• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 1997

This is an effort to confirm changes biological monitoring according to changes in levels of exposure to styrene for industrial workers. This study was conducted on 108 workers, including male of 64 and female 44 who were working at factories of FRP, dipping, and coating. An improved passive monitor method(organic vapor monitor; OVM) was employed to determine levels of exposure. The biological monitoring include blood styrene concentration, urinary mandelic acid(MA), and urinary phenylglyoxylic acid(PGA). Biological monitoring were made through the Collection of blood and urine. The mean value of exposure to styrene was 21.0ppm, which is measured by organic vapor monitor, one of improved passive monitors. The highest exposure level was observed among workers in boat factories, laminating procedure workers, processing workers, respectively(p<0.01). For exposure level, 11% of subjects under study showed over 50ppm which is time weighted average(TWA). The correlation coefficient between biological specimens and the exposure level was 0.62 for blood styrene concentration, 0.58 for MA corrected by creatinine, and 0.70 for PGA corrected by creatinine, respectively(p<0.01). The regression analyses found exposure level relative importance in explaining variance in biological monitoring. In additional to that, gender was a significant factor in explaining variance of MA and MA+PGA. Almost half of variance(49%) in blood styrene concentration was explained by predictors, including exposure level, age, gender, duration, and drinking volume during the last week(p<0.01). The very high correlation(higher than 0.95 was found when a comparison was made among three types of corrected methods, including uncorrected specific gravity and creatinine. In conclusion, these findings suggest OVM to represent levels of exposure to styrene for industrial workers. A discussion was made on possible use of specific gravity sample for biological monitoring. Exposure level may be predicted on MA, PGA in urine, which could be applied to represent biological monitoring.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2008

This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of the temperature characteristics of the tidal flat sediments during low tide as a environmental factor, and burrowing behaviour, fatness, total hemocyte counts(THCs) and differential hemocyte counts(DHCs) of hard clam Meretrix lusoria as biological activity indices for the management of hard clam farms located in Taean(Chungnam province) and Gimje(Jeonbuk province) tidal flat in Korea. Temperature ranges of the sediment at 1cm depth during spring(March to May) and summer(June to August) in Taean(where the exposure time was about $5.5{\sim}6$ hours during low tide) were $8.7{\sim}26.8^{\circ}C\;and\;27.6{\sim}32.8^{\circ}C$, respectively. Even though there was no significant difference(P>0.05), temperatures of the surface sediment where submerged with remained seawater were generally higher than that of uncovered with seawater. Burrowing depths of normally digged hard clams were 0.9{\sim}3.6cm from March to October, 2002. In the field experiment performed at Taean farming ground covered with seawater, burrowing times of the clams under natural water temperatures were $41.6{\pm}10minutes$ in February and $5.4{\pm}1.3minutes$ in August, respectively, and these were influenced by water temperatures. Fatness of hard clams began to decrease from May(at Taean tidal flat) and June(at Gimje tidal flat), showed the lowest level in August and increased again from September. Total hemocytes counts in the hemolymph of the hard clams were decreased to the lowest level in July($24.7{\times}10^4cells/mL$, at Taean tidal flat) and August($28.2{\times}10^4cells/mL$, at Gimje tidal flat), and significantly increased again from September(at Taean tidal flat, P<0.01) and October(at Gimje tidal flat, P<0.001), respectively. We observed three types of hemocytes from the hemolymph of hard clams according to whether hemocytes retain the granules or not and the size of the granules. As a results, we could found that periodical monitoring of the sediment temperatures, clam burrowing behaviour and hemocyte parameters were very helpful for the management of hard clam farming.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2003

