• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2017

'The worstest environment disaster', 'World's first biocide massacre', 'Home-based Sewol ferry disaster' are all phrases attached to the recent humidifier disinfectant disaster. In the spring of 2011, four of 8 pregnant women including 1 adult man passed away at a university hospital in Seoul due to breathing failure. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Korean CDC soon revealed the inhalation of humidifier disinfectant, which had been widely used in Korea during the winter, to be responsible for the disease. As well as lung fibrosis hardening of the lungs, other diseases including asthma, rhinitis, skin disease, liver disease, fetal disease or cancers have been researched for their relation with exposure to the products. By February 9, 2017, 5,342 cases had registered for health problems and 1,131 of them were already dead (20.8% mortality rate). Based on studies by government agencies and a telephone survey of the general population by Seoul National University and civic groups, around 20% of the general public of Korea has used these products. Since the market release of the first product by SK Chemical in 1994, over 7.1 million items from around 20 brands were sold up to 2011. Most of the products were manufactured by well-known large conglomerates such as SK, Lotte, Samsung, Shinsegye, LG, and GS, as well as some European companies including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser and TESCO, the German firm Henkel, the Danish firm KeTox, and an Irish company. Even though this disaster was unveiled in 2011 by the Korean government, the issue of the victims was neglected for over five years. In 2016, an unexpected but intensive investigation by prosecutors found that Reckitt Benckiser manipulated and concealed animal tests for its own brand and brought several university experts and company employees to court. The matter was an intense social issue in Korea from May to June with a surge in media coverage. The prosecutor's investigation and a nationwide boycott campaign organized by victims and environmental groups against Reckitt Benckiser, whose product had been used by more than 70% of victims, led to the producer's official apology and a compensation scheme. A legislative investigation organized after the April 2016 national election revealed the producers' faults and the government's responsibility, but failed to meet expectations. A special law for the victims passed the National Assembly in January 2017 and a punitive system together with a massive environmental epidemiology investigation are expected to be the only solutions for this tragedy. Sciences of medicine, toxicology and environmental health have provided decisive evidence so far, but for the remaining problems the perspectives of social sciences such as sociology and jurisprudence are highly necessary, similar to with the Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon events. It may not be easy to follow this issue using unfamiliar terminology from medical and chemical science and the long, complicated history of the event. For these reasons the author has attempted to write this article in a question and answer format to render it easier to follow. The 17 questions are: Q1 What is humidifier disinfectant? Q2 What kind of health problems are caused by humidifier disinfectant? Q3 How many victims are there? Q4 What is the analysis of the 1,112 cases of death? Q5 What is the problem with the government's diagnostic criteria and the solution? Q6 Who made what brands? Q7 Has there been a recall? What is still on sale? Q8 Was safety not checked by any producers? Q9 What are the government's responsibilities? Q10 Is it true that these products were sold only in Korea? Q11 Why and how was it unveiled only in 2011 after 17 years of sales? Q12 What delayed the resolution of the victim issue? Q13 What is the background of the prosecutor's investigation in early 2016? Q14 Is it possible to report new victim cases without evidence of product purchase? Q15 What is happening with the victim issue? Q16 How does it compare with the cases of Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon? Q17 Are there prevention measures and lessons?

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.33-54
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• 1981

