• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.81-95
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• 1994

This study was performed in a diatomite factory where silicosis had been found at October, 1993. The major objectives were to evaluate worker exposure to diatomaceous earth and to present engineering control methods for workplace management. Total and respirable dust of diatomaceous earth were measured. Size distribution of dust was analyzed by applying the multiple diffraction method. Also crystalline silica in respirable dust samples was analyzed qualitatively by X-ray diffraction. The suitable Local Exhaust Ventilation systems for that factory were recommended. The results were as follows. The airborne total and respirable dust concentrations by exposure groups showed approximate normal distribution. The means of total dust exposures at flour maufacturing, fire brick grinding and packaging, ceramic raws packaging processes exceeded Korean and ACGIH standards, $10mg/m^3$. The means of total and respirable dust concentrations to high exposure groups were 6.8 and 3.9 times higher than those of low expousre groups, respectively. The size distribution of diatomaceous earth dust was lognormal with a median diameter of $7.07{\mu}m$(range, $0.10-60.0{\mu}m$) and with a geometric standard deviation of 1.43. The crystalline silica in respirable dust samples was identified to quartz and cristobalite and/or tridymite. Above results suggest that engineering controls and periodic environmental and medical surveillances will be important for preventing silicosis in the diatomite factory.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.286-292
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronical exposure to high-level dusts on cellular immune function. Methods: The subjects were 110 male workers, among whom 60 were chronically exposed to high-level dusts in mica, limestone and iron mines. The remaining 50 were office workers. Ambient total, respirable dust and crystalline silica in the workplace were sampled using personal air samplers and analyzed according to NIOSH method 0500. Serum levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxide and superoxide misutase activity were measured using absorption chromatography. The subpopulations of CD4+, CD8+, natural killer cells (CD16+) and CD3+ T-lymphocytes were examined by two-color staining using monoclonal antibodies. Results: The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was significantly higher in exposed workers and superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in control workers. No significant difference in numbers of T-lymphocyte subpopulations were observed between exposed and control workers. A significant correlation in exposed workers was observed among total dusts, respirable dusts and crystalline silica. Hydrogen peroxide was significantly correlated with total dust (r=0.720, p<0.01), respirable dust (r=0.770, p<0.01) and crystalline silica (r=0.678, p<0.01). Concentration of hydrogen peroxide showed a significantly negative correlation with numbers of CD8+ cells (r=-0.274, p<0.01), CD3+ cells (r=-0.222, p<0.01) and natural killer cells (r=-0.556, p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that chronical exposure to high-level dust affects cellular immune function and effects might mediate through reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.11b
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• pp.180-185
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• 2000

Nano crystalline or non-crystalline particles have been widely used in various industrial area, such as ceramics, catalysis, electronics, metallurgy and optic device. In all applications, synthesizing the particles as small as possible and controlling the crystalline phase according to its purpose are necessary for the enhancement of processing performance. In some cases, non-agglomerated particles may be necessary for solving the packing problems. This motivates our attempt of controlling size, morphology, phase of nano titania and silica particles. If one can enhance sintering rate of small aggregates independently of collision rate, one may expect that original aggregates can be changed into volume equivalent spheres and thereby the decrease of collision frequency due to the change leads to much smaller rate of growth of the particles. This is the basic idea of our control strategy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.392-404
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• 2015

