• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.179-182
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• 2023

The Chemical Substances Control Act has been legislated to counter the risks posed by chemical substances to public health and the environment, but a number of small- and large-scaled incidents related to hazardous chemicals continue to occur every year. The Korean Ministry of Environment takes legal responsibility for prevention, preparedness, and response to nationwide chemical accidents under the Chemical Substances Control Act. The determination of chemical accidents that occur during hazardous chemical handling processes is based on the Article 2 (Definitions) of the law and the administrative criteria for judgement of chemical accidents. However, there are certain ambiguities in the scientific basis for determining chemical accidents under the current regulations. Whether or not a chemical accident has a direct influence on penalties and administrative measures for a workplace where an accident occurred, it is necessary to find reasonable criteria for determining chemical accident based on legal and scientific evidence.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
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• 제25권6_2호
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• pp.979-986
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• 2022

Chemical accidents are increasing day by day as the industry develops. To prevent such chemical accidents, Korea enacted the Chemicals Control Act. Through these laws, systematic management of chemical substances began. There are various positions in the companies. hazardous chemical supervisors, equipment and technical human, operators and employees. Chemicals-related education for each position should be provided. As a result of the survey, hazardous chemical supervisors and equipment and technical human liked the overall content of the Chemicals Control Act and the education subject on safety management standards for facilities. Conversely, the operators liked the course on how to wear personal protective equipment. The employees preferred subjects such as classification of chemical substances and prevention of chemical accidents. Currently, various modular textbooks are widely available. Rather than general education, it is necessary to select and provide customized subjects that are preferred and interested according to the position. Then it will be more effective in understanding harzardous chemical substances and in preventing chemical accidents.

• 한국재난정보학회 논문집
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.794-801
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• 2021

연구목적: 화관법의 운반차량 관리제도 실효성을 연구하여 제도 개선방안을 위한 기초자료로 활용하고자 한다. 연구방법: 화관법('15.1.1) 시행 이후 운반차량관리 제도인 운반계획서, 지도점검 현황, 안전교육 이수 관리 등과 화학사고 감소 비율을 비교하여 실효성을 연구하였다. 연구결과: 화관법 시행 초반('15~'17년) 운반차량에 의한 화학사고 평균 건수는 20건에서 13건('18~'20년)으로 평균 7건이 줄었다. 화학사고 감소원인으로는 첫째 지도·점검률이 해마다 높아지면서 사업장에서 화관법에 대한 관심이 높아지고, 화학물질 운반차량에 대한 검사가 주기적으로 이루어지는 등 차량 시설결합에 의한 화학사고가 줄었다. 둘째, 운반계획서 제출량이 매년 증가하면서 운반계획서 검토 및 확인 등을 통해 운반자가 운반하는 물질에 대한 정보를 직·간접적으로 확인하였고, 이로 인해 화학물질 이송 시 유의하여 운행하는 등의 간접적인 영향을 끼친 것으로 판단된다. 마지막으로 안전교육을 통해 운반물질의 위험성 인지, 개인보호장구 구비, 화학사고 발생 시 책임소재 인식 변화로 운반차량에 의한 화학사고는 감소하는 것으로 판단된다. 결론: 현재 시행되고 있는 화관법의 운반차량 관리제도는 실효성을 보이고 있지만, '18년 이후 사고가 소폭 증가하는 경향을 보여서 추후 실용적이며 효율적인 운반차량 관리제도 개선을 위한 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Objectives: Business operators handling hazardous chemicals regulated under the Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCA) must receive permits to operate their business from the Ministry of Environment. This study analyzed the status of recent legal violation in chemical handling workplaces in Ulsan where a large volume of chemicals is handled for industrial use. Methods: A total of 557 corporations have been granted legal status as business operators in Ulsan. For all business operators, legal violations in regard to the CSCA that were discovered by the environmental office in the last five years (2018~2022) were thoroughly analyzed. Results: A total of 225 violations of the CSCA have been discovered at 165 corporations, with the violation rate accounting for approximately 27% of all business operators. In particular, 22% of the 165 violators (36 corporations) were discovered to have violated twice or more, and some business operators (6%) even violated in consecutive years. Non-compliance of facility inspection was the most frequent violation (45 cases, 20.1%), followed by non-reporting of important changes in the permitted matters (23 cases, 10.3%), non-completion of legal safety education (19 cases, 8.5%), failure to secure permission for modification in the permitted matters (18 cases, 8.0%), and failure to submit chemical transport plans (16 cases, 7.1%). Conclusions: Most of the violations could have been prevented if the field personnel had paid sufficient attention. Thus, it is fundamentally necessary to create an environment for spontaneous safety management for themselves and to strengthen individual capabilities.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 2017

