• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.81-91
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• 2000

Residents who live near petrochemical industrial areas are exposed to a variety of petrochemicals, including benzene or benzene-containing liquids. It is a serious concern because some VOCs are carcinogens naturally present in petroleum and gasoline. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to VOCs, measured by personal/indoor/outdoor air sampling, and to estimate the relationship between the air samples and biological monitoring data. Through biological monitoring, we investigated VOCs in blood and s-phenylmercapturic acid (s-PMA) , minor urinary metabolites of benzene. The external benzene exposure of subjects was measured using passive dosimeters and urinary s-PMA and blood-benzene were determined by GC/MS. More than 80% of subjects were detected for m-xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene in blood samples and not detected at all for chloroform, 1 , 1 , 1 -trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene. The mean concentration of benzene in the breathing zone of residents was 6.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/m$^3$, personal, indoor and outdoor concentrations were strongly correlated to each other. s-PMA detected in all subject samples was affected by personal exposure (p< 0.05) and the level was different by age (p< 0.01). Blood benzene was not affected by external benzene during these periods .

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.98-108
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• 2000

Controlling the over-exposure of welding fumes is not an easy problem because neither general nor local exhaust ventilation systems could be successfully applied. A jet air supplying welding mask was development to reduce the exposure level of welding fumes. The jet airs tream pushes the welding fumes away from the breathing zone by using the frictional characteristic of jet. Laboratory experiments were conducted to optimize the efficiency of controlling welding fumes. Thereafter, its performance was tested in a laboratory and an industrial field. The efficiencies of reducing the welding fume exposure were about 90% and 80% in a laboratory and an industrial field, respectively. Additionally, it resulted in elimination of heat inside the mask and enhancement of clear visuality.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.80-87
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• 1998

To evaluate the effects on health by exposure to low dose organic solvents, the author analyzed the air concentration of mixed organic solvents (toluene, xylene, butylacetate) at worker's breathing zone during painting, some laboratory findings of blood (WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, SGOT, SGPT, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE) and urine (hippuric acid, urinary protein, urobilinogen), surveyed the subjective symptoms those were obtained from 35 male workers exposed to mixed organic solvents, and 25 male workers not exposed to organic solvents who worked in car repair workshops in Taejon area from December 1, 1995, to February 29, 1996. The results were as follows: 1. The mean concentration of urinary hippuric acid of car painting worker group (organic solvent exposure group) was 0.76$\pm$ 0.21 g/l, which is significantly higher than that of non-exposed group. 2. In hematologic findings, the values of RBC, TC, LDL-C, IgG and IgE in the exposure group were significantly lower than those of the nonexposed group, but SGOT and SGPT in the exposure group were significantly higher than those of the non-exposed group. 3. Urinary hippuric acid levels showed positively correlated with toluene, urobilinogen and HDL-C levels, but those were negatively correlated with RBC, LDL-C, IgM levels. 4. Rates of the subjective symptoms such as "dizziness", "appetite loss", "weight loss", "palpitation", "chest tightness", "sore throat and eye discomfort", "tingling sense and acrodynia", "illusion or hallucination" and "decreaased motor power" were significantly higher in the exposure group than those of the non-exposed group.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.184-190
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the nanoparticles produced by welding and grinding processes. Methods: The number concentrations of particles were mapped to determine the distribution of welding fumes in a workplace atmosphere using a hand-held condensation particle counter. An electrical low-pressure impactor was used for measuring the number concentration and particle size distribution. Results: High number concentrations were found around arc cutting and welding (grinding) processes. In the worker's breathing zone, the mean number concentration was 655,000 particles/cm3 and the count median diameter (CMD) was 84 nm with several multi peak distributions (~20, 70, 300 nm). However, at a distance of 3 m from the welding position, the number concentration decreased to 153,000 particles/cm3 with a 70 nm single peak size distribution. During a grinding process, peaks with high concentrations of nanoparticles were temporarily observed. The mean number concentration was 1,520,000 particles/cm3, and the CMD was 30 nm. Nanoparticles (<100 nm) made up 58% and 92% of the aerosols produced by welding and grinding processes, respectively.

