• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.123-136
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess the mobility and thermal comfort of personal protective equipment (PPE) among female healthcare workers, taking into account wearers' physique and PPE protection levels. A total of 16 participants (age: 26.3 ± 8.3 y, height: 161.5 ± 7.3 cm, body weight: 57.1 ± 11.0 kg, BMI: 21.9 ± 3.6), representing diverse body types, underwent four PPE conditions: L (Low_Plastic gown ensemble), M (Medium_Tyvek 400), H (High_Tyvek 800J with Powered Air Purifying Respirator [PAPR]), and E (Extremely high_Tychem 2000 with PAPR, Bib apron, and Chemical-resistant gloves). The mobility protocol consisted of 10 different tasks in addition to donning and doffing. The 10 tasks were repeated twice at an air temperature of 24.3 ± 0.1℃, 59±4%RH. Findings revealed a disproportionate relationship between PPE protection and wearer discomfort. Significant differences in clothing microclimate and total sweat rate were observed between the lowest (L) and highest (E) protection levels (p < 0.01), while distinctions among medium levels were inconclusive. Subjective evaluations favored conditions H and L over M and E (p < 0.05), indicating reduced heat, and humidity, increased comfort, and lower exertion. Instances of mobility discomfort, specially in the small body type group, underscored the need for a suitable PPE size system for Korean adult female medical workers. Furthermore, enhancements in gloves, shoe cover, and PAPR hood designs are essential for improving ease of movement and preventing hindrance.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.419-429
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• 2016

Objectives: According to the new Chemical Control Act from the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014-259), workers handling hazardous chemicals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). However the act simply states in basic phrases that every worker handling one or more of the 69 listed chemicals should wear PPE and does not consider the unique hazard characteristics of chemicals and work types. The main purpose of this study is to provide basic data to revise the act to suit particular work processes and situations. Methods: The hazard rank of the substances was classified based on hazardous characteristics such as LC50 and vapor pressure using matrix analysis. The workplace exposure risk of the substances was also determined through a matrix analysis based on the previously determined hazard ranks and the demands of manual handling together with the likelihood of accident frequency of the operation combined with the exposure of workers during spill accidents. Results: To meet the demands for developing subsequent guidelines for the risk-based application of PPE in hazardous workplaces, this study sorted the 69 listed chemicals into five hazardous categories based on their LC50 and vapor pressures, and also assigned exposure categories according to exposure vulnerability for various types of work which are frequently performed throughout the life cycle of the chemicals. Conclusion: In the next study, an exposure risk matrix will be produced using the hazard rank of chemicals and workplace exposure risk, and then PPE will be selected to suit the categories of the exposure risk matrix.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.553-562
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• 2010

This survey investigates the conditions of summer working uniforms for contracted foodservice workers. The data were obtained from 67 workers through in-depth interviews (July 2005~October 2005). The results of study are as follows: The working environment changed to menu and cooking method (air temperature $28\sim37^{\circ}C$, humidity 72~86 %RH, radiant temperature $27\sim37^{\circ}C$, air velocity 0.14~0.37m/sec). They answered that the working environment has high temperatures, humidity, excessive noise, and liability to slide. The typical accidents were burns, cuts, slide, and ligament injuries in the workplace. Work duties consisted of cooking, serving food, washing, and cleaning up leftover food. All the employees carried out multi tasks. The primary working postures and motions were standing, crouching, and lifting. The female workers usually wore underwear (panty and brassiere), upper and lower work wear, aprons, waterproof-aprons, cotton-gloves, rubber-gloves, socks, and rubber-boots. The satisfaction of the uniform was relatively low for trousers and waterproof-aprons. The answer about the fit was generally "comfortable." They answered "back," "chest," and "head" were wet with perspiration during work. The uncomfortable parts were the crotch and neck. Questions concerning their satisfaction with the material of uniforms indicated a high rate of dissatisfaction, particularly for ventilation and absorbency. In case of the colors of the working uniform, workers preferred white color for the upper part, and black color for the lower part.

