• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.291-299
• /
• 2004

As there have been growing concerns about the adverse effects of air pollution on birth outcome, studies for this area has been carried out in different populations and sites. We reviewed the epidemiologic studies that evaluated the effects of air pollution on birth outcome such as low birth weight and preterm births. We identified the air pollution exposure during pregnancy was related with low birth weight and preterm birth, although there are differences among studies for the critical period of vulnerability. The biological mechanisms whereby air pollution might influence health of fetus are not clearly established. The exposure to carbon monoxide(CO) during pregnancy could increase fetal carboxyhemoglobin and result in tissue hypoxia. On the other hand, ambient particles less than $10{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter($PM_{10}$) could lead to inflammation and increase blood viscosity. Controlling for potential confounders and valid assessment of exposure are the methodological issues remained in these epidemiologic studies. In the future, more studies are needed to investigate the effect of air pollution on preterm birth or stillbirths, considering the various exposure period and the biological mechanism.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.211-221
• /
• 2001

Recognizing interaction between the environment and humans, the EIA(environmental impact assessment) movement has sought to promote more environmentally sound and informed decisions for the sake of human welfare. Therefore, most EIA programs require the consideration of human health impacts. Yet relatively few EIA documents adequately address those impacts. This study was carried out to investigate the role of EIA for reuniting the environment and human health, for preventing and reducing significant health risks, and for improving human health impact assessment by means of risk assessment. Risk assessment consists of 4 components; hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. Since most people spent their times in indoor, indoor air quality modelling can be used in exposure assessment and risk assessment. In this study, indoor $NO_2$ concentration and personal $NO_2$ exposure were estimated by Box Model using mass balance equation and time weighted average, respectively. The estimated indoor $NO_2$ concentration and the personal $NO_2$ exposure were compared by those measured, respectively. Subsequntly, health effect was assessed with these results. Consequently, exposure assessment and risk assessment using indoor air quality model may be considered to be applicable to EIA.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.363-373
• /
• 1995

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare observer performance between conventional radiographs and their digitized images for the detection of bone loss in the bifurcation of mandiblar first molar. One dried human mandible with minimal periodontal bone loss around the first molar was selected and serially enlarged 17 step defects were prepared in the bifurcation area. The mandible was radiographed with exposure time of 0.12, 0.20, 0.25, 0.32, 0.40, 0.64 seconds, after each successive step in the preperation and all radiographs were digitized with IBM-PC/32 bit-Dx compatible, video camera (VM-S8200, Hitachi Co., Japan), and color monitor(Multisync 3D, NEC, Japan). Sylvia Image Capture Board for the ADC(analog to digital converter) was used. The obtained results were as follows: 1. In the conventional radiographs, the mean score of the readability was higher at the condition of exposure time with 0.32 second. Also, as the size of artificial lesion was increased, the readability of radiographs was elevated (P<0.05). 2. In the digital images, the mean score of the readability was higher at the condition of exposure time with 0.40 second. Also, as the size of artificial lesion was increased, the readability of digital images was elevated(P<0.05). 3. At the same exposure time, the mean scores of readibility were mostly higher in the digitized images. As the exposure time was increased, the digital images were superior to radiographs in readability. 4. As the size of lesion was changed, the digital images were superior to radiographs in detecting small lesion. 5. The coefficient of variation of mean score has no significant difference between digital images and radiographs.

• Research in Vestibular Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.134-141
• /
• 2018

