• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the airborne microbial pollution in hospital environment. Using a mechanical air sampler, microbiological samples were taken from intensive care unit, general ward room, patients wailing room and outdoor of 20 hospitals in Seoul, Korea. The concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi ranged 97-410 cfu/㎥ and 37-77 cfu/㎥, respectively and patients waiting room had highest bacterial count. 10 genera of molds were identified and the most frequently recovered molds were Aspergillus, followed by Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Among Staphylococcus species, S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis were predominant and 47% of Staphylococcus species were isolated from intensive rare unit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2005

This survey was performed to measure concentrations of airborne microbes, utilizing the six-stage cascade air sampler, according to the sampling site and time in the general hospital and to evaluate the degree of correlations between airborne microbes and environmental factors. Besides the main lobby, airborne microbes and environmental factors were not significantly different between the forenoon(9:00-10:00 AM) and afternoon(2:00-3:00 PM). Concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were 404 and $156CFU/m^3$ in the main lobby, 188 and $56CFU/m^3$ in the intensive care unit, 323 and $96CFU/m^3$ in the ward, 239 and $127CFU/m^3$ in the laboratory, and 139 and $33CFU/m^3$ in the newborn baby room, respectively. As a result, the level of airborne microbes was significantly highest in the main lobby and lowest in the newborn baby room(p<0.05). Outdoor airborne microbes concentrations were significantly lower than those of the sampling sites in the general hospital except for the newborn baby room(p>0.05). It was observed that temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in the general hospital had generally positive correlation with airborne microbes. However, there was no correlation between the odor index level and airborne microbes.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.61-80
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• 2013

Quantification of viable forms of microbial community (bacteria and fungi) using culture-dependent methods was done in order to characterize the indoor air quality (IAQ). Role of those factors, which may influence the concentration of viable counts of bacteria and fungi, like ventilation, occupancy, outdoor concentration and environmental parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were also determined. Volumetric-infiltration sampling technique was employed to collect air samples both inside and outside the schools. As regard of measurements of airborne viable culturable microflora of schools during one academic year, the level of TVMCs in school buildings was ranged between 803-5368 cfu/$m^3$. Viable counts of bacteria (VBCs) were constituted 63.7% of the mean total viable microbial counts where as viable counts of fungi (VFCs) formed 36.3% of the total. Mean a total viable microbial count (TVMCs) in three schools was 2491 cfu/$m^3$. Outdoor level of TVMCs was varied from 736-5855 cfu/$m^3$. Maximum and minimum VBCs were 3678-286 cfu/m3 respectively. Culturable fungal counts were ranged from 268-2089 cfu/$m^3$ in three schools. Significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was indicated that indoor concentration of viable community reliant upon outdoor concentration. Temperature seemed to have a large effect (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) on the concentration of viable culturable microbial community rather than relative humidity. Consistent with the analysis and findings, the concentration of viable cultural counts of bacteria and fungi found indoors, were of several orders of magnitude, depending upon the potential of local, spatial and temporal factors, IO ratio appeared as a crucial indicator to identify the source of microbial contaminants.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.131-142
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• 2019

