• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.10 no.1_2
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this research is to estimate a safe environmental level of human exposure to thresholding-acting toxicants in drinking water and recommend the acceptable levels and management plans for maintaining good quality of drinking water' and protecting health hazard. This research has been funded as a national project for three years from 1992 to 1995. This study(the second year, 1993-1994) was conducted to monitor 39 species of noncarcinogenic chemicals such as volatile organic compounds(VOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbens(PAHs), pesticides and heavy metals of drinking water at some area in six cities of Korea, and evaluate health risk due to these chemicals through four main steps (hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment and risk characterization) of risk assessment in drinking water. In hazard identification, 39 species of non-carcinogenic chemicals were identified by the US EPA classification system. In the step of exposure assessment, sampling of tap water from the public water supply system had been conducted from 1993 to 1994, and 39 chemicals were analyzed. Inclose-response assessment for non-carcinogens, reference doses(RfD) and lifetime health advisories(HAs) of lifetime acceptable levels were calculated. In risk characterization of detected chemicals, the hazard quotients of noncarcinogens were less than one except those of manganese and iron in D city.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2014

Indexes of safety, restoration, damage impact, and management reliability were developed to assess reliability of drinking water distribution networks (DWDNs) management. The developed indexes were applied to evaluate the reliability of the pipeline management stage during unexpected mechanical and hydraulic accidents of components. The results were used to support the decision-making process in effective management and maintenance by enhancing the administrator's system understanding and by helping to create appropriate maintenance and management policies. The results of this study indicated that application of a management reliability index to assess DWDNs reliability may help create a more effective plan for establishing DWDNs management and maintenance.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.521-526
• /
• 2006

We have studied the possibility of removing Anabaena macrospora by injecting copper sulfate ($CuSO_4{\cdot}5H_2O$) into the raw water of a drinking water purification plant. Anabaena macrospora caused the unpleasant geosmin odor of drinking water in August 2001. The cell break-point of A. macrospora was 0.3 mg/L of $CuSO_4$. We were able to reduce the standing crops of A. macrospora effectively because $CuSO_4$ could break A. macrospora selectively. Because 0.3 mg/L of $CuSO_4$ could break both cells and akinetes, it reduced the possibility of a recurrent problem for them to meet a favorable condition. When $CuSO_4$ was injected in the early growth phase of algae and the mixing intensity was high, A. macrospora could be removed most effectively. The odor caused by A. macrospora was sustained for a while without any sudden change of environmental condition. Therefore, we hope that it could shorten the period of obstacle by injecting the optimal amount of 0.3 mg/L of $CuSO_4$. The water quality, alkalinity, conductivity, hardness and pH didn't changed by the injection of $CuSO_4$.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.879-886
• /
• 2006

The analytical methods of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) for water sample with extremely low concentration was developed to extract large volume and to improve fast chromatography for clean up. Semi-automated solid phase extraction (SPE) system and column coupling chromatography using elution pump was optimized and applied to each processes of treatment plant. Results of disk type SPE indicated that this system was applicable below 40 L of aqueous sample with a flow rate of 0.08 ~ 0.2 L/min. Average recoveries of SPE using labeled sampling spike of $^{37}Cl$-2,3,7,8-TCDD was 97%. Column coupling method resulted in reduced clean up time, solvent volume, increased average recoveries with constant elution rate. The combined methods were applied to the monitoring of drinking water treatment plant. Limits of detection (LOD) of each process were calculated. For example, LOD of raw and treated water ranged 0.094~0.968 pg/L and 0.028~0.364 pg/L, respectively. Combined methods of extraction and cleanup techniques provided fast analysis of PCDD/Fs with high accuracy and low LODs for water samples.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.26
• /
• pp.2.1-2.7
• /
• 2011

Objectives: N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and is formed during the chlorination of municipal drinking water. In this study, selected nitrosamines were measured in chlorinated drinking water collected from Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea, and a risk assessment for NDMA was conducted. Methods: Twelve water samples were collected from 2 treatment plants and 10 household taps. Samples were analyzed for 6 nitrosamines via solid-phase extraction cleanup followed by conversion to dansyl derivatives and high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Considering the dietary patterns of Korean people and the concentration change of NDMA by boiling, a carcinogenic risk assessment from ingestion exposure was conducted following the US EPA guidelines. Results: NDMA concentrations ranged between 26.1 and 112.0 ng/L. NDMA in water was found to be thermally stable, and thus its concentration at the end of boiling was greater than before thermal treatment owing to the decrease in water volume. The estimated excess lifetime carcinogenic risk exceeded the regulatory baseline risk of $10^{-5}$. Conclusions: This result suggests that more extensive studies need to be conducted on nitrosamine concentration distributions over the country and the source of relatively high nitrosamine concentrations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2017

