• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.63-74
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• 2019

This study carried out a human risk assessment of Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni contained in soil contaminated by improperly buried heavy metal wastes in railway sites. The purpose of the human risk assessment is to derive the need for soil remediation and factors that should be considered during soil remediation. Risk assessment was performed in accordance with the Environment Ministry's Risk Assessment Guidelines. The results of the human risk assessment of contaminated heavy metal soil contaminated by improperly buried waste in the railway site were presented after the process of determining exposure concentration, calculating exposure, and determining carcinogenic hazards. The heavy metal content of soil is 621.3 Cu mg/kg, 2,824.5 Pb mg/kg, 1,559.1 Zn mg/kg and 45 Ni mg/kg, which is the exposure concentration of the target contaminant. The results of human exposure according to exposure pathways were high in the order of soil outdoor dust >soil ingestion >soil contact, and Pb >Zn >Cu >Ni were higher in order of contaminant. The carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks of soil contaminated with heavy metal waste were higher than the allowable carcinogenic risks (TCR> $10^{-6}$) and the risk index (Hi < 1.0) suggested by USEPA. Therefore, the site needs to be remediated.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4C
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• pp.231-238
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• 2008

A column testing device capable of measuring the electrical resistivity of soil at 3 different locations was developed to verify applicability of bulk electrical conductivity (BEC) breakthrough curves in monitoring contaminant transport. Tracer injection tests were conducted with three different types of saturated sands to obtain average linear velocities and longitudinal hydrodynamic dispersion coefficients based on BEC breakthrough curves and effluent solute breakthrough curves. Comparative analysis of transport parameters obtained from curve fitting the results into the analytical solutions confirmed the validity of resistance measurements in estimating time-continuous resident solute concentration. Under the assumption that a linear relationship exists between ${\sigma}_{sat}-{\sigma}_w-C$, the BEC breakthrough curves are able to effectively reduce the laborious and time-consuming processes involved in the conventional method of sampling and analysis. In order to reduce possible uncertainties in analyzing the BEC breakthrough curves, it was recommended that resistance measurements take place nearby the effluent boundary. In addition, a sufficient electrical contrast or difference in the electrical conductivity of the influent and the saturating solution is required to conduct reliable analysis.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.5-13
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• 2024

This paper investigates the stabilization feasibility of contaminated sediment contaminated with benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) using acid/base-modified activated carbon. The efficiency of stabilizers was evaluated by analyzing the impact of the activated carbon on the decomposition and adsorption of the contaminant, along with the biological effects on earthworms. Additionally, the contaminant migration was monitored with the BBP concentration in pore water using low-density polyethylene. The research results indicated that the accumulated concentration of BBP was approximately 2% lower in the experimental group applying a 5% mixture ratio of modified activated carbon compared to the group applying a 10% mixture ratio. The leaching into water was reduced by over 18% in all experimental conditions after 7-day exposure period. Over 25% reduction was observed after 28-day exposure. The pore water concentrations were measured. After 7 days of exposure, the mechanically mixed experimental group exhibited a higher pore water stabilization rate compared to the biologically mixed group. Within the mechanically mixed group, the experimental group with 10% mixture of modified activated carbon showed a 1% higher stabilization rate than the group with 5% mixture. After 28 days of exposure, the biologically mixed experimental group demonstrated a higher pore water stabilization rate compared to the mechanically mixed group. Moreover, within the biologically mixed group, the experimental group with 10% mixture of modified activated carbon showed approximately 0.1% higher stabilization rate than the group with 5% mixture.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.192-203
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• 2016

A field investigation was conducted on an aquifer contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) for application of in situ reactive zone treatment using nanosized zero-valent iron (NZVI). The aquifer was an unconfined aquifer with a mean hydraulic conductivity of $5.14{\times}10^{-4}cm/sec$, which would be favorable for NZVI injection. Seasonal monitoring of TCE concentration revealed a presence of non-aqueous phase liquid form of TCE near IW (injection well). The hydrochemical data characterized the site groundwater to be a $Ca-HCO_3$ type. The average value of Langelier Saturation Index of the groundwater was -1.33, which implied that the site was favorable for corrosion of NZVI. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration varied between 2.5~11.5 mg/L, which indicated that DO would greatly compete with TCE as an electron acceptor. The hydrogeological and hydrochemical characterization reveals that the time around November would be appropriate for NZVI injection when water level and temperature are relatively high and DO concentration is low.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2010

