• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.43-57
• /
• 1996

To characterize worker's exposure to glass fibers, to find the correlation between airborne total dust concentrations and fiber concentrations and to recommend an appropriate evaluation method for worker's exposure to fibrous dusts in glass wool industry, we carried out this study. Average respirable fiber levels at five factories were 0.013-0.056 f/cc, and fairly below the OSHA PEL, 1 f/cc. A factory showed the lowest airborne fiber level, 0.013 f/cc, which was different significantly from those of other factories of which average fiber concentration was 0.046 f/cc. The cutting and grinding operations of insulation products resulted in higher airborne fiber cocentrations than any other processes(p<0.05). To characterize airborne fiber dimension, fiber length and diamter were determined using phase contrast microscope. The geometric means of airborne fiber lengths were $42-105 \mu m$. One factory had airborne fibers whose length distribution(GM = $105 \mu m$) was different from those of other factories(GM = $42-50 \mu m$). The percentages of respirable fibers less thinner than 3 gm were 38.9-90.9% at four factories, and two factories of them had the higher percentages than others. The findings explain for variation of airborne fiber diameters between factories. On the other hand, between the processes were the difference of fiber-length distributions observed. The cutting and grinding operations showed shorter fiber-length distributions than the fiber forming one. However, fiber-diameter distributions or respirable fiber contents were similar in all processes. The airborne fiber concentrations and the dust concentrations had relatively weak correlation(r=0.25), thus number of fibers couldn't be expected reliably from dust amount. Fiber count is appropriate for assessing accurate exposures and health effects caused by fibrous dusts including glass fibers. Ministry of Labor have established occupational exposure limit to glass fibers as nuisiance dust, but should establish it on the basis of respirable fiber concentration to provide adequate protection for worker's health

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.863-875
• /
• 2006

Intensive visibility monitoring was conducted to investigate physical and chemical characteristics of visibility impairment by airborne pollen. Light attenuation coefficients were optically measured by a transmissometer, a nephelometer, and an aethalometer. Elemental, ionic, and carbonaceous species were chemically analyzed on the filters collected by $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ samplers. Aerosol size distribution was analyzed using a cascade impactor during airborne pollen period. Airborne pollen count was calculated using a scanning electron microscope. Airborne pollen was emitted into the atmosphere in springtime and funker degraded visibility through its scattering and absorbing the light. Average light extinction coefficient was measured to be $211{\pm}36Mm^{-1}$ when airborne pollen was not observed. But it increased to $459{\pm}267Mm^{-1}$ during the airborne pollen period due to increase of average $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ mass concentration and relative humidity and airborne pollen count concentration for $PM_{10}$, which were measured to be $46.5{\pm}29.1{\mu}g\;m^{-3},\;97.0{\pm}41.7{\mu}g\;m^{-3},\;54.1{\pm}11.6%$, and $68.2{\pm}89.7m^{-3}$, respectively. Average light extinction efficiencies for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were calculated to be $5.9{\pm}0.9$ and $4.5{\pm}0.8m^2 g^{-1}$ during the airborne pollen period. Light extinction efficiency for $PM_{10}$ increased further than that for $PM_{2.5}$. The average light extinction budget by airborne pollen was estimated to be about 24% out of the average measured light extinction coefficient during the airborne pollen period.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.472-481
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Welding is a major task in shipbuilding yards that generates welding fumes. A significant amount of welding in shipbuilding yards is done on steel. Inevitably, manganese is present in the base metals being joined and the filler wire being used and, consequently, in the fumes to which workers are exposed. The objective of this work was to characterize manganese exposure associated with work area, total and particle size-selective mass concentration, and compare the mass concentrations obtained using a three-piece cassette sampler, size-selective impactor sampler and blood manganese concentrations. Materials: All samples were collected from the main work areas at one shipbuilding yard. We used a three piece cassette sampler and the eight stage cascade impactor sampler for the airborne manganese mass concentration of total and all size fractions, respectively. In addition, we used the results of health examination of workers sampled for airborne manganese. Results: The oder of high concentration of airborne manganese in shipbuilding processes was as follows; block assembly, block erection, outfitting installation, steel cutting, and outfitting preparation. The percentages of samples that exceeded the OES of the ministry of employment and labor by the cassette sampling method was 12.5%, however 59.1% of sampled workers by the impactor sampling method exceeded the TLV of the ACGIH. Conclusions: Even though the manganese concentrations in blood of workers exposed to higher airborne manganese concentration were higher than among those exposed to lower concentrations, there was no difference in blood manganese concentrations among work duration. The data analyzed here by characterizing size-selective mass concentrations indicates that the inhaled manganese of welders in shipbuilding yards could be mostly manganese-containing respirable particle sizes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.157-167
• /
• 1994