• 월간산업보건
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• s.107
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• pp.2-10
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• 1997

직업성 피부질환은 1988년 미국 전체 직업성 질환중 20%에 해당된다(미 노동부 자료 참고). 그 비율은 주에 따라 크게 달라지기도 한다. 피부질환은 어떤 주에서는 보상되는 직업성 질환의 대다수를 차지하기도 한다; 예를 들어, 캘리포니아와 플로리다주에서는 농작물에 의한 접촉성 피부염이 흔하다. 접촉성 피부염은 직업성 피부질환으로 보고되는 가장 흔한 피부질환이다. 이러한 사례의 4/5는 유기용제, 절삭유, 세척유, 알칼리, 산 등과 같은 자극성 화학물질에 대한 노출과 관련이 있다. 자외선은 어떤 화학물질(예를 들면, 코울 타르, 크레오소오트)과 반응하여, 이 화학물질 및 빛에 노출되는 부위에 자극성 접촉성 피부질환을 유발하기도 한다. 1/5의 사례는 에폭시 수지, 크롬, 식물 수지, 그 밖의 많은 것 등 특수 접촉 감광제와 관련될 수 있다. 강한 자극제에 노출되어 발상하는 화학적 화상은 비교적 흔하게 일어난다. 백반과 유사한 피부탈색은 드물게 일어나며 피부 접촉을 통하여 야기하는 특수 화학물질과 관련될 수 있다. 여드름과 모낭염은 기름 및 유지들과의 피부 접촉을 통하여 생겨날 수 있다. 10대 여드름과 구별되는 염소성 여드름이라고 불리는 질환은 여러 종류의 염화 탄화수소들(예를들면 다브롬화 디페닐, 다염화 디페닐, 디옥신)에 노출되어 발생되기도 한다. 신체적인 손상으로 반복되는 외상부위에 가골이 형성되기도 한다. 여러 종류의 일에 특징적인 것(예를 들면 바이올린 연주자의 목에 가골)이 소위 "직업적인 표지" 이다. 전기톱 작동 기술자, 분쇄기 작동기술자, 지하 광산 암석 천공 기술자에게서 발생하는, 손 - 팔 부위의 진동은 오랜기간 혹은 심하게 노출된 노동자에 있어서 - 손에 혈관수축질환 - 진동장애 백색 수지질환을 일으킬 수 있다. 피부암은 직업과 관련이 있다고 할 수 있다. 하지만 몇몇 사례가 산재 관련 기관에 보고외어 있지만, 암등록소에 보고는 불완전하며, 피부암으로 인한 사망은 드물기 때문에 피부암의 발생률은 알 수 없다. 예방적인 방법은 개인보호구(장갑, 구두 등), 기계공학적 통제, 노동자 교육, 피부에 노출되는 것을 피하기 위해 주어진 일을 맡는 노동자들의 교대와 같은 관리적인 통제가 있다. 이러한 방법들은 화학적 화상, 알러지성 접촉성 피부염과 같은 피부염, 진동장애, 직업관련성 질환(예를 들면, 건선, 단순태선, 백반)을 예방하는데 도움이 된다. 만성 자극성 접촉성 피부염은 아직 잘 이해하고 있지 못하여 현재 예방하는 방법은 아직 만족스럽지 못하다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.522-531
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• 2013

Objectives: A field survey was conducted in a hog-raising industry in order to help develop personal protective equipment for workers which would secure the safety and the health of these workers. The attempt by this study will help enhance safety in the livestock industry and contribute to the advancement of the industry. Method: The study first selected a total of 111 workers from the hog-raising industry as research participants and designed a survey with questions on general characteristics, indoor and outdoor working environments, how the workers would in practice wear or purchase the working clothes, what needs to be improved in these new working clothes, how much the workers would be likely to accept the working clothes and protective equipment, and lastly, conditions of the communicable disease control overgarment. The collected data underwent frequency analysis and cross analysis with SPSS 21.0. Result: The research targets' average age was 50 years. Work efficiency by environmental factor was normal, but all age groups had experience of accidents (79.3%). Major wounded parts were under elbow and under knee. Protective equipment most commonly worn was helmet (83.4%), gloves (98.2%) and boots (99.1%), and satisfaction with them was normal at 3.41. Working clothing most commonly worn was old clothing (31.8%) and everyday wear (17.6%) and satisfaction with it was low. Considering the improvement of working clothing, they required attached pouches, elasticity and deodorization. The acceptability of improved working clothing was high at 69.2%. Conclusion: After problems have been addressed in relevant future research, what has been learned from the concerned study will be referred to as a useful basic reference when the relevant field works to develop high-quality working clothing and protective equipment for workers in the hog-raising industry.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.647-659
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• 2015