The Bupjusa and Seonamsa temples are located at places with geographically different condition, and therefore, differ with respect to building's structure and layout. In addition, evident difference can be appeared by the regional climate. For the 2 years, we studied the concentration and diversity of the seasonal airborne fungi inside and outside of the 2 temples. In Seonamsa temple, airborne fungi concentration in the indoor and outdoor air was higher and the species diversity in the indoor air was lower, whereas, concentration variation was larger than that of Bupjusa temple. A total of 173 fungal isolates (including 54 genera) and 162 isolated (including 49 genera) were obtained from the indoor air of Bupjusa and Seonamsa temple, respectively. Whereas, 80 fungal isolates (including 33 genera) and 74 isolates (including 39 genera) were collected form the outdoor air of Bupjusa and Seonamsa temple, respectively. However, more fungal varieties were observed to be distributed inside Bupjusa and outside Seonamsa temples. Amongst all the fungi identified, ascomycetes were more dominant (plus or minus 90% points), followed by basidiomycetes and zygomycetes; which more presented in outdoor air than in indoor air. The airborne fungi concentration in spring (month of April) and autumn was higher than in any other season, for Seonamsa and Bupjusa temples, repectively. Genus Cladosporium was isolated from each site and season, with its dramatic increase noted in autumn. In addition, the highest basidiospore(s) number was obtained after the rain. Consequently, the results suggest that Seonamsa temple was more susceptible to biological damage than Bupjusa temple was.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to bioaerosols in the indoor environment could be associated with a variety adverse health effects, including allergic disease such atopy. The objectives of this study were to assess children's exposure to bioaerosol in home indoor environments and to evaluate the association between atopy and bioaerosol, environmental, and social factors in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: Samples of viable airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by impaction onto agar plates using a Quick Take TM 30 and were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/$m^3$). Bioaerosols were identified using standard microbial techniques by differential stains and/or microscopy. The environmental factors and possible causes of atopy based on ISAAC (International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood) were collected by questionnaire. Results: The bioaerosol concentrations in indoor environments showed log-normal distribution (p < 0.01). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of airborne bacteria and fungi in homes were 189.0 (2.5), 346.1(2.0) CFU/$m^3$, respectively. Indoor fungal levels were significantly higher than those of bacteria (p < 0.001). The concentration of airborne bacteria exceeded the limit recommended by the Korean Ministry of Environment, 800 CFU/$m^3$, in three out of 92 samples (3.3%) from 52 homes. The means of indoor to outdoor ratio (I/O) for airborne bacteria and fungi were 8.15 and 1.13, respectively. The source of airborne bacteria was not outdoors but indoors. GM of airborne bacteria and fungi were 217.6, 291.8 CFU/$m^3$ in the case's home and 162.0, 415.2 CFU/$m^3$ in the control's home respectively. The difference in fungal distributions between case and control were significant (p = 0.004) and the odds ratio was 0.996 (p = 0.027). Atopy was significantly associated with type of house (odds ratio = 1.723, p = 0.047) and income (odds ratio = 1.891, p = 0.041). Some of the potential allergic fungal genera isolated in homes were Cladosporium spp., Botrytis spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Alternatia spp. Conclusions: These results suggest that there this should be either 'was little' meaning 'basically no significant association was found' or 'was a small negative' mean that an association was found but it was minor. It's a very improtant distinction. Association between airborne fungal concentrations and atopy and certain socioeconomic factors may affect the prevalence of childhood atopy.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2010

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of bioaerosols in industries suspected to have high levels of bioaerosol exposure. Methods: We selected 11 plants including 3 livestock feed plants (LF industry), 3 metal working fluids handling plants (MWFs industry), and 5 sawmills and measured total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage cascade impactor, and gelatin filters. Endotoxins were measured with polycarbonate filters. Results: The geometric means (GM) of the airborne concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxins were 1,864, $2,252\;CFU/m^3$, and $31.5\;EU/m^3$, respectively at the sawmills, followed by the LF industry (535, $585\;CFU/m^3$, and $22.0\;EU/m^3$) and MWFs industry (258, $331\;CFU/m^3$, and $8.7\;EU/m^3$). These concentrations by industry type were significantly statistically different (p < 0.01). The ratio of indoor to outdoor concentration was 6.2, 1.9, 3.2, and 3.2 for bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and dust in the LF industry, 5.0, 0.9, 2.3, and 12.5 in the MWFs industry, and 3.7, 4.1, 3.3, and 9.7 in sawmills. The respiratory fractions of bioaerosols were differentiated by bioaerosol types and industry types: the respiratory fraction of bacteria in the LF industry, MWF industry, and sawmills was 59.4%, 72.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, and that of fungi was 77.3%, 89.5%, and 83.7% in the same order. Conclusion: We found that bioaerosol concentration was the highest in sawmills, followed by LF industry facilities and MWFs industry facilities. The indoor/outdoor ratio of microorganisms was larger than 1 and respiratory fraction of microorganisms was more than 50% of the total microorganism concentrations which might penetrate respiratory tract easily. All these findings suggest that bioaerosol in the surveyed industries should be controlled to prevent worker respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of biological hazards in waste handling industries. Methods: We selected 3 recyclable waste sorting plants(RWS), 2 food recycling plants(FR), 1 landfill area(LA) and 1 waste incineration plant(WI). Total airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with single stage impactor and gelatin filters. Endotoxin and glucan were measured with polycarbonate filters in total and respirable dust. Results: The geometric mean of airborne bacterial concentration was the highest in FR($3,273CFU/m^3$), followed by LA, RWS, and WI as 1,334, 934, and $860CFU/m^3$. The fungal concentrations were 6,031, 5,052, 3,307, and $713CFU/m^3$ in RWS, WI, FR, and LA, respectively. By process, WI pit showed the highest concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxin, followed by inside of bulldozer in LA. The indoor to outdoor ratios of bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and glucan were 2.3, 4.0, 2.3, and 5.0 in RWS, 29.5, 4.9, 7.6, and 5.0 in FR, 5.3, 8.7, 26.8, and 9.5 in WI, respectively. Conclusions: We found that biological hazards, specifically bacteria in FR, fungi in RWS and endotoxin in WI pit and bulldozer at LA, should be controlled to prevent worker's respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.2 s.83
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• pp.120-126
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• 2005