Objectives: We aimed to study the role of vestibular input on spatial memory performance in mice that had undergone bilateral surgical labyrinthectomy, semicircular canal (SCC) occlusion and 4G hypergravity exposure. Methods: Twelve to 16 weeks old ICR mice (n=30) were used for the experiment. The experimental group divided into 3 groups. One group had undergone bilateral chemical labyrinthectomy, and the other group had performed SCC occlusion surgery, and the last group was exposed to 4G hypergravity for 2 weeks. The movement of mice was recorded using camera in Y maze which had 3 radial arms (35 cm long, 7 cm high, 10 cm wide). We counted the number of visiting arms and analyzed the information of arm selection using program we developed before and after procedure. Results: The bilateral labyrinthectomy group which semicircular canal and otolithic function was impaired showed low behavioral performance and spacial memory. The semicircular canal occlusion with $CO_2$ laser group which only semicircular canal function was impaired showed no difference in performance activity and spatial memory. However the hypergravity exposure group in which only otolithic function impaired showed spatial memory function was affected but the behavioral performance was spared. The impairment of spatial memory recovered after a few days after exposure in hypergravity group. Conclusions: This spatial memory function was affected by bilateral vestibular loss. Space-related information processing seems to be determined by otolithic organ information rather than semicircular canals. Due to otolithic function impairment, spatial learning was impaired after exposure to gravity changes in animals and this impaired performance was compensated after normal gravity exposure.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2024

Background: Dust generated during the processing of building materials enterprises can pose a serious health risk. The study aimed to compare and analyze the results of ART and the Monte Carlo model for the dust exposure assessment in building materials enterprises, to derive the application scope of the two models. Methods: First, ART and the Monte Carlo model were used to assess the exposure to dust in each of the 15 building materials enterprises. Then, a comparative analysis of the exposure assessment results was conducted. Finally, the model factors were analyzed using correlation analysis and the scope of application of the models was determined. Results: The results show that ART is mainly influenced by four factors, namely, localized controls, segregation, dispersion, surface contamination, and fugitive emissions, and applies to scenarios where the workplace information of the building materials enterprises is specific and the average dust concentration is greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/m³. The Monte Carlo model is mainly influenced by the dust concentration in the workplace of building materials enterprises and is suitable for scenarios where the dust concentration in the workplace of the building materials enterprises is relatively uniform and the average dust concentration is less than or equal to 6mg/m³. Conclusion: ART is most accurate when workplace information is specific and average dust concentration is > 1.5 mg/m³; whereas, The Monte Carlo model is the best when dust concentration is homogeneous and average dust concentration is < 6 mg/m³.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.4251-4256
• /
• 2015

Background: Exposure to cigarette may affect human health and increase risk of a wide range of diseases including pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung fibrosis and lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis induced by cigarettes still remain obscure even with extensive studies. With systemic view, we attempted to identify the specific gene modules that might relate to injury caused by cigarette smoke and identify hub genes for potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers from specific gene modules. Materials and Methods: The dataset GSE18344 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and divided into mouse cigarette smoke exposure and control groups. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network for each group and detected specific gene modules of cigarette smoke exposure by comparison. Results: A total of ten specific gene modules were identified only in the cigarette smoke exposure group but not in the control group. Seven hub genes were identified as well, including Fip1l1, Anp32a, Acsl4, Evl, Sdc1, Arap3 and Cd52. Conclusions: Specific gene modules may provide better understanding of molecular mechanisms, and hub genes are potential candidates of therapeutic targets that may possible improve development of novel treatment approaches.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2008

The application of solid phase microextraction (SPME) is generally conducted by directly immersing the fiber into the liquid sample or by exposing the fiber in the head space (HS). The extraction temperature, the time of incubation, and application of stirring are often designated to be the most important parameters for achieving the best extraction efficiencies of HS-SPME analysis. In this study, relative importance of these three analytical parameters involved in the HS-SPME method is evaluated using a polydimethylsiloxane/carboxen (PDMS/CAR) fiber. To optimize its operation conditions the competing relationships between different parameters were investigated by comparing the extraction efficiency based on the combination of three parameters and two contracting conditions: (1) heating the sample at 30 vs. 50 C, (2) exposing samples at two durations of 10 vs. 30 min, and (3) application of stirring vs. no stirring. According to our analysis among 8 combination types of HS-SPME method, an extraction condition termed as S50-30 condition ((1) 1200 rpm stirring, (2) $50^{\circ}C$ exposure temp, and (3) 30 min exposure duration) showed maximum recovery rate of 45.5~68.5% relative to an arbitrary reference of direct GC injection. According to this study, the employment of stirring is the most crucial factor to improve extraction efficiency in the application of HS-SPME.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2023

