• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.187-201
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• 1996

This study was to evaluate the efficiency of diffusive monitor using activated carbon fiber(ACF, KF-1500) in measuring airborne organic solvents. The following characteristics were identified and studied as critical to the performance of diffusive monitor; recovery, sampling rate, face velocity, reverse diffusion and storage stability. For the evaluation of the performance of this monitor, MIBK, PCE, toluene were used as organic solvents. In the sampling rate experiments, eight kinds of solvents (n-hexane, MEK, DIBK, MCF, TCE, CB, xylene, cumene) as well as the above solvents were used. The results were as follows: 1. The desorption efficiencies(DE's) of ACF diffusive monitor ranged from 83 % to 101 %. In contrast, those of coconut shell charcoal ranged from 78 % to 102 %. Especially, the DE's of ACF for the polar solvents such as MEK were superior to those of charcoal. 2. Experimental sampling rates on ACF were average 42ml/min(37-46ml/min) for 11 organic solvents at $24{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, $50{\pm}5%RH$. However ideal sampling rates(DA/L) were 33 % higher than experimental sampling rates. 3. The initial response(15~16 min) of the testing monitor was 2 times higher than the actual concentration determined by the reference methods at $24{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, $8{\pm}5%RH$ and $80{\pm}5%RH$. Within 1 hours, the curve reached a linear horizontal line at low humidity condition. But sampling efficiencies decreased with respect to time at high humidity condition. And sampling efficiencies were higher at high humidity condition than low humidity condition for MIBK. 4. At very low velocity (less than 0.02 m/sec), the concentration of ACF diffusive monitor were poorly estimated. But ACF diffusive monitor were not affected at higher velocity(0.2 m/sec-0.6 m/sec). 5. There was no significant reverse diffusion when the ACF monitors were exposed to clean air for 2 hours after being exposed for 2 hours at the level of 1 TLV. 6. There was no significant sample loss during 3 weeks of storage at room temperature and 5 weeks of storage at refrigeration.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.663-672
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• 2006

Background: $PM_{10}$(Particulate matter with a diameter ($<10{\mu}m$), which is characterized by different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also produce unique particulate matter in affected areas. This study investigated the cytokine produced by A549 epithelial cells exposed to particles collected during both the Asian dust pfenomenon and ambient air particles in a non-dusty period. Method: Air samples were collected using a high volume air sampler(Sibata Model HV500F) with an air flow at $500{\ell}/min$ for at least 6 hours. The cytokine messenger RNA(mRNA) was measured using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The A549 cells were exposed to 10 to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of a suspension containing $PM_{10}$ for 24 hours. Each was compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. Result: The mRNA levels of interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, $IL-I{\beta}$, IL-8, and the granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) increased after veing exposed to $PM_{10}$ in the ambient air particles, compared with those in the non-exposed control cells. The increase in $IL-1{\alpha}$ and IL-8 were dose dependent at a $PM_{10}$ concentration between $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The mRNA level of IL-8 in the A549 epithelial cells was higher during the in the Asian dust period($500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) than during the non dust period. Conclusion: A549 cells exposed to the $PM_{10}$ collected during the Asian dust period produce more proinflammatory cytokine than during non-dusty period. This cytokine enhances the local inflammatory response in the airways and can also contribute to the systemic component of this inflammatory process.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2014

North Korea's uranium enrichment facility is a matter of international concern. It is of particular alarming to South Korea with regard to the security and safety of the country. This situation requires continuous monitoring of the DPRK and emergency preparedness on the part of the ROK. To assess the detectability of an undeclared uranium enrichment plant in North Korea, uranium concentrations in the air at both a short and a long distance from the enrichment facility were estimated. $UF_6$ source terms were determined by using existing information on North Korean facility and data from the operation experience of enrichment plants from other countries. Using the calculated source terms, two atmospheric dispersion models (Gaussian Plume Model and HYSPLIT models) and meteorological data were used to estimate the uranium particle concentrations from the Yongbyon enrichment facility. A maximum uranium concentration and its location are dependent upon the meteorological conditions and the height of the UF6 release point. This study showed that the maximum uranium concentration around the enrichment facility was about $1.0{\times}10^{-7}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$. The location of the maximum concentration was within about 0.4 km of the facility. It has been assumed that the uranium sample of about a few micrograms (${\mu}g$) could be obtained; and that few micrograms of uranium can be easily measured with current measurement instruments. On the contrary, a uranium concentration at a distance of more than 100 kilometers from the enrichment facility was estimated to be about $1.0{\times}10^{-13}{\sim}1.0{\times}10^{-15}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$, which is less than back-ground level. Therefore, based on the results of our paper, an air sample taken within the vicinity of the Yongbyon enrichment facility could be used to determine as to whether or not North Korea is carrying out an undeclared nuclear program. However, the air samples taken at a longer distance of a few hundred kilometers would prove difficult in detecting a clandestine nuclear activities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.65-73
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• 1993

