• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2005

Purpose: Recently there are scientific evidences for the health effects of Asian dust-storms. Particularly in 2002, the daily average of $PM_10$ exceeded 600 and 700 $\mu{g}/m^3$ in March and April respectively. We examined the effects of Asian dust‐storms on perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors among children, adults, and elders. Method: The subjects of this study were 425 children, 444 adults and 60 elders. A questionnaire survey was carried out on the children and the adults by teachers and on the elders by interviewers to obtain information on demographic variables, perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors, previous respiratory disease, environmental tobacco smoke, and proximity between the house and the road during Asian dust-storms. We analyzed using descriptive statistics, $X^2$ test and multiple logistic regression models. After adjustment for potential confounders, we estimated the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of the children and the elders for perceived symptoms and preventive behaviors. Result: The elders had a significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than the other groups. The children had a significantly higher prevalence than the adults in getting URI (1.51), coughing (1.68), rhinorrhea (1.46), fever (2.39) and medication for allergy or asthma (1.90). The children had better behaviors than the elders in closing windows (3.57), taking less outdoor recreational activity (2.59) and staying home (2.60). Conclusion: This study suggested that children and elders are susceptible to the effects of Asian dust on health. Health educators should inform these populations about the influence of Asian dust and provide health education for preventive behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2002

Objectives: Most of human cancers may result from exposure to environmental carcinogens, and individual effectiveness in the detoxification of these chemicals will influence susceptibility to malignant disease. Glutathione S-Transferases(GSTs) enzymes are involved in the detoxification of active metabolites of many carcinogens from tobacco smoke and may be important in modulating susceptibility to smoke-related cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine the polymorphism of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 in control group and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma group of Korean, and to investigate the effect of GSTs polymorphism on the risk of head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was performed with a group of 133 control individual and 136 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The polymorphisms of GSTs were analysed using polymerase chain reaction in GSTM1 and GSTTl, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in GSTP1. Results: The relative risk (odds ratio) of GSTM(-) genotype was 1.14(95% CI, 0.70-1.85) compared to GSTM1(+). The odds ratio of GSTTl(-) genotype was 0.91(95% CI, 0.55-1.50). In old age($65$) group, the odds ratio of GSTT1(-) genotype was 5.2(95% CI, 1.53-17.89). The GSTP1 Val/Val genotype conferred a 1.7-fold risk(95% CI, 0.40-7.34) of head and neck cancer compared with GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype. Among the combined genotypes of GSTs, GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(+)/GSTP1 Val/Val and GSTM1(-)/GSTTl(-)/GSTP1 Ile/Val genotypes conferred a 2.6-fold and 1.3-fold risk(95% CI, 0.24-14.15 and 0.43-3.14) compared with the GSTM1(+)/GSTTl(+)/GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype, respectively. Conclusion: Polymorphism of GSTs might modulate susceptibility to head and neck cancer in Korean population. The genotype of GSTP1 Val/Val and combined genotypes of GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(+)/GSTP1 Val/Val, and GSTM1(-)/GSTT1(-)/GSTP1 Ile/Val might be important risk factors to determine the individual susceptibility to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.316-322
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• 2006

The current study evaluated the technical feasibility of the application of $TiO_2$ photocatalysis for the removal of nocotine which has well known as a representative material of environmental tobacco smoke(ETS). Four different preliminary experiments were performed for the evaluation of nicotine removal using photocatalyst-coated construction materials. The photocatalytic removal of nicotine was investigated for five parameters: dry condition of coating tiles, type of coating sol, number of coatings, relative humidity(RH), and input concentrations. Prior to performing the parameter tests, adsorption of nicotine onto the current experimental system was surveyed. All the variables tested in the present study exhibited to influence the photocatalytic decomposition of Nicotine. A dry condition of high temperature and short dry period presented higher photocatalytic oxidation(PCO) efficiency compared to that of low temperature and long dry period. ST-KO3 sol showed higher decomposition efficiency than E-T Sol. The PCO efficiency increased as the number of coating increased. High humidity and low input concentrations exhibited higher PCO efficiency. Consequently, it is noted that the five parameters tested in the present study should be considered for the application of photocatalyst-coated construction materials in cleaning nicotine in ETS.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.137-159
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the risk factors and the genetic polymorphism of TNF-alpha associated with rheumatoid arthritis by Sasang constitution Methods : This study was planned to detect the susceptibility of the patients diagnosed by rheumatoid arthritis to Sasang Constitution and to examine the risk factor such as life style and environmental stress (smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, alcohol intake and so on). The genetic polymorphism of TNF-alpha (G308A) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls. Rheumatoid arthritis patients and matched controls are assessed with QSCCII question for Sasang Typology. Then the genetic polymorphism of patients by Sasang constitution are compared to those of control, which are statistically analyzed and adjusted by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol intake, BMI, and econocmic status. Results: Differential effect of passive smoking on the association between Sasang constitution and rheumatoid arthritis risk was found. This study showed that the genetic polymorphism (TNF-${\alpha}$(G308A)) of rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls associated with the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis by sasang constitution was analyzed. Differential effects of TNF-${\alpha}$(G308) genetic polymorphism on the association between rheumatoid arthritis risk and Sasang constitution were found. Conclusion : It is suggested that the genetic polymorphism correlated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis by specific sasang constitution used as its susceptibility marker and further as basic data to prevent the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. But larger studies will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.668-674
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• 2019

