• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2012

Objectives: Diazinon is an insecticide which acts as a contact stomach and respiratory poison, and used throughout the world to control a wide range of sucking and chewing insects and mites on a range of crops. In this study, the airborne diazinon levels were measured for farmers, pest control operaters, landscapers, and agricultural chemicals sellers, and an assessment of the health risk to the workers was presented. The exposure scenario was based on the route of inhalation and skin absorption. The "OSHA Method No. 62" was used to sample and measure the airborne diazinon levels. The skin wipe method was applied to measure the level of the diazinone exposure through the skin. For the determination of exposure scenario, the exposure factors were surveyed for the daily average inhalation rate and the exposure period and frequency and time of diazinone as well as the body weight and lifetime of the workers. The median values of exposure frequency and exposure time were selected after evaluating the validity of those. Methods: The highest level of the diazinon exposure in the air was $107.21ug/m^3$ in farmers, followed by $93.53ug/m^3$ in landscapers, at $31.40ug/m^3$ in pest control operators, and $1.04ug/m^3$ in agricultural chemical seller. The amount of skin absorption was the highest in farmers at 63.39 ug/day, followed by landscapers at 10.47 ng/day, pest control operaters at 4.26 ng/day, and agricultural chemicals sellers at 0.34 ng/day. The hazardous indices calculated using toxicological reference value were 2.79 for pest control operaters, 0.41 for landscapers, 0.07 for agricultural chemicals sellers, and 0.06 for farmers. Conclusions: While the farmers were exposed to the high levels of diazinon through the air and skin, the pest control operaters, landscapers and agricultural chemicals sellers have more the diazinon hazards than the farmer based on the risk assessment in this study.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.316-322
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Pesticides concentration was monitored in 50 agricultural lakes, and ecological risk for aquatic organism was assessed using risk quotient (RQ) and probabilistic methods. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pesticides concentrations detected in 50 agricultural lakes during peak season (June and September) were in the range of $0.17{\sim}0.99{\mu}g/L$. The RQ for algae and the other species was estimated to be 0.25 and below 0.01, indicating medium risk and no risk. Oxadiazon predominantly contributed to RQ value of 99% for algae, fishes, and amphibians. In terms of hazardous concentration at 5% of species ($HC_5$), ecological risk quotients (ERQ) for oxadiazon ranged from 0.18~0.33, showing a medium risk level. Overall, the concentrations of pesticides were much lower than $HC_5$), value. Probability of combined ecological risk for pesticides ranged from 1.82% to 2.41%. CONCLUSION(s): Combined ecological risk probability did not exceed the acceptable level of 5%, indicating no ecological risk for selected aquatic species. This study suggests that regular ecological risk assessment (ERA) will be required to protect and manage an agricultural lake. Not only ERA at screening level by comparing exposure with toxic effects for aquatic species also advanced ERA technique considering species in indigenous to Korea, chronic toxicity, pulse dose, fate, and environmental factors should be required.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.407-417
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• 2024

The objective of this study is to predict and reduce potential damage caused by chlorine gas leaks, a hazardous material, when vehicles transporting it overturn due to accidents or other incidents. The goal is to forecast the anticipated damages caused by chlorine toxicity levels (ppm) and to design effective response strategies for mitigating them. To predict potential damages, we conducted quantitative assessments using the ALOHA program to calculate the toxic effects (ppm) and damage distances resulting from chlorine leaks, taking into account potential negligence of drivers during transportation. The extent of damage from toxic gas leaks is influenced by various factors, including the amount of the leaked hazardous material and the meteorological conditions at the time of the leak. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of damage distances was conducted by examining various scenarios that involved variations in the amount of leakage and weather conditions. Under intermediate conditions (leakage quantity: 5 tons, wind speed: 3 m/s, atmospheric stability: D), the estimated distance for exceeding the AEGL-2 level of 2 ppm was calculated to be 9 km. This concentration poses a high risk of respiratory disturbance and potential human casualties, comparable to the toxicity of hydrogen chloride. In particular, leaks in urban areas can lead to significant loss of life. In the event of a leakage incident, we proposed a plan to minimize damage by implementing appropriate response strategies based on the location and amount of the leak when an accident occurs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2022