To assess exposure of allergy patients to a biological environment, measurements were made of levels of airborne bacteria and fungi, house dust endotoxin and mite allergens in homes of 7 allergy patients and 12 healthy families. Concentrations of airborne total bacteria and the ratio of indoor and outdoor concentrations(I/O) in allergy patient's homes were high compared to non-allergy houses. But no significant differences could be shown for the concentration of spores of viable fungi and staphylococcus in indoor air between the homes of allergic patients and healthy families. The results of investigation on house dust mites, Dermatophagoids farinae were detected in all mattress samples and the levels in the allergy patient's homes were generally high, with individual measurements exceeding $2{\mu}g/g$ dust found in $30\%$ samples. In contrast with, Dermatophagoids pteronyssinus were detected in only $60\%$ samples and the concentrations were very low. The levels of endotoxin in dust samples collected from the allergy patient's home mattresses were higher than those of control houses. There was a positive correlation between the endotoxin levels and the house dust mite allergens.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.300-309
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate microbial exposure hazards in the metal-working fluids(MWF) handling industry. Methods: Air quality parameters(airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and oil mist) and bulk MWF in storage tanks were evaluated at 54 points at nine sites in South Korea. Results: The geometric means(GM) of culturable airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and oil mist concentration were $133CFU/m^3$(n=376, range $7{\sim}6,510CFU/m^3$), $159CFU/m^3$(n=381, range $7{\sim}8,469CFU/m^3$), $8.06EU/m^3$(n=103, range $0.34{\sim}280.4EU/m^3$) and $0.20mg/m^3$(n=104, range $0.01{\sim}2.87mg/m^3$), respectively. The ratio of indoor to outdoor concentration was 2.7 for bacteria, 6.1 for endotoxin, and 4.8 for oil mist. Even though average airborne bacteria concentration did not exceed recommended exposure limits($1,000CFU/m^3$), MWF in the storage tanks was highly contaminated with bacteria(arithmetic mean $2.1{\times}10^6CFU/ml$) and exceeded recommended bacteria limits($10^5CFU/ml$). Conclusions: It is necessary for MWF handling workplaces to conduct periodical biohazard inspection of MWF storage tanks. Additionally, further research may be necessary to establish biological occupational exposure limits.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.84-94
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• 2013

Objectives: The objective of this study is to identify the composition of dominant microorganisms in waste handling industries. Methods: We collected airborne bacteria and fungi by agar plate impaction method in recyclable waste sorting industry, food recycling industry, landfill and incineration. Isolated dominant microorganisms were identified by VITEK system or morphological analysis. Results: We isolated totally 330 microorganisms in the process and outdoor. Bacillus was the most dominant genus in the all industries, and Sphingomonas, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus, and Proteus was dominant bacterial genus. The dominant genus of fungi was Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium in each industries. Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Proteus was identified as the dominant gram negative bacteria. The ratio of bacteria being biosafety levels(class 1 or 2) was 58.3~77.8%. Conclusions: This study has investigated the dominant microorganisms in the waste handling industries. The genus of dominant microorganisms was similar among the industries but the composition was different. We used biosafety levels as qualitative method, but further studies are needed about specific process of qualitative evaluation methods.