• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제26권
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• pp.7.1-7.9
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between crude oil exposure and physical symptoms among residents participating in clean-up work associated with the Hebei Spirit oil spill, 2007 in Korea. Methods: A total of 288 residents responded to a questionnaire regarding subjective physical symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics and clean-up activities that occurred between two and eight weeks after the accident. Additionally, the urine of 154 of the respondents was analyzed for metabolites of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. To compare the urinary levels of exposure biomarkers, the urine of 39 inland residents who were not directly exposed to the oil spill were analyzed. Results: Residents exposed to oil remnants through clean-up work showed associations between physical symptoms and the exposure levels defined in various ways, including days of work, degree of skin contamination, and levels of some urinary exposure biomarkers of VOCs, metabolites and metals, although no major abnormalities in urinary exposure biomarkers were observed. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a relationship between crude oil exposure and acute human health effects and suggests the need for follow-up to evaluate the exposure status and long-term health effects of clean-up participants.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.447-456
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• 2017

Objectives: Pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a well-known sensitive population for human mercury exposure. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal and enrich basic information for effective risk communication to reduce the adverse health effects of mercury exposure. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 432 women aged 19-44 years, recruited conveniently from three different regions (Busan, Ulsan, and Gumi City). Questionnaires were developed by referring to the existing literature and through expert meetings. They consisted of questions on knowledge and awareness of mercury exposure risks, health information literacy, and relevant information. Results: The rank of perceived mercury health risk score was 5 out of 16 environmental risk factors, and 41.7% of participants thought that even a very little mercury could lead to an adverse health effect. Although 90.3% of participants had knowledge that childbearing age women must pay attention to fish intake, only 38.9% of participants knew the national fish intake guidelines for pregnant women. Conclusions: Although risk perception and knowledge of pregnancy-specific features of mercury were relatively high, the national fish intake guidelines were still not well recognized. It could be an effective strategy to provide evidence-based and targeted information articulated by professionals using internet based communication channels.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.203-215
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• 2010

This study is an overview of toxicities and measurement techniques of ultrafine particles (UFPs), and their exposure controls. UFPs are ubiquitous in many working situations. Exposure to UFPs is possibly causing adverse health symptoms including cardio-respiratory disease to humans. In order to measure exposure levels of airborne UFPs, there are current available measurement guidelines, instruments and other techniques (i.e. contour mapping, control banding). However, these risk assessment techniques including measurement techniques, controls and guidelines are dependent on background levels, metrics (e.g. size, mass, number, surface area, composition), environmental conditions and controls. There are no standardized measurement methods available and no generic and specific occupational exposure standards for UFPs. It is thought that there needs to be more effort to develop Regulations and Exposure Standards for generic UFPs should be based on more exposure data, health surveys, toxicological data and epidemiological data. A carefully considered hierarchy of controls can also reduce the maximum amount of airborne UFPs being emitted from diverse sources in industries.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.345-352
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• 2007

As mercury absorbed into body can cross the blood-brain barrier and react with DNA and RNA. Central nervous system has been known to be affected especially in children. But it was very difficult to know the influences of chronic low-does Hg exposure on the health. Although many studies investigated the affect, most of results were still disparate. In order to investigate the health effects of mercury exposure, several test were conducted for some Korean school children. The general health effects were investigated using blood test, Posturography and computer-based neurobehavioral test was done to examine the affect of Hg into neural responses. About 400 children were chosen for blood test whose blood Hg level were upper and lower 10% of population participated in the nationwide Hg exposure survey. The concentration of calcium and creatine, the number of white and red blood cell showed statistical significance with Hg exposure in blood test. Another 36 children were selected from the same participants for the posturography and neurobehavioral test. The intensity and center frequency of hand tremor which were related to unconsciousness also showed distinct significances. Any general relations with Hg exposure were not found in all test including computer-based neurobehavioral test.

• 대한환경공학회지
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1090-1098
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• 2005

벤조일 퍼록사이드는 수서생물에 대해 매우 높은 독성을 나타냄에도 불구하고 환경 중 잔류 농도 및 노출영향에 대해 연구가 이루어지지 않아 OECD에서 추천하고 있는 대표적인 다매체 환경거동 모델인 EQC 모델을 이용하여 본 물질에 대한 환경중의 농도를 예측하고 위해성평가 및 화학물질의 관리를 수행하기 위한 기초자료로 활용코자 하였다. 평형, 정상상태에서 100,000 kg의 벤조일 퍼록사이드가 환경내로 유입된 상태를 나타내는 Level I과 평형, 정상상태 이류와 분해현상이 있고 일정한 속도 1,000 kg/h로 유입되었을 경우를 나타내는 Level II에서 벤조일 퍼록사이드는 주로 토양(68.3%)과 물(28.7%)로 배출되는 것으로 예측되었다. 비평형, 정상상태, 이류와 분해현상이 있고 다매체 이동을 하는 시스템에서 벤조일 퍼록사이드가 대기, 물, 토양, 침전물의 각각의 4개 매체에 연속적으로 1,000 kg/h로 유입될 경우인 Level III에서는 주로 토양(99.9%)으로 배출되었고 전체 잔류시간은 3.4년으로 예측되어 벤조일 퍼록사이드가 환경 중에 잔류성이 있는 물질로 평가되었다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.195-205
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• 2022

