• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental Hazard

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Characteristics of Runout Distance of Debris Flows in Korea (한국 토석류의 이동거리 특성)

  • Choi, Dooyoung;Paik, Joongcheol
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.32 no.3B
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    • pp.193-201
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    • 2012
  • In the last decade, heavy rainfall induced debris flow events have been remarkably occurred in Korea. Consequently, debris flow is becoming one of the most dangerous natural phenomena in mountainous area. Understanding and correct predicting of the runout distance of debris flow is an essential prerequisite for developing debris flow hazard map and prevention technology. Based on the simple and widely used sled model, in this study, we analyse the net efficiency of debris flows which is a dimensionless constant (=1/R) and defined by the ratio of the horizontal runout distance L from the debris flow source to deposit and the vertical elevation H of the source above the deposit. The analysis of field data observed in total 238 debris flow events occurred from 2002 to 2011 reveals that the representative value of the net efficiency of debris flows in Korea is 4.3. The data observed in Gangwon province where is the most debris flow-prone area in Korea shows that debris flows in Inje area have the runout distance longer than those in Pyongchang and Gangneung. Overall features of the net efficiency of debris flows observed in the central Korea are similar to those in the southern Korea. The estimation based on aerial photographs and available depositional conditions appears to overestimate the net efficiency compared to estimation based on the field observations, which indicates that appropriate depositional conditions need to be developed for debris flows in Korea.

Crash Clearance Time Analysis of Korean Freeway Systems using a Cox Model (Cox 모형을 활용한 고속도로 사고 처리시간 영향인자 분석)

  • Chung, Younshik;Kim, Seon Jung
    • KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.37 no.6
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    • pp.1017-1023
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    • 2017
  • Duration induced by freeway crashes has a critical influence on traffic congestion. In general, crash duration composes detection and verification, response, and clearance time. Of these, the crash clearance time determined by a crash clearance team has attracted considerable attention in the freeway congestion management since the interest of the first two time stages faded away with increasing ubiquitous mobile phone users. The objective of this study is to identify the critical factors that affect freeway crash clearance time using a Cox's proportional hazard model. In total, 6,870 crash duration data collected from 30 major Korean freeways in 2013 were used. As a result, it was found that crashes during the night, with trailer or larger size truck, and in tunnel section contribute to increasing clearance time. Crashes associated with fatality, completed damage of crashed vehicle (s), and vehicles' fire or rollover after crash also lead to increasing clearance time. Additionally, an increase in the number of vehicles involved resulted in longer clearance time. On the other hand, crashes in the vicinity of tollgate, by passenger car, during spring, on flat section, and of car-facility type had longer clearance time. On the basis of the results, this paper suggested some strategic plans and mitigation measures to reduce crash clearance time on Korean freeway systems.

Problems on Pesticide Safe-Use and Their Counter-Measures (농약안전사용상의 문제점과 그 대책)

  • Han Ki-Hak
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.22 no.2 s.55
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    • pp.138-146
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    • 1983
  • With the increase of pesticide consumption, not only pesticide handling population would grow greater but also the chances to be exposed to the pesticides would be also increased. Thus, safe use and handling of the pesticides are becoming more important and serious in these days. The pesticides are well known to most pepole, however there are very limited number of persons who have correct understanding of chamicals. Intoxication cases caused by pesticides have been reported very rarely through the mess media, even they were lack of scientific evidences. In this paper, problems related to pesticide manufacture, transportation, storage, sprays, and residues and their countermeasures were discussed in connection with public health and enviromental aspects. Acute intoxication cases by pesticide handling might be caused accidently either through manufacture, marketing, transportation, or spraying. Safety aspects of workers in manufacturing plants include not only exposure to toxic chemicals, but also posibilities of of explosion and brought about by pesticides and their diluents. The problems of water pollution by waste chemicals from the manufacturing factories were discussed. Packing and loading methods of pesticides for transportation are considered in safety scheme and discussions are given in association with traffic accidents. With regard to warehouse, the pesticide storage, location structure, keepers, and standing materials for emergency are concerned with safety aspects. Concerning the spraying of chemicals, there are some problems to be discussed about clothes, spray equipment, wind direction, spray period, and spray workers condition. After the spray, treatment of used containers, remainder of Pesticides, and spray tools are also discussed. For the dissolutions of problems on public health and environmental danger arising from pesticide residues, there are two legal sanctions; 'Pesticide Tolerances' and 'Pesticide Safe Use Standards'. These regulations are legally effective, however, some problems still remain in practices to implement the acts properly, because these provisions are followed by the far mers mostly. With these regards, most problems are concerned with various sectors and persons, affecting public health and environment from the producers to the end users and consumers. As a whole persons concerned with pesticides, every possible effort has to be assembled to protect hazards from the chemicals. For the foremost place, special training and education are required for managing groups; such as factory managers and agricultural extension workers who are responsible for training the factory workers and farmers. The education is the only way to solve the hazard problems caused by the pesticides.

