• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to systematically identify situations where exposure levels are expected to be high by structuring domestic lead measurement data according to exposure processes and activities. Methods: Occupational exposure data on lead was collected from the results of the Evaluation of Reliability of Working Environment Measurement conducted by the government from 2019 to 2020. Lead exposure characteristics were analyzed by PROC (process category) and activity. The Risk Characterization Ratios (RCRs) of five PROCs according to ventilation type and lead content were evaluated using the MEASE (Metal's EASE) model. Results: The exposure data on lead (n=250) was classified into 12 PROCs and 12 activities, with an average concentration of 0.040 mg/m³ and about 14% exceeding the occupational exposure limit of 0.05 mg/m³. Processes with high exposure levels were PROC 7 (industrial spraying), 23 (open processing and transfer operations of molten metal), 24 (mechanical treatment), 25 (welding), and 26 (handling of powder containing lead). The results of evaluating RCR for the five PROCs were greater than 1 or close to 1 even if local exhaust ventilation was used. Conclusions: There is a possibility that the concentration of exposure is high in the casting and tapping of molten metal containing lead, mechanical treatment such as fracturing and abrasion, handling of powder, spraying, battery manufacturing, and waste battery recycling processes. It is necessary to implement chemical management policies for workplaces with such processes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.328-338
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• 1994

Background: Effect of sulfur dioxide($SO_2$) exposure on airway is well known but little about the effect of $SO_2$ exposure on lung parenchyme. This study is to determine if short tenn exposure to $SO_2$ in concentration commonly found in industrialized environment cause potentially harmful effect on the lung parenchyme, and to evaluate the exposure time-response relationship between short tenn exposure to $SO_2$ and the inflammatory response in mouse lung. Method: 5ppm $SO_2$ gas was used and 48 mice were grouped into control(10), 30(9), 60(11), and 120 minute exposure(18) group. In each group, bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) was done immediately after and at 1,2,3 days after exposure. Histological examination was performed in control and 120 minute exposure group. Results: 1) Cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In 30 and 60 minute exposure group, compared to the control group, lymphocyte count has significantly increased(p<0.05) at 1 day after exposure but did not differ at 2 days after exposure. In 120 minute exposure group, also compared to the control group, there was significant increase in total cell, macrophage, and lymphocyte count at 1 day after exposure, (p<0.05) which lasted for 2 days but did not significantly differ at 3 days after exposure. 2) Histological findings in 120 minute exposure group. In the airway, mild epithelial cell damage and ciliary loss were noted but there was no evidence of inflammatory cell infiltration. Interstitial inflammatory infiltration was noted at 1 day after exposure, which lasted for 3 days after exposure and there was no evidence of edema or fibrosis in the interstitium Conclusions: These data indicate potentially noxious effect of $SO_2$ on the lung parenchyme as well as the airway at exposure level that are regarded as relatively safe, and the duration of injury depends on the exposure time.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.187-198
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• 2002

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide and one of the most commonly and widely used insecticide. However, a little known about the dermal risk of chlorpyrifos on human being. Therefore, this study was conducted for the dermal risk assessment after exposure to chlorpyrifos in Korean farmers. First, skin irritation by chlorpyrifos (10 mg/$\textrm{cm}^2$, 50 mg/$\textrm{cm}^2$, 100 mg/$\textrm{cm}^2$, 250 mg/$\textrm{cm}^2$ in acetone) was determined in rabbits for 5 days considering the usage of chlorpyrifos short term highly exposure. The index of skin irritation by chlorpyrifos was increased in each dose and length of exposure dependent manners. Next, using benchmark dose (BMD$_{5}$) approach, the dose-response relationship was assessed to calculate the reference dose (RfD). The value of RfD was 2.84 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg/day from 142.16 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg/day BMD5 value divided uncertainty factor 50. Finally, we assessed human dermal risk of chlorpyrifos with exposure level and RfD. Skin absorbed levels were assumed with several exposure scenarios encounting the circumstances of exposure that application method, protection equipment and cloth, exposure time and exposure frequency during chlorpyrifos spraying. By the comparison of skin absorbed dose with the reference dose, it was identified that risk values (risk index) to skin chlorpyrifos exposure were 0.958 from the point of above results and it was recommended that the occurrence of hazard effect (skin irritation toxicity) of chlorpyrifos would not be expected. Risk index was smaller than 1 in the case of spraying vehicle mounted application, 1hour exposure time and wearing protective cloth exposure. Whereas, risk index was above 1 in the case of hand-held application, 2hour exposure time and wearing common cloth. Comparing two kinds of application method, total risk index of the hand held application (1.67) was higher than vehicle mounted (0.27). Therefore, chlorpyrifos skin exposure was mainly affected by application equipment and applied form. The results of risk assessment on the human dermal toxicity of chlorpyrifos should be required to control in keeping safety rules, skin surface area available for contact, spraying time ,and spraying frequency.y.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.95-103
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• 2010