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the biological lead exposure indices and air lead concentrations measured by personal air samplers. The 72 occupationally lead exposed workers were observed and the bioiogical lead Exposure indices chosen for this study were blood lead(PbB), urine lead(PbU), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid in urine(ALAU), $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (ALAD), coproporphyrin in urine(CPU) and hemoglobin(Hb). The workers were divided into four groups by air lead concentrations: Group I; under $0.05mg/m^3$, Group II; $0.05-0.10mg/m^3$, Group III; $0.10-0.15mg/m^3$ and Group IV; and over $0.15mg/m^3$. For evaluation the relationship between the biological lead exposure indices and air lead concentrations was used as correlation coefficients. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In Group I, II, III and IV, the mean value of PbB were $25.45{\pm}1.84{\mu}g/dl,\;27.87{\pm}3.53{\mu}g/dl,\;31.21{\pm}1.76{\mu}g/dl\;and\;47.02{\pm}13.96{\mu}g/dl$. Between Group IV and other groups showed statistically significant difference(p<0.05). 2. There was an increasing tendency of PbB, PbU, ALAU and ZPP according to the increase the mean air lead concentration, while ALAD has decreasing tendency. CPU and Hb did not show any constant tendency. 3. Correlation coefficients between PbB, PbU, ZPP, ALAU, ALAD, CPU, Hb and air lead concentration were 0.95, 0.83, 0.89, 0.72, -0.83, 0.51 and -0.45 respectively, and regression coefficient between PbB(Y) and PbA(X) was Y=126.8746X+16.9996(p<0.01).

• 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 the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.22-30
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• 2006

The volatile organic compound (VOC) Analyzer is a portable device to measure the four main aromatic hydrocarbon gases: toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene. With the VOC Analyzer, a semiconductor gas sensor eliminates the need for the carrier gas which is required for conventional gas chromatographs. In addition, since the semiconductor gas sensor is supersensitive to gas components, it is not necessary to use a conventional gas concentrator or other complicated equipment. Compared with other measurement methods, the VOC analyzer is useful for measuring toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and styrene in wood-based panel because of its ease in obtaining field results and repeating the test. The VOC Analyzer primarily measures four VOC in the air. In this study, we designed a test method of VOC measurement for particle board. A specimen was sealed in 3L polyester bag, after 96hours we could measure maximum VOC emission level that is a stabilized VOC Value. For easy, fast and economic testing of TVOC emission from wood-based panel, we developed the test method with the VOC Analyzer. The VOC Analyzer is expected to gain widespread use in the manufacturing field where a quick and easy test for VOC emission from wood-based panel is required. Furthermore, the VOC Analyzer promises to become an easier, faster and more economic technique than the currently used standard methods.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 1998

The goal of this work was to optimize the liquid scintillation counting techniques for the determination of C-14 in environmental samples such as biological and air samples. Carbon-14 activities in most environmental samples were measured with direct $CO_2$ absorption method. The highest figure of merit was found through the variation of Carbosorb $E^{TM}$ and Permatluor $V^{TM}$ ratio, in the measurement windows. The best condition was 1:1 volume ratio. Average 2.35 g of $CO_2$ was reproducibly absorbed in the 20 ml mixture within 40 min. The counting efficiency determined by repeated analysis of NIST oxalic acid standard and the background count rate were measured to be $58.8{\pm}1.4%$ and $1.88{\pm}0.06\;cpm$, respectively in case of saturated solution. The correction curves of counting efficiency for partially saturated solutions and for saturated solutions with quenching were prepared, respectively. The overall uncertainty of the sample specific activity for near background levels was estimated to be about 7 % for 4 hours counting at 95 % confidence level. The long-term stability of samples has been checked for all the counting techniques over a two week periods, and no apparent change in counting efficiency and background level was found at that time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2009

