• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and awareness of medical radiation and irradiated foods among nursing college students and those pursuing health-related and health-unrelated majors and to provide basic data for developing and promoting appropriate educational programs on the use of radiation. The knowledge of medical radiation was the highest among those over 30 years of age (3.0 points), and members of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science (3.0 points). The awareness of the risk of medical radiation was the highest among female (3.34 points), among members of the Department of Nursing and Health Science (3.40 points), and among third-year students (3.41 points). The awareness of the benefits of medical radiation was the highest in male (3.90 points). The awareness of irradiated foods and its safety was low in all departments. The need for education regarding irradiated foods and the willingness to provide information on such foods were high. In conclusion, it is thought that specific promotional activities and educational programs are needed to improve the accuracy of knowledge regarding medical radiation among college students and increase their awareness on the safety of irradiated foods.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.451-456
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• 2023

Background: We conducted a case-control study to identify high-risk occupations and exposure to occupational hazards for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: When patients with AML admitted to the Department of Hematology in the study hospital for the first time are referred to the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, data on occupation are collected by investigators to evaluate work-relatedness. Community-based controls were recruited through an online survey agency, and four controls per case were matched. Occupational information was estimated using structured questionnaires covering 27 specific occupations and 32 exposure agents. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed by pairing cases and controls. Results: In the analysis of the risk of AML according to occupational classification, a significant association was found in paint manufacturing or painting work (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.03-4.81) and aircrew (OR = 6.00, 95% CI: 1.00-35.91) in males, and in pesticide industry (OR = 6.89, 95% CI: 1.69-28.07) and cokes and steel industry (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.18-22.06) in ≥60 years old. Moreover, the risk of AML increased significantly as the cumulative exposure to thinners increased. In the analyses stratified by sex and age, the association between pesticide exposure and AML was significant in males (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.10-9.77) and in ≥60 years old (OR = 6.22, 95% CI: 1.48-26.08). Conclusion: This case-control study identified high-risk occupational groups in the Republic of Korea including paint manufacturers and painters, aircrew, and those who are occupationally exposed to pesticides or paint thinners.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to ascertain the important factors for SMEs in managing the risks of chemicals and to suggest a government role in strengthening the responsibility of small and medium enterprises(SMEs) as employers. Methods: About 100 enterprises were surveyed in Incheon. A questionnaire for employers and walk-through surveys by occupational hygienists were performed at each enterprise. Results: The results showed that most employers thought chemicals were not hazardous but chemical management was needed. When employers determine how to manage chemicals, they rely heavily on personal experience and rather less on information from the government or experts. However, if employers think the chemicals are hazardous, they do more to manage the chemicals. Conclusions: When employers think chemicals are hazardous, risk assessment would be an effective tool to control chemical hazards in SMEs. Employers' position on chemical hazards is very important. Since the government is the initiator, it is the government who develops messages for SMEs, such as "Chemicals are hazardous and management can reduce the risk of chemicals." Governmental messages can play an invaluable role in strengthening the responsibility of SME employers to manage chemical hazards.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Disaster Information Conference
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• 2023.11a
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• pp.121-122
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• 2023

건설공사를 발주하는 공공기관은 대표이사 직속의 안전전담부서를 구성하고 있으나 순환보직 형태로 인력을 배치하여 안전보건에 관한 전문 지식이 부족하며, 여러 부서에서 안전관리 기준을 제정하거나 활동을하여 안전관리 체계에 혼선을 주고 있다. 또한 관리감독자들은 회사의 안전관리 기준을 제대로 인식하지 못하여 안전관리 활동이 원활하게 이루어지지 않고 있다. 건설공사를 발주하는 공공기관의 안전관리 활동수준을 향상하기 위해서는 안전관리 조직, 안전관리 체계, 위험성평가에 대한 개선의 노력이 필요하다.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2022

Purpose: Classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged on CSF-free Jeju Island where vaccination is not practiced by the unintentional injection of a live attenuated vaccine (modified live attenuated vaccines-low-virulence Miyagi [MLV-LOM]) in 2014. Since the Jeju provincial authority is considering adopting a voluntary immunization policy using a CSF-E2 subunit vaccine to combat LOM-derived CSF endemic, this study aimed to evaluate in Jeju herds. Materials and Methods: Two vaccination trials using the Bayovac CSF-E2 vaccine licensed for use in South Korea assessed the safety and humoral immunity of the CSF-E2 vaccine in breeding (trial 1) and nursery animals (trial 2) under farm application conditions. Results: Neither local nor systemic (including reproductive) adverse effects were objectively observed in pregnant sows and young piglets following a respective vaccination regime at pregnancy or weaning, respectively. Trial 1 showed that sows immunized with the CSF-E2 vaccine possessed high and consistent E2-specific and neutralizing antibody levels. The CSF-E2 vaccine-immunized pregnant sows subsequently conferred appropriate and steady passive immunity to their offspring. In trial 2, a double immunization scheme of the CSF-E2 vaccine in piglets at 40 and 60 days of age could elicit a consistent and long-lasting adequate antibody response. Additionally, the two trials detected no E^rns-specific antibody responses, indicating that CSF-E2 vaccine can differentiate infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Conclusion: Our trial data collectively provide invaluable information on applying the CSF-E2 subunit vaccine to circumvent the possible drawbacks associated with the MLV-LOM concerning the safety, efficacy, and DIVA, in the LOM-endemic field farms and contribute to advanced CSF eradication on Jeju Island.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.71-97
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the development and improvement direction of university education according to job type and investigate the types of knowledge required for employment after graduation for departments of emergency medical technology in preparation for the era of the fourth industrial revolution in a converged society. Methods: From June 3 to June 10, 2019, data were collected through structured questionnaires from 90 paramedics working in firefighting, hospitals, different industries, and emergency patient transportation. Data were analyzed using the software SPSS version 18.0. Results: For employment after graduation in departments of emergency medical technology, character and sincerity education should be strengthened. To prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, educational innovations such as improving the field practice system and devising a convergence curriculum are needed. Preparation for the fourth industrial revolution should be accomplished through the development of convergence subjects such as forensic science, information and communications technology, and safety engineering. Ninety percent of the study respondents indicated their need for convergence subjects. Conclusion: The demands of future society should be responded to flexibly by holding and conducting convergence subjects. Furthermore, preparations should be made in anticipation of a shortage of 120,000 college freshmen for the 2024-2025 school year by increasing the competitiveness of departments of emergency medical technology.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.3046-3053
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• 2023

Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic agent, poses a serious health hazard when inhaled or ingested in significant amounts. The water of the Padma river will be used as a tertiary coolant for the soon-to-be-commissioned 'Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant'. Hence, it is important to assess the radiological status of the river prior to the commission of this power plant. Therefore, for the first time, 25 samples of water were collected from various locations of the Padma River and analyzed for radon concentration using the RAD H₂O (DURRIDGE) radon monitoring device. The radon concentrations were found in the range from 0.077 ± 0.036 to 0.494 ± 0.211 Bq/L with a mean of 0.250 ± 0.093 Bq/L. All the concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits of WHO (100 Bq/L) and USEPA (11.1 Bq/L). The mean annual effective dose due to the radon exposure via inhalation and ingestion pathways were 0.638 µSv/y and 0.629 µSv/y, respectively, which were all well below the annual effective dose recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv/y). Since Bangladesh lacks a national safety limit of radon in water, this pioneering study provides baseline data on radon levels for the environment around Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.219-224
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• 2022

The Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) has been released life-related indexes such as 'Life industrial weather information' and 'Safety weather information' while other countries' meteorological administrations have been made 'Human-biometeorology' and 'Health meteorology' indexes that concern human sensibility effections to diverse criteria. Although human sensibility changes have been studied in psychological research criteria with diverse and innumerous application areas, there are not enough studies that make data mining based validation of sensibility change factors. In this research I made models to estimate sensibility change caused by weather factors such as temperature and humidity, and validated by collecting sensibility data from SNS text crawling and weather data from KMA public dataset. By Logistic Regression, I clarify factors affecting sensibility changes.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.762-772
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• 2016

Purpose: Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development; hence, knowledge about good food habits is essential amongst children. This study was conducted to investigate prevalence of awareness among food sellers, which could probably influence children's health and perceptions on food around schools towards adulterated food management beliefs, competencies, and food safety practices. Methods: Data was collected from 195 dealers around 25 elementary, middle and high schools in Daegu and Gyeongbuk provinces using a self-administered questionnaire in July and August, 2015. The data was analyzed using frequency analysis, one-way analysis of variance, $x^2$-test, factor analysis, and reliability analysis by SPSS Statistics (ver. 23.0). Results: A total of 121 people (62.1%) reported satisfaction of providing information and education on adulterated food. The perception of hazardous substances was found to be related to food poisoning bacteria and viruses (65.6%), heavy metals (42.1%), environmental hormones (36.4%), residual pesticides (27.2%), and irradiated food (26.7%). The perceived score on hygiene practices for processed food seller was $4.04{\pm}0.56/5.00$ and for cooked food seller was $4.09{\pm}0.45$. The capacity of adulterated food management practice of food sellers was significantly correlated with food knowledge on adulteration and public relation capacity, necessity of adulterated food management, and perception of hygiene practices (p<0.01). Similarly, knowledge and public relation capacity were significantly different according to ages (p<0.01). The perception of the necessity of adulterated food management was significantly different according to education levels (p<0.05), and the evaluation of hygiene practices was significantly different according to age (p<0.01). Conclusion: In order to solve the problem of adulterated food, which is one of the four social evils, and to strengthen the capacity of children to solve social problems, various practices like campaign on health promotion, goof food habits, education, and adulterated food management, should be actively promoted not only for children but also for food sellers around the schools.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.119-140
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was based on the occurrence of a coffee roasting process-related disorder(bronchiolitis obliterans; published by NIOSH in the US) among workers exposed to chemicals called diacetyl in a coffee processing facility. Flavorings added to coffee contain diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, all of which are subject to exposure in a number of food manufacturing processes, including coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. Therefore, this study aims to review the toxicity to workers related to food processing and food additive manufacturing to prevent occupational diseases. Methods: We surveyed the related literature, domestic and international references, and the status of relevant domestic and foreign professional organizations. The present situation of workers was investigated by reviewing literature on the safety and health of workers in the coffee roasting process using domestic and foreign literature and presentations. Expert advisory opinions were reflected, and experts were consulted by participating in domestic and overseas academic conferences. Results: Most of the fragrance materials for coffee were harmful and hazardous substances according to the GHS classification, and research was carried out through a second external consultation. A literature review on the measurement of air pollutant emissions from coffee roasters and the estimation of air pollutant emissions during coffee roasting examined the characteristics of pollutants emitted during coffee roasting. Conclusions: Two chemicals identified as causing bronchiolitis obliterans in the coffee roasting process are believed to explain why the disease is difficult to treat. This information can be used effectively in the future prevention of this disease. Future studies should clearly identify the potential for toxicity of alpha-diketones and the bases of OELs in relation to the occurrence of obstructive bronchiolitis, including measurement of various organic compounds and alpha-diketones from ground coffee, as well as various coffee grinds and coffee bean varieties. In particular, it is necessary to clarify the current understanding of the dose-response relationship between alpha-diketone and lung disease in workers involved in coffee roasting.