• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

Because information on biological agents in the workplace is lacking, biological hazard analyses at the workplace to securely recognize the harmful factors with biological basis are desperately needed. This review concentrates on literatures published after 2010 that attempted to detect biological hazards to humans, especially workers, and the efforts to protect them against these factors. It is important to improve the current understanding of the health hazards caused by biological factors at the workplace. In addition, this review briefly describes these factors and provides some examples of their adverse health effects. It also reviews risk assessments, protection with personal protective equipment, prevention with training of workers, regulations, as well as vaccinations.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.757-767
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• 2006

Biological assessments are the primary tool for evaluating the biological condition of a water body and makes it possible to understand accumulative and long-term effect of stressors. They also provide reliable biological information for which disturbed systems are to be restored. Sustainable water environment is not enough with attaining only the clean water, but it should sustain healthy and diverse aquatic life. Aquatic organisms are affected by various factors, including not only water quality but also habitat condition and stressors, and thus good condition of both physical and chemical water quality is prerequisite for sustaining healthy organisms. Therefore, biological assessment, along with other physical and chemical assessments, are crucial for evaluating the health of a water body. Overall, sustainability of water environment demands the attainment and maintenance of ecological integrity, which is resulted from the combination of physical, chemical and biological integrity. The biological criteria will play very important role in the water resource management and policy issues, and thus bioassessment program should be fully implemented and supported eventually by the law. To keep ecosystem health of water environment safely from the toxic pollutants and other stressors, the following suggestions need to be considered in environmental quality standards in Korea. For the first step, the biological indicators need to be introduced in evaluating river quality condition; they provide a qualitative description of biological condition of water body. Secondly, the biological water quality standards using biotic indices should be developed and implemented under the consideration of characteristics of Korean river systems. Lastly, the ecological status classification regime (ESCR) should be developed and introduced; it could be used in quality assessment of the water environment in general. In developing ESCR, integration of physico-chemical, biological, and habitat parameters should be taken into account.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.631-648
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• 2012

The integrative ecological approaches of chemical assessments, physical habitat modelling, and multi-metric biological health modelling were applied to Gwanpyeong Stream within Gap-Stream watersheds to evaluate environmental impacts on the constructions of residential and commercial complex. For the analysis, the surveys conducted from 45 sites of reference streams within the Gap-Stream watershed and 3 regular sites during 2009 - 2010. Physical habitat health, based on the habitat model of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index(QHEI) declined from the headwaters(good - fair condition) to the downstream(poor condition). Chemical water quality, based turbidity and electric conductivity(EC), was degraded toward to the downstream, and especially showed abrupt increases, compared to the values of control streams(CS). Also, concentrations of chlorophyll-a in the downstreams were greater compared to the control stream(CS), indicating an eutrophication. Biological health conditions, based on the Index of Biological Integrity(IBI) using fish assemblages, averaged 19.3 which is judged as a fair condition by the biological criteria of the Ministry of Environment, Korea. The comparisons of model metric values in sensitive species and riffle-benthic species on the Maximum Species Richness Line(MSRL) of 45 reference streams indicated a massive disturbances in all sampling locations. Also, tolerance guild and trophic guild analyses suggest that dominances of tolerant species and omnivores were evident, indicating a biological degradation by habitat disturbances and organic matter pollutions. There was no distinct longitudinal variations of IBI model values from the headwater to the downstream in spite of slight chemical and habitat health gradients among the sampling sites. Overall, integrative ecological health(IEH) scores, based on the chemical, physical, and biological parameters, were low compared to the 45 reference streams due to physical and chemical disturbances of massive constructions of the residential and commercial complex. This stream, thus showed a tendency of typical urban streams which are disturbed in the chemical water quality, habitat structures, and biological integrity. Effective stream management plans and restoration strategies are required in this urban stream for improving integrative stream health.

• 생태와환경
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.24-34
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• 2010

This study was carried out to analyze some influences on ecological health conditions, threaten by various stressors such as physical, chemical and biological parameters. We collected samples in 2008 from three zones of upstream, midstream and downstream, Gap Stream. We applied multi-metric fish assessment index (MFAI), based on biotic integrity model to the three zones along with habitat evaluations based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). We also examined fish fauna and compositions, and analyzed relations with MFAI values, QHEI values, and various guild types. Chemical parameters such as oragnic matter (BOD, COD), nutrients (TP, $NH_3$-N), coli-form number (as MPN), and suspended solids (SS) were analyzed to identify the relationship among multiple stressor effects. Using the sentinel species of Zacco platypus, the population structures and condition factors were analyzed along with DNA damages related with genotoxicant effects by comet assay. This study using all these parameters showed that stream condition was degraded along the longitudinal gradient from upstream to downstream, and the downstream, especially, was impacted by nutrient enrichment and toxicant exposure from the point source, wastewater treatment plant. Overall results indicated that our approaches applying various parameters may be used as a cause-effect technique in the stream health assessments and also used as a pre-warning tool for diagnosis of ecological degradation.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.841-857
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• 2012

