 1.9, 3.2, and 3.2 for bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and dust in the LF industry, 5.0, 0.9, 2.3, and 12.5 in the MWFs industry, and 3.7, 4.1, 3.3, and 9.7 in sawmills. The respiratory fractions of bioaerosols were differentiated by bioaerosol types and industry types: the respiratory fraction of bacteria in the LF industry, MWF industry, and sawmills was 59.4%, 72.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, and that of fungi was 77.3%, 89.5%, and 83.7% in the same order. Conclusion: We found that bioaerosol concentration was the highest in sawmills, followed by LF industry facilities and MWFs industry facilities. The indoor/outdoor ratio of microorganisms was larger than 1 and respiratory fraction of microorganisms was more than 50% of the total microorganism concentrations which might penetrate respiratory tract easily. All these findings suggest that bioaerosol in the surveyed industries should be controlled to prevent worker respiratory diseases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.99-104
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• 2017

Background: Workers laboring in steel industries in tropical settings with high ambient temperatures are subjected to thermally stressful environments that can create well-known risks of heat-related illnesses and limit workers' productivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study undertaken in a steel industry in a city nicknamed "Steel City" in Southern India assessed thermal stress by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and level of dehydration from urine color and urine specific gravity. A structured questionnaire captured self-reported heat-related health symptoms of workers. Results: Some 90% WBGT measurements were higher than recommended threshold limit values ($27.2-41.7^{\circ}C$) for heavy and moderate workloads and radiational heat from processes were very high in blooming-mill/coke-oven ($67.6^{\circ}C$ globe temperature). Widespread heat-related health concerns were prevalent among workers, including excessive sweating, fatigue, and tiredness reported by 50% workers. Productivity loss was significantly reported high in workers with direct heat exposures compared to those with indirect heat exposures ($x^2=26.1258$, degrees of freedom = 1, p < 0.001). Change in urine color was 7.4 times higher among workers exposed to WBGTs above threshold limit values (TLVs). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that high heat exposures and heavy workload adversely affect the workers' health and reduce their work capacities. Health and productivity risks in developing tropical country work settings can be further aggravated by the predicted temperature rise due to climate change, without appropriate interventions. Apart from industries enhancing welfare facilities and designing control interventions, further physiological studies with a seasonal approach and interventional studies are needed to strengthen evidence for developing comprehensive policies to protect workers employed in high heat industries.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

Background: Police work is generally sedentary although there may be situations that require physical endurance and strength, such as foot chases and arresting suspects. Factors such as excessive body fat can impede an officer's physical ability to deal with such occurrences. Our objective was to examine associations between officers' body fat percentage (BF%) and performance on a standardized fitness protocol. Methods: Data were obtained from fitness screening among 1,826 male and 115 female officers in a large US police agency. The screening consisted of a 2.4-km run, push-ups, sit-ups, and sit-and-reach test. Sex-specific body fat percentages were estimated from skinfold thickness measured using calipers. Linear regression models were used to examine unadjusted and adjusted mean scores of fitness tests across BF% tertiles. Results: The prevalence of overall fitness was 4.3 times greater in male officers and 3.6 times greater in female officers having the lowest BF% tertile compared with the highest tertile (30.3% vs 7.1% and 46.0% vs 12.8%, respectively). BF% was linearly and positively associated with the time of 2.4-km run (p < 0.001), and linearly and inversely associated with the number of push-ups (p < 0.001), sit-ups (p < 0.001), and the distance of sit-and-reach (p < 0.001) in men. Similar associations were observed in women with the exception of sit-and-reach (p = 0.122). Associations were independent of age, race/ethnicity, rank, and duty station. Conclusion: Overall, BF% was inversely associated with fitness levels in male and female officers. Future longitudinal studies should be initiated to explore the potentially causal relationship between BF% and fitness in law enforcement officers.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2006

모 조선수리업에 근무하는 1,086명 중 석면에 노출되는 작업공정에 10년 이상 근무한 근로자 118명을 대상으로 단면조사연구를 수행하였다. 연구대상자들에 대해 흥부방사선검사, 폐기능검사와 미국의 산업안전보건청 석면표준, 의학적 감시 프로그램(OSHA asbestos standard, medical surveillance program)에 따라 국내 실정에 맞게 일부 편집한 설문조사를 시행하였고 아울러 이들의 작업장에 대한 작업환경측정 자료도 분석하였다. 흉부방사선검사상 석면관련 폐질환 소견의 유병율은 118명의 근로자중 16명으로 $13.6\%$였다. 흉부방사선검사상 정상군에 비해 석면관련 폐질환 유소견군에서 유의한 요인들은 폐기능검사상 이상소견, 기침, 가래, 호흡기 질환의 과거력, 근무력이었다. 본 연구 결과를 통해 볼 때 폐기능검사 소견상 이상소견, 기침과 가래의 임상증상을 호소하거나 호흡기질환의 과거력, 20년 이상의 근무력이 있는 근로자에 대해서는 석면관련 폐질환의 엄격한 관리가 필요할 것으로 생각된다. 그리고, 본 연구에서 관련성 여부를 완전히 배제할 수 없었던 요인들에 대해서는 향후 광범위한 전향적 연구를 통하여 연관성을 규명하여 석면노출 사업장의 의학적 감시 프로그램에 적극 활용되기를 기대한다.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.6-17
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• 2017

