• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2022

Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2023

This study suggests the drought resilience index as S-day as a means of preparing for the recent extreme drought, allowing for the actual operational identification of each drought countermeasure's priority as well as the vulnerability of water resource facilities to drought. Although each dam's drought measures are unique in this case, the representative examples include adjusting the water supply, linking the functioning of various facilities, and considering emergency capacity. Here, 15 multipurpose dams and water supply dams in Korea were inspected. Under the return period of 20-year drought, most of dams showed stable by adjusting the water supply overall. The measures, however, did not seem to be able to resist a multi-year drought lasting more than two years. Besides, Hoengseong and Anodong-Imha Dam only lasted a year under the 100-year drought return period with other measures. Without the deployment of drought mitigation strategies, it is expected that the Hoengseong Dam, Andong-Imha Dam, Gunwi Dam, Unmun Dam, Daecheong Dam, and Juam Dam would not be able to meet the all water demand for a year under the 20-year drought condition. The ideal capacity for each drought measure was then suggested. Additionally, by increasing or decreasing the current supply contract by 10% in order to account for demand changes resulting from socio-economic instability, the drought response capacity of all 15 dams was re-evaluated. By lowering the supply contract amount by 10%, it was possible to endure a severe drought.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 1999

Background : We are in the edge of some human made disasters such as hazardous materials and air pollution, for example, the world news reported that the city of Bhopal, India had serious victims related with a leaking out of the chemical materials, Methyl Isocyanate and many people in India were killed by. These situations many people who live in this world are world are worrying about are not others, but just ours and people consider about that kind of the disasters are the possible situation to happen to all the people. Therefore, we performed this basic study to recognize the risk of Methyl Isocyanate leak accident and to prepare local disaster plan with EMS system. Method : Trace 8.0, a simulation software made by the U.S. company Safer System was used as a tool to estimate the diffusion distance, area and its victims at the concentrations of 0.02ppm, 0.2ppm 5ppm respectively for an assumed B-city of 2 hundred thousands population count in which was presumed 500kg Methyl Isocyanate gas to leak out. Results : 1. During 1 hour, maximum diffusion distances of 0.02ppm 0.2ppm and 5ppm were 5.41km, 1.61km and 0.29km respectively on the plume impact. 2. Maximum population counts influenced by Methyl Isocyanate gas at the concentrations of 0.02ppm 0.2ppm and 5ppm were 40838, 4346 and 222 on the plume impact, while those were 138238, 17261 and 1588 on the vulnerability impact, respectively. 3. Therefore, 17261 persons must put on respiratory device and 138283 persons must be evacuated to safety place within 1 hour. Conclusions : Only small amount leak of Methyl Isocyanate may cause tremendous chemical disaster in urban area, so its disaster plan must be prepared with an accident simulation program and Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS). Especially, nearby emergency center of an industrial complex must have a strong position about preparation of chemical disaster plan and perform a disaster dill of hazardous material accident annually.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.32-49
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• 2010

Site characterization on geological and geotechnical conditions was performed for evaluating the earthquake ground motions associated with seismic site effects at a small urbanized area, Hongseong, where structural damages were recorded by an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 on October 7, 1978. In the field, various geotechnical site investigations composed of borehole drillings and seismic tests for obtaining shear wave velocity profile were carried out at 16 sites. Based on the geotechnical data from site investigation and additional collection in and near Hongseong, an expert system on geotechnical information was implemented with the spatial framework of GIS. For practical application of the GIS-based geotechnical information system to assess the earthquake motions in a small urban area, spatial seismic zoning maps on geotechnical parameters, such as the bedrock depth and the site period ($T_G$), were created over the entire administrative district of Hongseong town, and the spatial distributions of seismic vulnerability potentials were intuitively examined. Spatial zonation was also performed to determine site coefficients for seismic design by adopting a site classification system based on $T_G$. A case study of seismic zonation in the Hongseong area verified that the GIS-based site investigation was very useful for regional prediction of earthquake ground motions in a small urbanized inland area.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.127-154
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• 2020

