• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine the health of beauty salon workers through the utilization of questionnaires concerning the extent of exposure to organic solvents found in the air of some beauty salons and any resultant symptoms in employees. The subjects were 36 employees from 10 beauty salons who agreed to participate in this study. The degree of exposure to organic solvents in the air of beauty salons was measured from September 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008. A survey of symptoms that occurred due to exposure to these solvents was also performed. The results were as follows: questionnaires were collected and analyzed from a total of 36 subjects. Of these, 28(77.8%) were female and 8(22.2%) were male. The mean age was 29.08. The mean working period was 7.13 years. Sixteen subjects attended programs at universities while 11 went to beauty schools for vocational education. When testing the concentration of organic solvents in the air of beauty salons, the highest value found was Isopropyl alcohol 511.85 ppb followed by butyl acetate, toluene, acetone, xylene, ethyl benzene, styrene, and chlorobenzene. A logistic regression analysis was performed as follows: the point of each factor was the dependent variable while sex, age, drinking, smoking, educational level, work experience, hairdresser's license, and organic solvents were the independent variables. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was shown in the hairdresser's license among Factor 1 and in Xylene among Factor 2; however, difference was not shown in the other variables.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2001

The purposes of the study were (1) to evaluate the olfactory identification ability in those who have bad breath, (2) to determine the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan in normal subjects and those who have bad breath, and (3) to evaluate the effect of oral hygiene care on the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan. Sixteen male subjects with bad breath (male odor group), 9 male subjects without bad breath (male non-odor group), and 10 female subjects without bad breath (female non-odor group) were included for the study. Olfactory identification ability was assessed by administrating the Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT), and the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was measured by two-alternative forced-choice single-staircase detection threshold procedure in a double-blinded condition. The geometric mean of the last four staircase reversal points of a total of seven reversals is used as the threshold. For the male odor group, after 1 month of intensive oral hygiene care for reducing oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) concentration, the olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was measured again and compared to the initial value. The ANOVA was used to test the group difference of olfactory threshold and olfactory identification ability and the paired t-test was used to test the difference of olfactory threshold between before and after reduction of oral VSC in male odor group. The results were as follows : 1. There was no significant difference in olfactory identification ability among those who have bad breath and normal male or female subjects. 2. The olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan was about 8.4 ppb in normal male and female. 3. There was a tendency that male subjects with bad breath showed a higher olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan when compared to those of no bad breath. 4. The olfactory detection threshold for methyl mercaptan returned to a normal level after 1 month of intensive oral hygiene care for reducing oral VSC.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

Removal of dissolved uranium by D. baculatum, a sulfate-reducing bacterium, and effects of trace metals such as manganese, copper, nickel, and cobalt were investigated. Total concentrations of dissolved uranium and trace metals were used by $50\;{\mu}M$ and $200\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Most dissolved uranium decreased up to a non-detectable level (< 10 ppb) MS during the experiments. Most of the heavy metals did nearly not affect the bioremoval rates and amounts of uranium, but copper restrained microbial activity. However, it is found that dissolved uranium rapidly decreased after 2 weeks, showing that the bacteria can overcome the copper toxicity and remove the uranium. It is observed that nickel and cobalt were readily coprecipitated with biogenic mackinawite.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.89-99
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• 1981

This study was performed to investigate the contamination level of heavy metals in freshwater flshes. The samples of 92 cases were collected at 7 areas located on HanRiver from November to December in 1980. Contents of heavy metals: cadmium, lead, copper, chromium and zinc were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were as follows: 1. Generally mean value of the heavy metal contents of fishes collected on lower parts of Han River were higher than those of upper parts. 2. In the cadmium contents, the highest value was $20.52{\pm}5.10$ ppb in Carassius auratus, and the values at Hannam and Noryangjin area were higher than those at other parts on Han River. 3. In the lead contents, the highest was $0.29{\pm}0.03ppm$ in Carassius auratus and that in Parasilurus asotus was the lowest $0.12{\pm}0.02ppm$ Mean contents of lead in the samples of Hannam and Haengjue area were higher than those of other area 4. In the copper contents, the highest value was $3.13{\pm}0.34ppm$ in Carassius auratus and the contents of fishes of Haengjue area was higher than those of any other area. It was significant among the species, but not among the collecting areas in copper contents. 5. In the chromium contents, the highest was $1.16{\pm}0.12ppm$ in Carassius auratus and that in Parasilurus asotus was the lowest $0.21{\pm}0.01ppm$ The contents of samples of Hannam and Noryangjin area were also higher than those of other area. 6. In the zinc contents, that in Arassius auratus was the highest value with $14.06{\pm}1.13ppm$ and that in Parasilurus asotus was the lowest $4.79{\pm}0.53ppm$. On the other hand, it was significant among the species and collecting areas. 7. Accumulation of heavy metals in freshwater fishes is tended to increase with growth.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.126-140
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• 2011

