• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

This study was performed to evaluate the exposure level of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide to floriculture workers and florists. The urinary dialkylphosphates, metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides, including dimethylphosphate (DMP), diethylphosphate (DEP), dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), diethylthiophosphate(DETP) and pyrethroids of metabolites, cis/trans DCCA, DBCA, and 3-PBA were analysed to evaluate the exposure of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide to floriculture workers and florists. The concentration of DMP is highest in floriculture workers. but the concentration of DETP is highest in retail florist. The concentration of 3-PBA is highest in floriculture workers. The amount of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide expusure is highest in flower workers, wholesale florist and retail florists are followed. The management for reducing pesticide exposure to floriculture workers and wholesale florist is required.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2009

The results of particulate matters level and heavy metal concentration, which surveyed in Gwang-Yang, Dang-Jin steel industry area, are as follows; The $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$ of exposure area are $22.3{\mu}g/m^3$, $40.4{\mu}g/m^3$ each in Kum-Ho dong, and $28.1{\mu}g/m^3$, 51.5 each in Jung dong. The $PM_{2.5}$, $PM_{10}$ of control area are $16.4{\mu}g/m^3$, $29.5{\mu}g/m^3$ each in Bonggang-myeon. The level is higher in exposure area than control area. In case of Dang Jin, the concentration of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ is higher in exposure area than control area ($PM_{2.5}-20.4{\mu}g/m^3$, $PM_{10}-39.2{\mu}g/m^3$). The Pb level of Dang Jin area is higher in exposure area ($0.13{\mu}g/m^3$) than control area ($0.1{\mu}g/m^3$) and both Gwang-Yang and Dang-Jin area lower level than the Guideline level of Korea EPA.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between airborne total dust and man-made mineral fibers (MMMF), and to estimate total dust concentration to maintain below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV$^{(R)}$) for the MMMF. The regression coefficients between airborne total dust concentrations and fiber concentrations determined in the industries producing glass fibers, rock wool. refractory ceramic and continuous filament glass fibers products were 0.41, 0.42, 0.20 and 0.19, respectively. The size characteristics of fibers as well as the amounts of contaminated non-fibrous dusts could affect the correlation intensities. When total dust and fiber exposure data were compared with the occupational exposure limits, there was a large gap between two evaluation results. The regression coefficient between total dust and fiber data was increased ($r^2=0.88$) in the process of insulation installation generating in the higher levels of glass or rock wool fibers. In this case, an estimated total dust concentration of glass wool or rock wool fibers complying with the ACGIH TLV (1 f/cc) was $1.7mg/m^3$. In conclusion, the total dust and fibers concentrations was highly correlated at the higher exposure levels so that total dust-monitoring data could be used to control simply and economically and to estimate worker's exposure to fibers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.21-28
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• 2000

Various man-made mineral fibers(MMMF) including refractory ceramic fiber(RCF) have been used widely in industries as insulation materials. The effect of fibrous dust on human health depends on fiber size, concentration (exposure level), and durability in biological system. Therefore, these parameters should be determined to evaluate accurately the potential risk of fibers on human health. The purpose of this study was to characterize the size of airborne fiber and the workers＇ exposure to airborne fibers in refractory ceramic fiber manufacturing and processing factories. Airborne fibers were collected on 25-mm mixed cellulose ester membrane filters at personal breathing zones, and analyzed by A and B counting rules of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Method # 7400. The average ratios of the fiber density by B rule to the fiber density by A rule was 0.84. This result indicates that the proportion of respirable fibers (<3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ diameter) in air samples was high. The average diameter and length of airborne fibers were 1.05${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ and 35${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, respectively. The average fiber concentrations (GM) of all personal samples was 0.26f/cc, and the average concentration was highest at blanket cutting and packing processes. The fifty seven percent of personal air samples was exceeded the proposed American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value(TLV), i.e. 0.2 f/cc. It was concluded that the RCF industrial workers had the higher potential health risk due to small fiber diameter, long fiber length, and high exposure level to the airborne fibers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the personal exposure to $PM_{10}$ by body parts for the development of dust monitoring wearable device for swine farmers. Methods: Tasks were classified by using motion pictures taken by action cameras attached to swine farmers. Concentrations of $PM_{10}$ were measured by attaching direct-reading instruments at the head, neck and waist of worker. Differences of $PM_{10}$ exposure between body parts were analyzed with linear regression. Results: We identified three tasks(vaccination, moving pigs, and manure treatment). $PM_{10}$ concentration during vaccination was the highest among the tasks, and the body part showing the highest concentration of $PM_{10}$ was the waist regardless of task. In all tasks, the closer distance between the body parts, the higher were the R-squared values(vaccination 0.4221, moving pigs 0.6990, and manure treatment 0.2164). Conclusions: We presumed that $PM_{10}$ concentrations were affected by the parts of the body in which they were measured. In order to develop swine farmer's wearable device for monitoring dust concentration in air, the determination of the positions of monitoring sensor to ensure accurate measurement is essential. Considering the results of this study, wearable sensor should be positioned at the waist.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2022

Mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus (weight 26.2±3.1 g, length 11.8±0.5 cm) were exposed to waterborne total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 mg TAN/L. The lethal concentration 50 (LC₅₀) of mirror carp, C. carpio nudus exposed to waterborne ammonia was 60.38 mg TAN/L. The red blood cell (RBC) count was significantly reduced by ammonia exposure, whereas there was no significant changes in the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. In the plasma components, glucose, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased by ammonia exposure. The results of this study suggest that the ammonia exposure to C. carpio nudus affects the survival rates, hematological parameters and plasma components as toxicity.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.39.1-39.14
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• 2023

