• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

In 2008, baby formula containing melamine was found to be responsible for a large outbreak of renal failure in infants in China. A total of 294,000 infants were hospitalized, and at least 6 babies died due to ingestion of the tainted formula. Melamine contains high levels of nitrogen (>60%), which is used as an indicator of protein content. Therefore, high levels of melamine in infant formula were thought to be the result of deliberate contamination m an attempt to increase its apparent protein content. Following inspections by China's national inspection agency, assorted products from at least 22 dairy manufacturers across China were found to have varied levels of melamine (range: 0.096196.61 mg/kg). Melamine co-exposure with cyanuric acid can induce acute melamine-cyanurate crystal nephropathy, which can lead to renal failure at much lower doses than if either compound were ingested alone. However, currently, there are very few data on melamine analogues other than cyanuric acid. At an expert meeting of the WHO and FAO held to review toxicological aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid on December 14, 2008, a new tolerable daily intake (TDI) of melamine was established that could be applied to the entire population, including infants. Therefore, a risk assessment of the various theoretical melamine contamination levels in infant formula and selected representative foods (other than infant formula and sole-source nutrition products) is urgently needed for Korean babies and children up to 7 years of age. Although the undetectable level regulation for infant formula may be low enough to guarantee the safety of babies under the age of 1 year (including premature babies), the melamine standard of 2.5 ppm for foods other than baby formula could be insufficient to protect the 95th percentile population aged 1~2 years because of this demographic's high consumption of milk, yogurt, and soy milk (hazard index = 1.79). Because TDIs are chronic values intended to protect an individual over his/her lifetime, occasional modest ingestion in excess of the TDI is not likely to be a health concern. However, children aged 1~2 years may have renal systems that are comparatively more sensitive to the crystallization of melamine and its analogues. Therefore, governmental jurisdictions may need to practice more prudent management of food items that could raise the melamine exposure for this population.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.371-379
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• 2018

In many countries, recycling coal ashes as backfill materials for subsided lands, abandoned mine tunnels, and road pipeline constructions by making low-strength concretes with minimal amounts of cement is frequently considered for massive treatment of coal ashes. This study investigates the variation of heavy metals in the concrete test pieces prepared for the cases of using only Portland cement as binding material, fly ash as a replacement of the cement, sand as aggregates, and disposed ashes in the ash ponds as a replacement of aggregates. Heavy metal contents were measured based on the aqua regia extraction technique following the Korean Standard for Fair Testing of Soil Contamination and the influences of each materials on the total heavy metal contents were also assessed. Results show that the cement has the highest Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations than any other materials. Therefore, the test pieces show significant concentration decreases for those metals when the cement was replaced by fly ash. Ponded ash shows low concentrations relative to fly ash in most of the parameters but shows higher Cu and Ni, and lower Pb levels than the sand aggregate. In overall, heavy metal levels of the test pieces are regulated by mixing among the used materials. Test pieces prepared during this study always show concentrations much lower than the Worrisome Level of Soil Contamination (Area 1), which was designated by the Soil Environment Conservation Act of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.260-269
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Diquat dibromide is a fast-acting nonselective herbicide and plant growth regulator. In this study, in order to understand the possibility of unintentional pesticide contamination in the following crops, the phytotoxicity and transition of diquat dibromide residue in soil into the following crops such as pepper, radish, lettuce and corn have been assessed through phytotoxicity trial and residual evaluation in the unintentional contamination of the higher residual diquat dibromide. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pepper, radish, lettuce and corn were cultivated in the sandy soil and loam soil where the 35 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg diquat dibromide were applied, respectively. Mild growth inhibition symptoms were observed in radish, lettuce and corn crops at the 90 mg/kg- diquat dibromide treatment on the 30 day of cultivation. Diquat dibromide was analyzed using liquid chromatography QTRAP (LC-MS/MS). The recovery rates of diquat dibromide from soil and crop were determined within range from 89.1 to 116.4% with relative standard deviation less than 14.7%. Diquat dibromide residues in soil were found to be 23.90-30.22 and 69.59-82.57 mg/kg from the 35 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg of diquat dibromide-treated soil, respectively after 30 days of crop cultivation. This result implicates that diquat dibromide did not convert to metabolites and remained mostly in the soil, even though it was partially decomposed during crop cultivation. In addition, the diquat dibromide in pepper and radish that were grown for 47 days, and lettuce and corn that were cultivated for 30 days were detected to be 0.01 mg/kg or less in the sandy loam and loam soil where the 90 mg/kg diquat dibromide was applied. CONCLUSION(S): Diquat dibromide did not cause severe phytotoxicity in the following crops as well as it did not uptake and distribute to the following crops, even though it was considered to be residual in the soil.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the distribution characteristics of $PM_{10}$ and heavy metals concentrations in the ambient air of Gyeonggi-do area by region and season from February, 2013 to March, 2014. The regression model for the prediction of formation characteristics and contamination degree of $PM_{10}$ and heavy metals by correlation analysis and regression analysis for using the multivariate statistical analysis was also established. The main wind direction during the investigation period was South East (SE) and West South West (WSW) winds, and the concentration of $SO_2$ at Ansan with industrial region showed 1.6 times higher than Suwon, Euiwang with residential region. The concentrations (median) of Pb, Cu and Ni at Ansan showed 3.2~4.5, 1.9~2.2 and 1.7~2.6 times respectively higher than those at Suwon. By the seasonal concentration variation, the concentrations of $PM_{10}$, Pb, Fe and As in winter and spring (December to May) showed 1.7, 1.9, 1.9 and 2.7 times respectively higher than those in summer and fall (June to November). As, Fe and $PM_{10}$ had a big difference by the seasonal factors, and Cu and Ni were evaluated to be influenced by the regional factors. From the results of correlation analysis among the target items, the correlation coefficient of PM and Mn had 0.82 (p/0.01) and that of Fe and Mn had 0.82 (p/0.01), which showed high correlation. And the correlation coefficients for $SO_2$ and Pb, CO and $PM_{10}$ were 0.66 (p/0.01) and 0.62 (p/0.01) respectively. The multiple linear regression models for $PM_{10}$, Pb, Cu, Cr, As, Ni, Fe and Mn were established by independent variables of CO, $SO_2$ and meteorological factors (wind speed, relative humidity). In the regression models, independent variable $SO_2$ was in cause-and-effect relationship with all dependent variables, and $PM_{10}$, Fe and Mn were influenced by CO and wind speed, and Pb, Cu, Ni and As had a main factor of $SO_2$.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 1998

