• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO₂-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.386-397
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• 2023

In this study, the efficacy of ultrasonic washing in cotton and wool fabrics was compared and evaluated against conventional washing in terms of cleaning properties and fabric deformation. Factors such as washing temperature, time, liquid ratio, and detergent concentration were kept varied, and the cleaning properties of sebum-soiled fabrics were assessed using different detergents such as alcohol ethoxylate, linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, and IEC 60456 Reference Detergent A^*. In addition, the effects and emulsification power of enzymes and oxygen bleach were examined. To compare the cleaning properties with general washing, a launder-O-meter was used. To investigate fabric deformation during the washing process, the loosening test cloth, shrinkage test cloth, and mechanical strength test cloth were compared between ultrasonic washing machines and household drum washing machines. The results indicate that ultrasonic washing exhibits superior cleaning properties than launder-O-meter when the temperature is low and the washing time is short. Furthermore, there is less deformation and damage during the washing process. It was also observed that the activity of the detergent increases when ultrasonic waves are applied to the washing process. Considering the increasing tendency to pursue convenience and simplicity in clothing management as well as the anticipated commercialization of smart clothing with built-in electric circuits, ultrasonic laundry could serve as a new alternative to existing laundry methods.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.674-682
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• 2022

Background/Aims: Endoscopic channels are difficult to clean and can cause infection transmission. We examined the effectiveness of a newly developed channel-cleaning ball brush (BB), which is sucked into the endoscopic channel and scrapes and cleans the lumen as it passes through. Methods: The upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopes used for patient examinations were randomly selected as the conventional brush (CB) or BB group. After manual cleaning, the presence or absence of carbohydrates, proteins, adenosine triphosphate, and hemoglobin was assessed. Results: Fifty-six and 58 endoscopes were cleaned with the CB and BB, respectively. Carbohydrate and protein were detected in one (1.8%) and two endoscopes (3.4%) in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=1.000). Hemoglobin was observed in one (1.8%) and three endoscopes (5.2%) in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.636). The adenosine triphosphate levels were 10.6±15.9 and 12.5±14.3 relative light units in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.496). Twenty-seven (48.2%) and 19 (32.8%) endoscopes were positive for microbial cultures in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.136). Conclusions: The efficacy of BB was not significantly different from that of CB in the endoscopic channel-cleaning process.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2015

Alpha spectrometry is typically used for the assessment of uranium particle concentrations and its accuracy can be directly related to the accuracy in which the radiochemical pre-treatment is conducted. Ashing and alkali fusion methods are typically used but the ashing method requires longer analysis time and the alkali fusion method is extremely costly. Therefore, a new pre-treatment method using ultrasonic cleaning was developed and its experimental result was compared against the two conventional methods in terms of pre-treatment time, convenience, cost, and recovery rate of a target material. The results that were obtained by the conventional methods(ashing and alkali fusion) and the new method were compared. Consequently, even though the shorter pre-treatment time was required, the new technique showed almost same recovery rate comparing with two conventional methods. The new method was also featured by its relatively lower cost and a simpler process than two conventional methods.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2010

Purpose: An in vitro study was conducted to compare the lipid cleaning efficacy of care solutions on balafilcon A silicone hydrogel (SiHy) lens. Methods: Lipid spoilation was performed by incubating balafilcon A SiHy lenses in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing oleic acid, oleic acid methyl ester and cholesterol. Spoiled contact lenses rinsed with PBS were cleaned with surfactant cleaner, alcohol containing cleaner and multipurpose solution (MPS) respectively and repetitive spoilation and cleaning was conducted up to 14 times. To observe the cleaning effect of ultrasonic wave on the lipid deposit, each spoiled lens was ultrasonicated and then compared with non-sonicated lens. Lipids deposit on the contact lenses was extracted by methanol:chloroform (1:1, v/v) solution. High performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze and quantify lipid deposit extracts. Results: The effectiveness of alcohol containing surfactant cleaner on the lipid deposits was better than that of surfactant cleaner and MPS, and the cleaning efficacy was significantly higher in the ultrasonic wave treated group. Lipid deposits were not removed completely by contact lens care solutions so that lipid deposits increased continuously and cumulatively. Conclusions: The cleaning efficacy of contact lens care solutions was not satisfactory to remove lipid deposits on the SiHy lens that new cleaning products specially designed for SiHy lenses are needed to develop.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.171-187
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• 2023

