• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2001

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins(PCDDs), dibenzofurans(PCDFs), and biphenyls(PCBs) were analyzed by HRGC/HRMS in human blood samples from the Siwha industrial area in Korea. The PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in workers were higher than those in residents. The average TEQ concentrations of PCDD/Fs in workers and residents were 40.3 pg I-TEQs/g lipid and 16.6 pg I-TEQs/g lipid, respectively, and the total PCB concentrations were 174.1 ng/g lipid and 151.0 ng/g lipid, respectively. When applied to principal component analysis, the PCDD/F congener distributions of workers were differentiated from those of residents. But, all of them were similar to the distribution in several Korean foods. Estimated daily intake(EDI) of each person was calculated, and then only 40% to the total people were within the tolerable daily intake range(1-4pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day) suggested by WHO(1997).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.656-664
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• 2010

We investigated the levels and distribution patterns of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface sediments from the Nakdong river basin, Korea. The levels of 16 PAHs and 12 Co-PCBs in the river sediment samples ranged from not detected (N.D.)~969.3 ng/g-dry, 4.2~7716.5 pg/g-dry (0.0~10.1 pg-TEQ/g-dry), respectively. Also, the levels of 16 PAHs were from 5.8~2987.2 ng/g-dry and 4.3~461.1 pg/g-dry (0.0~0.6 pg-TEQ/g-dry) for 12 Co-PCBs in the lake sediment samples. Only dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) were detected among target OCPs and the concentration ranged from N.D.~1.5 ng/g-dry in the river sediment samples. These contamination levels were far below the guideline values suggested for environmental quality assessment. Low molecular weight PAHs were dominant in the river sediment samples, while middle and high molecular weight PAHs were dominant among 16 PAHs in the lake sediment samples. PCB-118 and PCB-105 were predominant congeners in the sediment, which were similar to the results obtained from previous studies. With these results, the assessment of potential sources of PAHs and Co-PCBs contamination in the sediments of the Nakdong river basin was performed. The pyrogenic-PAHs originated from combustion of fossil fuel and biomass were related with the PAHs contribution in most of the sediment samples, and Co-PCBs in the sediment samples were related with commercial PCB products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.32-38
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• 2015

In this paper, we analyzed the vehicle fire accidents due to damage of vehicle's electrical components, which is applied to a vehicle. In recent development of electrical components technology, approximately 40% of vehicle manufacturing parts have applied electronic circuit technology. Phenomenon such deterioration of insulating performance or electric breakdown on the vehicle's electrical components and printed circuit boards(PCBs) resulted from moisture, contamination and aging due to repetitive operations, lead to the vehicle fire. Therefore, the application of electrical components with adequate electric capacity for vehicle and usage of molding techniques using a non-combustible materials to shut off the oxygen should be applied in order to prevent vehicle fire due to damage of the electrical components and PCBs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2010

Bivalve samples from 30 locations Korean coastal waters were analyzed to characterize the contamination with and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The congeners of PBDE in 30 bivalve samples were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography with a high resolution mass detector. The levels of PBDEs in bivalve samples ranged from 0.092 to 13.5 ng/g wet weight. These values for PBDEs concentrations in bivalves from Korea were higher than or comparable to available values for bivalves from other countries. In the congener profiles, BDE-47 (mean contribution=42.2%) was predominant, followed by BDE-99 (23.1%), BDE-100 (11.9%) and BDE-154 (3.5%). Among the OCs analyzed, $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs levels were highest, followed by $\Sigma$HCHs, $\Sigma$CHLs and HCB. The wet weight based $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs ranged from 0.28 ng/g to 19.4 ng/g, and from 0.19 ng/g to 4.86 ng/g, respectively. The $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDT slevels in bivalves along the entire Korean coast were lower than those of the USA, and below the Food and Drug Administration (USA. FDA) limits for fish and shell fish. However, the human health criteria and wild life criteria of the USA. Environmental Protection Agency (USA. EPA) were exceeded for DDE and $\Sigma$HCHs at most of the sampling points.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.208-216
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate levels of POPs in soil by land use and identify congener profiles of PCBs, PCDD/Fs in soil in Korea. Heptachlor, Aldrin, Endrin, Mirex, Toxaphene were not found in all areas. The concentrations of Diedrin, Chlordane, ${\Sigma}$DDT, HCB in soil samples were in ranged from N.D. to 12.08 ${\mu}g$/kg, from N.D. to 16.08 ${\mu}g$/kg, from N.D. to 38.19 ${\mu}g$/kg and from N.D. to 1.32 ${\mu}g$/kg. In case of PCBs, concentration were in ranged from N.D. to 172.12 ${\mu}g$/kg, and PCBs contaminated area was higher than other areas. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs were in ranged from 0 to 6.68 pg I-TEQ/g. In addition, the ${\Sigma}$PCDFs concentration in the industry area soil was higher than ${\Sigma}$PCDDs.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.330-342
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• 2008

