• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.219-234
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• 2021

Industrial emissions, mainly from industrial complexes, are important sources of ambient Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Identification of the significant VOC sources from industrial complexes has practical significance for emission reduction. VOC samples were collected from July 2019 to June 2020. A Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model was used to evaluate the VOC sources in the area. Four sources were identified by PMF analysis, including coating-1, coating-2, printing, and vehicle exhaust. The coating-1 source was revealed to have the highest contribution (41.5%), followed by coating-2 (23.9%), printing (23.1%), and vehicle exhaust (11.6%). The source showing the highest contribution was coating emissions, originating from the northwest to southwest of the sample site. It also relates to facilities that produce auto parts. The major components of VOC emissions from the coating facilities were toluene, m,p-xylene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, and butyl acetate. Industrial emissions should be the top priority to meet the relevant control criteria, followed by vehicular emissions. This study provides a strategy for VOC source apportionment from an industrial complex, which is helpful in the development of targeted control strategies.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.258-266
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• 2019

Objectives: In this study, blood lead was analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAs) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We tried to examine the difference and consistency of the analytical values and the applicability of the analytical method. Methods: We selected 57 people who agreed to participate in this study. After confirming the linearity of the calibration standard curves in GF-AAs and ICP-MS, the concentrations of lead in quality control material and samples were measured, and the degree of agreement was compared. Results: The detection limit of the ICP-MS was lower than that of GF-AAs. The coefficient of variation of reference materials was shown to be stable in the ICP-MS and GF-AAs. When the correspondence between the two equipments was verified by bias of the analysis values, a concordance was shown, and approximately 98% of the ideal reference lines were present within ${\pm}40%$ of the deflection. Conclusion: GF-AAs showed high sensitivity to single heavy metal analysis, but it took much time and showed higher detection limit than ICP-MS. Therefore, it would be considered necessary to switch to ICP-MS analysis method, considering that the level of lead exposure is gradually decreasing.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.195-205
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• 2022

Background: The biggest concern when using household chemical products is the health risk from inhalation exposure. Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to provide information necessary for estimating inhalation exposure factors in several countries/organizations and to present some examples. Methods: We attempted to use PRISMA-ScR for a systematic review, but no major reports were found. We used the Google search function instead to find 'exposure factor handbook'. As for the results, inhalation exposure factors from South Korea, the United States, Canada, the EU, Australia, Japan, and China were compared. Results: The basic concept and origin of exposure factors was the US Environmental Protection Agency's Exposure Factor Handbook. Its latest version is 2011, but several chapters have been updated in 2017, 2018, and 2019. South Korea's Exposure Factor Handbook was updated in 2019, more recently than those of other countries, and was systematically investigated. In South Korea, the average daily respiratory rate is 14.62 m³/day for adults and 12.73 m³/day for children. It is difficult to compare breathing rate by country because each country divides age groups differently and uses different methods to estimate it. Information on household chemical products, space used, and ventilation rate are in the exposure factor handbook in some countries and not in others. It is not in the handbook in South Korea, but in the notice from the NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research), a sub-regulation of the Chemical Product Safety Act. Conclusions: The exposure factors registered in South Korea's exposure factor handbook have been systematically studied and reflect the most recent data. When using data not in the relevant handbook, data from other countries might be applied, but it should be determined whether the nature and quality of the original data have been managed.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.329-339
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• 2019

The National Institute of Environmental Research (3rd KONEHs) conducted a survey of 280 residents in Ulsan, Suwon and Asan, and the concentration of heavy metals in the blood and urine were also analyzed. In case of blood lead concentration, Ulsan $2.27{\mu}g/dl$, Suwon $2.08{\mu}g/dl$, and Asan $1.75{\mu}g/dl$, the high peak in Ulsan, and the low peak in Asan. In case of cotinine concentration, Ulsan smoking($609.16{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$) is higher than nonsmoking($74.07{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$), as Suwon and Asan smoking($416.72{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$, $903.21{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$) is higher than nonsmoking($72.72{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$, $18.06{\mu}g/g{\_}ct$), smoking group is higher than nonsmoking group in all areas revealed statistically significant correlation(p<0.01). In considering results synthetically, these study results are an aid to constructing environmental health science-side heavy metal management measure education programs for normal residents.

