• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.78-90
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• 1993

This study was designed obtain and early detection the workers exposed to excessive copper dust and also to present biological exposure index. The exposed group consisted of 62 male workers at the metallurgy workplaces. To evaluate the degree of individual exposure the copper dust, each personal air sampling was collected. Biological exposures in the exposed group was quantified for the blood and urine copper levels using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The control group consisted of 70 male adults with the history of nonexposure to copper by the inhalation occupationally. The average concentration of copper in blood and urine of the exposed group was $49.44{\pm}8.90(29.05-80.63){\mu}g/dl$, $39.99{\pm}11.04(29.62-80.63){\mu}g/l$ respectively. The average concentration of air borne copper was $0.48{\pm}0.31(0.03-1.18)mg/m^3$. The average concentration of blood and urine copper in the control group was $42.93{\pm}5.84(25.05-57.85){\mu}g/dl$, $33.02{\pm}13.38(12.00-82.05){\mu}g/l$ respectively. The difference observed in the average concentration of blood and urine copper of the exposed and control groups was statistically significant seperately (blood copper, p<0.05 ; urine copper, p<0.05). The relationship between the individual exposure concentration of air borne copper and the concentration of the blood and urine copper was statistically significant, respectively (blood copper, r=0.54, p<0.05 ; urine copper, r=0.37, p<0.05). The relationship between the working duration and the concentration of blood and urine was not statistically significant respectively (blood copper, r=0.14 ; urine copper, r=0.12). The relationship between the age and the concentration of blood and urine copper was statistically not significant respectively (blood copper, r=013 ; urine copper, r=-0.06). The relationship between blood and urine copper concentration in the exposed group was statistically significant (r=0.62, p<0.05), and the relationship between blood and urine copper concentration in the control group was also statistically significant (r=0.39, p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2014

Objectives: This study is intended to seek credible and efficient measurements on airborne asbestos concentrations that allow immediate action by establishing complementary data through comparative analysis with existing PCM and KF-100 method real-time monitoring equipment in working areas in Seoul where asbestos-containing buildings are being demolished, including living environment surroundings. Materials: We measured airborne asbestos concentrations using PCM and KF-100 at research institutes, monitoring networks, subway stations and demolition sites of asbestos-containing buildings. Through this measurement data and KF-100 performance testing, we drew a conversion factor and applied it via KF-100. Finally we verified the relationship between PCM and KF-100 with statistical methods. Results: The airborne asbestos concentrations by PCM for the objects of study were less than the detection limit(7 fiber/$mm^2$) in three (20%) out of 15 samples. The highest concentration was 0.009 f/cc. The airborne asbestos concentrations by PCM in laboratories, monitoring networks, subway stations and demolition sites of asbestos-containing buildings were respectively $0.002{\pm}0.000$ f/cc, $0.004{\pm}0.001$ f/cc, $0.009{\pm}0.001$ f/cc, and $0.002{\pm}0.000$ f/cc. As a result of KF-100 performance testson rooftops, the conversion factor was 0.1958. Applying the conversion factor to KF-100 for laboratories, the airborne asbestos concentrations ratio of the two ways was nearly 1:1.5($R^2$=0.8852). Also,the airborne asbestos concentration ratio of the two ways was nearly 1:1($R^2$=0.9071) for monitoring networks, subway stations, and demolition sites of asbestos-containing buildings. As a result of independent sample t-tests, there was no distinction between airborne asbestos concentrations monitored in the two ways. Conclusions: In working areas where asbestos-containing buildings are being demolished, including living environment surroundings, quickly and accurately monitoring airborne asbestos scattered in the air around the working area is highly important. For this, we believea mutual interface of existing PCM and a real-time monitoring equipment method is possible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

