• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 2023

Background: When particles are absorbed into the human body, they penetrate deep into the lungs and interact with the tissues of the body. Heavy metals in PM_2.5 can cause various diseases. The main source of PM_2.5 emissions in South Korea's atmosphere has been surveyed to be places of business. Objectives: The concentration of heavy metals in PM_2.5 near the Ulsan Industrial Complex was measured and a health risk assessment was performed for residents near the industrial complex for exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5. Methods: Concentrations of heavy metals in PM_2.5 were measured at four measurement sites (Ulsan, Mipo, Onsan, Maegok) near the industrial complexes. Heavy metals were analyzed according to the Air Pollution Monitoring Network Installation and Operation Guidelines presented by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Among them, only five substances (Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Cr⁶⁺) were targeted. The risk assessment was conducted on inhalation exposure for five age groups, and the excess cancer risk and hazard quotient were calculated. Results: In the risk assessment of exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5, As, Cd, and Cr⁶⁺ exceeded the risk tolerance standard of 10^-6 for carcinogenic hazards. The highest hazard levels were observed in Onsan and Mipo industrial complexes. In the case of non-carcinogenic hazards, Mn was identified as exceeding the hazard tolerance of 1, and it showed the highest hazard in the Ulsan Industrial Complex. Conclusions: This study presented a detailed health risk from exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5 by industrial complexes located in Ulsan among five age groups. It is expected to be utilized as the basis for preparing damage control and industrial emission reduction measures against PM_2.5 exposure at the Ulsan Industrial Complex.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2012

To investigate the exposure and health risk assessment for the residents near the D-asbestos mine in Chungbuk, Korea. We analyzed asbestos in the 20 ambient air and 23 activity based samples near the mine. The airborne sample results are showed that 8 of 20 samples ranged between 0.0025 to 0.0029 f/cc (fiber per cubic centimeter) and the others were below the detection limit by phase contrast microscopy (PCM). In addition, asbestos fibers were under the detection limit or not being by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on interview and survey targeting the local residents, we made the activity based sampling (ABS) scenarios fit to the conditions of field. At the same time, we calculated the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of these ABS scenarios according to the ELCR average value and 95% upper confidence limit (UCL). At the case of weed whacking, soil digging and sweeping yard scenario, 95% UCL of ELCR exceeded the $1{\times}10^{-4}$, acceptable risk range for exposure. Based on our study results, it is necessary safety measures such as risk communication, abatement or management of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA).

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 2011

This study suggests criteria to conduct a risk assessment of VOCs and formaldehyde in uncontrolled public facilities. Pollutants and facilities were selected based on two years of monitoring data and exposure scenarios in 573 uncontrolled public facilities, composed of 10 types of public institutions. With the exception of social welfare facilities, lifetime ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene in each facility were higher in employees than in users, except in social welfare facilities. In social welfare facilities, the risk of benzene for users ($1{\times}10^{-5}$) was higher than that of workers ($1{\times}10^{-6}$) because facility users live in the facility 24 hours per day, compared to workers who spend an average of 8 hours per day in the facility. The risk of benzene to workers in restaurants, academies, performance halls, internet cafe and pubs were estimated as high as $1{\times}10^{-4}$ and the risk to workers in the theaters and karaoke bars were recorded as $1{\times}10^{-5}$. Because lifetime ECRs of carcinogens exceeded $1{\times}10^{-4}$ for workers and users in most facilities, risk management of formaldehyde and benzene in these facilities is necessary. Although HQs of toluene and xylenes did not exceed 1.0, their HQs did exceed 0.1 in some facilities, so they were evaluated as potentially harmful materials. Additionally, criteria for health protection in IAQ by facility are suggested at $60-100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for formaldehyde, $400-500\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for TVOCs, $10-20\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for benzene, $150-170\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for toluene and $100\;{\mu}g/m^3$ for xylenes, based on the survey on IAQ and HRA methodology. The excess rates of IAQ to health protection criteria in all facilities were 16% for formaldehyde, 8% for TVOCs and benzene, 9% for toulene, and 5% for xylenes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.8
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2014

