• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental hazard factors

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Effects of Size, Impurities, and Citrate Capping on the Toxicity of Manufactured Silver Nano-particles to Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

  • Kim, Jungkon;Park, Yena;Lee, Sangwoo;Seo, Jihyun;Kwon, Dongwook;Park, Jaehong;Yoon, Tae-Hyun;Choi, Kyungho
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.369-375
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    • 2013
  • Objectives: This study was conducted to identify factors determining the toxicity of manufactured silver nano-particles (AgNPs) on aquatic organisms. Methods: For this purpose, we prepared several AgNPs with varied characteristics, including hydrodynamic size (nano-$^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}\;vs$-sized-$^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$), impurities ($^{ABC}Ag$ stock vs $^{ABC}Ag$), and citrate capping ($^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$), using a commercially available manufactured AgNP ($^{ABC}Ag$ stock). Acute tests were conducted using larval zebrafish (Danio rerioI). In addition, in order to determine the ecotoxicological potentials of various capping agents, toxicity tests were conducted with microbes, waterfleas, and fish for eight different capping agents that are used for NPs. Results: The toxicity of AgNPs in terms of 96 h fish $LC_{50}$ increased in the following order: $^{ABC}Ag$ stock < $^{ABC}Ag=^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}=nano-^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$ < ${\mu}$-sized-$^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$ < $AgNO_3$. After removing impurities by dialysis, 96 h $LC_{50}$ value decreased significantly from $126.6{\mu}g/L$ (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 107.0-146.2) ($^{ABC}Ag$ stock) to $78.6{\mu}g/L$ (CI: 72.7-84.8) ($^{ABC}Ag$). For ${\mu}$-sized-$^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$ (ranging between 3.9 and 40.6 nm) and $^{ABC}Ag^{Cit}$ (40.6 nm and $9.1{\mu}m$), the 96 h $LC_{50}$ of the former ($43.9{\mu}g/L$, CI: 36.0-51.7) was approximately two-fold lower than that of the latter ($87.0{\mu}g/L$, CI: 73.5-100.3). Conclusions: In this study, we found that for acute lethality, the contribution of impurities and particle size was significant, but that of citrate was negligible.

Measuring the Environment of Pig Houses (돈사의 환경계측에 관한 연구)

  • 최규홍;손재룡;이강진;최동수;최용삼;남상일
    • Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.155-164
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    • 2001
  • Environmental factors such as $NH_3,\;H_2S,\;CO_2$, dust, temperature, and humidity in the animal house are a potential health hazard to humans and animals. Until now, most of measurement methods can only provide periodic results with low accuracy. A data acquisition system which can measure continuously and simultaneously $NH_3,\;H_2S,\;CO_2$, temperature, and humidity was developed and installed in two pig houses. Daily changes of environment for the pig-houses were investigated by the data acquisition system. In order to evaluate NH$_3$sensor, gas samples were obtained and NH$_3$concentrations were measured at nine positions; combinations of three positions(inlet, middle, and outlet) and three heights(0 cm, 40 cm, 150 cm). Ammonia concentration of 14.0 ~37.1 ppm for slurry pig-house is higher than that of 8.4~29.7 ppm for scraper pig-house, and there were no statistical differences among the positions. However, the concentration of $NH_3$at 150 cm was higher than thats of 0 cm and 40 cm.

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The physical geography in general:yesterday and tomorrow (자연지리학 일반: 회고와 전망)

