• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 2012

Objectives: This study developed a harmonized method for risk assessment based on the Hazard & Risk Evaluation of Chemicals (HREC) according to the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). Methods: Three preliminary studies, performed during 2010 and 2011 by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute and three academic research groups, were compared. The differences in risk assessment, especially in the dose-response assessment method, were analyzed. A new harmonized method for dose-response assessment was suggested and its applicability for the HREC was examined. Results: Considering the various steps of each dose-response assessment, the equivalent steps in quantitative correction, uncertainty factor 2 (UF2) for intra-species uncertainty, and UF3 for the experimental period in the uncertainty correction were relatively high. Using our new method, the total correction values (quantitative correction plus uncertainty correction) ranged from 72~15,789 to 30~60, and the ratio of the threshold limit value (TLV) to the reference concentration decreased from 12.8~1900 to 5.4~11.8. Furthermore, when we performed risk characterization by our new method, hazard quotient (HQ) values for chloroethylene, epichlorohydrin, and barium sulfate became 3.0, 14.1, and 1.13 respectively, whereas three previous studies reported HQ values of 7.1, 4580, and 87.3 considering reasonable maximum exposure (RME) conditions. HQs of the three chemicals were calculated to be 0.6, 2.4, and 0.1 respectively, when compared to their TLVs. Conclusions: Our new method could be applicable for the HREC because the total correction values and the ratio of TLVs were within reasonable ranges. It is also recommended that additional risk management measures be applied for epichlorohydrin, for which the HQ values were greater than 1 when compared with both reference values and the TLV. Our proposed method could be used to harmonize dose-response assessment methods for the implementation of risk assessment based on the HREC according to ISHA.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.87-101
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• 2007

The definition and concept of disasters and their preparedness have been changing according to the modern situation. The basic change is that the concept of absolute standard and prevention of hardware damage in the past have been changing to the concept of relative standard and mitigation of direct damage to human. For achieving the purpose, advanced countries developed and used their own analysis method of hazard and vulnerability for disaster ; ASHE hazard and vulnerability evaluation method, hazard matrix method by CDC, FEMA model method and SMUG hazard priority method. Because each analysis method cannot evaluate the hazard and vulnerability for specific disaster, the advantages and disadvantages should be applied for specific situation of disaster in Korea and new analysis method should be extracted in the future.

• 한국방재학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.02a
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• pp.481-484
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• 2008

The research was carried out to suggest the bridge health monitoring systems that have been composed damage detection algorithm and a system for evaluation load carrying capacity of bridge by traffic loads for the purpose of safety management of bridge structure in efficient and economic.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.410-422
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• 2020

Objectives: According to the Act on Registration, Evaluation, Etc. of Chemicals, new and existing chemicals must be registered by 2030. In addition, industries need to submit hazard data as an attachment during the registration process. Therefore, we constructed a nationwide chemical database to support small industry by providing hazard data and original sources. During the process, we developed a new standard procedure for minimizing errors and increasing reliability. Methods: We analyzed the categories of errors and the cause of the errors through the verification results of the 2019 project. We present an improved database construction methodology and system. Results: Errors are categorized according to their causative factors into simple, technical, and structural type errors. Simple errors arise simply because of decreased concentration or negligence in following the instructions. Technical errors are caused by a discrepancy between the professional field and the type of data. Structural errors indicate systemic errors such as incomplete forms on the excel database or ambiguity in the guidelines. Lessons from the errors collected in the 2019 project are used to update the procedures for database authorization and technical guidelines. The main update points are as follows; 'supplementation of review process', 'giving regular training to external reviewers', 'giving additional information to authors, like physico-chemical properties of substances, degradability, etc.', 'amendment of excel form', and 'guideline upgrades'. Conclusions: We conducted this study with the aim of improving the accuracy and reliability of the database of hazard information for chemical substances. The new procedures and guidelines are now being used in the 2020 project for construction of a hazard information database for Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hazards of cosmetic ingredients in Korea. Methods: An Excel database of cosmetic ingredients was developed on a website(Korea Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary) and used for a hazard assessment based on Tox-free, a database containing toxic information such as on carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants(CMRs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs), as well as other regulated chemicals in Korea. Results: A total of 16,605 chemicals were registered with the cosmetic ingredient dictionary and 308 of them were identified as either CMRs or EDCs. CMRs included formaldehyde and nickel gluconate, and EDCs included parabens, benzophenon, styrene, and toluene. Reproductive toxicants such as xylene, zinc chloride, toluene, and formaldehyde were regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances(the Chemical Control Act). Conclusions: Regulations on cosmetics components should be strengthened, and the right to know about cosmetics containing hazardous chemicals should be guaranteed.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.247-259
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• 2008