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the types of fiber and its content and the levels of airborne fiber concentrations at eight parking lots where sprayed insulation material was found on the walls and ceilings. Also this study was designed to find the relationship between the levels of airborne fiber concentrations and such variables as air current, humidity, total exhaust volume, surface condition of insulation material and building age. The results obtained were as follows : 1. No significant correlation was found between the levels of airborne tiber concentration and the building age, air current, humidity, total exhaust volume, space and the number of traffics. 2. A significant correlation was found between the levels of airborne fiber concentration and the MMMF content of the insulation material(r=0.7594). However, no significant correlation was found between the levels of airborne fiber concentration and total fiber content of insulation material. 3. The differences of the airborne fiber concentrations among Cateogory 1, 2 and 3 classified by the degrees of surface insulation material maintenance were very significant. 4. Two bulk samples contained 30% crodicolite and 1% anthophylite. The MMMFs, in all parking lots, included mineral wool, cellulose fiber, trace cellulose fiber, trace tiber glass and vermiculite. 5. The mean value and the range of airborne fiber concentrations at 8 parking lots were $0.0239{\pm}0.0095f/cc$ and 0.0054-0.0447 f/cc, respectively. The fiber concentrations of 35 out of 38 samples(92%) were over 0.01 f/cc which is the Environment Administration's recommended asbestos level for the underground space. This study suggests that most of building insulation materials used in Korea, contain MMMF and sometimes asbestos. Currently, MMMF pollution levels may exceed the Environment Administration's recommended level for underground space. It has been found that airborne fiber concentrations increased significantly with MMMF content and with the maintenance condition of surface material. Therefore, it is recommended that a proper management technique should be developed and immediately implemented since the conditions of surface material will be gradually deteriorated due to building age and usage. Since health hazards of the MMMF, similar to those of asbestos, are being gradually acknowledged, a proper management technique which is applicable to control total airborne fiber concentrations, both asbestos and MMMF, be developed and an acceptable indoor air standard be promulgated as early as possible.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of airborne radon concentration by season in public-use facilities in South Korea. Research design, data and methodology: The data is provided by the public data portal, and public-use facilities nationwide where radon in the air is measured are specialized sanatorium for senior citizens, libraries, childcare facilities, postpartum care centers, medical institutions, funeral halls, underground shopping malls, and underground subway stations. Results: The facility with the highest radon concentration in public-use facilities was childcare facilities with an average of 50.2 ± 21.7 Bq/m³, while the average of medical institutions was the lowest at 24.8 ± 5.7 Bq/m³. The season with the largest difference in average radon concentration between childcare facilities and medical institutions was in the order of fall (28.6 Bq/m³), followed by winter (28.1 Bq/m³), spring (23.0 Bq/m³), and summer (22.0 Bq/m³). Conclusions: The main concentration levels of each public-use facility shown in this study are all below domestic and international standards, but there is a significant concentration difference between facilities. By season, winter showed the highest average concentration (40.6 ± 21.3 Bq/m³) and summer showed the lowest average concentration (23.8 ± 14.0 Bq/m³).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.5 s.81
• /
• pp.440-448
• /
• 2004

Airborne bacteria, gram negative bacteria (GNB) and fungi were measured in 70 class of 17 kindergartens. The objective of this study is to identify the factors influencing airborne concentrations of bacteria, GNB and fungi using multiple regression analysis. The average concentrations of bacteria and fungi exceeded $1,000\;CFU/m^3$. The average of GNB was $3.7{\times}10^2\;CFU/m^3$. This results indicated that air of kindergartens was contaminated with microbes such as bacteria and fungi. ANOVA test found that the concentrations of bacteria, GNB and fungi were significantly different by the characteristics of weather (rain, after rain, sunny) sampling date (July, August, September and October), the location of sampling site (ground level and basement) and the location of toilet (inside class, nearby class and away class). Multiple regression tests concluded that sampling date, the scale of city where kindergartens are located, the location of sampling site and ventilation efficiency can significantly affect the airborne concentration of bacteria, GNB and fungi. Most of these factors could be related moisture. Environmental factors that can cause the increment of moisture should be controlled in order to reduce airborne concentration of bacteria, GNB and fungi. Legal actions concerning prohibition on the presence of toilet inside class and ventilation criteria should be taken.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 2019