This study was conducted to compare the concentration of various air contaminants in nine different laboratories during routine activities. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) were sampled and analyzed using NIOSH Method 1500 and asbestos fibers were sampled and analyzed using NIOSH Method 9002 and 7400. Detectable levels of acetone, toluene and ethanol were found in all the laboratories and xylene and n-hexane were detected in eight of the nine laboratories. All the VOC concentrations were well below the Korean Ministry of Labor's Exposure Limit and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Total VOC concentrations at the university laboratories were significantly higher than those at governmental agency laboratories. Airborne fiber concentrations were below 0.01 fibers/cc, while the concentration of chrysotile was 2% in insulation materials sprayed on the ceiling of one laboratory. While all the governmental agency laboratories (n=4) had fume hoods, two out of the five university laboratories did not have fume hoods. The capture velocity of half of the fume hoods were below the maintenance standard(0.4 m/sec). In conclusion, the study suggests that the current controls in place at both university and government agency laboratories are not sufficient in limiting exposure to harmful chemicals to non-detectable levels, though they appear to be adequate in protecting workers to levels below applicable occupational exposure limits. The study also suggests that researchers working in university laboratories may be exposed to greater levels of contaminant than those working in government agency laboratories.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.352-357
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• 2001

Cadmium (Cd) has been identified as a potential contaminant in agricultural and environmental soils. Ionic condition in the soils is an important factor to influence Cd availability. In this study, the effect of sulfate or nitrate application on Cd sorption in acidic and calcareous soils was investigated. The Cd, sulfate $(SO_4)$, and nitrate $(NO_3)$ sources were solutions of $CdCl_2$, $K_2SO_4$, and $KNO_3$, respectively. The soil-solution system pH was affected by the application of sulfate or nitrate in both acidic and calcareous soil system, but there was not clear pH difference between pre- and simultaneous applications of sulfate or nitrate (PAS/PAN or SAS/SAN). Solution ionic strength (I) values were similar between the acid and calcareous soil systems after applying the Cd even though it was significantly different in the untreated control soils. However after applying the sulfate or nitrate, the I values increased and were always higher with SAS/SAN treatments. Solution Cd concentration also increased with the application of sulfate or nitrate. However, the Cd concentration in soil solution controlled by Cd sorption in the systems was different between PAS/PAN and SAS/SAN treatments only in the calcareous soil system, but not in the acidic soil system. The difference in Cd concentration between SAS/SAN and PAS/PAN in the calcareous systems may be caused by system pH, ionic strength, complexation, and predominately, competition of the $Cd^{2-}$ with the index $K^+$ ion. Potassium ion-Cd competition in the acidic soil system may be minimized because of the abundance of hydrogen ions.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.822-828
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• 2007

Perchlorate is an unregulated contaminant but recently many cases of perchlorate contamination have been reported in the US. In Japan, also, a couple of contamination incidents caused by perchlorate occurred. Against this backdrop, investigation on perchlorate was urgent for Korea. Accordingly, perchlorate investigation in tap water and river water was conducted one time a week for seven consecutive weeks at major water sources of Korea including Han River, Guem River, Yeong-san River, and Nak-dong River. Perchlorate was not found at Han River, Guem River, and Yeong-san River. However, all the 4 tap water samples in Nak-dong River recorded high level of perchlorate. Among others, NT1 located at Daegu posted the highest value of $22.3{\mu}g/L$. This level is lower than $24.5{\mu}g/L$, the threshold recommended by US EPA. Still, perchlorate contamination in drinking water can deal a heavy blow to nerve development of infants and children by causing iodine deficiency. At the 1st and 2nd investigations, perchlorate concentration reached $18.7{\sim}95.6{\mu}g/L$ and $4.0{\sim}25.6{\mu}g/L$ respectively, both of which are relatively higher. The high perchlorate concentration in Nak-dong River was possible because of the waste water discharged from LCD manufacturing factory which was located at NS3 in Gumi, Korea. Perchlorate concentration of waste water from the factory was $730{\sim}1,858{\mu}g/L$.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.789-796
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sulfinpyrazone on fumonisin $B_1$-induced elevation of free sphingoid bases in LLC-$PK_1$ cells. Fumonis ins are a family of mycotoxins produced by the fungi Fusarium moniliforme which is common contaminant in corn. Fumonisins are also potent inhibiors of sphingosine and sphinganine N-acyltransferases (ceramide synthases), key enzymes in sphingolipid metabolism resulting in the elevation of free sphinganine. The cytosolic concentration of fumonisin B1 was known to be closely proportional to the elevation of free sphinganine in LLC-PK1 cells [Yoo, H.-S., Norred, W.P., Wang, E., Merrill, A.H., Jr., and Riley, R.T. (1992) Toxicol. Appl.Pharmacol. 114. 9-15]. Sulfinpyrazone, an anion transport inhibitor, reduced the elevated level of free sphinganine resulting from fumonisin B1 inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. Fumonisin B1 at a concentration of 20${\mu}$M showed approximately 120pmol/$10^6$ cells relative to 3-10pmol/$10^6$ cells in control cultures, and sulfinpyrazone at a concentration of 200${\mu}$M partially reversed the increased level of free sphinganine induced by fumonisin $B_1$ down to normal level after exposure to fumonisin $B_1$ for 8 to 24hr. However, the reduced effect of sulfinpyrazone on the fumonisin $B_1$-induced elevation of intracellular sphinganine was not shown after 24hr. Fumonisin $B_1$ exposure to LLC-PK1 cells for 36 and 48hr showed approximately 74 and 80pmol per $10^6$ cells relative to 82 and 76pmol,respectively, in fumonisin $B_1$ plus sulfinpyrazone-treated cultures. Sulfinpyrazone-induced less elevation of free sphinganine in confluent cells after exposure to fumonisin $B_1$ suggested that either sulfinpyrazone may block the availability of fumonisin $B_1$ to cells or act on the fumonisin $B_1$ interaction with ceramide synthase.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2000