Preliminary ecological environmental assessments including physico-chemical constituents, water quality, fish fauna analysis, physical habitat health, and ecological health assessment were conducted as a primary step for Jeungchon micro-habitat ecosystem restoration in 2012. Water chemistry analysis of conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a and etc. indicated that there were no significant differences(p < 0.05) among 6 sites between the headwaters and downstream. Multi-metric model analysis of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index(QHEI) showed that brooklets were at "good condition" as a mean QHEI of 158.7(n = 6) and the longitudinal differences of the model values between the sites were minor(QHEI range: 153 - 165). Total fish species and the number of individuals were 12 and 481, respectively, and dominant species were Zacco platypus(49.5%) and Zacco koreanus(36.8%). Tolerance guild analysis showed that the proportion of sensitive species($S_S$) had a negative linear function[$S_S=86.35-0.31(D_H)$; $R^2$ = 0.892, p < 0.01] with a distance from the headwaters, while the proportion of tolerant species($T_S$) had a positive linear function($R^2$ = 0.950, F = 90.28, p < 0.001) with the distance. Trophic feeding guild analysis showed that the proportion of insectivore species($I_n$) had a negative linear function($R^2$ = 0.934, p < 0.01) with a distance from the headwaters, while the proportion of omnivore species($O_m$) had a positive linear function($R^2$ = 0.958, p < 0.001) with the distance. Index of Biological Integrity(IBI) model, based on fish assemblages, showed a "fair condition" as a mean IBI of 23(n = 6), and there was a distinct differences of ecological health between the headwaters(S1 = 30; "good condition") and the downstreams(S6 = 14; "poor condition"). Overall, the preliminary environmental impact assessments suggest that water quality, physical habitat conditions(QHEI model), and ecological health(IBI model) were maintained well, even if the state was not an excellent conditions.

• 한국환경생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경생물학회 2002년도 춘계공동학술대회 및 심포지움 초록집
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• pp.69-69
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• 2002

• 환경영향평가
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.483-501
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• 2012

본 연구에서는 2005 - 2006년 기간 동안 국내 인공호의 환경영향평가를 위해 LEHA 다변수 생태모형(Lentic Ecosystem Health Assessment Model)을 청평호에 적용하였고, 생태 건강도 모델값을 산정하였다. LEHA 생태 평가모형은 생물학적 변수($B_p$), 물리적 변수($P_p$), 화학적 변수($C_p$)의 11개 주요 메트릭으로 구성되었고, 이를 통합하여 생태 건강도 등급을 평가하였다. 생물학적 변수($B_p$)는 수환경의 질적 저하에 따라서 감소하는 민감종 메트릭($M_2$, NSS) 및 충식종 메트릭($M_5$, % $I_n$)이 이용되었고, 두 메트릭 모델값은 각각 1.5%, 32.4%로서 낮게 나타났다. 반면, 내성종($M_3$, % $T_s$)과 잡식종 메트릭($M_4$, % $O_m$) 값은 43%, 62%로서 높게 나타나 호수생태계의 질적 저하가 확인되었다. 물리적 서식지 변수($P_p$)는 수변 식피율($M_9$, % $V_c$)로서 1차 조사에 비해 2차 조사에 높게 나타났으며, 상류에서 하류로 갈수록 메트릭 모델 값이 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 정수역의 증가로 서식환경의 단순화와 인근 수체에서 실시되고 있는 잦은 골재 채취로 인한 서식지의 하상구조 변경이 악영향을 준 것으로 사료되었다. 한편, 화학적 수질특성 변수($C_p$)는 수체의 이온(양이온/음이온) 특성을 나타내는 전기전도도($M_{10}$, $C_I$)와 부영양 상태를 평가하는 Chl-a의 부영양화 지수($M_{11}$, $TSI_{CHL}$)로서 메트릭 모델값은 계절별 변이는 크게 나타났고, 지점 간의 공간변이는 미미한 것으로 나타나, "양호상태"로 평가되었다. LEHA 다변수 모델에 의거한 청평호의 환경영향평가에 의하면, 생태 건강도 LEHA 모델값은 1차 조사에서 30.7로 "보통-악화상태", 2차 조사에서 28로 "악화상태"를 보여 계절 변이 특성을 보였다. 지점별 LEHA 모델값은 호수의 정수대(S5)에서 28로 최소치를 보였고, 그 외 지점들도 29 - 30으로 지점 간 미미한 차이를 보였다. 청평호의 종합적인 환경영향평가에 의하면, 이 화학적인 수질기준 측면에서는 "양호상태"를 보인 반면, 생물학적 기준에서는 "악화상태"를 보였는데, 이는 빈번한 준설작업으로 인한 물리적 서식지 교란이 영향을 준 것으로 사료되었다.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.329-336
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• 2012

