• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2009

Objectives : Research on the gender differences of health among older Korean people has been limited compared with the research for other stages of life. This study first examined the patterns and magnitude of the gender differences of health in later life. Second, we examined the gender differences in the health of older men and women that were attributable to differing socioeconomic conditions. Methods : Using the nationally representative 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the gender differences in disability and subjective poor health were assessed by calculating the age adjusted and gender-specific prevalence. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess if the differences between the men and women for health could be explained by differential exposure to socioeconomic factors and/or the differential vulnerability of men and women to these socioeconomic factors. Results : Our results indicated that older women were more likely than the men to report disability and poor subjective health. The health disadvantage of older women was diminished by differential experiences with socioeconomic factors, and especially education. The differences shrink as much as 43.7% in the case of disability and 35.4% in the case of poor subjective health by the differential exposure to educational attainment. Any differential vulnerability to socioeconomic factors was not found between the men and women, which means that socioeconomic factors may have similar effect on health in both genders. Conclusions : Differential socioeconomic experience and exposure between the men and women might cause gender difference in health in old age Koreans.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.202-215
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• 2023

Purpose: This study attempted to determine the factors related to behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (BRE to EDCs) in pregnancy, based on the PRECEDE model. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with participants (N=239) who met the medical records and eligibility criteria from the Women's Hospital and Public Health Center. Data were collected using a specially-designed questionnaire based on the PRECEDE model and included BRE to EDCs predisposing factors, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: In Model I it was found that participation in prenatal education influenced the BRE to EDCs significantly; and a regression showed that the determinant variables accounted for 3.4%. In Model II, the predisposing factors of perceived barriers of BRE to EDCs and environmental self-efficacy were added. It was shown that they significantly influenced BRE to EDCs in the order named, and a regression revealed that increases in the determinant variables accounted for 22.5%. In Model III, to which enabling factors were added, the information acquisition experience of BRE to EDCs interacted significantly with BRE to EDCs and a regression showed an increase in the determinant variables accounting for 25.3%. Conclusion: The results of this study, the content of endocrine disruptors must be included in the prenatal care education program for pregnant women, and it should be composed of contents that can reduce the perceived obstacle to BRE to EDCs, enhance the environmental self-efficacy, and provide the information in regard to reducing exposure to EDCs.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2023

The human reproductive system can be affected by occupational exposure to many physical and chemical risk factors. This study was carried out to review the studies conducted on the issue of the pathophysiological effects of occupational physical and chemical risk factors on the reproductive system of females and males. In this systematic review, the databases such as "Google Scholar," "Pub-Med," "Scopus," and "Web of Science" were used. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020), the studies included in our study were published between 2000 and 2021. In order to extract the required data, all sections of the articles were reviewed. Out of 57 articles we reviewed, 34 articles were related to field studies and 23 articles to clinical studies. Among them, 43 studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of chemical agents, six studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of physical factors, and 8 studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of physicochemical factors on the human reproductive system. Physical (noise, heat, and radiofrequency radiation) and chemical (such as carbamate and organophosphate pesticides, benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, NO2, CS2, manganese, lead, nickel, and n-hexane) risk factors had pathophysiological effects on the human reproductive system. The presence of these risk factors in the workplace caused damage to the human reproductive system. The rate of these negative pathophysiological effects can be reduced by performing appropriate managerial, technical, and engineering measures in work environments.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2024

Gastric cancer has been consistently decreasing worldwide, whereas cardia gastric cancer is on the rise. This indicates that the exposure rates to epidemiological causes are changing. In this study, we aim to review the risk factors for gastric cancer with respect to cardia and non-cardia types. One of the most significant risk factors for gastric cancer is Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori infection is known as a risk factor for non-cardia gastric cancer, and there have been results indicating that H. pylori infection is not associated with cardia gastric cancer. However, in the East Asian region, there is epidemiological evidence suggesting that H. pylori infection might be a risk factor for cardia gastric cancer. Smoking and alcohol consumption are known risk factors for gastric cancer, regardless of anatomical location. Obesity is considered a factor in the development of cardia gastric cancer. However, further research is needed to understand the specific relationship with non-cardia gastric cancer. The consumption of high-salt and processed meat is more distinctly associated with noncardia gastric cancer than in cardia gastric cancer. In addition to these factors, exposure to chemicals and radiation are considered risk factors for gastric cancer. Primary prevention of gastric cancer involves eliminating or avoiding risk factors such as H. pylori eradication and adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a low-salt diet.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.698-698
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• 2014

According to the analysis of special medical examination and work environment monitoring data, the rate of C1 and D1 on noise hazard exceeded 90% among those of total hazardous factors. The rate of company exceeding noise exposure limit was also more than 90%. The analysis result shows that main ages diagnosed with C1 and D1 was age of 50s. The majority scale company having workers diagnosed with C1 and D1 was the companies employing 5~49 workers. Types of industries which have a large number of companies exceeding noise exposure limit were automobile and trailer manufacturing, metal processing industry and primary metal manufacturing. A large number of work processes exceeding noise exposure limit were forming and processing work, cutting and bending work and grinding. To reduce the number of company exceeding noise exposure limit, the reduction counterplan should be focused on the type of industry and the work process which exceeded noise exposure limit frequently. However, the reduction counterplan is preemptively necessary to the type of industry and the work process which exceeded noise exposure limit consecutively if the purpose of reduction counterplan is not to merely reduce the number of company exceeding noise exposure limit but to abate workers' suffering from noise.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2011

