• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제31권
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• pp.7.1-7.6
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• 2016

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate radiation exposure resulting from the comprehensive health examinations of selected university hospital programs and to present basic data for research and management strategies on the health effects of medical radiation exposure. Methods Radiation-based diagnostic studies of the comprehensive health examination programs of ten university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, as introduced in their websites, were analyzed. The medical radiation studies of the programs were reviewed by radiologists. Only the effective doses of the basic studies were included in the analysis. The optional studies of the programs were excluded. Results Among the 190 comprehensive health examination programs, 132 programs (69.5%) included computed tomography studies, with an average of 1.4 scans. The average effective dose of radiation by program was 3.62 mSv for an intensive program for specific diseases; 11.12 mSv for an intensive program for cancer; 18.14 mSv for a premium program; and 24.08 mSv for an overnight program. A higher cost of a programs was linked to a higher effective dose (r=0.812). The effective doses of the examination programs for the same purposes differed by as much as 2.1 times by hospital. Inclusion of positron emission tomography-computed tomography was the most critical factor in determining the level of effective dose. Conclusions It was found that radiation exposure dose from comprehensive health exam programs targeted for an asymptomatic, healthy public reached between 3.6 and 24 times the annual dose limit for the general public. Relevant management policies at the national level should be provided to minimize medical radiation exposure.

• 한국소음진동공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국소음진동공학회 2012년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.178-185
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• 2012

In Korea, researches on the exposure assessment of the hand-transmitted vibration started from the mid-90, however, they were performed in the limited industries such as auto-assembly plants and the evaluation of the vibration was mostly conducted by ISO 5349(1986). Therefore, it was necessary to assess hand-transmitted vibration levels of workplace such as ship building/repairing industry or mining industry where occupational injuries are largely occurred and to evaluate the vibration levels using revised ISO 5349(2001). The SVAN 949 Four Channels Sound & Vibration Analyser was used for the measurement. The workers using a chain saw were exposed to $1.7{\sim}2.8m/s^2$ of daily vibration level. Workers using a rock drill in a coal mining were exposed to the highest vibration acceleration among workers and the levels were $7.1{\sim}10.8m/s^2$. Vibration levels of grinders were different according to the types of grinders. The hand-transmitted vibration of 3 types of grinders were measured and the levels were $3.3{\sim}11.1m/s^2$. Workers using a impact wrench were exposed to $1.5{\sim}1.6m/s^2$ of vibration. Out of 20 kinds of machines, only 4 tools provided the information of vibration acceleration on the instructions. In addition, the current condition of workplaces to control vibration was not much different from the past because there are no vibration exposure limit.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2000

Various man-made mineral fibers(MMMF) including refractory ceramic fiber(RCF) have been used widely in industries as insulation materials. The effect of fibrous dust on human health depends on fiber size, concentration (exposure level), and durability in biological system. Therefore, these parameters should be determined to evaluate accurately the potential risk of fibers on human health. The purpose of this study was to characterize the size of airborne fiber and the workers＇ exposure to airborne fibers in refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing and processing factories. Airborne fibers were collected on 25-mm mixed cellulose ester membrane filters at personal breathing zones, and analyzed by A and B counting rules of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Method # 7400. The average ratios of the fiber density by B rule to the fiber density by A rule was 0.84. This result indicates that the proportion of respirable fibers (<3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ diameter) in air samples was high. The average diameter and length of airborne fibers were 1.05${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and 35${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, respectively. The average fiber concentrations (GM) of all personal samples was 0.26f/cc, and the average concentration was highest at blanket cutting and packing processes. The fifty seven percent of personal air samples was exceeded the proposed American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value(TLV), i.e. 0.2 f/cc. It was concluded that the RCF industrial workers had the higher potential health risk due to small fiber diameter, long fiber length, and high exposure level to the airborne fibers.

