• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2018

Background: This paper describes a simple-to-use and reliable screening tool called Critical Task Exposure Screening (CTES), developed by a chemical company. The tool assesses if the exposure to a chemical for a task is likely to be within acceptable levels. Methods: CTES is a Microsoft Excel tool, where the inhalation risk score is calculated by relating the exposure estimate to the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL) or occupational exposure band (OEB). The inhalation exposure is estimated for tasks by preassigned ART1.5 activity classes and modifying factors. Results: CTES requires few inputs. The toxicological data, including OELs, OEBs, and vapor pressure are read from a database. Once the substance is selected, the user specifies its concentration and then chooses the task description and its duration. CTES has three outputs that may trigger follow-up: (1) inhalation risk score; (2) identification of the skin hazard with the skin warnings for local and systemic adverse effects; and (3) status for carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic effects. Conclusion: The tool provides an effective way to rapidly screen low-concern tasks, and quickly identifies certain tasks involving substances that will need further review with, nevertheless, the appropriate conservatism. This tool shows that the higher-tier ART1.5 inhalation exposure assessment model can be included effectively in a screening tool. After 2 years of worldwide extensive use within the company, CTES is well perceived by the users, including the shop floor management, and it fulfills its target of screening tool.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.126-146
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• 2000

To develop and evaluate formaldehyde measurement method using 2,4-dinitro-phenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) coated sampler and gas chromatography, laboratory test and field test were conducted. Results of this study are as follows. Limit of detection(LOD) of measurement methods, HPLC-UVD, GC-NPD and GC-FID, is $0.008{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ $0.060{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $0.472{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ respectively. Coefficiency of measurement methods, HPLC-UVD, GC-NPD and GC-FID, is 0.008, 0.009, 0.020 respectively. Desorption efficiency of sep-pak xposure aldehyde sampler and sorbent sample tube is 1.05(range : 0.99 - 1.12), 1.02(range : 0.99 - 1.06) respectively. Samples of sorbent sample tube and sep-pak xposure aldehyde sampler turned out to be stored at refrigerator, according to storage test results. Measurement methods of HPLC-UVD, GC-NPD, GC-FID, according to results of precision for the combined sampling and analytical procedure, became acceptable to OSHA evaluation standard. Field test using exposure chamber met the NIOSH overall uncertainty recommendation(less than 25%). Overall uncertainty of Sepak-HPLC(UVD), Tube-GC(NPD), Tube-GC(FID) is 11.0% - 17.0%. Consequently gas chromatography(GC-NPD, GC-FID) and high performance liquid chromatography(EPA TO-11) using 2,4-DNPH coated sampler for formaldehyde measurement turned out to be suitable to measure personal formaldehyde exposure at workplaces.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.940-948
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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 948 Four Channels Sound & Vibration Analyser was used for the measurement. The workers using a chain saw were exposed to 1.7~2.8 $m/s^2$ 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 7.1~10.8 $m/s^2$. 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 3.3~11.1 $m/s^2$. Workers using a impact wrench were exposed to 1.5~1.6 $m/s^2$ 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 workplace to control vibration was not much different from the past because there are no vibration exposure limit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.156-161
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• 2011

Objectives: Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is a colorless, water-miscible organic liquid with low viscosity at standard temperature and pressure. THF has been used as a solvent and a precursor for various syntheses of polymers. However, THF is known to irritate to the eyes, skin and mucus membranes. Overexposure by inhalation, ingestion or skin contact may produce nausea, dizziness, headaches, respiratory irritation and possible skin burns. The purpose of this study is to evaluate of the worker exposure and characteristics of workers in the workplaces that use or manufacture THF. Methods: Sixteen factories in Korea, which manufacture or use THF, were selected for this study and a total of 130 air samples including 104 time-weighted average (TWA) samples and 26 short-term exposure limit (STEL) samples, were collected. Air samples were collected with charcoal tube (100mg/50mg) and analyzed by gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector(GC/FID). Results: The TWA concentration of THF was 16.05ppm (GM) at PS script printing, 2.32ppm (GM) at PVC stabilizer, 1.03ppm (GM) at Lithium triethylborohydride, 0.63ppm (GM) at Polytetramethylene ether glycol(PTMEG), 0.42ppm (GM) at Manufacturing THF, 0.13ppm (GM) at Glue and 0.12ppm (GM) at synthetic rubber/resins. Two out of sampes for PS script printing exceeded 50ppm as 8-hour exposure limit of MOEL. The short term exposure to THF was 54.77ppm (GM) at PS script printing, 17.10ppm (GM) at PTMEG, 13.76ppm (GM) at Manufacturing THF, 2.86ppm (GM) at Lithium triethylborohydride, 0.87ppm (GM) at synthetic rubber/resins and 0.13ppm (GM) Glue. We found that the highest exposure process for both the TWA and STEL samples was PS script process. Two samples exceeded 100ppm as short term exposure limit of Ministry of Employment and Labor(MOEL). Conclusions: Characteristic of STEL concentration for THF is considerably different from TWA concentration in workplaces because workers could exposure high concentration of THF in a moment when they work irregularly schedule. So exposure controls for momentary works have to be prepared, and considered the skin absorption and inhale of THF.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2012

