• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of survey questionnaires for pesticide poisoning. We conducted a pilot study to develop a questionnaire for evaluating pesticide poisoning symptoms and to examine the validity of self-reported information for individual pesticides used. In December 2010 we interviewed 20 farmers with self-reported pesticide poisoning histories residing in Gyeonggi Province. For validity of pesticide information, the purchased pesticide lists from the agricultural cooperative federation were compared with individual self-reported pesticides used. Neurological symptoms were the most common among clinical symptoms related to pesticide poisoning, followed by gastrointestinal, dermal and eye symptoms. Insecticides were the main causative pesticide class for poisoning. Twenty one major symptoms were selected for screening for acute pesticide poisoning in a field study based on the pilot results and literature reviews. Substantial under-reporting was found in data on self-reported individual pesticides used (9.2%), as well as low accuracy (36%) compared with their actual purchase lists. In this pilot study, we suggest the selected symptom lists may apply to a field survey of pesticide poisoning. However, the self-reported information on individual pesticides may not be valid and alternative methods need to be developed.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.817-827
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• 2022

The real-name safety management system is to indicate "safety" after inspection by construction personnel before workers use it for the purpose of preventing safety accidents caused by unsafe conditions in temporary facilities and temporary constructions installed at construction sites. Purpose: By implementing the real-name system for safety management at construction sites, the objective is to respond to the "Severe Accident Punishment Act" and to improve the level of safety management at the same time. Method: In this study, a hierarchical analysis model was produced through previous studies of actual conditions such as types of safety incidents and causality at construction sites. The AHP model was used to calculate integrated weights and rankings with a pairwise comparison questionnaire for experts. Conclusion: As a result of the analysis of the upper classes, construction machinery was evaluated the highest, and real-name management system was evaluated the lowest. As a result of the lower-level analysis, it was considered that opening doors for safety facility management, tower cranes for construction equipment, management under the "Occupational Safety and Health Act" under the real-name management system, and CEO duties for safety management organizations were the most important.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2016

A dental panoramic radiography which usually uses low level X-rays is subject to the Nuclear Safety Act when it is installed for the purpose of education. This paper measures radiation dose and spatial dose rate by usage and thereby aims to verify the effectiveness of radiation safety equipment and provide basic information for radiation safety of radiation workers and students. After glass dosimeter (GD-352M) is attached to direct exposure area, the teeth, and indirect exposure area, the eye lens and the thyroid, on the dental radiography head phantom, these exposure areas are measured. Then, after dividing the horizontal into a $45^{\circ}$, it is separated into seven directions which all includes 30, 60, 90, 120 cm distance. The paper shows that the spatial dose rate is the highest at 30 cm and declines as the distance increases. At 30 cm, the spatial dose rate around the starting area of rotation is $3,840{\mu}Sv/h$, which is four times higher than the lowest level $778{\mu}Sv/h$. Furthermore, the spatial dose rate was $408{\mu}Sv/h$ on average at the distance of 60 cm where radiation workers can be located. From a conservative point of view, It is possible to avoid needless exposure to radiation for the purpose of education. However, in case that an unintended exposure to radiation happens within a radiation controlled area, it is still necessary to educate radiation safety. But according to the current Medical Service Act, in medical institutions, even if they are not installed, the equipment such as interlock are obliged by the Nuclear Safety Law, considering that the spatial dose rate of the educational dental panoramic radiography room is low. It seems to be excessive regulation.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2005

In spite of relatively low level of radiation dose used at dental clinics, long term exposure may be harmful, so radiation workers at dental clinics must be well aware of its danger. This study was to analyze the factors to have an influence on safety management behavior in the radiography chamber by understanding the relationship among the knowledge, attitudes and behavior in regard with radiation safety management by dental hygienists in order to take preventive measures for dental hygienists and suggest ideas to develop radiation safety training programs. For this, we contacted dental hygienists working at the local dental clinics for 4 months from December of 2003 to march of 2004 and obtained the following findings. 1. Concering the knowledge level of radiation safety management, $8.59{\pm}2.36$ was average score with the highest of 13 and the lowest of 3 from 15-scale test. In addition, knowledge level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to working experience (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), attendance rate of radiation safety management training program (p < 0.001), and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 2. Concering the attitude level of radiation safety management, $4.08{\pm}0.50$ is average score with the highest of $4.31{\pm}0.73$ and the lowest of $3.82{\pm}0.89$ by item from 5-scale test. Besides, attitude level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to age (p < 0.001), working experience (p < 0.05), attendance rate of radiation safety management training program (p < 0.01), and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 3. Concering the behavior level of radiation safety management, $2.89{\pm}0.77$ is average score from 5-scale test, which was relatively low in comparison with the level of attitude and the highest score was $3.82{\pm}0.94$ and the lowest $2.37{\pm}1.04$ by item. Behavior level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to working experience (p < 0.001) and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 4. From the survey of relationship among knowledge, attitude and behavior of radiation safety management was, we found that the higher the knowledge level of radiation safety management, the higher the level of attitude and behavior, and the higher the attitude level was, the higher the level of behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 2008

