• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.663-672
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• 2006

Background: $PM_{10}$(Particulate matter with a diameter ($<10{\mu}m$), which is characterized by different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also produce unique particulate matter in affected areas. This study investigated the cytokine produced by A549 epithelial cells exposed to particles collected during both the Asian dust pfenomenon and ambient air particles in a non-dusty period. Method: Air samples were collected using a high volume air sampler(Sibata Model HV500F) with an air flow at $500{\ell}/min$ for at least 6 hours. The cytokine messenger RNA(mRNA) was measured using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The A549 cells were exposed to 10 to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of a suspension containing $PM_{10}$ for 24 hours. Each was compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. Result: The mRNA levels of interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, $IL-I{\beta}$, IL-8, and the granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) increased after veing exposed to $PM_{10}$ in the ambient air particles, compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. The increase in $IL-1{\alpha}$ and IL-8 were dose dependent at a $PM_{10}$ concentration between $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The mRNA level of IL-8 in the A549 epithelial cells was higher during the in the Asian dust period($500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) than during the non dust period. Conclusion: A549 cells exposed to the $PM_{10}$ collected during the Asian dust period produce more proinflammatory cytokine than during non-dusty period. This cytokine enhances the local inflammatory response in the airways and can also contribute to the systemic component of this inflammatory process.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.81-91
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• 2018

Particulate matter (PM) in dust causes serious pathological conditions, and it has been considered a critical health issue for many years. Respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic inflammation, are the most common illnesses due to PM that appears as dust. There is evidence that cardiovascular and neurological abnormalities are caused by PM. Although an extensive amount of work has been conducted on this topic, including studies on the nature of the particles, particle size measurements, particle distribution upon inhalation, the health effects of fine particles, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, to this date, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge in these areas. Therefore, the identification of the key components that cause diseases owing to PM, and the specific diagnoses of the diseases, is important. This review will explore the current literature on the origin and nature of PM and their effects on human health. In addition, it will also highlight the approaches that have been adopted in order to diagnose the effects of PM using positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT).

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2020

Background: Protection from yellow dust and particulate matter is ensured by the use of respirators among the Korean citizens and workers. However, the manikins used to test the performance of the same were manufactured considering western facial specifications owing to which they do not represent Korean facial characteristics. Methods: Analysis of the data from the 6th 3D anthropometric survey of Koreans (Size Korea; 2010-2013) of 4,583 people aged 7 to 69 years was performed to obtain their facial dimensions. We subsequently clustered 44 facial measurements using Design X software, followed by the creation of the cluster centroid. Results: Three 3D head forms were developed-small, medium, and large, and their images were stored in ".stl" format for 3D printing. The facial widths and lengths of the three head forms were 127.1 mm × 90.6 mm, 143.2 mm × 104.0 mm, and 149.1 mm × 120.2 mm, respectively. Conclusion: We developed manikin head forms according to the facial dimensions of the Korean population, which was essential in evaluating respiratory protective equipment. These head forms can be used to test the performance of respirators considering the facial dimensions of the Korean population.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2019

The internal environment in pig house is closely related to the animal productivity. In addition, it is important to consider a working environment inside the pig house due to high gas and dust concentrations. The poor working environment inside the pig house can cause health problems including respiratory diseases. To analyze the working environment, it is important to evaluate the ventilation efficiency to effectively remove harmful gases and dust. The purpose of this study is to develop a 3D CFD model to analyze the working environment in the pig house. CFD model was validated by comparing air temperature distributions between CFD computed and field measured data. The average air flow rate at the pig height was 40.1 % lower than the working height when incoming air was concentrated on upper layer by the installed ventilation system on the experimental pig house. Using the validated CFD model, the regional ventilation efficiency was computed by the TGD(tracer gas decay) method at the pig and working heights. There was a difference of ventilation efficiency on 14 % between the air stagnated section and the rest sections. Stagnated gas concentration can be effected by animal and human health.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.563-574
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• 2007

There seems to be a consensus among most people that visibility impairment is the most obvious indicator of air pollution. While considerable evidence on the association between air pollution and health outcomes including death and disease have been established, based on industrial complex areas or huge urban cities, time-series, case-crossover and cohort studies, scarce literature exists on the direct evidence for the association between visibility and adverse health outcomes. Our study is assessed the effect of air pollution measured by visibility impairment on respiratory mortality over a period of six years. Relative risks in respiratory deaths were estimated by a Poisson regression model of daily deaths between $1999{\sim}2004$. Daily counts of respiratory deaths as dependent variable was modelled with daily 24-hr mean visibility measurements (kilometers) as independent variable by means of Poisson regression. This model is controlled for confounding factors such as day of weeks, weather variables, seasonal variables and $PM_{10}$. The results in this study is observed the statistically significant association between an inverse health effect and visibility during the study period for respiratory mortality (percentage change in the relative risk for all aged -0.57%, 95% Cl, $-1.01%{\sim}-0.12%$; for $0{\sim}15$ aged -7.12%, 95% Cl, $-13.29%{\sim}-0.51%$; for 65+ aged -0.43%, 95% Cl, $-0.93%{\sim}-0.06%$ per 1 km increased in visibility). The effect size was much reduced during warm season. Visibility impairment resulting from air pollution is strongly associated with respiratory mortality, especially for children may be spent at outdoor. Our result provides a quick and useful indicator for eliciting the contribution of air pollution to the excess risk of respiratory mortality in Seoul, Korea.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.675-685
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. Methods: A total of 45 patients aged ${\geq}60years$ with HDM-induced AR who had ${\geq}3$ A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ${\geq}0.35IU/L$ to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P > 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P > 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. Conclusions: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.327-334
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• 2017

