• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.134-145
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• 2015

Objectives: An objective of this study was to perform a risk assessment and social cost-benefit analysis for revising permissible exposure limits for seven substances: Nickel(Insoluble inorganic compounds), benzene, carbon disulfide, formaldehyde, cadmium(as compounds), trichloroethylene, touluene-2,4-diisocyanate. Materials and Methods: The research methods were divided into risk and hazard assessment and cost-benefit analysis. The risk and hazard assessment for the seven substances consists of four steps: An overview of GHS MSDS(1st), review of document of ACGIH's TLVs (2nd), comparison between international occupational exposure limits and domestic permissible exposure limits(3rd), and analysis of excess workplace and excess rate for occupational exposure limits based on previous work environment measurement data(4th). Total cost was estimated using cost of local exhaust ventilation, number of excess workplace and penalties for exceeding a permissible exposure limit. On the other hand, total benefit was calculated using the reduction rate of occupational disease, number of workplaces treating each substance and industrial accident compensation. Finally, the net benefit was calculated by subtracting total cost from total benefit. Results: All the substances investigated in this study were classified by CMR(Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reproductive toxicants) and their international occupational exposure limits were stricter than the domestic permissible exposure limits. As a result of excess rate analysis, trichloroethylene was the highest at 11%, whereas nickel was the lowest at 0.5%. The excess rates of all substances except for trichloroethylene were observed at less than 10%. Among the seven substances, the total cost was highest for trichloroethylene and lowest for carbon disulfide. The benefits for the seven substances were higher than costs estimated based on strengthening current permissible exposure limits. Thus, revising the permissible exposure limits of the seven substances was determined to be acceptable from a social perspective. Conclusions: The final revised permissible exposure limits suggested for the seven substances are as follows: $0.2mg/m^3$ for nickel, 0.5 ppm(TWA) and 2.5 ppm(STEL) for benzene, 1 ppm(TWA) for carbon disulfide, $0.01mg/m^3$(TWA) for cadmium, 10 ppm(TWA) and 25 ppm(STEL) for trichloroethylene, 0.3 ppm(TWA) for formaldehyde, and 0.005 ppm(TWA) and 0.02 ppm(STEL) for toluene diisocynate(isomers).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2000

Carcinogen-DNA adduct analysis has potential for biomonitoring the earliest effects of exposure to many chemical carcinogens. They are the covalent reaction products of electrophiles and nucleophilic sites on DNA and the initial damage to DNA induced by many carcinogens. So many researchers begin to use them as biomarker for monitoring the earliest exposure of carcinogens and develop the effective analytical techniques about them. Randerath, Gupta and coworkers(1981, 1982) has also developed a $^{32}P$-postlabelling method as one among them. A major project for biomonitoring workers with carcinogen-DNA adducts is to develop non-invasive samples instead of tissues of target organs such as baldder and lung. This study use the exfoliated urothelial cells in urine for examine benzidine-DNA adducts. The content of exfoliated urothelial cells is not enough to significantly measure DNA content with spectrophotometer, and require the another way. So firstly washing the collected cells with PBS and 70% ethanol and centrifuge them for removing the crystals in urine, which block the isolation of DNA adducts. And then, measure the total nucleotide after $^{32}P$-postlabelling for calculating RAL. $[{\gamma}-^{32}P]ATP$ using for $^{32}P$-postlabelling, can synthesize with $[^{32}P]H_3PO_4$, and reagent and enzyme mixture (RM, EM), which is very economic in case of requiring a lot of them. Chromatography was composed of two steps. First step was to separate adduct ones from unadducted nucleotide, and secondary step was separate each adduct, which were performed with 4 kinds of solvents and different directions on TLC. With this procedure, we measure the DNA adducts in exfoliated urothelial cells of workers who were employed in benzidine and benzidine-dye company. RAL of adducts were $89.0{\times}10^7$ and $57.0{\times}10^7$ in them. In conclusion, we can significantly measure the DNA adduct in exfoliated urothelial cells by using the above $^{32}P$-postlabelling procedures, and use them to be biomonitoring workers who exposed carcinogens.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Background: Construction painters have not been studied well in terms of their hazards exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) for painters in the construction industry. Methods: Activity-specific personal air samplings were carried out in three waterproofing activities [polyurethane (PU), asphalt, and cement mortar] and three painting activities (epoxy, oil based, and water based) by using organic-vapor-monitor passive-sampling devices. Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector could be used for identifying and quantifying individual organic chemicals. The levels of TVOCs, by summing up 15 targeted substances, were expressed in exposure-index (EI) values. Results: As arithmetic means in the order of concentration levels, the EIs of TVOCs in waterproofing works were 10.77, 2.42, 1.78, 1.68, 0.47, 0.07, and none detected (ND) for indoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-resin task, indoor PU-resin task, asphalt-primer task, asphalt-adhesive task, and cement-mortar task, respectively. The highest EI for painting works was 5.61 for indoor epoxyprimer task, followed by indoor epoxy-resin task (2.03), outdoor oil-based-spray-paint task (1.65), outdoor water-based-paint task (0.66), and indoor oil-based-paint task (0.15). Assuming that the operations were carried out continuously for 8 hours without breaks and by using the arithmetic means of EIs for each of the 12 tasks in this study, 58.3% (7 out of 12) exceeded the exposure limit of 100% (EI > 1.0), while 8.3% (1 out of 12) was in 50e100% of exposure limit (0.5 > EI > 1.0), and 4 tasks out of 12 were located in less than 50% of the limit range (EI < 0.5). Conclusion: From this study, we recognized that construction painters are exposed to various solvents, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and the levels of TVOC concentration in many of the painting tasks exceeded the exposure limits. Construction workers need to be protected from chemical agents during their painting works by using personal protective devices and/or work practice measures. Additional studies should focus on the exposure assessment of other hazards for construction workers, in order to identify high-risk tasks and to improve hazardous work environments.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 1999

