• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.403-411
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• 2023

Objectives: Formalin is used as an anthelmintic in farms where flounder are raised. In this study, we aim to identify formaldehyde exposure levels for aquaculture industry workers and provide basic data for managing formaldehyde exposure. Methods: Exposure levels of formaldehyde in the air, including formalin spraying operations, were assessed separately for personal and area samples. In addition, considering the formalin administration method, dermal exposure to the hands was estimated when administering the chemical, and dermal exposure to the legs during water tank work was estimated by collecting water in the water tank and evaluating the amount of formaldehyde remaining. Finally, the respiratory exposure level and the estimated dermal exposure level were added to derive the total exposure level and compared with the maximum allowable human dose. Results: As a result of the airborne evaluation, the formaldehyde concentration of the worker (1 person) who performed the formalin spraying and flounder sorting was 33.61 ppb, and the arithmetic mean of formaldehyde concentrations of the workers (3 people) who only performed the flounder sorting was 3.28 ppb (range: 2.25-4.89 ppb). In the case of dermal exposure, when spraying formalin once, the amount was estimated to be 0.33-2.62 mg when wearing protective gear and 3.27-26.12 mg when not wearing it. Conclusions: There was a difference in the formaldehyde exposure level of workers depending on their operation of handling formalin and whether or not protective gear was worn. In particular, because the level of formaldehyde exposure due to dermal exposure can be significant, there is a need to improve formalin administration methods in a way that avoids skin contact as much as possible.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.21-30
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• 2001

Vehicles, especially diesel-using, are a major source of airborne particulate matter(PM), nitrogen dioxide($NO_2$) and so on in metropolitan cities such as Seoul. Therefore workers, who are mainly merchants, near roadside may be highly exposed to air pollutants from exhausted emissions of vehicles. This means that occupational type and location can affect the workers＇health by exposure to outdoor pollutions of ambient as well as indoor pollutions of working condition, respectively. In this study, we simultaneously measured the PM3.5 and $NO_2$concentrations in indoor and outdoor of shoes repair shops in Seoul, which were generally located at roadside in Korea. Shoes repairmen were highly exposed to PM3.5 and $NO_2$ both indoor and outdoor of repair shops comparing with other sub-population groups. High exposure to air pollutants for shoes repairmen was considered to be outdoor source from exhausted emission of vehicles and indoor source from working condition. The $PM3.5/NO_2$ concentration ratio was $1.17{\pm}$0.59 in roadside, of which ratio was higher 7han ratios of other studies. This result suggested that major air pollutant in Seoul was fine particle. Also, this PM3.5 to $NO_2$ ratio will be used in environmental exposure and risk assessment by estimation of PM3.5 concentration as measuring the only $NO_2$ concentration with small and accurate $NO_2$ passive sampler.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.264-278
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• 1997

The average level of coke oven emissions in the work site was $0.04mg/m^3$, which was below the permissible exposure level($0.2mg/m^3$). The average level of 1-OH-pyrene in the urine of the wokers was $0.745{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine which is far below the BEI($2.3{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine). Correlation between airborne COE in working environment and urinary 1-OH-pyrene concentration was statistically significant. These results explain that exposure level by biological monitoring is much higher than that by environmental monitoring. The effect of hygienic measures for reducing internal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was studied in 25 coke-oven workers. Their 1-OH-pyrene levels increased by $0.77{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine, while working with ordinary protective measures. The average levels of the same workers with extra hygienic measures increased by $0.34{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine. The average increase of the urinary 1-OH-pyrene concentration over the 5-day work week was 56.3%($0.43{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine) lower when extra hygienic measures were taken(p=0.0001).

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2023

Background: This study evaluated occupational exposure levels of doxorubicin in healthcare workers performing rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) procedures. Methods: All samples were collected during PIPAC procedures applying doxorubicin to an experimental animal model (pigs). All procedures were applied to seven pigs, each for approximately 44 min. Surface samples (n = 51) were obtained from substances contaminating the PIPAC devices, surrounding objects, and protective equipment. Airborne samples were also collected around the operating table (n = 39). All samples were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Among the surface samples, doxorubicin was detected in only five samples (9.8%) that were directly exposed to antineoplastic drug aerosols in the abdominal cavity originating from PIPAC devices. The telescopes showed concentrations of 0.48-5.44 ng/cm² and the trocar showed 0.98 ng/cm² in the region where the spraying nozzles were inserted. The syringe line connector showed a maximum concentration of 181.07 ng/cm², following a leakage. Contamination was not detected on the surgeons' gloves or shoes. Objects surrounding the operating table, including tables, operating lights, entrance doors, and trocar holders, were found to be uncontaminated. All air samples collected at locations where healthcare workers performed procedures were found to be uncontaminated. Conclusions: Most air and surface samples were uncontaminated or showed very low doxorubicin concentrations during PIPAC procedures. However, there remains a potential for leakage, in which case dermal exposure may occur. Safety protocols related to leakage accidents, selection of appropriate protective equipment, and the use of disposable devices are necessary to prevent occupational exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2023

