• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.100-115
• /
• 2009

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is one of major public health threats. Since secondhand smoke is complex mixture of toxic chemicals, there has been no standardized method to measure SHS quantitatively. The purpose of this manuscript was to review various quantitative methods to measure SHS. There are two different methods: air monitoring and biological monitoring. Air monitoring methods include exhaled carbon monoxide level, ambient fine particulates, nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine. Measurement of fine particulates has been utilized due to presence of real-time monitor, while fine particulates can have multiple indoor sources other than SHS. Ambient nicotine and 3-EP are more specific to SHS, although there is no real-time monitor for these chemicals. Biological monitoring methods include nicotine in hair, cotinine in urine, NNK in urine and DNA adducts. Nicotine in hair can provide chronic internal dose, while cotinine in urine can provide acute dose. Since biological monitoring can provide total internal dose, identification of specific exposure source may be difficult. NNK in urine can indicate carcinogenicity of the SHS exposure. DNA adducts can provide overall cancer causing exposure, but not specific to SHS. While there are many quantitative methods to measure SHS, selection of appropriate method should be based on purposes of assessment. Application of accurate and appropriate exposure assessment method is important for understanding health effects and establishing appropriate control measures.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.345-360
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the content of sulfur dioxide residues in medicinal herbs in Seoul in 2009. Sulfur dioxide in the samples were determined by Monnier-Williams's modified method. A total of 1,821 samples of 205 different types of herbs were collected from Kyung-Dong Herb markets and Oriental medicine hospitals in Seoul. Of these samples, 642 samples were domestic, and 1,179 samples were imported. Of the 1,821 samples, 61 (3.3%, 31 types) failed to meet the regulations for sulfur dioxide residues of KFDA in medicinal herbs. Among these 61 unsuitable samples, 17 (7 types) were domestic, and 44 samples (26 types) were imported. The content of sulfur dioxide in the domestic medicinal herbs ranged from 0 to 809 mg/kg, while those in imported medicinal herbs ranged from 0 to 4,481 mg/kg. Approximately 84.6% of the samples contained less than 10 mg/kg of sulfur dioxide and about 10.0% of samples contained more than 30 mg/kg of sulfur dioxide.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2009

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains can cause broad spectrum of human disease, including diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and the life-threatening hemolytic uremic colitis (HUS). We examined 868 samples was taken from bovine feces and carcass from January to December 2008 in Seoul. Twenty two (9.5%) shiga toxin -producing Escherichia coli were isolated from the 230 of bovine feces, and two (0.31%) were isolated from the 638 of carcasses. Serotype of E. coli isolates were O157 (10, 41.6%), O26 (10, 41.6%), O111 (1, 4.2%) and UT (3, 12.6%). In PCR, the isolates displayed three different stx gene combination (stx1 [2, 8.4%]), stx2 [3, 12.6%] and stx1 and stx2 [19,87.5%]). The eaeA and hlyA gene were found in 11 (45.8%) of the 24 strains. Saa gene was present only one strains (4.2%). Toxin typing using reverse passive latex agglutination test showed the same result in VT 1. But it showed different result in VT 2. In antimicrobial susceptibility test, all isolates were sensitive to amikacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and colistin. Eighteen strains (75.0%) of 24 isolates showed the multi-resistant patterns with over 3 drugs. PFGE was performed after the genomic DNA of twenty four isolates was digested with Xba I. the 24 isolates showed 7 (A~G) PFGE type.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2020

Amomum Tsao-ko used as a traditional oriental herbal medicine, is indigenous to several Asia countries. This study was carried out to investigate the contamination by Benzo(a)pyrene in Amomum Tsao-ko Fruit of Medicinal Herbs. 20 samples of Amomum Tsao-ko Fruit were evaluated for the Benzo(a)pyrene contamination. They were analyzed for Benzo(a)pyrene using high-performance liquid chromatogrphy(HPLC)-fluorescence detection and the positive samples were confirmed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The levels of Benzo(a)pyrene were from 9.2 to 95.5 ㎍/kg and the average was 40.6 ㎍/kg. There are no Benzo(a)pyrene standards for Amomum Tsao-ko Fruit of Medicinal Herbs. These data will be used as a basic data for the future legislation on the regulation and control of benzo(a)pyrene of Amomum Tsao-ko Fruit of Medicinal Herbs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2013

This survey was conducted to evaluate the microbial contamination level of butcher's shops in Seoul, Korea. For microbial inspections, a total of 584 samples (146 cotton work gloves, 146 utensils and equipments, 154 beef samples, 138 pork samples) were collected from butcher's shops. E. coli and pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157:H7 were tested in the samples. As a result, the level of aerobic plate count (APC) ranged ${\leq}10^4\;CFU/cm^2$ from utensils and equipments, $10^1{\sim}10^9$ CFU/glove from cotton work gloves and ${\leq}10^6$ CFU/g from meat. The APC level of E. coli ranged ${\leq}10^1\;CFU/cm^2$ from utensils and equipments, ${\leq}10^5$ CFU/glove from cotton work gloves, and ${\leq}10^3$ CFU/g from meat, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 2 beef samples, 1 pork sample, and 10 used cotton work gloves. Yersinia enterocolitica was detected in 3 beef samples, 1 pork sample, and 3 used cotton work gloves. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 2 used cotton work gloves. In order to improve the sanitation status of butcher's shops, application of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) or SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure), regular hygiene education, and continuous monitoring for microorganisms will be required.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.35-50
• /
• 2007