Airborne chlorpyrifos concentrations in formulation workplaces have not been determined in Korea. The aim of the study was to evaluate chlorpyrifos concentrations of air in a formulation workplace and recognize the RBC cholinesterase activities for the formulation workers. 30 air samples (personal or area sampling) were collected and bood samples from 10 workers were collected for RBC chlorinesterase (RBC AChE) activity in a factory on May 2008. Air samples were collected by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method and were analyzed by GC-MS. Airborne chlorpyrifos concentrations ranged from 0.003 to $12.90mg/m^3$ and geometric mean (GM) was $0.15\;mg/m^3.$ Compared to Korean Occupational Exposure Limit (KOEL) of 0.1 (2011) or $0.2\;mg/m^3$ (2008), at 95% confidence, airborne concentrations exceeded the KOEL 69.7% or 56.1% of the time or less, indicating that this concentration level was unacceptable according to exposure assessment using a LogNorm2$^{(R)}$. Since the workers were continually at work on the organophosphate or carbamate pesticides formulation, individual baseline for RBC AChE activity was not determined. As the results of comparison with reference average value of RBC AChE activity, it was found that a worker was below 70% RBC AChE activity and five workers were abnormal.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2019

Introduction: An unexpected death was reported in a beginner immediately after starting the work at a plating factory. After the incident, air sampling was performed using a simulation of the situation as it had been at the time. Methods: To evaluate the airborne concentration of hydrogen cyanide, a total of six samples were collected: one personal sample, three area samples, and two background samples (office and outdoors). Hydrogen cyanide measurement was performed according to the standard sampling protocol recommended by the U.S. NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). Results: The highest concentration of hydrogen cyanide was 0.938 ppm measured in a sample collected from the plating bath area with local exhaust ventilation. This value was approximately 20% of the ceiling occupational exposure limit. The personal sample showed a concentration of 0.135 ppm. Samples collected near the bath in which the incident occurred and a dehydrator showed hydrogen cyanide concentrations of 0.236 ppm and 0.101 ppm, respectively. Hydrogen cyanide was not detected in the background samples (office and outdoors). Conclusions: It is necessary to use proper ventilation systems and respirators in plating factories to prevent acute poisoning. Furthermore, it is important to educate and train new workers dealing with toxic substances.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted toestimate quartz concentrations and contents in the airborne respirable dust from various industries. Methods: A total of 818 samples were collected from 174 industries. Respirable dust samples were collected using a cyclone equipped with a 37 mm, $5{\mu}m$ pore size PVC filter. The quartz concentrations were identified using the intensity of the absorption peak of quartz at $799cm^{-1}$ by Fourie Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR). Results: The respective geometric means for quartz concentrations in the respirable dust were 0.0050, 0.0049, 0.0025, and $0.0019mg/m^3$ in foundries, ceramics, construction, and cement/stone. The geometric mean of quartz contents analyzed by FTIR were respectively 3.43, 1.99, 1.04, and 0.82% for ceramics, foundries, cement/stone, and construction. The rate of exceeding the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit($0.05mg/m^3$) was 2.03%, but rate of exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value($0.025mg/m^3$) was 7.12%. Conclusions: Given that foundries had a higher quartz concentration, there is a need to reduce respirable dust, such as through wet operation. In order to protect the health of workers exposed to mineral dust, it is necessary to actively consider strengthening the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.831-840
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• 2013

