• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.215-229
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of crude ginseng saponin (CGS) on blood chemical parameters in adult female guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A total of 80 guinea pigs (800$\pm$20g) were divided into 8 groups: group 1 (normal control group) was given vehicle (corn oil containing small amount of acetone and DMSO) and saline; group 2 (single TCDD-treated) received TCDD (1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.p.) and saline (i.p.); groups 3 and 4 were administered CGS at a daily i.p. doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks, respectively; groups 5 and 6 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 5 weeks starting 1 week before TCDD-exposure; groups 7 and 8 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks from 1 week after TCDD-exposure. CGS was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Body weights of G2 were significantly decreased from the and week after TCDD-exposure (P<0.01). Body weights of the CGS-treated groups were also decreased by TCDD-exposure but the weight loss was greatly retarded compared with that of G2. Increase in blood glucose, amylase, lipase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, AST and LDL-cholesterol levels by TCDD exposure was significantly attenuated by the CCS-treatment (P<0.05). From these results, we found that saponin, the main active ingredient of gineseng, played a protective role in TCDD-induced toxicity and ginseng protected female animals from dioxin-induced toxic manifestation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of crude ginseng saponin (CGS) on clinical pathological parameters in adult female guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A total of 80 guinea pigs (800$\pm$20 g) were divided into 8 groups: group 1 (normal control group) was given vehicle (com oil containing small amount of acetone and DMSO) and saline; group 2 (single TCDD-treated) received TCDD (1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.p.) and saline (i.p.); groups 3 and 4 were administered CGS at daily i.p. doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks, respectively; groups 5 and 6 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 5 weeks starting 1 week before TCDD-exposure; groups 7 and 8 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks from 1 week after TCDD-exposure. CGS was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Body weight of G2 was significantly decreased from the 2nd week after TCDD-exposure (p<0.01). Body weights of the CGS-treated groups were also decreased by TCDD-exposure, but the weight loss was greatly retarded compared with that of G2. Increase in blood glucose, amylase, lipase, total cholesterol. triglyceride, AST and LDL-cholisterol levels by TCDD exposure was significantly attenuated by the CGS-treatment (p<0.05). From these results, we found that saponin the main active ingredient of ginseng, played a protective role against TCDD-induced toxicity in not only male but female guinea pigs.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2013

Quantitative analyses of naturally occurring methanol were performed for the alcoholic beverages commonly consumed in Jecheon, Chungbuk province, South Korea. The headspace analysis method was optimized for the low and high alcoholic beverages. The external standard method was applied due to the overlapping of 2-propanol and 2-butanol (the internal standard candidates) with target sample matrix peaks. The target samples were selected based on the retail sales amounts of alcoholic beverages in the largest retailer food-mart chain, Jecheon, Chungbuk province, South Korea. There was no sample containing methanol over 0.5 $mg/m{\ell}$, the Korean maximum level of methanol in alcoholic beverages (1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ for fruit originated liquor etc). The total exposure amount of methanol via alcoholic beverages was estimated based on the daily alcohol consumption of 40 g. The hazard indices calculated by methanol RfD 0.5 mg/kg bw day (US EPA) and ADI 20 mg/kg bw day (proposed by Lachenmeier etc.) were 0.301 and 0.008, respectively. As with the hazard index, aggregate exposures below a HI of 1.0 will likely not result in adverse noncancer health effects over a lifetime of exposure. Then the methanol exposure via the alcoholic liquours might not hazard to Jecheon citizen.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2022

Background: The present study investigated the radiation dose distribution of balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) among surgeons and medical staff, and this is the first research to observe such exposure in Japan. Materials and Methods: The study subjects were an orthopedic surgeon (n = 1) and surgical staff (n = 9) who intervened in BKP surgery performed at the National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center (Tokyo, Japan) between March 2019 and October 2019. Only disposable protective gloves (0.022 mmPb equivalent thickness or less) and trunk protectors were used, and no protective glasses or thyroid drapes were used. Results and Discussion: The surgery time per vertebral body was 36.2 minutes, and the fluoroscopic time was 6.8 minutes. The average exposure dose per vertebral body was 1.46 mSv for the finger (70 ㎛ dose equivalent), 0.24 mSv for the lens of the eye (3 mm dose equivalent), 0.11 mSv for the neck (10 mm dose equivalent), and 0.03 mSv for the chest (10 mm dose equivalent) under the protective suit.The estimated cumulative radiation exposure dose of 23 cases of BKP was calculated to be 50.37 mSv for the fingers, 8.27 mSv for the lens, 3.91 mSv for the neck, and 1.15 mSv for the chest. Conclusion: It is important to know the exposure dose of orthopedic surgeons, implement measures for exposure reduction, and verify the safety of daily use of radiation during surgery and examination.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.523-537
• /
• 2008

