• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.674-680
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• 2022

In the present study, radiation shielding and protection ability of prepared Flyash-lime-Gypsum (FaLG) bricks has been studied in terms of energy exposure build up factors and dose parameters. The energy exposure build up factors of Flyash-lime-Gypsum (FaLG) bricks have been calculated for the energy range of 0.015 MeV-15 MeV and for penetration depth upto 40 mfp directly using a new and simplified Piecewise Linear Spline Interpolation Method (PLSIM). In this new method, the calculations of G.P fitting parameters are not required. The verification and accuracy of this new method has been checked by comparing the results of exposure build up factor for NBS concrete calculated using present method with the results obtained by using G.P fitting method. Further, the relative dose distribution and reduced exposure dose rate for various radioactive isotopes without any shielding material and with Flyash-lime-Gypsum (FaLG) bricks have been calculated in the energy range of 59.59-1332 keV. On the basis of the obtained results, it has been reported that the prepared Flyash-lime-Gypsum (FaLG) bricks possess satisfactory radiation shielding properties and can be used as environmentally safe storage facilities for low level nuclear waste.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Low-dose radiation exposure has received considerable attention because it reflects the general public's type and level of exposure. Still, controversy remains due to the relatively unclear results and uncertainty in risk estimation compared to high-dose radiation. However, recent epidemiological studies report direct evidence of health effects for various types of low-dose radiation exposure. In particular, international nuclear workers' studies, CT exposure studies, and children's cancer studies on natural radiation showed significantly increased cancer risk among the study populations despite their low-dose radiation exposure. These studies showed similar results even when the cumulative radiation dose was limited to an exposure group of less than 100 mGy, demonstrating that the observed excess risk was not affected by high exposure. A linear dose-response relationship between radiation exposure and cancer incidence has been observed, even at the low-dose interval. These recent epidemiological studies include relatively large populations, and findings are broadly consistent with previous studies on Japanese atomic bomb survivors. However, the health effects of low-dose radiation are assumed to be small compared to the risks that may arise from other lifestyle factors; therefore, the benefits of radiation use should be considered at the individual level through a balanced interpretation. Further low-dose radiation studies are essential to accurately determining the benefits and risks of radiation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate exposure levels of the extremely low frequency magnetic fields(ELF-MF) radiated from various electric facilities in Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) manufacturing processes. Methods: This study measured the exposure levels of personal and local ELF-MF for the electronic facilities installed in two LCD manufacturing companies. Samplers were installed around workers' waist during working hours to identify personal exposure levels, and direct reading equipment were located at 3 cm, 10 cm, and 30 cm away from the surface of the electronic facilities to measure local exposure levels. Average and maximum(ceiling) values were calculated for personal and local exposure levels. Results: Average and maximum of personal exposure levels for each worker were 0.56(mean) ± 0.02(SE) µT and 6.31 ± 0.75 µT, respectively. Statistical analyses of the study found that maximum of the personal exposure levels for engineers was significantly higher than that for operators since engineers spend more time near the electronic facilities for repairing. The range of maximum personal exposure levels was 0.50 ~ 43.50 µT and its highest level was equivalent to 4.35 % of ACGIH(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) exposure limit value(1 mT). Maximum of local exposure levels was 8.18 ± 0.52 µT and the electronic facilities with higher exposure levels were roof rail and electric panel, which were not related to direct manufacturing. The range of maximum local exposure levels was 0.60 ~ 287.20 µT and its highest level was equivalent to 28.7 % of the ACGIH exposure limit value. Lastly, the local exposure levels significantly decreased as the measurement distance from the electronic facilities increased. Conclusions: Maximum of personal and local exposure levels did not exceed the exposure limit value of ACGIH. However, it is recommended to keep the workers as far as possible from the sources of ELF-MF.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.351-359
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to understand the characteristics of residents in industrial areas and factors affecting exposure to the Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs : Benzene, Toluene, Xylene) as well as to assess exposure levels according to house-type, and whether residents were indoors or outdoors. This research was designed to assess the differences in exposure levels to indoor, outdoor and personal VOCs in a case group and a control group across all areas, as well as in each different area, from May to October 2007, in. 110 residents of the G, Y and H industrial areas of the Jun-nam province. The geometric mea-levels of airborne benzene for the case group 1.31part per billion(ppb) indoor, 1.29 ppb outdoor, and 1.32 ppb for personal exposure were significantly higher than for the control group 0.99, 0.87 and 0.57 ppb, respectively. The geometric mean level for toluene personal exposure across the G, Y and H areas was 5.70 ppb for the case group and 6.31 ppb for the control group. While the outdoor level was 4.27 ppb for the case group and 5.06 ppb for the control group, The indoor level