A population monitoring studies for assessing the genotoxicity of occupationally exposed mixed organic solvents to printers were performed by using the chromosome aberration assay and the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay. The incidence of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei was studied in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 51 male printers and their matched controls in Seoul area. Smoking habits and duration of employment were taken into account. The frequencies of micronucleus in peripheral lymphocytes of printers were significantly different in comparision with control subjects. Also there were significant increase in the frequencies of micronucleus by duration of exposure. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations showed no significant differences between printers and their matched controls.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.115-130
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• 2003

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) represents a common neurodegenerative disorder. While epidemiological studies have suggested a number of risk factors including age, gender, race, and inherited disorder, the cumulative evidence supports the view that environmental or occupational exposure to certain chemicals may contribute to the initiation and progress of Parkinsonism. More recently, clinical and laboratory investigations have led to the theory that dysregulation of iron, an essential metal to body function, may underlie IPD by initiating free radical reaction, diminishing the mitochondrial energy production, and provoking the oxidative cytotoxicity. The participation of iron in neuronal cell death is especially intriguing in that iron acquisition and regulation in brain are highly conservative and thus vulnerable to interference from other metals that bear the similar chemical reactivity. Manganese neurotoxicity, induced possibly by altering iron homeostasis, is such an example. In fact, the current interest in manganese neurotoxicology stems from two primary concerns: its clinical symptoms that resemble Parkinson's disease and its increased use as an antiknock agent to replace lead in gasoline. This article will commence with addressing the current understanding of iron-associated neurodegenerative damage. The major focus will then be devoted to the mechanism whereby manganese alters iron homeostasis in brain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.295-303
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• 2021

Objective: Paint manufacturing industry workers are exposed to various lung cancer carcinogenic substances including hexavalent chromium and crystalline silica. Studies have been conducted on lung cancer in Paint manufacturing industry workers and the concentration of hexavalent chromium in paint industry; however, the concentration of crystalline silica and hexavalent chromium and cases of lung cancer in a single Paint factory has never been reported in Korea. Methods: To determine whether the cancer was related to his work environment, we assessed the level of exposure to carcinogens during pouring and mixing talc and pigment. In addition, a mask fit test was performed for the worker. Results: Analysis of talc and silica bulk powder materials showed that crystalline silica (quartz) was 5% in talc and 100% in silica. The green and yellow pigments contained 87% and 92% of lead chromate, respectively. Our quantitative analysis of pigment powder samples showed that the hexavalent chromium contents quantified in the green and yellow pigment samples were 87% and 92%, respectively. In order to estimate his exposure level of hexavalent chromium, we measured a personal exposure level of hexavalent chromium for a worker in accordance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health #7605 method. The results showed that the worker was exposed to the high level of hexavalent chromium (0.033 mg m-3). In addition, the talc powder also contained 5% quartz, and the worker's exposure level to respirable quartz exceeded OEL. As a result of the respiratory protection fit test for workers, the overall Fit Factor was '15' when wearing a second-grade mask and '25' when wearing a first-grade mask, significantly lower than the US Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) pass value of "100". Conclusion: Workers who pouring and mixing powder materials such as talc or colored pigments in paint manufacturing company may be exposed to high concentrations of carcinogenic substances. These findings indicate that it is necessary to local ventilation system inspection, safety and health education for employers and workers, and periodically monitoring and manage the working environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.393-405
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• 2018

