• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational exposure level

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Field Study of Concentrations and Emissions of Particulate Contaminants by Types of Swine Houses in Korea (돈사 작업장 유형에 따른 입자상 오염물질의 실내농도 및 발생량에 관한 현장 조사)

  • Kim, Ki-Yeon;Park, Jae-Beom;Kim, Chi-Nyon;Lee, Kyung-Jong
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.141-146
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    • 2005
  • Objectives: Particulate contaminants, such as total and respirable dusts, can harm the health of farm workers via several routes. The principal aims of this field study were to determine the concentrations and emissions of particulate contaminants: total and respirable dusts, in the different types of swine houses used in Korea, and allow objective comparison between Korea and the other countries in terms of swine housing types. Methods: The swine houses investigated in this research were selected with respect to three criteria: the manure removal system, ventilation mode and growth stage of pigs. Measurements of total and respirable dust concentrations and emissions in the swine houses were carried out on 5 housing types at 15 different farm sites per housing type. The swine houses investigated were randomly selected from farms situated within the central districts in Korea: province of Kyung-gi, Chung-buk and Chung-nam. Results: The total and respirable dust concentrations in the swine houses averaged $1.88\;and\;0.64mg/m^3$, ranging from $0.53\;to\;4.37mg/m^3$ and from $0.18\;to\;1.68mg/m^3$, respectively. The highest concentrations of total and respirable dusts were found in the swine houses with deep-litter bed systems: $2.94mg/m^3\;and\;1.14 mg/m^3$, while the lowest concentrations were found in the naturally ventilated buildings with slats: $0.83mg/m^3\;and\;0.24mg/m^3$, respectively (p<0.05). All the swine houses investigated did not exceed the threshold limit values (TLVs) for total ($10mg/m^3$) and respirable ($2.5mg/m^3$) dusts. The mean emissions of total and respirable dusts, per pig (75 kg in terms of live weight) and area ($m^2$), from the swine houses were 97.33 and 9.55 mg/h/pig and $37.14\;and\;12.83mg/h/m^2$, respectively. The swine houses with deep-litter bed systems showed the highest emissions of total and respirable dusts (p<0.05). However, the emissions of total and respirable dusts from the other swine houses were not significantly different (p>0.05). Conclusion: The concentrations and emissions of total and respirable dusts were relatively higher in the swine houses managed with deep-litter bed systems and ventilated naturally of the different swine housing types tested. In further research, more farms than the number used in this research should be investigated, which will present objective and accurate data on the concentrations and emissions of total and respirable dusts in Korean swine houses. In addition, personal sampling should be performed to objectively assess the exposure level of farm workers to particulate contaminants.

Way of Trust Restoration through Uplifting Police Integrity (경찰공무원 청렴성제고를 통한 신뢰도 회복방안)

  • Lee, Hyo-Min
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.78-87
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    • 2015
  • Recently, Police integrity has been issued on the media, which cause discredit of police organization. Although high level of morality and integrity are required compared to other occupational groups due to their authority to exert legal force to the citizens and a variety of policies have been enforced by the National Police Agency for the purpose of uplifting the integrity of the officers, in reality, corruption had not yet been eradicated. At this point in time, this study attempted to draw implications for uplifting integrity by utilizing domestic and foreign preceding studies and statistical data related to police corruption and uplifting integrity. The inspection system through whistle-blowing was pointed out as a problem in the institutional framework that hinders uplifting integrity of the police officers and the perception in which police officers are regarded as potential criminals was also pointed out as a problem. Also, vague standards of disciplinary action in examining an offense of a police officer and lack of care for those who were disciplined in the past which affects loyalty to the organization were presented as problems. Based on such suggested concerns, policies for uplifting integrity and restoring citizens' trust in the policies officers were proposed. The proposed agenda were warning the police officers by presenting clear and specific category of corruptive behaviors, expressing the necessity of devising a system that prevents the officers from committing serious crimes by discovering problematic officers earlier through introduction of Early Warning System(EWS) of US and Australian police in order to break away from exposure-oriented inspection system, and reinforcing the testing of integrity in the new employment process.