The purposes of this study were to determine the relevant nursing needs of patients following discharge; to identify the degree of their nursing needs; to identify types and status of discharge order and information given to patients; and to determine their specific nursing needs according to their diagnosis. In addition, opinions toward home care services provided by hospitals or by public health nurses and appointment plans with their physicians were also asked in order to determine the necessity of follow-up care for the patient after discharge. Nine hundred and eighty eight subjects were collected among patients being discharged from one national university hospital and four city hospitals. Data were collected from June,1979 to December,1979 using questionnaires and interviews. On the bases of these data the following findings were observed; 1) Almost 40 percents of total subjects discharged from the hospital with some or great degree of nursing needs in general. The most problematic nursing needs were needs for comfort which include needs for releaving pain, for sound sleep and rest, because these needs can only be met by professional help. More than 50% of total subjects have this problem. 2) Needs for mental health, general metabolism, general hygiene and activities and safety were observed in more than 20 percent of subjects. 3) Discharge orders on diet and oral medication were recorded in patients' charts in 70% of all cases. However, more than fifty percents of patients have not been told these information from doctors or nurses. Even though some of them might have had appointment plans with their physicians, they would not keep the appointments unless they completely understood the necessity of the follow-up care. If they have not had any appointment or would not visit the out-patient clinic, there is no method of caring them and prerenting funther discomfort or complications. Even in injection, ski care, dressing and bath, only one thirds of the subjects having recorded discharge orders understood what they need after discharge. The rest of cases have not known what to do for their further care. 4) More than 80 percents and 70 percents of total subjects agreed to a system of home care services provided by hospitals or public health nurses respectively. That is, regardless of sources of medical expenses, most of patients wanted to be taken care of at home following discharge. 5) While more than half of the patients having benefit of medical insurance or paying fully by themselves had appointment plans with their physicians, only one thirds of the patients fully or partially paid by government had appointment plans with their physicians. These results ex-plain that the appointment plan is directly associated with their economic power. This indicates that the home care services are more needed to the people with lower economical status. 6) Those who have been in the hospital more than 24 days wanted !o have home care services more than those who had less hospital days. They also had more appointment plans than other groups. 7) More than 70 percents of the subjects who had been in a university hospital and approximately 30 percents of the subjects in the city hospitals had appointment plans with their physicians. 8) Those who had the cerebrovascular disease, cancer or hypertension demanded more nursing needs such as needs for comfort, for general metabolism and for mental health. 9) Factors which were associated with the degree of patients' nursing needs were age, duration of hospitalization, opinion toward home care services given by public health nurses, hospital appointments and types of hospital. That is, the older they were and the longer the periods of hospitalization were, the higher were their nursing needs. The more they had nursing needs, the more they wanted to have nursing services and had appointment plans. It can be concluded that there is a great demand for a positive and systematic home care services to the people who have been discharged from hospitals following critical care. This program is definitely demanded for the low income groups of people with less education with the financial assistance of the government or other funding agencies.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.502-517
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• 1998

