• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.676-684
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, the extent of environmental exposure reduction behavior among the elderly living in Gongju City was identified according to demographic and sociological characteristics of individual health behavior and environmental factors. In addition, the relationship between subjective health knowledge and environmental exposure reduction behavior among the elderly was investigated. Methods: Demographic and sociological factors, subjective health status, environmental factors, and environmental exposure reduction behavior were investigated among 120 elderly people in Gongju City. Through multiple regression analysis, variables with significant relationships with environmental exposure reduction behavior were identified (SPSS ver. 22, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The survey (IRB-2018-0096) was conducted over about two weeks (from Dec. 3 to 14, 2018). Results: The extent of practicing environmental exposure reduction behavior by the elderly in Gongju City was high in terms of cleaning, ventilation when cooking food, periodic outdoor activities, and ventilation when smoking. Significant variables were gender, past smoking and current non-smoking, subjective health knowledge, and subjective health status. The most influential variable was subjective health knowledge (β= .411). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the level of subjective health knowledge and the level of objective education for health behavior related to the reduction of environmental exposure among the elderly.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2024

Background: Exposure assessment is an important part of risk assessment for consumer products. Exposure models are used when estimating consumer exposures by considering exposure routes, subjects, and circumstances. These models differ based on their tiers, types, and target populations. Consequently, exposure estimates may vary between models. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the results of different exposure models using identical exposure factors. Methods: Chemical exposure from consumer products was calculated using four consumer exposure assessment models: Targeted Risk Assessment 3.1, Consumer Exposure Model 2.1 (CEM), ConsExpo web 1.1.1, and the Korean Exposure Algorithm (primary and detailed) issued by the Ministry of Environment, No. 972 (MOE). The same exposure factors were used in each model to calculate inhalation and dermal exposures to acetaldehyde, d-limonene, and naphthalene in all-purpose cleaners, leather coating sprays, and sealants. Results: In the results, TRA provided the highest estimate. Generally, MOE (detailed), CEM and ConsExpo showed lower exposures. The inhalation exposure for leather coating spray showed the largest differences between models, with differences reaching up to 1.2×10⁷ times. Since identical inputs were used for the calculations, it is likely that the models significantly influenced the estimated results. Conclusions: Despite using the same exposure factors to calculate dermal and inhalation exposures, the results varied substantially based on the model's exposure algorithm. Therefore, selecting an exposure model for assessing consumer products should be done with careful consideration.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.375-383
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• 2005

염화제일철은 2004년 OECD SIDS 프로그램으로 한국에서 위해성평가가 수행된 대량생산 화학물질로 1998년 화학물질 유통량조사에 의하면 우리나라에서 연간 100,000톤이 생산되었다. 본 연구에서는 염화제일철의 인체 및 환경적 영향에 대한 독성잠재성을 평가하기 위하여 OECD테스트가이드라인에 따라 독성시험을 수행하였다. 인체영향을 확인하기 위한 급성경구독성시험과 급성경피독성시험에서 랫드의 반수치사량은 각각 300$\sim$2,000 mg/kg b.w.과 >2,000mg/kg b.w.이었다. 반복독성시험의 무유해용량 (NOAEL)은 수컷 랫드는 125mg/kg b.w./day, 암컷 랫드는 250mg/kg b.w./day였고, 생식 및 발생독성시험에서 무유해용량은 암수 랫드 모두 500mg/kg b.w./day로 관찰되었다. 약한 피부자극성을 보였으며, 안부식성 물질임이 관찰되었다. S. typhimurium과 E. coli 균주를 이용한 복귀돌연변이시험에서 최고 농도인 5,000$\mu$g/plate에서 유전독성을 보이지 않았으며, 마우스를 이용한 생체내 (in vivo)소핵시험에서도 최고 농도인 50mg/kg bw/day에서 소핵유발빈도의 증가를 보이지 않아 본 시험물질은 돌연변이 유발 물질이 아닌 것으로 평가되었다. 어류(Oryzis latipes), 물벼룩 (Daphnia magna), 조류 (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata)를 이용한 수생생물에 대한 급성독성시험 결과, 96시간 Oryzias latires의 반수치사농도는 46.6 mg/L이었고, 48시간 Daphnia magna의 반수영향농도는 19.0 mg/L이었다. 또한 Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata의 72시간 반수영향농도는 성장률을 이용한 계산법으로 6.9mg/L이었으며, 면적계산법으로는 3.8mg/L의 성장저해가 관찰되었다. 어류와 조류의 경우는 부분적으로 pH의 변화에 따른 영향으로 평가할 수 있는데 어류시험에서 pH중성시험용액에서는 100mg/L이상의 독성값을 나타내었고, 조류에서는 농도 12mg/L이상에서 pH 7아래로 떨어짐을 확인할 수 있었다. 염화제일철은 생산 및 사용공정에서 작업자에게 흡입 혹은 피부로 노출될 가능성이 있으나 밀폐공간에서 사용되므로 노출이 적은 것으로 평가되었다. 3종의 수생생물의 독성결과로부터 염화제일철은 수생환경에서 중간정도의 해가 있으며, 우리나라에서는 직접적인 염화제일철의 소비자 노출은 없으나 환경중 노출이 우려됨에 따라 제19차 OECD대량생산화학물질 초기위해성평가회의에서 환경 분야에 대해서는 추가연구 후보물질로 권고되었고, 인체 분야에서는 인체에 대한 유해성과 사용 패턴을 고려하여 추가연구 우선순위가 낮은 물질로 권고되었다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.518-526
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• 2019

