• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.152-165
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• 1993

This study was performed at eleven small-sized plating factories located in Seoul, Incheon, Ansan, and Taejeon from July 21 to October 6, 1992. The major objectives of this study were to evaluate worker exposure to hexavalent chromium and local exhaust ventilation (L.E.V.) systems at the chromium plating operations. The most suitable L.E.V. systems for chromium plating tanks were designed as examples for recommendation to the industry. The results are summarized as follows. The range of chromium plating operations investigated included decorative, hard, and black chromium plating on several kinds of parts. Most of plating tanks were not equipped with proper control methods against emission of hexavalent chromium mists and workers were not wearing appropriate personal protectives. The ariborne hexavalent chromium concentrations showed an approximate lognormal distribution. The geometric means of both personal and area samples were within the Korean and ACGIH standards, $50{\mu}g/m^3$. However, in comparison with the NIOSH criterion, $1{\mu}g/m^3$, the geometric means of personal samples at two factories and the geometric means of area samples at two factories exceeded it. The geometric means of personal and area samples of high exposure groups (above the NIOSH criterion) were 7 and 27 times higher than those of low exposure groups (below the NIOSH criterion), respectively. The L.E.V. systems of high exposure groups were improperly designed, and the factory with the highest exposure level had no L.E.V. systems at all on chemical etching process. Whereas at factories of low exposure groups, mist control methods such as mist suppressants, tank cover, and/or auxillary L.E.V. systems were added to L.E.V systems. The evaluation of L.E.V. systems showed that there was no chromium plating operation satisfying the ACGIH criteria for capture velocity, slot velocity, and exhaust rate simultaneously. To increase performance of L.E.V. systems, it must be designed to minimize the impact of boundary layer separation. Push-pull ventilation hood and downward plenum ventilation hood were suggested for the Korean industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between airborne total dust and man-made mineral fibers (MMMF), and to estimate total dust concentration to maintain below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV$^{(R)}$) for the MMMF. The regression coefficients between airborne total dust concentrations and fiber concentrations determined in the industries producing glass fibers, rock wool. refractory ceramic and continuous filament glass fibers products were 0.41, 0.42, 0.20 and 0.19, respectively. The size characteristics of fibers as well as the amounts of contaminated non-fibrous dusts could affect the correlation intensities. When total dust and fiber exposure data were compared with the occupational exposure limits, there was a large gap between two evaluation results. The regression coefficient between total dust and fiber data was increased ($r^2=0.88$) in the process of insulation installation generating in the higher levels of glass or rock wool fibers. In this case, an estimated total dust concentration of glass wool or rock wool fibers complying with the ACGIH TLV (1 f/cc) was $1.7mg/m^3$. In conclusion, the total dust and fibers concentrations was highly correlated at the higher exposure levels so that total dust-monitoring data could be used to control simply and economically and to estimate worker's exposure to fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

To protect the workers' health, we evaluated the hazards of gasoline which the large amounts of use and lack of information, and perform the risk assessment through the measurement of working environment. It is estimated the reproductive toxicity, and has germ cell mutagenicity class 1B, also IARC 2B, ACGIH A3 with carcinogenicity. With working environment, it is measured as below the TLV-TWA $900mg/m^3$. It is also calculated $0.3mg/m^3$ as carcinogenicity RfC (worker), $2.7mg/m^3$ as chronic inhalation toxicity RfC (worker), $2.7mg/m^3$ as developmental toxicity RfC (worker). From all of these results, it is calculated that the risks are 459, 51 and 51 as carcinogenicity, chronic inhalation toxicity and developmental toxicity, respectively. It is concluded that the risk of gasoline is evaluated over 1.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.854-860
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• 2014

Workers engaged in car inspection works have been exposed to many occupational hazards including noise, particulate matter, and volatile organic substances. Noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) is one of the leading health hazards among Korean workers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise levels in several car inspection shops by introducing the evaluation methods of KMOEL/OSHA and ACGIH. Six sites in central area of Korea were selected to monitor the noise levels of workers by personal and area sampling methods for two consecutive days in spring, summer, fall and winter seasons. Dosimeters have been used for this noise monitoring program. Obtained noise levels by the evaluation method according to KMOEL/OSHA are the range of 50.2~88.2 dB(A), these are lower than KOEL/OSHA standards level of 90 dB(A). But highest noise by ACGIH's evaluation methodology is recorded 92.3 dB(A) and is greater than NIHL standard level of 85 dB(A). So that many workers may be exposed to the dangerous noise environment. The higher the car inspection loads daily, the higher the noise levels in the sites. Seasonal fluctuation of noise levels at the process might give monitoring results with high variations. Area noise levels showed higher than those of personal sampling, which illustrate some high noise spots in the car inspection areas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.68-86
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• 1995

This study was conducted at five Ethylene Oxide(EO) sterilizing processes in hospitals located in Seoul from August 8 to August 30, 1994. The main purposes of this study were to assess the TWA(Time Weighted Average) and short term exposures to EO and to evaluate factors affecting EO concentrations in sterilizing room. Results are summarized as follows. 1. The TWA concentrations of the sterilizing operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 3.04ppm and those of two sterilizing rooms out of five exceeded 1ppm, the Korean and ACGIH standards. 2. When the door of the sterilizer is opened at the end of the sterilization cycle, the short term concentrations of operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 11.4ppm, and those of three sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm, the ACGIH short term exposure limit(STEL). The short term concentrations of area samples ranged from 0.24ppm to 49.2ppm and those of four sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm. 3. Factors affecting EO exposure level were aeration type, the location of storage site for sterilized item, amount of gas, use period of sterilizer(p<0.005). 4. Following recommendations are suggested to minimize exposure to EO. The use of EO gas should be reduced by using another available sterilization methods, and the sterilizers and gas tank storage site should be isolated from, other work areas. Combination of local and general ventilation system should be installed. Metal carts or baskets for sterilization load should be used, and work environment and medical monitoring should be performed regularly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2022