The objective of the survey is to define and judge exposure profiles semi-qualitative data in high risk processes using styrene. The survey was conducted on 98 factories out of 229 factories based on data from periodic working environment monitoring for styrene. Styrene is widely utilized as a raw material for PS and co-polymers such as ABS, SAN, SBR, SBL, unsaturated polyester resins(UPR) and others. An approximate breakdown of styrene's markets in Korea is PS 30%, expandable PS 17%, ABS 33%, SAN 5%, SBL 4%, SBR 3%, UPR 1% and other 7%. Although UPR accounts for 1% of total amount of styrene, workers dealing with it are exposed to very high concentrations up to 64 ppm. Especially styrene is widely used in the laminating process of fiberglass reinforced plastics(FRP) manufacturing industry. The Applications using styrene are largely classified into two sections which are applied to styrene monomer(SM) and UPR. SM is utilized for a raw material of resins, surfactant and adhesive. UPR is employed for FRP and non-FRP. For SM control targets are mixing colors and packing in the gelcoat resins manufacturing industry(MI), for UPR control targets out of works using UPR are 1) laminating in the MI of plastics, automobile parts and boats, 2) mixing and packing in the SMC/BMC MI, 3) molding and cutting in the other specific plastics MI, 4) mixing and coating in artificial marble product MI, 5) dipping in the electric motors & transformers MI, 6) molding in the button MI, 7) painting in the musical instrument MI. Findings from the study have given the information for the high risk processes and working practices so that occupational health professionals could focus on targeted workplaces to prevent occupational diseases. It is also useful to develop a control strategies and specific controls for high risk processes and facilities using styrene.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide current the recent information on indium-related adverse health effects and the Korean indium-related industries. Methods: Peer review papers were searched in environmental, occupational and medical journals with the keyword of 'Indium' and 'ITO' and reviewed. To determine the indium related industries and indium consumption amounts, references and database were investigated and analyzed. In addition, field walk-through surveys and interviews were conducted in order to collect field data and to ascertain the field situation for the processes and industries. Results: A total of 10 cases of indium lung diseases have been reported in series since the first case reported in 2001. Seven cases were found in Japan, two cases in the United States, and one in China. No indium lung case has been reported yet in Korea, but it is believed that there are high potential risks among workers in indium-related industries. There are four categories in indiumrelated- industry; indium production and smelting, manufacturing of indium products such as ITO target, the production of thin films of flat panel display, and indium recovery industry. We found that all these types of industries are operating in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary for industrial hygienists to understand the processes and industries related to indium as well as the adverse health effects of indium. Conclusions: It was found that all four categories of indium-related industry from the indium production to recovery industry are active in Korea. However, the adverse health effects of indium are not well recognized. Therefore, it is believed that there is a high risks in indium-related industry, and it is necessary to make emergency interventions.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.623-628
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• 2008

This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of airborne bacteria, fungi, particles, and endotoxin in swine and chicken houses. Six swine buildings and seven chicken houses were randomly selected in southern Gyonggi Province, South Korea. The geometric mean concentrations of airborne bacteria in swine and chicken houses were $2.7{\times}10^5\;CFU/m^3$ and $5.6{\times}10^7\;CFU/m^3$, respectively. The airborne bacteria concentrations in chicken houses were significantly higher than those of swine houses (p<0.05). The geometric mean concentration of airborne fungi in swine houses was $4.9{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$, which was higher than the value of $2.1{\times}10^3\;CFU/m^3$ found in chicken houses. The mean concentrations of airborne particles and endotoxin in swine houses were $3.48\;mg/m^3$ and $943.1\;EU/m^3$, and they were $15.43\;mg/m^3$ and $1,430.5\;EU/m^3$ in chicken houses, respectively. A significant difference between swine and chicken houses was found for total dust (p<0.05), but not for endotoxin. In this study, the concentrations of endotoxin in both swine and chicken houses as well as particles in chicken houses were high, and in about 50% of the samples exceeded the worker health safety levels of $614\;EU/m^3$ suggested in previous studies. These results may indicate a considerable respiratory hazard for workers in these environments.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2021

