• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2017

Objectives: The hazardous metals content of medicinal herbs distributed in the Daegu area was investigated, and the place of origin and the content of herbicides and medicinal components were studied. Methods: An analysis of hazardous metals content (10 types) was carried out on 164 samples of 99 types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 45 were domestic and 119 were imported. Hg was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Other hazardous metals content (nine types) was digested using the microwave method and measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results: The mean values of the hazardous metals content in the herbal medicines were Pb 1.0833 mg/kg, As 0.0136 mg/kg, Cd 0.0840 mg/kg, Cr 3.7120 mg/kg, Cu 4.2666 mg/kg, Mn 40.080 mg/kg, Ni 1.4330 mg/kg, Sb 0.1053 mg/kg, Al 202.64 mg/kg and Hg 0.0062 mg/kg. Three of the samples violated the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulatory guidance on cadmium (less than 0.3 mg/kg). The measured values of heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) showed levels below the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic and two imported samples surpassed the maximum residue limits for cadmium. The median values of the hazardous metals detected in the three medicinal parts of the root, leaf (branch), and flower (seed and fruit) were as follows. Cr, Ni, Sb and Al were highly detected in roots, Pb, Cd, Mn, Hg in leafs (branch), and As, Cu in flowers (seed and fruit). Conclusion: There were various kinds of hazardous metals which were detected at high levels according to the place of origin of the medicinal herb and the parts the plant. For hazardous metals for which no acceptance criteria have been established, safety standards should be further studied and managed to ensure the safety of herbal medicines.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 1997

We investigated the content of heavy metals contained in the soil at an Il-Kwang disused mine in Kyung Nam. Three sampling points were selected, each point was digged to 210 or 240cm, sampled each 30cm depth. After air drying, each sample was digested in aqua regia and then analyzed with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer. We determined the content of Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Fe, maximum content of Pb, Cd, and Zn was observed to $(4.6{\pm}0.1){\times}10^3$, 9.4(${\pm}3.6$), and $(2.7{\pm}0.1){\times}10^2{\mu}g/g$ respectively. Mean pH values of soil sampled at No.1, 2, and 3 regions were 3.2, 2.6, and 2.8, respectively. These values are remarkably lower than pH of the conventional standard soil which usually shows pH level around 4.9. At each sampling point, maximum content of heavy metals was observed from 30cm to 60cm depth. The depth profiles of Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr showed very similar tendencies to each other, but those of Fe, Cu. and Mn showed different tendencies to former ones.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.28-40
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• 2015

To investigate the seasonal variations of carbonaceous aerosol in Daejeon, OC (organic carbon), EC (elemental carbon) and WSOC (water soluble organic carbon) in $PM_{2.5}$ samples collected from March 2012 to February 2013 were analyzed. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were estimated by the sum of organic matter ($1.6{\times}OC$), EC, water-soluble ions ($Na^+$, $NH_4{^{+}}$, $K^+$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^{-}}$). The estimated $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were relatively higher in winter ($29.50{\pm}12.04{\mu}g/m^3$) than those in summer ($13.72{\pm}6.92{\mu}g/m^3$). Carbonaceous aerosol ($1.6{\times}OC+EC$) was a significant portion (34~47%) of $PM_{2.5}$ in all season. The seasonally averaged OC and WSOC concentrations were relatively higher in winter ($6.57{\times}3.48{\mu}gC/m^3$ and $4.07{\pm}2.53{\mu}gC/m^3$ respectively), than those in summer ($3.07{\pm}0.8{\mu}gC/m^3$, $1.77{\pm}0.68{\mu}gC/m^3$, respectively). OC was correlated well with WSOC in all season, indicating that they have similar emission sources or formation processes. In summer, both OC and WSOC were weakly correlated with EC and also poorly correlated with a well-known biomass burning tracer, levoglucosan, while WSOC is highly correlated with SOC (secondary organic carbon) and $O_3$. The results suggest that carbonaceous aerosol in summer was highly influenced by secondary formation rather than primary emissions. In contrast, both OC and WSOC in winter were strongly correlated with EC and levoglucosan, indicating that carbonaceous aerosol in winter was closely related to primary source such as biomass burning. The contribution of biomass burning to $PM_{2.5}$ OC and EC, which was estimated using the levoglucosan to OC and EC ratios of potential biomass burning sources, was about $70{\pm}15%$ and $31{\pm}10%$, respectively, in winter. Results from this study clearly show that $PM_{2.5}$ OC has seasonally different chemical characteristics and origins.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.320-328
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• 2016