In the analysis of the common categories, moisture contents and organic concentrations were not much different according to the types of industry or treatment facilities. When heavy metals contribution of the sludge from domestic and industrial wastewater treatment facilities was analyzed, As, Hg and Cr concentrations were relatively high among 42 standards of the fertilizer law. As concentration war higher in 28 of 42 facilities (67%) than limits of the fertilizer law. Hg concentration was not acceptable in the 21 of 42 facilities (50%). Cr concentration was not acceptable in 9 of 42 facilities (21%). From these results, It is found that As is the most frequently detectable component and contaminant than any other heavy metals in sludges. The data from this experiment was also compared with the guidelines of harmful organics and the rest of heavy metals that are regulated by some of the foreign countries. Be, Se and Mo concentrations were lower than the limits. Among the organics, the average concentration of PCB (10 samples) was 26.2 ppb. The highest concentration was 162.6 ppb in the sludge of the municipal wastewater treatment facilities and the lowest concentration was 2.14 ppb from the skin manufacturing industry. From the leaching analysis of re-manufacturing goods from the sludge, most of them was acceptable on the regulation law but Cr concentration was over the limit.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 1980

Certain heavy metals which may lead peoples to poisonous status are widely used in industry and their uses have been increasing along with rapid industrialization of this country. Such an increasement of metal uses aggravates the status of environmental pollution affecting foodstuffs which are the most important life supporting factor of animal and humanbeing. Concerning the safety measures to minimize food-borne transmission of such hazardous metals, surveillance is the backbone of them and probably more so with a potential problem such as intoxication. Theoretically, this surveillance should include the determination of levels of heavy metal toxicants in foods, the determination of food consumption patterns and typical total diet, and the estimation of total load of the metal contaminant from all sources of exposure including air, water, and occupational sources. In recent year, actually, such estimates on the total daily intake of some heavy metals from foods have been made in several developed countries and a wide variation of date by season, locality, and research method was recognized. Also in this country, this kind of research data is vitally needed to make up for the serious shortage or lack of references to estimate the total amount of heavy metal intake of the people. In this study, a modification model for estimation of the total daily intake of cadmium copper, nickel, zinc, and lead through foods was applied and concentrations of the above metals in crops cultivated in this country were measured with atomic absorption spectro photometer to get the following results. 1. Level of heavy metal concentration in crops Generally, the levels of such metals in essential crops such as rice, cucumber, radish. chinese cabbage, apple, pear, grape, and orange are similar or lower than those in Japan and other developed countries. By the way, a striking result on cadmium concentration was increasement of its concentration in rice from $0{\sim}0.035ppm$ in 1970 to 0.11ppm in this study. However, the value is still far below the. Japanese Permissible Lebel of 1.0ppm. 2. Estimation of total daily intake per capita from foods A new model for estimation was devised utilizing levels of metal concentration in foods, amount of food consumed, and other food factors. Based on the above method, the daily intake of cadmium was estimated to be $70.53{\mu}g/man/day$ in average which was as high as the Limit Value of ILO/WHO(up to $71.4{\mu}g/man/day$). Also, 3.89mg of Zinc, 1.65mg of cuppor, 0.32mg of lead were given as the total daily intake per capita by this research. 3. Efficacy of washing or skinning to decrease the amount of metals in crops After washing the crops sufficiently with commercial linear alkylate sulfonate, the concentration of heavy metals could be reduced to $50{\sim}80%$ showing decreasement rate of $20{\sim}50%$. Also, after skinning the fruits, decreasement rate of the heavy metal concentration shelved $0{\sim}50%$.