• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.8.1-8.12
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• 2023

Background: Prolonged use of visual display terminal (VDT) can cause eyestrain, dry eyes, blurred vision, double vision, headache and musculoskeletal symptoms (neck, shoulder, and wrist pain). VDT working hours among workers have greatly increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between VDT working hours and headache/eyestrain in wage workers using data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) (2020-2021) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We analyzed the sixth KWCS data of 28,442 wage workers aged 15 years or older. The headache/eyestrain that occurred in the last year was assessed. The VDT work group included workers who use VDT always, almost always, and three-fourth of the working hours, while the non-VDT work group included workers who use VDT half of the working hours, one-fourth of the working hours, almost never, and never. To analyze the relationship between VDT working hours and headache/eyestrain, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the non-VDT work group, 14.4% workers experienced headache/eyestrain, whereas 27.5% workers of the VDT work group experienced these symptoms. For headache/eyestrain, the VDT work group showed adjusted OR of 1.94 (95% CI: 1.80-2.09), compared with the non-VDT work group, and the group that always used VDT showed adjusted OR of 2.54 (95% CI: 2.26-2.86), compared with the group that never used VDT. Conclusions: This study suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic, as VDT working hours increased, the risk of headache/eyestrain increased for Korean wage workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.618-629
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• 2007

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.297-311
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• 2020

Objective: We compared the level of blood cadmium exposure with health impacts by using data from a survey of residents near an abandoned mine and a national health survey. Methods: For this study, we used data from 7,046 individuals who participated in the Health Effects Survey of Abandoned Metal Mines (AMS, 2008-2011) and 6,871 individuals who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-VI (KNHANES, 2008-2013). To evaluate the health impacts, the quartiles (S1 to S4) were classified according to blood cadmium concentration, and then the odds ratios of S2 to S4 over S1 for exceeding the reference values of renal function, blood pressure, and bone density were compared. Similarly, the odds ratio of AMS over KNHANES was confirmed. Results: In the AMS, adjusted for general characteristics, the geometric mean of blood cadmium concentration was 1.34 ㎍/L, which was statistically significantly higher than that of the KNHANES 1.22 ㎍/L (p<0.001). In the integrated data of AMS and KNHANES, the estimated odds ratio of S4 over S1 for exceeding the reference value was found to be 1.70 for serum creatinine, 1.71 for hypertension, and a T-score 2.02 for the tarsal bone. They were all statistically significant. Conclusion: Residents around abandoned metal mines had a higher blood cadmium concentration than the general population, and the odds for exceeding the reference values were higher for some health indicators. Continuous biomonitoring should be conducted for vulnerable areas such as around abandoned metal mines, and measures to reduce cadmium exposure and management of chronic diseases are needed.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.23-28
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• 2013

Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design(G-SEED) has been used for environmental friendly building certification since 2002. The certification criteria initialed with multi-residential building and now it expands to 10 criteria for new and existing building types. The purpose of this study is to understand current recognition of G-SEED from the survey of multi-complex residences in newtown. From the general question, 75.2% of responders answered the period of living term between 1~3 years, 58.6% lived in $102.48{\sim}132.23m^2$ residential area and 65.2% owned their residences. The 43.2% of respondents recognized that their residences gained G-SEED certification by G-SEED emblem(31.6%). This is the significant meaning to understand public recognition of G-SEED and how to approach the strategy for raising the G-SEED recognition. The responders expected positive influence for economical value from G-SEED and also 75.3% of responders agreed with that G-SEED would be a decision make to buy and rent their residences. Second, residents responded that the consideration issue for green building is energy & prevention of environmental pollution(27.7%) which carries equal concern in G-SEED criteria category. The result of this survey verifies that the current level recognition of G-SEED of the responder's perspectives still is not well-known but it confirmed they have a positive expectation. Therefore, from this result, G-SEED needs to draw road map with detail plans for developing G-SEED with public participation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.545-554
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• 2007

Landslides is mainly induced by a heavy rainfall, earthquake ground motion, and some other factors like soil mechanics, morphological-geological factors etc. Since the starting point of the failure seemed to be originated at a construction site in the study, it is meaningful to find out the relationship between the landslide and the construction. For this study, the slope failure factor was examined carefully to see that the original natural slope had vulnerability and that the complex ground had unstability changed by construction. A field survey was conducted on the original ground surface and filled-up ground. A laboratory test was also conducted to determine the geomechanical properties of soil samples. 2D and 3D limit equilibrium analysis with changing groundwater level were conducted at the failure depth using a seismic refraction survey. The result shows that the factor of safety is similar stability under all condition, but unstable under saturated condition.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2000

The structural and environmental characteristics of typical pig houses in different growth phases were surveyed and analyzed. Based on the data for thirty nine selected farms in four provinces, Jeonbuk-do, Jeonnam-do, Gyeongbuk-do, and Gyeongnam-do, in the southern provinces, Korea, the goal is to eventually establish standard pig houses of sow and litter, nursery pigs, and growing-finishing pigs. The survey included farm scale, production specialization, structural dimensions of the houses and their ventilation systems, cooling and heating systems, and floor and pit systems related to manure collection. The survey showed 90∼98% of growing-finishing pig houses adopted the sidewall curtain systems. The sidewall curtain systems, although popular, is not well insulated which leads to excessive heating costs in winter. Regarding flooring and manure collection system of the house, 23∼35% of growing-finishing houses installed scraper systems with concrete-slat floors in Gyeongsang provinces while 52∼78% did in Jeolla provinces. The cause of a large variance in flooring between tow regions could not be academically pinpointed, rather it could be attributed to the advice of neighbors who leads local pig production circle. A general trend toward enlargement and enclosure of pig houses for all growth phases was gaining popularity in most regions in recent years. A steady shift to multisite operation from continuous operation was also observed to prevent a disease transfer. The structural design of a standard pig house with its environmental control systems including ventilation and heating/cooling system was suggested for further validation study. In-depth analysis of the survey data is presented in the Results and Discussion section.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1999

