• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.63-70
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of indicator organisms in essential sanitary ware in public restrooms. Methods: Twelve public restrooms were randomly selected. Samples at three locations (toilet seat, toilet flush handle/lever, and faucet handle) in the restrooms were collected with moistened-sterile cotton swabs and applied to media in order to determine aerobic colony count (ACC), total coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Results: Most of the samples taken in summer showed a higher level of ACC than those taken in winter (p<0.05). Female restrooms showed higher ACC levels on faucet handles and male restrooms on toilet flush handles/levers (p<0.05). Overall, faucet handles contained the greatest level of ACC, followed by toilet seats, whereas the least load was found on toilet flush handles/levers. The ACC level of samples in the restrooms in public parks, subway stations, and educational institutions varied. Total coliforms were identified in about 20% of toilet seats and faucet handles in male restrooms and faucet handles in female restrooms in summer. These locations were also the sites of positive results of E. coli isolation. Conclusions: The public restrooms were significantly more contaminated in summer than in winter. Overall, the most contaminated locations in the restrooms were toilet seats in male restrooms, and faucet handles in female restrooms. Poor hygienic status was indicated by the positive results of total coliforms and E. coli on samples from some sites. Therefore, sanitary control of restrooms should be improved. These results should be confirmed in a larger study that includes more public restrooms.

• 디자인학연구
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.147-156
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• 2002

우리나라는 2002년 한·일 공동주최 월드컵이라는 국제적 대회의 개최로 인한 외국인 입국자의 증가로 시설물 확충 및 개보수의 필요성이 절실히 요구되어지고 있다. 하지만 한국관광공사에 따르면 외국인 관광객의 한국여행 시 안내표지판 미비 및 화장실의 불결이 가장 큰 불편사항으로 지적되고 있다. 이중 화장실은 숫자적으로 증가하였으나 관리소흘과 시설의 낙후 등으로 문제가 크게 대두되고 있으며 또한, 디자인측면과 장애인 시설측면의 미흡함으로 관광한국으로서 많은 문제점이 도출되고 있는 실정이다. 화장실에 대한 기존연구는 1980년대부터 시작되어 왔지만 시설물 개선 및 확충, 시민의식의 제고 측면에 편중되어 있기 때문에 공간배치 및 시설물 계획만을 주로 검토하고 있어 공중화장실의 전통적 디자인 측면이나 환경측면에 대한 고려의 연구가 미흡하다고 볼 수 있다. 본 연구는 체크리스트를 통해 공중화장실의 문제점과 실태를 조사하고 이를 바탕으로 국립공원에 적용되어질 수 있는 공중화장실의 디자인을 한국불교 건축양식을 적용하여 쾌적한 환경창출과 한국 전통문화를 느낄 수 있는 공간으로 재탕출하였다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.304-312
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to examine bioaerosols in indoor air in public restrooms, as well as to assess the effects of air temperature and relative humidity on bioaerosol levels. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in ten male and ten female restrooms. An air sampler (Anderson type) was used for sampling total suspended bacteria (TSB), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), opportunistic bacteria (OP), Staphylococcus spp., and total suspended fungi (TSF). Results: The levels of TSB were $10-10^2CFU/m^3$ and TSF $10-10^2CFU/m^3$, respectively. The GNB level was $0-10CFU/m^3$, and GPB and OP levels were $10-10^2CFU/m^3$. Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were detected in 90% of the restrooms. The GPB level was higher in the female restrooms than in the male restrooms (p < 0.05). TSB, GNB, and TSF showed higher levels in restrooms in buildings over 30 years old (p < 0.01). The main effect of air temperature or relative humidity and interaction effect of the two factors on the TSB level were significant (p < 0.05), while the effect of relative humidity on the TSF level was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there is a wide variation in the bioaerosol levels among different restrooms. The observed differences in bioaerosol levels reflect different building histories. The effects of air temperature and/or relative humidity reveal that bioaerosol levels may vary according to season or time of day. Future research is needed to further characterize the relation between the bioaerosol levels and surface contamination in restrooms.