• 월간산업보건
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• s.93
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• pp.40-42
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• 1996

• 월간산업보건
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• s.369
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• pp.38-49
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• 2019

• 월간산업보건
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• s.385
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• pp.32-35
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• 2020

제조현장에서 작업자들이 근골격계질환 및 중량물 관련 사고를 겪는 일이 많습니다. 인천산업보건센터 양승태 차장은 지난 15년 간 보다 안전한 작업환경을 만들기 위해 수많은 현장을 방문했으며, 이 과정에서 고찰한 중량물 사고에 대한 연구가 국제 학술지에 수차례 게재되었습니다. 양승태 차장의 인간공학적 관점의 연구와 사고 예방을 위한 솔루션을 들어보았습니다.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.316-326
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the causes of the increasing Total Phosphate(TP) in the mainstream of Mangyeong river over the past 10 years, and suggested a reduction plan of about 3 points. First, the high TP concentration was continuously released in the discharge outlet of the Haepo bridge stormwater pipeline. The average TP concentration was 5.066 mg/L and values as high as 29.470 mg/L were measured. The highest pollution contribution rate to the Mangyeong river was more than 70 %. The cause of the pollution was expected to take place somewhere in Wanju Industrial Complex. Second, the average TP concentration of wastewater-treated effluent in the H factory was 0.405 mg/L. If a TP reduction facility is additionally installed in the H factory, it will help reduce TP uptake by Lake Saemangeum. Third, the TP concentration of untreated non-point source point flowing into the Samrae stream was very high with an average of 2.828 mg/L. Also, the pollution contribution rate of Samraecheon 2 to Mangyeong river was 21.8 % on average and up to 58 %. The pollution contribution rate was also high during the agricultural season and the winter, during which the flow rate is decreased. Investigation of these three points may be continuously needed, and analysis results and policy proposals presented to Jeollabukdo and Wanjugun to manage pollution sources.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2019

Objectives: The hazardous heavy metal contents of cosmetics were investigated and the resulting values were compared by type of cosmetics: skin care preparations (SCP), hair preparations (HP), makeup preparations (MP), and eye makeup preparations (EMP). Methods: The hazardous heavy metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni and Hg) were analyzed for 358 cosmetics products (187 SCP, 82 HP, 56 MP, and 33 EMP). Hg was measured by the amalgamation method, and other hazardous heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) after decomposition using the microwave method. Results: The mean contents of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in cosmetics were 0.424, 0.068, 0.024, 0.398, $0.567{\mu}/g$, and Not Detected, respectively. All of the hazardous heavy metals were detected in most products, but below the recommended maximums of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The level of Cd was the lowest at 14.8%, and Sb was the highest at 41.2%. Pb, Sb and Ni showed the highest mean value and detection rate in EMP. As, Cd, and Hg showed the highest in SCP, HP, and MP, respectively. Conclusion: Hazardous heavy metals were detected in most products. In particular, Pb, Sb, and Ni were broadly detected in EMP, meaning more stringent quality control is required.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.750-756
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• 2020

Objectives: After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, the South Korean government announced guidelines on wearing masks to prevent its spread. The guidelines have changed depending on the severity of the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to identify mask-wearing behaviours to counter the spread of COVID-19 in indoor and outdoor environments. Methods: The type of mask worn and proper wearing were observed in cafés, supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets in Seoul. Behavioral assessment was repeated in August at social distancing levels 1 and 2, in October at social distancing level 1, and in November after the mask mandates. Results: In August, 22.1% of subjects in cafés, 90.8% in supermarkets, 91.8% in underground shopping malls, and 83.6% on outdoor streets wore masks properly. In October, the proportion of correct wearers increased in all locations. After masks became mandatory in November, about 97% of users of supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets wore masks properly. In cafés, the proportion of proper wearers was 61.5% with both social distancing level 2 in August and the mandate in November. The number of KF-certified mask wearers continued to increase from August to November. Conclusion: This study investigated mask-wearing behaviors to counter COVID-19 through observations in indoor and outdoor places in Seoul. Mask-wearing behavior was different depending on the place and the government guidelines in place. The results could be used for evaluation of the current guidelines for COVID-19.