• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of worker exposure to hazardous chemical substances and propose the direction of work environment management for protecting worker's health in the semiconductor assembly process. Methods: Four assembly lines at two semiconductor manufacturing companies were selected for this study. We investigated the types of chemicals that were used and generated during the assembly process, and evaluated the workers' exposure levels to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde and the current work environment management in the semiconductor assembly process. Results: Most of the chemicals used at the assembly process are complex mixtures with high molecular weight such as adhesives and epoxy molding compounds(EMCs). These complex mixtures are stable when they are used at room temperature. However workers can be exposed to volatile organic compounds(VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde when they are used at high temperature over $100^{\circ}C$. The concentration levels of benzene and formaldehyde in chip molding process were higher than other processes. The reason was that by-products were generated during the mold process due to thermal decomposition of EMC and machine cleaner at the process temperature($180^{\circ}C$). Conclusions: Most of the employees working at semiconductor assembly process are exposed directly or indirectly to various chemicals. Although the concentration levels are very lower than occupational exposure limits, workers can be exposed to carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde. Therefore, workers employed in the semiconductor assembly process should be informed of these exposure characteristics.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.130-139
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tire manufacturing work environments extensively and to identify workers' exposure to hazardous substances in various work processes. Methods: Personal air sampling was conducted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexane, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and rubber fume in tire manufacturing plants using the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health Manual of Analytical Methods. Noise, carbon monoxide, and heat stress exposure were evaluated using direct reading instruments. Past concentrations of rubber fume were assessed using regression analysis of total particulate data from 2003 to 2007, after identifying the correlation between the concentration of total particulate and rubber fume. Results: Workers were exposed to rubber fume that exceeded 0.6 mg/$m^3$, the maximum exposure limit of the UK, in curing and production management processes. Forty-seven percent of workers were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. Workers in the production management process were exposed to $28.1^{\circ}C$ (wet bulb globe temperature value, WBGT value) even when the outdoor atmosphere was $2.7^{\circ}C$ (WBGT value). Exposures to other substances were below the limit of detection or under a tenth of the threshold limit values given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Conclusion: To better classify exposure groups and to improve work environments, examining closely at rubber fume components and temperature as risk indicators in tire manufacturing is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.536-542
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• 2005

Recently European Council(EU) published the RoHS(restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) which is prohibit the use of Pb, Hg, Cd, $Cr^{+6}$, PBB or PBDE in the electrical and electronic equipments. So EU member States shall ensure that, from 1 July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain 6 hazardous substances. The one of the most important in electronics manufacturing process is soldering. Soldering process use the chemical substances which are applied in fluxing and cleaning processes and it can generate the malfunction of electronics caused by corrosion in the fields conditions. Therefore this study researched on the polarization and Tafel properties of Sn40Pb and Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu(SAC) solder based on the electrochemical theory. We prepared SnPb specimens which was aged in $150^{\circ}C,\;180^{\circ}C$ for 15 minutes ana Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu specimens that was aged in $180^{\circ}C,\;220^{\circ}C$ for 10 minutes. Experimental polarization curves were measured in distilled ionized water and $3.5 wt\%$, 1 mole NaCl electrolyte of $40^{\circ}C$, pH 7.5. Ag/AgCl and graphite were utilized by reference and counter electrode, respectively. To observe the electrochemical reaction, polarization test was conducted from -250 mV to +250 mV. From the polarization curves that were composed of anodic and cathodic curves, we obtained Tafel slop, reversible electrode potential(Ecorr) and exchange current density(Icorr). In these results, corrosion rate for two specimen were compared Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu with SnPb solders

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2023

Objectives: Business operators handling hazardous chemicals regulated under the Chemical Substances Control Act (CSCA) must receive permits to operate their business from the Ministry of Environment. This study analyzed the status of recent legal violation in chemical handling workplaces in Ulsan where a large volume of chemicals is handled for industrial use. Methods: A total of 557 corporations have been granted legal status as business operators in Ulsan. For all business operators, legal violations in regard to the CSCA that were discovered by the environmental office in the last five years (2018~2022) were thoroughly analyzed. Results: A total of 225 violations of the CSCA have been discovered at 165 corporations, with the violation rate accounting for approximately 27% of all business operators. In particular, 22% of the 165 violators (36 corporations) were discovered to have violated twice or more, and some business operators (6%) even violated in consecutive years. Non-compliance of facility inspection was the most frequent violation (45 cases, 20.1%), followed by non-reporting of important changes in the permitted matters (23 cases, 10.3%), non-completion of legal safety education (19 cases, 8.5%), failure to secure permission for modification in the permitted matters (18 cases, 8.0%), and failure to submit chemical transport plans (16 cases, 7.1%). Conclusions: Most of the violations could have been prevented if the field personnel had paid sufficient attention. Thus, it is fundamentally necessary to create an environment for spontaneous safety management for themselves and to strengthen individual capabilities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.262-278
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• 2024