• 한국전자통신학회논문지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.473-482
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• 2024

공중화장실에 존재하는 위험요소를 식별하기 위하여 가상현실로 공중화장실을 구현하였다. 가상현실 공중화장실에 대한 평가를 통하여 실제 공중화장실의 위험요소를 도출하고자 하였다. 이를 위하여 가상현실 공중화장실을 체험하는 사용자가 휴대한 스마트폰 내장 센서 중에 3-축 가속도 센서와 자이로센서가 있는데, 이 센서가 보내오는 데이터를 분석함으로써 시공간 요소 중에서 사용자에게 영향을 주는 요소를 도출하되, 해당 요소가 위험요인이 되는지 여부가 데이터 분석을 기반으로 하는 평가 알고리즘에 의거하여 이루어졌음을 보였다.

• 한국융합학회논문지
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• 제11권8호
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• pp.71-76
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• 2020

본 연구는 병원 내 일반 공용화장실과 핵의학 전용화장실내의 방사성 표면오염도를 측정하였다. 측정방법은 Berthold(LB 124, Germany)을 이용하여 화장실 입구, 대변기 안, 대변기 주위바닥, 소변기 안, 소변기 주위바닥에서 측정하였다. 화장실 사용실태 결과 3곳의 병원 중 1곳의 병원에서 방사성동위원소를 투여 받은 환자가 대기하는 전용장소가 없었다. 방사성동위원소 전용 화장실을 측정한 결과 방사성옥소 치료병실에서 모든 측정 장소가 가장 높게 측정되었고, 공용화장실을 측정한 결과는 B병원을 제외한 모든 병원의 측정 장소에서 백그라운드 수준의 오염도를 나타냈다. 하지만 B병원의 1층 공용화장실 소변기 안, 소변기 주위바닥에서 8.073 Bq/㎠, 6.426 Bq/㎠으로 측정되었다. 따라서 환자들에게 방사선피폭의 위험성을 설명하고, 환자가 대기할 수 있는 장소를 마련할 것을 권고 한다. 그리고 방사성동위원소를 투여 받은 환자는 불필요한 이동과 일반 공용화장실을 사용하지 못하도록 하는 방안이 모색되어야 할 것이다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.197-204
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the public's awareness of the importance of hand washing and to compare perceptions on the habit of hand washing with actual hand washing behavior. Methods : Data were collected by observing 2,800 participants washing their hands after using public restrooms in seven cities nationwide and by surveying 1,000 respondents (age > 14 years) through telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results : Although 94% of the survey respondents claimed to mostly or always wash their hands after using public restrooms, only 63.4% of the observed participants did wash their hands after using public restrooms. Significant factors related to increased adherence to hand washing were female gender, approximate ages of 20 to 39 years by their appearance, and the presence of other people from the observation. About 79% of the survey respondents always washed their hands after using bathrooms at home, 73% washed their hands before handling food, and 67% washed their hands upon returning to their home. However, 93.2% and 86.3% of the survey respondents did not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing and after handling money, respectively. Although most of the survey respondents (77.6%) were aware that hand washing is helpful in preventing communicable diseases, 39.6% of the survey respondents did not do so because they were 'not accustomed' to washing their hands and 30.2% thought that washing their hands is 'annoying'. Conclusions : This is the first comprehensive report on hand washing behavior and awareness of the general population in Korea. The result of this study in terms of individual behavior and awareness of hand washing are comparable with similar studies conducted in other countries. However adherence to hand washing is still low and needs to be increased. The results of this study can be used as a baseline in setting up strategies and activities to promote adherence to hand washing.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.214-220
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• 2020