  • Son, Ill
    • Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.138-159
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    • 1996
  • There has been a tendency for Geomorphology and Climatology to be dominant in Physical Geography for 50 years in Korea. Physical Geography is concerned with the study of the totality of natural environment through the integrated approaches. But, an overall direction or a certain paradigm could not be found, because major sub-divisions of Physical Geography have been studied individually and the subjects and the approaches in studying Physical Geography are enormously diverse. A consensus of opinion could not also exist in deciding what kind of the sub-divisions should be included in the physical geography in general and how those should be summarized. Furthermore it would be considered imprudent to survey the studies of Physical Geography besides those of Geomorphology and Climatology due to the small number of researchers. Assuming that the rest of Physical Geographical studies with the exception of Geomorphological and Climatological studies are the Physical Geography in general, the studies of Physical Geogrpahy in general are summarized and several aspects are drown out as follows. First the descliption of all possible factors of natural environments was the pattern of early studies of Physical Geography and the tendency is maintained in the various kinds of research and project reports. Recently Physical Geographers have published several introductory textbooks or research monographs. In those books, however, the integrated approaches to Physical Geography were not suggested and the relationship between man and nature are dealt with in the elementary level. Second, the authentic soil studies of Physical Geographers are insignificant, because the studies of soil in Physical Geography have been mostly considered as the subsidiary means of Geomorphology Summarizing the studies of Soil Gegraphy by physical geographers and other Pedologists, the subjects are classified as soil-forming processes, soil erosions, soil in the tidal flat and reclaimed land, and soil pollution. Physical Geographers have focused upon the soil-forming processes in order to elucidate the geomorphic processes and the past climatic environment. The results of other subjects are trifling. Thirdy Byogeygrayhers and the results of studies are extremely of small number and the studies of Biogeography in Korea lines in the starting point. But, Biogeography could be a more unifying theme for the Physical-human Geography interface, and it would be expected to play an active part in the field of environmental conservation and resource management. Forth, the studies of Hydrogeography (Geographical Hydrology) in Korea have run through the studies of water balance and the morphometric studies such as the drainage network analysis and the relations of various kinds of morphometric elements in river. Recently, the hydrological model have introduced and developed to predict the flow of sediment, discharge, and ground water. The growth of groundwater studies is worthy of close attention. Finally, the studies on environmental problems was no mole than the general description about environmental destruction, resource development, environmental conservation, etc. until 1970s. The ecological perspectives on the relationship between man and nature were suggested in some studies of natural hazard. The new environmentalism having been introduced since 1980s. Human geographers have lead the studies of Environmental Perception. Environmental Ethics, Environmental Sociology, environmental policy. The Physical geographers have stay out of phase with the climate of the time and concentrate upon the publication of introductory textbooks. Recently, several studies on the human interference and modification of natural environments have been made an attempt in the fields of Geomorphology and climatology. Summarizing the studies of Physical Geography for 50 years in Korea, the integrated approaches inherent in Physical Geography disappeared little by little and the majol sub-divisions of Physical Ceography have develop in connection with the nearby earth sciences such as Geology, Meteorology, Pedology, Biology, Hydrology, etc been rediscovered by non-geographers under the guise of environmental science. It is expected that Physical Geography would revive as the dominant subject to cope with environmental problems, rearming with the innate integrated approaches.

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Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Ensemble FR and LR models at the Inje Area, Korea (FR과 LR 앙상블 모형을 이용한 산사태 취약성 지도 제작 및 검증)

  • Kim, Jin Soo;Park, So Young
    • Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.19-27
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    • 2017
  • This research was aimed to analyze landslide susceptibility and compare the prediction accuracy using ensemble frequency ratio (FR) and logistic regression at the Inje area, Korea. The landslide locations were identified with the before and after aerial photographs of landslide occurrence that were randomly selected for training (70%) and validation (30%). The total twelve landslide-related factors were elevation, slope, aspect, distance to drainage, topographic wetness index, stream power index, soil texture, soil sickness, timber age, timber diameter, timber density, and timber type. The spatial relationship between landslide occurrence and landslide-related factors was analyzed using FR and ensemble model. The produced LSI maps were validated and compared using relative operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The prediction accuracy of produced ensemble LSI map was about 2% higher than FR LSI map. The LSI map produced in this research could be used to establish land use planning and mitigate the damages caused by disaster.