The purposes of this study was to collect, analyze, and describe the MF exposure levels from subways in Korea and to measure and evaluate the MF levels generated from electric appliances used at general homes. The target subway lines were Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 to Line 8, Bundang Line, Incheon Line, Daegu Line, Gwangju Line, and Busan Line 1 and Line 2. We measured at each station in those subway lines and, all the train types (pantograph-equipped, motor-equipped, and common), and platform types(facing and isolating) were investigated by the distance(80, 200, 400 cm) from the train on 19 targeted subway lines using 3 magnetic field measuring devices (EMDEXII, Enertech Co.) during the survey from January till October, 2004. On the other hand, the levels of the 60Hz magnetic fields generated from 14 items of home electric appliances such as electric blankets, hair dryers, electric razors, etc. were measured at 10 general homes using 5 EMDEXII meters with a sampling interval of 1.5 second by the distance(surface, 30, 50, 100, 300cm ) from the target electric appliances. The survey results in the whole subway lines examined in this study were as follows; Seoul Metropolitan Line 4 using AC(alternating current) power source showed the highest mean value of $2.85{\mu}T$, followed by Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 running between Seoul and Incheon using AC($2.78{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Uijongbu using AC($2.73{\mu}T$), Bundang Line using AC($1.79{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 connected from Yongsan using AC($1.67{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Suwon using AC($0.79{\mu}T$), and so on. In general, the intensity of the magnetic field in the subway systems in Korea was significantly higher when using AC($2.14{\pm}0.91{\mu}T$) than when using DC($0.29{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$) power source. Among the home electric appliances examined, microwave ovens showed the highest mean value of $7.69{\mu}T$, followed by hair dryers($6.47{\mu}T$), vacuum cleaners($5.27{\mu}T$), televisions ($2.26{\mu}T$), electric blankets($1.38{\mu}T$), personal computers ($0.81{\mu}T$), and so on. Two items of electric appliances showed the excess value of $0.2{\mu}T$ at the distance of 30cm in the MF exposure level; electric razors $1.58{\pm}2.13{\mu}T$ and vacuum cleaners $0.48{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$. As a whole, this study showed a tendency that the shift of the MF levels according to the increase of distance from the electric appliances was lower than those of the results surveyed in UK and USA. As a result, this study is expected to suggest meaningful data for the future study in exposure assessment of magnetic fields and for the establishment of guidelines for subways and electric appliances in Korea. More detailed and large scaled exposure assessment studies should be performed continuously to get the various and useful information on health risk assessment of MFs in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 1994

Diffusional sampling devices offer many advantages for measuring concentration levels of industrial contaminants than the conventional pump and charcoal tubes because they are lightweight, require no power, pump or tubing. This study designed to evaluate and compare the sampling performance of passive sampler to charcoal tube from mixed organic solvent workplace with 181 organic solvent using workers working in different concentration of organic solvents. All study workers kept both devices in their breathing zone simultaneuosly in the workplaces, and the sampling analytical results were compared with those of charcoal tube. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The concentrations of toluene and xylene measured by passive sampler were slightly higher than those of charcoal tube, but there were no significant statistical differences between two methods. 2. The concentrations of MEK and cyclo-hexanone measured by passive sampler in low exposure workplace (below 0.20 of MEK TLV levels and 0.1 of cyclo-hexanone TLV levels) were about 2 times higher than that of charcoal tube sampling. While, absorption efficiency of passive sampler was reduced according to increasing concentration measurements of MEK and cyclo-hexanone in air. 3. The ratios of concentrations of toluene, xylene, MEK and cyc1o-hexanone measured by passive sampler over those measured by charcoal tube were 1.11, 1.07, 1.63 and 3.65 respectively. 4. The percentages of concentration of passive samplers within 0.75 and 1.25 of charcoal tube value as a reference value of 1.0 were 57% in toluene, 74% in xylene, 34% in MEK and 32% in cyclo-hexanone respectively. 5. The correlation coefficients of toluene, xylene, MEK and cyclo-hexanone between passive sampler and charcoal tube sampler were 0.963, 0.957, 0.943 and 0.562 with statistical significance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1994

The urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid has been widely used as a measure of the biological effect of lead in lead exposed workers. It is usually measured by colorimetric method based on the color reaction of ALA-pyrrole with Ehrlich's reagent. But the results of ${\delta}$-ALA in urine by this method are somewhat artificially higher than expected due to the urinary ALA-like compound such as aminoacetone. On the other hand, the recently developed fluorometric HPLC method is very sensitive and specific for the measuring urinary ALA. In order to compare the data obtained by two methods and to investigate the interrelation between two methods, 117 lead workers with different lead exposure were checked urinary ${\delta}$-ALA, blood lead and other lead exposure related indices. The results obtained are as follows; 1. Urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-ALA by colorimetric method is 2.15 times higher than HPLC method in overall, revealing 2.47 times in workers of blood lead less than $20{\mu}g/dl$, 2.53 times in workers of blood lead $21-40{\mu}g/dl$ and 1.86 times in workers of blood lead over $41{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. 2. While the correlation coefficients of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by colorimetric method with blood lead and blood ZPP was 0.571 and 0.629, those of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by HPLC with blood lead and blood ZPP were 0.6l0 and 0.637. All the correlation coefficients were statistically significant, but there was no statistical difference of correlation coefficients between two methods. 3. The correlation coefficient of urinary excretion of ${\delta}$-ALA between two method was 0.838 without any correction, but it was 0.852 with the correction of specific gravity 1.024. 4. Simple linear regression of ${\delta}$-ALA measured by HPLC method on ${\delta}$-ALA measured by colorimetric method was (ALA-UPH)=-0.245+0.536 (ALA-UCO) without any correction and it was (SP ALA)=-0.525+0.598 (SP ALA-UCO) with the correction of specific gravity 1.024. With above results, it is recommended that the diagnostic criteria of ${\delta}$-ALA for lead poisoning needed to be revised if ${\delta}$-ALA is measured by HPLC rather than colorimetric method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.113-131
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the exposure levels of worker exposed to welding fume and metals in confined spaces of a shipyard. The airborne concentration of welding fumes and metal elements in confined spaces were compared with those in open working areas. Results of the study were as follows. 1. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in a confined space was $16.6mg/m^3$, which contained $3.9mg/m^3$ Fe, $1.2mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.8mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.008mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in open working areas was $5.2mg/m^3$, which contained $1.1mg/m^3$ Fe, $0.3mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.3mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.004mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.0003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in confined spaces was 3,2 times higher than that in open working areas. The geometric mean concentrations of such metals as Fe, Mg, Zn, or Cu within fume in confined spaces were 2-4 times higher than those in open working areas, while little difference made such metals as Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd. 2. In 32 samples out of a total of 39 samples (82.1%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV. while so did 19 samples out of 33 samples (57.6%) in open working areas. As for the concentrations of metals in welding flume from confined spaces, Fe exceeded TLV in 14 out of a total of 38 samples (36.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 23 out of a total of 38 samples (60.5%). As for the concentration of metals in welding fume from open working areas, Fe exceeded TLV in 3 out of a total of 34 samples (8.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 6 out of a total of 34 samples (17.6%). Considering additive effect among metals, in 31 out of a total of 39 samples (79.5%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV, while so did 14 out of 38 samples (55.6%) in open working areas. 3. In respect of base metal and welding type the concentration of total welding fume by $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel was the highest, followed by semiauto MMA/mild steel, then followed by TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. ; as for concentration of metal within fume, a decreasing order was Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb in $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel and semiauto MMA/mild steel, but Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni in TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. 4. In case of welding base metal covered by paint, contents of Zn within red paint chip and within gray paint chip were 14.0% and 0.08% respectively, which showed a little difference, while the airborne concentrations of Zn within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $1.351mg/m^3$ and $1.018mg/m^3$ respectively, which showed little difference. As for Pb, contents of red paint chip and gray paint chip were 0.14% and 0.08% respectively, and the airborne concentrations within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $0.009mg/m^3$ and $0.007mg/m^3$ respectively, both of which showed little difference.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.644-651
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• 2012

