• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.130-139
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tire manufacturing work environments extensively and to identify workers' exposure to hazardous substances in various work processes. Methods: Personal air sampling was conducted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexane, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and rubber fume in tire manufacturing plants using the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health Manual of Analytical Methods. Noise, carbon monoxide, and heat stress exposure were evaluated using direct reading instruments. Past concentrations of rubber fume were assessed using regression analysis of total particulate data from 2003 to 2007, after identifying the correlation between the concentration of total particulate and rubber fume. Results: Workers were exposed to rubber fume that exceeded 0.6 mg/$m^3$, the maximum exposure limit of the UK, in curing and production management processes. Forty-seven percent of workers were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. Workers in the production management process were exposed to $28.1^{\circ}C$ (wet bulb globe temperature value, WBGT value) even when the outdoor atmosphere was $2.7^{\circ}C$ (WBGT value). Exposures to other substances were below the limit of detection or under a tenth of the threshold limit values given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Conclusion: To better classify exposure groups and to improve work environments, examining closely at rubber fume components and temperature as risk indicators in tire manufacturing is recommended.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Community Living Science Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2003

본 연구의 목적은 고추 수확과 같은 여름철 농작업 시 농민의 온열 스트레스 경감을 위한 피복 장비 개발 연구의 일환으로 두 종류의 기능성 모자를 개발하고 그 성능을 비교 검토하는 것이다. 피험자로는 건강한 남자 대학생 열 두 명이 참가하였다. 인공기후실 실험 조건은 네 가지로 모자를 쓰지 않은 경우 (Control), 챙이 넓은 시판 농작업모를 착용한 경우 (Hat A), 반사 소재의 냉각 모자를 착용한 경우 (Hat B), 반사소재이면서 통기 구조를 갖는 냉각 모자를 착용한 경우 (Hat C)이다. 인공 기후실 내 환경 조건은 기온 33$\pm$0.5$^{\circ}C$, 습도 65$\pm$5%RH, 복사 온도 39$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$로 WBGT 33$^{\circ}C$를 유지하였고, 피험자들은 120분(50분 작업, 10분 휴식, 50분 작업, 10분 휴식) 동안 모델화된 고추 수확 작업을 수행하였다.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.3-25
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• 2015

Our goal is to verify how changes in water's hydraulic characteristics after urban regeneration stream can affect any possible transformation of its thermal environment. To that end, we analyzed changes in numerous physical characteristics the subject stream along with the meteorological factors and thermal environment affected by it. Cheonggyecheon was selected as our subject as it is a great example of successful urban regeneration stream. As for physical characteristics, we allocated Type I (0.0%) and Type II (20.2%), depending on the green coverage ratio. As for numerical characteristics, at the point of Ba in which the riffle ends, the water temperature fell by $0.2^{\circ}C$ and the flow increased from 0.7m/s to 0.9 m/s with the dissolved oxygen increasing from 0.5mg/L to 0.6mg/L. As for meteorological factors surrounding the subject stream, the temperature dropped from $1.1^{\circ}C$ to $1.4^{\circ}C$ on average and relative humidity increased from 6.6% to 8.7%. Furthermore, there was an irregular change in wind velocity. According to the result of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), the change in the values of Type I and II inside and on the surface of the subject stream was negligible. The downstream temperature in Type I fell from $0.3^{\circ}C$ to $0.6^{\circ}C$ and by $0.8^{\circ}C$ in Type II. As for vertical cooling effect, the change of water level was 120cm in Type I and 140cm in Type II. As for horizontal cooling effects, the value of Type I was increased from the point of Ba where the riffle ends and the value of Type II was on a steady decline.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.543-552
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• 2013