Background: Additive manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly expanding new technology involving challenges to occupational health. Here, metal exposure in an AM facility with large-scale metallic component production was investigated during two consecutive years with preventive actions in between. Methods: Gravimetric analyzes measured airborne particle concentrations, and filters were analyzed for metal content. In addition, concentrations of airborne particles <300 nm were investigated. Particles from recycled powder were characterized. Biomonitoring of urine and dermal contamination among AM operators, office personnel, and welders was performed. Results: Total and inhalable dust levels were almost all below occupational exposure limits, but inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry showed that AM operators had a significant increase in cobalt exposure compared with welders. Airborne particle concentrations (<300 nm) showed transient peaks in the AM facility but were lower than those of the welding facility. Particle characterization of recycled powder showed fragmentation and condensates enriched in volatile metals. Biomonitoring showed a nonsignificant increase in the level of metals in urine in AM operators. Dermal cobalt and a trend for increasing urine metals during Workweek Year 1, but not in Year 2, indicated reduced exposure after preventive actions. Conclusion: Gravimetric analyses showed low total and inhalable dust exposure in AM operators. However, transient emission of smaller particles constitutes exposure risks. Preventive actions implemented by the company reduced the workers' metal exposure despite unchanged emissions of particles, indicating a need for careful design and regulation of the AM environments. It also emphasizes the need for relevant exposure markers and biomonitoring of health risks.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.370-379
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• 2018

Objectives: Bisphenol A (BPA) has been extensively used in a variety of consumer products, resulting in widespread non-occupational human exposure. It is often detected in the human body. Studies have reported many health effects associated with endocrine and metabolic disruptions, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. This study was performed to explain the relationship between BPA exposure and obesity in the Korean adult population. Methods: The second stage of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNHES) was conducted from 2012 to 2014 with 6,478 persons participating. Using the results of the survey, we analyzed the exposure levels for BPA and the influence on obesity of BPA. Results: In model 1, the volume-based measure concentration of BPA, total, female and the 30s to 60s age group were positively related with BMI. In model 2, creatinine adjusted as a covariate and positive associations for BPA with BMI were observed in the female group and was marginally significantly associated in low body weight group. In model 3, creatinine adjusted (g/g-creatinine), BPA exposure, and BMI were positively related with sex, in females, and there was a marginally significant association with the low body weight group in the BMI categories. BMI was significantly associated with BPA in the female group in all three models. Conclusion: This study added further evidence that exposure to EDCs, include bisphenol A, is related with obesity among the general population. Given the environmental health concerns over BPA, it is necessary to develop comprehensive measures to reduce BPA exposure.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.308-314
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• 2022

Background: Occupational cancer is a global health issue. The Korean CARcinogen EXposure (K-CAREX), a database of CARcinogen EXposure, was developed for the Korean labor force to estimate the number of workers exposed to carcinogens by industry. The present study aimed to estimate the intensity of exposure to carcinogens by industry, in order to supply complementary information about CARcinogen EXposure intensity to the K-CAREX. Methods: We used nationwide workplace monitoring data from 2014 to 2016 and selected target carcinogens based on the K-CAREX list. We computed the 95th percentile levels of measurements for each industry by carcinogens. Based on the 95th percentile level relative to the occupational exposure limit, we classified the CARcinogen EXposure intensity into five exposure ratings (1-5) for each industry. Results: The exposure ratings were estimated for 21 carcinogenic agents in each of the 228 minor industry groups. For example, 3,058 samples were measured for benzene in the manufacturing industry of basic chemicals. This industry was assigned a benzene exposure rating of 3. Conclusions: We evaluated the CARcinogen EXposure ratings across industries in Korean workers. The results will provide information on the exposure intensity to carcinogens for integration into the K-CAREX. Furthermore, it will aid in prioritizing control efforts and identifying industries of concern.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2023