• 분석과학
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.243-247
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• 2014

포름알데히드는 대표적인 직업성 발암물질로, 고농도에 노출되면 사람에게 백혈병이나 임파종, 비인두암 등을 일으킬 수 있다. 본 연구는 포름알데히드의 직업적 노출이 높은 가구목제 제조업 중 1 개 사업장을 대상으로 공정별 공기 중 포름알데히드 농도를 평가하고, 공기 중 포름알데히드 농도가 가장 높은 무늬목 부착 공정에서 사용되는 재료의 실험실내 포름알데히드 발생 및 분석을 통하여 가구 제조 사업장의 포름알데히드의 발생 현황을 파악하고자 하였다. 2,4-디니트로페닐히드라진 코팅 실리카겔 흡착관에 0.2 L/min의 유량으로 6 시간동안 공기 시료를 포집하고 아세토니트릴로 탈착하여 HPLC-UV로 분석하였다. UV 검출 파장은 360 nm였고, ACQUITY UPLC BEH $C_{18}$ ($100{\times}2.1mm$, $1.7{\mu}m$, Waters, U.S.A.) 컬럼과 45% 아세토니트릴 이동상을 사용하여 유속을 0.5 mL/min으로 설정하여 분석하였다. 가구 제조 사업장의 포름알데히드 최고 농도는 0.31 ppm으로, 미국 ACGIH의 천장값 농도 기준인 0.3 ppm을 초과하였다. 재단, 조립, 샌딩 등의 공정에서도 포름알데히드 농도는 공장 외부의 농도보다 7-21 배 높은 수준이었다. 무늬목 부착 공정에서 목재로부터 발생하는 포름알데히드는 사업장 실제 적용 온도인 $100-150^{\circ}C$에서 1.14-2.70 ppm으로, 국내 노출기준인 0.5 ppm에 비해 2-5 배 이상 높아, 습식 무늬목을 취급하는 사업장 및 공정 근로자는 포름알데히드에 노출될 가능성이 높은 노출 위험군임을 확인하였다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.224-238
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to confirm the physicochemical property and hazard of thinner (012), which is a diluent of enamel paint used for floor coating for waterproofing and oil painting for the outer wall. The literatures of physicochemical property and hazard of thinner were surveyed and its physicochemical property were evaluated. And then, the inhalation toxicity of thinner affecting the central nervous system and reproductive organs in rats were examined by subchronic (6 h./day. 5 days/ week for 13 weeks) inhalation test. 1) According to the 13-week subchronic inhalation test, there were no significant changes in clinical test and body weight. However, a significant evidence of toxicity was observed in the hematological test and organ weight such as heart, kidney, liver and brain (p<0.01) in the 200 ppm and 1,000 ppm exposure groups in a dose response manner. In the histopathology analysis, there were no significant evidence of toxicity. Therefore, thinner was not classified as an organ targeted toxic agent. In case of Harmfulness, it could be classified as a chronic toxic agent 3($500 ppm/4hr, rat). 2) The reproductive toxicity such as extension of the period of estrous cycle, reduction of serum estradiol concentration and increase of frequency of the abnormal sperm was observed in the 1,000 ppm exposed animals. 3) The result of the physicochemical property of the test material showed that the specific gravity was 0.793, boiling point $155.8^{\circ}C$, steam pressure 2.1 kPa, ignition point $34.5^{\circ}C$, and spontaneous ignition point $280^{\circ}C$. The endothermic and exothermic values were 371.4 J/g and 159.1 J/g. respectively. The explosion limit was 214 mg/l. These data showed that thinner could be classified as an explosion agent level 1.2 and ignitive liquid agent 3 ($23-60^{\circ}C$) according to the notification No. 2008-1 of the Labor Ministry, "Classifying Standard of Chemical Materials."