Objectives: Modern people spend most of their day indoors. As the health impact of radon becomes an issue, public interest also has been growing. The primary route of potential human exposure to radon is inhalation. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon exposure is known to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer, following tobacco smoke. This study measures the indoor radon concentrations in detached houses in area A of Chungcheongbuk-do Province considering the construction year, cracks in the houses, the location of installed detectors, and seasonal effects. Methods: The survey was conducted from September 2017 to April 2018 on 1,872 private households located in selected areas in northern Chungcheongbuk-do Province to figure out the year of building construction and the location of detector installed and identify the factors which affect radon concentrations in the air within the building. Radon was measured using a manual alpha track detector (Raduet, Hungary) with a sampling period of longer than 90 days. Results: Indoor radon concentrations in winter within area A was surveyed to be 168.3±193.3 Bq/㎥. There was more than a 2.3 times difference between buildings built before 1979 and those built after 2010. The concentration reached 195.4±221.9 Bq/㎥ for buildings with fractures and 167.2±192.4 Bq/㎥ for buildings without fractures. It was found that detectors installed in household areas with windows exhibited a lower concentration than those installed in concealed spaces. Conclusion: High concentrations of indoor radon were shown when there was a crack in the house. Also, ventilation seems to significantly affect radon concentrations because when the location of the detector in the installed site was near windows compared to an enclosed area, radon concentration variation increased. Therefore, it is considered that radon concentration is lower in summer because natural ventilation occurs more often than in winter.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.175-187
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate whether joint effects between family allergy history and environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) by parents were associated with pediatric asthma and wheezing. Methods: The study objects of this study were 2301 element school students and their parents in an urban-rural areas of Gyeonggi-do. Pediatric asthma and wheezing were identified by measures of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires. We investigated history of parental allergy, ETS, and other socioeconomic status of both parent. Data were analyzed using logistic regression methods. Results: After adjusting other variables, children with maternal asthma history were more likely to be reported life time wheezing (OR: 3.79 95%CI:2.43-5.90), recent wheezing (OR:4.09 95%CI:2.28-7.38), and diagnostic asthma (OR:2.61 95%CI: 1.44-4.75). Paternal asthma history increasing risk of life time wheezing (OR 2.01 95%CI:1.19-3.38) and recent wheezing (OR:2.38 95%CI:1.24-4.56). Joint effect between parental allergy history and ETS significantly effected on child's life time wheezing and recent wheezing. The risks of life time wheezing (OR:2.47 95%CI:1.64-3.717) and recent wheezing (OR: 2.51 95%CI:1.34-4.69) were significantly higher than others without both factors. The risk of recent wheezing of children with maternal recent smoking and parental allergy history (OR:4.83 95%CI:1.89-12.33) was higher than their counterpart. Conclusions: The result of this study implies that children with family allergy history and passive smoking are more likely to be get asthma and wheezing than children with family allergy history and non-passive smoking. This study provide the object information to increase the efficiency of non-smoking campaign and education for decreasing pediatric asthma risk.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2010.05b
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• pp.1209-1212
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• 2010