Background: The biggest concern when using household chemical products is the health risk from inhalation exposure. Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to provide information necessary for estimating inhalation exposure factors in several countries/organizations and to present some examples. Methods: We attempted to use PRISMA-ScR for a systematic review, but no major reports were found. We used the Google search function instead to find 'exposure factor handbook'. As for the results, inhalation exposure factors from South Korea, the United States, Canada, the EU, Australia, Japan, and China were compared. Results: The basic concept and origin of exposure factors was the US Environmental Protection Agency's Exposure Factor Handbook. Its latest version is 2011, but several chapters have been updated in 2017, 2018, and 2019. South Korea's Exposure Factor Handbook was updated in 2019, more recently than those of other countries, and was systematically investigated. In South Korea, the average daily respiratory rate is 14.62 m³/day for adults and 12.73 m³/day for children. It is difficult to compare breathing rate by country because each country divides age groups differently and uses different methods to estimate it. Information on household chemical products, space used, and ventilation rate are in the exposure factor handbook in some countries and not in others. It is not in the handbook in South Korea, but in the notice from the NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research), a sub-regulation of the Chemical Product Safety Act. Conclusions: The exposure factors registered in South Korea's exposure factor handbook have been systematically studied and reflect the most recent data. When using data not in the relevant handbook, data from other countries might be applied, but it should be determined whether the nature and quality of the original data have been managed.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.169-176
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• 2004

ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) is composed of exhaled mainstream smoke (MS) from the smoker, sidestream smoke (SS) emitted from the smoldering tobacco between puffs and contaminants that diffuse through the cigarette paper and mouth between puffs. These emissions contain both vapor phase and particulate contaminants. ETS is a complex mix of over 4,000 compounds. This mix contains many known or suspected human carcinogens and other toxic agents. More of these toxic compounds are found in SS than in MS. Workplace exposure to ETS can result in significant smoke intake, and passive smoke exposure may be related to impair respiratory function and an increase risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers. For nonsmokers sharing a work environment with cigarette smokers, the workplace must be considered hazardous independently of any specific industrial toxic exposure. The risk is particularly important when a high percentage of the workers smoke or where smokers and nonsmokers work in poorly ventilated areas. Nicotine is converted in the body to cotinine; cotinine therefore can be used as an indirect measure of a person's recent exposure to tobacco smoke. Levels of nicotine in hair and levels of cotinine in body fluids (saliva and urine) have been shown to increase with increasing environmental nicotine levels and with self-reported ETS exposure. The measurement of nicotine or cotinine in hair may be more appropriate for longer-term exposure to tobacco. The purpose of this study is to comparing airborne nicotine levels and hair cotinine level in restaurant workers. Concentration of airborne nicotine and hair nicotine (and cotinine) is closely related to exposed frequency of sidestream smoke in the workplace. Nicotine in hair is a better predictor of airborne nicotine than hair cotinine. Hair nicotine can be a useful tool to assess ETS exposure interventions. It may have limiting levels of ETS exposure by placing regulatory restrictions on smoking in workplaces and in public spaces.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.358-369
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to introduce cases of exposure to humidifier disinfectant (HD) in hospitals and to present their exposure characteristics. Methods: We used data from 4,393 subjects who participated in the fourth assessment survey of environmental exposure to HD conducted by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. In this study, we selected 301 subjects who reported their place of use of HD as a hospital. Then, we classified cases as 'Hospital-provided'. 'Probably hospital-provided', 'Individual purchased', and 'Unknown' according to the supply sources of HD. Also, we introduced detailed exposure characteristics for the selected cases. Results: Of the 4,393 subjects, 301 (6.9%) reported the use of HD in 392 hospitals (including duplicate answers for the use in ${\geq}2$ hospitals). The 301 hospital-user subjects included 139 survivors and 162 non-survivors. When we classified the 392 cases by supply sources, 'Hospital-provided' was 12.2% (48 cases), 'Probably hospital-provided' was 25.5% (100 cases), 'Individual purchased' was 59.7% (234 cases), and 'Unknown' was 2.6% (10 cases). Among the 'Hospital-provided' cases, we selected six cases and provided a detailed description of the HD use in this study. Additionally, we reported details for six cases that had purchased HD upon a doctor or nurse's recommendation and for three cases that had purchased it at hospital stores. Conclusion: This study presents various cases of HD exposure in hospitals. Because there may be a considerable burden of HD exposure in public spaces, including hospitals, further studies are necessary to assess HD exposure in hospitals and public places.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제27권4호
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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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• 제11권1_2호
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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.