• 설비공학논문집
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.303-309
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• 2004

In order to improve thermal comfort in the Rotunda, which is high and wide visiting space of the new national museum of Korea, eight ventilating fans were installed near the ceiling of Rotunda. It has been analyzed thermal comfort of Rotunda with/without ventilating fans by numerical simulation. To evaluate thermal comfort of the Rotunda, well-known indices, PMV and PPD were introduced. The results of present investigation show that temperature distribution of the case with fans is closer to target temperature than the case with-out fans at the breathing zone. In the case without fans, thermal stratification with 16$^{\circ}C$ of temperature difference occurs along the height of the Rotunda which makes the thermal environment worse and the PPD values reach up to 50% in the 6th floor connection passage. In the case with fans, however, the vertical temperature difference were reduced to 9$^{\circ}C$ and the PPD values were lower below 20%. Consequently, the ventilating fans adopted on this study are effectively used for improving the thermal comfort in large space structure with thermal stratification.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate a local exhaust ventilation system capability and welding fume concentration in welding laboratory at 5 technical high schools. Results of the study are as follows; 1. The personal exposure of welding fume in welding laboratory was measured. The geometric mean of 73 personal samples was $6.27mg/m^3$($3.85{\sim}9.88mg/m^3$), and 68.5% of these exceeded TLV of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 2. The geometric mean of welding fume at outside of booth was $2.27mg/m^3$($1.57{\sim}2.58mg/m^3$). All of measured concentrations were lower than TLV of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 3. Local exhaust ventilation system in welding laboratory could not remove hazardous substance effectively because of inappropriate canopy hood and absurd design. 4. The possibility of exposure risk was estimated to be high because of working point under breathing zone, misplacement of working table and insufficient supply of respiratory protector. 5. The mean values of capture velocity and transportation velocity of local exhaust ventilation system in welding laboratory were 0.38m/sec, 4.27m/sec respectively. These values were satisfied the guideline of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 6. The efficiency of performance of local ventilation system was anticipated to be decreased because of accumulated dust and alien substance on fan and duct.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.200-210
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure to ozone and total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) generated during welding work at a shipyard and recommend respiratory protective equipment(RPE) adequate against these hazards. Method: Ozone was collected for about 30 minutes at two-minutes intervals using a direct reading instrument, specifically an ozone analyzer(Serinus 10, Ecotech, Australia). TVOCs were collected for about 30 minutes at three-minute intervals using a portable GC (Alpha 115, Synspec BV, the Netherlands), and were determined simultaneously by area sampling at the welding plume closest to the welder's breathing zone. The total measurements were 162 for ozone($CO_2$ welding 47, TIG 60, stick 55), and 136 for TVOCs($CO_2$ 65, TIG 50, stick 21). Based on these measurements, a literature survey was conducted to assess the adequacy of RPE. Results: Relative to Korean OEL, measurements above STEL 0.2 ppm were 23.4% for $CO_2$, 63.3% for TIG and 14.5% for stick welding. There were significant differences(p=<0.0001) among welding types. Compared with ACGIH peak exposure of 0.4 ppm for ozone, which is not applied in Korea, $CO_2$ welding exceeded it by 10.6%, TIG by 40.0% and stick by 7.3%. Although it was not feasible to compare them directly since there are no Korean OEL, TVOCs had very high levels similar to the concentrations before moving into a new apartment and about 10-20 times the indoor air quality recommendations for some individual measurements. Conclusions: As ozone removal RPE has been recommended in welding environments for a long time(Lunau, 1967), this fact was demonstrated based on the results of the on-site work environment measurements(ozone and TVOCs). In conclusion, for all welding at a shipyard, gas/vapor and particulate combination RPE are recommended. If this is not possible, it should at least be present for TIG welding.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Objectives: Asbestos contents of crushed serpentine rocks and airborne fiber concentrations of workers were determined at two serpentine quarries and a steel mill. Methods: Bulk samples of uncrushed and crushed serpentine rocks were collected and analyzed by PLM and TEM. Airborne asbestos samples were collected from the breathing zone of workers and the vicinity of working area and analyzed by PCM and TEM. Results: Chrysotile was identified with antigorite, lizardite and non-asbestiform actinolite in bulk samples. The arithmetic means of chrysotile contents in crushed serpentines were 0.11, 0.01, 0.42%(W/W) by quarry A, quarry B and a steel mill, respectively. The asbestos concentrations of all personal samples were less than 0.1 f/cc which is the permissible exposure limit of workers in Korea. The arithmetic means of airborne asbestos concentrations were 0.017 f/cc and 0.009 f/cc in personal samples collected from two serpentine quarries. The asbestos concentrations of all personal samples collected from a steel mill were less than LODs by PCM analysis but asbestos was detected in area samples by TEM. By the job tasks of serpentine quarries, crusher/separator operation generated the highest exposure to airborne asbestos. Conclusions: Although chrysotile contents in crushed serpentines of quarries were less the permissible level, the highest exposure of workers in serpentine quarries reached up to 76% of the permissible level of airborne asbestos. There were also possibilities of occupational exposure to airborne asbestos in a steel mill. The present exposure study should encourage further survey and occupational control of quarries producing serpentine or other types of asbestos-bearing rocks.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.303-311
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• 2002

