• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure level to dust and airborne microorganisms among employed workers in a clothing shopping center. Materials and Methods: On-site investigation of a clothing shopping center was performed between October and November 2012. The hazardous substances measured in this study are particulate matter(Total dust, respirable dust) and airborne microorganisms (Total airborne bacteria, total airborne fungi). Results: The highest geometric mean levels of particulate matter(total dust, respirable dust) for personal sampling were $1.735(SD:0.883)mg/m^3$ for total dust and $0.0711(SD:0.008)mg/m^3$ for respirable dust, respectively. Those for area sampling were $0.625(SD:0.091)mg/m^3$ for total dust and $0.0718(SD:0.012)mg/m^3$ for respirable dust, respectively. The highest geometric averaged concentrations of airborne microorganisms(Total airborne bacteria, total airborne fungi) were detected at $1,181(SD:105)cfu/m^3$ for total airborne bacteria and $683(SD:114)cfu/m^3$ for total airborne fungi, respectively. Concentrations of particulate matters and airborne microorganism in clothes shopping center did not correlate significantly with environmental factors such as temperature or relative humidity. Conclusions: Exposure levelshave not been established for service workers. Thus, health risk assessment for this group is very difficult. Health guidelines for service workers should be established as soon as possible.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 1987

This study was carried out to evaluate student exposures to dust in classroom of middle schools. A total of four schools, such as two in an urban and two in a rural area, were selected for this study. In this study, airborne dust concentrations were measured during a period from July 8 to July 18, 1986. Additional measurements of dust concentrations were conducted from November 4 to 7, 1986 to compare the results by seasonal variation. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Respirable dust concentrations were measured by both filtration method (C mg/m$^3$) and Digital Aerosol Monitor (cpm) to calculate anexchange factor K. K- value was 0.159 as follows. $K=\frac{c}{cpm} = \frac{2.71}{17.09} = 0.159$ 2. In summer when windows were opened, the concentrations of airborne respirable dusts measured by filter sampling method were 0.54-1.37 mg/m$^3$ in the morning and 0.79-1.75 mg/m$^3$ in the afternoon. Thus, higher levels were indicated in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the concentrations of airborne respirable dusts measured in winter were approximately twice as high as those in summer. 3. The highest dust concentrations were determined in School D which is a coeducational school with classroom of concrete floor. Walking roads in School D were not paved and students did not wear indoor-shoes. Dust levels in School D were approximately twice as high as levels in School B. All of the measured dust levels in four schools exceeded Korean Standard for outdoor air, 0.3 mg/m$^3$ for 24 hours. Results by Digital Aerosol Monitor indicated that there was no significant difference in dust levels among grades. The concentration of airborne dusts in the classroom was 1.5-3.0 times higher than that in the hall way. The concentration of airborne dusts during recess was 1.3-1.6 times higher than that during class. In winter, the dust concentrations during clean-up exceeded the permissible exposure limit, 10 mg/m$^3$ (as total dusts), for occupational exposures. 4. The concentrations of total dusts measured in winter were 1.5-2.4 times higher than those of respirable dusts measured simultaneously.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1858-1865
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• 2020

Objective: The microbiota of dairy cow milk varies with the season, and this accounts in part for the seasonal variation in mastitis-causing bacteria and milk spoilage. The microbiota of the cowshed may be the most important factor because the teats of a dairy cow contact bedding material when the cow is resting. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether the microbiota of the milk and the cowshed vary between seasons, and to elucidate the relationship between the microbiota. Methods: We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the microbiota of milk, feces, bedding, and airborne dust collected at a dairy farm during summer and winter. Results: The seasonal differences in the milk yield and milk composition were marginal. The fecal microbiota was stable across the two seasons. Many bacterial taxa of the bedding and airborne dust microbiota exhibited distinctive seasonal variation. In the milk microbiota, the abundances of Staphylococcaceae, Bacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Microbacteriaceae, and Micrococcaceae were affected by the seasons; however, only Micrococcaceae had the same seasonal variation pattern as the bedding and airborne dust microbiota. Nevertheless, canonical analysis of principle coordinates revealed a distinctive group comprising the milk, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota. Conclusion: Although the milk microbiota is related to the bedding and airborne dust microbiota, the relationship may not account for the seasonal variation in the milk microbiota. Some major bacterial families stably found in the bedding and airborne dust microbiota, e.g., Staphylococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroidaceae, may have greater influences than those that varied between seasons.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.574-579
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• 2005

