• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.162-168
• /
• 2009

The aim of this study is to investigate microbial sanitary condition of public baths in Seoul, Korea. A total of 28 water samples were collected from 14 different public baths and sudatoriums. The prevalence of fecal indicator microorganisms such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli was characterized. In addition, bacteria in water was membrane filtered by 0.45um nitrocellulose membrane, and the filter was analyzed by both cultivation and PCR amplification of partial 16S rRNA gene. The levels of chlorine were measured for each of water samples. More than 40% of 14 collected water samples, the concentrations of total coliform bacteria exceeded the water quality for bath water guideline. There was no significant correlation between chlorine residue and the presence of total coliform. Various microorganisms including pathogenic microorganisms were identified from cultivation and subsequent analysis of 16s rRNA gene sequences. Our results suggest that appropriate hygiene practice and continuous monitoring is needed for reducing health risk associated with public bathhouses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2002

우리나라의 기후변화연구에서 삼림생태계의 영향과 적응은 가장 중요한 관심사중 하나이다. 지리적 위치와 통일문제 등을 고려할 때, 한반도는 역동적인 개발이 이루어질 지역이며 인구와 경제적 상황의 변화로 삼림 생태계에 급격한 변화가 예상된다. 기후변화의 영향은 이러한 상황을 더욱 복잡하게 만들게 될 것이다. 본 연구에서는 이런 영향을 평가하기 위해, IS92a 시나리오의 GCMs(General Circulation Models)결과들을 이용하여 가능한 기온 증가 범위내에서 삼림생태계의 변화를 예측하였다. 변화를 추정하기 위해 AIM/Impact[Korea](the Asian-Pacific Integrated Model) 모형을 이용하여 시기별 Holdridge 생물기후대를 예측하고 목본식물의 이동속도를 고려한 지역삼림의 영향 및 적응 패턴을 분석하여 생태계 변화로 인한 경제적 가치 손실액을 추정하였다. 분석 결과는 다음과 같이 요약된다. 1) 목본식물의 추정 평균이동속도 0.25km/년의 경우, 한반도에서 삼림소실지역은 발생하지 않는 것으로 예측되었다. 그러나 인위적 개입이 없는 경우 고사의 위험이 높은 지역은 남한의 경우 남한 총면적의 14%를 차지하였고, 북한은 18%정도의 면적이 고사 위험이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 남한 고사위험지역의 80%는 난온대림 지역으로 주로 남해일원과 전라도 서해안에서 발생하며, 북한은 고사위험지역의 대부분이 냉온대림지역으로 주로 평안도 내륙지역과 중국 접경지경, 함경남도의 영흥만 북부에서 나타났다. 2) 목본식물의 이동속도 변화에 따라 남한은 매년 0~976백만불, 북한은 0~2,492백만불 범위의 경제적 가치손실이 발생하는 것으로 예측되었다. 또한 목본식물의 추정 평균이동속도가 0.25km/년일 경우, 한반도 전체의 가치손실액은 매년 3,471백만불에 달했으며, 남한의 경우 목본식물의 이동속도가 0.5km/년 이상인 경우 삼림의 경제적 가치 손실은 발생하지 않았다.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.586-597
• /
• 2000