This study analyzes current technologies in personal protective equipment (PPE) and mechanisms that can be used in the agricultural field to provide data for research and development on PPE for farmers. There is growing awareness of the importance of PPE as part of efforts to reduce agricultural accidents, but data remain rare for developing PPE tailored to the farm work environment. In this regard, patent data on PPE can provide useful insights for facilitating relevant technologies and research. This study examines patents and utility models classified under the IPC code in Korea and other countries to analyze patented technologies and recent trends for the period from January 2003 to October 2014. Here Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Europe were considered. The results show that the number of patent applications for PPE remained steady without any sharp fluctuations. KIPO applications accounted for 43.5% of all cases, reflecting the highest proportion among the countries considered. Domestic applicants accounted for 94% of all cases. In Korea, patent applications were concentrated in safety gear for the face and eyes, indicating a high level of technology. The highest level of competition was observed for safety goggles in all countries. Some PPE technologies were dominated by a particular manufacturer. The analysis results for farming-related technologies show the current state of technologies and areas lacking technological development. This study analyzes patented technologies for PPE in Korea and other countries and recent research trends as part of the effort to develop PPE for workers in the farming and livestock industry. This study represents an early-stage effort to develop PPE for workers in the farming and livestock industry, and the results are expected to be useful for tailoring PPE to Korea's farming and livestock environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1792-1801
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• 2008

This study was to develope the pesticide-proof clothes(PPC) for fruit-grower which has been well known over applied agricultural chemicals. The ergonomic evaluation of PPC were tested in two ways. Male adults volunteered the tests to evaluate the safety to pesticide in the field and the thermal comforts in the climate-chamber($30^{\circ}C$, 60%R.H.). PPC were made of 4 different fabrics. Two of them were on the market(coated non-woven and coated nylon). Others were water-repellent treatment and coated waterproof film by developed polyester. The field study was conducted for farmers growing apples to evaluate pesticide exposure. In this experiment, we collected data with patch test on the head, chest, back, right upperarm, right forearm, left thigh and left calf. From the results, the developed PPC showed the more excellent comfort than an existing PPC with nylon coated polyurethane. But the developed PPC of water-repellent fabric was penetrated into the PPC. Therefore, we designed the functional pesticide-proof clothes of 2 different developed polyester fabrics(water-repellent treatment in chest, abdomen, the lower of back, waist, and calf; coated waterproof film in head, shoulder, the upper of back, the crotch, hip, upper arm and thigh).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.467-477
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• 2017

Objectives: Oxidative stress and DNA damage have been proposed as mechanisms linking pesticide exposure to health effects such as cancer and neurological diseases. We investigated whether protective measures could significantly reduce the levels of biomarkers for oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers. Methods: In the present study, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), biomarkers related to oxidative stress and DNA damage, respectively, were analyzed in urine samples collected from agricultural workers in two provinces of Korea (n=60). The influence of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing protective behaviors on the levels of these two biomarkers was also evaluated. Results: The median urinary levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were 10.45 nmol/mg creatinine and 14.42 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region A, while they were 6.25 nmol/mg creatinine and 24.77 ng/mg creatinine in subjects living in region B, respectively. The levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were higher in male farmers. Farmers wearing greater numbers of PPE and performing more protective behaviors had significantly lower levels of MDA. Greater numbers of protective behaviors was significantly associated with lower levels of 8-OHdG. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that pesticide exposure could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in agricultural workers, and that protective measures are important for mitigating pesticide exposure.