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Estimating Soil Thickness in a Debris Flow using Elastic Wave Velocity (탄성파 속도를 활용한 토석류 위험지역의 표토층 두께 결정)

  • Min, Dae-Hong;Park, Chung-Hwa;Lee, Jong-Sub;Yoon, Hyung-Koo
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.143-152
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    • 2016
  • To estimate the stability of a debris flow it is necessary to know the mass of surface soil, cohesion, slope, and friction angle. Given that the mass of surface soil is a function of soil thickness and mass density, it is important to obtain reliable estimates of soil thickness across a wide area. The objective of this paper is to estimate soil thickness using the elastic wave velocity with a new standard velocity. Tests are performed in debris-flow hazard areas, after which four profiles are selected to obtain the elastic wave velocity. Dynamic cone penetration tests are carried out to find the soil thickness at 18 points. The elastic wave velocity shows the area consists of 3~4 layers, and soil thicknesses are predicted by utilizing the new standard. The elastic wave velocity and dynamic cone penetration tests yield large differences in soil thickness. Therefore, this study shows that the new standard is useful not only in estimating soil thickness but also in improving the reliability of estimates of soil thickness.

Study on Landslide Flume Tests Using Stability Analysis of the Unsaturated Infinite Slope (불포화 무한사면의 안정해석을 활용한 산사태 모형실험에 관한 연구)

  • Song, Hyo-Sung;Chae, Byung-Gon;Song, Young-Suk;Choi, Jung-Hae;Seo, Won-Gyo;Woo, Ik
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.541-552
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    • 2019
  • In this study, landslide flume tests were performed to analyze characteristics of ground characteristics and landslide occurrence due to rainfall infiltration. As test materials, weathered granite soil and gneiss soil, the most frequent landslides in Korea, were used, and landslides were triggered by heavy rain (Intensity = 200 mm/hr). The measurement sensors were installed with 3 sets at toe, slope, top part and shallow (GL-0.2 m), middle (GL-0.4 m), and deep (GL-0.6 m) depth in the slope and measured at 10 second intervals. After landslide flume tests, the slope stability analysis was performed by applying the unsaturated soil theory based on the change of ground characteristics and compared with actual landslide occurrence from flume test. As a result of the analysis, factor of safety reflected the landslide occurrence from flume test and factor of safety decreased as rainfall infiltration, leading to slope failure. Finally we compared to the factor of safety below 1 and actual landslide occurrence time, the average difference was 1,600 seconds for weathered granite soil and 5,400 seconds for weathered gneiss soil.

