• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was aimed at the examination of the lead exposure status of smelting process workers in steelmaking using scrap iron. Methods: The study was conducted from July to September 2012 by means of measurements taken during the smelting process, with 45 minutes set for a one-time smelting work cycle when it comes to personal air sample and area air sample. As such, daily work hours were classified into 360 minutes for measurement. The analysis of lead concentration was conducted using AAs based on the NIOSH 7300 method. Results: In the case of the personal specimens that were subjected to periodical measurement 45 minutes per one session during the smelting process, 40 out of 42 specimens measured were found to contain lead, with an average concentration level of $0.028mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.182mg/m^3$, Min: $0.005mg/m^3$, TWA-more than 50%: 4 out of 6 units). In the case of regional specimens, lead was detected in 45 out of 48 specimens measured, with an average concentration level of $0.037mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.220mg/m^3$, Min: $0.007mg/m^3$ ). In the case of regional specimens subjected to measurement using a day as the work cycle, lead was detected in 15 out of 15 specimens measured, with an average concentration level of $0.049mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.478mg/m^3$, Min: $0.005mg/m^3$ ). Conclusions: It concluded that smelting process workers in steelmaking are exposed to lead because scrap iron is used as a raw material. It is thus necessary to introduce legal management to prevent occupation-related disease in smelting process workers in steelmaking.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.453-462
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• 1996

This study was conducted to evaluate the level of atmospheric heavy metals and the relationship of that concentration with weather conditions. This research monitored the concentration of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) at every three hours by using High Volume Air Sampler from December 24th, of 1995 to Febuary 20th, 1996 in Kimhae area, which recently became a rapidly growing residential and industrial sitc. The items such as air-temperature, relative humidity, radition, wind speed, and wind direction were monitored by using Atmospheric Weather System at the same time. From the collected TSP, the concentration of heavy metals were analyzed by using the Atomic Absorption Spcetrophotometry. The mean concentration of TSP was 110.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m^3$, and the mean concentration of lead (Pb), copper(Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), were 0.837 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m^3$, 0486 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m^3$, 0.264$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m^3$). The concentration of Pb and Mn was higher in the moring and that of Cu, Cr and Cd was higher in the afternoon and the evening. Regarding the relationship between the concentration of pollutants and weather condition, the-concentration TSP revealed positive correlation with temperature, humidity, wind speed, but negative correlation with tradition (p<0.01). The concentration of Mn revealed positive correlation with temperature and humidity, but negative correlation with wind speed (p<0.01). And the the concentration of pollutants and weather condition revealed higher correlation within the same time period. In summary, the paralleled mornitoring of air conditions and weather condition should be recommended to. get the correct informations concerning the pollution and to prevent the deterioration of air conditions.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2009

Tree-ring width analysis has been used to assess the effects of air pollution on tree growth around industrial complexes. Our study was conducted to elucidate the effect of air pollutants on annual ring growth in black pines (Pinus thunbergii) of age 41$\sim$48 years around Ulsan Metropolitan City. The growth data were analyzed by multiple regression and the results are as follows: 1. The annual ring increment of black pines increased with tree age until age 40 years and then decreased gradually after age 40 years. 2. The increment of annual ring width of black pines was affected more by precipitation and evapotranspiration than air temperature. An annual ring decline appeared in the years 1968$\sim$1983, when annual ring indices below zero were observed. Decreased annual ring growth during this period may have been due to air pollution. 3. The heavy metal with the strongest effect on annual ring growth of black pines in the experimental stand was lead (Pb). The concentration of lead in the stand was estimated as over 6 ppm. 4. The technique of tree-ring width analysis may be useful for estimation of the extent of pollution in forest areas near industrial complexes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.15-26
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• 1996

It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu City the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu City area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic. With its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and Kyongju City in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columba livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained in heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu City and the third group was obtained light traffic area in Kyongju City. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu City was $0.11{\mu}g/m^3,\;4.96{\mu}g/g$, that of park in Taegu City was $0.05{\mu}g/m^3,\;2.65{\mu}g/g$ and that of light traffic area in Kyongju City was $0.03{\mu}g/m^3,\;0.01{\mu}g/g$. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu City was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu City and low traffic density area in Kyongju City(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4836, p<0.01). We can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon's tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=4818, p<0.001), femur(r=0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu City, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.190-200
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate and analyze TSP of the PC rooms. The concentration of the total suspended particulate and heavy metals contained in the total suspended particulate of the 15 PC rooms located in one local city were measured. The statistical correlation coefficients between the total suspended particulate and factors of the indoor condition (number of fan or size of pc room, illumination), between the heavy metals and factors of the indoor condition were studied. The results are as follows: 1. The factors of the indoor condition of the 15 PC rooms are as follows. Average illumination was 24 luxes. Average number of computers installed were 37. Average number of the fans was 7. and the size of investigated PC rooms was $139.94m^2$. 2. The mean age of the subjects was 21.8 years old. they $(51.5\%)$ used the 15 pc rooms for fewer than 2 hours per one day. 3. The mean concentration of total suspended particulate (TSP) is lower in the evening ${139.085\;(2.462)\;{\mu}g/m^3}$ than the night ${166.216(2.609){\mu}g/m^3}$. 4. The mean concentration of total suspended particulate was industrial work area) residential area) commercial area. 5. The distribution of heavy metals were indicated as Zn>Cr>Pb>Cd in the indoor air at PC rooms. and the concentration rate of Zn was the highest among heavy metals. but this increase didn't show any relationship with many factors of indoor condition (number of fan or size of pc room, lighting) 6. The concentration of TSP & heavy metals didn't have any relationship between the factors of indoor environment (number of fans, size of pc room, lighting).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of blood lead concentrations of residents in the areas surrounding an industrial complex. Methods: During the three-month period from August to October 2012, informed consent was obtained from a total of 417 residents in Gwangyang and Yeosu. We collected blood samples from all subjects, and their demographic characteristics were acquired using a questionnaire. The blood samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer and data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Results: The geometric mean concentration of blood lead in all subjects was $1.85{\mu}g/dL$. The highest (p<0.01) blood lead concentrations were in the current drinking group ($2.24{\mu}g/dL$). Blood lead concentrations in the smoking group ($0.59{\mu}g/dL$) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in the non-smoking group ($0.24{\mu}g/dL$). Risk assessment was performe using the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS) as a reference. The hazard indices of blood lead in males and females were 0.65 and 0.52, respectively Conclusion: We provided baseline data for reference values of toxicity and heavy lead concentrations. Our results might be useful for further evaluation of risks due to exposure to heavy metals via oral, air, and percutaneous routes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.516-521
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• 2001

