• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2020

This study determined the microbial contamination levels of hot pepper at harvest, sorting, and distribution stages to suggest a way of reducing the microbial contamination of hot peppers by changing work gloves used throughout these processes. According to the monitoring results, the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) were found in the following order: soil (5.3±0.9 log CFU/g), hot pepper (4.2±0.9 log CFU/g), gloves (4.2±0.6 log CFU/g), baskets (4.1±0.7 log CFU/ g), clippers (3.9±0.6 log CFU/ g) and water (3.2±1.1 log CFU/g) at harvest stage. The contamination level of coliforms were found in the following order: soil (2.2±0.9 log CFU/g), hot pepper (2.2±0.3 log CFU/g), gloves (2.1±0.6 log CFU/g), clippers (2.0±0.21 log CFU/ g) and baskets (1.9±1.1 log CFU/ g) at harvest stage. TAB on hot pepper at the harvest stage was reduced from 4.2±0.9 log CFU/g to cold storage 3.8±0.2 log CFU/g and room temperature storage 2.6±0.3 log CFU/g, respectively. By the replacement of work gloves and lower distribution temperature, TAB levels of the peppers were significantly reduced compared to those without replacement and distributed at room temperature. In addition, the utilization of plasma was effective on reducing microbial contamination of hot pepper. These results demonstrated that appropriate replacement of gloves at the harvest stages, using plasma in the distribution stage, and refrigerated distribution conditions, which are simple and easy to practice in the field, are effective to reduce microbial contamination on hot peppers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.72-78
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• 2009

Exposure to HDI(hexamethylene di-isocyanate) commonly used in vehicle crash repair workshops remains a leading cause of occupational asthma. Although skin and eye contamination are considered as absorption routes, there are no occupational exposure standards for skin and ocular exposure. This is the reason why there are more empirical data should be provided. Therefore this study was to determine contamination levels of HDI on the skin, eyes, work surfaces, respirators and eye protectors. There was evidence of contamination on a variety of work surfaces, for example, door handles, bench top and spray gun, etc. A high proportion(47~80%) of skin wipe samples from neck, forehead, back hand, palm and wrist was positive for HDI contamination, even though spray time was relatively brief. The contamination levels from spraying inside spray booth were generally higher than outside booth due to poor work practices and inappropriate personal protective use like safety gloves. Apprentices had higher exposure levels than the qualified painters, likely due to lack of the recognition of safety and hygiene. The extent of contamination inside the PPE might provide an indication of the potential for respiratory & skin exposure and ocular exposure. Eye fluid samples from 4 out of 14 workers had the positive detection of HDI contamination, due to poor work practices like no or inappropriate eye protection. Considering the potential for dermal & ocular exposure to contribute to possible health symptoms including respiratory sensitization, the empirical data point to a need for improving work practices and appropriate PPE selection, use and maintenance.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 1982

Seventy-seven Mugil cephalus of spinal deformation, living in Hanam, Nogsan, and Myeongji area, the downstreams of the Nagdong River, were collected in order to determine their forms and the levels of heavy metal contamination between March and October, 1981. The specimens were examined by X-ray and content of cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The rate of appearance of deformational fish to the total Mugil cephflus were 4.3% (13 fish), 5.7% (17 fish), relatively high in May and June (dry season). Meanwhile during March and October they were low by 1.0% (3 fish), 2.0% (6 fish). As far as the research areas are concerned, they appeared in larger numbers in downstreams than in upper streams Myeongji (39), Nogsan (25), and Hanam (13). 2. Concerning with fractured parts of vertebraes,86 percent (66 out of 77) had their caudal regions fractured and 72 percent (55) their first to seventh caudal regions fractured. 3. The average levels of cadmium, lead, copper, zinc detected from flesh were 0.26ppm, 2.06ppm, 6.35ppm, 0.85ppm on the other hand, they were 0.22ppm, 1.84ppm, 5.03ppm, 0.93ppm in normal fish. 4. The average levels of cadmium, lead, copper, zinc measured in the bones were 0.39ppm, 2.55ppm, 8.97ppm, 2.73ppm. Meanwhile, from normal fish they were 0.33ppm, 2.25ppm, 7.24ppm, 2.42ppm. 5. Compared with regional heavy metal contamination such as cadium, lead, zinc, Myeongji area had higher contamination content than Nogsan area Nogsan area than Hanam area. 6. Compared with heavy metal contamination level in their tissues, cadmium was highly found in bones Lead and copper were highly detected in viscera. Particularly in skeleton cadmium was 560 times, zinc 160 times in proportion to those in the downstreams of the Nagdong River.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2014

