• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.307-320
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• 2009

This study was conducted not only to review airborne asbestos levels reported in workplaces in Korea, but also to analyze their levels according to various characteristics All asbestos concentration reported as either geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) or ranges were transformed to arithmetic mean to estimate exposure level. In addition, weighted arithmetic means (WAMs) were calculated to weigh asbestos levels based on the different number of samples. Differences of asbestos levels among several characteristics such as industry type, decade, operation and sampling and analytical methods were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The number of articles studying asbestos levels from workplaces was found to be 9 including two report types. Five of those were reported prior to 1990s and rest of them after 1990s. Only several industries such as asbestos textile, asbestos cement, brake-lining repair shops were studied, while various industries using asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were not studied. ANOVA found that asbestos exposure levels (WAM = 5.26f/cc) reported from textile industry were significantly higher than those from other industries (cement = 0.63f/cc, brake-lining = 0.2f/cc - 0.47f/cc) (p < 0.0001). Average exposure levels studied prior to the 1990s (3.13f/cc) were found to be significantly higher than that (0.86f/cc) after the 1990s (p<0.0001). All WAMs reported until the 1994 were found to be higher than the current occupational exposure limits (0.1f/cc). This study recommends that retrospective exposure to asbestos based on various industry types and operations should be assessed.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.271-277
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• 2019

Objectives: A 46-year-old woman who had worked on cleaning stainless steel containers with Initially unknown powders died from acute silicosis. To determine whether the acute silicosis was related to his work environment, we conducted exposure assessment the level of exposure to respirable crystalline silica(RCS) during cleaning stainless steel containers with unknown powders. Methods: The exposure assessment of RCS were undertaken according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) method 7500. The components of the unknown powder were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction. Results: The unknown powder was found to be natural diatomaceous earth, which contained 12% and 9% quartz and cristobalite, respectively, crystalline silica. In the case of cleaning stainless steel containers with diatomaceous earth powder, the primary measurement resulted in 1.3 times higher occupational exposure limit of MOEL(in sum of quartz and cristobalite concentration) and 3.9 times higher in secondary measurement. The workbench was equipped with a local exhaust system, but because there was no hood at the end of the duct, the wind speed at the opening of the duct was 12 m/sec, whereas the controlled wind speed at the working position was only 0.3 m/sec below the legal standard. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to install the hood, conduct safety and health education for employers and workers, and periodically monitoring and manage the working environment.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.430-437
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• 2016

Objectives: The new Chemical Control Act from the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014-259) simply states only in basic phrases that every worker handling the listed chemicals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and does not consider the different hazard characteristics of particular chemicals or work types. The purpose of this study was to produce an exposure risk matrix and assign PPE to the categories of this matrix, which would be useful for revising the act to suggest PPE to suit work types or situations. Methods: An exposure risk matrix was made using hazard ranks of chemicals and workplace exposure risks in the previous study. For the 20 categories of exposure risk matrix PPE, levels A, B, C, D as classified by OSHA/EPA were assigned. After 69 hazardous chemicals were divided into 11 groups according to their physiochemical characteristics, respirators, chemical protective clothing (CPC), gloves and footwear were suggested on the basis of the assigned PPE levels. Results: PPE table sheets for the 11 groups were made on the basis of work types or situations. Full facepiece or half-mask for level C was recommended in accordance with the exposure risk matrix. Level A was, in particular, recommended for loading or unloading work. Level A PPE should be worn in an emergency involving hydrogen fluoride because of the number of recent related accidents in Korea. Conclusion: PPE assignment according to the exposure risk matrix made by chemical hazards and work type or situation was suggested for the first time. Each type of PPE was recommended for the grouped chemicals. The research will be usefully used for the revision of the Chemical Control Act in Korea.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.215-221
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the exposure level of hazardous chemical agents for dental technicians in Ulsan. Methods: We measured airborne total dusts and metals such as Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt, and Chromium in 10 dental laboratories by the NIOSH Methods 0500 and 7300, respectively. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), a key ingredient in acrylic resin, was also monitored using passive samplers for long-term sampling and Tenax tubes for short-term sampling. Results: Measured levels of all items were below 10% of the Korean exposure limit except for Nickel. The geometric mean concentration and geometric standard deviation of total dust, Nickel, and MMA were $0.14mg/m^3$ (2.16), $165.3{\mu}g/m^3$ (3.31), and 0.2 ppm (2.5) respectively. Airborne Nickel concentration of two dental laboratories exceeded the exposure limit ($1000{\mu}g/m^3$). The major emission sources of Nickel were metal trimming and casting processes. Conclusions: We found that Nickel, a carcinogen, should be controled most urgently to protect dental technicians.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.235-240
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• 2012