This research was for reducing leachated concentration of hazardous pollutants in bottom ash from municipal solid waste combustors(200 tons/day) of Korea. Lead and copper compounds were selected as main pollutants. For reducing of leachated level, optimal conditions were observed using air oxidation for lead compounds and water washing method for copper compounds. and it was observed stable pH range of bottom ash from analyzing lechated level by pH variation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

The study investigated the concentrations of Pb in soil, air and fruit of C. sinensis in selected landuse types in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Five fruits of C. sinensis were collected randomly in residential, commercial, industrial and natural forest (control). The weight, length and width of the C. sinensis fruits were measured. A total of three soil samples were collected around the C. sinensis trees where the fruits were collected into well labeled polythene bags and thereafter taken to laboratory for analysis. Pb concentrations in C. sinensis and soil samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of Pb in the air was measured for 14 days using Aeroquel 500. The significant relationship between Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruits, soil and air was determined using Spearman's rank correlation. Findings showed that the mean weight and width of C. sinensis fruits were highest in the residential landuse while the mean length of C. sinensis fruits was highest in the industrial landuse. However, the mean Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruit was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.46{\pm}0.15mg\;kg^{-1}$), commercial landuse ($0.33{\pm}0.09mg\;kg^{-1}$) and the least was found in the natural forest ($0.25{\pm}0.06mg\;kg^{-1}$). The mean Pb concentration in the soil was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.177{\pm}0.16mg\;kg^{-1}$) and commercial landuse ($0.121{\pm}0.10mg\;kg^{-1}$). However, the mean Pb concentration in the air was highest in the industrial landuse ($0.85{\pm}0.09mg\;kg^{-1}$) and followed by commercial landuse ($0.30{\pm}0.17mg\;kg^{-1}$). The correlations between the Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruit and soil (r=0.768, p<0.05) and air (r=0.642, p<0.05) were significant. The study concluded that the Pb concentration in the C. sinensis fruits was higher than the WHO standard; hence people should be discouraged to consume them, especially those from the industrial and commercial areas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.168-179
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• 1994

In some ceramic industries, worker exposure to dust, crystalline free silica and lead were determined and evaluated. The conclusions are as follows. 1. Crystalline silica in bulk samples was 10.5 % in sanitary ware industry, 9.4 % in tile industry, and 2.1 % in ceramic insulator industry respectively. The free silica content of air filter sample was 8.03 % in table ware industry, 5.59 % in sanitary ware industry, and 1.32 % in ceramic insulator industry. Because silica content in ceramic dust is relatively high, it is should be considered silica as important factor in evaluating for ceramic industry. 2. The silica contents in dust from tile, sanitary ware and table ware industries are above 5%, it should be classified as "Type" 2 dust. 3. The airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica was $27.9{\mu}g/m^3$ in a sanitary ware factory and $5.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in a ceramic insualtor factory. Three of ten samples sampled the above factories were exceeded the occupational exposure levels, $100{\mu}g/m^3$. 4. Geometric mean(GM) of total dust in 11 factories was $1.00mg/m^3$ and GM of respirable dust concentration in 5 factories was $0.33mg/m^3$. Sanitary ware industry had the highest concentration of total dust, $1.62mg/m^3$ and of respirable dust, $0.88mg/m^3$. 5. Average lead concentration in air was $0.05mg/m^3$ in glazing process of 2 factories manufacturing table ware. Five of ten sample(50%) were exceeded $0.05mg/m^3$. Therefore lead exposure in pottery industry should be considered as important problem.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1989

The sensitivity analysis is a method to quantify to what extent the output of a model changes with the values of input parameters. This will lead to increase model accuracy through measurement validation. Three line source air quality models, HIWAY 2, PAL, and CALINE 3 were selected for this study. The input parameters analysed included wind speed, wind direction, stability, emission rate, mixing height, receptor distance, initial dispersion coefficient, surface roughness, and averaging time. It turned out that PAL model generally showed higher concentration than other two models, and that between CALINE 3 and HIWAY 2, CALINE 3 showed higher concentration than HIWAY 2 model near the line sources, but beyond a certain downwind distances HIWAY 2 model showed higher concentration. The modesl were very sensitive to wind speed especially in the range of 0 $\sim$ 1 m/s and to wind direction near the parallel wind to streets. In case of emission rate, the output concentration was directly proportional to these input parameters. And the sensitivity of the input parameters such as stability, mixing height, initial dispersion coefficient, surface roughness, and averaging time were not very significant.