The purpose of this report is recommending a standard indicator which reflects the radiation exposure that is incident on a detector after every exposure event and that reflects the noise levels present in the image data. The experiment was performed with mobile digital X-ray unit and used a acrylic phantom for exposure index measurement. Exposure modality was kVp, mAs, SID. After every exposure, make a data sheet for characteristic curve of detector response. The equipment performed Mobile digital X-ray unit provide the user with values ralated to the incident exposure(air kerma)to the digital detector. They are showed as a logarithmic function shaped. As a result, DEI means a relative measure of exposure to the detector, as compared to the expected exposure for a particular anatomical view. Radiographic technique is the combination of factors used to exposure an anatomical part to produce a high quality radiography and technique charts used most commonly by radiographers to produce consistently exposure level which patient dose can be kept acceptably low.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.142-153
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine environmental chemical exposure related to residential and personal lifestyle characteristics in the adult Korean population. The observations of this study can provide information useful for developing reduction approaches for exposure to chemicals among the general adult population. Methods: The second stage of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES) was conducted from 2012 to 2014, with 6,478 persons participating. Using the results of the survey, the relationship between exposure levels of heavy metals and organic chemicals and exposure factors, e.g. residential and personal lifestyle characteristics, were analyzed. Results: The exposure levels of VOCs and PAHs were significantly lower in participants living at a distance of more than 100 m from roads versus living closer to roads. Home ventilation lowered VOC and PAH exposure but did not lower chemical exposure from household products. Use of public transportation showed lower exposure to heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs. Current smoker was significantly higher for levels of heavy metals, VOCs, and PAHs, and the exposure trend was similar for current drinkers. Physical activity was related with higher exposure to phthalates and environmental phenols. Conclusion: Our observations based on a nationally representative population for Korea show that exposure to chemicals varies by residential and personal lifestyle, and this should be considered for developing appropriate mitigation measures and policies. Given the health concerns surrounding environmental chemicals, it is necessary to develop comprehensive measures to reduce chemical exposure.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.231-241
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• 2018

Atmospheric corrosion is generally an electrochemical degradation process of metal. It can be caused by various corrosion factors of atmospheric component, weather, and air pollutants. Moisture, particles of sea salts, and sulfur dioxide are major factors in atmospheric corrosion. Galvanizing coating is one of the most efficient ways to protect iron from corrosion by zinc plating on the surface of the iron. Galvanized steels are being widely used in automobiles, building structures, roofing, and other industrial structures due to their high corrosion resistance compared to bare iron. Atmospheric corrosion of galvanized steel has shown complex corrosion behavior depending on coating process, coating thickness, atmospheric environment, and air pollutants. In addition, different types and kinds of corrosion products can be produced depending on the environment. Lifespan of galvanized steels is also affected by the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the corrosion behavior of galvanized steel under atmospheric corrosion at six locations in Korea. When the exposure time was increased, content of zinc from GA surface decreased while contents of iron and oxygen tended to increase. On the other hand, content of iron was constant even after 36 months of exposure of GI.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2012

This study the effects of Cu exposure on biochemical factors in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the abalone $Haliotis$ $discus$ $hannai$. Abalone were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cu for 4 weeks. The calcium concentrations in hemolymph were decreased significantly on exposure to 20 and 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cu after 2 weeks. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in abalone hemolymph were markedly elevated after exposure to 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cu for 4 weeks. The hepatopancreas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were also significantly increased by exposure to 20 ${\mu}g/L$ Cu for 4 weeks. These biochemical factors may represent a convenient method of monitoring heavy metal pollution in coastal areas. From these results, we conclude that a high copper concentration (40 ${\mu}g/L$) in water may curtail hemolymph homeostasis and anti-oxidative reactions in abalone.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2009

To identify relationship between the airborne concentrations of formaldehyde and the causal factors in the endoscope unit of hospitals, a total of 48 workers selected from 4 hospitals (3 university hospitals and 1 national hospital) were investigated. Airborne formaldehyde samples were collected using passive samplers and subsequently analyzed by HPLC according to the OSHA method 1007. The geometric mean(GM) of airborne formaldehyde concentrations was 0.056 ppm (range: 0.003~0.923 ppm). The rates of exceeding exposure limits of OSHA PEL-TWA and NIOSH REL-TWA were 4.2 % and 83.3%, respectively. The STEL GM concentration was 1.428 ppm(range: 0.103~14.773 ppm). Ventilation condition (p=0.001) and temperature (p=0.017) were statistically significant causal factors for the airborne exposure concentration of formaldehyde in the endoscope unit of hospitals. In conclusion, the workers in the endoscope unit of hospitals were highly exposed to formaldehyde, and adequate controls such as appropriate management of ventilation and temperature are recommended to reduce over exposure to formaldehyde.