Objectives : Because shipyard workers are involved with various manufacturing process, they are exposed to many kinds of hazardous materials. Welders especially, are exposed to bisphenol-A (BPA) during the welding and flame cutting of coated steel, This study was conducted to assess the exposure status of the endocrine disrupter based on the job-exposure matrix. The effects of the genetic polymorphism of xenobiotic enzyme metabolisms involved in the metabolism of BPA on the levels of urinary metabolite were investigated. Methods : The study population was recruited from a shipyard company in the f province. A total of 84 shipbuilding workers 47 and 37 in the exposed and control groups, respectively, were recruited for this study. The questionnaire variables included, age, sex, use of personal protective equipment, smoking, drinking and work duration. The urinary metabolite was collected in the afternoon and correction made for the urinary creatinine concentration. The of the CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and UGT1A6 genotypes were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods with the DNA extracted from venous blood. Results : The urinary BPA level in the welders group was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). The urinary BPA concentration with the wild type UGT1A6 was higher than the other UGT1A6 genotypes, but with no statistical significant. From themultiple regression analysis of the urinary BPA, the regression coefficient for job grade was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions : The grade of exposure to BPA affected the urinary BPA concentration was statistically significant. However, the genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotics enzyme metabolism were not statistically significant. Further investigation of the genetic polymorphisms with a larger sample size is needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.766-772
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the daily intakes of propyl gallate, EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra acetate), and erythorbic acid for average consumers by age group and the intake of high consumers ($95^{th}$ percentile) in Korea. The average intake of EDTA was $1.14{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$, and 0.0% of the ADI (acceptable daily intake) established by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). The $95^{th}$ percentile intake of EDTA was $141.24{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ (5.6% of ADI). The average intake of erythorbic acid was $16.93{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$, and the 3-6 year-old group had the highest consumption ($58.43{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$), which was <1.0% of the ADI established by the EU (European Union). The $95^{th}$ percentile intake of erythorbic acid was $1,320.31{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ and 22.0% of the ADI. In conclusion, daily intakes of propyl gallate, EDTA, and erythorbic acid in Korea were at safe levels in all age groups and also in high consumers.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2013

In this study, sorbic acids and benzoic acids frequently used in foods retailed in Korea were monitored and their estimated daily intakes were assessed for a purpose to ensure food additives safety management. The estimated daily intakes were calculated by categorizing the assessment items into the national average, by gender, by age and the high intake ($95^{th}$) groups based on concentrations of preservatives in foods as well as national health and nutrition survey data. The calculations were then compared with the ADI of the JECFA and the possibility of risk to be imposed on the people was examined. The results indicated that the estimated daily average intakes of preservatives were $221.60{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ of sorbic acids and $27.30{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ of benzoic acids. Compared to the ADI, the intake levels were 0.89 and 0.55% respectively, which were in a safe range. The estimated daily intakes of sorbic acids and benzoic acids in the high intake group ($95^{th}$) were $1140.27{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$ and $194.95{\mu}g/kg{\cdot}bw/day$, which were 4.56% and 3.90% of the ADI (%) respectively, indicating that the intake levels of sorbic acids and benzoic acids in the high intake group were within a safe range. As for gender difference, the amount of benzoic acids intake was slightly larger in men than in women. However, gender differences were not observed in terms of the intake of sorbic acids. In terms of the levels of intake by age, the rates were found to be in the range of 0.52-2.10% for sorbic acids and 0.15-1.23% for benzoic acids. Therefore, the levels of sorbic acids and benzoic acids intakes were found not to exceed the ADI in all groups, and thus were within the safe ranges.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2012

This study was performed to prevent the health damage of environmental contaminants in Industrial Complex Area. And, this study aimed to identify the concentration levels and distribution characteristics of environmental contaminants and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at soil in Industrial Complex Area and control area. The concentration of the soil pollution standard such as the heavy metals in the soil, VOCs, PAHs, and PCB were measured and analyzed using the soil specimens in the Industrial Complex Area and control area. Soil specimens from the Industrial Complex Area (the direct exposure area) and the control area were surveyed. Songdo-dong, Haedo-dong and Jechul-dong, which are in the direct exposure area and near the emission source, showed relatively high concentrations of contaminant materials when compared with Jangki-myeon, which is far off and in the control area. The concentration of zinc was 20.8-58.9% of the level of concern (300 mg/kg) in the 1st region, which is a relatively high concentration. The concentration of fluoride was under the standard in every region, but it was about 74% of the level of concern (400 mg/kg) in the 1st region. It is recommended that controlling fluoride emissions is necessary. Levels of organic phosphate, phenol, and VOCs like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were under the detection limit of the analysis instruments. The concentration of TPH was high in Songdo-dong. The concentration of contaminants in Jechul-dong was high. In addition, it was observed that the level of soil contamination changed depending on the distance from the emission source. The concentration of PAH compounds in the soil was 18.71-1744.59 ng/g, and the concentration of six potential cancer-causing PAH materials was 6.54-695.94 ng/g. The highest concentration was in Songdo-dong. The PAH concentration in the direct exposure area near the complex was relatively high compared to the indirect exposure area.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2012