Radiation Dose and Image Quality of Low-dose Protocol in Chest CT: Comparison of Standard-dose Protocol (흉부 CT촬영에서 저선량 프로토콜의 선량과 화질: 표준선량 프로토콜과 비교)

  • Lee, Won-Jeong;Ahn, Bong-Seon;Park, Young-Sun
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.84-89
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    • 2012
  • The purpose of this study was to compare radiation dose and image quality between low-dose (LDP) and standard-dose protocol (SDP). LDP (120 kVp, 30 mAs, 2-mm thickness) and SDP (120 kVp, 180 mAs, 1.2-mm thickness) images obtained from 61 subjects were retrospectively evaluated at level of carina bifurcation, using multi-detector CT (Brilliance 16, Philips Medical Systems). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated at ascending aorta and infraspinatus muscle, from CT number and back-ground noise. Radiation dose from two protocols measured at 5-point using acrylic-phantom, and CT number and noise measured at 4-point using water-phantom. All statistical analysis were performed using SPSS 19.0 program. LDP images showed significantly more noise and a significantly lower SNR and CNR than did SDP images at ascending aorta and infraspinatus muscle. Noise, SNR and CNR were significantly correlated with body mass index (p<0.001). Radiation dose, SNR and CNR from phantom were significant differences between two protocols. LDP showed a significant reduction of radiation dose with a significant change in SNR and CNR compared with SDP. Therefore, exposure dose on LDP in clinical applications needs resetting highly more considering image quality.

Prevalence of allergic and respiratory conditions among residents living near large construction sites in Sejong city: an exploratory study with mixed method approach (세종시 건설현장 인근 주민의 알레르기 및 호흡기 질환 유병 실태: 혼합연구방법론을 적용한 탐색적 연구)

  • Ki, Myung;Shin, Ji-Yeon;Kim, Lahee;Cho, Seong-Sik;An, Ah Reum;Kim, Yeong-Ju
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.40 no.2
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    • pp.80-92
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    • 2015
  • Objectives: To clarify the association between dust from large construction sites and allergic and respiratory conditions among residents in Sejong city. Methods: We included 379 individuals older than 50 years from three areas of Sejong city; two areas near construction sites and one area for a comparison. Prevalence of self-reported allergic and respiratory conditions was compared across the three areas using logistic regression to adjust for covariates including age, gender, smoking, and educational attainment. A total of 16 individuals were interviewed to take details of the residents' experiences of construction work. Results: Those living in the nearby areas around construction sites were generally found to have the increased prevalence for all allergic and respiratory conditions. Odds Ratio(OR)s for cough and sneezing among the six symptoms and allergic rhinitis among the three diagnosed diseases reached statistical significance but only OR for cough remained significant after adjustment: adjusted OR for cough was 2.63 (95% CI, 1.07-6.46). Two relevant themes emerged from semi-structured interview were; 1) most residents from the affected area reported a considerable level of exposure to construction dust, 2) about half of them noted that construction dust influences allergic- and respiratory health. Conclusions: General pattern provides suggestive evidence that living close to construction sites may be positively associated with elevated risks of allergic and respiratory conditions. Efforts should be made to establish preventive measures and a comprehensive in-depth health impact assessment on this issue.

Ecological Risk Assessment of 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (4,4'-Methylenedianiline의 환경매체별 위해성평가)