Chemical accidents occur by a variety of causes and aspects. Accident preparedness substances (APS) are defined by toxic chemicals highly likely to cause accidents due to their high acute toxicity, explosiveness or likely to cause severe damage where a chemical accident occurs among the chemicals. APS is designated and announced by Presidential Decree. However, chemical accidents occurred for recent 7 years were arisen mainly from non-accident preparedness substances, and only 24 species were included as chemical accident trigger among total 69 APS. In addition, APS were designated in 2014 and the list has not been updated since then although it needs to be amended in several aspects. Accordingly, this study analyzes the necessity of modification of APS management, and presents improved plans.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.232-244
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop a management system for the safe handling of chemicals and related health management based on reporting under the Chemical Control Act (CCA). It is used to search handling information by constructing data linked to the name of companies, chemicals, products, etc. Methods: Due to the differences in submission periods for each reporting regulation of the Chemical Control Act, the data used is as follows: A statistical survey collected 26,222 companies in 2014 and 2016, Pollutant Release Transfer Registers (PRTR) collected 4,234 companies in 2015-2017, performance reports by handlers of hazardous chemical substances collected 14,658 companies in 2016-2018, and declarations for import of toxic chemicals collected 892 companies in 2016-2017. The total information on 36,080 companies is standardized based on company ID, name, business registration number, address, and more. The data were classified into information such as company, chemical, and product name and amounts handled and released, and then extracted according to criteria to establish relationships among classified information. Results: A search service was developed for handling information on chemical substances for reporting data by linking four reporting data: statistical survey, PRTR, performance report by handler of hazardous chemical substances, and declaration for import of toxic chemicals under the CCA. It was composed of five menus to search by regulation type, reporting regulation, companies and chemicals, and system management. Conclusion: It is necessary to use data linked by company, region, and chemical to respond and to prevent chemical accidents. In addition, these items can be utilized to perform handling and safety management of chemicals according to whether regulations under the CCA may be implemented.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.433-445
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• 2015

Objectives: The major objectives of this study are to review the issues surrounding trade secret claims in the Chemicals Control Act and Amendment on Occupational Safety and Health Act(1917-227) and to propose a way of improving the reliability of chemical information in MSDSs, labels and National Chemical Survey results. Materials: To review the issues on trade secret claims, we made an analysis frame which was divided into three steps: Value and Problem Recognition; New Regulation Design; and Enforcement and Amendment. We then compared Korean issues with issues from the United States' Hazard Communication Standard and Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act, Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and the European Union's Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and Mixtures. Results: The stage of right-to-know development in Korea has passed the Value and Problem Recognition phase, so efforts are needed to elaborately design new regulation. Conclusions: We recommend two ways to improve right-to-know in Korea. First, strict examination of the quality of documents for trade secret claims is very important. Second, trade secrets should be limited to less-hazardous substances.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine $LD_{50}$ of benzo[a]pyrene to decide the possibility to designate them as toxic substance on the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances, and to suggest that they should be managed in what level on the Chemical Control Act. Methods: Based on the result of a preliminary study, 300 mg/kg was set as the middle dose. A highest dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a lowest dose of 50 mg/kg were selected based on the OECD TG 423. Benzo[a]pyrene was orally administered once to female and male SD rats at dose levels of 50, 300, 2,000 mg/kg (body weight). All animals were monitored daily for clinical signs and mortality over 14 days. Also testicular spermatid count, motility and etc. were examined as well. Results: Under the condition of this experiment, $LD_{50}$ of benzo[a]pyrene was assumed to be >2,000 mg/kg. In the lesion according to autopsy, there were no specific symptoms in the control and experimental groups. At 2,000 mg/kg, a decrease in the sperm motility was observed. Benzo[a]pyrene should be designated to be toxic substance as the material assumed to be reproduction-toxicity on the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemicals. Therefore we should abide by legal procedures determined by Chemicals Control Act in treating it. Conclusion: Considering the significant result that sperm motility in the experimental group was inferior to that in the reference group, we suggest that benzo[a]pyrene be designated as a toxic substance.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.446-464
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the task-specific hazards of chemicals used by nail technicians in Daegu Metropolitan City. Materials: A total of 30 nail shops located in Daegu City were surveyed to investigate the major tasks and practices performed by nail technicians and the ingredients listed in nail care products used in shops. We also collected instructions for use and material safety data sheets(MSDSs) of nail care products and compared CAS Nos. of ingredients with the lists of chemicals regulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act(ISHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA). Results: A total of 125 chemical ingredients were found in 468 nail care products used at the 30 nail shops. The most frequently found ingredients were ethyl acetate(72%), followed by n-butyl acetate(71.8%), isopropanol(56%), benzophenone(51.1%), nitrocellulose(46.4%) and ethanol(45.3%). Comparing six tasks, the task of manicuring used the most products at 222 products containing 91 ingredients. Among the 125 ingredients, there are 31 chemicals with occupational exposure limits(OEL) designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor(MoEL), eight categorized as carcinogens, one mutagen and two reproductive toxic chemicals. In terms of carcinogens, formaldehyde was identified as the only confirmed human carcinogen(1A). We found that there was one chemical with a permissible limit, one special management substance, 18 workplace monitoring substances and ten special health diagnosis substances regulated by ISHA. For CSCA, nine poisonous substances, six substances requiring preparation for accidents and one restricted substance were identified. Conclusions: Based on these findings, formaldehyde was identified as one of the chemicals that should most strictly be controlled for the protection of the health of nail technicians and customers. At the same time, it is necessary to distribute materials with detailed hazardous information of nail care products for nail shop technicians.