Optimal management of indoor air quality in a confined pig house, especially in winter, is indispensable for preventing infectious respiratory disease to workers and animals. This study was performed to elucidate the correlation of aerial contaminants and climate factors in a confinement. It was observed that indoor air contaminants ion in the confinement was the highest at 2:00-5:00 pm in a day, followed by 8:00-11:00 pm and 8:00-11:00 am. This was attributed to the increase of pig activities in the afternoon. The concentration of total dust and total airborne bacteria was found to have a significant correlation with temperature and relative humidity (p<0.05). Correlation of total dust and total airborne bacteria, total dust and ammonia, and total dust and odor were shown statistically significant at 95% confidence level. In conclusion, temperature and total dust concentration correlated significantly with all the parameters except for hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$). This could be explained by the fact the dryness of pig feces by increase of interior temperature and resuspension of feed deposited on the floor by the pig activity, resulted in high generation of dust which adsorbed and carried the airborne bacteria and odor compounds in a confined pig house. It was proved that the adsorptive capacity of dust with ammonia ($NH_3$) was higher than that with hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 1988

Airborne dust and asbestos fiber concentrations were determined in subway stations located in Seoul area. Two stations, such as Eulchiro 4-Ka Station of Line #2, constructed during a period of 1980-1984 and Hyehwa Station of Line #4, opened in 1985, were selected. The results of the study are as follows. 1. Daily time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of airborne dusts from 07:00 to 20:00 hours in Line #2 and Line #4 were 0.43$\pm$0.08 mg/m$^3$ and 0.37$\pm$0.12 mg/m$^3$, respectively. Thus, the dust levels in Line #2 were significantly higher than the levels in Line #4 (p < 0.05). 2. Dust levels in the morning (07:00-11:00 hours), noon (11:00-16:00 hours) and in the evening (16:00-20:00 hours) in Line #2 were 0.47$\pm$0.17 mg/m$^3$, 0.37$\pm$0.08 mg/m$^3$, and 0.46$\pm$0.07 mg/m$^3$ respectively. Thus, dust levels in the morning and evening (i.e., during rush hours) were significantly higher than levels in the noon (p < 0.02). However, there was no such difference in dust levels by time in Line #4. 3. Airborne total dust concentrations were well below the occupational health standard of 10 mg/m$^3$, however, the levels were exceeding the ambient air standard recommended by the Korean Environment Administration. 4. All of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to or below 0.005 fibers/cc. The levels are within both occupational health standards and U.S. EPA criteria. 5. A consideration should be given to the improvements of cleaning methods (such as use of vacuum cleaning instead of brushing) and the existing ventilation (such as more air change and filtration of supply air) for a reduction of dust levels. 6. It is recommended that routine monitoring of airborne dusts and asbestos fibers be conducted because more dusts and asbestos fibers can be produced in the air due to the deterioration of facilities by age and water damage in future.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.493-502
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• 2009

The concentrations of outdoor airborne bacteria measured in Seoul, Korea for one year (Jan. 2008~Dec. 2008) ranged from $500CFU/m^3$ to $7,500CFU/m^3$. In monthly concentration distribution, the level of outdoor airborne bacteria was highest in September and October and lowest in March. In seasonal concentration distribution, the order of level of outdoor airborne bacteria was autumn>winter>spring>summer. In regional concentration distribution, the highest level of outdoor airborne bacteria was generally found in the forest, followed by general area and traffic site. In distribution characteristics according to particle size, outdoor airborne bacteria showed 31% for >$7.0{\mu}m$ (stage 1), 21% for $4.7{\sim}7.0{\mu}m$(stage 2), 15% for $3.3{\sim}4.7{\mu}m$(stage 3), 19% for $2.1{\sim}3.3{\mu}m$(stage 4), 10% for $1.1{\sim}2.1{\mu}m$(stage 5), and 4% for $0.65{\sim}1.1{\mu}m$(stage 6) and its mean respirable fraction was 48%. In concentration distribution by yellow dust, the mean levels of outdoor airborne bacteria were 803 $(\pm479)CFU/m^3$ for period of yellow dust and 691 $(\pm1,134)CFU/m^3$ for period of non-yellow dust. Although the level of outdoor airborne bacteria was higher in period of yellow dust than period of non-yellow dust, there was no significant difference between period of yellow dust and non-yellow dust (p>0.05). In correlation analysis between outdoor airborne bacteria and atmospheric factors (temperature and relative humidity), there was no significant correlation between outdoor airborne bacteria and atmospheric factors. The predominant airborne bacteria were identified to the Bacillus-derived species.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.250-254
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• 2007