An attempt was made to assess metal ionic toxicity levels of different fishes in the polluted rivers viz., Buriganga and Turag. Fish samples collected from two polluted rivers were analyzed for the levels of metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in order to elucidate the status of these contaminants in fish meant for human consumption. The detected concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn ions in fish species collected from the polluted rivers were below the toxic levels and did not appear to pose a threat. Among the analyzed metals, Cd and Pb ions were detected above the permissible levels in liver and muscle tissues of stinging catfish (Heteropneustesfossilis), spotted snakehead (Channapunctata) and wallago (Wallagoattu) collected from the polluted rivers causing toxicity for human consumption. Stinging catfish (Heteropneustesfossilis) was the species found to highly bioaccumulate these metals. Fish species bioconcentrated appreciable amounts of Cd and Pb as toxic metals in the liver as compared to the muscle. Levels of these toxic metals varied depending on different tissues in fish species.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.721-727
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• 2023

This study was conducted to evaluate the level of microbial contamination in smoked salmon products sold in hypermarkets in major metropolitan cities in Korea. Listeria monocytogenes is the primary cause of smoked and raw salmon product recalls. Here, we used L. monocytogenes as a bacterial hygiene indicator and investigated the microbial contamination level of frozen/refrigerated smoked salmon products collected from hyper markets. Contamination levels were analyzed by seasons, manufacturers, and consumption regions. For hygiene indicator bacteria, total bacteria count, coliforms, and Escherichia coli were examined according to the food code established by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect Listeria sp. The highest contamination level was observed in spring in Busan among five consumption regions. Listeria was detected at a level of 2.1% among all samples collected. And especially L. monocytogenes was detected in two cases from the samples collected from Daegu and Daejeon. Sanitary standards and specifications should be established according to the contamination level of smoked salmon products investigated in this study, and continuous monitoring is necessary.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.301-305
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the microbiological contamination levels in rice cakes and rice flour due to climate change in three areas classified to their temperature and precipitation. We investigated the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens of rice flour and 3 rice cakes such as Garaetteok, Sirutteok and Gyeongdan. Contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in rice flour were 4.9 log CFU/g. In a total of 70 rice flour, yeasts & molds and coliforms were detected in 42 and 52 samples at the levels of 43 CFU/g and 1.29 log CFU/g, respectively. S. aureus were detected in only 1 rice flour (1.66 log CFU/g) out of 70. In an investigation of contamination levels in rice cakes, the population of total aerobic bacteria were highest in Gyeongdan (5.18 log CFU/g) and coliforms were highest in Gareattock (2.93 log CFU/g). There was no detection of E. coli and B. cereus except for only 1 Gareattock (1.20 log CFU/g). There were no differences of contamination levels among the three areas. If constant monitoring of rice cakes and rice flour is conducted on the basis of this study, it is expected to be able to analyze the change of contamination levels in rice cakes and rice flour due to climate change.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to monitor and compare the contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform groups and Escherichia coli from fruit-vegetable salad (FS), aquatic hard-boiled food (AF) and salt-fermented fishery product with spices (SP). The samples of ready-to-eat food were 25 FS, 11 AF and 7 SP. The contamination levels of total aerobic bacteria in FS, AF and SP were $4.56\sim7.45\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (FS), $2.43\sim7.03\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (AF), respectively. The contamination levels of coliform groups were $4.51\sim6.71\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (SP). $4.00\sim6.66\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (FS), $1.70\sim5.20\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (AF), respectively. The contamination levels of E. coli were $2.50\sim4.42\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (SP), $0\sim3.58\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (FS), $1.11\sim4.68\;log_{10}$ CFU/g (AF), respectively. The difference of completed packaging salad and instant packaging salad are not different about contamination levels. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the hygienic levesl of salads, hard-boiled foods and salted fishes were very poor. So our government need to improve the control plan for food safety from manufacturing process to market.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.143-156
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• 2007