Iron deficiency affects approximately one-third of the world's population, occurring most frequently in children aged 6 months to 3 years. Mechanisms of iron absorption are similar to those of other divalent metals, particularly manganese, lead, and cadmium, and a diet deficient in iron can lead to excess absorption of manganese, lead, and cadmium. Iron deficiency may lead to cognitive impairments resulting from the deficiency itself or from increased metal concentrations caused by the deficiency. Iron deficiency combined with increased manganese or lead concentrations may further affect neurodevelopment. We recently showed that blood manganese and lead concentrations are elevated among iron-deficient infants. Increased blood manganese and lead levels are likely associated with prolonged breast-feeding, which is also a risk factor for iron deficiency. Thus, babies who are breast-fed for prolonged periods should be given plain, iron-fortified cereals or other good sources of dietary iron.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.109-120
• /
• 1991

This paper briefly reviews our knowledge concerning the potential health risk of smog. It includes a review of the meteorological phenomenon, the causes of death in different age groups from London smog which occurred during the week of December 5, 6, 7, 8, 1952. During the London disaster, which caused 4,000 excess human deaths, it was deternimed the meteorological factors of almost absence of wind, low temperature, high humidity and an inversion. Hence, at ground level of air pollutants were suddenly increased and attributed to the combined action of a particulate matter with sulfur dioxide. As a result, abnormally large numbers of persons died especially, those individuals already suffering from disease of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.8-11
• /
• 2014

Pulmonary function test is a group of tests which are composed of measurement for lung function. Thy are spirometry, blood-gas analysis, lung volumes, exercise test, diffusion capacity, and bronchial challenge test. In this article, I will review the pulmonary function test and it's application in terms of clinical aspect and insurance medicine. The standard spirometric indicies are forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 second(FEV1), and the ratio of FEV1 over FVC(FEV1/FVC). If the value of FEV1/FVC less than 70%, the examinee has obstructive ventilatory dysfunction.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2008.05a
• /
• pp.410-413
• /
• 2008

We constructed the regional flood risk and damage magnitude using hazard and vulnerabilities which are climatic, hydrological, socio-economic, countermeasure, disaster probability components for DB construction on the GIS system. Also we developed the Excess Flood Vulnerability index estimation System(EFVS). By the construction of the System, we can perform the scientific flood management for the flood prevention and optional extreme flood defenses according to regional characteristics. In order to evaluate the performance of system, we applied EFVS to Anseong-chen in Korea, and the system's stabilization is appropriate to flood damage analysis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.11 no.sup1
• /
• pp.117-126
• /
• 2008

Trace elements compose a very small portion of the body, however they have a variety of essential functions. Various diseases are caused by trace element deficiencies, and sometimes they can be fatal. Long-term TPN is a risk factor of trace element deficiency, and trace elements need to be checked regularly while receiving TPN. It is important to provide sufficient requirements of trace elements regarding the clinical features and the problems of trace element excess or deficiency. Moreover extensive studies to establish the efficiency of examining human hair and nails, recent method to determine the trace elements, are required.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.92-104
• /
• 2005

Obesity rates are increasing worldwide, associated with excess acute and chronic disease risk. In most countries, obesity rates among women exceed rates in men, particularly during the post menopausal years. Many factors affect body weight and appetite, including age, metabolic rate, physical activity level, stress, cultural factors, socioeconomic status, health status and health literacy, diet composition, attitudes, and beliefs. Gender affects appetite and body weight indirectly by altering factors contributing to food choice. However, there is emerging evidence that gender affects appetite and body weight directly, altering the physiological control systems regulating appetite. The follicular menstrual cycle phase (estrogen-rich) is associated with relative suppression of appetite. Lower estrogen levels are associated with increased food intake, body weight gain, and altered body fat distribution in humans and animals. This paper reviews the linkages between estrogen and appetite regulation. While relationships among appetite, body weight, and gender-linked hormones are complex, research elucidating these interrelationships could lead to development of gender-specific treatment approaches for obesity and appetite dysregulation.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.19.1-19.5
• /
• 2017

Fasad i.e. venesection is an old classical method of treatment in the Unani system of medicine. Fasad is Arabic word which means "to open". In the process, complete evacuation which drains out blood and dominating humours mixed with blood from veins. Fasad is carried out when the kamiyat (quantity) of the blood is excess in the body and patient is either exposed to the risk of developing a disease or has actually developed one. In classical literature of Unani system of medicine, physicians wrote a lot about this procedure. The details of venesection is mentioned in the given paper on the basis of classical literature including history, indications, types, amount of blood to be venesected, time, person, procedure, complications and special focus has been made on the number of vessels to be venesected and their benefits with respected to disease and condition.