• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.117-122
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• 2008

Purpose: Surveys on poisoning usually involves intoxication rather than inhalation, skin contact, etc. Therefore, we examined the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency department in an industrial complex after acute industrial exposure to toxic materials. Methods: Medical records of patients exposed to toxic materials in the work places from April, 2006, to March, 2008, were analyzed retrospectively. Inhalation patients due to fire were excluded. Results: Subjects included 66 patients, with a mean age of $35.4{\pm}10.9$ years, mostly men (91%). Toxicity occurred in 51 patients (77%) by contact, 15 patients (23%) by inhalation, and none by oral ingestion. For toxic materials, 10 patients were exposed to hydrofluoric acid, 8 to hydrochloric acid, 7 to sodium hydroxide, 7 to metals, and others. The face and hands were the most frequent exposure site by contact. Most exposures were caused by accidents, with 29 cases (42%) exposed because of carelessness or not wearing protective equipment. Most complaints were pain on exposure site, but 7 of the inhalation patients complained of dyspnea. The majority of patients with contact exposure were discharged after wound care or observation. After inhalation exposure, 1 patient died and 5 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit. Conclusion: Major causes of workplace exposure were not wearing protective equipment or carelessness. Although contact exposures are usually benign, cautious observation and management are required in patients with inhalation exposure.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2010

tert-Butyl acetate (TBAc) is an organic solvent, which is commonly used in architectural coatings and industrial solvents. It has recently been exempted from the definition of a volatile organic compound (VOC) by the Air Resources Board (ARB). Since the use of TBAc as a substitute for other VOCs has increased, thus its potential risk in humans has also increased. However, its inhalation toxicity data in the literature are very limited. Hence, inhalation exposure to TBAc was carried out to investigate its toxic effects in this study. Adult male rats were exposed to TBAc for 4 h for 1 day by using a nose-only inhalation exposure chamber (low dose, $2370\;mg/m^3$ (500 ppm); high dose, $9482\;mg/m^3$ (2000 ppm)). Shamtreated control rats were exposed to clean air in the inhalation chamber for the same period. The animals were killed at 2, 7, and 15 days after exposure. At each time point, body weight measurement, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, histopathological examination, and biochemical assay were performed. No treatment-related abnormal effects were observed in any group according to time course. Based on those findings, the median lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) of TBAc was over $9482\;mg/m^3$ in this study. According to the MSDS, the 4 h $LC_{50}$ for TBAc for rats is over $2230\;mg/m^3$. We suggested that this value is changed and these findings may be applied in the risk assessment of TBAc which could be beneficial in a sub-acute study.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.74-78
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• 2007

The carbamates are a group of insecticides derived from carbamic acid, with a broad spectrum of uses as agricultural and household garden insecticides. Carbamate insecticides are reversible cholinesterase inhibitors. Their inhibitory action is mediated by reversible carbamylation of acetylcholine, as with the organophosphate insecticides. Carbamates are absorbed by the body through multiple routes, including inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. Although poisoning can result from occupational exposure or accidental ingestion, in most cases there is suicidal intent. This is particularly true in developing countries, where the highest incidence of morbidity and mortality from this cause occurs. Cardiac complications often accompany poisoning by carbamate compounds, which may be serious and often fatal. The extent, frequency, and pathogenesis of cardiac toxicity from carbamate compounds has not been clearly defined. Possible mechanismsinclude sympathetic and parasymphatetic overactivity, hypoxemia, acidosis, electrolyte derangements, and a direct toxic effect of the compounds on the myocardium. Patients with carbamate poisoning should immediately be transferred to an intensive or coronary care unit where appropriate monitoring and resuscitative facilities are available. We here report a case of acute coronary syndrome resulting from acute carbamate ingestionthat resulted in a healthy discharge.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.68-77
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• 2013

