• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2011

Risk based pollution level of Pb and Cd in metal contaminated soils depending on physicochemical properties of soil in a target site was assessed using biotic ligand model. Heavy metal activity in soil solution defined as exposure activity (EA) was assumed to be toxic to Vibrio fischeri and soil organisms. Predicted effective activity (PEA) determined by biotic ligand model was compared to EA value to calculate risk quotient. Field contaminated soils (n = 10) were collected from a formes area and their risk based pollution levels were assessed in the present study using the calculated risk quotient. Concentrations of Pb determined by aqua regia were 295, 258, and 268 mg/kg in B, H and J points and concentrations of Cd were 4.73 and 6.36 mg/kg in G and I points, respectively. These points exceeded the current soil conservation standards. However, risk based pollution levels of the ten points were not able to be calculated because concentrations of Pb and Cd in soil solution were smaller than detection limits or one (i.e., non toxic). It was because heavy metal activity in soil solution was dominant toxicological form to organisms, not a total heavy metal concentration in soil. In addition, heavy metal toxicity was decreased by competition effect of major cations and formation of complex with dissolved organic carbon in soil solution. Therefore, it is essential to consider site-specific factors affecting bioavailability and toxicity for estimating reliable risk of Pb and Cd.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.477-488
• /
• 2018

In this study, heavy metal levels at the sediment monitoring network site upstream of the Gangjeong-Goryeong weir in the Nakdong River were surveyed from 2012 to 2016. We assessed the sediment pollution level using various pollution indexes based on ICP-MS analysis. The stream sediment pollution assessment standard, established through Regulation No. 687 of the National Institute of Environmental Research (2015), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (RI), and mean PEL Quotient (mPELQ) were used to evaluate the sediment pollution level. We verified the representativeness of the monitoring point through the distribution of sedimentation and scour behavior by river bed surveying using anacousticDopplercurrentprofiler.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.205-216
• /
• 2003

We have gathered exposure data on ambient air quality level and investigated dose-response slope factors of air pollutants such as fine particle, HAPs (metals, VOCs, PAHs) and dioxins in Seoul. Theoretical mortality incidences were estimated from exposure to these pollutants. From the results, priorities were ranked in the order fine particle, metals, VOCs, dioxins and PAHs by ordinal scale, and the uncertainties relative to those risk estimates were described.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of risk perception related to pesticide contamination of food products and associated sociodemographic factors, as well as investigate the association with environmental pollution preventive behaviors. Methods: Based on data from Social Survey conducted in 2008 among a nationally representative sample of the population 15 years or older, we estimated proportions and 95% confidence intervals of the risk perception of pesticide contamination of food products. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of sociodemographic status on risk perception. Results: Among respondents, those who feel anxious about the risks of pesticide contamination of domestic food products accounted for 40.4%, whereas the proportion rose to 87.0% with imported food products. These numbers showed that levels of anxiety about the pesticide contamination of imported food products were ranked at the top, and those for domestic products were at the bottom of the list of all environmental pollutants examined in the survey. Significantly related factors to anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products included women, the 40-50 age group, university graduates, married, non-manual employment, having school-aged children, and owning one's own home. The population attempting to prevent environmental pollution showed higher levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of food products than did those who were not taking such steps. Conclusion: Compared to other forms of environmental pollution, Koreans show the highest levels of anxiety about pesticide contamination of imported food products. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate regulations and transparent risk communication with the public about the safety of imported food.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 2022

Background: Air pollution is increasing together with industrialization and urbanization. In order to reduce air pollution, public transportation is recommended rather than private cars, and the number of passengers using public transportation is increasing accordingly. This study observes the concentration of indoor pollutants in city buses over time. Through this means, we intend to suggest a plan to manage the indoor air quality in city buses. Objectives: The concentration of indoor pollution in public transportation was investigated from April 2021 to January 2022. Based on this, we evaluated the exposure to indoor pollutants. Methods: Six city bus lines in an industrial city were selected for the research, and indoor pollution was measured through IoT (Internet of Things)-based sensor-type measuring devices. The concentration of pollutants was measured every minute, and statistical data were constructed based on the measurement results. Results: In all the city buses studied, the average concentration of pollutants were below the guidelines. However, some measurement results showed cases of exceeding the guidelines. As a result of the analysis by time zone, there were more cases in which pollutants exceeded the standard value during rush hour compared to at other times. A risk assessment for PM₁₀ was performed by evaluating the excess mortality risk from exposure and the risk from inhalation exposure. Conclusions: All measured indoor pollutants in the city buses did not exceed the guidelines. Also, the risk assessment results were found to be within the level of safety. However, if a city bus is used for a long time, there is a possibility that there may be an impact on the human body due to inhalation exposure, so additional management is required.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.5 s.92
• /
• pp.522-531
• /
• 2006