The nutrition knowledge and food attitude of obese children were assessed and compared with their normal children counterparts to provide information for nutrition education programs. One hundred forty six obese children and 92 normal children from the fourth to sixth grade in Bucheon and Anyang elementary schools of Kyeong-gi Province were selected for the study. A multiple choice questionnaire, including 12 items of general nutrition knowledge and 13 items of weight control, were used to test the nutrition knowledge of children. The results of this study are as follows : 1) 57.5% of male and 40.9% of female obese children had experience with weight control, but the rate of correct answers on the nutrition knowledge test ranged from 53% to 58%, which does not show any significant difference between the two groups. The rate of correct answers on items conrerning 'general nutrition knowledge' and 'nutrition knowledge for weight control' did not show any significant difference among the two groups. 2) Obese male students showed a higher rate of correct answers(59.2%) on items of 'the proper food selection for obese children', compared with their counterparts and also obese female students showed a higher rate of correct answers(88.6%) on 'physical exercise', compared with their counterparts. 3) The rate of correct answers on nutrition knowledge of 'basic food groups', 'the functions of iron and vitamins', 'the concept of energy', and 'the principle of weight change' were lower than 40%. 4) The obese children frequently did not have breakfast, overate during lunch in many cases, and had low recognition on knowledge that was necessary to weight control. 5) Only 30.9% and 22.7% of male and female obese children replied that they would participate in weight control programs. However, 53.6% of males and 68.2% of females did not show any concern in participating the programs. From these results, it was suggested that it is necessary to motivate the obese to participate in weight-control program. When developing nutrition education programs for the obese, the contents of the questions that showed a low correct answering rates should be emphasized.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.244-256
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the level of depression and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and health related characteristics, job-related characteristics, sleep quality, occupational stress among manufacturing male immigrant worker in Korea. Methods: Total number of subject were 287 workers employed in 19 manufacturing industry. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to assess each responder's sociodemographic and health related characteristics, job-related characteristics, sleep quality (PSQI), Korean occupational stress (KOSS), Depression (CES-D). The job stress questionna ire was used according to KOSS-26 and depression symptoms were measured using CES-D, which was translated into Korean. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors included job stress, sleep quality and depression. Results: The prevalence of depression in survey subjects was 63.9%and poor group (PSQI) (5 point and over at PSQI score)among all subjects were 83.28%. Adjusting for confounding factor, higher the occupational stress (KOSS), depression levels were significantly higher (${\beta}=0.5575$), worse quality of sleep, the more depressed the level was slightly high ${\beta}=0.118$) did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study subjects was higher than that among the Korean workers. Especially, the level of depression was more influenced by occupational stress than quality of sleep. Therefore, the author recommend to prepare the effective strategy for reducing the depression and also reducing the occupational stress among immigrant male workers, and the author consider that it need to support the convenient working environment such as consultation for difficulty or health care among immigrant male workers.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2005

A total of 4 trials were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of food waste-byproduct feeds mixture(FWM) rotary drum-pasteurized and cured, to trace the nutritional flow according to the processing stages and finally to determine the optimal mixing formulation of feed ingredients for the growing pigs. Pasteurizing and curing FWM using a rotary drum drier resulted in little change in chemical composition and 8 to $15 \%$ of dry matter losses. Chemical change was affected by different feed ingredients used in each trial. Curding of FWM was caused probably by high moisture content, starch content and(or) physical characteristics of feed ingredients. The optimal mixing ratio of feed ingredients was food waste 45 : deepstacked broiler litter 10 : bakery by-product 22.5 barley bran 22.5. In conclusion, FWM rotary drum-pasteurized and cured had a satisfactory feed-nutritional value far growing pigs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.462-471
• /
• 2021

