• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2 s.53
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• pp.93-102
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• 2006

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an octane booster that is added to the reformulated gasoline, has been a widespread contaminant in aquatic ecosystem. MTBE is a recalcitrant pollutant having low biodegradability. Due to its higher water solubility and low octanol-water partition coefficient, it can be rapidly transported to the surrounding water environment. Also, MTBE is a known animal carcinogen, and is classified as a possible human carcinogen by U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The adverse effect of MTBE to aquatic biota was widely reported. In Korea, the recent detection of MTBE in groundwater near gasoline filling stations has drawn concern to public health and ecosystem. To address this concern, the effect of MTBE to human health and ecosystem was discussed in this review. Also, ecotoxicity data of MTBE for fish, invertebrates, and algae were extensively compared to estimate the hazard concentration 5($HC_5$) of MTBE as a screening level.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.309-312
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• 2001

It has recently been suggested that the release of "endocrine disrupters (EDs)" into the environment has resulted in adverse health effects on wild life populations and humans (Golden et al., 1998; Tyler et al., 1998; Kang et al., 2000). Human sperm counts have declined significantly throughout the world during the past fifty years, and which is a significant public health concern (Carlsen et al., 1992; Carlsen et al.. 1995). In addition, the EDs persisting in the environment are known to disrupt the normal endocrine systems of wildlife (Colborn, 1995; Crewet al., 1995; Folmer et at, 1996; Sumpter, 1995; Tyler, 1998). Some estrogenic chemicals bind to estrogen receptors (Bolger et al.. 1998), interfere with the binding of physiological ligands to steroid hormone-binding proteins (Danjo, 1997; Milligan et al., 1998). and show immunotoxicity (Sakae et al., 1998). (omitted) (omitted)

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• no.27
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• pp.57-63
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• 2001

It is believed that visual exposure to nature in the interior environment can make human healthier. But little about the effect of visual environment on human health is known. This article employs some existing evidences that perceptual experience of natural elements in the interior environment could reduce mental fatigue. The results of this article are shown as follows: First, the perception of natural elements is a physiological activity in terms of psychological health. Secondly, the visual stimulation of nature provoking proper arouse helps psychological balance. The aim of this article is to provoke further thinking and research on this possibility that visual exposure to nature may make people healthier.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.197-207
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• 2016

Large quantities of air pollutants are released into the atmosphere and hence, must be monitored and routinely assessed for their health implications. This paper proposes a stochastic technique to predict unobserved hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), especially Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which can have negative effects on human health. The proposed approach constructs a nearest-neighbor structure by incorporating the linkage between BaP and meteorology and meteorological effects. This approach is adopted in order to predict unobserved BaP concentrations based on observed (or forecasted) meteorological conditions, including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and air quality. The effects of BaP on human health are examined by characterizing the cancer risk. The efficient prediction provides useful information relating to the optimal monitoring period and projections of future BaP concentrations for both industrial and residential areas within Korea.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.179-202
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• 2013

Bisphenol A and other alkylphenols are widely used in plastic and other industrial consumer products. Release of these compounds into the aquatic environment during their manufacture, use and disposal has been a great scientific and public concern due to their toxicity at high concentrations and endocrine disrupting effects at low concentration on aquatic wildlife and human beings. This paper reviews the published data and researches on the environmental occurrence, distribution, health effects and analytical techniques of bisphenol A and alkylphenols. The aim is to provide an overview of the current understanding about bisphenol A and alkylphenols in the environment and the difficulties faced today in order to establish standard and systematic environmental analysis and assessment process for these endocrine disruptor compounds.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 1999

Effect of solvent extracts and juice supernatants from kimchis on the growth of various human cancer cells was studied, comparing with the actions on the normal cells. Inhibitory effect of kimchi extracts on[3H] thymidine incorporation n cancer cells was also investigated. The methanol extract, hexane extract and methanol soluble fraction (MSF) of 3-week fermented kimchi did not have growth inhibitory effect on Ac2F rat normal liver cells at the concentrations of 0.5~2%. However, marked decrease in the growth of AGS human gastric cancer cells was shown by the treatment of those extacts. The juice from the kimchi samples also suppressed the growth of K-562 human leukemia cells and MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. Especially, the juice of 3-week fermented kimchi exhibited the strong growth inhibitory effect in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. At the photomicrographs, growth inhibition and morphological change of the cells treated with kimchi juice were observed. And the solvent extracts of 3-week fermented kimchi suppressed the growth of cancer morethan the extracts or juices from fresh and 6-week fermented kimchi. When AGS human gastric cancer cels were treated with the extracts of 3-week fermented kimchi, [3H] thymidine incorporation in the cells also decreased. These results showed that kimchi extracts and juices had growth inhibitory effects on human osteosarcoma, leukemia and gastric cancer cells, but had no toxicity to the normal cells. We suggest that kimchi might have anticancer effect in part due to inhibition of the growth and DNA synthesis of cancer cells.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.211-228
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• 2003