The Effect of Environment-friendly Certifications on Agricultural Producer Organizations (친환경·GAP·HACCP이 농업 생산자조직에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Chang-Hwan;Park, Seong-Ho
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.13 no.6
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    • pp.97-104
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    • 2015
  • Purpose - The distribution of agricultural products is changing due to recent shifts in environmental free trade. Specifically, the competitiveness of domestic agricultural products has weakened as a result of the Korea-China Financial Trade Agreement. Agricultural producers are faced with increasing difficulties and organized production centers are growing in importance daily. To overcome this crisis, agricultural producer organizations are vying for environment-friendly agricultural certifications, Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). In particular, as consumer demand for higher safety grows, farmers are increasing their certification rates. Therefore, this certification system is expected to help strengthen the competitiveness of agricultural producer organizations. Research design/data/methodology - Organized production centers are classified by certification. A survey was conducted with 91 organizations using factor analysis and logistic regression analysis for the examination. The factor analysis results are as follows. Raw material procurement, education·specialization, marketing, joint business, organizing ability, business management, effectiveness, certification, and larger organizations were classified as the nine types of factors. These factors affect the organized production centers and are used in the logistic regression analysis. The purpose of such research and analysis is to suggest a direction for future production center policies. Results - The basic statistical results are as follows: analysis of the producer organizations of 91 sites, average number of members per site of 1,624, and average sales of 25,961 million won. Additionally, the average income per farmer is 175 million won, and the pooling system rate is 53.5%. The factor analysis results are as follows. Factor 1 consists of contract cultivation, ongoing shipment, selection subdivision, traceability, and major retailer management. Factor 2 consists of manual cultivation, specialty selection, education program, and R&D. Factor 3 consists of advertising, various dealers, various sales strategies, and a unified sales counter. Factor 4 consists of agricultural materials co-purchase, policy support, co-shipment, and incentives. Factor 5 consists of the co-selection and pooling system. Factor 6 consists of co-branding and operating by the organization's article. Factor 7 consists of the buy-sell ratio and rate of operation of the agriculture promotion center. Factor 8 consists of bargaining power in volume and participation rate of farmer certification. Factor 9 consists of increasing new subscribers. The logistic regression analysis results are as follows. Considering the results by type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification type and the GAP certification type have a (+) influence. GAP and HACCP certification types affecting the education·specialization factor have a (+) influence. Considering the results for each type of certification, the environment-friendly agricultural certification types on the effectiveness factor have (-) influence; the HACCP certification types on the organizing ability and effectiveness factor have a (-) influence. Conclusions - Agricultural producer organizations should develop plans as follows: The organizations need to secure education for agricultural production; increase the pooling system ratio for sustainable organizational development; and, finally, expand the number of agricultural producer organizations.

Characteristics of Exposure Distribution to Hazard Factors in Indoor Swimming Pool Activity Areas in Gwangju (수영장 활동공간 내 유해인자 노출특성 연구)

  • Lee, Youn-Goog;Kim, Nan-Hee;Choi, Young-Seop;Kim, Sun-Jung;Park, Ju-Hyun;Kang, Yu-Mi;Bae, Seok-Jin;Seo, Kye-Won;Kim, Jong-Min
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.150-158
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    • 2020
  • Objective: This study is designed to measure the concentration of DBPs (disinfection by-products) in pool water and in air and to estimate the carcinogenic potential through the evaluation of inhalation exposure. Methods: The subjects were six indoor swimming pools with many users in Gwangju. Samples of pool water and indoor air were taken every one month from August 2018 to August 2019 and analyzed for eight swimming pool standards. Three-liter air samples were collected and the VOCs were analyzed using GC/MS directly connected to thermal desorption. Results: pH was 6.8-7.5 and the concentration of free residual chlorine in pool water was 0.40-0.96 ?/ℓ. Physicochemical test items such as KMnO4 consumption and heavy metal items such as Aluminum met existing pool hygiene standards. No VOC materials were detected except for the DBPs. The concentration of THMs in the pool water was 11.05-41.77 ㎍/L and the THMs mainly consist of Chloroform (63-97%) and BDCM (3-31%). The concentration of indoor air THMs is 13.24-32.48 ㎍/㎥ and consists of Chloroform. The results of carcinogenic assessment of chloroform in the indoor swimming pool via inhalation exposure were 2.0 to 6.4 times higher than the 'acceptable risk level' suggested by the US EPA. Conclusions: The concentration of THMs in the pool water is 11.05-41.77 ㎍/L, most of which is chloroform. In addition, the concentration of indoor air THMs is 13.24-32.48 ㎍/㎥. The result of carcinogenic assessment of chloroform was 2.0 to 6.4 times higher than the 'acceptable risk level' suggested by the US EPA.

