• Title/Summary/Keyword: Chemical substances management

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Consideration on the Regulated Quantity of Preparation for Accidents by Risk Assessment (위험도 평가를 통한 사고대비물질별 규정수량 고찰)

  • Ahn, Gwangjae;Kim, Jungwook;Lee, Keunwon;Jung, Seungho
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.60 no.4
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    • pp.506-511
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    • 2022
  • In the Chemicals Control Act, a system was implemented to unify off-site risk assessment and risk management plan into the prevention and management system for chemical accidents. Among the hazardous chemicals which have been covered in system, the accident preparation substances are designated as chemical substances that are likely to occur and of which damage scale are likely to be large in the event of chemical accidents. In this study, risks were compared by selecting accident preparation substances with similar regulated quantities. In addition, risk assessment studies were conducted applying the accident scenarios. Four types of materials such as ammonia, hydrogen chloride, carbon disulfide and benzene were selected for the study, and risks were finally analyzed using Safeti 8.0, a quantitative risk assessment program by DNV. As a result, some materials are identified to have high risks comparing to other substances having similar regulated quantities.

A Study on the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Chemical Discharges and Quantified Hazard-Based Result Scores Using Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Data (화학물질배출이동량 자료를 활용한 화학물질배출량 및 유해기반지수 정량화와 시공간 특성 연구)

  • Lim, Yu-Ra;Gan, Sun-Yeong;Bae, Hyun-Joo
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.48 no.5
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    • pp.272-281
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    • 2022
  • Background: The constant consumption of chemical products owing to expanding industrialization has led to an increase in public interest in chemical substances. As the production and disposal processes for these chemical products cause environmental problems, regional information on the hazard level of chemical substances is required considering their effects on humans and in order to ensure environmental safety. Objectives: This study aimed to identify hazard contribution and spatiotemporal characteristics by region and chemical by calculating a hazard-based result score using pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) data. Methods: This study calculated the chemical discharge and hazard-based result score from the Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) model, analyzed their spatiotemporal patterns, and identified hotspot areas where chemical discharges and high hazard-based scores were concentrated. The amount of chemical discharge and hazard-based risk scores for 250 cities and counties across South Korea were calculated using PRTR data from 2011 to 2018. Results: The chemical discharge (high densities in Incheon, Daegu, and Busan) and hazard-based result scores (high densities in Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do, and some areas of Gyeongsangnam-do Province) showed varying spatial patterns. The chemical discharge (A, B) and hazard-based result score (C, D) hotspots were identified. Additionally, identification of the hazard-based result scores revealed differences in the type of chemicals contributing to the discharge. Ethylbenzene accounted for ≥80% of the discharged chemicals in the discharge hotspots, while chromium accounted for >90% of the discharged chemicals in the hazard-based result score hotspots. Conclusions: The RSEI hazard-based result score is a quantitative indicator that considers the degree of impact on human health as a toxicity-weighted value. It can be used for the management of industries discharging chemical substances as well as local environmental health management.

What must be done to prevent another humidifier disinfectant disaster?

  • Lee, Jong-Hyeon
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.31
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    • pp.24.1-24.7
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    • 2016
  • The humidifier disinfectant disaster (HDD) was not a simple poisoning accident by biocides, but a singular disaster in history created by chemicals in household products. This disaster was a result of the failure of a system for the management of chemical and product safety. Since the management authority for chemical usage safety is different from those for chemical safety in products, many blind areas for chemical safety management in products still remain. The 'Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (ARECS)' or the new 'Biocidal Product Act' must not only address the blind areas in the management system for chemical and product safety, but also prevent a second HDD. To prevent another HDD, an integrated registration, evaluation, and management system for chemicals and consumer products must be incorporated into the 'ARECS' as an essential part for chemical safety in consumer products.

The Development of a Management System for the Safe Handling of Chemicals and Health Protection Using Reporting Data under the Chemical Control Act (화학물질관리법 조사·보고자료를 활용한 화학물질취급 안전보건관리에 대한 효율적인 체계 마련)

  • Jeon, DaYoung;Hwang, ManSik;Im, JiYoung;Ryu, JiSung;Kim, YoungHo;Lee, JiHo
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.46 no.2
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    • pp.232-244
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop a management system for the safe handling of chemicals and related health management based on reporting under the Chemical Control Act (CCA). It is used to search handling information by constructing data linked to the name of companies, chemicals, products, etc. Methods: Due to the differences in submission periods for each reporting regulation of the Chemical Control Act, the data used is as follows: A statistical survey collected 26,222 companies in 2014 and 2016, Pollutant Release Transfer Registers (PRTR) collected 4,234 companies in 2015-2017, performance reports by handlers of hazardous chemical substances collected 14,658 companies in 2016-2018, and declarations for import of toxic chemicals collected 892 companies in 2016-2017. The total information on 36,080 companies is standardized based on company ID, name, business registration number, address, and more. The data were classified into information such as company, chemical, and product name and amounts handled and released, and then extracted according to criteria to establish relationships among classified information. Results: A search service was developed for handling information on chemical substances for reporting data by linking four reporting data: statistical survey, PRTR, performance report by handler of hazardous chemical substances, and declaration for import of toxic chemicals under the CCA. It was composed of five menus to search by regulation type, reporting regulation, companies and chemicals, and system management. Conclusion: It is necessary to use data linked by company, region, and chemical to respond and to prevent chemical accidents. In addition, these items can be utilized to perform handling and safety management of chemicals according to whether regulations under the CCA may be implemented.

