• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.474-478
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• 2018

For process safety, fire and explosion characteristics of combustible materials handled at industrial fields must be available. The combustion properties for the prevention of the accidents in the work place are flash point, fire point, explosion limit, and autoignition temperature (AIT) etc.. However, the combustion properties suggested in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are presented differently according to the literatures. The accurate combustion properties are necessary to safely treatment, transportation and handling of flammable substances. In the chemical industries, n-ethylaniline which is widely used as a raw material of intermediate products and rubber chemicals was selected. For safe handling of n-ethyl aniline, the flash point, the fire point and the AIT were measured. The lower explosion limit (LEL)of n-ethylaniline was calculated using the lower flash point obtained in the experiment. The flash points of n- ethylaniline by using the Setaflash and Pensky-Martens closed-cup testers measured $77^{\circ}C$ and $82^{\circ}C$, respectively. The flash points of n-ethylaniline using the Tag and Cleveland open cup testers are measured $85^{\circ}C$ and $92^{\circ}C$, respectively. The AIT of the measured n-ethyl aniline by the ASTM E659 apparatus was measured at $396^{\circ}C$. The LEL of n-ethylaniline measured by Setaflash closed-cup tester at $77^{\circ}C$ was calculated to be 1.02 vol%. In this study, it was possible to predict the LEL by using the lower flash point of n-ethylaniline measured by closed-cup tester. The relationship between the ignition temperature and the ignition delay time of the n-ethylaniline proposed in this study makes it possible to predict the ignition delay time at different ignition temperatures.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.110-116
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• 2016

A decrease in the retro-reflectivity of glass-bead-covered road paint because of a rainwater film significantly reduces the visibility of drivers at night, and has been considered as a critical cause of traffic accidents. For enhanced visibility, the microencapsulation of hydrophobically modified $SrAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+}$,$Dy^{3+}$ phosphorescent phosphor was carried out via suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The effects of surface modification agent and radical initiator types, loading amount of phosphorescent phosphor, and microcapsule size on the phosphor content ($W_{TGA}$) in the luminous poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microcapsules were investigated by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). It was found that the $W_{TGA}$ value was ranged from 7 wt% to 81 wt%, which suggests suspension polymerization is suitable for the preparation of luminous microcapsules with a wide range of phosphor content. At a lower loading amount of phosphor, the $W_{TGA}$ value obviously increased as the microcapsule size decreased; however, the $W_{TGA}$ values with a higher loading amount of phosphor were less affected by the microcapsule size. The luminous microcapsules with the size range of $425{\sim}710{\mu}m$ were collected and tested as a luminous road lanes. It was found that luminance intensities of the microcapsule-coated plates remained higher than $300mcd/m^2$ for up to 100 s in darkness after 20 min of light emitting diode lamp irradiation. The results suggest that the luminous microcapsules can be a candidate for the replacement of glass beads for enhanced visibility of drivers.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.208-216
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• 2023

In this study, using the Delphi method, 20 responses to 4 questions (need for launch safety control, top-priority considerations for ensuring public safety during launch, necessary improvements for securing maritime safety, and maritime safety threat factors) regarding launch vehicles and public safety were obtained from experts, and their importance was evaluated to analyze the factors that threaten the reinforcement of maritime safety around launch sites and flight paths when launching. According to the results of an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis, the consistency ratio of the four questions was 4.8%, which is lower than CR ≤ 0.1(10%), and the consistency percentage of the lower measurement indicators was 3.9~5.7%. The derived importance and priority of maritime safety threat factors during launching were in the following order: Substantial human and physical damage in case of launch accidents(0.36), Prepare legal bases (e.g., penalty details) regarding maritime control(0.32), Secure the safety of personnel, equipment, and facilities in danger zone(0.31), Unauthorized entry of vessels in maritime control zones and non-compliance to restrictions(0.30). This article can serve as a reference for strengthening maritime safety in areas around launch sites and flight paths.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen fluoride is one of the 97 accident preparedness substances regulated by the Ministry of Environment (Republic of Korea) and chemical accidents should be managed centrally due to continual occurrence. Especially, hydrogen fluoride has a characteristic of rapid diffusion and very toxic when leaking into the environment. Therefore, it is important to predict the impact range quickly and to evaluate the residual contamination immediately to minimize the human and environmental damages. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to estimate the accident impact range, the off-site consequence analysis (OCA) was performed to the worst and alternative scenarios. Also, in order to evaluate the residual contamination of hydrogen fluoride in crop, the samples in accident site were collected from 15-divided regions (East direction from accident sites based on the main wind direction), and the concentration was measured by fluoride ($F^-$) ion-selective electrode potentiometer (ISE). As a result of the OCA, the affected distance by the worst scenario was estimated to be >10 km from the accident site and the range by the alternative scenario was estimated to be about 1.9 km. The residual contamination of hydrogen fluoride was highest in the samples near the site of the accident (E-1, 276.82 mg/kg) and tended to decrease as it moved eastward. Meanwhile, the concentrations from SE and NE (4.96~28.98 mg/kg) tended to be lower than the samples near the accident site. As a result, the concentration of hydrogen fluoride was reduced to a low concentration within 2 km from the accident site (<5 mg/kg), and the actual damage range was estimated to be around 2.2 km. Therefore, it is suggested that the results are similar to those of alternative accident scenarios calculated by OCA (about 1.9 km). CONCLUSION: It is difficult to estimate the chemical accident-affecting range/region by the OCA evaluation, because it is not possible to input all physicochemical parameters. However simultaneous measurement of the residual contamination in the environment will be very helpful in determining the diffusion range of actual chemical accident.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.205-224
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• 2012

