• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2001

Risk assessment defines as the process of estimating both the probability that an event will occur and the probable magnitude of its adverse effects. Chemical or microbial risk assessment generally follows four basic steps, that is, hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment, and risk characterization. Risk assessment provides an effective framework for determining the relative urgency of problems and the allocation of resources to reduce risks. Using the results of risk analyses, we can target prevention, reme-diation, or control effects towards areas, sources, or situations in which the greatest risk reductions can be achieved with resources available. Risk assessment is also used to explain chemical and microbial risks as well as ecosystem impacts. Moreover, this process, which allows the quantitation and comparison of diverse risks, lets risk managers utilize the maximum amount of complex information in the decision-making process. This information can also be used to weigh the cost and benefits of control options and to develop standards or treatment options.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 1992

The research in this paper centers on a comparative risk assessment for nearby air pollution by carcinogenic metal emission from municipal solid waste incinerators. If a substance is identified as a potential human carcinogen, the carcinogenicity may be related to the chemical form of a substance and the route of exposure. This type of information with regard to carcinogenic uncertainty is incorporated into hazard quantification. In addition to the dioxin emission, the metal emission from municipal solid waste incineration is found to be a major contributor to human cancer risk via the inhalation route. The magnitude of risk by metals is about 5 times greater than that of risk by dioxins. Hexavalent form of chromium and cadmium compounds are major contributors to cancer risk from metal emission. In addition, hexavalent chromium is known to be human carcinogen while 2,3,7,8-TCDD is known to be only probable human carcinogen.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.381-393
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• 2015

This study is carried out in order to propose a drought risk assessment methodology. This methodology is required to deal with practical questions that a variety of stakeholder often raise in the course of discussions on mitigation measures. With a focus on the socioeconomic aspect of drought, more particularly, residents' hardship from water scarcity, it suggests basic concepts and a system of methods in order to assess hazard, exposure, vulnerability and risk. The case study shows a considerable possibility of the methodology in evaluating potential levels of damages in a certain area, in identifying the boundary of districts where risk is disproportionately concentrated, and also in understanding the underlying risk factors of those districts. The authors think that the proposed methodology is able to offer risk information in terms of socioeconomic damages, and therefore contribute to reducing information gaps that policy-makers are currently encountered with.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.209-215
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• 2015

Following the semiconductor industry's growing, various types of toxic gases and caustic chemicals, HF(Hydrofluoric acid), HCI (Hydochloric acid), $H_2O_2$ (Hydrogen peroxide), $H_2SO_4$ (Sulfuric acid), and Piranha, were using on the semiconductor manufacturing process. Therefore many gas leakage accidents that produce huge losses of lives were caused by the processes. This research deeply considers two basic solutions that the necessity of MSDS education on university for reducing damage of lives and protecting life from chemical leak accidents such as a HF accident in Gumi, Korea and the use of GHS, REACH and the comprehension of propriety about using MSDS for keeping safety from conflagrations by released poison chemical materials.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the hazards of whole body vibration(WBV) and prevent human injuries due to WBV. Background: Vibrations that shake the whole body in vehicles and vessels is WBV. Vibration at a specific frequency, and intensity in the human body can act as a hazard. But, it has not yet done enough research about effects of WBV. Method: We analyzed and reviewed occupational or ergonomic papers published past 30 years. Results: Exposure to whole body vibration can cause permanent physical injury or damage of the nervous system. In addition, it may cause problem in the cardiovascular system, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system, reproductive system, and psychological system. The effect of vibration depends on its acceleration, duration, frequency, and direction. Conclusion: WBV-exposed human body experience a high risk of some illnesses such as lumbar spinal disorders. Some workers(bus drivers, truck drivers and heavy equipment operators) are the high risk population exposed to WBV. Application: The results of this study might help to judge and prevent occupational disease caused by WBV.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.180-188
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the health status between foreign workers and native workers and to examine the influencing factors of health status of foreign and native workers. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the data collected from the 3rd (2011) Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). The sample included 101 foreign workers and 101 native workers matched by age and gender. Results: The difference in health status between foreign workers and native workers was not statistically significant. The most commonly complained health problem of foreign workers was muscle pain of the upper limbs. Among foreign workers, hazard exposure, coworker support and supervisor support were significant predictors of health status. Among native workers, income level and obesity were significant predictors of health status. Conclusion: For health management and health promotion of foreign workers, employers and health providers need to establish coworker supporting systems in workplace and improvement strategies of work environment. Particularly, they must pay closer attention to management of foreign workers' musculoskeletal disorder.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.184-190
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• 2014