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.175-183
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• 2012

Objectives: This study developed a harmonized method for risk assessment based on the Hazard & Risk Evaluation of Chemicals (HREC) according to the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). Methods: Three preliminary studies, performed during 2010 and 2011 by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute and three academic research groups, were compared. The differences in risk assessment, especially in the dose-response assessment method, were analyzed. A new harmonized method for dose-response assessment was suggested and its applicability for the HREC was examined. Results: Considering the various steps of each dose-response assessment, the equivalent steps in quantitative correction, uncertainty factor 2 (UF2) for intra-species uncertainty, and UF3 for the experimental period in the uncertainty correction were relatively high. Using our new method, the total correction values (quantitative correction plus uncertainty correction) ranged from 72~15,789 to 30~60, and the ratio of the threshold limit value (TLV) to the reference concentration decreased from 12.8~1900 to 5.4~11.8. Furthermore, when we performed risk characterization by our new method, hazard quotient (HQ) values for chloroethylene, epichlorohydrin, and barium sulfate became 3.0, 14.1, and 1.13 respectively, whereas three previous studies reported HQ values of 7.1, 4580, and 87.3 considering reasonable maximum exposure (RME) conditions. HQs of the three chemicals were calculated to be 0.6, 2.4, and 0.1 respectively, when compared to their TLVs. Conclusions: Our new method could be applicable for the HREC because the total correction values and the ratio of TLVs were within reasonable ranges. It is also recommended that additional risk management measures be applied for epichlorohydrin, for which the HQ values were greater than 1 when compared with both reference values and the TLV. Our proposed method could be used to harmonize dose-response assessment methods for the implementation of risk assessment based on the HREC according to ISHA.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1994년도 교수 연수회(환경)
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• pp.577-584
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• 1994

The relation between lead in air (PbA) and lead in blood (PbB), concentrations was investigated among 44 workers in five major operations in a United States high volume, lead acid battery plant. The study covered a 30 month period in which workers received frequent PbA and PbB determinations, workers remained in a single job, and PbA concentrations averaged below the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit of $50{\mu}g/m^{3}$. In both univariate and multivariable linear regressions, longitudinal analyses averaging PbA concentrations over the 30 month study period appeared superior to cross sectional analyses using only six month PbA averages .to model PbB concentrations. The covariate adjusted coefficient ($\alpha$ value) for PbA($\mu/m^{3}$) in models of PbB (${\mu}g/100\;g$) was 1-14. This figure is strikingly higher than that reported in previous studies in the lead acid battery industry in all of which PbA concentrations were substantially higher than in the current study. Plausible explanations for the differences in a: values include non-linearity of the PbA-PbB curve, a higher fraction of large size particulate associated with higher PbA concentrations, survivor bias among workers exposed to higher PbA concentrations, and the cross sectional designs of most previous studies. Despite previously reported problems with the model used by OSHA to predict PbA-PbB relations, the findings of this study are in good agreement with the predictions of that model.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