Objective: This study examines the types of hazardous factors in the working environment and the time-trend for their exposure levels over 10 years (2007 to 2016). Study Design and Method: The types of hazardous factors and exposure levels were drawn from the 19 measurement reports on the working environment over 10 years at a shock absorber manufacturing facility. Risk assessment of the types of factors and time-trend of exposure levels were evaluated using the factors and exposure levels. Results: A total of 34 hazardous factors were evaluated. The types were noise, 15 organic compounds, seven kinds of acid sand alkalis, eight kinds of heavy metals, and three other compounds. Special management materials used were nickel, hexavalent chrome, and sulfuric acid. Human carcinogens (1A) used were trichloroethylene, nickel, and sulfuric acid. There were six types of substances belonging to the IARC's 2B (body carcinogens) classification or higher, including, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl benzene, and trichloroethylene. No detection was found for 627 out of the 2065 total measurements in 19 exposure survey reports, representing 30.4%. Organic solvents, acid and alkali products, and heavy metals showed continuous low exposure concentrations. Noise, welding fumes, and the evaluation of mixed solvents show a gradual decrease in geometric mean and maximum over the time-trend of 10 years. Conclusions: In the case of a shock absorber manufacturing facility, the hazardous factors of noise and the evaluation of mixed solvents still indicate high concentrations exceeding the exposure limits and necessitate reduction studies. These two factors and welding fumes showed a continuous decrease in their ten-year tendency. Organic compounds, acids/alkalis, and heavy metals were managed smoothly in a work environment of continuous low concentrations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2001

Recently, biochemical analysis using hemoglobin adduct is frequently performed to evaluate the exposure to chemical carcinogens. However, data on the effect of co-exposure with other chemicals on hemoglobin adduct formation are seldom provided. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of pretreatment of ethanol(EtOH) and phenobarbital(PB), which are known to affect metabolism of xenobiotics, on the formation of hemoglobin adducts in the rats(Sprague-Dawley) administered benzidine(BZ). The experimental rats were divided into control, EtOH, and P8 groups. Rats were pretreated with EtOH or PB 24 hours before the oral administration of BZ. Blood sampling was taken before the administration of the chemicals and 0.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 hours after the administration of the BZ in 5 rats each. The blood was separated into hemoglobin and plasma immediately after taking the blood samples, and the adducts were undergone basic hydrolysis to convert them into aromatic amines. Hydrolyzed BZ, monoacetylbenzidine (MABZ), and 4-aminobiphenyl(4ABP) were separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography without derivatization, and quantitative analyses of them were performed by a highperformance liquid chromatograph equipped with electrochemical detector. The quantitative amount of the metabolites was expressed by hemoglobin binding index(HBI), BZ-, MABZ-, and 4ABP-HBI of EtOH and PB groups were increased more than those of control group. These results are attributable to the fact that EtOH and PB induced N-hydroxylation related to the hemoglobin adduct formation. The ratio of N-acetylation (viz, MABZ-HBI/BZ-HBI) showed no significant difference between EtOH group and control group. It means that EtOH increased N-hydroxylation and N-acetylation in a similar degree. The N-acetylation ratio of PB group was relatively lower than control group because the PB increased N-hydroxylation induction. The N-acetylation ratios of all groups were higher than 1 during the entire experimental period. This result suggests that the effects of EtOH or PB need to be considered in the biochemical monitoring for the assessment of intermittent exposure of benzidine.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.289-295
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• 1998

Used gasoline engine oils(UGEO) are carcinogenic in long term studies and capable of increasing the number of carcinogen-DNA adducts in short term studies when dermally applied to mice. The carcinogenic risk of UGEO has been attributed to the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH) which accumulate in the lubricating system during the combustion of gasoline. When dermally exposed to UGEO, the use of hand cleanser was commonly recommended for removing it. But generally workers who dermally exposed oils, use kerosene as cleaner which make skin trouble. During this study, female mice aged 4-6 weeks were utilized to evaluate the efficiency of kerosene, as solvent-based cleanser, following dermal exposure to UGEO. DNA adduct were detected at skin and lung tissues by using the $^{32}P$-postlabeling method. Washing with cleansers were done at two different interval times following dermal application of UGEO. The total DNA adducts in skin and lung tissues were statistically significantly increased in positive control groups, and of which the total adduct level in skin tissues was statistically significant higher than those in lung tissues(p=0.005). When washing kerosene, the DNA adduct level in skin tissues was statistically significantly decreased(p=0.0001). But DNA adducts in lung tissue was statistically increased(p=0.0039), and that washed at 8hr post exposure was more severly increase(p<0.05). The slope of regression between DNA adducts of lung between skin tissues was 1.0802. In conclusion, skin cleaning with kerosene facilitates passage of carcinogens to the lungs of animals dermally treated with used gasoline engine oils(UGEO).