• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2008

In the present study, a control methodology utilizing airborne silver nanoparticles is suggested and tested with respect to its potential to control Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria bioaerosols deposited on filters. As it is known that the Gram-negative bacteria are sensitive to airflow exposure, the main focus of this study for testing the airborne silver nanoparticles effect was the Gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis bacteria bioaerosols whereas Escherichia coli bioaerosols were utilized for comparison. Airborne bacteria and airborne silver nanoparticles were quantitatively generated in an experimental system. Bioaerosols deposited on the filter were exposed to airborne silver nanoparticles. The physical and biological properties of the airborne bacteria and airborne silver nanoparticles were measured via aerosol measurement devices. From the experimental results, it was demonstrated that this method utilizing airborne silver nanoparticles offers potential as a bioaerosol control methodology.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the results of exposure to chemicals and to extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields generated in wafer fabrication operations in the semiconductor industry. Methods: Exposure assessment studies of silicon wafer fab operations in the semiconductor industry were collected through an extensive literature review of articles reported until the end of 2015. The key words used in the literature search were "semiconductor industry", "wafer fab", "silicon wafer", and "clean room," both singly and in combination. Literature reporting on airborne chemicals and extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields were collected and reviewed. Results and Conclusions: Major airborne hazardous agents assessed were several organic solvents and ethylene glycol ethers from Photolithography, arsenic from ion implantation and extremely low frequency magnetic fields from the overall fabrication processes. Most exposures to chemicals reported were found to be far below permissible exposure limits(PEL) (10% < PEL). Most of these results were from operators who handled processes in a well-controlled environment. In conclusion, we found a lack of results on exposure to hazardous agents, including chemicals and radiation, which are insufficient for use in the estimation of past exposure. The results we reviewed should be applied with great caution to associate chronic health effects.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제27권4호
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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.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.465-474
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• 2002

In order to reflect variability due to exposure factors as well as to assess uncertainty associated with cancer risk posed by airborne trace metals, a Monte Calro analysis has been made in this study. Input parameters for Monte Carlo analysis were developed or adjusted using body weight, lifetime, and exposure frequency of Koreans. Ambient distributions of toxic metals were founded to be lognormal distributions for most of them using goodness-of-fit tests. Thus, the 95% UCL and 95% LCL of carcinogenic metals were estimated by H-statistic method for lognormal distribution, respectively. The results of Monte Carlo analysis of 95% UCL showed that the 95th percentile risks for men and women were 1.2 and 1.1 times higher than an acceptable risk of 10$^{-5}$ , respectively. The probabilities which those risks exceed the acceptable risk were estimated to be 8% and 6%, respectively, while to be 95% and 94%, respectively on the basis of the minimum acceptable risk of 10$^{-6}$ , respectively. Approximately 90% of total cancer risk came from human carcinogens such as arsenic and hexavalent chromium. Therefore, it is necessary to properly manage both arsenic and hexavalent chromium emissions in the study area.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제13권2호
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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.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.503-509
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed in order to evaluate the generation characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi while operating a household humidifier, in consideration of user habits. Methods: Microbial samples were collected in a closed chamber with a total volume of 2.76 $m^3$, in which a humidifier was operated according to experimental strategies. A cultivation method based on the viable counts of mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi was performed. Experimental strategies were divided into three classes: the type of water in the water reservoir (tap water, cooled boiled water); the frequency of filling the reservoir (refill every day, no refill); and the sterilization method (sterilization function mode, humidifier disinfectants). Results: Significant increases in the concentration of airborne bacteria were observed while the humidifier was in operation. The concentration had increased to 2,407 $CFU/m^3$ by 120 hours when tap water filled the reservoir without any application of sterilization, while for cooled boiled water, it was merely 393 $CFU/m^3$ at a similar time point. Usages of disinfectant in the water tank were more effective in decreasing bioaerosol generation compared to sterilization function mode operation. Generation characteristics of airborne fungi were similar to those of bacteria, but the levels were not significant in all experiments. Calculated exposure factor can be used as an indicator to compare biorisk exposure. Conclusion: This study identified the potential for bioaerosol generation in indoor environments while operating a household humidifier. User practices were critical in the generation of bioaerosol, or more specifically, airborne bacteria. Proper usage of a humidifier ensures that any biorisks resulting from generated bioaerosol can be prevented.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.100-109
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• 1993