Decommissioning process of nuclear facilities consist of a sequence of problem solving activities, because there may exist not only working environments contaminated by radiological exposure but also industrial hazards such as fire, explosions, toxic materials, and electrical and physical hazards. Therefore, not a few countries in the world have been trying to develop appropriate counter techniques in order to guarantee safety and efficiency of the process. In spite of that, there still exists neither domestic nor international standard. Unfortunately, however, there are few workers who experienced decommissioning operations a lot in the past. As a solution, it is quite necessary to utilize experts' opinions for risk assessment in decommissioning process. As for an individual hazard factor, risk assessment techniques are getting known to industrial workers with advance of safety technology, but the way how to integrate those results is not yet. This paper aimed to find out an appropriate technique to integrate individual risk assessment results from the viewpoint of experts. Thus, on one hand the whole risk assessment activity for decommissioning operations was modeled as a sequence of individual risk assessment steps which can be classified into two activities, decontamination and dismantling, and on the other, a risk assessment structure was introduced. The whole model was inferred with Fuzzy theory and techniques, and a numerical example was appended for comprehension.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.160-167
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• 2014

To determine a proper ASIL for each hazardous event with a proper safety goal, the right classes should first be determined for the three properties of the hazardous event; (i) severity of harm from the resultant accident, (ii) exposure to the relevant operational situation, and (iii) controllability to avoid the induced risks. ASIL can be clearly determined with right classes of these three properties. But no specific methodologies or processes for their classification can be found in ISO 26262, except only a rough guideline with a simplified set of illustrative tables. In this paper, we try to present a systematic model for classifying the three properties of the hazardous event and suggest a refined procedure of ASIL determination. The proposed model provides a specific method to get a more objective ASIL compared with that in the standard. Scrutinizing the current methodology, we develop a refined method and also provide an illustrative example.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.360-364
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• 2018

Asbestos has been banned in many countries but many countries, including developing countries, are still using asbestos or materials containing asbestos. Substitute materials have been studied and developed over a long period of time because of the hazards of asbestos, and many people have recently shown interest in the hazards of substitute materials. However, comprehensive information about the types of asbestos substitutes, their use and health hazards, and references for the protection for the health of workers is limited. The purpose of this study is to provide people in the related industries with information on the types and health hazards of fibrous materials that can be used as asbestos substitutes. According to the patent resources from the United States and Europe, fibrous materials have been used to develop asbestos-free products since before 1980. Recently, the health hazards of asbestos substitutes have been assessed and many additional researches are required. However, only some of the substitute materials have been assessed for health hazards, and health hazard data has not been sufficient in many cases. Therefore, efforts should be made to minimize workers' exposure to substitute materials that do not contain asbestos.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.806-813
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• 2018

$^{222}Rn$ exists in nature in the form of a rare radioactive gas. In terms of environmental radiation, issues regarding $^{222}Rn$ have persisted because of its radiological hazardousness. Ulju County is one of the regions of Ulsan metropolitan city, with a population of 227,699. Ulju County has the highest density of industrial complexes in Korea. In this study, $^{222}Rn$ radioactivity concentration was measured and analyzed in 57 schools in Ulju County using 114 passive LR-115 type detectors to secure radiological safety and confirm basic information for reduction of resident exposure to $^{222}Rn$. The effective dose of $^{222}Rn$ was assessed to find the actual risk of the concentration surveyed in schools to human beings. The dose depended on four factors: subjects, $^{222}Rn$ concentration, dose coefficient, and time. The individuals subjected to dose estimation were classified into three types: students, teachers, and office workers. The subjects had different dwelling locations and times. The findings demonstrate that the radiological hazard to students and workers at schools in Ulju County owing to $^{222}Rn$ is negligible in terms of $^{222}Rn$ activity recommendation level.