This study has researched the management status and the pollution level of water, soil, stream sediments of 11 abandoned coal mines out of a total of 12 within Obong-Dam area except Bukyung mine, which was submerged when constructing Obong-Dam, and selected areas which are in needs to have pollution control facilities in the first place. From the results of examination on the runoff at the waste rock pile and mineheads, the runoff from Sueun mine (pH, Fe, Al), Samwon mine (pH, Al), Wangdo mine (pH, Al), Mose mine (pH, Fe, Al) and Daeryeong mine (pH) exceeded the permissible discharge standards of the water quality, but the water at merging point with Obong-Dam after joined with Doma branch satisfied both Water Quality Standards and Drinking Water Quality Standards. In regard to groundwater contamination, it is found that areas where exceeded the Drinking Water Quality Standards are Wangdo mine (pH), Jangjae mine (pH, Zn), Daeryeong mine (pH) whereas all areas satisfied Soil Contamination Warning Standards of Soil Environmental Conservation Law. When comparing a research result on underwater sediments of branches of abandoned mines to the EPA Guidelines for classification of great lakes harbor sediments, Dongguk Gaerim (Fe), Jungwon mine (Fe), Daebo mine (Mn), Samwon mine (Mn) and Daeryeong mine (Mn) showed mid-level of contamination, whereas Sueun (Fe, Mn), Daebo mine (Fe), Woosung mine (Fe, Mn), Wangdo mine (Fe, Mn), Mose mine (Fe) and Daeryeong mine (Fe) showed high-level of contamination. In addition, contamination levels of underwater sediments in Wangsan and Doma branch where abandoned mine's branches merge together, Wangsan branch showed no contamination at all whereas Doma branch shows mid-level of contamination which reflect the Doma branch is affected by waste rock pile and minehead runoff of the abandoned mines in the Doma branch area. It is concluded that Mose mine and Sueun mine required treatment of acid mine drainage. and Wangdo, Jungwon, and Samwon mines were in need of mine tailing and erosion control work. The Samwon mine additionally required a control system for closed minehead runoff. Although the Samwon mine reached a high concentration of Al, Mn $Ca^{2+}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ in the runoff, the levels decreased after it was combined with a tributary. It has been concluded that after further monitoring of the cause of pollution, a preventive measure system may be needed to be built.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2018

In order to analyze the effects of sediment on the occurrence of algal bloom on the Giheung Reservoir, the contamination levels of sediments were evaluated. The concentrations of various organic compounds (ignition loss), as well as the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, As, Hg, Cd) were analyzed in the sediments taken at eighteen sites of the reservoir. The concentrations of ignition loss and total nitrogen tended to increase from upstream to downstream, and ranged from 4.38 to 12.93% and 2,153 to 4,723 mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metals were in the order of Zn>Cr>Co>Ni>Pb>As>Hg, and the contamination level of the heavy metals was not high as a whole. The concentrations of the total phosphorus were in the range of 765 ~ 3,238 mg/kg, which exceeded the contamination level of the "Sediment Quality Assessment Guideline of River and Lake Sediment (Rule No. 2015-687 of the National Institute of Environmental Research, Korea)" at two upstream sites, four downstream sites, and all downstream sites. These results indicated that the pollution level of the total phosphorus, which is the main factor related to algal bloom, was found to be serious. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a countermeasure for sediment management in order to control the algal bloom which occurs periodically in the reservoir.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.426-437
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• 2013

Objective: Gotjawal refers to a special geographical designation found in Jeju Province, Korea, where vegetation forms over a rocky area. Due to the important ecological value of Gotjawal, international concern about such areas is growing. However, only limited information is available regarding environmental contamination of Gotjawal. This study was conducted in order to investigate the levels of contamination and associated ecotoxicological effects of surface water bodies in Gotjawal. Methods: Surface water samples were collected at three sampling sites in two Gotjawal areas and were analyzed for several pharmaceuticals and pesticides in consideration of the potential sources of contamination. The ecotoxicity of the samples was measured using water fleas (Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). In addition, effects on the gene transcription of zebrafish were investigated following exposure to the samples. Results: Nine pharmaceuticals were detected in the samples, but none of the target pesticides were detected. Following acute exposure to two surface water samples, the survival of waterfleas was significantly reduced, but reproduction was not affected. In zebrafish, time-to-hatch was delayed and fry survival was decreased in some samples. On the other hand, at the transcriptional level, there were no genes significantly influenced by exposure to the samples. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating environmental contamination in Gotjawal areas and associated ecotoxicities. Further studies are warranted to identify the cause of acute Daphnia toxicity and to determine potential consequences of longer-term exposure in Gotjawal areas.