This research intends to survey family environment, health behavior and health status of the students in urban-rural elementary schools and analyze those factors comparatively, and use the result as basic material for school health teacher to teach health education in connection with family and regional areas. It also intends to improve a pupil's self-abilitiy in health care. The subjects involve 2,774 students of urban elementary schools and 583 student in rural ones, who were selected by means of a multi -stage probability sampling. Using the questionnaire and school documents, we collected data on family environment, health behavior and health status for 19 days. Feb. 2nd 1998 through Feb. 20th 1998. The R -form of Family Environment Scale (Moos, 1974) was used in the analysis of family environment(Cronbach's Alpha =0.80). Questionnaires of Health Behavior in School-aged children used by the WHO in Europe(Aaro et al., 1986) and the ones developed by the Health Promotion Committee of the Western Pacific(WHO, 1995)(adapted by long Young-suk and Moon Young-hee(1996)) were used in the analysis of health behavior, as well documents on absences due to sickness, school health room-visits, levels of physical strength, height, weight and degree of obesity were used to determine health status. In next step, We used them with an $X^2$-test, t-test, Odds Ratio, and a 95% Confidence Interval. 1. In two dimensions of three, family-relationship (t=3.41, p=0.001) and system -maintenances(t= 2.41, p=0.0l6) the mean score of urban children were significantly higher than those of rural ones. In the personal development dimension however, there was little significant difference. Assorting family environment into 10 sub-fields and analyzing them, we recognized that urban children were superior to rural children in the sub-fields of expressiveness (t =3.47, p=0.001), conflict (t=0.48, p=0.001), active-recreational orientation (t = 1.97, p=0.049) and organization (t=4.33, p=0.000). 2. Referring to the Odds Ratios of urban-rural children's health behaviors, urban children set up more desirable behavior than rural children wear ing safety belts (Odds Ratio =0.32, p=0.000), washing hands after meals(Odds Ratio = 0.43, p= 0.000), washing hands after excreting (Odds Ratio = 0.39, p=O.OOO), washing hands after coming - home ( Odds Ratio = 0.75, p = 0.003), brushing teeth before sleeping(Odds Ratio =0.45, p=0.000), brushing teeth more than once a day (Odds Ratio =0.73, p=0.0l2), drinking boiled water (Odds Ratio = 0.49, p=0.000), collecting garbage at home(Odds Ratio=0.31, p=0.000) and in the school(Odds Ratio =0. 67, p=0.000). All these led to significant differences. As to taking milk(Odds Ratio = 1.50, p=0.000), taking care of eyesight(Odds Ratio=1.41, p=0.001) and getting physical exercise in(Odds Ratio = 1.33, p=0.0l9) and outside the school(Odds Ratio = 1.32, p=0.005), rural children had more desirable behavior which also revealed a significant difference. There was little significant difference in smoking, but the smoking rate of rural children(5.5%) was larger than that of urban children(3.9%). 3. Health status was analyzed in terms of absences, school health room-visits, levels of physical strength, and the degree of obesity, height and weight. Considering Odds Ratios of the health status of urban-rural children, the health status of rural children was significantly better than that of the urban ones in the level of physical strength(t=1.51, p=0.000) and the degree of obesity(t=1.84, p=0.000). The mean height of urban children ($150.4{\pm}7.5cm$) is taller than that of their counterparts($149.5{\pm}7.9$), which revealed a significant difference (t =2.47, p=0.0l4). The mean weight of urban children($42.9{\pm}8.6kg$) is larger than that of their counterparts($41.8{\pm}9.0kg$), which was also a significant difference(t=2.81, p=0.005). Considering the results above, we can recognize that there are significant differences in family environment, health behavior, and health status in urban-rural children. These results also suggestion ideas for health education. What we would suggest for the health program of elementary schools is that school health teachers should play an active role in promoting the need and importance of health education, develop the appropriate programs which correspond to the regional characteristics, and incorporate them into schools to improve children's ability to manage their own health management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.230-242
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• 2005

Background : Spirometry should be compared with the normal predictive values obtained from the same population using the same procedures, because different ethnicity and different procedures are known to influence the spirometry results. This study was performed to obtain the normal predictive values of the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second($FEV_1$), Forced Expiratory Volume in 6 Seconds($FEV_6$), and $FEV_1/FVC$ for a representative Korean population. Methods : Based on the 2000 Population Census of the National Statistical Office of Korea, stratified random sampling was carried out to obtain representative samples of the Korean population. This study was performed as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea in 2001. The lung function was measured using the standardized methods and protocols recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Among those 4,816 subjects who had performed spirometry performed, there was a total of 1,212 nonsmokers (206 males and 1,006 females) with no significant history of respiratory diseases and symptoms, with clear chest X-rays, and with no significant exposure to respiratory hazards subjects. Their residence and age distribution was representative of the whole nation. Mixed effect models were examined based on the Akaike's information criteria in statistical analysis, and those variables common to both genders were analyzed by regression analysis to obtain the final equations. Results : The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_6$ for males and females were $age^2$, height, and weight. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1$ for males and females were $age^2$, and height. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1/FVC$ for male and female were age and height. Conclusion : The predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_1$ was higher in this study than in other Korean or foreign studies, even though the difference was < 10%. When compared with those predicted values for Caucasian populations, the study results were actually comparable or higher, which might be due to the stricter criteria of the normal population and the systemic quality controls applied to the whole study procedures together with the rapid physical growth of the younger generations in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1774-1784
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine obstructive factors and performance level of the HACCP system among elementary schools in Gyeongbuk province. E-mail survey targeted 320 dieticians, and recovery rate was 74.1%. Consequently, 227 responses were analyzed. The questionnaire was composed of 58 items under four sections (general characteristics, dieticians' perceived HACCP performance level, dieticians' perceived CCP performance level, and obstructive factors of HACCP system implementation). The item with the highest rate of HACCP performance level was 'HACCP training for foodservice employees in schools ($4.02{\pm}0.70$)' while the lowest counterpart was 'implementation of HACCP team meeting, reporting, and maintenance ($2.74{\pm}0.99$)'. The performance level of the item 'HACCP training for foodservice employees in schools' was perceived as highest when the number of students eating school meals was greater than 1,101 (P<0.05). Moreover, CCP 4 ($4.44{\pm}0.53$) and CP 5 ($4.44{\pm}0.51$) showed the best performance, whereas CCP 1 showed the lowest performance level ($3.90{\pm}0.60$). Therefore, reinforcement of hygiene instruction in menu planning is perceived as necessary. CCP 1, CCP 6 (P<0.05), and CCP 3 (P<0.001) showed significant differences in performance based on the number of students eating school meals. Further, according to results regarding obstructive factors of HACCP system execution, 'general factor' was the most severe obstructive factor in the application of HACCP ($3.46{\pm}0.62$). Among the 'factors pertaining to dieticians', the item 'hardship of proper monitoring and micro-management due to overwhelming workload' was most influential ($3.46{\pm}0.96$). Furthermore, the item 'low budget allocation by educational offices ($3.90{\pm}0.88$)' was influential among the 'factors pertaining to school administrations'. In conclusion, the results of this research can help solve obstructive factors of elementary school food services and provide knowledge that is essential for the proper implementation of HACCP.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.189-206
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• 2012