• 월간산업보건
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• s.105
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• pp.16-25
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• 1997

직업성 피부질환은 1988년 미국 전체 직업성 질환중 20%에 해당된다(미 노동부 자료 참고). 그 비율은 주에 따라 크게 달라지기도 한다. 피부질환은 어떤 주에서는 보상되는 직업성 질환의 대다수를 차지하기도 한다; 예를 들어, 캘리포니아와 플로리다주에서는 농작물에 의한 접촉성 피부염이 흔하다. 접촉성 피부염은 직업성 피부질환으로 보고되는 가장 흔한 피부질환이다. 이러한 사례의 4/5는 유기용제, 절삭유, 세척유, 알칼리, 산 등과 같은 자극성 화학물질에 대한 노출과 관련이 있다. 자외선은 어떤 화학물질(예를 들면, 코울 타르, 크레오소오트)과 반응하여, 이 화학물질 및 빛에 노출되는 부위에 자극성 접촉성 피부질환을 유발하기도 한다. 1/5의 사례는 에폭시 수지, 크롬, 식물 수지, 그 밖의 많은 것 등 특수 접촉 감광제와 관련될 수 있다. 강한 자극제에 노출되어 발상하는 화학적 화상은 비교적 흔하게 일어난다. 백반과 유사한 피부탈색은 드물게 일어나며 피부 접촉을 통하여 야기하는 특수 화학물질과 관련될 수 있다. 여드름과 모낭염은 기름 및 유지들과의 피부 접촉을 통하여 생겨날 수 있다. 10대 여드름과 구별되는 염소성 여드름이라고 불리는 질환은 여러 종류의 염화 탄화수소들(예를들면 다브롬화 디페닐, 다염화 디페닐, 디옥신)에 노출되어 발생되기도 한다. 신체적인 손상으로 반복되는 외상부위에 가골이 형성되기도 한다. 여러 종류의 일에 특징적인 것(예를 들면 바이올린 연주자의 목에 가골)이 소위 "직업적인 표지" 이다. 전기톱 작동 기술자, 분쇄기 작동기술자, 지하 광산 암석 천공 기술자에게서 발생하는, 손 - 팔 부위의 진동은 오랜기간 혹은 심하게 노출된 노동자에 있어서 - 손에 혈관수축질환 - 진동장애 백색 수지질환을 일으킬 수 있다. 피부암은 직업과 관련이 있다고 할 수 있다. 하지만 몇몇 사례가 산재 관련 기관에 보고외어 있지만, 암등록소에 보고는 불완전하며, 피부암으로 인한 사망은 드물기 때문에 피부암의 발생률은 알 수 없다. 예방적인 방법은 개인보호구(장갑, 구두 등), 기계공학적 통제, 노동자 교육, 피부에 노출되는 것을 피하기 위해 주어진 일을 맡는 노동자들의 교대와 같은 관리적인 통제가 있다. 이러한 방법들은 화학적 화상, 알러지성 접촉성 피부염과 같은 피부염, 진동장애, 직업관련성 질환(예를 들면, 건선, 단순태선, 백반)을 예방하는데 도움이 된다. 만성 자극성 접촉성 피부염은 아직 잘 이해하고 있지 못하여 현재 예방하는 방법은 아직 만족스럽지 못하다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.583-593
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the frequency score of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and concentration of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites in farmers. Methods: The study was conducted in Chungcheongnam-do Province of South Korea. We collected urine samples from 308 farmers from September to December 2017 and May to July 2018. Among them, 17 farmers with urinary creatinine levels outside the normal range were excluded. Information on the frequency of wearing PPE was obtained from the farmers through face-to-face survey. Each frequency of wearing for seven types of PPE was converted into a score and expressed as a total score, which was divided into quartiles. Four types of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass selective detector. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites affected by the frequency of wearing PPE. Results: The average frequency score of wearing PPE was 8.0. The quartiles of frequency score of wearing PPE were divided as follows: 1st quartile (≤1), 2nd quartile (1-6), 3rd quartile (6-12), and 4th quartile (>12). Compared with subjects with a low frequency score of wearing PPE (reference), subjects with a high frequency score of wearing PPE (4th quartile) had lower concentrations of urinary diethyl phosphate (DEP) (p<0.01) and dialkyl phosphate (ΣDAP) (p<0.05), which is the sum of dimethyl phosphate (DMP), DEP, dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), and diethyl thiophosphate (DETP). Conclusion: Concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were associated with frequency score of wearing PPE. Particularly as the frequency score of wearing PPE increased, concentrations of urinary DMP, DEP, DETP, and ΣDAP significantly decreased. The findings of this study can contribute to the management of health effects among farmers working with pesticides.