국내 원자력안전법, 산업안전보건법 및 최신 연구에 근거하여 우라늄 취급시설에서 종사자의 우라늄 섭취로 인한 방사선 위해의 최소화 및 화학적 독성 방지를 동시에 고려한 유도조사준위를 산출하였다. 본 연구에서 방사선 위해의 조사 준위는 연간 2 mSv-6 mSv의 예탁유효선량을 고려하였으며, 화학적 독성의 조사준위는 0.3 ${\mu}g$ $g^{-1}$의 신장의 우라늄 농도를 고려하였다. 결과로써 핵연료가공시설에서 3.5% 농축우라늄 취급 시, 공기 중 우라늄 농도측정의 유도조사준위는 Type F, Type M 및 Type S 우라늄 급성흡입 시 화학적 독성에 근거한 STEL의 값인 0.6 mg $m^{-3}$으로 산출되었다. 또한 Type F 우라늄 만성흡입 시 유도조사준위는 화학적 독성에 근거한 15.21 ${\mu}g$ $m^{-3}$으로 산출되었으며, Type M 및 Type S 우라늄 만성흡입 시 유도조사준위는 각각 방사선 위해에 근거한 0.41-1.23 Bq $m^{-3}$ 및 0.13-0.39 Bq $m^{-3}$으로 산출되었다. 폐 측정의 유도조사준위는 6개월 감시주기에서 Type M 우라늄 급성흡입 및 만성흡입 시 각각 0.37-1.11 Bq 및 0.39-1.17 Bq으로 산출되었으며, Type S 우라늄 급성흡입 및 만성흡입 시 각각 0.30-0.91 Bq 및 0.19-0.57 Bq으로 산출되었다. 이 값들은 일반적으로 사용되는 폐 측정 기기인 germanium 검출기의 검출한도인 4 Bq 이하로 나타나 폐 측정으로는 본 연구에서 설정한 조사준위를 만족시킬 수 없는 것으로 나타났다. 소변시료 분석에서 Type F 우라늄을 급성흡입 후 1개월 감시주기에서 유도조사준위는 화학적 독성에 근거한 14.57 ${\mu}g$ $L^{-1}$로 산출되었다. 또한 Type M 우라늄을 급성흡입 및 만성흡입 시 1개월 감시주기에서 유도조사준위는 각각 방사선 위해에 근거하여 2.85-8.58 ${\mu}g$ $L^{-1}$ 및 1.09-3.27 ${\mu}g$ $L^{-1}$으로 산출되었다.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2013

Butanethiol은 황화수소, 메틸메르캅탄, 황화메틸 등과 함께 유해성이 높으며 대표적인 악취물질로 알려져 있으나 노출 농도별 생체에 미치는 영향 등 유해성 평가 자료가 매우 부족하여 실험동물을 이용 흡입독성 연구를 통하여 유해농도와 사람에 미치는 영향을 예측하고자 연구하였다. Butanethiol은 무색 투명액체로, 인화점 $-23^{\circ}C$로 화재위험성이 강한물질로 끓는점 $84-85^{\circ}C$, 증기압($25^{\circ}C$) 80.71 mmHg, 어는점 $-140.14^{\circ}C$의 특성을 가지고 있다. 실험동물인 SD rats와 전신흡입노출 챔버를 이용 반수치사농도를 시험한 결과 $LC_{50}$은 2,500 ppm (9.22mg/L)이상으로 이는 고용부 고시 제2012-14호[11]의 유해물질 분류기준 급성독성물질 구분 4 (10${\leq}20$ mg/L) 이상의 물질에 해당되었다. 또한 0, 25, 100, 400 ppm, 일일 6시간, 주 5일, 13주 반복 노출한 결과에서는 25 및 400 ppm군에서 체중의 유의성(p<0.01., 0.001) 있는 저하를 포함 4사료섭취량 변화, 안 자극, 수컷군의 운동성변화, 혈액 및 혈액생화학적 병변이 있었으며, 장기중량에서도 수컷의 경우 25, 100, 400 ppm군과 암컷의 400 ppm군에서 신장, 간장, 흉선, 폐장 등에서 유의성 (p<0.05) 있는 변화가 있어 무유해영향농도 (NOAEL)는 암 수 모두 25 ppm (0.092 mg/L) 이하로 평가되었다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

As the use of cosmetics has greatly increased in a daily life, safety issues with cosmetic ingredients have drawn an attention. Drometrizole [2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole] is categorized as a sunscreen ingredient and is used in cosmetics and non-cosmetics as a UV light absorber. No significant toxicity has been observed in acute oral, inhalation, or dermal toxicity studies. In a 13-week oral toxicity study in beagle dogs, No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined as 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in males and 34.6 mg/kg bw/day in females, based on increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Although drometrizole was negative for skin sensitization in two Magnusson-Kligman maximization tests in guinea pigs, there were two case reports of consumers presenting with allergic contact dermatitis. Drometrizole showed no teratogenicity in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in which rats and mice were treated for 6 to 15 days of the gestation period. Ames tests showed that drometrizole was not mutagenic. A long-term carcinogenicity study using mice and rats showed no significant carcinogenic effect. A nail product containing 0.03% drometrizole was nonirritating, non-sensitizing and non-photosensitizing in a test with 147 human subjects. For risk assessment, the NOAEL chosen was 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in a 13-week oral toxicity study. Systemic exposure dosages were 0.27228 mg/kg bw/day and 1.90598 mg/kg bw/day for 1% and 7% drometrizole in cosmetics, respectively. Risk characterization studies demonstrated that when cosmetic products contain 1.0% of drometrizole, the margin of safety was greater than 100. Based on the risk assessment data, the MFDS revised the regulatory concentration of drometrizole from 7% to 1% in 2015. Under current regulation, drometrizole is considered to be safe for use in cosmetics. If new toxicological data are obtained in the future, the risk assessment should be carried out to update the appropriate guidelines.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.166-174
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• 2012

