• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.412-420
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to evaluate personal and area exposure to airborne total dust and endotoxin during harvest and planting tasks at cucumber, yellow melon and potato farms Materials and Methods: Total dust was measured with NIOSH method 0500. Endotoxin were measured using a 37 mm glass fiber filter which was connected to an air pump calibrated to 2 LPM, and then analyzed with a Turbidmetric kinetic method. Results: The average(arithmetic mean) concentrations of total dust in the personal samples were $0.10-3.81mg/m^3$ for cucumbers, $0.21-1.19mg/m^3$ for yellow melon, and $0.08-2.72mg/m^3$ for potato. There was a significant difference in the harvest task among the three farm types(p=0.019 of personal sample, p=0.048 of area sample), in which the air concentration for potatoes was higher than with cucumbers and yellow melons. Conclusions: It was found that potatoes(planting and harvest) should be considered the first priority for studying and reducing total dust exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.23-37
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the level of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among workers handling rust preventive oils. Methods : A total of 30 bulk samples and 54 personal air samples were collected using diffusive samplers at 22 workplaces handling rust preventive oils in Daegu and Gyongsangbuk-do Province from March to October 2013. We also investigated detailed information on the related work conditions, such as kinds of products, handling methods, local exhaustive ventilation systems, and the status of the wearing personal protective equipment. All bulk samples and air samples were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify components to which workers potentially were exposed. Quantitative airborne concentrations of VOCs were confirmed using gas chromatography with flame ionized detectors. Results : In terms of qualitative analyses for the 30 bulk samples, we found carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxic(CMR) substances such as butane(carcinogenic Group 1A, mutagenic Group 1B), butoxy ethanol(carcinogenic Group 2), cumene (carcinogenic Group 2), ethyl benzene(carcinogenic Group 2), methyl isobutyl ketone(carcinogenic Group 2) and toluene (reproductive toxic, Group 2). As a result of full-shift based personal air samples, eight substances such as n-hexane, n-heptane, octane, nonane, decane, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene were detected. Among them, n-hexane and n-heptane were detected in all of 54 air samples with $13.13mg/m^3$ and $8.61mg/m^3$ of maximum concentration, respectively. The level of airborne concentration from all of samples were bellow the occupational exposure limit in Korea. Conclusions : Based on the results of this study, workers handling rust preventive oils could be exposed to CMR substances contained in rust preventive oils and n-hexane and n-heptane were found as the most frequent sources of VOC exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.430-437
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• 2016

Objectives: The new Chemical Control Act from the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014-259) simply states only in basic phrases that every worker handling the listed chemicals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and does not consider the different hazard characteristics of particular chemicals or work types. The purpose of this study was to produce an exposure risk matrix and assign PPE to the categories of this matrix, which would be useful for revising the act to suggest PPE to suit work types or situations. Methods: An exposure risk matrix was made using hazard ranks of chemicals and workplace exposure risks in the previous study. For the 20 categories of exposure risk matrix PPE, levels A, B, C, D as classified by OSHA/EPA were assigned. After 69 hazardous chemicals were divided into 11 groups according to their physiochemical characteristics, respirators, chemical protective clothing (CPC), gloves and footwear were suggested on the basis of the assigned PPE levels. Results: PPE table sheets for the 11 groups were made on the basis of work types or situations. Full facepiece or half-mask for level C was recommended in accordance with the exposure risk matrix. Level A was, in particular, recommended for loading or unloading work. Level A PPE should be worn in an emergency involving hydrogen fluoride because of the number of recent related accidents in Korea. Conclusion: PPE assignment according to the exposure risk matrix made by chemical hazards and work type or situation was suggested for the first time. Each type of PPE was recommended for the grouped chemicals. The research will be usefully used for the revision of the Chemical Control Act in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2017

This study intends examine the relevance of factors with negative influences on anti-social sexual awareness formation in adolescents as per the concern of the parents of families with adolescents, as internet pornography exposure in adolescents lead to excessive indulgence in pornographic photographs, cartoons, videos, or fictions, or in video chatting with exposure of one's own body parts. For this, the factors of internet pornography exposure in the study subjects of adolescents were constructed into a multilateral model, and the structural equation model was analyzed. As the result of the study, the following conclusion were drawn. First, the most powerful factor influencing the anti-social sexual awareness in adolescents was, contrary to the concern of many, not the exposure to pornography through internet media, but personal characteristics such as sensation-seeking tendency and socio-environmental characteristic of differential association. Second, it is worth noting that the most major factor influencing intentional internet pornography exposure by adolescents is another form of pornography exposure. Third, whether intentional or unintentional, the internet-related variable influencing the internet pornography exposure was found to be the amount of internet usage. Fourth, the unintended internet pornography exposure was found to have no direct influence on the sexual awareness of adolescents, but it did have an indirect influence on sexual awareness mediated by intentional internet pornography exposure and existing-media pornography exposure. Based on these study results, the conclusion was drawn regarding the influence of internet pornography on sexual awareness in adolescents.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 1999