Background: Abandoned metal mines are classified as vulnerable areas with the highest level of soil contamination among risk regions. People living near abandoned metal mines are at increased risk of exposure to toxic metals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between soil contamination levels in areas around abandoned metal mine and the blood lead levels of local residents. Moreover, we assess the possibility of using soil contamination levels as a predictive indicator for human exposure level. Methods: Data from the Survey of Residents around Abandoned Metal Mines (2013~2017, n=4,421) and Investigation of Soil Pollution in Abandoned Metal Mines (2000~2011) were used. A random coefficient model was conducted for estimation of the lower level (micro data) of the local resident unit and the upper level (macro data) of the abandoned metal mine unit. Through a fitted model, the variation of blood lead levels among abandoned metal mines was confirmed and the effect of the operationally defined soil contamination level was estimated. Results: Among the total variation in blood lead levels, the variation between abandoned mines was 18.6%, and the variation determined by the upper-level factors such as soil contamination and water contamination was 8.1%, which was statistically significant respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference in the least square mean of blood lead concentration according to the level of soil contamination (p=0.047, low: 2.32 ㎍/dL, middle: 2.38 ㎍/dL, high: 2.59 ㎍/dL). Conclusions: The blood lead concentration of residents living near abandoned metal mines was significantly correlated with the level of soil contamination. Therefore, in biomonitoring for vulnerable areas, operationally defined soil contamination can be used as a predictor for human exposure level to hazardous substances and discrimination of high-risk abandoned metal mines.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.250-257
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• 2016

This study was conducted to extract the factors affecting the microbial safety of leaf and stem vegetables in the high school foodservice and to provide information for supplying the safe foodservice menu. The lunch and dinner menu (1,945 data) of the total 6 high schools at the Central and the South Region in March, June, September, and December were collected. The frequency analysis and the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) based on the 3 factors (potentially hazardous food (PHF), leafy and stem vegetables in the menu, the cooking methods) were conducted. The most frequent PHF was the menu of blanched vegetables, salads, seaweeds and fried chicken. The most frequent consumed leaf and stem vegetables were spinach, chive, lettuce, Western cabbage, perilla leaf, iceberg lettuce, chicory, leek and broccoli. MCA based on the leaf and stem vegetables, the region, and the cooking method (cooked/non-cooked) showed that garlic stem and spinach were more used in the Central Region, while water drop-wort were more used in the South Region. Iceberg lettuce, Bok choy and leek were included frequently in the PHF menu. Plant products frequently used in PHF menu requires the food safety system such as Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) to reduce the microbial risk. The menu database according to raw materials based on cooking methods (heating or mixing) as well as the development and verification of menu based on the microbial safety will be contributed to provide the safer foodservice menu.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to styrene on the components of metabolic syndrome. We surveyed 263 employees, among whom 117workers we ere chronically exposed to styrene in glass-reinforced plastic boat manufacturing factories and 146 controls had never been occupationally exposed to styrene as will as hazardous chemicals. The general and job characteristics such as age, smoking and drinking habit, working hours and duration were not significant different except sleeping hours(p<0.05). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose were significantly higher in exposed workers. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the components of metabolic syndrome, waist circumference was insulin (OR=1.129), blood pressure was MA(OR=14.724), fasting glucose(OR=1.191) and metabolic syndrome(OR=1.110) were significantly associated with insulin. The mean concentration of airborne styrene was $ 38.1{\pm}40.1$ ppm, blood concentrations of glucose and insulin and levels of HOMA-IR in over 50 ppm exposed group were higher than in blow 50 ppm exposed group. These results suggested that the exposure of styrene affects blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin levels and that dysfunction and/or declination in glucose and insulin metabolism might induced ultimately insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2007