Objectives: For chemical risk assessment in workplaces, it is necessary to determine a reference value through hazard assessment. In general, OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) is used for this value. However, since chemicals with OEL were not enough, the concept of DNEL (Derived No Effect Level) was introduced in chemical safety assessment. In this study, the possibility and approach of applying DNEL for chemical risk assessment in domestic workplaces were investigated. Methods: The characteristics of OEL and DNEL were investigated. In addition, ACGIH TLV and GESTIS DNEL were compared and the corresponding scopes were analyzed among the chemical substances notified in South Korea. Results: OEL and DNEL are similar concepts reflecting reference values that should not be exposed based on health effects. While their evaluation and derivation are determined based on similar information and procedures, they may vary depending on the responsible actor, data availability, principles of judgment, and more. As a result of the comparative analysis of ACGIH TLV and GESTIS DNEL, it was confirmed that there is some correlation between TWA and DNEL. The conservatism of DNEL was around 50%. Additionally, it was found that the available range of DNEL among chemicals in South Korea is considerable. Conclusions: This study showed that DNEL can be applied when assessing the risk of chemical substances in domestic workplaces considering several regards. However, since this is not the same level as OEL, we have proposed a proper approach to carry out risk assessment step by step.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.267-278
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• 2011

Objectives: A great number of hazardous agents can be emitted from various types of art-creation in a fine arts college, but little data on exposure assessment has been published. A variety of processes encompassing toxic or non-toxic materials, tools, and components are involved in a sculptor work at a fine art college. The aim of this study was to assess exposure levels to particulates and noise during sculpture classes in a college of fine arts. Methods: Students in sculpture classes participated in this study. Mass, number, and surface area concentrations of particulates, noise level, temperature and relative humidity were monitored by both personal and area sampling during the tasks of metal, wood, and stone sculpting. Results: The number and surface concentration of particulates was the highest in the task of wood sculpting, followed by metal and stone work. The mass concentration of particulates was the highest in stone sculpting (personal GM 3.0 mg/$m^3$, GSD 3.0), followed by wood (personal GM 1.5 mg/$m^3$, GSD 1.8) and metal work (personal GM 0.95 mg/$m^3$, GSD 1.51) in that order. Occupational exposure limits (OEL) for particulates depends on the type of particulate. For wood dust, 86% (six subjects) of the personal samples and all area samples exceeded the Korean OEL for wood dust (1 mg/$m^3$), while 20% (two subjects) among stone sculpting students were exposed above the Korean OEL (10 mg/$m^3$). In contrast, metal sculpting did not exceed the OEL (5 mg/$m^3$). For noise level, metal sculpting students (Leq 95.1 dB(A) in the morning, 85.3 dB(A) in the afternoon) were exposed the most, followed by stone sculpting (88.3 dB(A)), and wood sculpting (84.8 dB(A)) in that order. Compared with the 90 dB(A) of the Korean OEL and 85 dB(A) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' threshold limit value (ACGIH-TLV) for noise, 100% of the subjects (five subjects) and area samples during metal sculpting in the morning session exceeded both OELs, but only three subjects (60%) exceeded the ACGIH-TLV in the afternoon session. For stone sculpting, 50% (one subject) and 100% (two subjects) exceeded the Korean OEL and ACGIH-TLV, respectively, but the area sample did not exceed either OEL. During wood sculpting, two subjects (40%) exceeded ACGIH TLV. Conclusions: This work evaluated the sculptors' exposure to particulate matter and noise in fine art college, and revealed a poor working environment for the participating students. Effective measures should be supplemented by the administration of colleges.

• 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.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 1995

Authors investigated the size distribution and mass fraction of dusts in work environment of Changwon industrial complex. Size distribution of suspended dusts in welding and grinding processes were evaluated using ambient cascade impactors. The mass median diameters of dusts were 0.25 to $0.60 \mu m$ at welding sites and 1.20 to $1.92 \mu m$ at grinding sites. Respirable mass fractions were 63.68 to 73.50% at welding sites and 43.24 to 51.47% at grinding sites. Respirable fractions were calculated from the size distribution data for the ACGIH criteria by the respirable particle mass. In case of dust removal system, electrostatic precipitator and bag filter were appropriate for welding process and grinding process, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 1992

Authors Investigated the particulate size distribution in work environment of Banwol and Changwon industry complex. Size distributions of particles exposured to workers in welding and in grounding process were evaluated by personal cascade impactors. Personal air samplers with personal cascade impactor were attached to the workers. The mass median diameter measured in welding sites were 0.3 to 3.BUm and in grinding sites were 1.5 to 2.6htn. Respirable matter fractions were ranged 32.67 to 65.055. Respirable matter fractions were calculated from the sixte distribution data by the respirable particle mass of the ACGIH criteria. The study relating to characteristics of particle of other industries and particulate sixte distribution is more needed in the near future