• Title/Summary/Keyword: Laboratory Safety & Environment

Search Result 334, Processing Time 0.027 seconds

A Study on Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to Organic Compounds in University Laboratory (대학 실험실에서의 유기화합물 노출에 의한 건강위험성 평가에 관한 연구)

  • Sim, Sanghyo;Won, Jung-II;Jeon, Hasub;Kim, Dowon
    • The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
    • /
    • v.22 no.4
    • /
    • pp.49-60
    • /
    • 2021
  • Objectives: Laboratories have various latent physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomical factors according to the diversification and fusion of research and development activities. This study aims to investigate the chemical exposure concentrations of college laboratories and evaluate their health risks, and use them as basic data to promote the health of college students. Methods: The sampling and analysis of harmful chemicals in the air in laboratories were performed using Method 1500 of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)의 Method 1500. The harmful chemicals in the laboratories were divided into carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals. Risk assessment was performed using the cancer risk (CR) for carcinogenic chemicals and using the hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic chemicals. Results: The harmful chemicals in college laboratories consisted of acetone, diethyl ether, methylene chloride, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and xylenes. They showed the highest concentrations in laboratories A (acetone 0.001~2.34ppm), B (chloroform 0.95~6.35ppm), C (diethyl ether 0.08~8.68ppm), and D (acetone 0.07~14.96ppm). The risk assessment result for non-carcinogenic chemicals showed that the HI of methylene chloride was 2.052 for men and 2.333 for women, the HI of N-hexane was 4.442 for men and 5.05 for women. Thus, the HI values were higher than 1. The risk of carcinogenic chemicals is determined by an excess cancer risk (ECR) value of 1.0×10-5, which means that one in 100,000 people has a cancer risk. The ECRs of chloroform exceeded 1.0×10-5 for both men and women, indicating the possibility of cancer risk. Conclusion: College laboratories showed the possibility of non-carcinogenic health risks for methylene chloride, n-hexane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and xylenes, and carcinogenic health risks for chloroform, methylene chloride. However, this study used the maximum values of measurements to determine the worst case, and assumed that the subjects were exposed to the corresponding concentrations continuously for 8 hours per day for 300 days per year. In consideration of the nature of laboratory environment in which people are intermittently exposed, rather than continuously, to the chemicals, the results of this study has an element of overestimation.

ROLE OF COMPUTER SIMULATION MODELING IN PESTICIDE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Wauchope, R.Don;Linders, Jan B.H.J.
    • Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
    • /
    • 2003.10a
    • /
    • pp.91-93
    • /
    • 2003
  • It has been estimated that the equivalent of approximately $US 50 billion has been spent on research on the behavior and fate of pesticides in the environment since Rachel Carson published “Silent Spring” in 1962. Much of the resulting knowledge has been summarized explicitly in computer algorithms in a variety of empirical, deterministic, and probabilistic simulation models. These models describe and predict the transport, degradation and resultant concentrations of pesticides in various compartments of the environment during and after application. In many cases the known errors of model predictions are large. For this reason they are typically designed to be “conservative”, i.e., err on the side of over-prediction of concentrations in order to err on the side of safety. These predictions are then compared with toxicity data, from tests of the pesticide on a series of standard representative biota, including terrestrial and aquatic indicator species and higher animals (e.g., wildlife and humans). The models' predictions are good enough in some cases to provide screening of those compounds which are very unlikely to do harm, and to indicate those compounds which must be investigated further. If further investigation is indicated a more detailed (and therefore more complicated) model may be employed to give a better estimate, or field experiments may be required. A model may be used to explore “what if” questions leading to possible alternative pesticide usage patterns which give lower potential environmental concentrations and allowable exposures. We are currently at a maturing stage in this research where the knowledge base of pesticide behavior in the environmental is growing more slowly than in the past. However, innovative uses are being made of the explosion in available computer technology to use models to take ever more advantage of the knowledge we have. In this presentation, current developments in the state of the art as practiced in North America and Europe will be presented. Specifically, we will look at the efforts of the ‘Focus’ consortium in the European Union, and the ‘EMWG’ consortium in North America. These groups have been innovative in developing a process and mechanisms for discussion amongst academic, agriculture, industry and regulatory scientists, for consensus adoption of research advances into risk management methodology.