  • Hyun Soo Kim;Daeyeop Lee;Kyung Sook Woo;Si-Eun Yoo;Inhye Lee;Kyunghee Ji;Jungkwan Seo;Hun-Je Jo
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.49 no.6
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    • pp.334-343
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    • 2023
  • Background: South Korea's Act on Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemicals (known as K-REACH) was established to protect public health and the environment from hazardous chemicals. 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA), which is used as a major intermediate in industrial polymer production and as a vulcanizing agent in South Korea, is classified as a toxic substance under the K-REACH act. Although MDA poses potential ecological risks due to industrial emissions and hazards to aquatic ecosystems, no ecological risk assessment has been conducted. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the ecological risk of MDA by identifying the actual exposure status based on the K-REACH act. Methods: Various toxicity data were collected to establish predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) for water, sediment, and soil. Using the SimpleBox Korea v2.0 model with domestic release statistical data and EU emission factors, predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) were derived for ten sites, each referring to an MDA-using company. Hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated by ratio of the PECs and PNECs to characterize the ecological risk posed by MDA. To validate the results of modeling-based assessment, concentration of MDA was measured using in-site freshwater samples (two to three samples per site). Results: PNECs for water, sediment, and soil were 0.000525 mg/L, 4.36 mg/kg dw, and 0.1 mg/kg dw, respectively. HQ for surface water and sediment at several company sites exceeded 1 due to modeling data showing markedly high PEC in each environmental compartment. However, in the results of validation using in-site surface water samples, MDA was not detected. Conclusions: Through an ecological risk assessment conducted in accordance with the K-REACH act, the risk level of MDA emitted into the environmental compartments in South Korea was found to be low.

A Study of Working Environments and Workers Exposed to Chromium (크롬 취급 사업장의 작업환경 및 근로자 폭로 실태에 관한 연구)

  • Yu, Byung-Chul;Son, Byung-Chul;Jun, Jin-Ho;Han, Yong-Soo;Son, Hye-Sook;Lee, Chae-Eun;Jeong, Woon
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.27 no.3 s.47
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    • pp.517-530
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    • 1994
  • For the purpose of providing the basic data for health management of workers who are exposed to chromium and for improving the quality of working environment, the authors evaluated blood and urinary level of chromium, the occupational history. AST, ALT, Hb, Hct, nasal specular examinaton on 287 workers who have been dealed chromium compounds in 56 manufacturing Industries of five types, that is, 38 metal plating services(plating),4 manufacture of other fabricated metal products (fabricated metal product), 5 manufacturing of dyestuff(dyestuff), 6 dressing and dyeing of leather(leather), 3 others(manufacture of pottery and ceramic househod wares, motor vehicles, electronic valves and tubes and other electronic components) and also measured the level of chromium in air from February to October 1993. The results were as follows ; 1. The utilized type of chromium compounds was the hexavalent state in plating fabricated metal product dyestuff, leather and the trivalent state in .other, and atmosperic chromium concentration as geometric mean was $0.0138mg/m^3(0.001{\sim}0.068mg/m^3)$ in plating, $0.0115mg/m^3(0.006{\sim}0.015mg/m^3)$ in fabricated matal product, $0.068mg/m^3(0.002{\sim}0.019mg/m^3)$ in dyestuff, $0.0083mg/m^3(0.002{\sim}0.028mg/m^3)$ in leather $0.0039mg/m^3(0.003{\sim}0.005mg/m^3)$ in other by the type of industry and it exceeded TLV-TWA ($0.05mg/m^3$) in five (13.6%) of plating services. 2. The geometric mean of chromium in blood was $1.54{\mu}g/dl(0.10{\sim}3.62{\mu}g/dl)$ in Plantng, $0.94{\mu}g/dl(0.27{\sim}2.82{\mu}g/dl)$ in fabricated metal product, $0.51{\mu}g/dl(0.10{\sim}3.25{\mu}g/dl)$ in dyestuff, $0.87{\mu}g/dl(0.15{\sim}8.00{\mu}g/dl)$ in leather, $0.55{\mu}g/dl(0.20{\sim}2.28{\mu}g/dl)$ in other by the type of industry(p<0.001). 3. The geometric mean of chromium in urine was $14.47{\mu}g/l(6.90{\sim}28.00{\mu}g/l)$ in planting, $4.63{\mu}g/l(0.24{\sim}43.00{\mu}g/l)$ in fabricated metal product, $5.93{\mu}g/l(1.00{\sim}33.00{\mu}g/l)$ in dyestuff, $11.09{\mu}g/l(0.80{\sim}48.00{\mu}g/l)$ in leather, $12.41{\mu}g/l(10.10{\sim}41.00{\mu}g/l)$ in other by the type of industry(p<0.001). 4. As the result of nasal specular examination, twenty four cases (8.4%) of nasal septal perforation among 287 total subjects was observed, and there were 17 (9.7%) cases in plating, 4 csaes (14.3%) in dressing and dyeing of leather. In the comparison of chromium concentration in blood and urine between the perforated group and non-perforated group, the perforated group showed a significantly higher value as $1.883{\pm}3.055{\mu}g/dl\;and\;0.793{\pm}0.815{\mu}g/dl$(P<0.001), $21.31{\pm}34.610{\mu}g/L\;and\;9.304{\pm}11.079{\mu}g/L$ (P<0.001). 5. The mean concentration of chromium in blood, urine and the mean level of AST, ALT, Hb and Hct in exposure group were higher than those of control group(p<0.001).