Genetic determinants of two metallothionein isoforms (MT-A and MT-B) were isolated and characterized from the perciform species, rockbream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Rockbream MT-A and MT-B shared a high degree of homology at amino acid levels with representative orthologs from other perciform species, especially with respect to the conserved cysteine residues. At the genomic level, both MT-A and MT-B genes represent a tripartite structure typical of vertebrate MT genes. However, rockbream MT-B showed unusually large introns (1.2 kb and 0.8 kb for intron I and II, respectively), a phenomenon that has rarely been seen in other vertebrate MT genes. MT-A and MT-B transcripts were ubiquitously detected in a wide array of tissues, wherein brain and eye showed the highest basal expression levels, and the fin exhibited the lowest expression of both isoforms. The basal expression of MT-A in most tissues was significantly higher (ranging from 4- to 10-fold) than that of MT-B. Upon heavy metal exposures to Cd, Cu or Zn at 25 ppb for 48 h, MT-A and MT-B transcripts in the liver were significantly activated by Cd and moderately by Zn. On the other hand, exposure to Cu did not result in alterations of MT-A, nor in the significant suppression of MT-B. Following bacterial challenges with Escherichia coli, Edwardsiella tarda or Streptococcus iniae, MT isoforms in the liver, kidney and spleen were highly modulated and exhibited a pattern that was dependent on the bacterial species, tissues and isoforms. These results suggest that the two MT isoforms could be taken into account as potential indicators of metal toxicity and immune perturbations of this aquaculture-relevant species.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.2813-2818
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• 2010

A novel method was developed for the speciation of chromium in natural water samples based on homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). In this method, Cr(III) reacts with a new Schiff's base ligand to form the hydrophobic complex, which is subsequently entrapped in the sediment phase, whereas Cr(VI) remained in aqueous phase. The Cr(VI) assay is based on its reduction to Cr(III) by the addition of sodium sulfite to the sample solution. Thus, separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be realized. Homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction based on the pH-independent phase-separation process was investigated using a ternary solvent system (water-tetrabutylammonium ion ($TBA^+$)-chloroform) for the preconcentration of chromium. The phase separation phenomenon occurred by an ion-pair formation of TBA and perchlorate ion. Then sedimented phase was separated using a $100\;{\mu}L$ micro-syringe and diluted to 1.0 mL with ethanol. The sample was introduced into the flame by conventional aspiration. After the optimization of complexation and extraction conditions such as pH = 9.5, [ligand] = $1.0{\times}10^{-4}\;M$, [$TBA^+$] = $2.0{\times}10^{-2}\;M$, [$CHCl_3$] = $100.0\;{\mu}L$ and [$ClO_4$] = $2.0{\times}10{-2}\;M$, a preconcentration factor (Va/Vs) of 100 was obtained for only 10 mL of the sample. The relative standard deviation was 2.8% (n = 10). The limit of detection was sufficiently low and lie at ppb level. The proposed method was applied for the extraction and determination of chromium in natural water samples with satisfactory results.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.407-411
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• 2020

In this study, we propose an array-type gas sensor with high selectivity and response using multiple oxide semiconductors. The sensor array was composed of SnO₂ and In₂O₃, and the detection characteristics were improved by using Pt, Au, and Pd catalysts. All samples were deposited directly on the Pt interdigitated electrode (IDE) through the e-beam evaporator glancing angle deposition (GAD) method. They grew in the form of well-aligned nanorods at off-axis angles. The prepared SnO₂ and In₂O₃ nanorod samples were exposed to CH₃COCH₃, C₇H₈, and NO₂ gases in a 300℃ dry condition. Au-decorated SnO₂, Au-decorated In₂O₃, and Pd-decorated In₂O₃ exhibited high selectivity for CH₃COCH₃, C₇H₈, and NO₂, respectively. They demonstrated a high detection limit of the sub ppb level computationally. In addition, measurements from each sensor were executed in the 40% relative humidity condition. Although there was a slight reduction in detection response, high selectivity and distinguishable detection characteristics were confirmed.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.122-134
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• 2011