본 연구는 제주지역 일부 초, 중학생들의 간접흡연 실태와 그로 인한 현재 흡연 여부 관계를 분석하여 초, 중학생들의 흡연 예방 교육 계획 및 수립에 기초 자료를 제공하고자 본 연구를 시도하였다. 자료 수집 기간은 2009년 6월 29일부터 7월 11일까지 제주특별자치도내 초등학교 5, 6학년 아동 464명과 중학생 475명을 대상으로 설문지를 이용하여 조사하였다. 연구 대상자들의 간접흡연 노출 관련성은 가정불화, 성적, 친구관계스트레스가 있는 대상자에게서 높게 조사되었고, 가족 및 주변인의 흡연유무에 따른 간접흡연 실태는 부모 및 친구의 흡연으로 간접흡연에 노출되었으며 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 간접흡연의 주제공자는 아버지며, 주 간접흡연 피해 장소는 집으로 나타났다. 간접흡연 노출 유무를 종속변수로 한 로지스틱 회귀분석 결과는 흡연하는 아버지를 둔 대상자가 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 간접흡연 노출이 높았으며, 흡연하는 친구를 둔 대상자는 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 간접흡연 노출이 높게 나타났다. 현재흡연 여부를 종속변수로 한 로지스틱 회귀분석의 결과는 남학생이 여학생에 비해, 중학생이 초등학생에 비해 현재흡연율이 높았고, 엄한 가정 분위기 속에서 생활하고 있는 대상자와 흡연하는 친구를 둔 대상자는 그렇지 않은 대상자에 비해 현재흡연율이 높았으며, 간접흡연에 노출 되었던 대상자에게서 현재흡연율이 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때 초, 중학생의 간접흡연 실태는 심각한 사회문제이다. 또한 대상자들의 현재 흡연은 간접흡연 노출과 관련이 있는 것으로 볼 수 있었다. 이러한 간접흡연의 노출 및 그로 인한 흡연율을 줄이기 위해서는 가정 및 학교와 공공장소 등에서 간접흡연에 노출되지 않는 제도적 및 환경적인 조치들이 우선되어야 할 것이며, 학생들을 대상으로 간접흡연에 대한 간접흡연 예방 교육 및 대처방안 교육이 조기에 지속적으로 실시되어야 하겠다. 또한 유치원에서부터 고등학교에 이르기까지 모든 학생들에게 필수적으로 흡연예방 교육을 수강하게 하고, 교사들을 위한 연수교육 실시, 학교 흡연예방사업에 부모나 가족을 참여, 흡연예방 사업의 정기적인 평가 실시 등 국가적인 정책이 동반되어야 할 것이다.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.127-153
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• 2009

There is a growing concern about potential harmful effect of second-hand or environmental tobacco smoking. As a result, smoking bans in workplace become more prevalent worldwide. In Korea, workplace smoking ban policy become more restrictive in 2003 when National health enhancing law was amended. The new law requires all office buildings larger than 3,000 square meters (multi-purpose buildings larger than 2,000 square meters) should be smoke free. Therefore, a lot of indoor office became non smoking area. Previous studies in other counties often found contradicting answers for the effects of workplace smoking ban on smoking behavior. In addition, there was no study in Korea yet that examines the causal impacts of smoking ban on smoking behavior. The situation in Korea might be different from other countries. Using 2001 and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition surveys which are representative for population in Korea we try to examine the impacts of law change on current smoker and cigarettes smoked per day. The amended law impacted the whole country at the same time and there was a declining trend in smoking rate even before the legislation update. So, the challenge here is to tease out the true impact only. We compare indoor working occupations which are constrained by the law change with outdoor working occupations which are less impacted. Since the data has been collected before (2001) and after (2005) the law change for treated (indoor working occupations) and control (outdoor working occupations) groups we will use difference in difference method. We restrict our sample to working age (between 20 and 65) since these are the relevant population by the workplace smoking ban policy. We also restrict the sample to indoor occupations (executive or administrative and administrative support) and outdoor occupations (sales and low skilled worker) after dropping unemployed and someone working for military since it is not clear whether these occupations are treated group or control group. This classification was supported when we examined the answers for workplace smoking ban policy existing only in 2005 survey. Sixty eight percent of indoor occupations reported having an office smoking ban policy compared to forty percent of outdoor occupation answering workplace smoking ban policy. The estimated impacts on current smoker are 4.1 percentage point decline and cigarettes per day show statistically significant decline of 2.5 cigarettes per day. Taking into account consumption of average sixteen cigarettes per day among smokers it is sixteen percent decline in smoking rate which is substantial. We tested robustness using the same sample across two surveys and also using tobit model. Our results are robust against both concerns. It is possible that our measure of treated and control group have measurement error which will lead to attenuation bias. However, we are finding statistically significant impacts which might be a lower bound of the true estimates. The magnitude of our finding is not much different from previous finding of significant impacts. For cigarettes per day previous estimates varied from 1.37 to 3.9 and for current smoker it showed between 1%p and 7.8%p.