A PM10 (aerodynamic diameter${\leq}$10 ${\mu}m$) sampler is used to quantify the potential human exposure to suspended particulate matter (PM) and to comply with the governmental regulation. This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the same PM10 cutpoint and different slopes between United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) PM10 sampling criterion and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists/$Comit\acute{e}$ $Europ\acute{e}en$ de Normalization/International Organization for Standardization thoracic PM10 sampling criterion through theory and experiment. Four PM10 samplers according to the USEPA criterion and one RespiCon sampler in accordance with the thoracic PM10 criterion were used in the present study. In addition, one DustTrak monitor was used to measure real time PM10 mass concentrations. All six aerosol samplers were tested in a PM generation chamber using polydisperse fly ash. Theoretical mass concentrations were calculated by applying the measured particle size distribution characteristics (geometric mean = 6.6 ${\mu}m$, geometric standard deviation = 1.9) of fly ash to each sampling criterion. The measured mass concentrations through a chamber experiment were consistent with theoretical mass concentrations in that a RespiCon sampler with the thoracic PM10 criterion collected less PM than a PM10 sampler with the USEPA criterion. The overall chamber experiment results indicated, when a PM10 sampler was used as a reference sampler, that (1) a RespiCon sampler had a normalizing factor of 1.6, meaning that this sampler underestimated an average 60% of PM10 mass sampled from a PM10 sampler, and (2) a DustTrak real-time monitor using a PM10 inlet had a calibration factor of 2.1.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 2012

Purpose : Methode an effective block was investigated to deal with volatile radioactive gas, short lived radioactive waste generated as a result of the routinely produced radiopharmaceuticals FDG (2-deoxy-2-[$^{18}F$]fluoro-D-glucose) and compound with $^{11}C$. Materials and Methods : All components of the radiation stack monitoring and data management system for continuous radioactive gas detection in the air extract system purchase from fixed noble gas monitor of Berthold company. TEDLAR gas sampling bags purchase from the Dongbanghitech company. TEDLAR gas sampling bags (volume: 10 L) connected via paraflex or PTFE tubing and Teflon 3 way stopcock. When installing TEDLAR gas sampling bags in Hot cell on the inside and not radioactive gas concentrations were compared. According to whether the Hot cell inside a activated carbon filter installed, compare the difference in concentration of the radioactive gas $^{18}F$. Comparison of radiation emission concentration difference of module a FASTlab and TRACElab. Results : Activated carbon filter are installed in the Hot cell, a measure of the concentration of radioactive gas was 8 $Bq/m^3$. Without activated carbone filter in the hot cell was 300 $Bq/m^3$. Tedlar bag prior to installation of the radioactive gases a measure of the concentration was 3,500 $Bq/m^3$, $^{11}C$ synthesis of the measured concentration was 27,000 $Bq/m^3$. After installed a Tedlar bag and a measure concentration of the radioactive gases was 300 $Bq/m^3$ and $^{11}C$ synthesis was 1,000$Bq/m^3$. Conclusion : $^{11}C$ radioactive gas that was ejected out of the Hot cell, with the use of a Tedlar gas sampling bag stored inside. A compound of 11C is not absorbed onto activated carbon filter. But can block the release out by storing in a Tedlar gas sampling bag. We was able to reduce the radiation exposure of the worker by efficient radiation protection.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2005

Purpose : Heavy metal use when producing the block from the workshop. At this time, production of heavy metal dust and fume gives risk in human. This like heavy metal to improve seriousness through measurement and analysis. And by the quest in solution is purpose of this thesis. Materials and Methods : Organization is Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer, and the object is Deajeon city 4 workshops in university hospital radiation oncology (Bismuth, Lead, Tin and cadmium). Method is the ppb the pumping it does at unit, comparison analysis. And the Calculation heavy metal standard level in air through heavy metal standard level in body and blood, so Heavy metal temporary standard set. Results : Subterranean existence room air quality the administration laws appointed Lead and Cadmium's exposure recommend that it is $3{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;2{\mu}g/m^3$. And Bismuth and Tin decides $7{\mu}g/m^3\;and\;6{\mu}g/m^3$ through standard level in air heavy metal and standard level in body and blood. Heavy metal measurement level of workshops in 4 university hospital Daejeon city compares with work existence and nonexistence. On work nonexistence almost measurement level is below the recommend level. But work existence case express high level. Also consequently in composition ratio of the block is continuous with the detection ratio. Conclusion : Worker's heavy metal contamination imbrued serious for solution founds basic part. In hospital may operation on local air exhauster and periodical efficiency check, protector offer, et al. And worker have a correct understanding part of heavy metal contamination, and have continuous interest, health control. Finally, learned society sphere administer to establishment standard level and periodical measurement. And it founds basic solution plan of periodical special health checkup.