The noise levels of workers in tunnel sites are likely to be high because tunneling work places are confined space. However, research on the noise exposure levels of tunneling workers have not been performed intensively due to restricted accessibility to tunnel construction sites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise exposure levels for workers engaged in tunneling work sites. Noise dosimeters were used for monitoring workers' noise exposure level in 5 tunneling work sites in accordance with the Notification of the Ministry of Labor. Among 5 tunneling work sites, 4 of them used NATM tunneling method and 1 work site used shield TBM tunneling method. The average noise exposure levels of NATM tunneling workers was 81.1 dB(A) and 15.4 % of the workers' noise level were exposed more than 90 dB(A) which is the exposure limit value. In Shield TBM tunneling method, 4.3 % of the workers were exposed more than 90 dB(A) of noise level, the average noise exposure levels of TBM tunneling workers was 84.1 dB(A).

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2016

Objectives A hazard assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a commonly used workplace chemical, was conducted in order to protect the occupational health of workers. A literature review, consisting of both domestic and international references, examined the chemical management system, working environment, level of exposure, and possible associated risks. This information may be utilized in the future to determine appropriate exposure levels in working environments. Methods Hazard assessment was performed using chemical hazard information obtained from international agencies, such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-generated Screening Information Data Set and International Program on Chemical Safety. Information was obtained from surveys conducted by the Minister of Employment and Labor ("Survey on the work environment") and by the Ministry of Environment ("Survey on the circulation amount of chemicals"). Risk was determined according to exposure in workplaces and chemical hazard. Results In 229 workplaces over the country, 831 tons of DEHP have been used as plasticizers, insecticides, and ink solvent. Calculated 50% lethal dose values ranged from 14.2 to 50 g/kg, as determined via acute toxicity testing in rodents. Chronic carcinogenicity tests revealed cases of lung and liver degeneration, shrinkage of the testes, and liver cancer. The no-observed-adverse-effect level and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level were determined to be 28.9 g/kg and 146.6 g/kg, respectively. The working environment assessment revealed the maximum exposure level to be $0.990mg/m^3$, as compared to the threshold exposure level of $5mg/m^3$. The relative risk of chronic toxicity and reproductive toxicity were 0.264 and 0.330, respectively, while the risk of carcinogenicity was 1.3, which is higher than the accepted safety value of one. Conclusions DEHP was identified as a carcinogen, and may be dangerous even at concentrations lower than the occupational exposure limit. Therefore, we suggest management of working environments, with exposure levels below $5mg/m^3$ and all workers utilizing local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection when handling DEHP.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.112-124
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• 1999

The purposes of this study were to provide the data for composition of ethylene glycol ethers and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate(EEA) exposure assessment of workers in various industrial operations. In this study, 80 thinners were analyzed to identify their composition and the air concentration of 2-ethoxyethyl acetate(EEA) and urinary 2-ethoxyacetic acid(EAA) were measured. In this study the subjects were the total of 183 drawn from 98 workers who were occupationally exposed to EEA and 85 workers who were not. The results were as follows: 1. There were found average 4.2 components in each thinner. 2. There were 90 components(26.9%) in ethylene glycol ethers of total of 334 detected organic solvents 3. Ethoxyethyl acetate, ethoxyethanol, buthoxyethanol, methoxy-ethanol were found in 30(37.5%), 27(33.8%), 19(23.8%), 2thinners(2.5%), respectively and their contents were average 18.5%. 4. Benzene was found 8 thinners(10.0%) of the total 80 surveyed. 5. In the electronic painting workers EEA exposure concentration was the highest, as showed 2.88ppm(0.01~15.1ppm), cases of exceeded threshold limit value(TLV=5ppm) were 7(10.6%) workers among the total of 98 exposed workers. 6. The geometric mean of urinary EEA in exposed workers was 1.61 mg/gcreatinine, and was higher than that of workers who were not exposed. In the electronic painting workers and offset printers, the geometric mean of urinary EAA was the highest showing 2.8 mg/gcreatinine. 7. The correlation coefficient between urinary concentration of EAA and air concentration of EEA was 0.90(P<0.05). The present results suggest that composition of ethylene glycol ethers in thinners must be evaluated when industrial hygiene surveys and biological monitoring are performed.