Objectives: This study measured and analyzed the concentrations of crystalline silica, elemental carbon and the contribution ratio of pollutants which influence environmental and respiratory disease around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex in Daegu, Korea. Methods: We analyzed the crystalline silica and elemental carbon in the air according to FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and NIOSH(National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health) method 5040, respectively. In addition, lead stable isotopes, and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were analyzed using MC-ICP/MS(Multi Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer), and IRMS(Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer), respectively. Results: The concentration of crystalline silica in the direct exposure area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex was found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0005mg/Sm^3$, but not to exceed the exposure standards of the ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). In the case of the autumn, the direct exposure area was found to show a level 2.5 times higher than the reference area, and on the whole, the direct exposure area was found to have a level 1.4 times higher than the reference area. The concentration of elemental carbon in the direct exposure area and in the reference area were found to be $0.0014{\pm}0.0006mg/Sm^3$, and $0.0006{\pm}0.0003mg/Sm^3$, respectively. This study confirmed the contribution ratio of coal raw materials to residentially deposited dusts in the area within 500 meters from the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area with a stable isotope ratio of 24.0%(0.7-62.7%) on average in the case of carbon and nitrogen, and 33.9%(26.6-54.1%) on average in the case of lead stable isotopes. Conclusions: This study was able to confirm correlations with coal raw materials used by the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex and the surrounding area. The concentration of some pollutants, crystalline silica, and elemental carbon emitted to the direct-influence area around the Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex were relatively higher than in the reference area. Therefore, we need to impose continuous and substantive reduction countermeasures in the future to prevent particulate matter and coal raw materials in the study area. It is time for the local government and authorities to prepare active administrative methods such as the relocation of Ansim Briquette Fuel Complex.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.376-384
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• 1987

Kaolin was treated by HF and fired at high temperature in order to reduce silica and impurity minerals of kaolin, and eventually to increase the yield of mullite. The kaolin structure was destroyed by HF-treatment and transformed into mullite at lower temperature than those of non-treated kaolin. Not only the silica content of kaolin was reduced, but also the crystalline structure of it was destroyed by HF-treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2023

Objectives: Coal-fired power plants feature diverse working conditions, including multi-layered employment structures and irregular work cycles due to outsourcing and non-standardized tasks. The current uniform occupational environment measurement systems have limitations in accurately assessing and evaluating these varied conditions. This study aims to propose alternative measurement and assessment strategies to supplement existing methods. Methods: Major domestic coal-fired power plants were selected as the study targets. To prepare for the study and establish strategies, work processes were identified and existing occupational environment measurement results were compared and analyzed. The study proceeded by employing three strategies: specific exposure groups (SEGs) measurement, continuous monitoring, and supplementary measurements, which were then compared and discussed. Results: Previous exposure index evaluations (5,268 cases) indicated that crystalline silica, a type of respirable particulate matter, had detection limits below the threshold (non-detectable) in 82.6% (4,349 cases) of instances. Exposures below 10% of the exposure limit were observed at a very low concentration of 96.1%. Similar exposure group measurements yielded results where detection limits were below the threshold in 38.2% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 70.6%. Continuous monitoring indicated detection limits below the threshold in 12.6% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 75.6%. Instances requiring active workplace management accounted for more than 30% of cases, with SEGs at 11.8% (four cases), showing a higher proportion compared to 3.0% (four cases) in continuous monitoring. For coal dust, exposures below 10% of the limit were highest in legal measurements at 90.2% (113 cases), followed by 74.0% (91 cases) in continuous monitoring, and 47.0% (16 cases) in SEGs. Instances exceeding 30% were most prevalent in SEGs at 14.7% (five cases), followed by legal measurements at 5.0% (eight cases), and continuous monitoring at 2.4% (three cases). When examining exposure levels through arithmetic means, crystalline silica was found to be 104.7% higher in SEGs at 0.0088 mg/m³ compared to 0.0043 mg/m³ in continuous monitoring. Coal dust measurements were highest in SEGs at 0.1247 mg/m³, followed by 0.1224 mg/m³ in legal measurements, and 0.0935 mg/m³ in continuous monitoring. Conclusions: Strategies involving SEGs measurement and continuous monitoring can enhance measurement reliability in environments with irregular work processes and frequent fluctuations in working conditions, as observed in coal-fired power plants. These strategies reduce the likelihood of omitting or underestimating processes and enhance measurement accuracy. In particular, a significant reduction in detection limits below the threshold for crystalline silica was observed. Supplementary measurements can identify worker exposure characteristics, uncover potential risks in blind spots of management, and provide a complementary method for legal measurements.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2014