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The Relationship between Behavior of Radiographic Safety Control and Job Stress in Dental Hygienist (치과위생사의 방사선안전관리 행위와 직무스트레스와의 관계)

  • Jang, Jong-Hwa;Hwang, Su-Lyun;Jung, Hong-ryang
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.265-271
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    • 2010
  • This study was to investigate the level of knowledge, recognition, behavior of radiographic safety control and job stress in dental hygienists and to determine the relationship among variables. The subjects were 256(56.9%), who were worked in dental hospital and clinic with mean age of $29.59{\pm}7.30$. Data was collected using a self administrated questionnaire from April 4 to May 15, 2010. Behavior of radiographic safety control was measured using the 15-items and job stress was measured using the 5-items with 5-point likert scale. The data were analyzed with t-test, one-way ANOVA and pearson correlation coefficient using the SPSS WIN 17.0 program. Regarding job stress, the subjects was a mean of 2.63 out of a maximum 5 points. The level of knowledge, recognition, behavior of radiographic safety control a mean of 3.11, 4.08 and 3.43 out of a maximum 5 points. Recognition and behavior of radiographic safety control was negative related job stress in this study. Based on the findings, behavior of radiographic safety control is associated with job stress. These results suggest that various program should be considered for radiation safety control of dental hygienists.

The Production, the Use, the Number of Workers and Exposure Level of Asbestos in Korea (우리나라의 석면 생산과 사용 및 근로자 수와 노출농도의 변화)

  • Choi, Jung Keun;Paek, Do Myung;Paik, Nam Won
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.242-253
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    • 1998
  • South Korea has been producing asbestos over 60 years. The use of asbestos was over 50 years for production of asbestos slate and 27 years for asbestos friction materials including asbestos textile and brake-lining. Thus, it can be supposed that asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma could be found in the vulnerable workers exposed to asbestos in 1955-1975, given the average latency period of 10-30 years. Asbestos was produced primarily by Japanese during World War II In Korea. The production of chrysotile peaked to 4,815 tons in 1944. From 1978 to 1984, 10,000 tons of asbestos were produced annually. However, the production was interrupted by raising labor costs and extinction of mine reserves, and finally they had to depend on import for the need of asbestos. In 1945, there were 16 asbestos mines, in total, with the addition of new asbestos mines in South Korea. Imports of asbestos was increased from 74,000 tons to 95,000 tons during the period of 1976 - 1992. But the imports was reduced to 88,000 tons in 1995. Since, in addition to the import of asbestos itself, the imports of asbestos products were increased as well and the accumulation of asbestos reached to 30,000 tons during the period of 1964 to 1993. In 1965, there was only one asbestos company with 207 employees. But the size of asbestos industry has been expanded so much that 118 asbestos companies could be found in 1993 with 1,476 workers. However, there was no record on the survey of asbestos concentration to which workers were exposed in any companies in 1983. The record of the air-borne concentration of the asbestos in textile working places in 1984 showed 6.7 fibers/cc by geometric mean(GM), but it was reduced to 1.2 fibers/cc in 1993. GMs of asbestos in working places for construction materials and asbestos textiles were also decreased from 1.7 fibers/cc to 0.55 fibers/cc during the period of 1984 - 1996.

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