The objectives are to compare the airborne asbestos concentrations resulted from mitering of abestos cement roof sheets by a high-speed motor and a hand saw, and to monitor whether other workers near the test sites are vulnerable to the fibers exceeding the occupational exposure limit. Four test cases were carried out and altogether 7 personal and 4 area air samples were collected. The NIOSH method 7400 was employed for the air samplings and analysis. Using the phase contrast microscopy, fiber counting was conducted under Rule A. The study showed that the fiber concentration medians for personal air samples gathered from the two tools were 4.11 fibers/cc (ranged: 1.33-12.41 fibers/cc) and 0.13 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.01-5.00 fibers/cc) respectively. The median for the area samples was 0.59 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.14-3.32 fibers/cc). Comparing each study case, the concentration level caused by the high-speed motor saw was more than twice that of the hand saw. According to the area samples, the workers nearby the test site are at risk from high exposure to asbestos.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to contribute to the prevention of occupational diseases through the development of an automatic analysis program for evaluating workers' exposure to hazardous chemical substances. Methods: The authors selected chemical substances that caused occupational disease in Korea and chemical substances that are frequently used in industrial sites as target substances for a GC-MS automatic analysis program. The target substances are organic compounds which can be measured by a passive sampler. The automatic analysis program was studied using various raw data obtained from GC-MS analysis for the target substances. Results: A total of 48 organic compounds that can be measured with a passive sampler were selected as target substances for the GC-MS automatic analysis program. The selected compounds included substances that caused occupational disease, substances related to C1 and D1 in special health examinations, and substances for which work environment measurements have been frequently conducted. The GC-MS automatic analysis program was developed by combining information mainly on retention time and mass spectrum. The GC-MS automatic analysis program is designed to analyze unknown samples by comparing the mass spectrum and retention time of the samples to those of reference materials. To evaluate the stability of the program, samples at about the 30-50% level of OELs were prepared and analyzed with the GC-MS automatic analysis program, resulting in stable results for all 48 organic compounds. Conclusion: An automatic analysis program for a total of 48 organic compounds was developed using a GC-MS system that can analyze organic compounds. Unknown samples that contain the 48 organic compounds can be automatically analyzed by the developed program. It is anticipated that it can contribute to the prevention of occupational diseases through an GC-MS automatic analysis program that can quickly provide workers with information on exposure to chemical substances.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.102-110
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the content of N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF) in polyurethane coated gloves(PU-gloves) and to assess the dermal exposure generated by wearing them. Methods: We analyzed the concentrations of DMF in 12 gloves by EN16778 standard. The samples cut into pieces of about 10 by 10 mm and extracted with methanol in flask in an ultrasonic bath at 70℃. An aliquot of the extract is analyzed with GC-MS. The dose of dermal exposure was calculated by ECETOC TRA consumer 3.1 and compared with derived no effect level(DNEL) for systemic effects due to long term exposure by workers. The extracted amount of DMF by saline solution was compared with that by EN16778 standard. Results: The mean concentration of DMF in PU-gloves was 1,377 mg/kg(range 13~3,948 mg/kg). The concentration of DMF showed significantly differences by packing type, manufacturer, and price(p<0.05). The dose of dermal exposure was 0.0007~0.572 mg/kg body weight/day when the DMF content was 10~4,000 mg/kg. The DMF extracted by saline solution was around 11% for 8 hours. Conclusions: The risk of dermal exposure due to the residual DMF in the PU-gloves was not signifiant. But, the limit of 1,000 mg/kg in PU-gloves can be recommended for international standard and trading systems.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.302-309
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to investigate toxic effects of iso-butylalcohol (iBA) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under the exposure of 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 13 weeks by inhalation, and to evaluate the occupational safety of iBA in comparison with the permissible exposure level (PEL) stipulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). iBA did not induce any abnormal changes from the aspects of clinical signs, feed consumption, ophthalmic test, urinalysis, hematology and blood chemistry during and at the terminal of the inhalation toxicity tests. We did not find any abnormal findings in the gross and microscopic observations due to the inhalation of iBA. There was no alteration in relative organ weights by the inhalation of iBA. No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of iBA was considered to be more than 3,000 ppm in rats under the inhalation of 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 13 weeks. Fifty ppm of iBA, the PEL regulated by OSHA, is too conservative for working places. As iBA showed no abnormal observations in all the experimental parameters at any concentration under this experimental condition, we suggest that 150 ppm is safe enough for the PEL of iBA in the working areas, even taking into onsideration that OSHA lowered the PEL to 50 ppm for fear of the probable risk of its skin irritation.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.73-81
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to obtain scientific information regarding classification and health hazards that may result from a 13 weeks inhalation exposure of isoprene in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The testing method was conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals No. 413. The Rats were divided into 4 groups (10 male and 10 female rats in each group) and exposed to 0, 360, 1,620, 7,300 ppm isoprene in each exposure chamber for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks. As a result, there were no mortality or abnormality during the period of study and did not show any significant changes of body weight. There were no dose response changes in urinalysis, hematological and serum biochemical value examination. Relative organ weight was increased significantly the right kidney in 7,300 ppm group of male rats. In female rats, relative organ weight of the left kidney and the both lungs in 1,620 ppm group and the left lung and the both kidneys in 7,300 ppm group were increased significantly. But the histopathological findings did not reveal any exposure-related changes. According to the above results, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of isoprene was 7,300 ppm (20.3 mg/L) in both male and female rats. In conclusion, Isoprene was not classified specific target organ toxicity of the 'Standard for Classification and Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet' (Ministry of Employment and Labor, 2009).