The utilization of a variety of hazard chemicals bears risks to human health and ecosystem. The increasing usage of various chemicals indicates the greater emission of those chemicals to water system, and the subsequent deterioration of water quality. Water system is vulnerable to many pollutants, however, there are limitations of managing a range of hazard chemicals based on insufficient legal foundations. Therefore it is needed to select hazard chemicals that can be potentially discharged into water system, and subsequently to classify a wide range of existing chemicals for better management of those chemicals. In this study, the 259 candidate chemicals of concern were selected from the lists of the toxic released inventory chemicals (148), hazard concern candidate chemicals (106), and wastewater effluent standard candidate chemicals (116). We suggested the category 1, 2, 3 and 4 of hazard chemicals potentially discharged into water system. The assessment factors considered for the classification were hazard potential, persistence and emission to water body. This work was conducted as a part of the project entitled 'Development of integrated methodology for evaluation of water environment', and the results were used to develop the monitoring lists of hazard chemicals in four major rivers in Korea.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.22 no.6 s.96
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• pp.747-755
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• 2006

This study evaluated the microbiological hazard of three Korean rice cake products (Gaepidduk, Injulmi, Julpyon). Microorganisms testing was conducted in various phases of the product flow of Korean rice cakes preparation, food equipment, environment work and cook employees at small scale. The results showed the presence of redbean paste, soybean powder and oil at levels as high as $10^5$ CFU/g on the hazard analysis of rice cakes ingredients. High levels of coliforms were detected in Julpyon products after 24 hr. and on the cooker's aprons. Clinical bacteria were not detected in any of the rice cakes. We concluded that there is a strong requirement for education related to personal hygiene for the production of hygienic rice cake products and for the publics health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.370-380
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• 2009

Reliable hazard and risk communication is needed to prevent the safety accident & occupational disease through right use of chemicals and MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet) is mainly used as such a tool of communication. MSDS policy has been put into effect in order to prevent the safety accident & occupational disease through right use of chemicals and fulfill workers' right to know. If information on MSDS lacks reliability due to its inaccuracy, prevention of the various effects related with environmental safety & health in advance is not possible to achieve. The most essential thing regarding authoring MSDS is to exactly evaluate the composition and ingredients of the chemical and include reliability-guaranteed information. Therefore, in this study reliability was evaluated on MSDSs in 15 aromatic hydrocarbons(benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.) manufacturers and ways to secure reliability of MSDS were suggested. The results showed 93.5% of composition agreement rate and 89% of reliability on each section in MSDSs. In order to curb MSDSs with low reliability, examination on CBI(confidential business information) in MSDS, certification of MSDS, collection and verification of MSDS are suggested.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.563-563
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• 2002

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2019

Background: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are mixtures with inhalation exposures as mists, dusts, and vapors, and dermal exposure in the dispersed and bulk liquid phase. A quantitative risk assessment was performed for exposure to MWF and respiratory disease. Methods: Risks associated with MWF were derived from published studies and NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations, and lifetime risks were calculated. The outcomes analyzed included adult onset asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary function impairment, and reported symptoms. Incidence rates were compiled or estimated, and annual proportional loss of respiratory capacity was derived from cross-sectional assessments. Results: A strong healthy worker survivor effect was present. New-onset asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF under continuous outbreak conditions, had a lifetime risk of 45%; if the associated microbiological conditions occur with only 5% prevalence, then the lifetime risk would be about 3%. At 0.1 mg/㎥, the estimate of excess lifetime risk of attributable pulmonary impairment was 0.25%, which may have been underestimated by a factor of 5 or more by a strong healthy worker survivor effect. The symptom prevalence associated with respiratory impairment at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF was estimated to be 5% (published studies) and 21% (Health Hazard Evaluations). Conclusion: Significant risks of impairment and chronic disease occurred at 0.1 mg/㎥ for MWFs in use mostly before 2000. Evolving MWFs contain new ingredients with uncharacterized long-term hazards.