• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.128-132
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Nuclear medicine general operation room is radioactive control room which is used for the handling of radioisotope(R.I). Radioactive contamination materials must be under control and separated from general trash. With this experiments, we want to actively suggest the guideline of controling and operating radioactive contamination materials by measuring contamination degree and analyzing the causes which is not realized so far. Materials and Methods: Materials are selected from Oct. 2009 to March. 2010. salines which are used for labelling radiophamaceuticals and generator cap, saline needle cap, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap saline vial which is generated from $^{99}Mo$/$^{99m}Tc$ generator. After measuring each surface contamination degree by survey meter, mean value and standard deviation one were solved out. Results: In result, After measuring surface contamination degree, radioactivity of saline for labelling radiophamaceuticals showed $14429{\pm}26378$ cpm (p<0.05) and in measured generators, foreign imported things showed that generator cap : $9{\pm}21$ cpm, saline vial : $17{\pm}28$ cpm. saline needle cap : $35{\pm}66$ cpm, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap : $9{\pm}21$ cpm, saline vial $13{\pm}28$ cpm. domestic things showed that generator cap : $22852{\pm}52545$ cpm, saline needle cap : $87367{\pm}109711$ cpm, $^{99m}Tc$-needle cap : $9008{\pm}10459$ cpm, saline vial : $186416{\pm}158196$ cpm (p<0.05). Conclusion: The saline which is used for labelling, exceeded 1/10 of maximum permissible range. this is generated from radiophamaceuticals dilution procedure. and In generators, radioactive value of foreign import things showed closely background value. but which of domestic thing showed that exceeded more than 1000 values 1/10 of maximum permissible range. the causes of that is domestic generator is contaminated in manufacturing procedure. So, to dispose radioactive contamination materials which is could betaken out of, the control and operation must be radical under controlled by radioactive measuring, recording and equipping of its own. if this is kept well, we can prevent surely that radioactive waste could be disposed like as general trash.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.237-246
• /
• 2014

Seasonal variations of major contaminants in groundwater around livestock burial areas in Gyeonggi province, Korea, were examined. Seven typical contamination indicators ($NO_3$-N, $NH_3$-N, chloride, pH, DO, ORP, and EC) were monitored in groundwater samples collected from 84 wells located within 60 m of livestock burial sites for the leachate plume emanating from the livestock burial sites. The monitoring results of pH, DO, ORP, and EC revealed minimal seasonal variations, providing no evidence for leachate plumes. The $NO_3$-N concentrations were below 30 mg/L and exhibited minimal seasonal fluctuations, even in the wells located close to (< 20 m) the burial sites; the $NH_3$-N and chloride concentrations also showed similar results. The contamination indicators examined in this study indicate that the observed groundwater contamination is primarily from preexisting pervasive contamination due to agricultural activities and livestock farming, not leachates derived from nearby livestock burial sites.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.72-89
• /
• 2000

Background : Various types of protective footwear have been used to minimize bacterial contamination in operating rooms. In recent years, debate has arisen concerning the need for use of such protective footwear. This study was designed to provide useful data about choosing shoes most suitable for the surgical environment. Methods : Between November, 1999 and January, 2000, we performed this experimental study by comparing effect of three types of shoes (i.e., disposable shoescover, operating room-restricted shoes, and ordinary shoes) on bacterial contamination of operating rooms equipped with two different ventilation systems (i.e., high air-change, low air-change) respectively. Data were collected during two- hour sham operations in which subjects and their activities were strictly standardized. Bacterial flora were sampled from the study area floor and air colony counts were measured. Results : In experiments involving high air-change ventilation system, there was a significant difference of floor contamination between three types of shoes, but no difference of air contamination. Under low air-change system, there was a significant difference of both floor and air contamination between three types of shoes. Conclusion : The results show that protective footwear would be unnecessary in the operating room with high air-change ventilation system, but it is important to choose suitable shoes carefully under low air-change system. Therefore, the use of outdoor shoes can be considered under high air-change system, but it would seem sensible to apply their first use in less bloody operations at the day surgery center or out-patient department to prevent transfer of body fluid into the outside environment.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.296-304
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to propose a method for the effective management of toothbrush contamination. Toothbrush microbial contamination was analyzed according to the duration of toothbrush use, frequency of toothbrush use per day, and toothbrush storage location. We also analyzed the microbial reduction effect of vinegar, antimicrobial mouth rinse, bamboo salt, and baking soda, which are sterilization materials that can be easily used every day. We collected 45 toothbrushes from university dormitories from May to June 2018. To determine the degree of microbiological contamination with general bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus, bristle samples were cultured at $36^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours using 3M$^{TM}$ Petrifilm plates and then measured based on Petrifilm evaluation criteria. Toothbrush microorganisms were analyzed according to the duration of use, frequency of use per day, storage location, and effect of each sterilization material. General bacteria, coliforms, and S. aureus contamination increased with frequency and duration of use (p<0.05). In particular, S. aureus showed a statistically significant increase to 36.15 CFU/ml after 1 month, 504.23 CFU/ml after 2 months, and 2,386.67 CFU/ml after 3 months (p<0.05). We found that 1% vinegar was the most effective substance for reducing general bacteria, coliforms, and S. aureus. In addition, 1% antimicrobial mouth rinse solution applied for 5 minutes was the most effective in reducing S. aureus. It is crucial to recognize the importance of toothbrush care and store toothbrushes in a dry place and replace them periodically. We recommend use of vinegar and antimicrobial mouth rinse solution to disinfect toothbrushes. These should be applied as a 1% solution for at least 1 minute. Proper care of toothbrushes is important in maintaining oral health as well as overall health. Instructions on toothbrush care should be given when teaching children or adults how to brush teeth.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 2010