본 연구는 3-methylpentane에 대한 흡입유해성을 평가하여 국제연합에서 정하는 화학물질의 분류 및 표지에 관한 세계조화시스템(Globally harmonized system, GHS)지침 및 고용노동부고시 제2013-37호에 따른 3-methylpentane의 화학물질 분류 표시 자료를 생산하기 위하여 OECD 화학물질 시험가이드라인 아급성흡입독성시험 TG 412(Subacute inhalation toxicity) 시험법에 따라 수행하였다. 본 연구를 위하여 6주령의 랫드(Rat)를 도입하여 1주간 순화시킨 후 암수 각각 대조군 5마리, 저농도군(284 ppm) 5마리, 중농도군(1,135 ppm) 5마리, 고농도군(4,540 ppm) 5마리 등으로 군을 구성하여 일일 6시간, 주 5일, 4주 동안 시험물질을 랫드에 전신으로 노출시켰다. 시험물질 노출을 종료하고 2주 후 시험동물을 희생하여 시험물질에 의한 시험동물의 영향을 평가하였다. 사료섭취량 변화, 체중 변화, 임상관찰, 혈액검사, 부검 소견, 장기무게 측정, 조직병리검사 등 모든 시험결과에서 시험물질에 의한 영향은 나타나지 않아 3-methylpentane의 무유해영향농도는 암수 모두 4,540 ppm이상으로 판단되어 세계조화시스템(GHS) 지침 및 고용노동부고시 제2013-37호(화학물질의 분류 표시 및 물질안전보건에 관한 기준)의 특정표적장기독성(반복노출) 구분 표시 물질에 해당하지 않은 물질로 판단되었다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.55-65
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• 2005

서울, 경기 지역의 중소 병 의원 회원들의 근무환경 실태를 파악하여, 국민보건증진과 무면허자의 방사선 검사업무 금지, 사기진작과 불만족해소, 직무만족도를 높여 복지와 권익을 향상, 정책 참여를 유도, 근무환경 개선에 목적이 있다. 2003년 7월부터 8월까지 271명을 대상으로 일반적 기본사항, 병실 수, 고용실태, 고용 및 업무범위, 이직빈도, 고용계약서 작성여부, 임금실태, 근무환경, 방사선사 호칭, 방사선안전관리, 품질관리, 방사선 차폐시설, 영상획득시스템, 필름시스템 종류, 장비보유현황, 방사선 피폭 방어기구, 협회와 관련된 항목을 설문 조사하였다. 근무환경, 불만족 문제점을 파악하여, 합리적이고 나은 근무환경을 제공하는 기초 자료로 활용하는데 이용하고, 근무환경 및 근무제도, 직제의 개선을 가져올 수 있도록 협회와 회원은 노력하여야한다. 주기적으로 설문조사를 실시하고 불만족을 해소하는 정책을 추진하도록 한다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.387-394
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• 2010