Artemia often observed as a co-existing organism in the mass culture tank of marine rotifer. The rotifer and Atremia are commonly used as food organisms in the marine fish larvae rearing. In this study, interspecific relation between the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis (formely called S-type) and anostracan Artemia of the two developmental stages (0 and 19 day old after hatching) were investigated in the larboratory. The population growth of B. rotundiformis and one of the stage (nauplius or adult) of Artemia in mixed culture was compared with that of each single species culture. Culture period was 16 days. Every two days, the number of organisms in each species was counted and transferred to a fresh medium containing $7{\times}10^5$cells/ml of food Nannochloropsis oculata. Culture volume, temperature, salinity and photoperiod were set at 40ml, $25^{\circ}C.$, 22ppt and 24h all dark except to observation time, respectively. The rotifer population growth was greatly decreased by co-existence with Artemia. The coexisting Artemia suppressed the rotifer population growth due to it's high filtering speed for food (N. oculata). This study suggested that contamination by Artemia must be prevented for the stable rotifer production in the rotifer mass culture tank.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.200-210
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality changes and contamination of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, mold and yeast in cherry tomatoes during storage at different temperatures, gas composition and periods(7 and 14 days). This study determined pH, color change and the growth pattern of microorganisms in cherry tomato during storage at $5^{\circ}C$, $10^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$. According to the results, pH level was a little raised with storage period. On average, $L^*$, $a^*$ and $b^*$ value of cherry tomato were irregular value of increase and decrease of all gas packaging with storage period. In regard of the types of microorganism, aerobic count plate, coliform count, mold and yeast were detected when cherry tomatoes were stored at $5^{\circ}C$, $10^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$ during storage for 14 days. Equally, all microorganisms of cherry tomato were irregular with storage period and complex gas packaging. However, this study determined that packaging with a higher $CO_2$ concentration than $O_2$ concentration can reduce growth of microorganism. These studies can be used as primary data for determining the optimal complex gas to storage enlargement.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of harvest seasons on quality and microbial population at different steps of production chain of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce. Iceberg lettuces harvested in May, June, July, October, and December were processed following industrial practices, and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. For microbial measurement, samples were taken from each of the following steps: harvest, transport, pretreatment, cutting, 1st-washing, 2nd-washing, and day 3, 6, and 9 of storage. Iceberg lettuce cultivated in protect house and harvested in May and October showed higher $CO_2$ levels in the packages and electrolyte leakages than lettuce harvested in June, July and December. Microbial population of raw materials harvested in July was highest (6.76 log), and microbial growth rate during storage was highest in samples harvested in May. Lettuce harvested in June had better quality and microbial safety compared to other lettuces. Although lettuce harvested in October and December had less microbial population in either raw materials or processed products, those samples had inferior quality due to off-odor development and severe browning. Therefore, it is required to maintain quality and ensure microbial safety to distribute fresh-cut lettuce with high quality and safety throughout the year.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2007