Purpose: Tuberculosis(TB) care unit in public health center should be carefully considered to be re-designed as an infection safety environment for both patient and healthcare workers. So, for the enhancement, this study analyses the facility requirements for co-using the screening clinic as a TB and other respiratory disease care unit. Methods: Not only screening clinic facility guidelines from "A Study for Standard Triage Design and Construction Document" but also the guidelines of TB care and related medical facility are reviewed; KDCA, CDC, ECDC and WHO as a TB care, and FGI and NHS for facility. The facility requirements are summarized space, approach, and mechanical requirement in order. By comparing the summary and screening clinic facility guidelines, supplementations are proposed for TB care unit setting. Results: The result of this study shows that both the space program and mechanical requirement of the screening clinic and that of TB care unit are almost identical and could be share, which include direct airflow or negative air pressure in an exam room. To increase functional and economical efficiency, however, it is necessary to consider a multi-functional negative pressured room, So care process may be re-designed based on a room type; face-to-face room or glass wall inbetween. Implications: The facility guidelines for TB care unit of a public health center should be developed to build a safe environment for infection control by reflecting its medical plan and budget.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine whether a specific synthetic metalworking fluid (MWF), "A", in use for 10 months without replacement, displayed microbial resistance and to identify the additives associated with the control of microbial growth. Three synthetic MWF products ("A", "B", and "C") were studied every week for two months. Microbial deterioration of the fluids was assessed through evaluation by endotoxin, bacteria and fungi levels in the MWFs. In addition, formaldehyde, boron, ethanolamine, and copper levels were also studied to determine whether they influence microbial growth in water-based MWFs. Throughout the entire study in the sump where MWF "A" was used, bacteria counts were lower than 103 CFU/mL, and endotoxins never exceeded 103 EU/mL. These levels were significantly lower than levels observed in sumps badly deteriorated with microbes. Boron levels in MWF "A" ranged from 91.7 to 129.6 ppm, which was significantly higher than boron levels found in other MWF products. The total level of ethanolamine (EA) in MWF "A" ranged from 35,595 to 57,857 ppm (average 40,903 ppm), which was over ten times higher than that found in other MWFs. Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) concentrations in MWF "A" were also significantly higher than seen in other MWFs. However, although EA and boron might improve anti-microbial performance, their abuse can pose a serious risk to workers who handle MWFs. From an industrial hygiene perspective, our study results stress that the positive synergistic effect of boron and EA in reducing microbial activity in MWF must be balanced with the potentially negative health effects of such additives. Our study also addresses the disadvantage of failing to comprehensively report MWF additives on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Future research in MWF formulation is needed to find the best level of EA and boron for achieving optimal synergistic anti-microbial effects while minimizing employee health hazards.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2021

Respiratory viruses (RVs) cause infections in hospital environments through direct contact with infected visitors. In infection control, it causes major problems of acquired infections in hospitals by respiratory viruses. The surveillance data derived from clinical laboratories are often used to properly allocate medical resources to hospitals and communities for treatment, consumables, and diagnostic product purchases in the institutions and public health sectors that provide health care. An early diagnosis is essential in infection with respiratory viruses, and methods that can be used in diagnostic methods using respiratory samples include virus culture, molecular diagnosis, and analysis. A microchip provides a new strategy for developing a more diverse and powerful technology called point-of-care testing. The importance of the respiratory system should be applied strictly to the infection control guidelines to ensure the occupational health and safety of health care workers. Evidence of clinical efficacy, including this study, is challenging the long-standing paradigm for infection propagation. Additional assistance will be needed for frequent tests to detect respiratory viruses in inpatients who have begun to show new respiratory symptoms indicating infections requiring efforts to control the infection.