This study was performed to evaluate the asbestos exposure levels and variations in textile, brake lining manufacturing and slate manufacturing industries. For this study, fifteen plants of brake lining manufacturing industry, 7 plants of textile industry, and 2 plants of slate manufacturing industry were selected and surveyed. Geometric means (GMs) of airborne asbestos concentrations in textile, brake lining manufacturing, and slate manufacturing industries were 1.42 f/cc(0.07-6.1O f/cc), 0.19 f/cc(<0.01-2.67 f/cc) and 0.08 f/cc(0.02-0.67 f/cc), respectively. In textile industry overall GMs of airborne asbestos concentrations in plants with less than 50 workers and in plants with more than 50 workers were 1.60 f/cc and 0.3 f/cc, respectively. Therefore, the size of plant showed some difference in the airborne asbestos concentrations. Three out of 7(42.9%) exceed the Korean standard, 2 f/cc, and every plant exceed the USA standard, 0.2 f/cc of the OSHA-Permissible Exposure Level(OSHA-PEL). Especially, one plant showed the highest average concentration of 2.87 f/cc. In brake lining manufacturing industry, the plants with less than 50 workers showed 0.22 f/cc. The plants with more than 50 workers showed 0.18 f/cc. All plants showed the exposure level below the Korean standard. Five of 15 (33.3%) were above the OSHA-PEL. One plant showed the highest average concentraton of 0.84 f/cc. In slate manufacturing industry, the average exposure level was 0.08 f/cc, and all of the plants were below the Korean standard and the OSHA-PEL.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2011

Occupational exposure to silicon carbide dust of manufacturing industries has seldom been evaluated in Korea. Accordingly, we evaluated various silicon carbide dust concentrations in the breathing zone of workers between May 2010 and July 2010. To compare silicon carbide dust concentrations, three dust samplers including the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler, 37mm cassette sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler were used. A total of 5 manufacturing industries producing abrasive and refractory materials using silicon carbide were investigated. The geometric mean concentrations were 2.04, 0.97, and $0.48mg/m^3$ in inhalable, total and respirable silicon carbide dust, respectively. The geometric mean concentrations of silicon carbide in abrasive material manufacturing industries were slightly higher than that of refractory manufacturing industries, and finishing operations were higher than that of other operations. It was found that the results of exposure assessment in airborne dust at manufacturing industries using silicon carbide in Korea showed exceeding rate to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value ($3mg/m^3$) was 10% in respirable dust samples. Therefore, with the consideration of the close relationship between smaller dust size and the occurrence of occupational respiratory diseases, it is suggested to promulgate the new occupational exposure limit for respirable silicon carbide dust.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.438-446
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to determine airborne fungi levels in homes and find related factors that may affect airborne fungi concentration. Methods: Fifty homes were study subjects for measuring airborne fungi. For sampling airborne fungi, the impaction method on agar plates was used and samples were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air ($CFU/m^3$). In addition, information regarding housing characteristics and atopic disease in each home were collected via questionnaire. Results: The geometric means (GM) of airborne fungi concentrations in fifty living rooms and bedrooms were 68.03 and 62.93 $CFU/m^3$, respectively. The GM of airborne fungi concentration in atopy homes was 78.42 $CFU/m^3$. This was higher than non-atopy homes' 54.34 $CFU/m^3$ (p-value=0.051). In the results of the multiple regression analysis, outdoor airborne fungal concentration proved a strong effective factor on indoor airborne fungal concentration. Also, construction year, floor area of house, indoor smoking and frequency of ventilation were factors that showed a significant association with indoor airborne fungi concentration. Conclusions: The results of this study show that some housing and living characteristics may affect the development and increase of airborne fungi. In addition, exposure to airborne fungi may be a risk factor for the prevalence of childhood atopic diseases.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.53-67
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• 2000

Coke-oven workers are regularly exposed to coke oven emissions (COE), which consist primarily of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and volatile organic components. This study assessed the exposure of coke-oven workers to COE and PAH. The results of this study are as follows. 1. Among the 136 samples on coke-oven workers 33.1% exceeded the occupational exposure limit to the Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles ($0.2mg/m^3$) established by the Korean Ministry of Labor and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH). 2. The coke-oven workers were classified into twelve job categories and there was statistically significant difference among the airborne concentrations of COE and PAH in twelve job categories(p<0.001). 3. There was no significant difference of the airborne concentrations of COE between NIOSH method and OSHA method applied. 4. There was a significant correlation between the airborne concentrations of total PAH and COE(r=0.733, p<0.01). 5. The percentage of naphthalene in total PAH was 55.9% and the highest among those of 16 PAHs. There was a significant correlation between the airborne concentrations of naphthalene and total PAH(r=0.90, p<0.01) and this study recommends naphthalene as the index component of PAH.