Among biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in the natural ecosystem, monoterpenes, along with isoprene, play important roles in atmospheric chemistry and make significant impacts on air pollution and climate change, especially due to their contribution to secondary organic aerosol production and photochemical ozone formation. It is essential to measure monoterpene concentrations accurately for understanding their oxidation processes, emission processes and estimation, and interactions between biosphere and atmosphere. Thus, traceable calibration standards are crucial for the accurate measurement of monoterpenes at ambient levels. However, there are limited information about developing calibrations standards for monoterpenes in pressured cylinders. This study describes about developing primary standard gas mixtures (PSMs) for monoterpenes at about 2 nmol/mol, near ambient levels. The micro-gravimetric method was applied to prepare monoterpene (${\alpha}$-pinene, 3-carene, R-(+)-limonene, 1,8-cineole) PSMs at $10{\mu}mol/mol$ and then the PSMs were further diluted to 2 nmol/mol level. To select an optimal cylinder for the development of monoterpene PSMs, three different kinds of cylinders were used for the preparation and were evaluated for uncertainty sources including long-term stability. Results showed that aluminum cylinders with a special internal surface treatment (Experis) had little adsorption loss on the cylinder internal surface and good long-term stability compared to two other cylinder types with no treatment and a special treatment (Aculife). Results from uncertainty estimation suggested that monoterpene PSMs can be prepared in pressured cylinders with a special treatment (Experis) at 2 nmol/mol level with an uncertainty of less than 4%.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.100-101
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• 2004

Many researches in Korea have been performed to understand the pollution of stream waters by acid mine drainage. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the effect of particulate and colloidal fractions on the transport of trace metals. To estimate harmful effects of trace metals, it is important to evaluate the particulate and colloidal metals as well as dissolved metals, because particulate and colloidal fractions of trace metals play an important role in transport of trace metals and may adversely affect habitats and organisms in riverine system. Colloids are solids with effective diameters in size range from 0.001 $\mu$m to 1 $\mu$m. According to Jone et al. (1974), metals in surface water, like Al, Fe, and Mn, require filtration with pore-size membranes smaller than 0.45 $\mu$m to define dissolved concentrations. The main objective of this study is to understand the effects of particulate, colloidal, and truly dissolved fractions on the transport and fate of trace metals in acid mine drainage. This study was conducted for the Onjeong creek in the Uljin mine area. Sampling was carried out in 13 sites, spatially covering the area from mine dumps to the downstream Onjeong reservoir. To examine the metal partitioning between particulate, colloidal, and truly dissolved fraction, we used successive filtration techniques consisting of conventional method (using 0.45 $\mu$m membranes) and tangential-flow ultrafiltration (using 0.001 $\mu$mm membranes). Ultrafiltration may seperate much smaller particles from aqueous phase (Josephson, 1984; Hernandez and Stallard, 1988). The analysis of metals were performed by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES: model Perkin Elmer OPTIMA3000XL). Anions such as SO$_4$, Cl and NO$_3$ were measured with ion chromatograph (IC: model Dionex 120). Sample analysis is still in progress. The preliminary data show that the studied creek is severely polluted by Al, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. Toward upstream sites with relatively lower pH, less than 50% of Al and Fe occur in the sorbed form on particles or colloids, whereas more than 80% of Al and Fe occur in the sorbed form in downstream sites or tributaries with relatively higher pH. Less than 30% of Zn is present in particle or colloidal forms in the whole range of creek. Truly dissolved fraction of trace metals is negatively correlated with pH. The Kd values for Al, Fe and Zn consistently increase with increasing pH and decrease with increasing particle concentration.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.523-534
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• 2011

In this study, the particle size distribution and pollutants content of sediments collected from different sites in the coastal area of Chungnam province were analyzed. The sediment samples were collected from different parking lots near beaches, harbors, museum and bridges. The particle size distribution analysis showed that the particle is generally $106-500{\mu}m$ and the effective size $D_{10}$ ranges from 40 to $60{\mu}m$ while the $D_{50}$ and $D_{60}$ ranges from 200 to $810{\mu}m$ and 235 to $1005{\mu}m$, respectively. For particle size $D_{10}$, there was no significant difference in all sites. However, for $D_{50}$ and $D_{60}$, the range is large. Sediment analysis implicates that as the particle size decreases, the pollutant content increases. This is because smaller particles have higher specific surface area resulting to have more adsorption capacity. Particles from tires, emission gas from vehicles and dust particles belongs to smaller particles. For particle sizes less than $63{\mu}m$, the analysis showed that as the particles become coarser, the concentration of VS, $COD_{cr}$, TN, and TP is at least 2 to 14 times higher. Cu and Pb were detected in all sites and shows a higher concentration with smaller particle size. Cu concentration are almost the same for all sites but in the case of Pb, the sediments from Sinjindo has higher concentration of up to 2 to 3 times as compared to those collected from the other sites. In the Beach site as well as in the Seocheon Ocean Museum, Cd was contained only in fine particles. However, in Daechon Harbor and Sinjindo Bridge sites, Cd was detected in all the sediment particle size.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2001