Physiological and subjective responses of the farmers and thermal environment during chili harvest in the open field were investigated to evaluate the thermal environments and farmers's workload. Eight career female farmers in their sixties participated as subjects both in morning work(MW, AM 9:00~10:30) and in afternoon work(AW, PM 15:00~16:30) with each lasting about 90 minutes. The results were as follows. 1) Air temperature, air humidity, globe temperature and WBGT of MW were mean $25.54^{\circ}C$, 81.82%RH, $37.72^{\circ}C$, $26.27^{\circ}C$ and AW were mean $30.63^{\circ}C$ 82.50%RH, $40.11^{\circ}C$, $30.02^{\circ}C$, respectively. By the WBGT, we evaluated that the thermal environment in the afternoon in the open field gave a thermal burden to farmers. 2) Mean skin temperature of AW($34.8{\pm}0.8^{\circ}C$) was higher than MW($33.5{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$)(p<0.05). Clothing microclimate temperature on the chest of each work time were $31.3^{\circ}C$(MW) and $32.7^{\circ}C$(AW). Clothing microclimate humidity on the chest of each work time were over 80%RH. Heart rate were 88.5bpm(MW) and 91.7bpm(AW) respectively. 3) Farmers working in the afternoon felt uncomfortable after 45~60 min. of work and in the morning they felt uncomfortable after 90 min. of work. We evaluated that the harvesting of chilies in the open field was 'moderate work' by the physiological responses but the level of thermal burden increased over time especially in the afternoon work. It is suggested that farm workers should drink fluids between work to stay in homeostasis by sweating and to take frequent rests. Active clothing ventilation and wearing functional garments would help farm workers excrete sweat effectively.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2017

Background: Workers laboring in steel industries in tropical settings with high ambient temperatures are subjected to thermally stressful environments that can create well-known risks of heat-related illnesses and limit workers' productivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study undertaken in a steel industry in a city nicknamed "Steel City" in Southern India assessed thermal stress by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and level of dehydration from urine color and urine specific gravity. A structured questionnaire captured self-reported heat-related health symptoms of workers. Results: Some 90% WBGT measurements were higher than recommended threshold limit values ($27.2-41.7^{\circ}C$) for heavy and moderate workloads and radiational heat from processes were very high in blooming-mill/coke-oven ($67.6^{\circ}C$ globe temperature). Widespread heat-related health concerns were prevalent among workers, including excessive sweating, fatigue, and tiredness reported by 50% workers. Productivity loss was significantly reported high in workers with direct heat exposures compared to those with indirect heat exposures ($x^2=26.1258$, degrees of freedom = 1, p < 0.001). Change in urine color was 7.4 times higher among workers exposed to WBGTs above threshold limit values (TLVs). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that high heat exposures and heavy workload adversely affect the workers' health and reduce their work capacities. Health and productivity risks in developing tropical country work settings can be further aggravated by the predicted temperature rise due to climate change, without appropriate interventions. Apart from industries enhancing welfare facilities and designing control interventions, further physiological studies with a seasonal approach and interventional studies are needed to strengthen evidence for developing comprehensive policies to protect workers employed in high heat industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.402-413
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• 2022

Objectives: In this study, the scale of exceeding the extreme heat exposure standard at the construction site was estimated using the nationally approved statistical data and wet bulb globe temperature modeling method. By comparing and analyzing the modeling results with the existing work environment monitoring results, the risk of heat exposure at outdoor construction sites was considered. Methods: Using the coordinates of second level administrative districts and meteorological observatories as the key, the automated synoptic observing system data and building permit data for 2021 were matched. The wet-bulb temperature was obtained using Stull's formula, and the globe temperature was obtained using the Tg_KMA2006 model. WBGT was calculated using these. Excess rates were obtained compared to exposure limits for heavy work-continuous work and moderate work-25% rest. It was compared with the results of the work environment monitoring in 2020. Results: As a result, 1,827,536 cases were estimated for 11,052 workplaces in one year. This is much higher than the 5,116 cases of 3818 workplaces of the existing work environment monitoring results. It is confirmed that the exposure limit was exceeded in 10.6~24.0% of the entire period and 70.2~84.1% of the peak period of the heat wave. It is very high compared to 0.9% of the existing work environment monitoring result. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the system of monitoring and statistics related to extreme heat. Additional considerations are needed regarding WBGT estimation methods, meteorological data, and evaluation time. Various follow-up risk assessment studies for other industries and time series need to be continued.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1261-1269
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the external thermal environment, following the application of evaporative cooling systems in buildings, in response to climate change. In order to verify changes in the external thermal environment, a T-test was performed on the microclimate, Thermal Comfort Index (TCI), and building surface temperature. Differences in microclimate, following the application of the evaporative cooling system in the building, were significant in terms of temperature and relative humidity. In particular, temperature decreased by more than 7% when the evaporative cooling system was applied. According to the results of the Thermal Comfort Index analysis, the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was below the limit of outdoor activities, indicating that outdoor activities were possible. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values were within the very strong heat stress range when the evaporative cooling system was not applied, When the system was applied, the UTCI values were within the strong heat stress range, indicating that they were lowered by one level. The building surface temperature decreased by ~10% or more when the evaporative cooling system was applied, compared to when it was not applied. Finally, the outside surface temperature of the building decreased by ~12% or more when the system was applied, compared to when it was not applied. We conclude that the energy saving effect of the building was significant.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.193-205
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• 2002