Background: The number of synthesized chemicals has rapidly increased over the past decade. For many chemicals, there is a lack of information on toxicity. With the current movement toward reducing animal testing, the use of toxicity big data and deep learning could be a promising tool to screen potential toxicants. Objectives: This study identified potential chemicals related to reproductive and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated toxicities for 1135 cleaning products and 886 laundry products. Methods: We listed chemicals contained in cleaning and laundry products from a publicly available database. Then, chemicals that potentially exhibited reproductive and ER-mediated toxicities were identified using the European Union Classification, Labeling and Packaging classification and ToxCast database, respectively. For chemicals absent from the ToxCast database, ER activity was predicted using deep learning models. Results: Among the 783 listed chemicals, there were 53 with potential reproductive toxicity and 310 with potential ER-mediated toxicity. Among the 473 chemicals not tested with ToxCast assays, deep learning models indicated that 42 chemicals exhibited ER-mediated toxicity. A total of 13 chemicals were identified as causing reproductive toxicity by reacting with the ER. Conclusions: We demonstrated a screening method to identify potential chemicals related to reproductive and ER-mediated toxicities utilizing chemical toxicity big data and deep learning. Integrating toxicity data from in vivo, in vitro, and deep learning models may contribute to screening chemicals in consumer products.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.443-456
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Children are exposed to various environmental pollutants through contact with children's products. We investigated the KC mark, certification number, and contained substances labeled on children's products through market research and collected the toxicological data on these substances. Methods: The environmentally hazardous substances labeled on children's products (n=6576), including toys (n=2812), personal care products (n=2212), stationary/books (n=1333), and playground equipment (n=219) were examined. For the components that could be identified by CAS number, toxicological data on oral, inhalation, and dermal routes, cancer slope factor, and reference dose were collected. Results: Among the investigated products, KC marks or certification numbers were found for 4557 products (69.3%). Except for cosmetics and cleansers, the material information was labeled on most of the products. The frequency of labeling substance information in toys and stationary/books was low since this information could be omitted if KC certification was obtained. In the target products, 617 substances were identified by CAS number, and polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyester were the most frequently displayed. Chronic toxicity data was found for only 32.4% of individual components, and information on toxicity through the dermal route was also highly limited. Conclusion: Our study suggested that labeling guidelines should be required to identify the environmentally hazardous substances contained in children's products. In addition, the toxicological data on many ingredients in children's products were insufficient. The data gap for toxicity data should be filled for future risk assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Phthalates, which are widely used as plasticizers, have been recognized as endocrine disruptors. In the present study, we provided information on the regulation of these chemicals and summarized the information available on their detection and toxicity in children's products and those of their alternatives. Methods: The regulatory frameworks related to phthalates in children's products in Korea, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU) were compared. Data on the detection concentration of 16 phthalates and seven phthalate alternatives that could be used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products for children as well as on their toxicity classification and endocrine disruption toxicity were collected from the literature. Results: Korea adopted US and EU chemical standards for six phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP), but not others (e.g., DIBP, DPP, DHP, and DCHP). Among the ten phthalates and seven substitutes for which regulatory standards were not determined, DIBP, DHP, DEHA, DIBA, DINA, and DEHT were detected in children's products made from PVC plastic. DIBP and DHP, which have a reproductive toxicity classification of 1B, were frequently detected in PVC toys. The reproductive toxicity, estrogenicity, and anti-androgenic activity of the unregulated phthalates and their alternatives have been reported in diverse in vitro and in vivo assays. Conclusion: The use of unregulated phthalates and their substitutes in children's products is increasing. Further monitoring and toxicological information on phthalate alternatives is required to develop proper management plans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.505-512
• /
• 2021

Background: The occurrence of environmental disease is known to be associated with chronic exposure to toxic chemicals, including waterborne contaminants, air/indoor pollutants, asbestos, ingredients in humidifier disinfectants, etc. Objectives: In this study, we reviewed toxicological studies related to environmental disease as defined by the Environmental Health Act in Korea and toxic chemicals. We also suggested a direction for future toxicological research necessary for the prevention and management of environmental disease. Methods: Trends in previous studies related to environmental disease were investigated through PubMed and Web of Science. A detailed review was provided on toxicological studies related to the humidifier disinfectants. We identified adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) that can be linked to the induction of environmental diseases, and proposed a chemical screening system that uses AOP, chemical toxicity big data, and deep learning models to select chemicals that induce environmental disease. Results: Research on chemical toxicity is increasing every year, but there is a limitation to revealing a clear causal relationship between exposure to chemicals and the occurrence of environmental disease. It is necessary to develop various exposure- and effect-biomarkers related to disease occurrence and to conduct toxicokinetic studies. A novel chemical screening system that uses AOP and chemical toxicity big data could be useful for selecting chemicals that cause environmental diseases. Conclusions: From a toxicological point of view, developing AOP related to environmental diseases and a deep learning-based chemical screening system will contribute to the prevention of environmental diseases in advance.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.68 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2023

We studied the changes in growth characteristics of major cultivated rice in low- density transplanting. The culm and spikelet length did not change in low density transplanting conditions. As the distance between hills increased by 10 cm, the number of tillers per hill increased by an average of 4.4 and the number of grains per spikelet increased by 7.5. The cultivar that had more tillers and higher grain number in 80 hills per 3.3 m² tended to have more tillers and grain in low-density transplanting conditions. However, the increase rate of tillers and grain in low-density transplanting was not significanty different from the tiller and grain number in 80 hills per 3.3 m². The total branch number and branch length in spikelets increased in low-density transplanting conditions. The grain number per spikelet was also increased by the in low-density transplanting method.