The reduction efficiency of air cleaner on particulate contaminants such as dust, airborne bacteria and fungi distributed in the office was relatively higher in case of office with workers than office without workers. This result would be attributed to workers' activities and physical characteristics of particulate contaminants. The air cleaner decreased a concentration of airborne bacteria more than airborne fungi, which implicates that difference of dust adsorption between airborne bacteria and fungi would affect an operation efficiency of air cleaner.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.43-57
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• 1996

To characterize worker's exposure to glass fibers, to find the correlation between airborne total dust concentrations and fiber concentrations and to recommend an appropriate evaluation method for worker's exposure to fibrous dusts in glass wool industry, we carried out this study. Average respirable fiber levels at five factories were 0.013-0.056 f/cc, and fairly below the OSHA PEL, 1 f/cc. A factory showed the lowest airborne fiber level, 0.013 f/cc, which was different significantly from those of other factories of which average fiber concentration was 0.046 f/cc. The cutting and grinding operations of insulation products resulted in higher airborne fiber cocentrations than any other processes(p<0.05). To characterize airborne fiber dimension, fiber length and diamter were determined using phase contrast microscope. The geometric means of airborne fiber lengths were $42-105 \mu m$. One factory had airborne fibers whose length distribution(GM = $105 \mu m$) was different from those of other factories(GM = $42-50 \mu m$). The percentages of respirable fibers less thinner than 3 gm were 38.9-90.9% at four factories, and two factories of them had the higher percentages than others. The findings explain for variation of airborne fiber diameters between factories. On the other hand, between the processes were the difference of fiber-length distributions observed. The cutting and grinding operations showed shorter fiber-length distributions than the fiber forming one. However, fiber-diameter distributions or respirable fiber contents were similar in all processes. The airborne fiber concentrations and the dust concentrations had relatively weak correlation(r=0.25), thus number of fibers couldn't be expected reliably from dust amount. Fiber count is appropriate for assessing accurate exposures and health effects caused by fibrous dusts including glass fibers. Ministry of Labor have established occupational exposure limit to glass fibers as nuisiance dust, but should establish it on the basis of respirable fiber concentration to provide adequate protection for worker's health

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations in airborne total and respirable dusts in the cement manufacturing and handling industries. Methods: Fifty-three total dust and 42 respirable dustsamples were collected from 24 work places. Total dust samples were collected using a three-stage cassette. Respirable dust samples were collected using a cyclone equipped with a 37 mm, $5{\mu}m$ pore size PVC filter. Results: The geometric means of the dust concentrations were $0.10mg/m^3$ and $0.08mg/m^3$ in total dust and respirable dust, respectively. The Korean Occupational Exposure Limit($10mg/m^3$) was not exceeded, but the rate of exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value($1mg/m^3$) was 16.7%. Conclusion: When measuring the level of dust at cement manufacturers, the airborne concentration of respirable dust should be evaluated. In order to protect the health of workers exposed to cement dust, it is necessary to actively consider strengthening the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.407-414
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to assess based on field investigation the distribution characteristics of airborne fungi in an area of Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Methods: Three sites, a living area, forest and traffic site, were selected for evaluation of monthly level of outdoor airborne fungi. An on-site survey was executed between January 2009 and December 2009. During the experimental period, air sampling was performed every month in the afternoon (2:00 pm-5:00 pm) using a cascade impactor. Results: Outdoor airborne fungi measured in Seoul, Korea over one year showed a concentration range from 850CFU $m^{-3}$ to 15,200CFU $m^{-3}$. The mean respirable fraction of outdoor airborne fungi was 67% compared to total concentration. Regardless of measurement site, there was no significant concentration difference in outdoor airborne fungi between periods of yellow dust and non-yellow dust (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation relationship between outdoor airborne fungi and atmospheric factors such as temperature and relative humidity. The predominant genera of airborne fungi identified were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium. Conclusion: Monthly levels of outdoor airborne fungi were highest in April and November and lowest in August. In seasonal concentration distribution, the autumn showed the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi, followed by spring, summer and winter. In regional concentration distribution, the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi was generally found in the forest, followed by the living area and traffic site.