This study was performed to find out hazardous factors in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders(MSDs) for four company attached to dining workers from October 2005 to June 2006. The results are summarized as follows. 1. 42.5% of workers in study group were 40-50 years old, and females were higher than males, and the average of body weight was 70kg, 57kg in males and females, respectively. Working time per day was mostly 7-9hours, and the rate of worker who had never education and training was 46%. 2. The upper part and right part of body were higher than lower part and left part in symptoms of muscular skeletal disorders. Body parts which complained of symptoms were the order of right shoulder(55%), right arm(54%), right hand,(40%) waist(35%), leg(25%), and neck(24%). 3. The results of evaluation in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders to cooking, dish supply, preparing side dish, and washing the dishes and cleaning the floor of cooking room using RULA and OWAS checklists was action level 4(potential hazards, needs of change workplace), and the result of evaluation using back compressive force needed control measures as 779.27 lbs~1,274.04 lbs. In a view point of the result of this study, large dining rooms should be designed by ergonomic technology for the work surface height, width, and depth. The height of carrying car should be lower to 70cm, and repetitiveness and handling weight should be reduced by mechanical means, and education and training also should be performed for all of workers positively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.194-202
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to develop educational materials on field practice safety based on existing field practice data and accident cases regarding vocational high schools and apply them to identify their impact. Methods: The existing data, accumulated since 2010, on field practices of vocational high schools were analyzed, and educational materials regarding field practices were developed by six experts. 195 students in three vocational high schools were surveyed before and after being taught with the materials. The survey asked about their knowledge of industrial safety and health and attitudes toward industrial safety and health. Results: As a result of the study, harmful environments for field practices of vocational high schools were physical, chemical, ergonomic, and emotional labor, and the consequences were accidents, death by overwork, musculoskeletal diseases, etc. The materials covered students' rights and how to respond to workplace accidents in the 1st round, how to organize a workshop in the 2nd round, workplace safety and health signs in the 3rd round, prevention of musculoskeletal diseases in the 4th round, management of physical risk factors in 5th round, management of hazardous chemicals in 6th round, wearing and managing protective equipment in 7th round, first aid depending on the situation in the 8th round, CPR and defibrillator in the 9th round, sexual harassment in the 10th round, and prevention of sexual violence in the 11th round. After completing the education, their knowledge of industrial safety and health increased significantly from 6.52 points to 7.01 points. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest: first, to statistically organize the data on accidents that have occurred during field practices of vocational high schools; second, to develop a systematic curriculum for high school 1st to 3rd graders on accidents that may happen during field practices of vocational high schools.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.192-199
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• 2024

Background: Safety data sheets (SDSs) are hazard communication materials that accompany chemicals/hazardous products in the workplace. Many SDSs contain dense, technical text, which places considerable comprehension demands on workers, especially those with lower literacy skills. The goal of this study was to assess SDSs for readability, comprehensibility, and suitability (i.e., fit to the target audience). Methods: The Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool assessed SDSs for suitability and readability. We then amended the SAM tool to further assess SDSs for comprehensibility factors. Both the original and amended SAM tool were used to score 45 randomly selected SDSs for content, literacy demand, graphics, and layout/typography. Results: SDSs performed poorly in terms of readability, suitability, and comprehensibility. The mean readability scores were Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (9.6), Gunning Fog index (11.0), Coleman-Liau index (13.7), and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook index (10.7), all above the recommended reading level. The original SAM graded SDSs as "not suitable" for suitability and readability. When the amended SAM was used, the mean total SAM score increased, but the SDSs were still considered "not suitable" when adding comprehensibility considerations. The amended SAM tool better identified content-related issues specific to SDSs that make it difficult for a reader to understand the material. Conclusions: In terms of readability, comprehensibility, and suitability, SDSs perform poorly in their primary role as a hazard communication tool, therefore, putting workers at risk. The amended SAM tool could be used when writing SDSs to ensure that the information is more easily understandable for all audiences.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.45-54
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• 2019

According to the Laboratory Safety Act, each laboratory in the field of science and technology must conduct safety inspections and diagnosis every year or every two years. At present, the relevant guidelines are not clear, so there is a high possibility that inspection and diagnosis will become ineffective. In the laboratory, there is a pre-risk factor analysis system for hazardous factors, but there are many difficulties in implementation due to lack of education and understanding of the researchers, excessive work, etc. For the analysis of the opinions of experts in the safety field using the Delphi technique, we analyzed the following items: 1. Consideration in applying the Lab Safety Act, 2. Consideration in Lab Safety inspection and diagnosis, and 3. Government policy necessary for Lab. safety. Through the investigation and analysis of the detailed items, we extracted for problems and alternatives in current laboratory safety diagnosis and current law.