  • PDF

A Study on the Recycling of Detoxified Waste Asbestos (무해화 처리 폐석면의 재활용에 관한 기초연구)

  • Kim, Tae-Hyoung;Song, Tae-Hyeb;Shin, Hyen-Gyoo;Jang, Kyung-Pil
    • Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
    • /
    • v.8 no.2
    • /
    • pp.161-166
    • /
    • 2020
  • In accordance with the amendment of the Industrial Safety and Health Act of 2007, Korea completely prohibited the import, distribution and manufacture of asbestos like Europe and Japan. Accordingly, the current problem of asbestos is the safe maintenance and disposal of asbestos construction material, the disposal of asbestos, and the final disposal of asbestos building materials. If the asbestos building material is made harmless, it may be classified as general waste or as recyclable waste. Therefore, this study evaluated the physical and chemical characterization of detoxified asbestos powder and the applicability of secondary products. In this study, it was found that applying the appropriate temperature and pressure for catalysis during asbestos desalination through low temperature chemical treatment was the most important factor.

Comparison of Detection Rate of Salmonella spp. in Environment Sampling of Conventional and Welfare Chicken Farms (양계 일반농장과 동물복지농장에서의 환경 샘플링을 통한 살모넬라 검출율 비교)

  • Deok-Hwan, Kim;Kyu-Jik, Kim;Yun-Jeong, Choi;Heesu, Lee;Ji-Yeon, Hyeon;Chang-Seon, Song
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
    • /
    • v.49 no.4
    • /
    • pp.281-286
    • /
    • 2022
  • This study was conducted to investigate the detection rate and serotypes of Salmonella spp. in conventional and welfare poultry farms. Ten welfare (five layer and five broiler) and 15 conventional farms (five layer and ten broiler farms) were visited to collect environmental samples for identification and serotyping of Salmonella spp. The detection rate of Salmonella spp. was higher in the welfare farms than in conventional farms in both layer and broiler farms. In layer farms, Salmonella spp. was detected in 0.76% (1 out of 130) of samples from one of five welfare layer farms, but was not detected in the five in conventional layer farms. No significan ifference (P>0.05) was observed between the welfare and conventional layer farms. In broiler farms, Salmonella spp. was detected in 10.5% (21 out of 200) of samples from four of five welfare broiler farms and 3.5% (7 out of 200) of samples from five of ten conventional broiler farms, and a significant difference (p <0.05) was observed between the welfare and conventional broiler farms. Among 29 Salmonella spp. isolates, five isolates were serotyped to Salmonella enterica subsp. Enteritidis (n=2), Salmonella enterica subsp. Grampian (n=1), Salmonella enterica subsp. Virchow (n=1), and Salmonella enterica subsp. Senftenberg (n=1). These results suggest that microbial risks could be higher in welfare farms than in conventional farms due to easy access to open-air areas, environmental enrichment, and reduced use of antibiotics. Therefore, continuous monitoring and surveillance for Salmonella spp. is necessary to improve the microbiological safety of poultry meat.

The Non-Destructive Determination of Heavy Metals in Welding Fume by EDXRF (EDXRF에 의한 용접흄 중의 중금속의 비파괴 정량)

  • Park, Seunghyun;Jeong, Jee Yeon;Ryoo, Jang Jin;Lee, Naroo;Yu, Il Je;Song, Kyung Seuk;Lee, Yong Hag;Han, Jeong Hee;Kim, Sung Jin;Park, Jung sun;Chung, Ho Keun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
    • /
    • v.11 no.3
    • /
    • pp.229-234
    • /
    • 2001
  • The EDXRF(Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer) technique was applied to the determination of heavy metals in welding fume. The EDXRF method designed in this study was a non-destructive analysis method. Samples were analyzed directly by EDXRF without any pre-treatment such as digestion and dilution. The samples used to evaluate this method were laboratory samples exposed in a chamber connected with a welding fume generator. The samples were first analyzed using a non-destructive EDXRF method. The samples subsequently were analyzed using AAS method to verify accuray of the EDXRF method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the non-destructive analysis of heavy metals in welding fume by EDXRF. The results of this study were as follow: 1.When the samples were collected under the open-face sampling condition, a surface distribution of welding fume particles on sample filters was uniform, which made non-destructive analysis possible. 2. The method was statistically evaluated according to the NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and HSE(Health and Safety Executive) method. 3. The overall precision of the EDXRF method Was calculated at 3.45 % for Cr, 2.57 % for Fe and 3.78 % for Mn as relative standard deviation(RSD), respectively. The limits of detection were calculated at $0.46{\mu}g$/sample for Cr, $0.20{\mu}g$/sample for Fe and $1.14{\mu}g$/sample for Mn, respectively. 4. A comparison between the results of Cr, Fe, Mn analyzed by EDXRF and AAS was made in order to assess the accuracy of EDXRF method. The correlation coefficient between the results of EDXRF and AAS was 0.9985 for Cr, 0.9995 for Fe and 0.9982 for Mn, respectively. The overall uncertainty was determined to be ${\pm}12.31%$, 8.64 % and 11.91 % for Cr, Fe and Mn, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that Cr, Fe, Mn in welding fume were successfully analyzed by the EDXRF without any sample pre-treatment such as digestion and dilution and a good correlation between the results of EDXRF and AAS was obtained. It was thus possible to use the EDXRF technique as an analysis method of working environment samples. The EDXRF method was an efficient method in a non-destructive analysis of heavy metals in welding fume.