Oil contamination soil has been one of the most environmental social issues for decades in the inside and outside of country. The law of soil environmental preservation was carried out in the 1990s and the government controlled not only soil environment management and the remediation of contaminated soil but also promoted the development of remedial technology and cleanup business of contaminated soil by national policy. In addition to agriculture areas, the main oil contaminated sites are a gas station, oil reservoir, petro-chemical complex, site of railway carriage base and military camp. The contamination-frequency of agriculture area and effect sites are low but it has significantly important area on account of producing food for human beings. Therefore, we should be concerned about oil contamination damage of agriculture area. The oil contamination damage of agriculture area influenced drop of birth and breeding since the oil directly adheres to seeds and farm products even diffusion of contaminated soil to cultivation area. The studies of the crops and the food vegetation has not enough detailed data caused by the incident of oil contamination. This study investigated the effect of oil in germination and growth of selected plant seeds. In this study, we try to verify whether the oil contamination by accidents on farmland influenced the damage of farm produce and the mutual relation both oil contaminated soil or the vegetation of crops. The impact of oil on plant development was followed by phytotoxicity assessments. The plants exhibited visual symptoms of stress, growth reduction and perturbations in developmental parameters. The increase of the degree of pollution induced more marked effects in plants, likely because of the physical effects of oil. The relationships between the phytotoxicity contents of plants and growth reduction suggest a chemical toxicity of fuel oil. In addition, while cleaned up the contaminated soil under the standard of contaminated soil we examined it was suitable for region standard and it may have practical possibility for fill material of construction of afforestation and molding soil of landfill.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.93-108
• /
• 2013

This study is aimed to prepare the effective detail survey methods(Phase II) of abandoned metal mines through the contamination assessment for mine types and facilities in the abandoned metal mine areas. The study sites of 12 abandoned mines are located in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do and those were chosen among 310 sites that the Phase II survey was conducted from 2007 to 2009 after considering the results of Phase I for abandoned mines scattered all over the country. 12 study sites were classified into four types; Type I sites only have pit mouth. Type II sites have pit mouth and mine-waste field. Type III sites have pit mouth and tailing sorting field. Type IV sites have pit mouth, tailing sorting field and concentrator(s). In forest land, paddy soil and farm land of Type I, As and Cd were showed average concentration, and Cu and Pb were high on the pit mouth area in one mines where the pit mouth was developed within 500 m. In the mines of Type II, Cu and Pb were showed average concentration too, but As and Cd were slightly high in pit mouth and mine-waste field. The mines of Type III which had grinding particle process through physical separation milling or hitting showed similar tendency with Type II. However, mines of Type IV pit mouth, mine-waste field and showed various results depending on defining the contamination sources. For example, if contamination source was pit mouth, the mixed results of Type I, II, II were showed. In tailing sorting field which was regarded as the most important source and having high mobility, however, if there were no facilities or it was difficult to access directly, field sampling was missed occasionally during phase I and phase II survey. For that reason, the assessment for tailing sorting field is missed and it leads to completely different results. In the areas of Type I mines, the concentration of heavy metals exceeded precautionary standards of soil contamination or not within 1,000 meters of pit mouth. Nickel(Ni) was the largest factor of the heavy metal contamination in this type. The heavy metals except Arsenic(As) were shown high levels of concentration in Type II areas, where pit mouth and mine-waste field were operated for making powder in upriver region; therefore, to the areas in the vicinity of midstream and downstream, the high content of heavy metals were shown. The tendency of high level of heavy metals and toxic materials contained in flotation agent used during sorting process were found in soil around sorting and tailing field. In the abandoned-pit-mouth area, drygrinding area and tailing sorting field area, the content of Cupper(Cu) and Zinc(Zn) were higher than other areas. Also, the contaminated area were larger than mine reclamation area(2,000 m) and the location of tailing sorting field was one of the important factors to estimate contaminated area.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.456-464
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial contamination levels in elevators in apartment buildings and to provide information on such microbial contamination. Methods: A total of 144 samples, including from the exterior buttons, interior buttons, elevator handrails, walls, ventilators and airborne bacteria were collected in the morning and afternoon from July to August 2013 for six different elevators. The samples were used to detect sanitary indicator bacteria (total bacteria, coliform, and Escherichia coli), pathogenic bacteria (E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., B. cereus, S. aureus) and fungi. Results: Contamination levels of total bacteria were 0.3-3.8 and 0.0-2.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the morning and afternoon, respectively. In the case of coliform bacteria, the levels were 0.0-3.7 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the morning and 0.0-0.3 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in the afternoon. However, E. coli was not detected among all samples. Bacillus cereus, pathogenic bacteria, was only detected in 13 (11%) among 144 samples. E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and S. aureus were not detected among all samples. Comparing the samples collected in the morning and afternoon, we could confirm that the samples in the afternoon were cleaner. Conclusions: This study indicates that the samples in the afternoon were cleaner because these samples were collected following routine cleaning. Also, the levels of contamination in the elevators were low and the sanitary conditions were comparatively well-managed. Therefore it is deemed necessary for elevators be cleaned regularly to provide good conditions for people using elevators.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.346-352
• /
• 2007