A study on the status of asbestos use on ships (선박에서의 석면 사용실태 연구)

  • Park, Seung-Hyun;Chung, Eun-Kyo;Kwon, Ji-Woon;Kim, Kab-Bae;Chung, Kwang-Jae;Yi, Gwang-Yong;Shin, Jung-Ah;Lee, In-Seop;Kang, Seong-Kyu
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.123-127
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) used on ships and to consider measures for preventing worker exposure to asbestos fibers. Methods: A total of 17 ships including 16 ships under repair and a ship under construction at shipyards in Korea were investigated. Bulk samples were collected from suspected ACMs on engine exhaust pipes, boiler steam pipes, generator exhaust pipes, and etc. in ships in order to identify the presence of ACMs. Types and contents of asbestos were determined using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Results: ACMs were found from 14 ships out of 17 ships investigated. Only chrysotile asbestos was found from all samples. ACMs were mainly found from samples collected at the exhaust pipes of the engine, generator and incinerator, and boiler steam pipes where exhaust gases or steam of high temperature pass through. In most cases, types of ACMs were asbestos-containing fabrics such as asbestos tape. Friable ACMs were also found in some cases. Use of ACMs on ships was relevant to built time and owner of the ships rather than type and tonnage of the ships. Conclusions: ACMs were found from most ships built prior to 2000s. Therefore, measures for preventing asbestos-related diseases such as preparation of asbestos map on the ship and installation of warning signs, hazard communication with workers (ship-repairing workers, engine room workers and etc.), and follow-up for worker's health management are needed.

Evaluating Efficiency of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs) and Polyacrylamide (PAM) for Mine Hazard Prevention and Revegetation in Coal Mine Area

  • Oh, Se Jin;Oh, Seung Min;Ok, Yong Sik;Kim, Sung Chul;Lee, Sang Hwan;Yang, Jae E.
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.47 no.6
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    • pp.525-532
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    • 2014
  • Since mine wastes were merely dumped in the mine waste dump, they have produced acid mine drainage (AMD). Therefore, main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of coal combustion products (CCPs) on heavy metal stabilization and detoxification for mine wastes. Total six treatments for incubation test were conducted depending on mixing method (completely mixing and layered). Also, lysimeter experiment was conducted to examine efficiency of polyacrylamide (PAM) on reduction of mine wastes erosion. Result of incubation test showed that concentrations of soluble aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) in leachate decreased compared to control. The lowest soluble Al and Fe in leachate was observed in 50% mixed treatment (14.2 and $1.03mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Al and Fe respectively) compared to control treatment (253.0 for Al and $52.6mg\;kg^{-1}$ for Fe). The pH of mine wastes (MW) and leachate increased compared to control after mixing with CCPs and ordered as control (MW 6.4, leachate 6.3) < 10% (MW 7.7, leachate 7.1) < 20% (MW 9.0, leachate 7.8) < 30% (MW 9.5, leachate 8.3) < 40% (MW 9.9, leachate 8.5) < 50% (MW 10.5, leachate 8.6). Application of PAM, both in liquid and granular type, dramatically decreased the suspended solid (SS) concentration of CCPs treatments. Reduction of SS loss was ordered as MW70CR30L ($24.4mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30LPL ($6.7mg\;L^{-1}$) > NT ($3.1mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30M ($1.6mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30MPL ($1.1mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30PGM ($0.7mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30LPG ($0.5mg\;L^{-1}$) > MW70CR30MPG ($0.4mg\;L^{-1}$). Overall, application of CCPs can be environmental friendly and cost-effective way to remediate coal mine wastes contaminated with heavy metals. In addition, use of PAM could help to prevent the erosion coal mine wastes in mine waste disposal area.

Building Damage Functions Using Limited Available Data for Volcanic Ash Loss Estimation (가용자료가 제한된 경우 화산재 피해 예측을 위한 손상함수 구축)