보건의료 분야에서 방사선은 의료기기 등의 멸균을 목적으로 빠르게 기존 방법을 대체하고 있으며 국제적으로, 정립된 엄격한 품질기준을 적용하고 있다. 방사선 멸균의 품질관리는 조사된 제품의 흡수선량이 요구 조건 및 기준에 부합하고 있음을 보증하는 것인데, $Co^{60}$ 동위원소를 이용하는 감마선 조사와는 달리 기계 전기적 방법에 따른 전자빔 조사는 더욱 많은 공정인자에 대해 기술적인 접근 방법이 필요하다. 국내에서는 2000년대 초반부터 전자빔 가속기의 보급이 시작되어 연구 및 산업분야에 이용되고 있으나 국제적 품질체계에 부합한 흡수선량의 품질에 관련된 연구는 매우 미흡한 실정이다. 서울방사선서비스는 2008년 10 MeV, 8 kW 사양의 대단위 전자빔 조사시설을 설치, 운영하기 시작하였는데, 전자빔 가속기, 제품운송장치, 안전장치, 기록관리 및 하위 구성장치가 통합시스템을 구성하여 우수제조기준에서 요구하는 공정품질 및 제품추적이 가능하도록 설계되었다. EN ISO11137로 대표되는 국제 표준의 이행을 위해서는 표준이 의도하는 바를 정확히 이해하고 장치의 설계기준부터 운영단계 별로 요구되는 품질시험을 정해진 절차 및 기준에 부합하도록 수행하여야 한다. 본 연구에 사용된 조사시설의 설계 시방을 제시하고 이를 구현하는데 필요한 핵심 장치의 설계 기준 및 특징에 대해 소개하였다. 또한 흡수선량 품질보증이라는 목적을 달성하기 위해 다양한 공정인자에 대한 품질시험결과를 제시하고 제시된 기준과 비교, 평가하였다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Background: Construction painters have not been studied well in terms of their hazards exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) for painters in the construction industry. Methods: Activity-specific personal air samplings were carried out in three waterproofing activities [polyurethane (PU), asphalt, and cement mortar] and three painting activities (epoxy, oil based, and water based) by using organic-vapor-monitor passive-sampling devices. Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector could be used for identifying and quantifying individual organic chemicals. The levels of TVOCs, by summing up 15 targeted substances, were expressed in exposure-index (EI) values. Results: As arithmetic means in the order of concentration levels, the EIs of TVOCs in waterproofing works were 10.77, 2.42, 1.78, 1.68, 0.47, 0.07, and none detected (ND) for indoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-resin task, indoor PU-resin task, asphalt-primer task, asphalt-adhesive task, and cement-mortar task, respectively. The highest EI for painting works was 5.61 for indoor epoxyprimer task, followed by indoor epoxy-resin task (2.03), outdoor oil-based-spray-paint task (1.65), outdoor water-based-paint task (0.66), and indoor oil-based-paint task (0.15). Assuming that the operations were carried out continuously for 8 hours without breaks and by using the arithmetic means of EIs for each of the 12 tasks in this study, 58.3% (7 out of 12) exceeded the exposure limit of 100% (EI > 1.0), while 8.3% (1 out of 12) was in 50e100% of exposure limit (0.5 > EI > 1.0), and 4 tasks out of 12 were located in less than 50% of the limit range (EI < 0.5). Conclusion: From this study, we recognized that construction painters are exposed to various solvents, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and the levels of TVOC concentration in many of the painting tasks exceeded the exposure limits. Construction workers need to be protected from chemical agents during their painting works by using personal protective devices and/or work practice measures. Additional studies should focus on the exposure assessment of other hazards for construction workers, in order to identify high-risk tasks and to improve hazardous work environments.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.386-392
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• 2017

Background: Fire service workers often implement multiple duties in the emergency conditions, with such duties being mostly conducted in various ambient temperatures. Methods: The aim of the current study was to assess the firefighters' physiological responses, information processing, and working memory prior to and following simulated firefighting activities in three different hot environments. Seventeen healthy male firefighters performed simulated firefighting tasks in three separate conditions, namely (1) low heat (LH; $29-31^{\circ}C$, 55-60% relative humidity), (2) moderate heat (MH; $32-34^{\circ}C$, 55-60% relative humidity), and (3) severe heat (SH; $35-37^{\circ}C$, 55-60% relative humidity). It took about 45-50 minutes for each firefighter to finish all defined firefighting activities and the paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT). Results: At the end of all the three experimental conditions, heart rate (HR) and tympanic temperature (TT) increased, while PASAT scores as a measure of information processing performance decreased relative to baseline. HR and TT were significantly higher at the end of the experiment in the SH ($159.41{\pm}4.25beats/min$; $38.22{\pm}0.10^{\circ}C$) compared with the MH ($156.59{\pm}3.77beats/min$; $38.20{\pm}0.10^{\circ}C$) and LH ($154.24{\pm}4.67beats/min$; $38.17{\pm}0.10^{\circ}C$) conditions (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PASAT scores between LH and MH (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, there was a measurable difference in PASAT scores between LH and SH (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These consequences demonstrate that ambient temperature is effective in raising the physiological responses following firefighting activities. It is therefore argued that further increase of ambient temperature can impact firefighters' information processing and working memory during firefighting activity.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.356-359
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• 2018

This case report attempts to present a case of acute toxic hepatitis in fire extinguisher manufacturing workers exposed to 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-ethane (HCFC-123) in August 2017 in Korea. Twenty-two-year-old male workers were exposed to HCFC-123 for 1.5 hours one day and for 2.5 hours the other day, after which one worker died, and the other recovered after treatment. The workers were diagnosed with acute toxicity of hepatitis. However, exposure levels of HCFC-123 were not known with no work environment measurement done. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the exposure concentration of HCFC-123 via a job simulation experiment. In the simulation, the HCFC-123 exposure concentration was measured with the same working practice and working time as with the workers aforementioned. As a result, the workers who infused HCFC-123 into storage tanks were estimated to be exposed to HCFC-123 at a concentration of $20.65{\pm}10.81ppm$, and a mean concentration of area samples within a working radius were estimated as $70.30{\pm}18.10ppm$. Valve assembly workers working on valves of a fire extinguisher filled with HCFC-123 were exposed to HCFC-123 at concentrations of $91.65{\pm}4.03ppm$ and $115.55{\pm}7.28ppm$, respectively, in the simulation, and area samples simulated within the working radius were also found to be high with concentrations of $122.75{\pm}91.15ppm$ and $126.80{\pm}60.25ppm$, respectively. Nitrogen gas packing workers, who did not handle HCFC-123 directly, were exposed to the agent at a concentration of $71.80{\pm}8.49ppm$. These results suggest that exposure to HCFC-123 at high concentrations for 1.5-2.5 hours caused acute toxic hepatitis in two workers.