  • PDF

The Relationship of Job Satisfaction and Quality of Life on the Dental Technicians (치과기공사의 직무만족도와 삶의 질의 관련성)

  • Kwon, Eun-Ja;Han, Min-Soo
    • Journal of Technologic Dentistry
    • /
    • v.34 no.3
    • /
    • pp.249-261
    • /
    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study was carried out in order to examine the relationship of job satisfaction and quality of life on the dental technicians and to analyze its influence. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire survey was carried out by having convenience sampling as 220 dental technicians who work in Seoul Metropolis, Gyeonggi-do Province, Daejeon and Chungnam Province from March 12, 2012 to April 13. A research tool was used questionnaire that was proved reliability and validity. It was prepared with totally 50 questions such as 12 items for subjects' general characteristics, 18 items for job satisfaction measurement, and 20 items for life quality measurement. An analysis of the collected data was computationally processed by using SPSS Win 17.0 program. An analytical technique was made by using statistical techniques such as frequency & percentage, T-test or One-way ANOVA analysis. The following are the analytical results of the collected materials. Results: As a result of analyzing research subjects' job satisfaction level, there was significant difference(P<0.05) in items of religion, hobby life, working environment, and rest time out of daily work. The whole mean in job satisfaction was indicated to be relatively high with 3.13. However, job satisfaction with social recognition, salary, and safety was indicated lowly. As a result of analyzing research subjects' life quality level, there was significant difference(P<0.05) in items of religion, hobby life, working environment, and rest time out of daily work. The whole mean in quality of life was indicated to be relatively high with 3.10. However, the satisfaction was indicated lowly in the whole life quality and the life environment sphere. As a result of analyzing correlation between job satisfaction and life quality, all variables were indicated to be positive correlation in high significance level, thereby having been indicated that the higher job satisfaction leads to the higher life quality. Conclusion: As a result of research, the dental technicians' job satisfaction was indicated to have high correlation with quality of life. An effort is judged to be necessary for establishing fair compensation system, improving welfare policy and enhancing social recognition and position in order to promote dental technicians' quality of life.

Impact of Emission Inventory Choices on PM10 Forecast Accuracy and Contributions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (배출량 목록에 따른 수도권 PM10 예보 정합도 및 국내외 기여도 분석)

  • Bae, Changhan;Kim, Eunhye;Kim, Byeong-Uk;Kim, Hyun Cheol;Woo, Jung-Hun;Moon, Kwang-Joo;Shin, Hye-Jung;Song, In Ho;Kim, Soontae
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
    • /
    • v.33 no.5
    • /
    • pp.497-514
    • /
    • 2017
  • This study quantitatively analyzes the effects of emission inventory choices on the simulated particulate matter (PM) concentrations and the domestic/foreign contributions in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) with an air quality forecasting system. The forecasting system is composed of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions (SMOKE)-Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CMAQ). Different domestic and foreign emission inventories were selectively adopted to set up four sets of emissions inputs for air quality simulations in this study. All modeling cases showed that model performance statistics satisfied the criteria levels (correlation coefficient >0.7, fractional error <50%) suggested by previous studies. Notwithstanding the apparently good model performance of total PM concentrations by all emission cases, annual average concentrations of simulated total PM concentrations varied up to $20{\mu}g/m^3$ (160%) depending on the combination of emission inventories. In detail, the difference in simulated annual average concentrations of the primary PM coarse (PMC) was up to $25.2{\mu}g/m^3$ (6.5 times) compared with other cases. Furthermore, model performance analyses on PM species showed that the difference in the simulated primary PMC led to gross model overestimation in general, which indicates that the primary PMC emissions need to be improved. The contribution analysis using model direct outputs indicated that the domestic contributions to the annual average PM concentrations in the SMA vary from 44% to 67%. To account for the uncertainty of the simulated concentration, the contribution correction factor method proposed by Bae et al. (2017) was applied, which resulted in converged contributions(from 48% to 57%). We believe this study shows that it is necessary to improve the simulated concentrations of PM components in order to enhance the accuracy of the forecasting model. It is deemed that these improvements will provide more accurate contribution results.