Raw files record luminance values corresponds to each pixel of a digital camera sensor. In digital imaging, controlling exposure to capture the first highlight stop is important on linear-distribution of raw file characteristic. This study sought to verify the efficiency of ETTR method and found the optimum over-exposure amount to maintain the first highlight stop to be the largest number of levels. This was achieved by over-exposing a scene with a raw file and converting it to under-exposure in a raw file converting software. Our paper verified the efficiency of ETTR by controlling the exposure range and ISOs. Throughout the results, if exposure increases gradually 6 steps, dynamic range is also increased. And it shows that the optimized exposure value is around + $1\frac{2}{3}$ stop over compared to the normal exposure with the high ISOs simultaneously. We compared visual noise value at $1\frac{2}{3}$ stop to the normal exposure visual noise. Based on the normal exposure's visual noise, we can confirm that visual noise decrement is increased by increasing ISOs. In this experimental result, we confirm that overexposure about + $1\frac{2}{3}$ stop is the optimum value to make the widest dynamic range and lower visual noise in high ISOs. Based on the study results, we can provide the effective ETTR information to consumers and manufacturers. This method will contribute to the optimum image performance in maximizing dynamic range and minimizing noise in a digital imaging.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2005

In previous report, we presented that petroleum based solvents used in dry cleaning shop was almost similar to stoddard solvent defined by ACGIH and NIOSH, and the occupational exposure standard of stoddard solvent could be used in total exposure assessment of those solvents. The specific aim of the this study was to evaluate of the solvent exposure used in commercial dry cleaning shops by using occupational exposure standard of stoddard solvent. We conducted first survey of 8 self-employed dry cleaning shops and 5 factory type dry cleaning shops from July to August, and second survey of the same shops from October to November in 2002. The exposure concentration to the solvent during loading and unloading activity of vented dry cleaning machine was 489.2ppm(GM), 270.3ppm(GM), respectively, which was almost excursion limit(500ppm) of ACGIH, and exceed the ceiling limit(312ppm) of NIOSH. The time-weighted average (TWA) worker exposure to the solvent was 21.3ppm(GM) at self-employed shops, 20.7ppm(GM) at factory type shops on first survey, and 31.1ppm(GM), 33.7ppm(GM), respectively on second survey. The TWA exposure concentration of workers with spotting and cleaning machine operating job was 25.4ppm(GM), which was 2.9 times higher than the TWA exposure concentration, 8.8ppm(GM) of press workers. All TWA exposure concentrations was lower than OEL(100ppm) of stoddard solvent. We found that the most heavy exposure process at dry cleaning was loading, unloading process, and the vent of dry cleaning machine was the main emission source for workers exposure to petroleum based solvent.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 1994