A comprehensive quality survey for PCDDs/PCDFs and coplanar PCBs as well as heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in sediments has been investigated in August 2006, Korea. Monitoring was undertaken at five streams representing different surrounding environments throughout Juwang and Gapyeong streams (reference sites), Jungrang stream (dense population site), Ansan stream (mixed small population and industrial site), and Siheung stream (heavy industrial site). The levels of heavy metal in samples were found to be significantly higher in sediment from Siheung stream compared to those of other stream sites. The heavy metal concentrations (dry weight basis) in sediment from Siheung stream were as follows; Cd (3.7 ${\mu}g$/g), Pb (1,295 ${\mu}g$/g), Cu (713.4 ${\mu}g$/g) and Zn (358.1 ${\mu}g$/g). Among 12 coplanar PCBs and 17 PCDDs/PCDFs selected as target compounds in this study, PCB (IUPAC no. 118) and OCDD were the most abundant congeners found in all sediment samples, followed by 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD, OCDF and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8HpCDF as well as PCB (IUPAC no. 105). These results were shown to be in the same trend as the sediment samples of other countries. The levels of PCDDs/PCDFs/coplanar PCBs in sediment samples were expressed as concentrations and WHO- TEQ values. The PCDDs/PCDFs/coplanar PCBs concentrations and their WHO-TEQ values in sediment from Siheung stream were remarkably high. The levels detected were 788.16 pg/g and 36.080 pg WHO-TEQ/g dry weight for PCDDs/ PCDFs and 314 pg/g and 0.4189 pg WHO-TEQ/g dry weight for coplanar PCBs, respectively, beyond the safety level of sediment value 20 pg WHO-TEQ/g. Sediment samples of the five streams were also monitored by sensitive biomarkers using insect immune responses: hemocyte-spreading behavior and immune-associated enzyme activities of phospholipase A$_2$ (PLA$_2$) and phenoloxidase. Organic extracts of Siheung and Jungrang sediments significantly interfered with the hemocytespreading behavior, whereas those of Ansan, Gapyeong, and Juwang did not. These organic extracts did not inhibit the PLA$_2$ and phenoloxidase activities. However, phenoloxidase was highly susceptible to exposure to aqueous extracts in all site sediments. In comparison, PLA$_2$ activities of the hemocytes were significantly inhibited only by aqueous extracts of Siheung, Jungrang, and Gapyeong sediments, but not by those of Ansan and Juwang. Despite some disparity between bioand chemical monitoring results, the biomarkers can be recommended as a device warning the contamination of biohazard environmental chemicals because of a fast and inexpensive detection method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.836-842
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• 2006

Pine needle samples(1 year, 2 year, 3 year old) were collected in Seoul and Ansung to investigate the deposition characteristics of atmospheric PCBs depending on exposure periods. Total PCBs concentration of pine needle samples in Seoul and Ansung showed 2,429, 1,198 pg/g DW(dry weight), respectively. PCB homologs concentration of pine needle samples decreased with increasing chlorine-substituted compounds. It showed that higher chlorine- substituted compounds in existing particle phase compared to lower chlorine-substituted compounds existing in gaseous phase were difficult to accumulate lipids of the pine needles samples. The results of regression analysis between exposure periods in the atmosphere and concentration of total PCBs measured in pine needles at two sites showed significant levels($R^2>0.94$, p<0.01), which implies that atmospheric PCBs accumulated on pine needles with positive linearity depending on exposure periods in this study. Therefore pine needle samples can be used as passive air sampler(PAS) for monitoring air contamination for a long time in different sites.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2016

A wide-spread contamination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs in the aquatic ecosystem has generated a great concern over the potential risk for these substances to impact marine biotas and food web. Since a major exposure route of these substances to the humans is through the consumption of food including fish and marine byproducts, the consumption of contaminated products has been a great public health concern. Exposure to POPs has been associated with a wide spectrum of adverse effects including reproductive, developmental, immunologic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects. This review covers the background information of key POPs substances and the recent development of toxicity studies including the mode of action. Because neurotoxic effects of some POPs have been observed in humans at low concentrations, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), a representative chemical of POPs, is focused to discuss the possible mode(s) of action for the neurotoxic effects. This review provides the updates of toxicity studies on POPs and paves ways to discuss a possible implication of contaminated marine biota over the human health among the marine biotechnology researchers.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.469-478
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• 2004

Atmospheric bulk (wet and dry) samples were monthly collected in an urban environment (Daeyeon-dong) of Busan over a year, to assess the deposition flux and seasonality of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DLPCBs) using stainless steel pots. Deposition fluxes of DLPCBs in bulk samples were determined using high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Particle deposition fluxes in the urban environment varied from 23 to 98 $mg^2$/year (mean 41 $gm^2$/year). DLPCB deposition fluxes in atmospheric bulk samples ranged from 0.09 to 0.77 ng-$TEQ/m^2$/year (mean 0.35 ng-$TEQ/m^2$/year). Seasonal atmospheric deposition fluxes of DLPCBs were high in winter and low in summer. Atmospheric deposition fluxes of particles and DLPCBs in this study were comparable to or slightly lower values than those of different locations in the world. Monthly DLPCB profiles in deposition bulk samples were similar over a year. Non-ortho PCBs were higher contributions to the total DLPCBs fluxes than mono-ortho PCBs. In particular, PCB 126 had the highest concentrartion (>75%) in all deposition samples, followed by PCB 169 and PCB 156. A highly positive correlation was found among the deposition fluxes of DLPCB species, suggesting the possibility of that the DLPCB contamination originated from one source. The deposition fluxes of DLPCBs were not significantly correlated with temperature and the amount of precipitation even though the summer season with the highest temperature and the largest amount of precipitation showed the lowest DLPCB deposition flux.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.