for the case group was 4.78 ppb, similar to that of the control group 4.69 ppb. The geometric mean levels for airborne xylene across the G, Y and H areas were 0.16 ppb(outdoor), 0.12 ppb(personal exposure) and 0.10 ppb(indoor) for the case group, and for the control group were 0.17(personal exposure) and 0.09 ppb(indoor and outdoor). The indoor/outdoor(I/O) ratio for case group is 1.19, while that of the control group is 1.15, indicating that the indoor level was higher than the outdoor level. The interrelationship differences among the three different types of levels in the air in the G, Y and H areas are statistically significant, except for the difference between the indoor and outdoor figures for xylene. In terms of the different types of houses and energy type uesd, the geometric mean level for airborne benzene, toluene and xylene for houses were 1.61, 5.39 and 0.12 ppb, respectively. while the figures for flats were 0.67, 3.32 and 0.05 ppb, respectively. Outdoors, the levels of benzene and toluene in flats were 0.71 and 2.62 ppb, respectively. and 1.58 and 5.35 ppb in houses. For personal exposure, the house levels of benzene, toluene and xylene were all higher than for flats. Houses using oil for heating have significantly higher levels than flats, which use gas for heating.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.88-99
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to find out the bio-effects due to be a radiation fractionated exposure. The experimental animals were divided into the control group and the radiation exposure groups of 20cGy, 40cGy and 80cGy with 220 male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 weeks old. The radiation exposure groups were fractionated exposed from each 20cGy, 40cGy and 80cGy for every 5 days. The chromosome aberrations, the frequency of SCE, the changes of body weight, hematological values and enzyme activities were investigated for the fractionating exposure times and the time after fractionated exposure. The results were summarized as follows 1. The body weight of the radiation exposure groups were significantly decreased compared with control group according to the increasing fractionated exposure times, and it was the lowest values at the immediately after the end of the fractionating exposed, but it was recovered with the level of control group at 3rd weeks gradually increased 1st week after fractionated exposure. 2. The values of WBC, RBC, Hb and Hct in the radiation exposure groups were significantly decreased than those the control group, but the values of GOT, GPT, ALP, and LDH in the radiation exposure groups were significantly increased than those of the control group. 3. The frequency of chromosomal aberration were increased according to the increasing fractionated exposure dose, and it showed the highest at 5th days after fractionated exposed. The types of chromosomal aberration were occurred such as a numerical abnormality, deletion, break and duplication, it was not recovered immediately and maintained high frequency than the control group. 4. The frequency of SCE were significantly increased according to the increasing fractionated exposure dose in 20cGy, 40cGy and 80cGy groups. But it was recovered the level of control group at 7th days after fractionated exposure. According to the above results, this study could confirm that the frequency of chromosomal aberration and SCE were increased with fractionated exposure dose, the other hand, the changes of body weight, hematological values and enzyme activity values were significantly affected according to the increasing fractionated exposure dose.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze noise exposure levels and the rate of exceedance of exposure limits in workplaces from a 2015 measurement of working environments according to area, industry, and scale of workplace and to determine changes compared to the past. Methods: Among the 408,875 measurements of noise in working environments from 27,030 workplaces in 2015, 16,359 workplaces that were linked to special health examination data were selected as the subjects of this study. The eight-hour corrected measurements and geometric mean values of the individual noise measurements of the workplaces were used to calculate noise exposure levels and the exceedance rate of exposure limits. Results: The average noise exposure level of the overall workplaces making up the subjects of this study was 83.6 dBA, and the exceedance rate of exposure limits was 15.1%. At least half of the noise measurements exceeded the exposure limits in 13.7% of the workplaces. Noise exposure levels were higher in the manufacturing industry and in smaller-scale workplaces. The exceedance rate of noise exposure limits was higher in the mining and manufacturing industries and in smaller-scale workplaces. Conclusions: Noise exposure has shown improvements compared to the past, but the exceedance rate of exposure limits was still high, and more than half of the workers were being exposed to noise of 85 dBA or higher. Therefore, it is necessary to make more active improvements in working environments in terms of noise exposure.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.66-71
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• 1998