Disproportionate collapse triggered by local structural failure may cause huge casualties and economic losses, being one of the most critical civil engineering incidents. It is generally recognized that ensuring robustness of a structure, defined as its insensitivity to local failure, is the most acceptable and effective method to arrest disproportionate collapse. To date, the concept of robustness in its definition and quantification is still an issue of controversy. This paper presents a detailed review on about 50 quantitative measures of robustness for building structures, being classified into structural attribute-based and structural performance-based measures (deterministic and probabilistic). The definition of robustness is first described and distinguished from that of collapse resistance, vulnerability and redundancy. The review shows that deterministic measures predominate in quantifying structural robustness by comparing the structural responses of an intact and damaged structure. The attribute-based measures based on structural topology and stiffness are only applicable to elastic state of simple structural forms while the probabilistic measures receive growing interest by accounting for uncertainties in abnormal events, local failure, structural system and failure-induced consequences, which can be used for decision-making tools. There is still a lack of generalized quantifications of robustness, which should be derived based on the definition and design objectives and on the response of a structure to local damage as well as the associated consequences of collapse. Critical issues and recommendations for future design and research on quantification of robustness are provided from the views of column removal scenarios, types of structures, regularity of structural layouts, collapse modes, numerical methods, multiple hazards, degrees of robustness, partial damage of components, acceptable design criteria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.122-142
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• 2012

The importance of rainfed areas and animal agriculture on productivity enhancement and food security for economic rural growth in Asia is discussed in the context of opportunities for increasing potential contribution from them. The extent of the rainfed area of about 223 million hectares and the biophysical attributes are described. They have been variously referred to inter alia as fragile, marginal, dry, waste, problem, threatened, range, less favoured, low potential lands, forests and woodlands, including lowlands and uplands. Of these, the terms less favoured areas (LFAs), and low or high potential are quite widely used. The LFAs are characterised by four key features: i) very variable biophysical elements, notably poor soil quality, rainfall, length of growing season and dry periods, ii) extreme poverty and very poor people who continuously face hunger and vulnerability, iii) presence of large populations of ruminant animals (buffaloes, cattle, goats and sheep), and iv) have had minimum development attention and an unfinished wanting agenda. The rainfed humid/sub-humid areas found mainly in South East Asia (99 million ha), and arid/semi-arid tropical systems found in South Asia (116 million ha) are priority agro-ecological zones (AEZs). In India for example, the ecosystem occupies 68% of the total cultivated area and supports 40% of the human and 65% of the livestock populations. The area also produces 4% of food requirements. The biophysical and typical household characteristics, agricultural diversification, patterns of mixed farming and cropping systems are also described. Concerning animals, their role and economic importance, relevance of ownership, nomadic movements, and more importantly their potential value as the entry point for the development of LFAs is discussed. Two examples of demonstrated success concern increasing buffalo production for milk and their expanded use in semi-arid AEZs in India, and the integration of cattle and goats with oil palm in Malaysia. Revitalised development of the LFAs is justified by the demand for agricultural land to meet human needs e.g. housing, recreation and industrialisation; use of arable land to expand crop production to ceiling levels; increasing and very high animal densities; increased urbanisation and pressure on the use of available land; growing environmental concerns of very intensive crop production e.g. acidification and salinisation with rice cultivation; and human health risks due to expanding peri-urban poultry and pig production. The strategies for promoting productivity growth will require concerted R and D on improved use of LFAs, application of systems perspectives for technology delivery, increased investments, a policy framework and improved farmer-researcher-extension linkages. These challenges and their resolution in rainfed areas can forcefully impact on increased productivity, improved livelihoods and human welfare, and environmental sustainability in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.63-68
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• 2010

