• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 1979

Up to the present there were the blood transfusion and the use of apparatus not to sterilize at surgical operation and medical treatments in well known infectious ways of hepatitis B virus. But all its ways were still not surely known. As the other ways of hepatitis B virus infection, it was suggested that contagion such as kissing, sexual contact, homosexuality, and varieties discharged out human body urine, stool, tear, salivary, menstrual blood, Vaginal discharge etc, and low economic status, unsanitary environmental life, alcohol and smoking related to hepatitis B virus infection. From 800 waitress who frequently contact with a lot of drinker with low economic status and unclear environmental life, this study were investigated HBs Ag (Hepatitis B surface antigen) known marker for hepatitis B virus infection in their serum, and a few conditions of their private life in order to known dangerous rate b~ing exposed to the source of hepatitis B virus infection as comparison with control group. The results were summarlized as following 1. The positive rate of HBs Ag (4.3%) was significantly higher in waitress than in control group(1.1%). 2. In waitress old, 20-24 ages group was the most as 59.5%, and positive rate of HBs Ag was trend of higher in twenties than thirties. 3. Among the waitress, one that it was less than a year were the most (62.4%) in the period to work at restaurant business, and positive rate of HBs Ag was trend of higher in propotion to period to work at there. 4. Among the waitress, one who entertained to beer hall was the most (46%), and they were trend of higher in positive rate of HBs Ag (6.3%) than other waitress. 5. Among the waitress, one to drink with smoking, and only to drink, and only to smoke, and not to drink and smoke 66.1%, 21.5%, 4.6% and 7.8%. Espically in one to drink with smoking, ther was trend of indicating the high positve rate of HBs Ag, and it was made suspicion of the relationship of alcohol smoking, contact with a lot of drinker, unclear environment to hepatitis B virus infection. In the above results, it was found that dangerous rate being exposed in hepatitis B virus infection was high in the waitress. Therefore there are required for active preventions against hepatitis B virus infection them. Also as it is possible to be infectious source in public health that waitress infected to viral hepatitis, it is thought that appropriate rules about them.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2007

Since the Kyoto Protocol became into effect, Korea has been expected to be part of the Annex I countries performing the duty of GHG reduction in the phase of post-Kyoto. Therefore, it is necessary to develop emission factors appropriate to Korean circumstances. In order to develop emission factors this study utilized the CleanSYS, which is the real-time monitoring system for industrial smoke stacks to calculate the emission rate of $CO_2$ continuously. In this study, the main focus was on the power generation plants emitting the largest amount of $CO_2$ among the sectors of fossil fuel combustion. Also, an examination on the comparison of $CO_2$ emission was made among 3 generation plants using the different types of fuels such as bituminous coal and LNG; one for coal and others for LNG. The $CO_2$ concentration of the coal fired plant showed Ave. 13.85 %(10,384 ton/day). The LNG fired plants showed 3.16 %(1,031 ton/day) and 3.19 %(1,209 ton/day), respectably. Consequently, by calculating the emission factors using the above results, it was found that the bituminous coal fired power plant had the $CO_2$ emission factor average of 88,726 kg/TJ, and the LNG fired power plants had the $CO_2$ average emission factors of 56,971 kg/TJ and 55,012 kg/TJ respectably which were similar to the IPCC emission factor.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.205-210
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• 2014

Atopic sensitization is a complex phenomenon that changes dynamically with age throughout childhood; its prevalence increases with age in young children. Additionally, with increasing age, the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens and the prevalence of polysensitization to allergens increase. It is also well established that the development of atopic sensitization is the result of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the literature in terms of the effect of different environmental exposures in young children on the subsequent risk of atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Previous studies on the relationship, in early life, between pet ownership, sex, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to traffic-related air pollution components, and atopic sensitization have yielded different results. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of gene-environment interactions, especially during early childhood, on the risk of subsequent atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Therefore, pediatricians should consider the genetic and environmental determinants of atopic sensitization in infants and young children when diagnosing and treating patients with allergic diseases. Determining ways in which early exposure to these risk factors in young children may be reduced could be beneficial in preventing the likelihood of developing atopic sensitization.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.210-211
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.5-10
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• 2003

This paper explores not only emerging scientific problems but also the difficulties communicating air quality issues into an increasingly sensitive the public and policy arena. The public understanding and trust in air pollution information and indices may be very different to the notions of validity or accuracy that are important for a scientist. We operate in a world where openness requires us to reveal both the difficulties and disagreements in our understanding of the polluted atmosphere. Yet this can be confusing and increase complexity in situations where clear political and social decisions are required. I am going to examine these issues, starting with questions of what substances we regard as pollutants and the difficulties of getting the correct balance of concern given the broadening the base of chemicals emitted to the environment. There are also questions of exposure particularly in terms of vulnerable populations, who may spend large amounts of time indoors, where air is rarely monitored. In contemporary society there are pollution problems that extend far beyond urban areas and we have to consider regional issues such as windblown dusts, smoke from forest fires along with issues of the emission of green house gases and ozone depleting substances. Finally I will discuss the issues of communicating with a concerned public and sceptical politicians and the troubling interface between technological and sociological control. Such complexity is often missed in a maze of seemingly stronger political and social needs.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.115-120
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• 2002