This study was carried out to assess worker exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and to present control measures in the factories processing and producing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. The conclusion remarks are as follows. Only two personal samples in the factory ("E") processing polyvinyl chloride resin were analysed to be 27.6 ppm and 12.6 ppm, respectively. But, these concentration exceed 1 ppm, Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) of OSHA. So, worker's exposure to VCM at "E" factory should be reevaluated. In "A", "B" and "C" factory producing polyvinyl chloride resin, the average worker's exposures to VCM were 0.12 ppm, 0.86 ppm and 1.23 ppm, respectivery. Worker exposure to VCM at distillation and dry process was higer than other processes at "A" factory. The average exposure concentration of worker at polymerization process of "B" and "C" factory was 1.23 ppm, and 1.46 ppm respcetively. These concentration exceed 1 ppm, Permissible Exposure Limits of OSHA. Control room of "B" and "C" factory had 0.91 ppm and 0.65 ppm of worker's exposure concentration respectively. "A" factory was evaluated to be "acceptable", but "B" and "C" factories were evaluated to be "not acceptable", by the workplace exposure assessment program of AIHA. Process other than bagging and control room of "A" factory was evaluated to "not acceptable". Immediate correction measures for preventing workers from exposure to VCM should be performed in the factories or process that were evaluated to be "not acceptable". After these control measures are taken, worker exposure to VCM must be reevaluated through personal air monitoring. Control measures presented by this study are complete sealing of connecting pipe lines, flanging, packing, bolting and nutting. Periodic leak test for leak parts is also required. And positive pressure facility should be constructed at control room of "B" and "C" factory. Fresh air through cleaner such as HEPA filter should be supplied to control room. In addition to these control measures, periodic personal monitoring for evaluating worker exposure to VCM should be performed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.313-323
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to assess exposure to black carbon(BC) among forklift operators and to identify environmental and occupational factors influencing their BC exposure. Methods: We studied a total of 23 forklift operators from six workplaces manufacturing paper boxes. A daily BC exposure assessment was conducted during working hours from January to April 2017. A micro-aethalometer was used to monitor daily BC exposure, and information on work activities was also obtained through a time-activity diary(TAD) and interviews. BC exposure records were classified into four categories influencing BC exposure level: working environment, workplace, forklift operation, and job characteristics. Analysis of variance(ANOVA) was used to compare average BC exposure levels among the four categories and the relationships between potential factors and BC exposure were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Results: The operators' daily exposure was $12.9{\mu}g/m^3$(N=9,148, $GM=7.5{\mu}g/m^3$) with a range: $0.001-811.4{\mu}g/m^3$. The operators were exposed to significantly higher levels when they operate a forklift in a room ${\leq}20,000m^3$($AM=12.3{\mu}g/m^3$), in indoor workplaces($AM=16.3{\mu}g/m^3$), when they operate a forklift manufactured before 2006 ($AM=13.2{\mu}g/m^3$), a forklift with a loading limit of four-tons($AM=27.1{\mu}g/m^3$), with a roll and bale type clamp($AM=17.1{\mu}g/m^3$), and with no particulate filter($AM=15.7{\mu}g/m^3$). Conclusions: Occupational factors including temperature, smoking, season, daytime, room volume($m^3$), location of operating, and manufacturing era and model of forklift influenced the BC exposure of forklift operators. The results of this study can be used to minimize the BC exposure of forklift operators.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1_2
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• pp.19-29
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• 1996

Human exposure to volatile compounds in tap water can occur from inhalation and dermal absorption as well as direct ingestion. The relative contribution to total human exposure from these pathways has been considered to be important especially for VOC's (volatile organic compounds). In an attempt to reduce the uncertainty of the risk assessment, it has been suggested that the exposure assessment process could be significantly improved by adopting Monte-Carlo simulation. However, there is no actual data in Korea for each exposure parameter to determine the level of exposure, and the distributional pattern. Therefore, we surveyed water use patterns and behavior related to multi-route exposure to VOC's in household tap water in Korea, and compared these values to the those in western countries. In the first survey, we calculated daily water intake using data from a sample of 1322 persons of several cities in Korea. In the second survey, we obtained questionnaire data on exposure time for showering, bathing and household activities, and tap water intake from 851households in Korea. In the last survey, we measured the exposure parameters (exposure time, water use rate etc.) related to showers, baths, toilets, dish washing, washing and cooking, and tap water intake was surveyed. Also, the subjects were measured their body weight, height and tidal volume, etc. A diary, a flow meter and a measuring cup were used to measure these values as precisely as possible. Average daily water intake was ranged 0.79-1.71 L/day for adults in three surveys. Tap water intake measured by log-sheet during one week in third survey was 1.26 (average), 1.98 L/day (90 percentlie), respectively. These results were comparable with results from EPA (1.4, 2L/day). The average amount of water used by housewives in the third survey was 515.0 $\pm$ 564.6L/day. In usual activity, the amount of water used in the bathroom, the laundry and the kitchen was 140.0 $\pm$ 538.9, 148.0 $\pm$ 174.5, 229.3 $\pm$ 205.4 L/day, respectively. Exposure parameters such as water intake rate, exposure duration, body weight, inhalation rates in surveyed data of Korean people differed from those published from western countries. This could be attributed to variations in lifestyle, dietary habits and physiological characteristics.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.513-537
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• 2017