Investigation of the Occurrence of Industrial Accidents and Accidental Deaths by Chemical Leakage and Skin Contact (화학물질의 누출과 피부접촉에 의한 재해자 및 사고사망자 발생현황 조사)

  • Lee, Kwon Seob;Choi, Hyun Sung;Lee, Ha Young;Shin, Kyung Min;Choi, Heung Koo;Lee, In Seop
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.39-49
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: We investigated the status of accidents and deaths caused by chemical leakage and skin contact in Korea. The purpose of this study was to produce and provide technical reference data for the efficient management of accidents and the rational management of accidental chemicals. Methods: Accidents and deaths caused by chemical leakage and skin contact in industry were investigated. Based on 68 accident reports related to chemical leakage and skin contact, the causes of accidental deaths were analyzed. In addition, we investigated the chemical substances and articles that caused these accidents and deaths. Based on the results of the investigation, the causes of accidents caused by chemical leakage and skin contact were identified and practical management measures for the chemicals were suggested. Results and Conclusions: In 2018, 372 people suffered from chemical leaks and skin contact, up by 123 (about 49.4%) from the previous year. The number of accident deaths was 14, an increase of five (about 55.6%) from the previous year. In the last three years (2016-2018), 91 chemical substances and article groups were involved in accidents caused by chemical leakage and skin contact. There were 16 chemical substance and article groups involved in accidental deaths. There were ten cases of accidents involving two or more casualties due to chemical leakage and skin contact, and 23 deaths occurred. Most of these accidental deaths were caused by subcontractor workers outsourcing risks. Therefore, there is an apparent need to strengthen the responsibility for safety and health among subcontractors.

Study on the Chemical Management - 2. Comparison of Classification and Health Index of Chemicals Regulated by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of the Employment and Labor (화학물질 관리 연구-2. 환경부와 고용노동부의 관리 화학물질의 구분, 노출기준 및 독성 지표 등의 특성 비교)

  • Kim, Sunju;Yoon, Chungsik;Ham, Seunghon;Park, Jihoon;Kim, Songha;Kim, Yuna;Lee, Jieun;Lee, Sangah;Park, Donguk;Lee, Kwonseob;Ha, Kwonchul
    • 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.

Hazardous Material Process Risk Evaluation Using HAZOP and Bow-tie (HAZOP 및 BOW-TIE를 이용한 위험물질 취급공정의 위험성평가)

  • Min-Seo Nam;Byung-Tae Yoo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.35-43
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    • 2024
  • With continuous advancements in industry, science, and technology, there is a steady increase in the number and utilization of new chemicals. The growing societal emphasis on chemical safety management is paralleled by an increasing public demand for robust safety measures. While various ministries at the government level oversee the safety management of chemical substances, the occurrence of accidents related to chemical substances remains frequent each year due to problems such as aging facilities and careless handling. Upon analyzing domestic chemical accident cases, incidents occurred predominantly in the sequence of leakage, explosion, fire, and others. The main causes of these accidents were examined, revealing facility defects and non-compliance with safety management as the primary contributing factors. In this study, Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP) was employed to identify hazardous risk factors associated with the handling of hydrofluoric acid in workplaces, and a risk assessment was performed using Bow-Tie method. Based on the results of this study, it is expected to enhance safety management plans aimed at preventing chemical accidents in workplaces dealing with similar facilities. Ultimately, these insights contribute to the development of an advanced chemical safety management system, capable of proactively preventing potential chemical accidents.

Development of Hazardous Work Mapping Methodology Based on Layout of Workplace Handling The Accident Preparedness Substances (사고대비물질 취급 사업장 Layout기반 위험작업 Mapping 방법론 개발)

  • Kim, Jin Hyung;Yang, Jae Mo;Yong, Jong-Won;Ko, Byung Seok;Yoo, Byungtae;Ko, Jae Wook
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.52 no.6
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    • pp.736-742
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    • 2014
  • If an accident occurs at work places that handle 'the accident preparedness substances', it causes more property damage and casualties than accidents of normal chemical substances. Even though various systems and regulations have been operated in order to prevent accidents, techniques for reducing and removing human error, which is one of the main reasons of accidents, are still inadequate. In this paper, hazardous work digitization, potential hazard verification, and work evaluation based on domestic technical guidelines have been performed through a case study of the accident of hydrofluoric acid leakage in Gumi in September 2012, and development of a new risk mapping method has been studied to supplement existing systems.