A numerical study on the performance of the smoke exhaust system according to the smoke exhaust method in emergency station for railway tunnel (철도터널 구난역의 제연방식에 따른 제연성능에 관한 수치 해석적 연구)

  • Ryu, Ji-Oh;Kim, Jin-Su;Seo, Jong-Won
    • Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
    • /
    • v.19 no.6
    • /
    • pp.845-856
    • /
    • 2017
  • In the long railway tunnel, in order to secure safety in case of fire, it is required a emergency station. However, there is no standard or research results on smoke exhaust method and exhaust flow rate in emergency station, so it is necessary to study the smoke exhaust system for emergency station. In this study, we are created a numerical analysis model for emergency station where the evacuation cross passage connected to the service tunnel or the relative tunnel was installed at regular intervals (40 m intervals). And the fire analysis are carried out by varying the fire intensity (15, 30MW), the smoke exhaust method (only air supply, forced air supply and exhaust, forced air exhaust only), and the air flow rate (7, 14, $40m^3/s$). From the results of fire analysis, temperature and CO concentration are analyzed and ASET based on the limit temperature are compared at various condition. As a result, in the case with fire intensity of 15 MW, it is shown that a sufficiently safe evacuation environment can be ensured by applying forced air supply and exhaust method or forced air exhaust only method when the air flow rate is $7m^3/s$ above. In case of fire intensity of 30 MW, it is impossible to maintain the safety evacuation environment for more than 900 seconds when the exhaust air volume is below $14m^3/s$. And when the air flow rate is $40m^3/s$, the exhaust port is disposed at the side portion of the upper duct, which is most advantageous for securing the temperature-based safety.

Elements and Application of "SmartHome" Concept for Older Adults in USA (미국에서 노인을 위한 "스마트홈(SmartHome)" 개념의 요소와 적용)

  • Moon, Changho
    • Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
    • /
    • v.17 no.4
    • /
    • pp.7-14
    • /
    • 2011
  • This paper is intended to suggest some reference materials for future elderly housing design, especially smart home, in Korea, by reviewing the elements and applications of smart home concept for older adults in USA. Research method includes collecting materials by attending the regular SmartHome$^{(R)}$ part meeting, the navigation of related homepages, and the analysis of collected materials. Current researches in Korea look initial stage and show some general principles without practical concept & technologies of elderly facilities. SeniorSmart$^{(R)}$ Center in USA started on August 2007 with the 3 parts of SmartHOME$^{(R)}$, SmartWHEELS$^{(R)}$ and SmartBRAIN$^{(R)}$. The Center has been doing various multidisciplinary research projects but slowing down the planned processes due to national economic recession. The major researches of SmartHome$^{(R)}$ part can be summarized as follows; CS-PFP( Continuous Scale Physical Function Performance) laboratory is being in operation to help older adults and families make the difficult decision regarding the ability and safety to live independently. Three levels of necessary laboratories from uninhabited space to senior living environment were accommodated for field research. As core technologies of SmartHome$^{(R)}$, predicting & warning system of fall risk on recognizing gait signature patterns to identify any deviation from the normal patterns of the older adults, home monitoring system which will send alerts to a specified relative and/or health care professional when vital signs of the older adults will not be within normal parameters, and Mobility & Research Clinic for evaluating, treating the older adults & multidisciplinary research are under development. SmartHome$^{(R)}$ has made collaborative research agreements for field laboratory with various retirement communities and also is continuing to work for experimental software engineering with the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany.

Effects of Biodiesel Fuel on Characteristics of Specific Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emissions in DJ Diesel Engine;Using Rape Oil (직접분사식 디젤기관에서 연료소비율 및 배기배출물 특성에 미치는 바이오디젤유의 영향;유채유를 중심으로)

  • Lim, J.K.;Choe, S.Y.;Cho, S.G.
    • Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
    • /
    • 2007.11a
    • /
    • pp.133-137
    • /
    • 2007
  • An experimental study is conducted to evaluate and compare the use of BiodieseDI Fuel supplements at blend ratio of 10/90(BDF10) and 20/80(BDF20), in four stroke, direct injection diesel engine located at the authors' laboratory. especially this Biodiesel is produced from Rape oil at the authors' laboratory. The tests are conducted using each of the above fuel blends, in the engine working at a speed of 1800rpm and at a various loads. In each test, specific fuel consumption, exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides(NOx), carbon monoxide(CO) and Soot are measured. The results of investigation at various operating conditions are as follows (1) Specific fuel consumption is increased average 1.52%, maximum 1.84% at load 25% in case of BDF10, and average 1.98%, maximum 2.80% at load 25% in case of BDF20. (2) CO emission is decreased average 5.14%, maximum 6.09% at load 0% in case of BDF10, and average 7.75%, maximum 9.13% at load 0% in case of BDF 20. (3) NOx emission is increased average 2.97%, maximum 3.74% at load 0% in case of BDF10, and average 3.84%, maximum 4.67% at load 0% in case of BDF20. (4) Soot emission is decreased average 9.36%, maximum 10.85% at load 75% in case of BDF10, and average 11.99%, maximum 13.95% at load 75% in case of BDF20.

  • PDF