In Korea, the global warming leads to more frequent high temperature region. increasing the need for research into physical damage caused by high temperature. We therefore analyzed the differences of mortality, caused by extreme heat, among gender and age. We also examined the trend of mortality from high temperature-sensitive diseases. Women are more affected by exposure to high temperature than are men; People over 65 years old have higher mortality rate (1.5 times) than under 65. As for high temperature-related diseases, cerebrovascular disease was the number one cause of death, and chronic lower respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease followed.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2000

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) are various applied as chelating agents for metal ions, then they are widely used in many industrial processes and domestic products. A method is described for the determination of EDTA and NTA in water samples by GC/MS . The reaction temperature, reaction time and pH for esterification of EDTA and NTA were investigated using 10% sulfuric acid-methanol, ethanol and propanol. Optimum conditions were obtained by the esterification in 80$\^{C}$ for 1hr with ethanol. Method detection limits of ethylated EDTA and NTA in the 200 ml of water samples were 0.05 ng/ml, respectively, EDTA and NTA could be determined in the range of 0.05∼23.6 and 0.05∼7.0 ng/ml in treated water, and in the range of 0.06∼25.0 and 0.05∼6.40 ng/ml in raw water respectively. Risk assessments with EDTA and NTA exposure by drinking water ingestion were carried out. Based on the results of analysis, chronic daily intakes of EDTA and NTA would be less than the value of acceptable daily intake or tolerable daily intake.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.112-116
• /
• 2006

Levels of ethyl carbamate, by-product produced naturally during fermentation, in Korean alcoholic beverages were determined by Gas Chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion mode (GC/MS/SIM), and their daily intake by Korean adult group was estimated. In GC/MS/SIM analysis 0.8-10.1, 0.5-0.8, 0.4-0.9, 3.5-689.9, 8.4-30.3, 13.9-30.0, and 1.7-11.7 ppb of ethyl carbamate were detected in soju, beer, takju, fruit wine, cheongju, whiskey, and grape wine, respectively. Maximum daily exposure of ethyl carbamate through alcoholic beverage consumption was 7.41 ng/kg body weight/day for average Korean male, with one soju brand and two fruit wine brands showing high ethyl carbamate level.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The study aims to examine the variation over roughly the past 10 years (from 2008 to 2018) in the estimated daily dietary Pb intake (Pb-D) based on the variations of daily intake amount and Pb content in respective food groups. The following factors were considered: (1) variation of estimated value of Pb-D, (2) Pb contents in each food group and (3) the most influential food group for dietary Pb intake. Methods: Estimated values of Pb-D were taken from food consumption by the food groups reported in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey and the Pb content of each food group as reported in 19 previous publications. Variation from 2008 to 2018 of Pb intake was calculated from daily intake amount and Pb content in each food group. Results: The survey showed that main Pb intake sources were the food groups 'meats and poultry' and 'fish and shellfish'. These food groups showed gradually increased Pb exposure from 2008 to 2018. Estimated daily Pb intake was 42.18 to 57.68 ㎍/day for men and 30.97 to 42.54 ㎍/day for women. Both men and women showed slightly increased dietary Pb intake from 2008 to 2018. The food groups 'meats and poultry' and 'fish and shellfish' proved the highest Pb intake food groups. Estimated Pb intake from 'meats and poultry' was 8.47 to 12.98 ㎍/day and that of 'fish and shellfish' was 5.63 to 10.10 ㎍/day. Conclusion: Over the past ten years, daily Pb intake has slightly increased in men and women. The food groups 'meats and poultry' and 'fish and shellfish' might be the main variation factors of Pb intake.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.575-582
• /
• 2016

Seoul city has high population density as well as high traffic congestion, which are vulnerable to exposure of environmental pollutions caused by car traffic. However, recent studies are only on local regions about road traffic and air pollution or health effect of road traffic on residents. Thus, comprehensive study data are needed in terms of overall Seoul regions. In this study utilized the nitrogen dioxide concentration through the national air pollution monitoring network data, 2012 to 2013. It also divided regions into high and low exposure districts via the Origin destination data developed by the Korea transport institute to quantify and evaluate the effect of transport policies and analyzed a correlation of asthma symptoms with high and low exposure districts through raw data of community health survey from the Korea centers for disease control and prevention. Based on the collected data, the pearson's correlation analysis was conducted between air pollution substance concentration and high exposure district and multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of traffic environment and factors on asthma symptoms of residents. Accordingly, the following results were derived. First, the high exposure district was higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) as per time compared to those of the low exposure district (p<0.01). Second, analysis on correlation between average daily environmental concentration in the air pollution monitoring network and road traffic showed that nitrogen dioxide had a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) with car traffic and total traffic as well as with truck traffic (p<0.05) statistically. Third, an adjusted odds ratio about asthma doctor's diagnosis in the high and low exposure districts was analyzed through the logistic regression analysis. With regard to an adjusted model 2 (adjusted gender, age, health behavior characteristics, and demographic characteristics) odds ratio of asthma doctor's diagnosis in the high exposure district was 1.624 (95% CI: 1.269~2.077) compared to that of the low exposure district, which was significant statistically (p<0.001).