본 연구는 신발, 타이어, 접착제 제조에 많이 사용되는 클로로프렌(chloroprene)에 대해 취급근로자의 건강장해 예방을 위해 유해성을 조사하고, 취급사업장에 대해 작업환경을 측정 노출농도 및 용량반응을 통해 위험성을 평가하였다. 클로로프렌은 국제암연구소(IARC)로부터 발암추정물질(2B), 표적장기 전신독성 및 생식독성물질로 국내 취급 사업장은 27개소, 연간 약 1,300톤이 사용되었으며, 노출 위험성은 노출환경에 따라 Monte-carlo simulation을 이용하여 산출하였다. 그 결과 국소배기장치가 없으며 1일 4시간 초과 작업시 발암을 일으킬 수 있는 위험성의 평균값은 26,404로, 국소배기장치가 있으며 15분 미만의 단시간 작업 경우 2,199에 비교해 매우 높은 위험성을 보였다. 그리고 표적장기 전신독성의 경우도 169.06으로 단시간 작업 경우 4.10에 비교해 표적장기 전신독성 발생 위험이 높은 것으로 평가되어 물질의 노출시간 및 환기방식에 깊은 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 클로로프렌 노출에 의한 근로자의 건강장해 예방하기 위해 국소배기장치의 가동과 방독마스크의 착용 등 노출저감을 위한 작업환경 관리의 필요성이 있었다. 특히 클로로프렌은 발암성, 생식독성 물질로 미국 산업안전보건청(OSHA)에서는 TWA를 5 ppm($18mg/m^3$) 이하로 관리하고 있으며, 본 유해성조사 결과에서도 현행 노출기준 10 ppm이하에서 표적장기독성, 생식기 장해 등 생체에 미치는 영향이 있는 것으로 나타나 있어, 위험성이 강하게 예측되므로 현재 사용하고 있는 우리나라 작업환경 노출기준(TWA 10 ppm)도 5 ppm 수준으로 강화하여 근로자 건강장해 예방에 기여할 필요성이 있는 것으로 판단되었다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.346-355
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was conducted to ascertain the difference between impinger and passive sampling methods in the process of sampling and analyzing on airborne formaldehyde. Formaldehyde generating workplaces included in this study comprised four types of manufacturing industry such as two workplaces of products of wood, cork, straw and plaiting materials manufacturing industries, one casting metal manufacturing industry, and one parts and accessories for motor vehicles and it′s engines manufacturing industry. Workplaces contained in this study were located in some manufacturing area of Busan industrial complex and this study was carried out during a period from January 2003 to December 2004. Analytical accuracy, precision and detection limit of two methods was compared. Exposure level of its airborne concentration was evaluated in formaldehyde generating workplaces those were classified by types of industry, working process, and time. The results were as follows ; 1. A rate of recovery was 107.1% in impinger method and 101.8% in passive method, and precision was 7.79% in impinger method and 4.40% in passive method. There was no statistical significance in analytical accuracy and precision between two methods. A limitation of detection was 0.011 ppm in passive method which was lower than that of impinger method (0.020 ppm) by 1.8 times. 2. Airborne formaldehyde concentration of impinger method was different from passive method. It′s concentration by passive method was higher by 5.1 times than that by impinger method in the parts and accessories for motor vehicles and it′s engines manufacturing industry (P<0.05). Only in molding process among several types of processes, formaldehyde concentration in passive method was higher by 5.1 times than that in impinger method (P<0.05). Furthermore, formaldehyde concentration in passive method was higher by 1.7 times than that in impinger method (P<0.05) in the first half of year 2003. 3. The geometric mean of formaldehyde concentration in impinger method was lower than that in passive method, but there was no statistical significance of formaldehyde concentration by the difference of sampling method. In conclusion, it is difficult to conclude which is better between the two sampling methods because of no statistical significance for the difference of concentration. Because of lacks of certified passive sampling and analytical method, at present situation, studies on verification of accuracy and precision, obstructive reaction against validity on its exposure assessment, and research to develop domestically manufactured passive sampler in terms of cost-effectiveness should be continuously carried out.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.8-15
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• 2009

This study was examined to find out asbestos exposure level the factors which affected the level at asbestos abatement sites. We visited a total of thirteen building demolition sites(3 apartments, 3 schools, 4 stores, and 3 houses) were visited to collect samples and related data from August to November, 2006. The results of this study were as follows 1. The results of an analysis of bulk samples to identify types of asbestos at the asbestos abatement sites showed that the kinds of the asbestos detected were chrysotile by 50.0%, were tremolite by 2.6%, and were the contents of chrysotile by 3 to 20%. 2. The geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.007 f/cc(range 0.001-0.34 f/cc) and its geometric standard deviation was 5.83. Of the samples, however, 12 exceeded the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(0.1f/cc). 3. Of the materials, textile material had the highest concentration with geometric mean of 0.016 f/cc. When asbestos-containing materials were removed using T type tools, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos was 0.061 f/cc. The level by this method was much higher than by other removal methods. In analysis by the type of building, the geometric mean concentration of asbestos in stores was 0.042 f/cc and was higher than in other buildings. 4. The Poisson regression analysis was applied to find out the factors that affect the airborne asbestos concentration. As a result of the analysis, removal using a T type tool was the most important factor affecting the asbestos concentration(p<0.01). In conclusion, the airborne asbestos concentration(geometric mean) in asbestos abatement sites was 0.007 f/cc(0.001~0.34 f/cc), and 12(14.6%) of all samples were over the 0.1 f/cc. These results showed that asbestos abatement workers have been exposed to the high level of airborne asbestos because they have not been keeping asbestos removal rule. In accordance with increases of the number of building demolition sites, the better government regulation on asbestos abatement methods should be made and be performed well at building demolition sites.