• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.185-195
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze noise exposure levels and the rate of exceedance of exposure limits in workplaces from a 2015 measurement of working environments according to area, industry, and scale of workplace and to determine changes compared to the past. Methods: Among the 408,875 measurements of noise in working environments from 27,030 workplaces in 2015, 16,359 workplaces that were linked to special health examination data were selected as the subjects of this study. The eight-hour corrected measurements and geometric mean values of the individual noise measurements of the workplaces were used to calculate noise exposure levels and the exceedance rate of exposure limits. Results: The average noise exposure level of the overall workplaces making up the subjects of this study was 83.6 dBA, and the exceedance rate of exposure limits was 15.1%. At least half of the noise measurements exceeded the exposure limits in 13.7% of the workplaces. Noise exposure levels were higher in the manufacturing industry and in smaller-scale workplaces. The exceedance rate of noise exposure limits was higher in the mining and manufacturing industries and in smaller-scale workplaces. Conclusions: Noise exposure has shown improvements compared to the past, but the exceedance rate of exposure limits was still high, and more than half of the workers were being exposed to noise of 85 dBA or higher. Therefore, it is necessary to make more active improvements in working environments in terms of noise exposure.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.134-145
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• 2015

Objectives: An objective of this study was to perform a risk assessment and social cost-benefit analysis for revising permissible exposure limits for seven substances: Nickel(Insoluble inorganic compounds), benzene, carbon disulfide, formaldehyde, cadmium(as compounds), trichloroethylene, touluene-2,4-diisocyanate. Materials and Methods: The research methods were divided into risk and hazard assessment and cost-benefit analysis. The risk and hazard assessment for the seven substances consists of four steps: An overview of GHS MSDS(1st), review of document of ACGIH's TLVs (2nd), comparison between international occupational exposure limits and domestic permissible exposure limits(3rd), and analysis of excess workplace and excess rate for occupational exposure limits based on previous work environment measurement data(4th). Total cost was estimated using cost of local exhaust ventilation, number of excess workplace and penalties for exceeding a permissible exposure limit. On the other hand, total benefit was calculated using the reduction rate of occupational disease, number of workplaces treating each substance and industrial accident compensation. Finally, the net benefit was calculated by subtracting total cost from total benefit. Results: All the substances investigated in this study were classified by CMR(Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reproductive toxicants) and their international occupational exposure limits were stricter than the domestic permissible exposure limits. As a result of excess rate analysis, trichloroethylene was the highest at 11%, whereas nickel was the lowest at 0.5%. The excess rates of all substances except for trichloroethylene were observed at less than 10%. Among the seven substances, the total cost was highest for trichloroethylene and lowest for carbon disulfide. The benefits for the seven substances were higher than costs estimated based on strengthening current permissible exposure limits. Thus, revising the permissible exposure limits of the seven substances was determined to be acceptable from a social perspective. Conclusions: The final revised permissible exposure limits suggested for the seven substances are as follows: $0.2mg/m^3$ for nickel, 0.5 ppm(TWA) and 2.5 ppm(STEL) for benzene, 1 ppm(TWA) for carbon disulfide, $0.01mg/m^3$(TWA) for cadmium, 10 ppm(TWA) and 25 ppm(STEL) for trichloroethylene, 0.3 ppm(TWA) for formaldehyde, and 0.005 ppm(TWA) and 0.02 ppm(STEL) for toluene diisocynate(isomers).

• 한국전자파학회논문지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.520-529
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• 1999

인체보호를 위한 노출기준은 생물학적 영향을 근거로 유도전류밀도, 비흡수율 또는 전력밀도에 대한 기본 한계치를 결정한 다음 이를 전자계와 인체와의 결합 메카니즘을 고려하여 측정 가능한 전계와 자계강도로 변 환함으로써 결정된다. 본 연구에서는 국내 노출기준 설정을 위한 연구의 일환으로 전자계의 인체 결합 메카 니즘에 대한 지금까지의 연구결과를 토대로 대표적인 5개 기준의 기본 한계치로부터 도출된 전자계 노출기준 치에 대한 타당성을 검토하고 각 기준의 문제점을 비교, 분석하였다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.226-235
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was to investigate the signs and notations of skin absorption, carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity in the occupational exposure limits of Korea and of other advanced countries. Methods: Information on occupational exposure limits in Korea, the USA, the UK, Germany, and Japan was investigated through the Internet, and items marked as carcinogenicity and skin absorption were compared by country. Results: Legal occupational exposure limits have been greatly simplified. However, in the case of HSE WEL, skin absorption, carcinogenicity classification, sensitization, and in the case of DFG MAK, skin absorption, carcinogenicity, pregnancy risk group, germ cell mutagenicity, airway and skin sensitization, photo contact sensitization, and vapor pressure were provided. Conclusions: It is desirable to indicate the carcinogenicity and skin absorption within permissible limits, and to include information on critical effects in chemical substance exposure limits to uphold the right to know of industrial hygienists and workers in Korea. It is also necessary to clarify the precautions, limitations and protections for skin absorption.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2015

