• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1986

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of arsenic (As) fractions in paddy soils in relation to some soil characteristics and to find out the relationship between As fractions in soil and As content in brown rice. Soils and rice samples were collected from paddy field adjacent to arsenic mining and refinery sites. Sequential extraction procedures were used to fractionate As in soils into the designated forms of water soluble-As, Al-As, Fe-As, Ca-As, and residual-As. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The percent distribution of As fractions in soil showed a wide difference depending on some soil properties. The relative abundance of the extractable inorganic As fractions was in the order of Fe-As>Al-As>Ca-As>Water soluble-As regardless of mining and refinery sites. Residual-As fraction was more abundant in mining site than in refinery site. 2. With increasing soil pH, the percent distribution of Fe-As and Al-As fractions were decreased, but that of Ca-As and Residual-As fractions increased. The percent distribution of Al-As fraction in soil was negatively correlated with soil CEC, but others showed positive relationships. 3. Active Al and Fe content, and exchangeable Ca content in soil were positively correlated with the percent distribution of Al-As, Fe-As, and Ca-As fractions in soil respectively, and higher correlation between them was shown in mining site than in refinery site. 4. Soil As fractions, except for water soluble-As, showed significant correlation with among each others and also with 1N HCl extration method using as the common soil As extractant in Korea. 5. Arsenic content in brown rice had highly significant correlation with Al-As fraction in soil and it also showed significant correlation with Fe-As and Ca-As fractions, Total-As, and 1N-HCl extractable As.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.12-21
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• 2017

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the transfer of As and cationic heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb) from soil to rice plant in soil condition with submerged and drained. During the ninety-day monitoring period for soil solution, solubility of reducible elements such as As, Fe and Mn in submerged condition were higher than that of Zn. On the contrary, concentration of Zn in drained condition was higher than that of reducible elements. The concentration of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in rice plant (root, stem, leaf and grain) showed similar pattern with soil solution. The As concentration in each part of rice plant, which cultivated in drained condition, measured 56%~94% lower than those in submerged condition. However, the contents of cationic heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) were represented the opposite result with As. These results are due to mobility of As and cationic heavy metals under different soil drainage conditions which represent oxidation and reduction. Thus soil drainage control can be used as acceptable passive treatment methods to reduce transfer of inorganic contaminants from soil to rice plant. However more detailed examination on soil condition conversion is needed, because yield of rice was decreased when it cultivated in drained condition only. It also needed when soil is contaminated by As and cationic heavy metal because single drainage condition cannot reduce transfer of both kinds of contaminants all.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.334-343
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• 2019

We investigated the sanitary characteristics of Alaska pollock Theragra chalcogramma roe as a raw material based on the standards of several countries. The standards for raw materials of Alaska pollock roe for lead, total mercury, $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, and $^{131}I$ were those of the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Clostridium botulinum, methyl mercury, $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, $^{131}I$, $^{239}Pu$, and $^{90}Sr$ were those of the United States Food and Drug Administration; lead, methyl mercury, inorganic arsenic, chrome, $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, and $^{131}I$ were those of the Ministry of Agriculture of China; nitrite ion, $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, $^{239}Pu$, and $^{235}U$ were those of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan; $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, $^{131}I$, $^{239}Pu$, and $^{90}Sr$ were those of Codex; and $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, $^{131}I$, $^{239}Pu$, $^{241}Am$, and $^{90}Sr$ were those of the European Food Safety Authority. The results for the global standard items other than C. botulinum (lead, total mercury, methyl mercury, inorganic arsenic, chrome, $^{134}Cs+^{137}Cs$, and $^{131}I$, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp.) suggest that Alaska pollock roe is safe for use as a raw material.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.904-911
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• 2021