Contamination of aflatoxins(AFs) was monitored in 447 compound feeds and 138 feed ingredients samples distributed in South KOREA in 2006 and 2007. The degree of $AFB_1\;and\;AFB_2$ contamination in compound feed was 20% and 3%, respectively. The levels of detection were ranged from 0.48 to 10.46 ppb for $AFB_1$ and from 0.25 to 0,42 ppb for $AFB_2$. Thirty eight percent of compound feeds were contaminated with $AFB_1$ at concentration between 0.43 and 5.52 ppb and $AFB_2$ was detected in 2% of compound feeds at levels ranging 0.26-0.40 ppb. The highest degree of $AFB_1$ contamination was observed in compound feeds for beef cattle (75%) followed by for dairy cattle (72%) and in bran among feed ingredients (30%). Bran exhibited the highest level of $AFB_1$contamination (3.1 ppb). Vegetable proteins and compound feeds for dog showed relative lower degree of contamination at 2.9 and 1.9 ppb, respectively. $AFG_1\;and\;AFG_2$ were not detected in any compound feeds and feed ingredients samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.414-419
• /
• 2016

The aims of this study were to investigate microbial contamination levels and to survey sanitation management between Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and non-GAP farms of lettuce and cucumber. The samples (lettuce, cucumber, soil, agricultural water, gloves, and packing plastic bag) were tested to analyze sanitary indicator bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli) and major pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus). In the lettuce farms, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms in GAP farms were little lower than non-GAP farms or similar. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus in soil and agricultural water of GAP farms were detected at higher levels than non-GAP farms in soil and agricultural water. In the case of cucumber farms, levels of total bacteria and Bacillus cereus in soil and total bacteria and coliform in gloves of GAP farms were higher than those of non-GAP farms, and other bacteria contamination levels in collected samples were similar. These results indicate that agricultural products produced from GAP farm still exhibited potential microbial risks. According to the field survey, a sanitation management in GAP farms was insufficient. These results could be useful as basic data to suggestion of plan for preventing microbial contamination and to improvement of GAP certification.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2625-2628
• /
• 2012

Introduction: Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin produced in cereals due to fungal infection. This study was conducted to determine FB1 contamination of rice and corn samples and its relationship with the rate of esophageal cancer (EC) in a high risk area in northeastern Iran. Methods: In total, 66 rice and 66 corn samples were collected from 22 geographical subdivisions of Golestan province of Iran. The levels of FB1 were measured for each subdivision by thin layer and high pressure liquid chromatographies. The mean level of FB1 and the proportions of FB1 contaminated samples were compared between low and high EC-risk areas of the province. Results: The mean of FB1 levels in corn and rice samples were 223.64 and 21.59 ${\mu}g/g$, respectively. FB1 contamination was found in 50% and 40.9% of corn and rice samples, respectively. FB1 level was significantly higher in rice samples obtained from high EC-risk area (43.8 ${\mu}g/g$) than those obtained from low risk area (8.93 ${\mu}g/g$) (p-value=0.01). The proportion of FB1 contaminated rice samples was also significantly greater in high (75%) than low (21.4%) EC-risk areas (p-value=0.02). Conclusion: We found high levels of FB1 contamination in corn and rice samples from Golestan province of Iran, with a significant positive relationship between FB1 contamination in rice and the risk of EC. Therefore, fumonisin contamination in commonly used staple foods, especially rice, may be considered as a potential risk factor for EC in this high risk region.