To develop managing guidance of occupational noise exposure for metal working facility, we have studied about drafting contour map of noise exposure, methods of noise assessment and actual calculation method of time weighted noise exposure. Therefore we have suggested that contour maps of noisy workplace are very important for controlling metal working fluid facility and two kinds of noise assessment method, so called, personal andstatic exposure are necessary to avoid argument between workers and managing group. Finally we would like recommend that the Korean specification of noise exposure should be modified to protect ONIHL(oocupational noise induced hearing loss).

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

The experimental evaluation of exposure conversion formula using the relationship between optical photo-density, exposure dose and the quality of radiation characteristics of radiation energy to X-ray and ${\gamma}-rays$. The film badge dosimeter is analysed by exposure conversion formula which evaluate image fading characteristics for development time and directional characteristics for incident beam angle. In conclusion, exposure conversion formula evaluated of this study is satisfied with quality decision criterion of the film badge dosimeter.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.452-463
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) during nail art practice by college students. Methods: Personal samples for students were measured using passive samplers(OVM 3500) during three kinds of practice, including polish nail, gel nail and acrylic French sculpture at two universities located in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. We also monitored area concentrations using active samplers and real-time total VOC monitors(ppbRAE 3000). All samples were analyzed with a gas chromatography flame ionized detector. Statistical analysis for monitored data were conducted using a web-based Bayesian toolkit, EXPOSTATS(www.expostats.ca). Results: Twenty-four personal samples and ten area samples were collected and five chemicals(acetone, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl methacrylate(EMA) and methyl methacrylate(MMA)) were detected. Acetone was detected in all personal samples and ranged from 2.58 ppm to 50.3 ppm. EMA was detected in all personal and area samples with a maximum concentration of 9.78 ppm during acrylic French sculpture. Personal exposure levels to acetone, butyl acetate and mixtures were significantly higher with high occupant density (p<0.05). Geometric mean (GM) concentrations of 3.61 ppm for EMA personal samples were significantly higher than that of area samples, 1.5 ppm (p<0.05). Since there was no local ventilation, total VOC concentration continued to increase as the practice progressed. Conclusions: In order to minimize VOCs exposure for trainees, it is necessary to introduce a local ventilation system and maintain adequate occupant density.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.68-77
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• 2000

This study was performed to evaluate tannin exposure by wooddusts for workers in furniture factories and to investigate the relationship between tannin exposure and sino-nasal cancer risk. In order to explore possible cytological changes leading to nasal cancer, we have examined 50 male furniture workers and 50 matched controls using brush cytology. The results we have obtained in this study were as follows: 1. The tannin contents of woods used in woodworking factories have been measured and varied from 0.43 to 8.72 mg tannic acid equivalent per gram wood, for reconstituted softwood and turpentine (Syncarpia glomuliferia) respectively. 2. Airborne tannins in wooddusts were also determined by area and personal exposure. The values of mean exposures for both methods are ranged from 3.1 to $5.0{\mu}g/m^3$ and from 4.6 to $14.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in furniture manufactures. 3. Over nasal cytology scores 2, the scores of study group were slightly more than control group and this kind of metaplasias seemed to be occurred over $2mg/m^3$ wooddust and $6{\mu}g/m^3$ tannin exposure. Keratinising squamous metaplasia was investigated at nasal cytology score 3 and $10{\mu}g/m^3$ tannin exposure. The nasal cytology score 4 was seemed to be atypical squamous metaplasia. 4. To find out contributing factors to nasal cytology change, odds ratio that is one of fundmental biostatistics was applied. Actually the relationship between wooddust, tannin concentration and metaplasia were not meaningful, but the relationship between working experence more than 15 years and metaplasia was calculated as 1.83. This reveals that significant clinical abnormalities could be influenced from the years of woodworking experiences. However further research is required to evaluate the significance of the data, for the purposes of sino-nasal risk assessment, standard setting to prevent nasal cancer occurrences and possibility of changing workplace.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.244-248
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• 2021

Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m², were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.