Objectives: Firefighters could be exposed to a range of toxic chemicals during firefighting. When tyre burns, various toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds(VOCs) could be emitted. In this study, the researchers assessed the VOC exposure of firefighters during tyre fire suppression through biomonitoring. Methods: There was a big tyre fire on 12 March 2023. Of the responding firefighters, we recruited 14 participants to collect their urine after firefighting. One week later, researchers collected firefighters' urine again right after their off-duty period. We analyzed each metabolite of benzene, toluene, xylene, and styrene in urine and compared their exposure level based on sampling time. Results: The detection rate for metabolite of benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene in urine sampled at each time was 43%-64%, 100%, 86%-100%, and 100%, respectively. Except for the benzene, metabolite levels measured in urine after firefighting were similar to that from off-duty period. However, the median concentration of benzene metabolite in urine sampled after firefighting was three times higher compared to that from off-duty period(34.2 ㎍/g crea. and 10.9 ㎍/g crea., respectively.) The estimated airborne concentration of benzene calculated from metabolite level in urine was 0.16 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure level set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Conclusions: This study shows that firefighters could be exposed to the high level of VOCs including benzene during their firefighting especially at tyre fire. These results could be used as a valuable data to prove firefighters' exposure to hazardous chemicals during their duty.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.346-355
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was conducted to ascertain the difference between impinger and passive sampling methods in the process of sampling and analyzing on airborne formaldehyde. Formaldehyde generating workplaces included in this study comprised four types of manufacturing industry such as two workplaces of products of wood, cork, straw and plaiting materials manufacturing industries, one casting metal manufacturing industry, and one parts and accessories for motor vehicles and it′s engines manufacturing industry. Workplaces contained in this study were located in some manufacturing area of Busan industrial complex and this study was carried out during a period from January 2003 to December 2004. Analytical accuracy, precision and detection limit of two methods was compared. Exposure level of its airborne concentration was evaluated in formaldehyde generating workplaces those were classified by types of industry, working process, and time. The results were as follows ; 1. A rate of recovery was 107.1% in impinger method and 101.8% in passive method, and precision was 7.79% in impinger method and 4.40% in passive method. There was no statistical significance in analytical accuracy and precision between two methods. A limitation of detection was 0.011 ppm in passive method which was lower than that of impinger method (0.020 ppm) by 1.8 times. 2. Airborne formaldehyde concentration of impinger method was different from passive method. It′s concentration by passive method was higher by 5.1 times than that by impinger method in the parts and accessories for motor vehicles and it′s engines manufacturing industry (P<0.05). Only in molding process among several types of processes, formaldehyde concentration in passive method was higher by 5.1 times than that in impinger method (P<0.05). Furthermore, formaldehyde concentration in passive method was higher by 1.7 times than that in impinger method (P<0.05) in the first half of year 2003. 3. The geometric mean of formaldehyde concentration in impinger method was lower than that in passive method, but there was no statistical significance of formaldehyde concentration by the difference of sampling method. In conclusion, it is difficult to conclude which is better between the two sampling methods because of no statistical significance for the difference of concentration. Because of lacks of certified passive sampling and analytical method, at present situation, studies on verification of accuracy and precision, obstructive reaction against validity on its exposure assessment, and research to develop domestically manufactured passive sampler in terms of cost-effectiveness should be continuously carried out.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.110-126
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• 1993

Worker exposures to total chromium, hexavalent chromium (VI), sulfuric acid and alkaline dust at electroplating operations and worker exposures to trichloroethylene (TCE) and methyl chloroform (MCM) at degreasing operations in eleven small industrial plants were evaluated. Appropriate local exhaust ventilation systems for both operations were designed and recommended. Results of the study are summarized as follows ; 1. Out of 134 measurements for airborne hexavalent chromium concentrations, seven were exceeding the Korean occupational health standard of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and 45 were exceeding the NIOSH standard of $1{\mu}g/m^3$. With an exception of one measurement, concentrations of total chromium were below the Korean standard of $500{\mu}g/m^3$. 2. Worker exposures to chromium were closely related to the existing control methods at the electroplating operations. Local exhaust systems, partial coverage of the tank surface, and antifoaming agents on liquid surface were adopted as control methods. 3. With an exception of one sample, airborne concentrations of sulfuric acid and alkaline dusts were below the applicable occupational heatlth standards. 4. Three plants indicated that airborne concentrations of TCE and MCM were exceeding the Korean standards. Other plants showed lower concentrations than the standards. It should be noted that generally, the activities and workloads on the day of surveys were less than normal. 5. Since the most existing ventilation systems did not satisfy the ACGIH criteria, the ventilation systems should be improved. Some examples for designing appropriate ventilation systems are presented.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 1994

