• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.191-199
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The study aim was to evaluate the application of a chemical exposure assessment tool for the Korean workplace. The Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea (KMOEL) introduced the need for workplace risk assessments in 2011, requiring the Korean chemical industry to consider both domestic and international chemical regulation policies (e.g., estimations of exposure scenarios). Exposure scenarios are required in the European Union as part of material safety data sheets (MSDS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system. Methods: Although many programs for the estimation of exposure have been developed worldwide, to date there is no standard for the Korean workplace. To develop programs suitable for the Korean workplace, we examined the applicability of the European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals target risk assessment (ECETOC TRA), which is recommended by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA). Results: To investigate the applicability of the ECETOC TRA to Korean industry, this study simulated 15 industrial processes. The predicted respiratory exposures for four processes using origin input parameters were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. Using calibrated input parameters, results for two processes were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. This result suggests that the use of calibrated input parameters reduces the differences between predicted and measured respiratory exposure. Conclusions: we developed applicable exposure estimating method by modifying the ECETOC TRA program; one suggested the development of exposure estimating program that explains Korea domestic workplace exposure scenario.This study will support the introduction of exposure scenario in MSDS system and protect health of worker from hazardous chemical.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.432-445
• /
• 2021

Background: The European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals' Targeted Risk Assessment (ECETOC TRA) tool has been recognized by EU REACH as a preferred approach for calculating worker health risks from chemicals. Objectives: The applicability of the ECETOC TRA to occupational exposure estimation from industrial uses of methanol was studied by inputting surveyed and varied parameters for TRA estimation as well as through comparison with measured data. Methods: Information on uses of methanol was collected from seven working environment monitoring reports along with the measured exposure data. Input parameters for TRA estimation such as operating conditions (OCs), risk management measures (RMMs) and process categories (PROCs) were surveyed. To compare with measured exposures, parameters from the surveyed conditions of ventilation but no use of respiratory protection were applied. Results: PROCs 4, 5, 8a, 10, and 15 were assigned to ten uses of methanol. The uses include as a solvent for manufacturing sun cream, surfactants, dyestuffs, films and adhesives. Methanol was also used as a component in a release agent, hardening media and mold wash for cast products as well as a component of hard-coating solution and a viscosity-controlling agent for manufacturing glass lenses. PROC 8a and PROC 10 of a cast product manufacturer without LEV (local exhaust ventilation) and general ventilation as well as no respiratory protection resulted in the highest exposure to methanol. Assuming the identical worst OCs and RMMs for all uses, exposures from PROC 5, 8a, and 10 were the same and the highest followed by PROC 4 and 15. The estimation resulted in higher exposures in nine uses except one use where measured exposure approximated exposures without RMMs. Conclusions: The role of ECETOC TRA as a conservative exposure assessment tool was confirmed by comparison with measured data. Moreover, it can guide which RMMs should be applied for the safe use of methanol.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.358-367
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to review model algorithms and input parameters applied to some exposure models and to compare the simulated estimates using an exposure scenario from each model. Methods: A total of five exposure models which can estimate inhalation exposure were selected; the Korea Ministry of Environment(KMOE) exposure model, European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals Targeted Risk Assessment(ECETOC TRA), SprayExpo, and ConsExpo model. Algorithms and input parameters for exposure estimation were reviewed and the exposure scenario was used for comparing the modeled estimates. Results: Algorithms in each model commonly consist of the function combining physicochemical properties, use characteristics, user exposure factors, and environmental factors. The outputs including air concentration ($mg/m^3$) and inhaled dose(mg/kg/day) are estimated applying input parameters with the common factors to the algorithm. In particular, the input parameters needed to estimate are complicated among the models and models need more individual input parameters in addition to common factors. In case of CEM, it can be obtained more detailed exposure estimates separating user's breathing zone(near-field) and those at influencing zone(far-field) by two-box model. The modeled exposure estimates using the exposure scenario were similar between the models; they were ranged from 0.82 to $1.38mg/m^3$ for concentration and from 0.015 to 0.180 mg/kg/day for inhaled dose, respectively. Conclusions: Modeling technique can be used for a useful tool in the process of exposure assessment if the exposure data are scarce, but it is necessary to consider proper input parameters and exposure scenario which can affect the real exposure conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 2017

Objectives: In response to increased interest in the safety of children's products, a risk management system is being prepared through exposure assessment of hazardous chemicals. To estimate exposure levels, risk assessors are using deterministic and probabilistic approaches to statistical methodology and a commercialized Monte Carlo simulation based on tools (MCTool) to efficiently support calculation of the probability density functions. This study was conducted to analyze and discuss the usage patterns and problems associated with the results of these two approaches and MCTools used in the case of probabilistic approaches by reviewing research reports related to exposure assessment for children's products. Methods: We collected six research reports on exposure and risk assessment of children's products and summarized the deterministic results and corresponding underlying distributions for exposure dose and concentration results estimated through deterministic and probabilistic approaches. We focused on mechanisms and differences in the MCTools used for decision making with probabilistic distributions to validate the simulation adequacy in detail. Results: The estimation results of exposure dose and concentration from the deterministic approaches were 0.19-3.98 times higher than the results from the probabilistic approach. For the probabilistic approach, the use of lognormal, Student's T, and Weibull distributions had the highest frequency as underlying distributions of the input parameters. However, we could not examine the reasons for the selection of each distribution because of the absence of test-statistics. In addition, there were some cases estimating the discrete probability distribution model as the underlying distribution for continuous variables, such as weight. To find the cause of abnormal simulations, we applied two MCTools used for all reports and described the improper usage routes of MCTools. Conclusions: For transparent and realistic exposure assessment, it is necessary to 1) establish standardized guidelines for the proper use of the two statistical approaches, including notes by MCTool and 2) consider the development of a new software tool with proper configurations and features specialized for risk assessment. Such guidelines and software will make exposure assessment more user-friendly, consistent, and rapid in the future.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2001