This study has been conducted to evaluate the influence of ambient heavy metals to the air quality and to find their sources in Ulsan. Korea. The distribution characteristics of ambient heavy metals with wind direction were investigated by using pollution-rose diagram. Carcinogenic risk for five trace heavy metals (Pb. Cd, Cr, Mn, and Ni), which are classified to carcinogenic material by US EPA, are assessed according to the classification system of USEPA and WHO. According to pollution-rose calculation on pollutants sources, Pb and Cu in Deoksin, which is an adjacent to Onsan industrial complexes, were $0.1058\;and\;0.3242{\mu}g/m^3$. These concentration levels are the highest at all sampling sites. From this result we could confirm that it was affected by Onsan industrial complex that is located northeast of Deoksin.,And the maximum concentration of Cd, Cr, and Ni were $0.0306,\;0.0102,\;and\;0.0146\;{\mu}g/m^{3} in Yeocheon respectively. Because Yeocheon is in the Mipo industrial complexes, which have many combustors, incinerators, and manufacturing facilities compared to other regions. In carcinogenic risk assessment, Pb, Ni, and Mn concentration level at six sampling sites were lower than the risk level guideline values ($10^{-5}$) of WHO. However, $Cr^{6+}$ and Cd concentration in Yeocheon were 60% and 205% higher than the guideline values of WHO. Therefore it is very important that the emission from industrial complexes were carefully managed and controlled to improve air quality in residential area.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.155-163
• /
• 2014

Total concentration and chemical speciation of trace metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ni) were determined to evaluate pollution level and potential ecological risk in surface sediments of the Masan Bay. The results showed that the trace metal concentrations, except for Ni, were high in the inner Masan Bay. Based on the chemical speciation of metals in sediments, the percentage of total concentrations of Cd and Pb in non-residual fraction was 92% and 88%, respectively, indicating that these metals originated mainly from anthropogenic sources. However, Ni (70%) was dominant in residual fraction. Pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk index (ERI) values in the inner bay indicate the presence of anthropogenic pollution and considerable-moderate ecological risk, respectively. Ecological index (Ei) value for Cd was high at most stations in the Masan Bay, and Cd content was the highest in acid soluble fraction, which presents the highest ecological risk. The results obtained in this study indicate that Cd presents a high potential ecological risk to benthic biota in the Masan Bay.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.567-576
• /
• 1996

Air pollution has been recognized for many years as a factor which heightens the risk of cancer. Extractable polycyclic organic matters in air particulates have been recognized as to have carcinogenic effects. This study examined the health risks posed by organic substances of air particulates in Seoul based on methodelogies that have been developed for conducting risk posed by organic substances of sir particulates in Seoul based on methodologies that have been developed for conducting risk assessment of complex -chemical-mixture. The data used in this study was obtained from air samples collected in a heavy traffic area of Seoul (Shinchon) from 1986 to 1994. The mean concentration of total supended pariculates was 158.0.mu.g/m/msup 3/, 5% of which is consisted of organic matter. The excess cancer risk from benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was estimated to be 3.48.times.10$^{-6}$ by applying BaP unit risk estimates to the mean concentration. 8.74ng/m BaP equivalents of potency method was 1.0.times.10$^{-3}$ . The calculated risk from EOM were comparably higher than that from benzo(a)pyrene and exceeded the acceptable risk level.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.105-114
• /
• 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate the pollution assessment of organic matters, nutrients, and metals in sediment in major lakes (5 lakes and 17 sites) of Buk-han river using various sediment pollution assessment guidelines and indices. The concentrations of organic matters and nutrients were lower than class IV (Sediment pollution assessment guidelines of Korea) and Severe Effect Level (SEL, Sediment pollution assessment guidelines of Ontario). This results indicated that the lakes sediments were unpolluted and tolerable level for sediment dwelling organisms by organic matters and nutrients. However, several sites of Chuncheon and Soyang lakes were evaluated "heavily polluted" level by organic index (Org-index). The order of lakes by metals concentrations from the one with the highest concentration was Hwacheon, Chuncheon, Cheongpyeong, Uiam, Soyang. All lakes except Hwacheon were assessed unpolluted to marginally and tolerable level for sediment dwelling organisms by metals based on sediment pollution assessment guidelines (Korean and Ontario), indices of geoaccumulation ($I_{geo}$), pollution loading (PLI) and ecological risk (RI). In Lake Hwacheon, every investigated sites were polluted with metals, especially Hg, based on sediment pollution assessment guideline of Korea and indices ($I_{geo}$, PLI and RI). The dwelling organisms in sediment of Hwacheon Lake were likely to be severed by metals.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2022

Urban Air Mobility is expected to resolve some problems in urban transportation such as traffic congestion and air pollution. Various studies for a large-scale commercialization of UAM are being actively conducted. To that end, the UAM Traffic Management system aims at securing a safety and an efficiency of UAM operations. In this study, a risk assessment model is proposed to evaluate the risk of collision between a vehicle and surrounding obstacles. The proposed model is conceived from the past studies for determining a proper separation distance between parallel runways for their independent operations. The model calculates the risk that the surveillance system fails to meet a target level of safety for a given buffer zone size between a designed route and surrounding obstacles. The model is applied to one of the routes proposed in K-UAM roadmap to evaluate its performances.