This study was performed on a questionnaire survey of 500 people about their awareness for indoor air pollution, and measured efficiency of air cleaner which can remove the CO and air-borne particulate of ETS(Environmental Tobacco Smoke) in air clean chamber. The room-size cleaner for measuring indoor air contaminants has been applied to evaluation of two different air cleaner such as the mechanic air cleaner with hepafilter(HPA) and the electrostatic air cleaner with metal plate. The measuring experiment was carried out in a chamber by sampling the air. The results obtained were as follows; As respondents are having their 90% of daytime indoors a day, and 38% of them can feel indoor air pollutions degrees directly by their sense of smell, For the installation of indoor pollution control equipment, 34% of all respondents installed air cleaner because of the problem of economical charge and almost respondents was not satisfied the trust of ability purified indoor air pollutants. In the experimental results, it was found that more than 95% of CD and air-borne particulate of ETS were removed within 20 minutes. The reaction kinetics of removal pollutants was verified as the pseudo-first order, Finally, it appeared that the room-sire air cleaner can be applied to new technology for removing indoor air contaminants.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2007

This study was carried out to estimate the emission reduction rates for the regional allowable emissions by special measures to achieve the target air quality in Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). A modeling system was designed to validate the details in enforcement regulations set up by local governments based on the current status and plans for air quality improvement. Modeling system was composed of meteorological model (MM5), emission model (SMOKE), and air quality model (CMAQ). Predicted results by this system show quiet well not only daily air pollutants concentration but also the tendencies of wind direction, wind speed and temperature. To achieve the target air quality in Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), emission allowances are estimated by seasons and regions. Referring to the base year 2002, it was estimated that emission reduction rates to achieve the intermediate goal in 2007 were 14.2% and 16.6% for NOx and $PM_{10}$, respectively. It was also estimated that 52% of NOx and 48% of $PM_{10}$ reductions from the base year 2002 would be required to accomplish the air quality improvement goal of 22 ppb for $NO_2$, and $40mg/m^3$ for $PM_{10}$ in year 2014. To improve $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$ concentration through emissions reduction policies, it was found that emissions reduction for the on-road mobile sources would be the most effective in SMA.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.26
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2011

Objects: The prevalence of asthma has increased in recent decades globally. The objective of the present study is to elucidate whether hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status interact for bronchial hyperreactivity during teenage years. Method: We studied 522 children age 13-14 years attending schools in rural and urban areas to investigate the risk factors for bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), defined as a provocation concentration of methacholine that causes a decrease of 20% ($PC_{20}$) in forced expiratory volume within 1 second. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, and methacholine challenge were performed on all study subjects, who provided written consent. We used multivariate logistic regression to investigate the risk factors for BHR, and analyze the interaction between hospitalization for bronchiolitis in infancy and low socioeconomic status. Results: Forty-six (10.3%) positive BHR cases were identified. In the multivariate logistic analysis, as independent predictors of BHR, adjusted odds ratio of bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age in low income families was 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 135.0), compared to reference group, controlling for age, gender, parental allergy history, skin prick test, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Interaction was observed between bronchiolitis before 2 years old and low socioeconomic status on children's bronchial hyperreactivity (p-interaction=0.025). Conclusions: This study showed that bronchiolitis diagnosed before 2 years of age and low socioeconomic status interacted on children's bronchial hyperreactivity. Prevention of acute respiratory infection in early childhood in low socioeconomic status is important to prevent BHR as a precursor of asthma.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2005

Present study was designed to evaluate the practical application of triethyl amine(TEA) injection for improving the collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitator(ESP) connected to a real operating plant. The major fuels used at the domestic power stations were bituminous coals imported from Australia, China, South Africa, and USA. Although the values of the electric resistance would be more or less different according to the type of the coals used, the unique electric resistance values of fly ash from the coals were mostly higher than $1{\times}10^{12}\;{\Omega}-cm$ and therefore, back corona problems were always expected to occur in the electrostatic precipitator. The particulates concentrations, smoke concentrations and their electric resistivity measured at the outlet of ESP, and the inspection of collection indicated that the injection of TEA improved the collection efficiency of particulate at collection plates of ESP. The electric resistance for, fly ash with the injection concentration of TEA 15 ppm(Purity 99.7%) was lowered to $2.1{\times}10^{11}\;{\Omega}-cm$ after injection from $1.9{\times}10^{12}\;{\Omega}-cm$ before injection. Under this condition, the dust emission content at the stack was reduced to approximately 80%, lowering the average outlet concentrations of particulates from $70\;mg/Sm^3$ to $14\;mg/Sm^3$.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2006

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in the development of allergic disorders including asthma. Cigarette smoking was reported to elevate serum IgE level and air pollutants such as $NO_{2}$ have been reported to modulate the immune system including inflammation. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were reported to affect inflammatory diseases including asthma. Therefore, in the present study we tried to investigate whether tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure increases the level of IgE and the GST gene polymorphisms are associated with change of IgE level due to tobacco smoke or $NO_{2}$ exposure. We measured urinary cotinine, personal $NO_{2}$ exposure, and serum IgE levels in 300 healthy university students without allergic disorders. Allelic loss of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the GSTP1 (lle105Val) polymorphism were determined by PCR and RFLP. Total serum IgE levels were significantly different according to urinary cotinine levels (P=0.046), while $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter level and genetic polymorphisms of three GSTs were not associated with total IgE level. Moreover, subjects with cotinine $500\;{\mu}g/g$ creatinine or more showed the highest level of total IgE when they had null type of GSTM1, null type of GSTT1, or variant type of GSTP1 (P<0.05). When we considered IgE level according to urinary cotinine levels in strata with the combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms, the subjects with GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 variant types showed the largest difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to cotinine levels (P=0.030). However, there was no significant difference between IgE levels of subpopulations according to $NO_{2}$ passive dosimeter levels in any group with combinations of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphisms. This result suggests that smoking increases allergic response measured as IgE level and combinations of the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorph isms modify the effect of smoking on serum IgE level.