세정제로 손을 씻는 것은 감염의 가능성이 있는 미생물을 줄이는 중요한 방법이지만 재사용하는 액체 형 세정제는 외부의 오염에 취약하다. 이 연구의 목적은 공공화장실에서 사용하고 있는 액체 세정제의 오염도를 측정하는 것이다. 저자는 6개 건물에 있는 58개의 공공 화장실에서 액체 형 손 세정제를 조사하였다. 균의 동정은 전통적인 생화학적 검사와 질량분석기를 이용하였으며 항균제 감수성 검사는 Vitek II 시스템을 이용하였다. 58개의 화장실 중 27개(46.55%)의 화장실에서 세정제를 다시 채워 재사용하고 있었으며, 이들 중 25개(92.59%) 화장실의 세정제가 세균에 오염되어 있었다. 오염된 균은 1.6×10³ to 2.7×10⁵ CFU/mL의 범위였으며, Serratia liquefaciens (12 균주), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (9 균주), Serratia marcescens (4 균주), Staphylococcus pastueri (1 균주), Achrombacter spanius (1 균주) 순으로 분리되었다. A. xylosoxidans 1 균주를 제외하고 같은 건물에서 분리된 같은 균 종은 동일한 감수성 양상이었다. 결론적으로 오염된 손 세정제로 손을 씻는 것은 공공보건 시설에서 세균의 전파가능성이 높일 수 있으므로 면역이 감소한 환자들이 이용하는 병원의 화장실은 손 세정제를 재사용하는 것을 제한할 필요가 있다.

• 한국전자통신학회논문지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1197-1206
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• 2023

가상현실로 구현한 공중화장실의 위험도를 산출하기 위하여 공중화장실에 존재하는 공간요소를 평가하고자 하였다. 평가대상과 평가 기준에 이론적 기반을 마련하기 위해 공중화장실의 안전성을 높이기 위한 체크리스트를 제안한 선행연구를 도입하였다. 평가 기준을 설정하기 위해 Paul J. Brantingham과 Patricia L. Brantingham의 이론을 바탕으로 공간과 범죄자의 상호작용에 초점을 맞춰 분석하고 수립하였다. Ronald V. Clarke의 "일상활동 이론"도 도입하여 평가 접근 방식에 통합하였다. 공중화장실의 범죄자, 이용자, 공간적 요소 간의 상관관계를 토대로 범인의 행위, 범죄와의 공간적 관련성, 이용 중 이용자 노출을 분석하였다. 이러한 기준을 이용하여 공중화장실의 공간요소 평가 알고리즘을 개발하고 이를 기반으로 애플리케이션을 개발하여 평가 도구 개발이 가능함을 입증하였다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.95-107
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• 2010

Hand-washing is one of the major factors in personal hygiene and public health. This study was undertaken to investigate the hygienic behavior of food-service employees, focusing on awareness of hand washing, hand washing practices, and the load of index microorganisms (aerobic plate count, total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) on the hands of food-service employees. A questionnaire survey completed by direct interview, direct observation of restrooms by the researcher and trained observers, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea were carried out. In the survey, a positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food-service employees were seen under direct observation. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observations in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agents, use of hand washing tools, washing of different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from employees' hands before washing showed higher levels of bacteria than those taken during work and/or after washing (p<0.05). Poor hand washing practices were indicated by the positive results for total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on the hands of some food-service employees. This study showed that there is a marked difference between the food-service employees' awareness of hand-washing and their actual hand-washing practices. The poor hand hygiene of and improper hand washing by the food-service employees should be addressed for improved food safety.

• 교육시설 논문지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.13-24
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• 2018

Unlike other educational spaces in school facilities, restrooms have remained unpleasant spaces without reflecting the change in social awareness and students' lifestyle. In the process of the 'School Restroom Environment Remodeling Project in Seoul' by means of "user participatory design method", this study aimed to suggest a design of the school restroom environment responding to the different needs of actual users, who are students and school staffs. By surveying them, it was revealed that they have a variety of respective behavioral patterns and spatial needs according to their status, gender, age and working period. Implications of this study are as follows; First, it is necessary to establish a separate restroom facility standards that respond to the characteristics of elementary school students. Second, there should be an expansive approach to widely accommodate with the users' needs that were found out through 'user participation', more than just repairing pre-existing space. Third, it needs to have critical review of the maintenance and operation system itself as well as the improvement of the school restroom environment.