Okadaic acid (OA) group toxins, including OA and its analogs, such as dinophysis toxins (DTXs), have been reported to cause diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP). These toxins are primarily produced by dinoflagellates and are accumulated in bivalves. Recently, the presence of Dinophysis sp., a causative alga of DSP, has been reported along the coasts of Korea, posing a potential risk of contamination to domestic seafood and exerting an impact on both the production and consumption of marine products. Accordingly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established standards for the permissible levels of OA group toxins in marine products for safety management. Additionally, in line with international initiatives, the domestic inclusion and regulation of DTX2 among the substances falling under the purview of management outlined by the 2022 diarrheal shellfish toxin standard have been implemented. In this study, we reviewed the physicochemical properties of OA group toxins, their various exposure routes (such as acute toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity), and the relative toxicity factors associated with these toxins. We also performed a comparative assessment of the methods employed for toxin analysis across different countries. Furthermore, we aimed to conduct a broad review of human exposure cases and assess the international guideline for risk management of OA group toxins.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.50-63
• /
• 1985

A derivation of new release limit, named Derived Release Limit(DRL), into the atomsphere from a reference nuclear power plant has been performed on the basis of the new system of dose limitation recommended by the ICRP, instead of the (MPC)a limit which has been currently used until now as a general standard for radioactive effluents in Korea. In DRL Calculation, a Concentration Factor Method was applied, in which the concentrations of long-term routinely released radionuclides were in equilibrium with dose in environment under the steady state condition. The analytical model used in the exposure pathway analysis was the one which has been suggested by the USNRC and the exposure limits applied in this analysis were those recommended by the USEPA lately. In the exposure pathway analysis, all of the pathways are not considered and some may be excluded either because they are not applicable or their contribution to the exposure is insignificant compared with other pathways. In case, the environmental model developed in this study was applied to the Kori nuclear power plant as the reference power plant, the highest DRL value was calculated to be as $9.10{\times}10^6Ci/yr$ for Kr-85 in external whole body exposure from the semi-infinite radioactive cloud, while the lowest DRL value was observed 3.64Ci/yr for Co-60 in external whole body exposure from the contaminated ground, by the radioactive particulates. The most critical exposure pathway to an individual in the unrestricted area of interest (Kilchun-Ri, 1.3 km to the north of the release point) seems to be the exposure pathway from the contaminated ground and the most critical radionuclide in all pathways appears to be Co-60 in the same pathway. When comparing the actual release rate from KNU-l in 1982 with the DRL's obtained here the release of radionuclides from KNU-1 were much lower than the DRL's and it could be conclued that the exposure to an individual had been kept below the exposure limits recommended by the USEPA.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.45 no.3 s.144
• /
• pp.363-369
• /
• 2006

Effects of three packing materials and exposure time on the mortality of Plodia interpunctella and Tribolium castaneum were studied using $CO_{2}-modified$ atmosphere control. Materials used were triple layered craft paper (KKK), triple layered craft paper with one laminate coating layer (KLK), and triple layered craft paper with one HD film coating layer (KHK). In the test balls (${\phi}1.2\;m$) containing 85% $CO_{2}-modified$ atmosphere, concentration of $CO_{2}$ in small packing envelopes ($9.8{\times}9.8cm$) made of the materials after one day was higher in KKK ($26.67{\pm}0.58%$) than KLK ($23.33{\pm}0.58%$) or KHK ($20.67{\pm}0.58%$). Both P. interpunctella and T. castaneum showed higher mortality in KKK than in either KLK or KHK Similar results were obtained by larger space ($9{\times}4{\times}3m$) and packing volume (20 kg) studies. The effect of the packing materials was clearer on T. castaneum more tolerant to $CO_{2}$ than P. interpunctella. Regression of the insect mortality on cumulative concentration time (${\int}_{0}^{t}c{\times}tdc{\approx}{\sum}concentration{\times}time$) was highly significant. Control of P. interpunctella and T. castaneum by $CO_{2}-modified$ atmosphere were discussed in relation to packing materials, cumulative concentration time of $CO_{2}$ and food products.