How would people who buy an insurance policy respond to a low probability risk with a high future cost? Presented with a scenario describing a low probability accident of a chemical plant, participants in four experiments were asked to rate their perception of the risk and also their intention to buy an insurance of a given premium, an insurance, or a ratio insurance. Participants differently responded only to ratio insurance when rating their perception of risk, not to either premium or insurance. The pattern of results in four experiments converged to the conclusion that ratio insurance, an ecologically valid cue, makes people sensitive to the level of risk expressed in low probabilities of an accident. Our results were consistent with the prediction generated by the ecological cue hypothesis which empathizes the importance of frequency over probability in risk perception (Gigerenzer, 2000).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2012

Introduction: After 17 years since the first production of humidifier disinfectants in Korea, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that the odds ratio of lung injury related with humidifier disinfectant usage was 47.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0-369.7) according to a case-control study with 18 adult cases, including 8 pregnant women at a university hospital in Seoul. Results: From September 2011 to April 2012, one-hundred and seventy four victim cases have been reported to an environmental non-governmental group (NGO). We summarized timetable of humidifier disinfectants accidents, analyzed health outcomes (death, lung or lung and heart transplantation, pulmonary disease) of reported victims, and classified some information for humidifier disinfectants with health outcomes, and government action for this accident. Among the victims, number of death cases are 52 (30.0%), including 26 babies less than 3 years old. Sixty-nine victims come from twenty-seven family with 2 to 4 members per family. About twenty types of humidifier disinfectant products and about 600,000 product items a year have been sold. Fifty-two death cases used 7 different types of disinfectant products, including imported goods and some private brands of well-known supermarkets. KCDC confirmed inhalation toxicity of 6 products through an animal experimental test, and based on this observation recalled disinfectants containing PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) and PGH (Oligo(2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl guanidinium chloride). Discussions: The use of these biocides involved highly fatal consequences among biologically vulnerable victims, such as pregnant women, several family member victims after semi-acute exposure. This is the first biocide disaster in Korea with non-specific targets, and unknown scale of victims, warranting concerns on use of biocides in the living environment. Conclusions: Special administrative agency for chemical safety and compensation act for environmental health victims are needed to prevent similar problems.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.188-194
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• 2008

Brake disks for rolling stock are exposed to thermal fatigue during braking, and thermal cracks occur on surface of disks. Thermal cracks can cause serious accidents, deterioration of braking performance and increase of maintenance cost due to frequent exchange of friction materials. In this study, candidate materials with high-heat resistance were selected by searching the literature. By using cast specimens made of the candidate materials, chemical composition, crystal structure and graphite type were analyzed. In addition, friction coefficient and wear were measured and compared with values for the disk material in service. As a result, it was shown that the NiCrMo has highest tensile strength and lowest friction coefficient and the disk material in service has the most stable friction characteristics.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.67-77
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to deal with fire fighting safety education primarily among the fields of child safety education. So, first of all, this study considered the theoretical background of fire fighting safety education. And this study analyzed the present state and cases of safety accidents in elementary schools. And by focusing on the fire fighting science class for elementary schools which Gyeonggi-do Goyang fire station is executing now, this study analyzed the educational outline, present state, educational goal, and content of fire fighting science class, and conducted the satisfaction survey through questionnaire over the elementary school students participating in fire fighting science class and the fire fighting officers in charge of fire fighting science class. On basis of this research, by developing the new field of fire fighting education and publicity into the program which can diffuse the fire fighting-related chemical experiment based on the science of chemistry and physics in the future and so provide the pleasure and surprise of experiencing directly not only natural fire fighting education and publicity but also learning and the common sense of fire fighting, this study tried to present the alternatives about the measures for activating the fire fighting safety education in elementary schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.22-28
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• 2017

According to the National Fire Data System (NFDS), more than 5,000 vehicle fires have occurred every year for the last 10 years. Vehicle fires are primarily caused by mechanical (breaking system and engine), electrical (wiring and battery), and chemical (oil and fuel gas leakage) problems. The electrical factor has increased with the installation of driver convenience equipment. For example, today, the black box is widely used to provide video data recording of motor vehicle accidents. The black box consists of a front camera, rear camera, and wires. The black box wires are directly connected to the junction box or fuse box from the start battery that operates to provide normal on power supplying for engine stop. It is extremely dangerous when the wires short circuit due to insulation aging, mechanical and electrical stress, etc. In this study, the black box wiring fire risk have been analyzed and investigated when the steady state and abnormal operations, and under the following conditions: wiring arrangements with a high temperature condition, insulation aging, poor contact, and short circuits. The results showed that black box wiring short circuits had a higher fire risk than the other fire hazard elements. To prevent fire hazards caused by black box wiring, the black boxes must be installed by qualified service personnel. Do not modify the wiring, remove the fuse and secure the wiring using cable ties or insulation tape.