  • Yu, Soonyoung;Yoon, Seong-Min;Jiang, Zhuhua;Choi, Miran
    • Journal of the Korean earth science society
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    • v.34 no.6
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    • pp.524-535
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    • 2013
  • Catastrophe risk models require the damage functions of each vulnerable item in inventory to estimate volcanic ash losses. The damage functions are used to represent the relation between damage factors and damage and also widely used in engineering and natural hazard studies to calculate the vulnerability. In most cases, damage functions are constructed as fragility or vulnerability curves, and researchers are confused by the similarities between them particularly when they perform interdisciplinary research. Thus, we aim to explain the similarities and differences between fragility and vulnerability curves and their relationship by providing case studies to construct them. In addition, we suggest a simple method to construct the damage functions between damage ratio and volcanic ash thickness using limited damage data. This study comes from the fact that damage functions are generally constructed using damage data. However, there is no available volcanic ash damage data in Korea, and not even enough volcanic disaster data to construct damage functions in the world, compared to other hazards. Using the method suggested in the study and the limited damage data from Japan and New Zealand, we construct Weibull-type functions or linear functions dependent of available data to calculate volcanic ash loss estimation, which we think need to be corrected to make it more suitable for inventory characteristics and environmental conditions in Korea.

Establishment of location-base service(LBS) disaster risk prediction system in deteriorated areas (위치기반(LBS) 쇠퇴지역 재난재해 위험성 예측 시스템 구축)

  • Byun, Sung-Jun;Cho, Yong Han;Choi, Sang Keun;Jo, Bong Rae;Lee, Gun Won;Min, Byung-Hak
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.21 no.11
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    • pp.570-576
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    • 2020
  • This study uses beacons and smartphone Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to establish a location-based disaster/hazard prediction system. Beacons are usually installed indoors to locate users using triangulation in the room, but this study is differentiated from previous studies because the system is used outdoors to collect information on registration location and temperature and humidity in hazardous areas. In addition, since it is installed outdoors, waterproof, dehumidifying, and dustproof functions in the beacons themselves are required, and in case of heat and humidity, the sensor must be exposed to the outside, so the waterproof function is supplemented with a separate container. Based on these functions, information on declining and vulnerable areas is identified in real time, and temperature/humidity information is collected. We also propose a system that provides weather and fine-dust information for the area concerned. User location data are acquired through beacons and smartphone GPS receivers, and when users transmit from declining or vulnerable areas, they can establish the data to identify dangerous areas. In addition, temperature/humidity data in a microspace can be collected and utilized to build data to cope with climate change. Data can be used to identify specific areas of decline in a microspace, and various analyses can be made through the accumulated data.

A comparison of Health Hazard Effects by Solvent-based and Water-based Painting materials (유용성 도료와 수용성 도료의 유해성 비교에 관한 연구 (자동차 보수용 도료를 중심으로))

  • Kwon, Eun-Hye;Kim, Gwang-Sik;Oh, Jung-Ryong;Choi, Jung-Keun;Jeong, Yoon-Sok;Lee, You-Jin;Kim, Eun-A;Song, Se-Wook;Jung, Ho-Keun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.17-25
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    • 2001
  • The purpose of this study is to substitute water-based painting materials for the current solvent-based ones used in motor-repairing process to minimize the exposure of organic solvents to the painters. This study assessed the exposure of organic solvents to the painters using water-based and solvent-based painting materials and compared compositions, painting processes and the health hazards of the application of these alternative painting mate rials. The results of this study are as follows. 1. solvent-based painting materials used in motor-repairing process consist of various organic solvents, which consist primarily of toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, ethyl methyl benzene, trimethyl benzene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, 2-ethoxy ethanol, 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate and toluene-2,4-diisocianate and the others. These organic solvents are known as health-hazardous substances. But water-based painting materials are high-solid, low-solvent one sand consist of such two organic solvents as 2-butoxy ethanol and 2-heptanone and the others. 2. The painters us ing solvent-based painting mate rials in motor-repairing process are exposed to various organic solvents which consist of toluene, xylene, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, trimethyl benzene, 2-ethoxy ethanol, and 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate. But the painters using solvent-based ones are only exposed to 2-butoxy ethanol and 2-heptanone. 3. By using water-based painting materials in stead of solvent-based painting materials containing health-hazardous organic solvents, the exposure of such organic solvents in the painter's breathing zone can be largely prevented. 4. This study recommends water-based painting materials as substitutes for the current solvent-based ones used in motor-repairing process to minimize the exposure of organic solvents to the painters.

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