This study evaluated ecological health, using various biomarkers and bioindicators, of pale chub (Zacco platypus) as a sentinel species, in Daejeon Stream, South Korea, during AprilMay 2011. The biomarkers and bioindicators were compared among three sites of control: Reference ($C_z$), transition ($T_z$), and the urban zones ($U_z$); and the 7-Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations were more significantly increased in the $U_z$ than in the $C_z$. Also, physiological markers such as condition factor, liver somatic index, visceral somatic index, and gonad somatic index were significantly increased in the $U_z$ than in the $C_z$. For the health assessments, three categorized parameters of blood chemistry, molecular biomarkers, and physiological bioindicators were standardized and calculated as a star-plot, representing values of Integrated Health Response (IHR). Values of IHR had more significant (P<0.05) increases in the $U_z$ than any other zones, indicating an impairment of ecological health by organic matter, nutrients (N, P), and toxic chemicals. This study is based on low levels of biological organization approach of molecular and physiological biomarkers and bioindicators, so further study of high-levels of biological organization approach such as community and population is required for overall range of health assessments. The approach of IHR values, however, may be useful in providing early warning of future impacts on ecological health.

• 환경생물
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.440-447
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 남한강 상류수계의 10개 지점에서 생물보전지수 (Index of Biological Integrity, IBI) 및 물리적 서식지 평가 지수 (Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index, QHEI)를 이용하여 생태건강도 특성을 평가하였다. 생물보전지수 조사는 Karr (1981)가 제시한 12개 항목 중 11개 메트릭에 대하여 평가하였다. 생물보전지수 등급은 "양호상태"였고, 지점별 IBI 값의 범위는 33 (악화상태)~47 (양호상태)로 나타났다. 물리적 서식지측면에서는 Plafkin et al. (1989)에 의해 도입된 서식지 평가 지수(QHEI)의 12항목 중 9개 항목에 대해 평가를 실시했으며, QHEI 값의 범위는 75~109로 나타났으며, 전체 서식지 건강도 평균치는 부분 지지상태(Partially supporting)로 나타났다. 연구지점내의 하천 비교평가에 따르면, Gj 하천의 IBI 모델 값 및 QHEI 모델 값은 타 하천들 (Ig, Dn 하천)에 비해 양호한 상태로 평가되었다. 어류의 영양단계 종 성분분석에 따르면, 식충종, 잡식종 및 육식종은 61.9%, 19.0% 및 9.5%를 차지하는 것으로 나타났다. 어류의 내성도 길드분석에 따르면, 민감종 (76.1%)은 내성종 (4.7%)보다 우점하여 생태계가 건전한 것으로 평가되었다. 서식지 길드 분석에 따르면, 여울성 저서종(57.1%)은 수층종(28.5%)보다 우점하는 것으로 나타났다. 연구기간 동안, 외래종 및 질병에 걸리거나 비정상적인 증상을 나타내는 개체는 관측되지 않았다. 전체적으로 생태건강도 모델값(IBI) 및 서식지평가지수 모델값의 분석에 따르면 본 상류 하천지역은 생태학적으로 양호한 상태로 잘 유지되는 것으로 평가되었다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.245-252
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• 2014

Arsenic is a unique element with distinct physical characteristics and toxicity whose importance in public health is well recognized. The toxicity of arsenic varies across its different forms. While the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been confirmed, the mechanisms behind the diseases occurring after acute or chronic exposure to arsenic are not well understood. Inorganic arsenic has been confirmed as a human carcinogen that can induce skin, lung, and bladder cancer. There are also reports of its significant association to liver, prostate, and bladder cancer. Recent studies have also suggested a relationship with diabetes, neurological effects, cardiac disorders, and reproductive organs, but further studies are required to confirm these associations. The majority of research to date has examined cancer incidence after a high exposure to high concentrations of arsenic. However, numerous studies have reported various health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. An assessment of the health effects to arsenic exposure has never been performed in the South Korean population; thus, objective estimates of exposure levels are needed. Data should be collected on the biological exposure level for the total arsenic concentration, and individual arsenic concentration by species. In South Korea, we believe that biological exposure assessment should be the first step, followed by regular health effect assessments.