This study purports to measure the level of work friendship in dental clinic and examines the friendship's effect on the organizational effectiveness. Data were collected from workers who worked in dental clinic located in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas by self-administered questionnaires from early in October till lately in September, 2009 through direct interview and e-mail. Among 250 questionnaires, 240 responses were returned, and 17 copies with an inaccurate answer were excluded. Finally 223 responses were analyzed through SPSS program. The study revealed that the work friendship in dental clinic has enormous influence on job satisfaction, occupational commitment, intent to leave, stress etc. The results imply that the managers of the dental clinics need to create an organizational climate which emphasizes on a good relationship among members and have them take part in various committees or informal activities.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.558-565
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to work related musculoskeletal disorders are a major. Occupational disease of the dental care profession is no exception. The survey was self-reported questionars of 300 dental hygienists that 268 dental hygienists reply to self-reported survey. This study results are as follows: Subjects of research analyzing the degree of physical musculoskeletal disorders pain, shoulder 90.3%, neck 89.2%, leg 83.6%, 81.7% back, hand/wrist/fingers 75.7%, arm/elbow, according to 52.8%. Therefore the work province of the research object people the musculoskeletal disorders appeared different. Generally characteristic was taller dental hygienists lower back pain and were out of less weight, study subjects had neck and arm pain. 29~33 year-old age the shoulder, over the age of 34 the arm/elbow to be high (p<0.05). Working environment to become a career, the more hand/wrist/fingers and the pain increased (p<0.05). The neck, shoulders (p<0.05), arm (p<0.01), waist high in the 3~4 years experience. And leg/foot was in the 1~2 years experience. This increase in working hours had increased pain in the neck but the hand/wrist/finger pain in the small hours of experience in the high pain(p<0.01). Conclusion of the musculoskeletal disorders of the dental hygienists often than the average for this risk is recognized. When it occurs early in treatment can be simple, but time is left to revert to normal when you do not already. Therefore, maintaining proper posture and dental hygienists, pain or fatigue appeared to accumulate immediately treated continued efforts are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.342-352
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• 2020

Objectives: The characteristics of research workers are different from those working in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the reagents used change according to the research due to the characteristics of the laboratory, and the amounts used vary. In addition, since the working time changes almost every day, it is difficult to adjust the time according to exposure standards. There are also difficulties in setting standards as in the manufacturing industry since laboratory environments and the types of experiments performed are all different. For these reasons, the measurement of the working environment of research workers is not realistically carried out within the legal framework, there is a concern that the accuracy of measurement results may be degraded, and there are difficulties in securing data. The exposure evaluation based on an eight-hour time-weighted average used for measuring the working environment to be studied in this study may not be appropriate, but it was judged and consequently applied as the most suitable method among the recognized test methods. Methods: The investigation of the use of chemical substances in the research laboratory, which is the subject of this study, was conducted in the order of carrying out work environment measurement, sample analysis, and result analysis. In the case of the use of chemical substances, after organizing the substances to be measured in the working environment, the research workers were asked to write down the status, frequency, and period of use. Work environment measurement and sample analysis were conducted by a recognized test method, and the results were compared with the exposure standards (TWA: time weighted average value) for chemical substances and physical factors. Results: For the substances subject to work environment measurement, the department of chemical engineering was the most exposed, followed by the department of chemistry. This can lead to exposure to a variety of chemicals in departmental laboratories that primarily deal with chemicals, including acetone, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, and normal hexane. Hydrogen chloride was measured higher than the average level of domestic work environment measurements. This can suggest that researchers in research activities should also be managed within the work environment measurement system. As a result of a comparison between the professional science and technology service industry and the education service industry, which are the most similar business types to university research laboratories among the domestic work environment measurements provided by the Korea Safety and Health Agency, acetone, dichloromethane, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, nitric acid, normal hexane, and hydrogen chloride are items that appear higher than the average level. This can also be expressed as a basis for supporting management within the work environment measurement system. Conclusions: In the case of research activity workers' work environment measurement and management, specific details can be presented as follows. When changing projects and research, work environment measurement is carried out, and work environment measurement targets and methods are determined by the measurement and analysis method determined by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The measurement results and exposure standards apply exposure standards for chemical substances and physical factors by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Implementation costs include safety management expenses and submission of improvement plans when exposure standards are exceeded. The results of this study were presented only for the measurement of the working environment among the minimum health management measures for research workers, but it is necessary to prepare a system to improve the level of safety and health.