For the safety assessment of microbiological and chemical hazards in dried sea mustard, fifteen samples of dried sea mustards Undaria pinnatifida were purchased from the supermarkets distributed throughout Korea. The contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine pathogenic bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio spp., Clostridium perfringens, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), Yersinia enterocolitica and Campylobacter jejuni/coli] were quantitatively or qualitatively assessed. Also, the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury, and inorganic arsenic), and radioactivity (¹³¹I, ¹³⁴CS+¹³⁷CS) were quantitatively assessed. This microbial and chemical analysis was performed using standard methods in Korean food code. The total viable bacteria ranged from 4.3×10² (5.0×10-1.5×10³) CFU/g. Coliforms and E. coli were not detected in all samples (ND, <1 log₁₀ CFU/g). All nine pathogenic bacteria were qualitatively detected as negative. The contamination levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and inorganic arsenic were 0.036 (0.015-0.051), 0.117 (0.088-0.156), 0.030 (0.017-0.048), and 0.058 (0.056-0.064) mg/kg, respectively. Radioactivity was also not detected in any sample. The microbial contamination levels determined in the current study may be potentially used as basis for performing microbial risk assessments of dried sea mustards.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.302-324
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• 2022

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate exposure to occupational carcinogens in the nationwide electronics industries and to establish a strategy for control of occupational carcinogens in South Korea. Methods: We evaluated occupational carcinogens as defined by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) using a nationwide work environment measurement database on the electronics industry in South Korea measured between 2013 and 2017 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Results: The number of occupational carcinogens found in the electronics industry in South Korea were: 20 for IARC Group 1, 14 for Group 2A, and 30 for Group 2B. The occupational carcinogens (Group 1) most frequently exposed were strong-inorganic-acid mists containing sulfuric acid (sulfuric acid), welding fumes, mineral oils (untreated or mildly treated), nickel compounds, silica dust, crystalline substances in the form of quartz or cristobalite, formaldehyde, arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds, chromium (VI) compounds, trichloroethylene, cadmium and cadmium compounds, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, wood dust, beryllium and beryllium compounds, 1,3 butadiene, benzene, and others. Among them, the carcinogens (Group 1) exceeding the acceptable standard were trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and ethylene oxide. The working environment measurement system as regulated by Occupational Safety and Health Act is not properly assessed and managed for occupational carcinogens in South Korea. A component analysis for all materials used should be set up to practically reduce occupational carcinogens. A ban on the use of occupational carcinogens and the development of alternative materials are needed. The occupational carcinogens below the acceptable standards should be carefully examined and a new standard for exposure needs to be established. Conclusions: The Occupational Safety and Health Act should be improved to identify and monitor occupational carcinogens at work sites. A strategy for occupational safety and health systems should be provided to give direction to workers' needs and right to know.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1987

A pot experiment was conducted to find out the effect of water management on the growth and uptake of arsenic and inorganic nutrients of rice plant at As added soil. The arsenic were added to soil at the levels of As 0, 10, 50, 100 and 150 ppm, respectively. Water management was done with two ways: intermittent irrigation from ten days after transplanting, and continuous submersion until harvest. Higher soil As levels increased As content in plant but reduced growth rate. Aresenic content in plant was considerably reduced with intermittent irrigation compared to continuous submersion. Rice growth showed also same trend. With increasing As levels in soil, N content in plant was increased but P, K, Ca, Mg, $SiO_2$, Fe and Mn content in plant were tend to be decreased. These inorganic nutrients in plant were also much absorbed in continuous submersion compared to intermittent irrigation. Soil pH was slightly increased with increasing As levels in soil while soil Eh has no relationship with soil As levels. On the other hand, soil pH was higher in the treatment of continuous submersion than that of intermittent irrigation but soil Eh showed reverse trend. With increasing As levels in soil, water soluble-As and Ca-As fractions in soil tend to be increased with continuous submersion, but these fractions has no tendency with intermittant irrigation.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2012

Experiments were carried out to determine the hematological changes in freshwater tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, after water temperature (20, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$) and arsenic concentrations (200, and 400 ppb) exposure 20 days. The RBC count and hematocrit (Ht) were significantly increased in As 400 ppb and water temperature $30^{\circ}C$. Hemoglobin (Hb) was significantly increased under combined As (200 and 400 ppb) and water temperature $30^{\circ}C$. The tilapia exposed to water temperature $30^{\circ}C$ and As concentration 400 ppb increase significantly in calcium concentration. The high concentrations of total protein and glucose concentrations were observed at water temperature $30^{\circ}C$ and As concentration 400 ppb. A significant increment GOT and GPT activities in the tilapia serum noticed at water temperature (25 and $30^{\circ}C$) and As concentration (200, 400 ppb). These results indicate that tilapia can be affected by high water temperature ($30^{\circ}C$) and As concentration (400 ppb) in terms of inorganic matter, organic matter and enzyme activity in serum.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2010