In order to investigate water pollution of spring, we carried out the experiments on mineral water, rainwater and surrounding soil of several springs collected in Incheon area from February to August in 2007. The results were as follows. 1. Soil : This study investigated the pH and organic matter contents in the soil which effect on microorganisms. The pH value was from 4.5 to 5.3 on average and organic matter contents ranged from 1.09% to 5.6% and E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. faecalis and other microorganisms were isolated. 2. Natural mineral water : As the rainfall increased, the concentration of $No_3-N$, consumption of $KMnO_4$ and the number of microorganisms was increased while the other physicochemical items were not affected. The microorganism isolated in the natural mineral water were as follows: E. coli, K. oxytoca S. faecalis, S. facium, and so on from evacuation; E. agglomerans, E. amnigenus, E. cloacae, E. sakazakii and so on from the environments and evacuation. Detection of these microorganisms shows that the environment around the spring had been exposed to excrements of the warm blood animal. 3. Rain : The coliforms in the rain were the identical one detected from the mineral water and the soil. In conclusion the quality of natural mineral water is influenced by rain, resident bacteria of soil and surrounding environment. This study will be the basic data of characteristics of spring in Incheon area and also this result will give useful aids for the efficient control of spring.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.159-169
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the generating characteristics of VOCs and the exposure effect to chemicals among laundry workers and to identify the current status of occupational safety and health through health check-ups. Methods: During the six-month period from April to September 2015, this study quantitatively measured seven VOCs in ten laundries and carried out health examinations on 35 workers. Results: Comparing the monitoring results for the ten laundries, they were classified into three groups by ventilation system, dry-cleaning and size of shop. The average concentration of toluene, chlorobenzene, xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, styrene and TCE were 23.9, 15.6, 5.5, 2.8, 0.9, 0.3 and $1.3{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. During dry-cleaning, VOC concentrations were 1.3-8.9 times higher than usual. On the other hand, at night the concentrations of toluene, chlorobenzene, xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, styrene and TCE were 64.3, 41.5, 12.2, 6.3, 1.1, 1.2 and $6.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The health checkup results for the 35 workers showed that 13 workers were diagnosed as normal, while 22 workers were diagnosed as requiring continuous monitoring or re-checkup of liver and hematogenous functions. Conclusions: Although the results of exposure evaluation to VOCs did not exceed reference value and items had a low correlation with health checkup items, it is necessary to improve indoor air quality due to VOC volatilization from clothes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.4 s.91
• /
• pp.249-253
• /
• 2006

This survey study was performed to evaluate the pollution level of playgrounds for children at 49 different sampling sites in Seoul metropolitan. Results were as follows. 1. Soil pH ranged from 6.0 to 9.2. 2. Average concentrations of heavy metals were 0.101 mg/kg of Cd, 4.470 mg/kg of Cu, 0.10 mg/kg of As, 5.35 mg/kg of Pb, 0.017 mg/kg of $Cr^{6+}$ 0.0051 mg/kg of Hg, which were lower than Korean soil precaution level. 3. The SPCs of all areas were below 100, which is 1st grade. In conclusion, the pollution level of playgrounds for children was safe.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.275-279
• /
• 2009

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common protozoa parasites of human and other warm-blooded animals. Cats and wild felidae play crucial roles in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study was performed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii infection among stray cats in the Seoul. A total of 422 stray cat blood samples were collected from Seoul area. Positive sera for T. gondii were identified in 56 samples (13.3%) exclusively via the latex agglutination test and the detection no antigen particles among seropositive samples by PCR. The overall infection rate of male stray cats (14.4%) presented as higher than that of female cats (10.7%). This study suggested that T. gondii is widespread in stray cats of Seoul area. It is needed to control urban stray cat population and to reduced the risk of zoonotic transmission of toxolasmosis to other animals and humans.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.269-277
• /
• 2014

The multiclass pesticide multiresidue method for the simultaneous determination of diflubenzuron in agricultural products was conducted by using HPLC-UVD. The method was validated through the guidelines of linearity, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy and precision with pesticide-free spinach, Korean cabbage, eggplant, squash, sweet pepper, cucumber, Korean melon. The calibration curve of diflubenzuron was linear over the concentration range of 0.05-5 mg/kg with correlation coefficient of above 0.99999. The limit of detection and quantification was 0.008 and 0.02 mg/kg. Mean recoveries of diflubenzuron for each sample were 77.5-105.6%. Relative standard deviation (RSD) in recoveries were all less than 20%. The intra-day and inter-day precision (RSD) were 0.4-1.9% and 0.7-1.9%, respectively. The result of validation indicated that this method was accurate and rapid assay.