Background: This study was designed to provide logical backgrounds for the revision of biological exposure indices (BEIs) for styrene exposure in Korea. In order to investigate the correlation between airborne styrene and biological exposure indices, we measured urinary mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in workers exposed to styrene occupationally, as well as airborne styrene at workplaces. Methods: Surveys were conducted for 56 subjects. The concentrations of airborne styrene and urinary metabolites of styrene were measured in 36 workers who were occupationally exposed to styrene, and in 20 controls. Air samples were collected using personal air samplers and analyzed by gas chromatography. Urine samples were collected at the end of the shift and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The geometric mean concentration of airborne styrene was 9.6 ppm. The concentrations of urinary MA, PGA, and MA+PGA in the exposure group were 267.7, 143.3, and 416.8 mg/g creatinine, respectively. The correlation coefficients for correlation between airborne styrene and MA, PGA, and MA+PGA were 0.714, 0.604, and 0.769, respectively. The sum of urinary MA and PGA corresponding to an exposure of 20 ppm styrene was 603 mg/g creatinine. Conclusion: The correlation of the sum of urinary MA and PGA with airborne styrene was better than the correlation of each individual urinary determinant. It is considered appropriate to amend the concentration of urinary MA+PGA to 600 mg/g creatinine as a BEI, which corresponds to an airborne styrene concentration of 20 ppm in Korea.

• Journal of Conservation Science
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.652-663
• /
• 2019

To identify daily and annual changes in outdoor airborne fungi, it is necessary to shorten the collection cycle and increase the number of measurements. In this study, measurements were performed by employing an air sampler and potato dextrose agar media on the rooftop of National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage during a period of one year (August 2018 to July 2019). The collection cycle spanned the twenty-four seasonal divisions and the collection time was 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.. Meteorological elements were collected at intervals of one hour. Furthermore, the concentration of airborne fungi was monitored and correlation analysis with meteorological elements was subsequently conducted. Obtained results indicate that the concentration of airborne fungi is found to be highest in November, autumn, night, followed by autumn, summer, winter, and spring. The concentration, type, and dominant species of airborne fungi can vary depending on factors such as rainfall, typhoons, and yellow dust (fine dust). The concentration of airborne fungi indicates a strong positive linear relationship between precipitation, number of precipitation days, and relative humidity. The concentration of airborne fungi was related to the period of increase of dead plants in terms of nutrition source, and to the high relative humidity conditions including rainfall in terms of meteorological elements.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2008

Mean levels of airborne bacteria, airborne fungi, temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices were $426({\pm}83)\;cfu/m^3$, $234({\pm}125)\;cfu/m^3$, $25.9({\pm}1.3)\;^{\circ}C$, $57.7({\pm}8.6)\;%$, $422({\pm}38)\;ppm$, respectively. The I/O ratio of airborne bacteria and fungi was over 1 and there was no significant difference among temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in total 69 general offices. In construction period, a concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi was significantly highest in general offices constructed under one year and over three years since construction, respectively (p<0.05). The concentration of airborne fungi in general offices located at basement was significantly higher than those located at ground (p<0.05). No significant difference of airborne bacteria and fungi in general offices was found regardless of installation of HVAC system (p>0.05). The dominant bacterial genera identified in general offices was Staphylococcus, followed by Micrococcus, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium while usarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Mucor were identified as dominant fungal genera in general offices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Concentration and identification of airborne bacteria in the regulated public facilities were examined with the six-stage cascade impactor. Geometric mean total and respirable concentrations of airborne bacteria were $404cfu/m^3$ and $194cfu/m^3$ in hospital, $931cfu/m^3$ and $358cfu/m^3$ in kindergarten, $294cfu/m^3$ and $134cfu/m^3$ in day-care center, and $586cfu/m^3$ and $254cfu/m^3$ in postpartum nurse center, respectively. As a result, culturable total and respirable concentrations of airborne bacteria were significantly highest in kindergarten and lowest in day-care center (p<0.05). The ratio of respirable to total concentration of airborne bacteria in the investigated public facilities was ranged from 30% to 40% but there was no significant difference among them (p>0.05). The mean I/O ratio of culturable total and respirable concentrations were 0.58 and 0.66 in hospital, 0.71 and 0.83 in kindergarten, 0.28 and 0.41 in day-care center, and 0.63 and 0.78 in postpartum nurse center, respectively. Day-care center showed the lowest I/O ratio of culturable total and respirable concentration of airborne bacteria (p<0.05) but a significant difference was not found among other facilities. Indoor concentration of airborne bacteria did not correlated significantly with indoor temperature and relative humidity (p>0.05) but had a significant positive correlation with $CO_2$ and surrounding condition (p<0.05). Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Bacillus spp. were dominant genera and amounted to over 95% of total airborne bacteria identified in the investigated public facilities. Size distributions of four dominant genera did not observed inconsistently regardless of type of public facility.