Epidemiologic interest in particulate matter (PM) is growing particularly because of its impact of respiratory health. It has been elucidated that PM evoked inflammatory signal in pulmonary epithelia. However, it has not been established $Ca^{2+}$ signaling mechanisms involved in acute PM-derived signaling in pulmonary fibroblasts. In the present study, we explored dust particles PM modulated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling and sought to provide a therapeutic strategy by antagonizing PM-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling in human lung fibroblasts MRC5 cells. We demonstrated that PM10, less than $10{\mu}m$, induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling, which was mediated by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. The PM10-mediated intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signaling was attenuated by antioxidants, phospholipase blockers, polyADPR polymerase 1 inhibitor, and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) inhibitors. In addition, PM-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species were attenuated by TRPM2 blockers, clotrimazole (CLZ) and N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA). Our results showed that PM10 enhanced reactive oxygen species signal by measuring DCF fluorescence and the DCF signal attenuated by both TRPM2 blockers CLZ and ACA. Here, we suggest functional inhibition of TRPM2 channels as a potential therapeutic strategy for modulation of dust particle-mediated signaling and oxidative stress accompanying lung diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2017

Objectives: Much scientific evidence indicate a positive association between moldy environments and respiratory illnesses and/or symptoms. However, few comprehensive assessments of mold have been performed for such settings. Spore counts or microscopic enumeration only may not be sufficient for evaluating fungal exposure. Recently, Mold Specific QPCR technology developed by the US EPA (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, ERMI) has been widely used worldwide and great performance for assessing fungal exposure has been shown. Methods: We aimed to develop a Korean version of ERMI suitable for the distribution of fungal flora in Korea. Thirty dwellings in the Seoul and Incheon area were selected for sampling, and each was classified as 'Flooded, 'Water-damaged' or 'Non-water-damaged'. Results: Dust on the floor and airborne sampling were collected using an MAS100 and a 'Dustream' collector. Samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR) for the 36 molds belonging to ERMI. Student t-test and ANOVA tests were carried out using SAS software. The median ERMI values of flooded, water damaged, and non-water damaged dwellings were 8.24(range: -5.6 to 27.9), 5.47(-25. 4 to 32.7), and -15.30(-24.6 to 14.8), respectively. Significant differences were observed between flooded and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.001) and between water-damaged and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.032). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that ERMI values attributed to dust samples in Korea could be applicable for the identification of flooded or water damaged buildings. However, much data is needed for continuously developing the Korean version of ERMI values.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 2021

Air quality related to particulate matters and ammonia is being come to the fore as the national concern in Korea. CAPSS (Clean Air Policy Support System) provides emission coefficients of these kinds of particulate and gaseous matters in the fields of livestock; however reliability issues are consistently mentioned. Evaluation of emission rates of PM2.5 and NH3 of the country is very important, but only few studies are available as the background related to observation of the concentration of the particulate matter and ammonia, especially within livestock house in Korea. In this paper, long-term measurement of PM10, PM2.5, and ammonia within the mechanically ventilated broiler house were carried out to introduce backgrounds of generation and emission of the particulate matters and ammonia. Measurement results were analyzed according to seasonal changes, age of broilers(weeks) and measurement locations. Concentration of inhalable and respirable dust were also evaluated in terms of occupational respiratory health according to increase in broiler's activity. From the results of this study, identification of the generation mechanisms of the particulate and gaseous matters, and evaluation of the emission rate of these in the broiler house will be carried out.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2023

Objectives: An epidemiological investigation was requested for a worker who developed COPD and IPF after long-term molding and firing at a domestic tile manufacturing site. We would like to share the results of the exposure assessment and the estimation of past work. Methods: The content of crystalline silica in four raw materials was analyzed, and the respirable fraction of crystalline silica and dust generated in the air from molding and firing workers and other processes were measured. The measurement and analysis method referred to the NIOSH method. Results: The crystalline silica content of the raw material was 24~47%. The concentration of crystalline silica in the molding and firing process workers and the surrounding area was at the level of the exposure standards set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and ACGIH, and the respirable and total dust exposure levels were generally low. The crystalline silica concentration of the area samples measured to estimate past work was about twice as high as the exposure standard of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (0.05 mg/m3), and the exposure levels of respirable dust were also quite high at 0.903 and 1.332 mg/m3. Conclusions: It was confirmed that tile molding and firing workers are currently exposed to a fairly high level of crystalline silica, and a high level is also confirmed in area samples to estimate past work. In the past, it is judged that the level of exposure would have been much higher due to differences in production volume, working method, presence/absence of local ventilation facilities, and process layout. When working in such a working environment for a long time, respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, and IPF can occur.