The structural and environmental characteristics of typical pig houses in different growth phases were surveyed and analyzed. Based on the data for thirty six selected farms in four provinces, Gyonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Choongnam, and Chonbook, in Central Korea, the goal is to eventually establish standard pig houses of sow and litter, nursery pigs, and growing-finishing pigs. The survey included farm scale, production specialization, structural dimensions of the houses and their ventilation systems, cooling and heating systems, and floor and pit systems related to manure collection. The survey showed 90∼99% of growing-finishing curtain installation rate was lower by 10∼20%. The sidewall curtain system, although popular, is not well insulated which leads to excessive heating costs in winter. Regarding flooring and manure collection system of the house, there was quite a lot variability among provinces, with 30∼80% of the houses installing scraper systems with concrete-slat floors in comparison with 30∼60% using a slurry system. Gangwon-do and Choongbook Chungwoo-goon are the predominant regions that installed a scraper system. A general trend toward enlargement and enclosure of pig houses for all growth phases was gaining popularity in most regions in recent years. A steady shift to three site production from a lumped system was also observed to prevent a disease transfer. The structural design of a standard pig house with its environmental control systems including ventilation and heating/cooling system was suggested for further validation study. In-depth analysis of the survey data is presented in the Results and Discussing section.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2009

An exploratory study was conducted in Juri Forest Range-2, a proposed biodiversity conservation area of Bangladesh to explore the present growing stock of tree, regeneration condition and status of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). This conservation area contains both natural and artificial plantation was selected by using multistage random sampling method. For determination of plot size and sampling methods, the quadrate size ($10m{\times}10m$) for tree stock measurement, ($2m{\times}2m$) for regeneration survey, ($20m{\times}20m$) for NTFPs survey was determined. Regarding tree stock survey, 14 species under eight families were found where Tectona grandis shows average number of stem/ha was 624 and basal area/ha was (10.36 $m^2/ha$) followed by Acacia auriculiformis (0.2 $m^2/ha$ and 637 stem/ha), Gmelina arborea (0.2 $m^2/ha$ and 600 stem/ha). In regeneration survey, 14 species were found belonging to 9 families where Alstonia scholaris shows highest (3,750) seedling per hectare. Regarding NTFPs, bamboo and cane are the most common resources. In last ten years, the total timber output was 1,28,596.14 cubic feet and total amount of revenue was 4,64,434 US$. The vacant area is 1,335.5 acre which contains 14% of total area. If this vacant area is planted with suitable species and take proper steps for appropriate management of this species it will be a good biologically diversified area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-198
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• 2022

Purpose : We conducted a study to propose comparing subjective sleeping states data that was collected through scientifically measuring by using smartwatch and surveys for seafarers. In addition, we conducted a study to provide sleep though analysis of the environmental factors that influence the sleep efficiency of seafarers. Methods : For scientific measurement of seafarers' sleeping states, we measured the sleep hours and sleep efficiency for at least 3 days by using the healthcare function of smartwatches which are wearable devices. As for subjective sleeping states, we collected data on sleep hours and satisfaction rates on the quality of sleep through a survey. Lastly, as for the environmental factors that affect the sleep efficiency which is measured by smartwatches such as physical environment, bedroom space, bedroom furniture, bedding, a survey by self-evaluation method was conducted. Results : There were significant differences in the scientific sleep hours measurement values for all seafarers and the average sleep hours in the subjective survey. There were significant differences in the scientific sleep efficiency measurements of all the seafarers and the sleep satisfaction of the subjective survey, and there was no correlation between the scientific sleep efficiency and the subjective sleep satisfaction of all the seafarers. Among the environmental factors affecting the sleep efficiency of the seafarers, humidity variable had the most influence, and vibration and illuminance variables were also shown to have a very significant effect. Conclusion : We propose the measuring method that can analyze the quantitative and qualitative sleep states of the seafarers by using small activity recorders. In addition, it is very important to control humidity, vibration, and illuminance among ship environmental factors, and comfort, noise and bedroom size should also be reflected.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.429-440
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• 2023

Quantitative habitat model is established with species occurrence and spatial abundance data, which were usually acquired by professional field ecologists and citizen scientists. The importance of citizen science data is increasing, but the quality of these data needs to be evaluated. This study aims to identify and compare both expert-based data and citizen science data based on the performance power of quantitative models derived from both data sets. A Maximum Entropy (MaxENT) model was developed using eight environmental variables, including climate, topography, landcover and distance to forest edge. The AUC values derived from the MaxENT model were 0.842 and 0.809, respectively, indicating a high level of explanatory power. All environmental variables has similar values for both data sets, except for the distance to forest edge and rice paddy, which was relatively higher for expert-based survey data than that of the citizen science data as the distances increased. This result suggests that habitat model derived from expert-based survey data shows more ecological niche including wider ranges from forest edges and isolated habitat patches of rice paddy. This is presumably because citizen scientists focuses on direct observation methods, whereas professional field surveys investigate a wider variety of methods.