Most environmental impact assessment(EIA) programs around the world require the consideration of human health impacts. Yet relatively few EIA documents adequately address those impacts. This article examines how, why, and to what extent health impacts are analyzed in environmental impact assessments. This article investigates these problems and provides recommendations to improve human health impact assessment(HIA), using methods, procedures and case study. Also, a comprehensive approach for the evaluation of possible health effects in an EIA is described, illustrated with the example of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Unlike many EIAs, we estimated quantitatively the impact of aircraft-related pollution in terms of the number of affected people for aircraft noise annoyance, odour annoyance and hypertension. In addition, an analysis of health registry data on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and a short survey on annoyance and risk perception were carried out.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.81-91
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• 2018

Particulate matter (PM) in dust causes serious pathological conditions, and it has been considered a critical health issue for many years. Respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic inflammation, are the most common illnesses due to PM that appears as dust. There is evidence that cardiovascular and neurological abnormalities are caused by PM. Although an extensive amount of work has been conducted on this topic, including studies on the nature of the particles, particle size measurements, particle distribution upon inhalation, the health effects of fine particles, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, to this date, there is still a considerable lack of knowledge in these areas. Therefore, the identification of the key components that cause diseases owing to PM, and the specific diagnoses of the diseases, is important. This review will explore the current literature on the origin and nature of PM and their effects on human health. In addition, it will also highlight the approaches that have been adopted in order to diagnose the effects of PM using positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT).

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.204-217
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• 2020

In nature, plants are always under the threat of pests and diseases. Pathogenic bacteria are one of the major pathogen types to cause diseases in diverse plants, resulting in negative effects on plant growth and crop yield. Chemical bactericides and antibiotics have been used as major approaches for controlling bacterial plant diseases in the field or greenhouse. However, the appearance of resistant bacteria to common antibiotics and bactericides as well as their potential negative effects on environment and human health demands bacteriologists to develop alternative control agents. Bacteriophages, the viruses that can infect and kill only target bacteria very specifically, have been demonstrated as potential agents, which may have no negative effects on environment and human health. Many bacteriophages have been isolated against diverse plant-pathogenic bacteria, and many studies have shown to efficiently manage the disease development in both controlled and open conditions such as greenhouse and field. Moreover, the specificity of bacteriophages to certain bacterial species has been applied to develop detection tools for the diagnosis of plant-pathogenic bacteria. In this paper, we summarize the promising results from greenhouse or field experiments with bacteriophages to manage diseases caused by plant-pathogenic bacteria. In addition, we summarize the usage of bacteriophages for the specific detection of plant-pathogenic bacteria.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.181-188
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• 2009

Uncontrolled cell growth and increased cell proliferation are major features of cancer that are dependent on the stable structure and dynamics of the cytoskeleton. Since stable cytoskeleton structure and dynamics are partly regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), many current studies focused on MLCK inhibition as a chemotherapeutic target. As a potent and selective MLCK inhibitor, ML-7 [1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1 H-hexahydro-1,4-diazapine hydrochloride] is a promising candidate for an anticancer agent, which would induce apoptosis as well as prevents invasion and metastasis in certain types of cancer cells. This study assessed cytotoxic effects of ML-7 against HL-60 cells and therapeutic efficacy of ML-7 as a potential antileukemia agent. Trypan-blue exclusion assays showed dose- and time- dependent decreases in ML-7 treated HL-60 cells (p<0.05). Comet assays revealed a significant increase in DNA damage in HL-60 cells after treatment with $40{\mu}M$ ML-7 for 2h. Sub-G1 fractions, analyzed by flow cytometry increased in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that ML-7 can induce apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells. ML-7 was selectively cytotoxic towards HL-60 cells; not affecting normal human lymphocytes. That selective effect makes it a promising potential anti-leukemia agent. In addition, anticancer efficacy of ML-7 in combination with flavonoids (genistein or quercetin) or anticancer drugs (cisplatin or Ara-C) against HL-60 cells was assessed. Combination of ML-7 with flavonoids increased the anti-cancer effect of ML-7 to a greater extent than combination with the anticancer drugs. This implies that ML-7 in combination with flavonoids could increase the efficacy of anticancer treatment, while avoiding side effects cansed by conventional anticancer drug-containing combination chemotherapy.