In order to investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in fresh pig loin and the growth changes of microorganism in raw ham during storage at 10 and $25^{\circ}C$. These hams were manufactured according to a short-ripening procedure being completed in 4 weeks with dry-curing followed by wet-curing and ripening. The result regarding the contamination level of microorganism in the fresh raw pig loin showed that the count of total aerobes was $3.11\;log\;CFU/cm^2$, and the population of lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Clostridium spp., and yeast and mould had not risen over $2\;log\;CFU/cm^2$ on the storage time. However, the average count ofEnterobacteriaceae in pork loin was $3.11\;log\;CFU/cm^2$, which represented the predominant species. The pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringene, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were not detected either in fresh pork loin or in raw ham products stored at 10 and $25^{\circ}C$. The initial count of total aerobes in raw ham samples was 3.06 log CFU/g, and increased slightly after 90 days at 10 and $25^{\circ}C$ to 4.6 and 4.69 log CFU/g, respectively. The predominant species in raw ham products during storage time were lactic acid bacteria and Staphylococcus spp.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-82
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• 2002

Objectives: In recent years, extensive focus has been laid on adulteration of herbal medicine with heavy metals. This may be mainly due to soil contamination by environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to identify the contents of various heavy metals in the blood from Ohjeok-san (Wuji-san) Decoction (OD) treated-rats. Methods: For this study, 13 kinds of metals including essential and heavy metals, i.e. A1, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were analyzed by a slight modification of EP A methods and the following results are obtained. Results: 1. There was no significant difference between the OD-treated groups and control group in liver, kidney, bone, brain and weight, especially no significant difference at the 5th and 10th days in weight and the amount of food intake. 2. The amount of each metal analyzed in the blood were as follows; A1: 2.3~3.07 mg/l, As: 2.90~3.66 mg/l, Cd: 0~0.001 mg/l, Co: 0~0.01 mg/l, Cr: 0.40~043 mg/l, Cu: 0.93~1.88 mg/l, Fe: 414.35~464.46 mg/l, Hg: 0.01 mg/l, Mn: 0.10~0.17 mg/l, Ni: 0.01 mg/l, Pb: 0.03~012 mg/l, Se: 0.73 mg/l, Zn: 3.41~4.13 mg/l by groups, respectively. In control and experimental group, Experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, and V groups, there were no significant differences. 3. The amount of non-toxic metals (A1, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn) were $64.1{\pm}7.71{\;}mg/l$ in the control group and 60.70~67.58 mg/l in the experimental groups I, II, III, IV and V. The amount of Toxic metals (As, Cd, Cr, Ag, Pb) were $0.68{\pm}0.21{\;}mg/l$ in the control group and 0.57 ~ 0.66mg/l in the experimental groups. The total amount of metals were 32.35 mg/l in the control group and 30.48~34.12 mg/l in the test groups I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. Conclusions: There was no significant difference of metal concentration in the blood from the OD-treated-rats compared to those of the control group even if higher dosage (1~8 times the dosage for a person) of OD was administered. This may be mainly due to a decoction treatment which contains only supernatants filtered from the herb-mass after boiling. This indicates the legal limitation for metal concentration in herbal medicine must be applied according to different treatment methods of herbal medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.42-46
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• 2016

In LCD Display or semiconductor manufacturing processes, the anti-static technology of glass substrates and wafers becomes one of the most difficult issues which influence the yield of the semiconductor manufacturing. In order to overcome the problems of wafer surface contamination various issues such as ionization in decompressed vacuum and inactive gas(i.e. $N_2$ gas, Ar gas, etc.) environment should be considered. Soft X ray radiation is adequate in air and $O_2$ gas at atmospheric pressure while UV radiation is effective in $N_2$ gas Ar gas and at reduced pressure. At this point of view, the "vacuum ultraviolet ray ionization" is one of the most suitable methods for static elimination. The vacuum ultraviolet can be categorized according to a short wavelength whose value is from 100nm to 200nm. this is also called as an Extreme Ultraviolet. Most of these vacuum ultraviolet is absorbed in various substances including the air in the atmosphere. It is absorbed substances become to transit or expose the electrons, then the ionization is initially activated. In this study, static eliminator based on the vacuum ultraviolet ray under the above mentioned environment was tested and the results show how the ionization performance based on vacuum ultraviolet ray can be optimized. These vacuum ultraviolet ray performs better in extreme atmosphere than an ordinary atmospheric environment. Neutralization capability, therefore, shows its maximum value at $10^{-1}{\sim}10^{-3}$ Torr pressure level, and than starts degrading as pressure is gradually reduced. Neutralization capability at this peak point is higher than that at reduced pressure about $10^4$ times on the atmospheric pressure and by about $10^3$ times on the inactive gas. The introductions of these technology make it possible to perfectly overcome problems caused by static electricity and to manufacture ULSI devices and LCD with high reliability.