A Study on Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to Organic Compounds in University Laboratory (대학 실험실에서의 유기화합물 노출에 의한 건강위험성 평가에 관한 연구)

  • Sim, Sanghyo;Won, Jung-II;Jeon, Hasub;Kim, Dowon
    • The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.49-60
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: Laboratories have various latent physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomical factors according to the diversification and fusion of research and development activities. This study aims to investigate the chemical exposure concentrations of college laboratories and evaluate their health risks, and use them as basic data to promote the health of college students. Methods: The sampling and analysis of harmful chemicals in the air in laboratories were performed using Method 1500 of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)의 Method 1500. The harmful chemicals in the laboratories were divided into carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals. Risk assessment was performed using the cancer risk (CR) for carcinogenic chemicals and using the hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic chemicals. Results: The harmful chemicals in college laboratories consisted of acetone, diethyl ether, methylene chloride, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and xylenes. They showed the highest concentrations in laboratories A (acetone 0.001~2.34ppm), B (chloroform 0.95~6.35ppm), C (diethyl ether 0.08~8.68ppm), and D (acetone 0.07~14.96ppm). The risk assessment result for non-carcinogenic chemicals showed that the HI of methylene chloride was 2.052 for men and 2.333 for women, the HI of N-hexane was 4.442 for men and 5.05 for women. Thus, the HI values were higher than 1. The risk of carcinogenic chemicals is determined by an excess cancer risk (ECR) value of 1.0×10-5, which means that one in 100,000 people has a cancer risk. The ECRs of chloroform exceeded 1.0×10-5 for both men and women, indicating the possibility of cancer risk. Conclusion: College laboratories showed the possibility of non-carcinogenic health risks for methylene chloride, n-hexane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and xylenes, and carcinogenic health risks for chloroform, methylene chloride. However, this study used the maximum values of measurements to determine the worst case, and assumed that the subjects were exposed to the corresponding concentrations continuously for 8 hours per day for 300 days per year. In consideration of the nature of laboratory environment in which people are intermittently exposed, rather than continuously, to the chemicals, the results of this study has an element of overestimation.

Development of Optimum Traffic Safety Evaluation Model Using the Back-Propagation Algorithm (역전파 알고리즘을 이용한 최적의 교통안전 평가 모형개발)

  • Kim, Joong-Hyo;Kwon, Sung-Dae;Hong, Jeong-Pyo;Ha, Tae-Jun
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.35 no.3
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    • pp.679-690
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    • 2015
  • The need to remove the cause of traffic accidents by improving the engineering system for a vehicle and the road in order to minimize the accident hazard. This is likely to cause traffic accident continue to take a large and significant social cost and time to improve the reliability and efficiency of this generally poor road, thereby generating a lot of damage to the national traffic accident caused by improper environmental factors. In order to minimize damage from traffic accidents, the cause of accidents must be eliminated through technological improvements of vehicles and road systems. Generally, it is highly probable that traffic accident occurs more often on roads that lack safety measures, and can only be improved with tremendous time and costs. In particular, traffic accidents at intersections are on the rise due to inappropriate environmental factors, and are causing great losses for the nation as a whole. This study aims to present safety countermeasures against the cause of accidents by developing an intersection Traffic safety evaluation model. It will also diagnose vulnerable traffic points through BPA (Back -propagation algorithm) among artificial neural networks recently investigated in the area of artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it aims to pursue a more efficient traffic safety improvement project in terms of operating signalized intersections and establishing traffic safety policies. As a result of conducting this study, the mean square error approximate between the predicted values and actual measured values of traffic accidents derived from the BPA is estimated to be 3.89. It appeared that the BPA appeared to have excellent traffic safety evaluating abilities compared to the multiple regression model. In other words, The BPA can be effectively utilized in diagnosing and practical establishing transportation policy in the safety of actual signalized intersections.