Background: An ongoing environmental exposure assessment of humidifier disinfectants (HDs) has been conducted since November 2011 among individuals who experienced HD exposure-related adverse health effects. It is being performed in order to determine and quantify exposure to humidifier disinfectants in victims and their families. To date, the assessment has encompassed Cycles I-to-V. There is no report summarizing the characteristics of the subjects from the overall cycles. Objectives: We intended to examine the individual characteristics related to demographics, HD usage, and HD exposure using integrated data from Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs and the changes with the cycles. Methods: We included 7,543 individuals who participated in Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs. We summarized the participants' characteristics regarding their demographics (e.g., sex, education level, and age), HD usage history (e.g., product name, ingredient, and frequency of HD use), and HD exposure (e.g., daily time of HD use, cumulative time of HD use, and exposure intensity). In addition, their characteristics were compared across the cycles of the exposure assessment. Results: Among the 7,543 participants from Cycles I-to-V, there were more male participants than females (51.05% overall), except for Cycles I and III. Across all cycles, a higher proportion of survivors was observed than deceased individuals. While PHMG was the most prevalent ingredient in HDs throughout all the cycles, its proportion gradually decreased over the course of the examination cycles. Participants in Cycle I reported longer daily times of HD use compared to those in the subsequent cycles. On the other hand, cumulative time of HD use was shorter in the earlier cycles than in the later cycles. Conclusions: Using the integrated data from the full cycles of the environmental exposure assessment, this study identified changes in demographic characteristics as well as the HD exposure characteristics between the participants across different cycles.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

Background: Despite children's unique characteristics that distinguish them from adults, relatively few attempts have been made to measure exposure factors for characterization of children's exposure to hazardous chemicals in child-specific products (CSP). This study was conducted to establish the child-specific exposure factors for exposure and risk assessment of hazardous substances in CSP. Methods: We investigated the exposure factors (e.g., time use of child-products, time and frequency of object-to-body contact, time and frequency of object-to-mouth contact) influencing children's exposure to CSP (e.g., toys, playmats, oil pastels, etc.) in 650 children through a parent-completed questionnaire using a web-based survey. Participants were recruited in five age groups, <1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-6, and 6-12 years of age. Results: The child-specific exposure factors were presented as the mean, median, $95^{th}$ percentile, minimum, and maximum values. Time activity for play mats was the longest among CSP and infants spent more time on them than did elder age groups (189.3-224.7 min/day for <1-2 years vs. 91.2 min/day for 6-12 years). It is apparent that time and frequency of toy block- and plastic toy-to-mouth contact significantly decreased as a function of age. When the variation of CSP use patterns was compared by gender, the only variable that was statistically different between genders was time activity in child-products exposure space. Conclusion: We believe the five child-specific exposure factors suggested in the present study will be valuable for reducing uncertainty in the estimation of chemical exposure during risk assessment of CSP and furthermore, in the appropriate regulations to protect children's health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2015

Objectives: Photochemical ozone pollution is associated with increased mortality risk. This study aims to assess the population exposure to ozone according to population characteristics for high ozone days in the Busan metropolitan region (BMR). Methods: The ozone exposure assessment in this study was performed using the WRF-CMAQ simulated ozone concentrations and the population data in the BMR. The settled and daytime population and their activity were considered to conduct the static and dynamic ozone exposure assessment. Results: Applying a static exposure assessment, in case that high ozone occurred throughout Busan area, the highest exposure levels were evaluated in urban neighborhoods. In case of ozone pollution in outer Busan, because sensitive groups have been relatively higher exposure, this case was also evaluated as part of that should not be overlooked. The dynamic exposure was higher than static exposure because the number of population exposed to ozone of high concentration is increased. This approach is important in a regard consider that daytime population distribution when high ozone occur. Conclusion: This study shows the different population exposure according to various ozone distributions for each episode day. Considering demographic characteristic such as population density and activity should be important to understanding the population exposure assessment when ozone pollution occurs.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.439-444
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• 2021

Background: In a previous study, we estimated exposure prevalence and the number of workers exposed to carcinogens by industry in Korea. The present study aimed to evaluate the optimal exposure intensity indicators of airborne lead exposure by comparing to blood lead measurements for the future development of the carcinogen exposure intensity database. Methods: Data concerning airborne lead measurements and blood lead levels were collected from nationwide occupational exposure databases, compiled between 2015 and 2016. Summary statistics, including the arithmetic mean (AM), geometric mean (GM), and 95th percentile level (X95) were calculated by industry both for airborne lead and blood lead measurements. Since many measurements were below the limits of detection (LODs), the simple replacement with half of the LOD and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods were used for statistical analysis. For examining the optimal exposure indicator of airborne lead exposure, blood lead levels were used as reference data for subsequent rank correlation analyses. Results: A total of 19,637 airborne lead measurements and 32,848 blood lead measurements were used. In general, simple replacement showed a higher correlation than MLE. The results showed that AM and X95 using simple replacement could be used as optimal exposure intensity indicators, while X95 showed better correlations than AM in industries with 20 or more measurements. Conclusion: Our results showed that AM or X95 could be potential candidates for exposure intensity indicators in the Korean carcinogen exposure database. Especially, X95 is an optimal indicator where there are enough measurements to compute X95 values.