Although concerns about Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural foods have currently increased, there in on adequate international risk management standards for As particularly on agricultural commodities and processed agricultural products. This scenario holds true also in Korea. Australia, and New Zealand has determined the As maximum level (ML) but only on cereals grains which is based on total As contents. ln addition, Japan has regulated the ML based on trivalent As contents in agricultural commodities, which do not have legal restrictions. On the other hand, China has developed a systemic risk management to restrict the As contamination above MLs in agricultural commodities and processed agricultural products based on inorganic and total As contents. The establishment of an adequate analytical method for As specification in agricultural foods is essential to determine the acceptable level of As in agricultural food. Probabilistic approach may remove some uncertainties in calculating human risk assessment from As. It should be reviewed in terms of maximum levels to set the best scenario based on a realiability and availability to achieve effective As management on agricultural foods in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.196-208
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• 1998

To improve the quality of environmental measurements and evaluation of the workplace air in the pigment manufacturing industries, we analyzed metal(chromium, cadmium, lead, iron, cobalt, manganese, antimony, titanium, arsenic, and selenium) concentrations by ICP-AES in sixty seven samples of inorganic bulk pigments which are produced and/or used in Korea. We also collected MSDS which has to be supplied by manufacturer and/or supplier and posted in the workplace according to the Hazard Communication Standards, and compared the number of metals listed in each MSDS with the number of metals determined by ICP-AES. Results were as followed; 1. Among seventeen yellowish-colored samples, chromium(2~19%) and lead(0.1~61%) were the two major metals. In thirteen reddish-colored samples, iron was the major component with 37~81%. Cobalt and manganese were detected in blue-colored samples with less than 1%, while antimony and titanium were the major two metals in white-colored pigments with 178~300 ppm and with 36~65%, respectively. 2. In area samples collected in workplace air(one pigments producing factory and five retailer stores), iron and manganese were detected but the concentrations not exceeded the TLVs(1 and $5mg/m^3$, respectively). In three of fifteen samples, the concentrations of lead exceeded the TLV ($0.05mg/m^3$). 3. Two out of seven companies provided MSDS, and the average provision rate was 22.4%. And the coincidence rate of the number of metals referenced in MSDS and determined by ICP-AES mostly accorded, but in one sample, different metal was detected from MSDS. In summary, metals have to be concerned in evaluation of the workplace air dealing with compounds of inorganic pigments dust are cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, lead and antimony, and these are simultaneously determined by ICP-AES. Taking this opportunity, it is needed to reinforce that the personnel is to be concerned about prevention of workers' ill health regarding to provision of MSDS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.360-372
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• 2010

Concentrations of ambient air particles such as total suspended particulates (TSP), particulate matter $(PM)_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$, were monitored simultaneously from May to June, 2007, at four locations at Alashan and Beijing in China, and Seoul and Gosan in South Korea. These monitoring sites are in the pathway of Asian dust (AD) storms traveling from China to the Korean peninsula. An AD event was observed in the Korean peninsula on May 25-26. During the sampling period, the average concentrations of TSP and PM10 were each higher than $150\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in Alashan and Beijing, but not in Seoul and Gosan. The concentration of TSP in Alashan (where the dust storm originated) on the day of the AD event reached $1824.7\;{\mu}g/m^3$, this being the highest concentration of air particles observed during the sampling period. The level was decreased to 15% of this ($274.7\;{\mu}g/m^3$) in Seoul and to 8.7% ($159.0\;{\mu}g/m^3$) in Gosan when the AD was observed two days later in Korea. Gosan, a representative background site in East Asia, displayed the lowest concentration of particles, with this maximal TSP concentration of $159\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Inorganic element contents in the air particles were also measured, and the concentrations in the four different regions compared. Concentrations of anthropogenically-enriched heavy metals in $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, were higher in the metropolitan cities of Beijing and Seoul compared to non-industrialized regions of Alashan and Gosan. However, the concentrations of inorganic soil elements including iron, magnesium, aluminum sodium, and manganese, were higher in Alashan compared to those in other sampling sites.