Objectives: Seven cases of malignant lymphohematopoietic (LHP) disorder were claimed to have developed from occupational exposure at two plants of a semiconductor company from 2007 to 2010. This study evaluated the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents for the cases. Methods: Clinical courses were reviewed with assessing possible exposure to carcinogenic agents related to LHP cancers. Chemicals used at six major semiconductor companies in Korea were reviewed. Airborne monitoring for chemicals, including benzene, was conducted and the ionizing radiation dose was measured from 2008 to 2010. Results: The latency of seven cases (five leukemiae, a Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an aplastic anemia) ranged from 16 months to 15 years and 5 months. Most chemical measurements were at levels of less than 10% of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit value. No carcinogens related to LHP cancers were used or detected. Complete-shielded radiation-generating devices were used, but the ionizing radiation doses were 0.20-0.22 uSv/hr (background level: 0.21 ${\mu}Sv/hr$). Airborne benzene was detected at 0.31 ppb when the detection limit was lowered as low as possible. Ethylene oxide and formaldehyde were not found in the cases' processes, while these two were determined to be among the 263 chemicals in the list that was used at the six semiconductor companies at levels lower than 0.1%. Exposures occurring before 2002 could not be assessed because of the lack of information. Conclusion: Considering the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents, we could not find any convincing evidence for occupational exposure in all investigated cases. However, further study is needed because the semiconductor industry is a newly developing one.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.685-693
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• 2020

Objectives: Recent data indicate that sensitization to mold contributes to the severity and persistence of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between indoor mold concentrations and pulmonary function parameters in asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Methods: Asthmatic subjects who had a positive result in skin-prick testing to more than one mold allergen, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, or Penicillium, were enrolled. Their pulmonary function and methacholine challenge test results were collected. Measurements of blood eosinophil, serum IgE, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken. Indoor levels of VOC, CO2, PM10 and PM2.5 in each subject's house were measured. We counted mold and bacteria colonies from the subjects' house air samples. Results: The mean levels of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 were 82.8±19.7, 87.3±17.9, 85.8±8.3, and 82.3±28.9%, respectively. The mean FeNO level was 19.8±11.2 ppb and the geometric mean (range of one SD) of methacholine PC20 was 3.99 mg/mL (0.67-23.74 mg/mL). The average indoor air pollutant levels were below the recommended levels set by the Ministry of Environment for multiplex buildings. Indoor mold levels showed a significant inverse correlation with methacholine PC20, but not with the baseline pulmonary function parameters. Conclusion: Indoor mold concentrations are a risk factor for increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness among asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Targeted environmental intervention should be considered for selected asthmatic children with mold sensitization for avoiding severe airway hyperresponsiveness.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2024

Gas-sensor technology for volatile organic compounds (VOC) biomarker detection offers significant advantages for noninvasive diagnostics, including rapid response time and low operational costs, exhibiting promising potential for disease diagnosis. Colorimetric gas sensors, which enable intuitive analysis of gas concentrations through changes in color, present additional benefits for the development of personal diagnostic kits. However, the traditional method of visually monitoring these sensors can limit quantitative analysis and consistency in detection threshold evaluation, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy. To address this, we developed a machine vision platform based on metal-organic framework (MOF) for colorimetric gas sensor arrays, designed to accurately detect disease-related VOC biomarkers. This platform integrates a CMOS camera module, gas chamber, and colorimetric MOF sensor jig to quantitatively assess color changes. A specialized machine vision algorithm accurately identifies the color-change Region of Interest (ROI) from the captured images and monitors the color trends. Performance evaluation was conducted through experiments using a platform with four types of low-concentration standard gases. A limit-of-detection (LoD) at 100 ppb level was observed. This approach significantly enhances the potential for non-invasive and accurate disease diagnosis by detecting low-concentration VOC biomarkers and offers a novel diagnostic tool.