Carbon coating on silica particles is done by grafting expanded graphite on the silica aggregates. Successful coating of carbon is corroborated using FT-IR, TGA, XPS and TEM. Crystalline nature of coated graphite is corroborated using XRD. Influence of carbon coated silica particles on rheometric and mechanical properties of SBR composites are investigated. Carbon coated silica particles showed significant improvement in rheometric and mechanical properties, when compared to pristine silica filled system corroborating higher polymer-filler adhesion. This fact was further supported by bound rubber content and equilibrium swelling ratios of unvulcanized and vulcanized SBR composites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.186-190
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• 2011

Periodically ordered mesoporous manganese oxides were synthesized in a single and double replication procedure. Mesoporous SBA-15 and -16 silica and their reverse replica carbons were successively used as hard templates. The silica and carbon pore systems were infiltrated with $Mn(NO_3)_2{\cdot}xH_2O$ or $Mn(AcAc)_2$, which was then converted to $Mn_2O_3$ at 873 K; the silica and carbon matrix were finally removed by NaOH solution or calcinations in air. The structure of the mesoporous $Mn_2O_3$, using a carbon template, corresponds to that of the original SBA-15 and SBA-16 silica. The products consist of hexagonally arranged cylindrical mesopores with crystalline pore walls or cubic mesoporous pores. The structure of replica has been confirmed by XRD, TEM analysis, and its electrochemical properties were tested with cyclic voltammetry. Formation of $Mn_2O_3$ inside the mesoporous carbon pore system showed much improved electrical properties.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1076-1086
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• 1994

This study covers synthetic effect of the various hydrothermal treatments on formation of artificially made kaolinite mineral. The hydrothermal treatment includes the temperature treatment with time duration, addition of seeds, particle size of the starting material used, pH variation and the different types of organic acids. A colloidal silica and alumina sol which are commercially available are used for this study. A colloidal silica and alumina sol are mixed by the atomic ratio of Al/Si = 1, based on the theoretical kaolinite composition and calcined at $600^{\circ}C$ for 8 hours duration. It was found that the kaolinitic clay mineral was well developed; thereby, the different patterns of crystalline mineral are appeared. Spherical type as a crystal form was distinctively formed at the temperature of 20$0^{\circ}C$ to 25$0^{\circ}C$ with short duration time, while platy type as a crystal was highly yielded at 300~35$0^{\circ}C$. Moreover, by adding more than 20 wt% of seed as the natural kaolinitic clay to the starting material is widely distributed and developed when 2 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ or less particle size of the starting material is used; also, when they are heat-treated at the temperature of 25$0^{\circ}C$ with 5 hours duration. With respect of the effect of pH variation on formation of the synthetic kaolinite minerals, the crystalline minerals are highly yielded at less than pH 2 and gradually diminished at more than pH9. Regarding to the effect of different acids on development of the kaolinite mineral, the organic acids with high chelating capacity produces good formation of crystalline minerals; whereas, amine radical-(NH2) is not an effective agent to generate the crystalline minerals.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.431-436
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• 1988

The properties of scid-resistance to boiling HCl, thermal expansion coefficient and softening temperature of mother glass and glass-ceramic of LAS systems were investigated at the contents of SiO2 varing from 57 to 67wt%. The nucleation and growth of crystalline phase of LAS compositions were carried out at 50$0^{\circ}C$ and $700^{\circ}C$. The crystalline phase jconsists of lithium alumino silicate, lithum meta silicate, lithium disilicate, $\alpha$-crystobalite and $\alpha$-quartz. Lithium alumino silicate(virgilite) is the major crystalline phase in the glass ceramics. The degree of acid resistant property was increased in proportion with the silica content for both glass and ceramics. Glass-ceramic gives lower acid-resistance and thermal expansion coefficient while softening temperature shows higher for glass-ceramic than for mother glass.