This study was investigated to evaluate worker exposures to organic solvents by type of print industry. Results were as follows; 1. Workers were exposed to mixture of toluene, isopropyl alcohol(IPA), methyl ethyl ketone(MEK), n-hexane, ethylacetate(EA), acetone. The components of high exposure solvents were toluene, IPA and MEK. 2. Considering additive effects of the compounds, exposure indices(Em) were calculated. The Mean of exposure indices were 1.79 for Gravere, 0.41 for Screen and 0.14 for Opset workplace. The workers of Gravere workplace were estimated to overexpose for solvents. 3. The highest overexposed solvent was toluene for a single component. The rate of overexposed level for toluene was 7.41% for some print workplace and for mixed solvent was 1.85％. 4. Local exhaust systems were inappropriate and respiratory protective devices were not supplied to the workers. 5. Sound level was over 90dB(A) in Opset print workplace and some measures should be performed to get down the sound level.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to assess respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure levels in workers who collect and dispose used coal briquette ash (CBA) in sanitation companies that are subcontracted by one medium-sized local government on the collection of municipal household waste (MHW), and to analyze the quartz content in CBA. When the CBA powder that undergone specialized pretreatment in several steps were subjected to mineral identification and quantitative analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), it was found that quartz represented 18%, and in addition, mullite, and plagioclase were included. For two CBA collectors, samples were collected by the personal sampling evaluation method. After respirable dust was collected in accordance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 7500 method, the concentration of quartz was analyzed using XRD. Meanwhile, a portable real-time dust monitor (Sidepak AM520, TSI Inc., USA) was also used to observe the dust exposure level for each time zone and job task. The RCS exposure level of one worker was as high as 0.024 mg/㎥, which was the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) level. The other worker also exhibited a concentration of 0.013 mg/㎥, which was more than half of TLV. The Sidepak results revealed that the work of collecting CBA and loading it onto a vehicle was hardly exposed to the dust of a significant level. It was found, however, that the work of transferring the collected CBA to a container through a conveyor belt was exposed to a very high average respirable dust concentration of 2.238 mg/㎥. The results of this study confirmed that quartz, which is crystalline silica and a carcinogen, is contained in CBA, one of municipal household waste (MHW), in high concentration. It was also confirmed that workers are exposed to high RCS concentrations while transferring collected CBA into a container. Although each local government in South Korea handles CBA in different ways, it is imperative to investigate the CBA exposure level of sanitation workers and improve their working conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to analyze 157 processes of 145 industries that exceeded Korean Occupational Exposure Limits (KOEL) for carcinogen during the 11 year period from 1999 to 2009. The data included number of industry and workers exposed, type of carcinogen and their exceeded ratio, type and size of industry in each year. These data were collected by 46 regional employment & labor offices in Korea using work environment monitoring reports. The result showed that, in each year, about 10 industries exceed their carcinogen exposure limit. The most common carcinogen exceeding KOEL were found to be formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide and chromium VI. The carcinogen with the highest level of over-exposure were in the order of formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide and asbestos. Fabricated metal product manufacturing industry were found to be most vulnerable against carcinogen with 11.1% of them exceeding carcinogen KOEL followed by electronic components manufacturing industry (8.3%), chemical products manufacturing industry (6.3%), and electrical equipments manufacturing industry (4.9%). The industry employing less than 50 workers had the highest percentage of exceeding carcinogen KOEL with 52.8%. The result also showed that strengthening KOEL for benzene and asbestos helped reduce the level of carcinogen over-exposure. Based on these results, strengthening the KOEL or new regulation turned out to help reduce the carcinogen over-exposure level. Benzene, ethylene oxide and chromium VI were the most frequently over-exposed carcinogen with the highest level. Therefore, these chemicals need to be regulated with a highest priority to improve the workplace environment. The results also show that the small-sized industries employing less than 50 workers was the most vulnerable against carcinogen exposures. Therefore, more government support are needed for these small-sized industries to help them to improve their workplace environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2023

Objectives: An epidemiological investigation was requested for a worker who developed COPD and IPF after long-term molding and firing at a domestic tile manufacturing site. We would like to share the results of the exposure assessment and the estimation of past work. Methods: The content of crystalline silica in four raw materials was analyzed, and the respirable fraction of crystalline silica and dust generated in the air from molding and firing workers and other processes were measured. The measurement and analysis method referred to the NIOSH method. Results: The crystalline silica content of the raw material was 24~47%. The concentration of crystalline silica in the molding and firing process workers and the surrounding area was at the level of the exposure standards set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and ACGIH, and the respirable and total dust exposure levels were generally low. The crystalline silica concentration of the area samples measured to estimate past work was about twice as high as the exposure standard of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (0.05 mg/m3), and the exposure levels of respirable dust were also quite high at 0.903 and 1.332 mg/m3. Conclusions: It was confirmed that tile molding and firing workers are currently exposed to a fairly high level of crystalline silica, and a high level is also confirmed in area samples to estimate past work. In the past, it is judged that the level of exposure would have been much higher due to differences in production volume, working method, presence/absence of local ventilation facilities, and process layout. When working in such a working environment for a long time, respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, and IPF can occur.