The remaining life estimation for the aged component is very important because mechanical properties of the compo-nents are degraded with time of service exposure in high temperature etc. The destructive method is widely used for the estimation of material degradation, but it has a difficulty in preparing specimens from in-service industrial facilities. In order to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonic evaluation method for properties of high temperature materials, 2.25Cr-1Mo steel specimens which were prepared by the isothermal aging heat treatment at 63$0^{\circ}C$ were evaluated by ultra-sonic measurements investigating the change of velocities and attenuation coefficient. In this results, attenuation coefficient was found to be sensitive to material degradation mainly attributed to the change of grain size and the precipitation of impurities in grain boundaries, but velocity was not for all specimens.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2003

Probabilistic exposure assessment has been recognized as an important tool in microbial risk assessment, because of obtained the desired results to characterize of variability and uncertainty associated with the microbial hazards. In addition, it will be provided much more actuality information than the point-estimate approaches. In this study, we present methodology using mathematical probability distribution in exposure assessment and estimating of contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes in meat and meat products as a case study. The result of estimation contaminatin level was mean ($50^{th}$ percentile) -4.08 Log CFU/g minimum ($5^{th}$ percentile) -4.88 Log CFU/g, maximum ($95^{th}$ percentile) -3.56 Log CFU/g.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.285-299
• /
• 2011

As one of the REACH obligations, the extended safety data sheet (eSDS) should be communicated within the supply chain under the REACH Regulation. Based on technical guidance documents published on the ECHAs website and survey of EU's recent REACH-related informations, this paper includes a study on details of how to develop exposure scenarios (ES) such as structure of ES, process of ES develpoment, standard workflows and key input data to develop ES with an introduction of eSDS concept. This paper also contains an overview on operational conditions (OCs) and risk management measures (RMMs) that are what to consider when building an ES. The structure of Chesar (Chemical Safety Assessment and Report tool) developed by European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is studied with a review of the available exposure estimation tools for workers, environment and consumers. Case example of generic exposure scenario (GES) for organic solvent is presented. To guide Korean EU-exporting companies, their participating roles in three steps of preparing ES are addressed.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.69-73
• /
• 2011

Food borne pathogens are a growing concern for human health and food safety throughout the world. Milk and dairy products are commonly associated with spoilage or contamination from a wide variety of physical, microbial, and chemical hazardous. Microbiological risk analysis consists of three components: risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication, and overall objective of this process is ultimately public health protection. The microbiological risk assessment is useful tool to evaluate food safety as it is based on a scientific approach. In addition risk assessment process includes quantitative estimation of the probability of occurrence of microbial hazards to evaluate more accurate human exposure. The aim of this study is to review the microbiological risk assessment on the prevalence of bacterial foodborne pathogens in milk and dairy products.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.857-871
• /
• 2013

Export credit insurance is a policy tool for export growth. In the era of free trade under the governance of WTO, export credit insurance is still allowed as one of the few instruments to increase exports. This paper, using data on short-term export insurance contracts issued to foreign subsidiaries of Korean companies, calculates the expected loss per exposure by combining the effect of risk factors (credit rate of foreign importers, size of mother company, and payment period) on loss frequency and loss severity in different levels. We, applying generalized linear models (GLM), first fit loss frequency and loss severity to negative binomial and lognormal distribution, respectively, and then estimate the loss frequency rate per contract and the ratio of loss severity to coverage amount. Finally, we calculate the expected loss per exposure for each level of risk factors by combining these two rates. Based on the result of statistical analysis, we present the implication for the current premium rate of export insurance.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2003

By optimizing the radiation protection the collective dose and individual dose could be reduced during YGN #4 $5^{th}$ outage in 2001. The collective doses for the two high radiation jobs decreased to 85% and 65% of expected doses. The proportion of workers with low dose (below 1mSv) exposure increased 4% while the proportion of workers with over 3mSv and 5mSv exposure are decreased to 2%, 1% respectively. But none is exposed over 8mSv for the annual dose. To aid decision of utilizing the robot, cost- benefit analysis was performed and reasonable point was proposed to use the robot. For the first time job, repeated ALARA meeting and mock up training were implemented to set up working procedure by identifying the trouble. To easily set up standard procedure, mockup process was videotaped and reviewed during ALARA meeting. Monitoring is a good approach to chase radiological working condition such as working time, dose rate. behavior of workers, especially for high radiation work. Those data were estimated and adjusted from the stage of work planning to mock up. At the stage of actual work the monitoring data were compared to the estimation and recorded to database. This database will not only be used as a powerful tool for dose optimization at the following outage but also as a guideline to dose constraint set up for optimization for each specific situation.