Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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The Results of the Application of a Real-time Chemical Exposure Monitoring System in a Workplace

스마트 센서 세트를 활용한 화학물질 상시모니터링 시스템의 작업현장 적용 결과

  • Wook Kim (Accident Investigation Board, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Jangjin Ryoo (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Jongdeok Jung (Occupational Health Bureau, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Gwihyun Park (Occupational Health Bureau, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Giyeong Kim (Goyang & Paju Area office, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Jinju Kang (Daejeon-Sejong Metropolitan office, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Kihyo Jung (School of Industrial Engineering, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Seunghon Ham (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine, Gachon University)
  • 김욱 (안전보건공단 중앙사고조사단) ;
  • 류장진 (안전보건공단) ;
  • 정종득 (안전보건공단 산업보건실) ;
  • 박귀현 (안전보건공단 산업보건실) ;
  • 김기영 (안전보건공단 고양파주지사) ;
  • 강진주 (안전보건공단 대전세종광역본부) ;
  • 정기효 (울산대학교 산업경영공학부) ;
  • 함승헌 (가천대학교 의과대학 길병원 직업환경의학과)
  • Received : 2023.04.19
  • Accepted : 2023.06.28
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

Keywords

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