Catalytic combustion is the environmental-friendly technology, which has been applied to a variety of areas for industrial and domestic use in recent years. Accordingly, this study performed the development of the catalytic manufacturing technology for the high temperature and of the catalytic combustor in priority, which were aimed to be aimed to a commercialized condensing boiler. Palladium(Pd) of a noble meta] was used as a catalyst for the high temperature and supported on $alumina(Al_{2}O_{3})\;and\;zirconia(ZrO_2)$ in constant weight ratio. Activity of Pd catalysts is compared and analysed in the catalytic combustion of natural gas. The ratio of $Pd/Al_{2}O_{3}\;=\;4$ was found to be better than any other weight ratios in activity and durability. The performance examination of catalysts and of combustion through the plate-type combustor made it possible to be developed the cylindrical-type combustor which has increased combustion area. Catalytic combustion condensing boiler of 25,000 kcal/hr class was also developed, which had the optimum combustion condition at the no221e of 5.95mm and the orifice of 21mm. This condition was determined through the performance experiments of catalytic combustion condensing boiler to which the cylindrical-type catalytic combustor was applied.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2018

Binary scalar multiplication which is the main operation of elliptic curve cryptography is vulnerable to the side-channel analysis. Especially, it is vulnerable to the side-channel analysis which uses power consumption and electromagnetic emission patterns. Thus, various countermeasures have been studied. However, they have focused on eliminating patterns of data dependent branches, statistical characteristic according to intermediate values, or the interrelationships between data. No countermeasure have been taken into account for the secure design of the key bit check phase, although the secret scalar bits are directly loaded during that phase. Therefore, in this paper, we demonstrate that we can extract secret scalar bits with 100% success rate using a single power or a single electromagnetic trace by performing key bit-dependent attack on hardware implementation of binary scalar multiplication algorithm. Experiments are focused on the $Montgomery-L{\acute{o}}pez-Dahab$ ladder algorithm protected by scalar randomization. Our attack does not require sophisticated pre-processing and can defeat existing countermeasures using a single-trace. As a result, we propose a countermeasure and suggest that it should be applied.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2018

Potassium in vegetables is known to have an adverse impact on a patient with chronic kidney desease. However, since vegetables also contain many other nutrient, consumption of vegetables by these patients is inevitable. The objective of this study was conducted to develop a fresh lettuce which contains low level of potassium for nephropathy in a closed-type plant factory system. Lettuce of "Charles" was used for experiment. The plants were cultivated in hydroponic system with a 16-h photoperiod at $15-21^{\circ}C$, 65% RH, $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$(LED W:R, 9:1) and $600-650mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $CO_2$ during 28 days. Nutrient solution which contains 1%, 5% and 10% potassium compared to conventional composition were supplied at 1 week and 2 weeks before harvest. The content of potassium and macro elements in leafy vegetables were analyzed by ICP emission spectroscopy after harvest. The potassium content in leaf of the 2 weeks before harvest treatment was significantly lower at than control. There were no significant differences between control and treatments in fresh weight and number of leaves. But there were differences among treatments. Considering the vegetable amounts consumed by nephropathy patients, the supply of nutrient which contain 1% and 5% potassium at 2 weeks before harvest was suitable for low potassium lettuce production. This study indicated that low potassium lettuce could be produced by developed nutrient composition and supply method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this case study is to assess workers' exposure to carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and characterize particles aerosolized during the process of producing CNT-enabled polytetrafuoroethylene(PTFE) composites at a worksite in Korea. Methods: Personal breathing zone and area samples were collected for determining respirable concentrations of elemental carbon(EC) using NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Method 5040. Personal exposure to nano-sized particles was measured as the number concentration and mean diameter using personal ultrafine particle monitors. The number concentration by particle size was measured using optical particle sizers(OPS) and scanning mobility particle sizers(SMPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) area samples were collected on TEM grids and analyzed to characterize the size, morphology, and chemistry of the particles. Results: Respirable EC concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.24 ㎍/㎥, which were below 23% of the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH and lower than background concentrations. Number concentrations by particle size measured using OPS and SMPS were not noticeably elevated during CNT-PTFE composite work. Instant increase of number concentrations of nano-sized particles was observed during manual sanding of CNT-PTFE composites. Both number concentrations and mean diameters did not show a statistically significant difference between workers handing CNT-added and not-added materials. TEM analyses revealed the emission of free-standing CNTs and CNT-PTFE aggregate particles from the powder supply task and composite particles embedded with CNTs from the computer numerical control(CNC) machining task with more than tens of micrometers in diameter. No free-standing CNT particles were observed from the CNC machining task. Conclusions: Significant worker exposure to respirable CNTs was not found, but the aerosolization of CNTs and CNT-embedded composite particles were observed during handing of CNT-PTFE powders and CNC machining of CNT-PTFE composites. Considering the limited knowledge on the toxicity of CNTs and CNT composite particles to date, it seems prudent to take a precautionary approach for the protection of workers' health.