Utility-Pipe Conduit is, Housing and city effectively accommodate what they absolutely need power, communications, gas, pipeline, water supply, drainage, energy facilities etc, according to expansion of urban infrastructure are derived, several ways to solve problems in, collection facilities in place are maintained and managed facility. If Utility-Pipe Conduit is damaged, as well as national security, because their impact on society as a whole, by introducing large vulnerability in the fire prevention activities and suppression measures and disaster for our situation by introducing measures, comprehensive analysis of the fire risk, it shall establish fire prevention activities and suppression through analysis of Utility-Pipe Conduit design, institutional issues, the problem of fire protection facilities, fire spread phenomenon etc. Because of Utility-Pipe Conduit is an enclosed place, so incomplete combustion due to lack of oxygen supply that there are problem such dark smoke, carbon monoxide etc, toxic combustion products and heat generation and visual impairment is an issue difficult to enter. As well as fire prevention activities, the fire In light of the particularity of the under ground than above ground fire, so this phenomenon is weak fire fighting that fire to become effective fire fighting tactics, basically it is necessary difficulty softening, non-burn softening and prevent combustion expansion of the cable is installed on the Utility-Pipe Conduit, having to considering the specificity of the response command system and relevant organizations to establish an on-site, Structural identification and other information gathering required to record of Response agencies, keep air conditioning system 24 hours and strengthening Virtual Total Training of Response agen

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2012

South Korea has many landslides caused by heavy rains during summer time recently and the landslides continue to cause damages in many places. These landslides occur repeatedly each year, and the frequency of landslides is expected to increase in the coming future due to dramatic global climate change. In Korea, 81.5% of the population is living in urban areas and about 1,055 million people are living in Seoul. In 2011, the landslide that occurred in Seocho-dong killed 18 people and about 9% of Seoul's area is under the same land conditions as Seocho-dong. Even the size of landslide occurred in a city is small, but it is more likely to cause a big disaster because of a greater population density in the city. So far, the effort has been made to identify landslide vulnerability and causes, but now, the new dem and arises for the prediction study about the areal extent of disaster area in case of landslides. In this study, the diffusion model of the landslide disaster area was established based on Cellular Automata(CA) to analyze the physical diffusion forms of landslide. This study compared the accuracy with the Seocho-dong landslide case, which occurred in July 2011, applying the SCIDDICA model and the CAESAR model. The SCIDDICA model involves the following variables, such as the movement rules and the topographical obstacles, and the CAESAR model is also applied to this process to simulate the changes of deposition and erosion.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.432-443
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• 2015

Ski industry is sensitive to climate change. Many studies were carried out to learn the impact on climate change to large scale ski resorts around the world and the results are difficult to be applied to small scale ski resorts in general. So, this study targeted small ski resorts composing the ski industry of Korea and forecasted the impact of climate change. As a result, based on the mitigation efforts to minimize climate changes of the future (RCP 4.5), ski industry could be maintained at the same level of today. However, if climate change continues at the current trend (RCP 8.5), ski resorts will face loss of business days. If 100 days are considered as the minimum days to maintain the ski business, among 17 ski resorts in Korea, 3 ski resorts will be driven out of business by 2030s, 12 more ski resorts by 2060s and remaining 2 ski resort by 2090s will end the business. It means that smaller ski resorts has higher chance of facing difficulties in running business just as large scale ski resorts. Therefore, to sustain the ski business, technical and managerial efforts to adapt to the changing environment is needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.94-104
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• 2015

Population and urban development along the coast is growing in South Korea, and particularly sea level rise is likely to increase the vulnerability of coastal areas. This study aims to investigate the sea level rise through Mann-Kendall(MK) test, ordinary linear regression(OR) and quantile regression analysis(QRA) with sea level data at the 20 tide stations along the coast of Korean Peninsula. First, statistically significant long-term trends were analysed using a non-parametric MK test and the test indicated statistically significant trends for 18 and 10 stations at the 5% significance level in the annual mean value of sea level and the annual maximum value of sea level, respectively. The QRA method showed better performance in terms of characterizing the degree of trend. QRA showed that an average annual rise in mean sea level is about 1-6 mm/year, and an average rise in maximum sea level is about 1-20 mm. It was found that upward convergent and upward divergent were a representative change given the nine-category distributional changes. We expect that in future work we will address nonstationarities with respect to sea level that were identified above, and develop a nonstationary frequency analysis with climate change scenarios.