Introduction: After 17 years since the first production of humidifier disinfectants in Korea, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that the odds ratio of lung injury related with humidifier disinfectant usage was 47.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0-369.7) according to a case-control study with 18 adult cases, including 8 pregnant women at a university hospital in Seoul. Results: From September 2011 to April 2012, one-hundred and seventy four victim cases have been reported to an environmental non-governmental group (NGO). We summarized timetable of humidifier disinfectants accidents, analyzed health outcomes (death, lung or lung and heart transplantation, pulmonary disease) of reported victims, and classified some information for humidifier disinfectants with health outcomes, and government action for this accident. Among the victims, number of death cases are 52 (30.0%), including 26 babies less than 3 years old. Sixty-nine victims come from twenty-seven family with 2 to 4 members per family. About twenty types of humidifier disinfectant products and about 600,000 product items a year have been sold. Fifty-two death cases used 7 different types of disinfectant products, including imported goods and some private brands of well-known supermarkets. KCDC confirmed inhalation toxicity of 6 products through an animal experimental test, and based on this observation recalled disinfectants containing PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) and PGH (Oligo(2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl guanidinium chloride). Discussions: The use of these biocides involved highly fatal consequences among biologically vulnerable victims, such as pregnant women, several family member victims after semi-acute exposure. This is the first biocide disaster in Korea with non-specific targets, and unknown scale of victims, warranting concerns on use of biocides in the living environment. Conclusions: Special administrative agency for chemical safety and compensation act for environmental health victims are needed to prevent similar problems.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.305-313
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• 2017

Accumulating epidemiological evidence indicates that exposure to fine air pollution particles (APPs) is associated with a variety of adverse health effects. However, the exact physiochemical properties and biological toxicities of fine APPs are still not well characterized. We collected four types of fine particle (FP) (diesel exhaust particles [DEPs], natural organic combustion [NOC] ash, synthetic organic combustion [SOC] ash, and yellow sand dust [YSD]) and investigated their physicochemical properties and in vitro biological toxicity. DEPs were almost entirely composed of ultrafine particles (UFPs), while the NOC, SOC, and YSD particles were a mixture of UFPs and FPs. The main elements in the DEPs, NOC ash, SOC ash, and YSD were black carbon, silicon, black carbon, and silicon, respectively. DEPs exhibited dose-dependent mutagenicity even at a low dose in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and 100 strains in an Ames test for genotoxicity. However, NOC, SOC, and YSD particles did not show any mutagenicity at high doses. The neutral red uptake assay to test cell viability revealed that DEPs showed dose-dependent potent cytotoxicity even at a low concentration. The toxicity of DEPs was relatively higher than that of NOC, SOC, and YSD particles. Therefore, these results indicate that among the four FPs, DEPs showed the highest in vitro biological toxicity. Additional comprehensive research studies such as chemical analysis and in vivo acute and chronic inhalation toxicity tests are necessary to determine and clarify the effects of this air contaminant on human health.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.46-49
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• 2015

Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a leading cause of severe neuropsychological impairments. Peripheral nerve injury has rarely been reported. Following are brief statements describing the motor peripheral neuropathy involved bilateral lower extremities of a patient who recovered following acute carbon monoxide poisoning. After inhalation of smoke from a fire, a 60-year-old woman experienced bilateral leg weakness without edema or injury. Neurological examination showed diplegia and deep tendon areflexia in lower limbs. There was no sensory deficit in lower extremities, and no cognitive disturbances were detected. Creatine kinase was normal. Electroneuromyogram patterns were compatible with the diagnosis of bilateral axonal injury. Clinical course after normobaric oxygen and rehabilitation therapy was marked by complete recovery of neurological disorders. Peripheral neuropathy is an unusual complication of CO intoxication. Motor peripheral neuropathy involvement of bilateral lower extremities is exceptional. Various mechanisms have been implicated, including nerve compression secondary to rhabdomyolysis, nerve ischemia due to hypoxia, and direct nerve toxicity of carbon monoxide. Prognosis is commonly excellent without sequelae. Emergency physicians should understand the possible-neurologic presentations of CO intoxication and make a proper decision regarding treatment.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.22-30
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence regarding injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. Methods: Electronic literature searches were conducted for identification of relevant studies and case reports of injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. The search outcomes were limited to literature with English and Korean languages published from 1966. Studies related to occupational mercury exposure, or mercury exposure from sphygmomanometer, barometer, and fluorescent light were excluded. Results: A total of 60 reports, including 59 case reports, were finally included. Of those, nine cases pertained to an intact thermometer as a foreign body, 25 injuries were related to a thermometer, and 26 cases involved exposures to mercury from a broken thermometer. Case reports were classified according to severity into 16 mild, 41 moderate, and two severe cases. Two cases of mortality were reported, one was deliberate intravenous injection of mercury and the other was acute vapor inhalation of mercury from broken thermometers. Conclusion: Findings of this systematic review suggested that the mercury thermometer could cause various forms of poisoning and injury. In particular, inhalation of mercury vapor from a broken thermometer can lead to systemic toxicity requiring chelating therapy.