Drinking water deficiency is prevalent in developing countries due to contamination of surface and ground water, difficulties of water treatment, and lack of water infrastructures. 'Rainwater For Drinking (RFD)' projects are emerging as one of the effective solutions globally since RFD systems provide safe drinking water from rainwater. In RFD projects, perception of local residents toward RFD project is essential as local residents must manage their RFD systems on their own after the project finishes. This research performed survey and interview to 209 local residents, who use RFD systems, and analyzed their general perception, expected effects and feared factors toward RFD projects. Through the research, it was shown that the most of the local residents have positive perception towards RFD projects' effectiveness (41.9%) and are willing to participate (58.9%). The top three expected effect factors of the RFD projects were 'supply of safe water source', 'vitalization of local community', and 'expansion of RFD system'. The top three feared factors were 'quality of rainwater', 'technical factors of RFD system', and 'maintenance of RFD system'. The research findings indicate that development of simple water quality measuring device and education of the local residents about RFD system is necessary for better maintenance of the RFD system after the project finishes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.739-744
• /
• 1995

The two main methods to prepare water samples for analyzing volatile organic compounds(VOC's) were investigated. One is the purge and trap(PT) method and another is the head space(HS) sampling method. Both methods were effective to transfer the low boiling point components from the water sample onto the capillary column. The cryo-focusing at the top of the main capillary column was an effective way to obtain the sharpness of the chromatographic peaks but could be avoided when a semi-wide bore column was used. The recovery from the same amount of the sample was better in PT than in HS but a larger sample volume in HS method could compensate the lower efficiency. Therefore PT is suitable to the analysis of drinking water where the very low concentration must be determined. HS is suitable to waste water analysis because of the easiness of the operation. The repeatability was good and similar in both methods. For the contamination of the former sample, both methods were tough and could be used without any problems. The matrix effect which could change the equilibrium parameters in HS method was find negligible in many components. The actual samples such as tap water and river water were analyzed with both methods concerning 16 components regulated in Korea.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2001

The main purpose of applying the chlorination process during water treatment is for disinfection. Research results, however, indicate that disinfection by-products including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, and chloropicrin can be produced by chlorination process. Some of these disinfection by-products are known to be potential human carcinogens. This three-year project is designed to establish a standard analysis procedure for disinfection by-products in drinking water and investigate the distribution and sources of specific disinfection by-products. The occurrence level of DBPs in drinking water was below 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/L in most cases. THMs in plant effluent accounted for 48% of all DBPs measured, whereas HAAs accounted for 24%, HANs 14%, haloketones 5%, chloral hydrate 7%, and chloropicrin 2%. Chloroform was found to be the major THMs compound (71%), followed by bromodichloromethane (21%), dibro-mochloromethane (7%), and bromoform (3%), The concentration of DBPs formed in distribution systems increased from those detected in plant effluent. Results would play an important role in exposure assessment as a part of the risk assessment process, and would give basic information for establishment of disinfection by-products reduction and management procedures.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.219-224
• /
• 2003

1,4-Dioxane is used as a solvent for lacquers, paints, varnish removers, dye baths and printing compositions. And it is also used for detergent preparations, cosmetics, deodorants and fumigants. A method is described for the determination of 1,4-dioxane in water samples by GC/MS. The extraction recoveries were studied for some solvents and solvent volume ratio were investigated using r-butyl methyl ether (MTBE). Optimum condition was obtained by the liquid-liquid extraction using the 10 mL of MTBE for 10 mL of water. Method detection limit of 1,4-dioxane in the 20 mL of water samples was 0.05 ng/mL. It could be determined in the range of 0.24∼240 ng/mL in treated water, and in the range of 0.69∼81.9 ng/mL in raw water, respectively. Risk assessments with 1,4-dioxane exposure by drinking water ingestion were carried out. Based on the results of analysis, chronic daily intake of 1,4-dioxane was 2.22${\times}$10$\^$-4/ mg/kg/day and excess cancer risk was calcu-lated to be 2.44${\times}$10$\^$-6/.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.397-408
• /
• 2004

Due to the growing impact of non-point source pollution and limitation of water treatment technology, a new policy of water quality management, called a source protection, is now becoming more important in drinking water supply. The source protection means that the public agency purchases the pollution sensitive area, such as riparian zone, and prohibit locations of point and non-point sources. Many studies have reported that this new policy is more economical in drinking water supply than the conventional one. However, it is very difficult to determine location and size of the pollution sensitive zone in the watershed. In this paper, we presented the scientific criteria for the priority of the pollution sensitive zone, along with a case study of the upstream watershed of the Paldang Reservoir, Han River. This study includes applications of the analytical hierarchy process(AHP) and a watershed-based land prioritization(WLP) model. After major criteria affecting water quality were selected, the AHP and geographic analysis were performed. The WLP model allowed us to include both quantity and quality criteria, using AHP as the multi-criteria method in making decision and reflecting local characteristics and various needs. By adding a travel-time function, which represents the prototype effectively, the results secured adaptability and scientific objectivity as well. As such, the WLP model appeared to provide reasonable criteria in determining the prioritization of land acquisition. If the tested data are used with a validated travel-time and AHP method is applied after further discussion among experts in such field, highly reliable results can be obtained.