Background: Diseases affecting the lungs and airways contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The problem in low- and middle-income countries appears to be exacerbated by a shift in global manufacturing base to these countries and inadequate enforcement of environmental and safety standards. In Ghana, the potential adverse effects on respiratory function associated with occupational wood dust exposure have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Sixty-four male sawmill workers and 64 non-woodworkers participated in this study. The concentration of wood dust exposure, prevalence and likelihood of association of respiratory symptoms with wood dust exposure and changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in association with wood dust exposure were determined from dust concentration measurements, symptoms questionnaire and lung function test parameters. Results: Sawmill workers were exposed to inhalable dust concentration of 3.09 ± 0.04 mg/m³ but did not use respirators and engaged in personal grooming habits that are known to increase dust inhalation. The sawmill operators also showed higher prevalence and likelihoods of association with respiratory symptoms, a significant cross-shift decline in some PFT parameters and a shift towards a restrictive pattern of lung dysfunction by end of daily shift. The before-shift PFT parameters of woodworkers were comparable to those of non-woodworkers, indicating a lack of chronic effects of wood dust exposure. Conclusions: Wood dust exposure at the study site was associated with acute respiratory symptoms and acute changes in some PFT parameters. This calls for institution and enforcement of workplace and environmental safety policies to minimise exposure at sawmill operating sites, and ultimately, decrease the burden of respiratory diseases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2017

Background: The goal of this study is to develop a general population job-exposure matrix (GPJEM) on asbestos to estimate occupational asbestos exposure levels in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Three Korean domestic quantitative exposure datasets collected from 1984 to 2008 were used to build the GPJEM. Exposure groups in collected data were reclassified based on the current Korean Standard Industrial Classification ($9^{th}$ edition) and the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations code ($6^{th}$ edition) that is in accordance to international standards. All of the exposure levels were expressed by weighted arithmetic mean (WAM) and minimum and maximum concentrations. Results: Based on the established GPJEM, the 112 exposure groups could be reclassified into 86 industries and 74 occupations. In the 1980s, the highest exposure levels were estimated in "knitting and weaving machine operators" with a WAM concentration of 7.48 fibers/mL (f/mL); in the 1990s, "plastic products production machine operators" with 5.12 f/mL, and in the 2000s "detergents production machine operators" handling talc containing asbestos with 2.45 f/mL. Of the 112 exposure groups, 44 groups had higher WAM concentrations than the Korean occupational exposure limit of 0.1 f/mL. Conclusion: The newly constructed GPJEM which is generated from actual domestic quantitative exposure data could be useful in evaluating historical exposure levels to asbestos and could contribute to improved prediction of asbestos-related diseases among Koreans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in blood and factors controlling their exposure among Koreans. Methods: Study subjects were selected to include 718 members of the general population residing in five metropolitan cities and the Gangwon Province area from August 2008 to January 2009. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle, socio-demographic characteristics, and other related factors. Blood samples were collected and extracted using solid-phase extraction and anion-exchange methods, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC, Agilent 1200 Series) coupled with a Triple Quad LC-MS/MS system (Agilent 6410). Results: Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the blood were measured as 1.82 and 6.06 ng/ml, respectively. Mean PFOA and PFOS concentrations generally increased with age in both genders. Blood PFOA concentration was significantly different according to such variables as age, family income, residential district, and province. Blood PFOS concentration was significantly different by such variables as gender, age, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Also, family income, hazardous facilities, job classification, and province contributed significantly to differences in blood PFOS concentration levels. Conclusions: Blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations in Koreans were similar with those found in Japan, the USA, and Germany, but less than those in Australia. PFOA and PFOS exposure seems to be affected by a variety of factors in Korea. Therefore, investigation is required for each factor to assess the relative contribution of different variables.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-152
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toluene diisocyanates (TDIs) exposure among polyurethane waterproofing workers in the construction industry. Methods: Task-based personal air samplings were carried out at seven construction sites using organic vapor monitor for VOCs (n=88) and glass fiber filters coated with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine(1-2PP) for TDIs (n=81). The concentration of VOCs and TDIs were shown for four different work types(mixing paint, primer roller painting, urethane resin spread painting, painter assistant) at five different worksites (rooftop, ground parking lot, piloti, bathroom, and swimming pool). The two TDI sampling methods (filter vs impinger) were evaluated in parallel to compare the concentrations. Results: The geometric mean(GM) concentration of VOCs Exposure Index (EI) was highest for primer roller painting (1.4), followed in order by, urethane resin spread painting (0.85), mixing paint (0.53), and painter assistant (0.35) by work types. The GM of VOCs EI was highest for bathroom (1.4) followed in order by, swimming pool (0.85), piloti (0.89), ground parking lot (0.82) and rooftop (0.57) by worksites. The GM of 2,4-/2,6-TDI concentration was 0.052 ppb and 0.432 ppb each. There was no statistical difference in TDIs concentrations among worksites. The concentration of 2,6-TDI was ten times higher than that of 2,4-TDI. The concentration of 2,6-TDI by impinger method was 5.7 times higher than that by filter method. Conclusions: In this study, we found 38.6% of the VOCs samples exceeded the occupational exposure limits and 19.8% of the 2,6-TDI samples exceeded 1 ppb among polyurethane waterproofing workers. The most important determinants that increase the concentration of VOCs and TDIs was indoor environment and primer painting work.