It is urgently requested to innovate the management process of business-service areas in all industry such as financial business, services and manufacturing because of recent business trend - de-manufacturing trend and the weight increment of service in all industries. Many enterprises introduce various management - innovation methodologies in order to meet the rapidly changing business environment. Especially in Korea, it is a vogue to introduce the innovation methodology of the advanced company's. According to this style, the six sigma has been introduced over 10 years since late 1990's and it has become a synonym of innovation indeed. But the result of six sigma introduction has not reached to the level of expectation in its beginning. And the "Lean" have been introduced in Korea in the situation of global financial crisis, economic slump and the pursuit of developing country such as China. Many Korea companies pay attention to the "Lean" innovation activity because the TPS(Toyota Production System) is the matrix of Lean and is the motive power of Toyota growth. In this study, it was analyzed for the evolution course, distinctive features and effects of Lean management and was examined for the difference of Lean management between manufacturing industry and business-service areas. From this results, the characteristics of Lean management in business-service was analyzed. After survey of innovation agent in Korea company, the Lean model of business-service Industry was developed and applied. This study will be worthy to show the right direction to the enterprises which are to apply lean methodologies, or the enterprises which examine lean management for competitive advantages or the peoples who research the same topics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.484-491
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• 2005

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) analyzes potential hazard of microorganisms on public health and offers structured approach to assess risks associated with microorganisms in foods. This paper addresses specific risk management questions associated with Staphylococcus aureus in kimbab and improvement and dissemination of QMRA methodology, QMRA model was developed by constructing four nodes from retail to table pathway. Predictive microbial growth model and survey data were combined with probabilistic modeling to simulate levels of S. aureus in kimbab at time of consumption, Due to lack of dose-response models, final level of S. aureus in kimbeb was used as proxy for potential hazard level, based on which possibility of contamination over this level and consumption level of S. aureus through kimbab were estimated as 30.7% and 3.67 log cfu/g, respectively. Regression sensitivity results showed time-temperature during storage at selling was the most significant factor. These results suggested temperature control under $10^{\circ}C$ was critical control point for kimbab production to prevent growth of S. aureus and showed QMRA was useful for evaluation of factors influencing potential risk and could be applied directly to risk management.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 2011

