• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.461-472
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the differences in EC concentrations according to the type of sampler by measuring and analyzing EC. Methods: Elemental carbon was measured in diesel engine vehicles and at the roadside. Using NIOSH method 5040, a cassette was coupled to 37 mm and 27 mm quartz filters and measurements were performed 21 times. There were 14 types of measurement methods, and polystyrene, polypropylene, and metal samplers were evenly placed inside the movable chamber. Results: The results measured using the 37 mm conductive cassette (closed/open) and the IOM sampler made of conductive materials showed a higher ratio than the other results. When the 37 mm conductive cassette was measured with the lid open, it showed a statistically significantly higher ratio than with other measurement methods (p<0.05). Conclusions: Checking the EC concentration a total of 21 times at each ratio based on the concentration of the 3-stage polystyrene cassette, it was statistically significantly higher when the 37 mm conductive cassette was open. This same cassette also showed a slightly higher EC concentration when closed. It was ascertained that some DEE was collected on the cassette wall surface due to the electrical conductivity of the polystyrene cassette, resulting in sample loss. Since EC is composed of fine particles, it is thought that electrical conductivity may affect its concentration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.398-422
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• 2017

Objectives: The major aim of this study is to construct the database of retrospective exposure assessment for crystalline silica through reviews of literatures in South Korea. Methods: Airborne concentrations of crystalline silica were collected using an academic information search engine, Research Information Service System(RISS), operated by the Korea Education & Research Information Service(KERIS). The key words used for the literature search were 'silica', 'crystalline silica', 'cristobalite', 'quartz' and 'tridymite'. A total number of 18 published documents with the information of crystalline silica level in air or bulk samples were selected and used to estimate retrospective exposures to crystalline silica. Weighted arithmetic mean(WAM) calculated across studies was summarized by industry type. Industries were classified according to Korea Standard Industrial Classification(KSIC) using information provided in the literature. Results: A total of 2,131 individual air sampling data measured from 1987 to 2012 were compiled. Compiled individual measurement data consisted of 827 respirable crystalline silica (RCS), 31 total crystalline silica(TCS), 24 crystalline silica(CS), 778 respirable dust(RD) and 471 total dust(TD). Most of RCS measurements(68.9%) were collected from 'cast of metals(KSIC 243)'. Comparing industry types, 'mining coal and lignite(KISC 051)' showed the highest WAM concentration of RCS, $0.14mg/m^3$, followed by $0.11mg/m^3$ of 'manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products(KSIC 239)', $0.108mg/m^3$ of 'manufacture of ceramic ware(KSIC 232)', $0.098mg/m^3$ of 'heavy construction(KSIC 412)' and $0.062mg/m^3$ of 'cast of metals(KSIC 243)'. In terms of crystalline silica contents in airborne dust, 'manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products(KSIC 239)' showed the highest value of 7.3%(wt/wt), followed by 6.8% of 'manufacture of ceramic ware(KSIC 232)', 5.8% of 'mining of iron ores(KSIC 061)', 4.9% of 'cast of metals(KSIC 243)' and 4.5% of 'heavy construction(KSIC 412)'. WAM concentrations of RCS had no consistent trends over time from 1994 ($0.26mg/m^3$) to 2012 ($0.12mg/m^3$). Conclusion: The data set related RCS exposure level by industries can be used to determine not only the possibility of retrospective exposure to RCS, but also to evaluate the level of quantitative retrospective exposure to RCS.