Objectives: To investigate the work environment measurement (WEM) status and concentration levels of substances with short-term exposure limits (STEL) among special management substances. Methods: Data from the past 5 years of WEM for 6 substances (1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), 1,3-butadiene, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE) and sulfuric acid) were analyzed. The number of samples and concentration level of STEL and 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) were compared. Results: The number of STEL measurement for 1,3-butadiene, benzene, and sulfuric acid was less than 1% of the number of TWA measurement samples, while TCE, 1,2-DCP, and PCE, which are mainly used for cleaning metals, were relatively high, at 16.1%, 5.6%, and 2.2%, respectively. When comparing the concentrations of STEL with TWA on the same STEL measured workers (STEL-matched TWA), STEL concentrations were 2.8, 3.1, 2.6, 2.6 and 40.5 times higher than TWA as 1,2-DCP, benzene, TCE, PCE, and sulfuric acid. When comparing the concentration of STEL-matched TWA with the total TWA, STEL-matched TWA was 3.4, 8, 1.4, 2.0, 8.6 and 0.7 times higher for 1,2-DCP, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, TCE, PCE, and sulfuric acid, respectively. Conclusions: This study found that the workers performing irregular tasks may be exposed to higher concentrations of hazardous substances than regular workers. It is necessary to strengthen short-term exposure measurement, even for substances which STEL have not been set.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2023

Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential means for protecting workers against hazardous agents or risks that threaten their safety and health. Governmental organizations related to safety and health in the workplace regulate the PPE rules to protect workers and to minimize damage from hazardous agents. This study discussed current PPE rules overseen by the Korea Ministry of Environment and explores future perspectives on the matter. Methods: This study was based on a review of PPE regulations with which every stakeholder should comply in the workplace. Both South Korean regulations enforced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Environment and cases from other countries were reviewed. Results: Regulations related to the PPE required for handling chemical substances in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Enforcement Decree, Enforcement Rules, and Notification of Protective Equipment Certification under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The Ministry of Environment also regulates the PPE standards for 97 substances requiring preparation for accidents and adjustment of work conditions, but a recent amendment (partially amended on September 30, 2022) loosened some unreasonable or excessive provisions. It requires workers simply to carry or otherwise keep PPE handy instead of wearing it for some tasks in which hazardous chemicals are not handled directly. Conclusions: It is important to regularly review provisions that need to be improved or supplemented to help all stakeholders. Considerations should be also made to build a reasonable regulatory system that can induce more mature safety management in each workplace.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2018

Objectives: The purposes of the study were to investigate hazardous pollutant emissions changes among group 1 carcinogens. The emissions characteristics were compared with national cancer registration statistics. Methods: A survey of group 1 carcinogen hazardous pollutant emissions (trichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene oxide, chromium and its compounds, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane, chloromethyl methyl ether, arsenic and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, o-toluidine) was conducted through a homepage for 2001-2015. The emission of hazardous chemicals and the cancer trend analysis for 2001-2015 were performed using the Korean statistical information service through its homepage as a reference. Results: Emissions of more than 95% of the substances listed as group 1 carcinogens over the last five years were made up of trichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and ethylene oxide. As a result of the comparison of emission results and cancer incidence rates, carcinogen pollutant emissions showed a tendency to decrease continuously. In addition, the incidence of cancer tended to increase, but showed a tendency to decrease from 2012. Conclusion: The results indicate hazardous pollutant emissions have continued to increase. However, no association between emissions and health effects was shown and more research is needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.393-405
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• 2018

Objective: This study examines the types of hazardous factors in the working environment and the time-trend for their exposure levels over 10 years (2007 to 2016). Study Design and Method: The types of hazardous factors and exposure levels were drawn from the 19 measurement reports on the working environment over 10 years at a shock absorber manufacturing facility. Risk assessment of the types of factors and time-trend of exposure levels were evaluated using the factors and exposure levels. Results: A total of 34 hazardous factors were evaluated. The types were noise, 15 organic compounds, seven kinds of acid sand alkalis, eight kinds of heavy metals, and three other compounds. Special management materials used were nickel, hexavalent chrome, and sulfuric acid. Human carcinogens (1A) used were trichloroethylene, nickel, and sulfuric acid. There were six types of substances belonging to the IARC's 2B (body carcinogens) classification or higher, including, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl benzene, and trichloroethylene. No detection was found for 627 out of the 2065 total measurements in 19 exposure survey reports, representing 30.4%. Organic solvents, acid and alkali products, and heavy metals showed continuous low exposure concentrations. Noise, welding fumes, and the evaluation of mixed solvents show a gradual decrease in geometric mean and maximum over the time-trend of 10 years. Conclusions: In the case of a shock absorber manufacturing facility, the hazardous factors of noise and the evaluation of mixed solvents still indicate high concentrations exceeding the exposure limits and necessitate reduction studies. These two factors and welding fumes showed a continuous decrease in their ten-year tendency. Organic compounds, acids/alkalis, and heavy metals were managed smoothly in a work environment of continuous low concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.32-38
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• 2016

In general, lots of containers including various dangerous materials are transported to the port located in big cities such as Busan where massive residents live. Thus, it's really important how to make the emergency response for the leak accidents of dangerous materials and evaluate the direct or indirect damages to adjacent areas. In this study, in order to make reasonable emergency plans, CA (Consequence Analysis) is employed after selecting a key hazardous and noxious material, hydrogen fluroide. This material accounts for the third largest portion of cargo volume among all dangerous materials and can cause a huge damage in case of leakages. As a case study, Busan North port is selected as a test port since the portion of dangerous materials is higher than that of other ports in Busan. It is assumed that 1 ton of hydrogen fluoride is spilled at Busan North port. CA is performed to assess the impact of this accident. Throughout CA, the ERPG-2 range of a leak accident can be evaluated and this result can be used for decision making tools for mitigating the impact of a leak accident. To mitigate the damage of this accident, suitable a protective equipment and resident evacuation procedures should be prepared. Finally, this study can provide a systematic approach to make the emergency plan for reducing economical and personal losses.