Objective:The objective of this study is to review the exposure limits in the legislation, guidelines, and standards for human vibration in Korea. Background: There have been relatively less interests in vibration than other risk factors in Korea. However, the importance of vibration is increasing as industry and everyday life are more mechanized. Method: Various enforcements were examined including legislation, guidelines, and standards for whole-body vibration and localized vibration. Results: No exposure limits were found in legislation, guidelines, and standards for the human vibration in Korea. Conclusion: It is important to introduce new duties regarding vibration risks to the general duties. Further studies are expected on the vibration exposure limits appropriate for Korean people and job conditions. Application: The results from this study would be of help to induce more interests in human vibration to the occupational health and safety professionals of Korea.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.148-155
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to compare the average levels and similarity of occupational exposure limits in South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan and Finland. Methods: In this study, occupational exposure limits (OELs) for one hundred and seventy seven hazardous substances which are managed in the workplace by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea were matched with those of other countries. The units for the exposure limits of the same substance (identical CAS number) were unified and the exposure limits in each country were compared with threshold limit values (TLVs) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) using a geometric mean method. Geometric similarity was calculated to assess the association by each country. Results: The exposure limits according to ACGIH TLVs in South Korea, the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland were 148, 37, 76, 90, and 110, respectively. When using TLVs of ACGIH as a standard, the geometric mean ratios of Germany, Finland, the E.U., South Korea, and Japan were 0.79, 0.80, 0.82, 1.19, and 1.27, respectively. Geometric similarity with TLVs of ACGIH was highest in South Korea (0.75) followed by Japan (0.56), the E.U. (0.52), Finland (0.50), and Germany (0.46). Conclusions: Through the comparison of levels of OELs and similarities among South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland, we could better understand the characteristics of occupational exposure limits by country.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.85-97
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• 2024

Objectives: This study was intended to investigate the revision status of the occupational exposure standards for aluminum at home and abroad; to investigate worker exposure at domestic aluminum manufacturing and handling workplaces; to conduct social and economic evaluation for the revision of domestic aluminum exposure limits. Methods: We investigated the current status of occupational exposure limits for aluminum at home and abroad, and analyzed supporting data. An exposure survey was conducted targeting domestic aluminum manufacturing and handling workplaces. Based on these, revised aluminum occupational exposure limits were proposed. Results: The major aluminum exposure limits at home and abroad show a notable difference. The toxicity of aluminum, which was revealed through animal experiments and epidemiological investigations. The average concentration of aluminum in the air at 12 workplaces was 0.016 mg/m³, and the maximum was 0.0776 mg/m³. When total dust and respiratory dust were measured side by side and simultaneously for the same process, 12.1% of the total mass concentration of aluminum dust was respiratory dust. As a result of measuring and comparing the size distribution of dust with an optical particle counter in real time, 48.1% of the total dust in the form of welding fume and pyro-powder was respiratory dust. Based on the literature review and workplace survey, three proposals for changing the aluminum exposure limit were proposed. Proposal (1): For all types, 10 mg/m³ is unified as the exposure limit except for soluble salts and alkyls. Proposal (2): 1(R) mg/m³ as the exposure limit for all forms except soluble salts and alkyl. Proposal (3): 1(R) mg/m³ for pyro-powder and welding fume, and 10 mg/m³ for metal dust, aluminum oxide, and insoluble compounds as exposure standards. A pyro-powder was defined as dry aluminum powder of 200 mesh size (74 ㎛) or smaller (larger size classified as metal dust). Reason for setting: In the workplace survey, the ratio of respiratory dust to total dust was analyzed to be about 1:10, so it was judged that the domestic standard and the ACGIH standard were compatible. Conclusions: In all scenarios according to the revision of the exposure standard, the B/C ratio was greater than 1 or only benefits existed, so it was evaluated as sufficiently reasonable as a result of the socio-economic evaluation.

• 터널과지하공간
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.310-322
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• 1997

New limits of comfort boundary, psychological damage boundary and exposure limit for building residents by continuous and vibration are suggested. These limits are derived from the ISO 2631 and DIN 4150 regulations. A reasonable method to evaluate damages by vibrations is also suggested using the "total over-exposure of vibration" concept.; concept.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aims to suggest definitions in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system in order to suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea. Methods: The occupational safety and health related acts from six countries were researched, including from Korea. To understand the health hazards of substances with permissible exposure limits, health hazards were prioritized for 211 substances through working environment measurement on the basis of KOSHA's preceding research. Results: To suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances, definitions were suggested in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system. Based on the health hazard priorities for the working environment, selection criteria were identified. Conclusions: Three suggestions for substances with permissible exposure limits were proposed including substances where occurred serious health hazards such as carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity to workers.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.195-202
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• 2005

The health risks from the magnetic fields exposure have been brought out difficulties in the construction of transformer substation. According to several epidemiologic studies and the relevant international organizations, magnetic fields should not exceed the exposure limits of 3mG for the people living near electric power lines. The rigid regulation of the exposure levels for the elementary school and residental areas has been established already in Switzerland and Italy. Since 1998, the environmental impact assessment system in Korea has been reviewed for power-frequency magnetic field by precautionary policies. In this study, the possible application of Prior Environmental Performance Review System for the transformer substation was reviewed from the points of the properties of the powerfrequency magnetic fields. The ranges and survey methods of the assessment for the transformer substation were proposed. The ranges of magnetic fields was between 300m to 500m for the 345kV transformer substation. It is necessary to develop further specific assessment methods for various high-voltage transformer substations.