To evaluate farmers' workload during harvesting grapes in summer, this study investigated farmers' physiological, psychological responses, work postures and thermal environment around in the field. This field study was conducted in the Anseong County of Kyonggi Province at the end of August. Five career farmers (1 male, 4 females) volunteered as subjects. Three of them were over their sixties. During harvesting grapes in the field, physiological responses were monitored continuously. 1. Air temperature (T/sub a/), air humidity(H/sub a/), black globe temperature(T/sub g/), air velocity and WBGT around the grape field were 26.9℃, 77.7%RH, 32.8℃, 0.08㎧ and 26.3℃, respectively. Because farmers started the harvesting task in early morning, thermal environments weren't conditions to give farmers severe heat strain. 2. The percentage of the work postures was larger in order of standing, walking, and bending one's back posture. Particularly, the percentage of standing posture with raising both arms above shoulder of two farmers was up to 29% and 61% of the total work duration. 3. Rectal temperature (T/sub re/), mean skin temperature (T/sub sk/), clothing microclimate temperature (T/sub cl/) on the chest and the back, heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) were 37.2℃, 33.1℃, 32.0℃, 32.4℃, 88bpm and 1.3 Kca1/㎡/min respectively. In the point of these physiological results, we evaluated that the harvesting task was a moderate work. 4. All farmers expressed‘hard, hot, humid and slightly uncomfortable’ at the end of works for each subjective questionnaire. The grape harvesting tasks were not evaluated as a very hard work in the point of physiological work standards. But we considered 1) inappropriate work posture (standing posture with raising both arms above shoulder) and 2) farmers' age as burden factors. These findings suggest that adding adequate protective clothing/equipments for farmers may contribute to maintain their body temperature within the normal range, stabilize HR and decrease psychological strain.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1103-1108
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• 2010

This study was conducted to be used as basic data of environmental friendly construction planning by comparing and analyzing thermal environment, find particles and biotope area rate according to land cover types of outside space of schools located in Chung-ju. When meteorological factors were analyzed according to land cover types, for temperature planting area and paved area showed low-and high-temperature ranges, respectively, and relative humidity was negatively related with temperature as low-and high-temperature ranges corresponded to high-and low-humidity ranges, respectively. For Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGT) by land cover types, it was observed to be artificial grass> bare land> natural grass. Find particles were different according to land cover types of playground with being bare land> artificial grass> natural grass in the order. Bare land playground, where there were artificial factors and no absorption of fine particles through stomata of leaves as a function of natural circulation, recorded the highest level of $39.8\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and the level was relatively higher compared to the levels by season in Chung-ju. Biotope area rate showed the order of M elementary school> K elementary school> C commercial high school. That was considered to be caused by the difference of land cover type of school playground accounting for a large part of a school.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1129-1136
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• 2008

The gaiter is one of the personal protective equipments worn in various industrial sites. This study was performed on humans to investigate the physiological strain of wearing gaiters and to compare control gaiters that are currently on the market and new gaiters that are developed for alleviating heat stress. Experiments were conducted in a climatic chamber of WBGT $30.0\pm0.7^{\circ}C$ under five differed experimental conditions: None, Control A, Control B, New A, New B. The results were as follows. The temperature inside gaiters was significantly lower in both New A and New B than in both Control A and Control B and the difference between news and controls was 1$^{\circ}C$ (p<.01). The humidity inside gaiters in both New A and New B were higher than that in Control A, and lower than that in Control B (p<.01). The outermost surface temperature of the gaiter was the lowest in None and it increased in the following order: New B < New A < Control A < Control B. Mean skin temperature was higher by 0.14$^{\circ}C$ in wearing gaiters than in no gaiters. Skin temperatures in lower body were lower in Control than in New and skin temperature in upper body were higher in Control than in New (p<.01). Local sweat rate, total weight loss and subjective sensations did not show a significant difference according to the gaiters. It was concluded that wearing gaiters affected distribution of skin temperature and local sweat rate.