The study aims to provide future implications for planning nature trails called Dullegil in the national park located in the city in Korea as new visiting culture for sustainability of environment and use. The telephone survey used quota sampling with 300 Seoulite ages from 20 to 69 by area, gender, and age, which was conducted to find out the perception on a Dullegil in Bukhansan National Park. The result shows more than 65% of Seoulite go climbing and aiming the mountain top as a general visitor behavior. The intention to use Dullegil was very high at 58%, which forecasts the use of Dullegil as a substitute for a trail to the intensified mountain top. However, the effectiveness of Dullegil to divert intensive use could be limited as the major group of climbers showed relatively low intention to use Dullegil as an alternative. As for the management direction, majority favors balanced management between use and conservation, even if conservation was preferred to use. Most important guiding principle for building Dullegil was conservation of environment, the planning direction should be oriented to conserve the ecological environment of Bukhansan, and to enjoy its value. Facilities for visitor safety was most needed. Most preferable time and length were 1~3 hours and 11~20km, each. This study has a limitation as the site was limited to Bukhansan and potential demand for use was analyzed with the sample of Seoulite only. To come up with the results generally applicable, more detailed future researches by the visitor segmentation, use behavior, and demand are needed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.230-234
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• 2011

According to the Codex committee, the maximum allowable level for lead in fruits is 0.1 mg/kg. This survey was conducted as a surveillance program following the establishment of safety guideline for fruits in Korea. Concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) were measured in 927 samples using a ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer. The recoveries of microwave digestion method were 86.0-110.4% for Pb, 81.0-104.0% for Cd and 82.0-104.7% for As by standard addition method. The recovery of direct mercury analyzer was 106.5% for Hg. The average levels of Pb in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $10.0{\pm}12.8$ for apple, $8.8{\pm}10.9$ for pear, $4.1{\pm}4.4$ for persimmons, $14.9{\pm}12.3$ for mandarin, $7.1{\pm}6.5$ for orange, $3.1{\pm}3.3$ for banana, $8.8{\pm}8.9$ for kiwi, and $9.3{\pm}9.7$ for mango. The average levels of Cd in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $0.4{\pm}0.3$ for apple, $2.0{\pm}1.6$ for pear, $0.3{\pm}0.3$ for persimmon, $0.1{\pm}0.1$ for mandarin, $0.1{\pm}0.1$ for orange, $1.3{\pm}1.8$ for banana, $0.5{\pm}0.5$ for kiwi, and $0.7{\pm}0.6$ for mango. The average levels of As in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $2.0{\pm}2.1$ for apple, $1.2{\pm}1.3$ for pear, $1.5{\pm}1.2$ for persimmon, $0.8{\pm}0.3$ for mandarin, $1.5{\pm}0.5$ for orange, $1.8{\pm}1.2$ for banana, $1.6{\pm}1.5$ for kiwi, and $1.2{\pm}1.5$ for mango. The average levels of Hg in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $0.5{\pm}0.4$ for apple, $0.3{\pm}0.2$ for pear, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for persimmon, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for mandarin, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for orange, $0.2{\pm}0.0$ for banana, $0.2{\pm}0.2$ for kiwi, and $0.6{\pm}0.2$ for mango. Based on the Korean public nutrition report 2005, these levels (or amounts) are calculated only at 0.17% for Pb, 0.013% for Cd and 0.006% for Hg of those presented in provisional tolerable weekly Intake (PTWI) which has been established by FAO/WHO. Therefore, the levels presented here are presumed to be adequately safe.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.105-112
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• 2015

Purpose: This study analyzed the eco-foodservice perception and satisfaction of 344 elementary school parents in Jeju surveyed from February 1~12, 2010, with the aim of providing basic data for quality improvement of eco-foodservice in Jeju. Methods: The data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients, using the SPSS Win program (version 12.0). Results: Regarding awareness of eco-friendly food materials of subjects, average score was 3.52 points (out of 5 scales) and 'difference between eco-friendly and general agricultural products (3.76)' showed the highest score whereas 'assurance standard and label of eco-friendly agricultural products (3.31)' showed the lowest score. In terms of the recognition of eco-foodservice implementation, 75.0% of parents were aware of it. Regarding the eco-foodservice satisfaction of the subjects, average score was 3.88 points (out of 5 scales) and food safety (3.98 points) showed the highest score whereas food taste (3.70 points) showed the lowest score. The eco-foodservice perception of subjects showed positive correlation with their eco-foodservice satisfaction. Conclusion: It is necessary for the government and the local government to provide continuing education for school parents in order to enhance their perception of eco-friendly food materials. In addition, systematic and appropriate government support is needed in order to ensure internal stability of eco-foodservice.