This research was carried out as a survey on the contents of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in processed foods (milk, vegetable oil, and margarine) in Korea. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were Pb 0.3 ${\mu}g/kg$, Cd 0.15 ${\mu}g/kg$, and As 0.45 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk and Pb 0.61 ${\mu}g/kg$, Cd 0.31 ${\mu}g/kg$, and As 0.91 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil and margarine. The recoveries were 92.6-98.0% for Pb, 91.2-98.9% for Cd, and 97.9-104.7% for As. The average levels of Pb were 2.395 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 7.656 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil. The average levels of Cd were 0.483 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 0.380 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil, and levels of As were 0.781 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 1.241 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil. The results of this study showed that Pb, Cd, and As contents in the whole samples were less than the maximum residual levels in the processed foods that were specified by the Codex standard.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.87-102
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• 2021

Child abuse and neglect are recently increasing in Korea, and although the government has actively improved the child protection system, the number of abused children and the rate of cases judged as abuse have continuously risen. Given that 75% of child abusers are parents, child abuse and neglect are expected to recur. To prevent such a recurrence, various intervention programs for abused children and their parents are required. The purpose of this study were to design a recovery support service process and investigate the effectiveness of pilot program for families of origin, including neglected(protected) children, to improve the system by which these programs are operated, and formulate policy alternatives that reinforce "family preservation" principles. The pilot program was implemented from June to November 2020 in 4-local healthy family support center. The number of program participants and the frequency of participation in each other differed, because of the difference in number of confirmed coronavirus cases in each region and the requirement for social distancing. Through the program, a community-based service process was developed for neglected(protected) children and their parents, and cooperative networks between related facilities and institutions were established. The study formulated the following recommendations: First, a cooperation system among government departments mandated to provide different services to neglected(protected) children is needed. Second, wider and various channels through which abused children can avail of protective services should be developed within communities. Third, more stable environments for program operation should be cultivated, and cooperative partnerships should be sought for knowledge sharing among relevant government departments. Another necessary measure is for a center to develop its own business model, in which the duplication of services provided by involved organizations is avoided. Finally, clear guidelines, administrative standards, and specific plans for program operation should be arranged. Also regional characteristics are maintained, but services should be standardized.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.6_1
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• pp.1739-1756
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• 2021

Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is mainly caused by anthropogenic emissions. It contributes to the formation of secondary pollutants and ozone through chemical reactions, and adversely affects human health. Although ground stations to monitor NO₂ concentrations in real time are operated in Korea, they have a limitation that it is difficult to analyze the spatial distribution of NO₂ concentrations, especially over the areas with no stations. Therefore, this study conducted a comparative experiment of spatial interpolation of NO₂ concentrations based on two linear-regression methods(i.e., multi linear regression (MLR), and regression kriging (RK)), and two machine learning approaches (i.e., random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR)) for the year of 2020. Four approaches were compared using leave-one-out-cross validation (LOOCV). The daily LOOCV results showed that MLR, RK, and SVR produced the average daily index of agreement (IOA) of 0.57, which was higher than that of RF (0.50). The average daily normalized root mean square error of RK was 0.9483%, which was slightly lower than those of the other models. MLR, RK and SVR showed similar seasonal distribution patterns, and the dynamic range of the resultant NO₂ concentrations from these three models was similar while that from RF was relatively small. The multivariate linear regression approaches are expected to be a promising method for spatial interpolation of ground-level NO₂ concentrations and other parameters in urban areas.