In this study, the fracture toughness $K_{IC}$ of high performance concrete (HPC) was investigated by conducting three-point bending tests on a total of 240 notched beams of $500mm{\times}100mm{\times}100mm$ subjected to heating temperatures up to $450^{\circ}C$ with exposure times up to 16 hours and various heating and cooling rates. For a heating rate of $3^{\circ}C/min$, $K_{IC}$ for the hot concrete sustained a monotonic decrease trend with the increasing heating temperature and exposure time, from $1.389MN/m^{1.5}$ at room temperature to $0.942MN/m^{1.5}$ at $450^{\circ}C$ for 4-hour exposure time, $0.906MN/m^{1.5}$ for 8-hour exposure time and $0.866MN/m^{1.5}$ for 16-hour exposure time. For the cold concrete, $K_{IC}$ sustained a two-stage decrease trend, dropping slowly with the heating temperature up to $150^{\circ}C$ and then rapidly down to $0.869MN/m^{1.5}$ at $450^{\circ}C$ for 4-hour exposure time, $0.812MN/m^{1.5}$ for 8-hour exposure time and $0.771MN/m^{1.5}$ for 16-hour exposure time. In general, the $K_{IC}$ values for the hot concrete up to $200^{\circ}C$ were larger than those for the cold concrete, and an inverse trend was observed thereafter. The increase in heating rate slightly decreased $K_{IC}$, and at $450^{\circ}C$ $K_{IC}$ decreased from $0.893MN/m^{1.5}$ for $1^{\circ}C/min$ to $0.839MN/m^{1.5}$ for $10^{\circ}C/min$ for the hot concrete and from $0.792MN/m^{1.5}$ for $1^{\circ}C/min$ to $0.743MN/m^{1.5}$ for $10^{\circ}C/min$ for the cold concrete after an exposure time of 16 hours. The increase in cooling rate also slightly decreased $K_{IC}$, and at $450^{\circ}C$ $K_{IC}$ decreased from $0.771MN/m^{1.5}$ for slow cooling to $0.739MN/m^{1.5}$ for fast cooling after an exposure time of 16 hours. The fracture energy-based fracture toughness $K_{IC}$' was also assessed, and similar decrease trends with the heating temperature and exposure time existed for both hot and cold concretes. The relationships of two fracture toughness parameters with the weight loss and the modulus of rapture were also evaluated.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.493-499
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to construct a job-exposure matrix for lead that accounts for industry and work processes within industries using a nationwide exposure database. Methods: We used the work environment measurement data (WEMD) of lead monitored nationwide from 2015 to 2016. Industrial hygienists standardized the work process codes in the database to 37 standard process and extracted key index words for each process. A total of 37 standardized process codes were allocated to each measurement based on an automated key word search based on the degree of agreement between the measurement information and the standard process index. Summary statistics, including the arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and 95th percentile level (X95), was calculated according to industry, process, and industry process. Using statistical parameters of contrast and precision, we compared the similarity of exposure groups by industry, process, and industry process. Results: The exposure intensity of lead was estimated for 583 exposure groups combined with 128 industry and 35 process. The X95 value of the "casting" process of the "manufacture of basic precious and non-ferrous metals" industry was 53.29 ㎍/m³, exceeding the occupational exposure limit of 50 ㎍/m³. Regardless of the limitation of the minimum number of samples in the exposure group, higher contrast was observed when the exposure groups were by industry process than by industry or process. Conclusion: We evaluated the exposure intensities of lead by combination of industry and process. The results will be helpful in determining more accurate information regarding exposure in lead-related epidemiological studies.