This study evaluated the concentrations of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in industrial waste incineration workers. The effect of genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes on urinary concentration of PAH metabolites was assessed. And, aromatic DNA adduct levels were also determined in total white blood cells. Fifty employees were recruited from a company handling industrial wastes located in Ansan, Korea: non-exposed group (n=21), exposed group (n=29). Sixteen ambient PAHs were determined by GC/MSD (NIOSH method) from personal breathing zone samples of nine subjects near incinerators. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1-OHPG), a major pyrene metabolite, was assayed by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy after immunoaffinity purification using monoclonal antibody 8E11 (SFS/IAC). Multiplex PCR was used for genotyping for GSTMI/TI and PCR-RFLP for genotyping of CYP1A1 (MspI and Ile/Val). PAH-DNA adducts in peripheral blood WBC were measured by the nuclease P1-enhanced postlabeling assay. Smoking habit, demographic and occupational information were collected by self-administered questionnaire. The range of total ambient PAH levels were 0.00-7.00 mg/㎥ (mean 3.31). Urinary 1-OHPG levels were significantly higher in workers handling industrial wastes than in those with presumed lower exposure to PAHs (p=0.006, by Kruskal-Wallis test). There was a statistically significant dose-response increase in 1-OHPG levels with the number of cigarettes consumed per day (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.686, p<0.001). Urinary 1-OHPG levels in occupationally exposed smoking workers were highest compared with non-occupationally exposed smokers (p=0.053, by Kruskal-Wallis test). Smoking and GSTMI genotype were significant predictors for log-transformed 1-OHPG by multiple regression analysis (overall model R²=0.565, p<0.001), whereas smoking was the only significant predictor for log-transformed aromatic DNA adducts (overall model R²=0.249, p=0.201). Aromatic DNA adducts was also a significantly correlation between log transferred urinary 1-OHPG levels (pearson's correlation coefficient=0.307, p=0.04). However, the partial correlation coefficient adjusting for Age, Sex, and cigarette consumption was not significant (r=0.154, p=0.169). The significant association exists only in individuals with the GSTMI null genotype (pearsons correlation coefficient=0.516, p=0.010; partial correlation coefficient adjusting for age, sex, and cigarette consumption, r=0.363, p=0.038). Our results suggest that the significant increase in urinary 1-OHPG in the exposed workers is due to higher prevalence of smokers among them, and that the association between urinary PAH metabolites and aromatic DNA adducts in workers of industrial waste handling may be modulated by GSTMI genotype. There results remain to be confirmed in future larger studies.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to substitute water-based painting materials for the current solvent-based ones used in motor-repairing process to minimize the exposure of organic solvents to the painters. This study assessed the exposure of organic solvents to the painters using water-based and solvent-based painting materials and compared compositions, painting processes and the health hazards of the application of these alternative painting mate rials. The results of this study are as follows. 1. solvent-based painting materials used in motor-repairing process consist of various organic solvents, which consist primarily of toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, ethyl methyl benzene, trimethyl benzene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, 2-ethoxy ethanol, 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate and toluene-2,4-diisocianate and the others. These organic solvents are known as health-hazardous substances. But water-based painting materials are high-solid, low-solvent one sand consist of such two organic solvents as 2-butoxy ethanol and 2-heptanone and the others. 2. The painters us ing solvent-based painting mate rials in motor-repairing process are exposed to various organic solvents which consist of toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, trimethyl benzene, 2-ethoxy ethanol, and 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate. But the painters using solvent-based ones are only exposed to 2-butoxy ethanol and 2-heptanone. 3. By using water-based painting materials in stead of solvent-based painting materials containing health-hazardous organic solvents, the exposure of such organic solvents in the painter's breathing zone can be largely prevented. 4. This study recommends water-based painting materials as substitutes for the current solvent-based ones used in motor-repairing process to minimize the exposure of organic solvents to the painters.