A Study on Development of Evaluation Indicator for Golf Course User's Preference (골프장 이용자 선호도 평가지표 개발)

  • Seok, Young-Han;Moon, Seok-Ki;Lee, Eun-Yeob
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.38 no.4
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    • pp.25-34
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    • 2010
  • This study was conducted to develop evaluation indicators to improve athletic performance and operational management of golf courses and the results of the research are as follows. Through theoretical research and a preliminary professional survey, 15 on-going evaluations of golf course composition and operational management and 55 sub-evaluation indices were rejected while 10 on-going evaluations and 52 sub-evaluation indicators were reconfigured as final for environmental-friendliness, level of member services, level of human service of game personnel, difficulties of course, management level of the course, fairness of operational management, accessibility and location characteristic, traditions and ambiance of the golf club, quality of course, and course layout. When analyzing the important decision factors in golf course user preference evaluation indicators, the following contributed in the order of higher to lower contributions: the management level of the course, excellence of the course, level of human services for personnel, course layout and environmental-friendliness. When identifying the path coefficient of golf course evaluation indicators, the curvature of a hole and the length of the course had a causal effect on the 'course layout' section. Tournament facilities and various shot values had a causal relationship with 'excellence of the course', in the order of higher to lower, and convenience of waiting and fair allocation of reservations for 'fairness of operational management'. The history of the golf course and its environmental characteristics, history and culture of the region have relatively higher causal effects on 'traditions of the golf club' and geographical conditions on 'accessibility and location characteristics', pesticide and fertilizer usage and water pollution on 'environmental-friendliness', and member benefit and kindness of employees on 'level of member services'. The kindness and expertise of the game personnel had a relatively higher causal effect on the 'level of human services of game personnel', the location of tenning area, and location of OB and hazards on 'difficulties of course', and rough conditions and obstacles management on 'management level of the course'. There is a need to complete a systematic evaluation index system for golf course user preferences through future studies for a more detailed assessment, as well as a process to verify these evaluation indicators by application to domestic and international golf courses.

An Classification of Management Area using Assessment of Conservation Value on Forest Wetland - Focusing on Sandeul Wetland in Mt. Jaeyak, Gyeongsangnam-do - (산지습지의 보전가치 평가를 통한 관리권역 설정 -경상남도 재약산의 산들늪을 대상으로-)

  • Lee, Woo-Sung;Park, Kyung-Hun;Jung, Sung-Gwan;You, Ju-Han;Kim, Kyung-Tae
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.52-68
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    • 2009
  • The purpose of this study is to establish the management area using assessment of the conservation value on forest wetland, Sandeul wetland in Mt. Jaeyak, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The six assessment factors were selected through the review of previous researches and written evidences such as wetland vegetation, hydrological factor, soil factor, topographical factor, naturalness and risk. The assessment data were built on the basis of digital topographic maps, digital detailed soil maps, high resolution satellite images and field surveys of three times. According to the result of assessment of the conservation value and establishment the management area, the core area which has the highest conservation value was occupied by 1.9ha and the conservation area which conservation value is 2 grades was occupied by 33.7ha. The buffer area surrounded core area and conservation area was analyzed by 33.7ha. The transition area which conservation value is 4 grades showed by the widest area(151.2ha) and restoration area that is the ecological hazard area was occupied by 1.7ha. In conclusion, these results can provide methods and basic informations for conserving and managing wetlands because the management area was classified scientifically considering rational processes.

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