Objectives: Aircraft cabin cleaning work is characterized by being performed within a limited time in a narrow and enclosed space. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels to dust, ultra fine dust(PM2.5) and black carbon(BC) among aircraft cabin cleaners. Methods: Active personal air sampling for respirable dust(n=73) and BC(n=47) was conducted during quick transit cleaning(cabin general and vacuum-specific) and seat cover replacement and total dust and PM2.5 were area-air-sampled as well. Also, size distribution of particle was identified with the cleaning workers targeted. Dusts were collected with PVC filters using gravimetric analysis. The concentration of PM2.5 and the particle size distribution were measured with real-time direct reading portable equipment using light scattering analysis. The concentration of BC was measured by aethalometer(filter-based real-time light absorption analysis instrument). Results: The geometric mean of respirable dust was the highest at vacuum cleaning as 74.4 ㎍/m³, following by replacing seat covers as 49.3 ㎍/m³ and cabin general cleaning as 47.8 ㎍/m³ . The arithmetic mean of PM2.5 was 4.83 ~ 9.89 ㎍/m³ inside the cabin, and 28.5~44.5 ㎍/m³ outside the cabin(from bus and outdoor waiting space). From size distribution, PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio was 0.54 at quick transit cleaning and 0.41 at replacing seat covers. The average concentration of BC was 2~7 ㎍/m³, showing a high correlation with the PM2.5 concentration. Conclusions: The hazards concentration levels of aircraft cabin cleaners were very similar to those of roadside outdoor workers. As the main source of pollution is estimated to be diesel vehicles operating at airports, and it is necessary to replace older vehicles, strengthen pollutant emission control regulations, and introduce electric vehicles. In addition, it is necessary to provide as part of airport-inftastructure a stable standby waiting space for aircraft cabin cleaners and introduce a systematic safety and health management system for all workers in the aviation industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2017

Titanium has been used in various fields due to its good corrosion and erosion resistance, and superior mechanical properties. The process for selective electro-deposition on a titanium surface using laser beam is proposed in this paper. The process consists of laser irradiation, electro-deposition, and ultrasonic cleaning. Laser irradiation can change the surface morphology of titanium. Through laser irradiation, the surface cleaning effect and a rough surface can be achieved. The surface roughness of titanium was measured according to the laser beam conditions. The characteristics of selective electro-deposition on titanium surface according to surface roughness are investigated by various analytical methods such as SEM, and EDS.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.15
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• pp.175-185
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• 1995

Under the new environmental regulations announced by the government, utilities will have to cut their sulfur dioxide emissions by 60% from 1991 levels by the year of 1999. Sulfur dioxide emissions can be reduced prior to combustion by physical, chemical or biological coal cleaning. The new technology of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) offers the potential of economic separatoins of a variety of fine, weakly magnetic minerals including inorganic sulfur and many ash-forming minerals from coals. In the present paper, magnetic separation tests have been conducted on Korean anthracite and high-sulfur Chinese coal to investigate the feasibility of these techniques for reducing sulfur content from coals. In wet magnetic separation, the studied operating parameters include particle size, pH, matrix types, feed solids content, feed rate, number of cleaning stages and etc. The results shows that for wet separation, 60~70% of total sulfur was removed from coals with over 80% combustible recovery, on the other hand, for dry separation, 47.6% of total sulfur was removed from coals with 75% recovery.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.280-283
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the change in exposure concentration in the cleaning process after installing a local exhaust system. Methods: Dichloromethane measurement was conducted according to the KOSHA Guide (A-19-2019). Results: After the local exhaust device was installed, a total of three measurements were conducted, including temporary work environment measurements, and all of the measurements did not exceed the DCM exposure standard, but were more than 50% of the DCM Time Weighted Average((8-TWA) Conclusions: It is thought that the local ventilation system of a small business needs not only support for the initial installation cost, but also educational support for maintaining the performance of the local ventilation system and support for consumables (adsorbents, filters, etc.) that incur periodic costs.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.300-306
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• 2023

A hull-cleaning robot sticks to the surface of a vessel and moves for efficient cleaning. Precise path planning and tracking using the current position is crucial. Many robots rely on the INS algorithm, but errors accumulate. To fix this, GPS, sonar, and USBL are used, though with limitations. Selecting suitable sensors for the surface operation and accurate positioning algorithm are vital. In this study, we developed a robot position estimation algorithm using the structure of a ship. Problems that arise when expanding the 2D position estimation algorithm used in existing wall structures to 3D were evaluated and methods for solving them were proposed. In addition, we aimed to improve performance by deriving singularities that exist in the robot path and proposing an error correction algorithm based on the singularities.