This study was designed to establish the relationship between airborne trichloroethylene concentrations and total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in urine samples of the trichloroethylene exposed workers, to examine if the biological screening value for trichloroacetic acid in urine set by the Ministry of Labor is appropriate, and to suggest a suitable biological screening value for total trichloro-compounds in urine. Seventy male workers from the cleaning, the packing, and the inspcetion areas were selected as the study group and eighty male office workers were chosen as the control group. The results were as follows: 1. The mean values of total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in the exposed group ($48.1{\pm}1.5mg/{\ell}$, $19.7{\pm}1.9mg/{\ell}$) were significantly higher than those in the control group($4.3{\pm}1.5mg/{\ell}$, $1.8{\pm}1.2mg/{\ell}$). 2. The airborne tichloroethylene concentrations were significantly related with the concentrations of total trichloro-compounds in urine(r=0.8212) and the concentrations of trichloroacetic acid in urine(r=0.7216). 3. The average trichloroethylene concentrations in the manual cleaning plants and that in the automatic cleaning plants were 40.1 ppm and 7.7 ppm, respectively. The difference between two groups was statistically significant. 4. The geometric mean of 49.6 ppm trichloroethylene concentration was resulted in the $185.4mg/{\ell}$ total trichloro-compounds in urine, and the 50 ppm trichloroethylene concentration was expected to produce $170.4{\pm}28.5mg/{\ell}$ total trichloro-compounds in urine. 5. With the geometric mean of 49.6 ppm trichloroethylene concentration, the corresponding geometric mean concentration of trichloroacetic acid in urine was $74.7mg/{\ell}$. In conclusion, the level of personal exposure to trichloroethylene concentration was significantly correlated with the concentrations of total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in urine. Current biological screening value of $75mg/{\ell}$ for trichloroacetic acid in urine set by the Ministry of Labor was thought to be appropriate, and a biological screening value for total trichloro-compounds in urine should be set in the range of $170.4{\pm}28.5mg/{\ell}$ as a reference value for trichoroethylene exposure.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2023

Coal-fired power plants handle large quantities of coal, one of the most prominent NORM, and the coal ash produced after the coal is burned can be tens of times more radioactive than the coal. Workers in these industries may be exposed to internal exposure by inhalation of particles while handling NORM. This study evaluated the size, concentration, particle shape and density, and radioactivity concentrations of airborne suspended particles in the main processes of a coal-fired power plant. Finally, the internal radiation dose to workers from particle inhalation was evaluated. For this purpose, airborne particles were collected by size using a multi-stage particle collector to determine the size, shape, and concentration of particles. Samples of coal and coal ash were collected to measure the density and radioactivity of particles. The dose conversion factor and annual radionuclide inhalation amount were derived based on the characteristics of the particles. Finally, the internal radiation dose due to particle inhalation was evaluated. Overall, the internal radiation dose to workers in the main processes of coalfired power plants A and B ranged from 1.47×10^-5~1.12×10^-3 mSv y^-1. Due to the effect of dust generated during loading operations, the internal radiation dose of fly ash loading processes in both coal-fired power plants A and B was higher than that of other processes. In the case of workers in the coal storage yard at power plants A and B, the characteristic values such as particle size, airborne concentration, and working time were the same, but due to the difference in radioactivity concentration and density depending on the origin of the coal, the internal radiation dose by origin was different, and the highest was found when inhaling coal imported from Australia among the five origins. In addition, the main nuclide contributing the most to the internal radiation dose from the main processes in the coal-fired power plants was thorium due to differences in dose conversion factors. However, considering the external radiation dose of workers in coal-fired power plants presented in overseas research cases, the annual effective dose of workers in the main processes of power plants A and B does not exceed 1mSv y^-1, which is the dose limit for the general public notified by the Nuclear Safety Act. The results of this study can be utilized to identify the internal exposure levels of workers in domestic coal-fired power plants and will contribute to the establishment of a data base for a differential safety management system for NORM-handling industries in the future.