• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cobalt concentrations in airborne inhalable, total and respirable dust from manufacturing industries using cobalt. Methods: To compare cobalt concentrations, three types of dust samplers(a 37mm closed cassette sampler, Institute of Occupational Medicine(IOM) sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler) were used. The analysis of cobalt concentrations was conducted using AAs based on the NIOSH 7300 method. Results: The geometric mean of cobalt concentration in total dust was $1.47{\mu}g/m^3$, and the rate of excess of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(KOEL) was 10.0%. The geometric mean concentrations of cobalt in super alloy manufacturing industries were higher than those in plating industries, and molding operations showed higher exposure levels to cobalt than did other operations. Conclusions: The rate of cobalt concentration in inhalable dust from super alloy manufacturing industries exceeding the Workplace Exposure Limit(WEL) as recommended by the Health & Safety Executive(HSE) was 7.1%, which means proper work environmental management is required through wet work environments. Given that molding operations had higher cobalt concentrations, it is necessary to apply measures such as local exhaust for reducing airborne dust in cobalt manufacture industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.230-239
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the kinds and exposure levels of health hazards in the metalworking process in relation to acute poisoning accidents caused by methanol in 2016. Methods: The number of industries, workplaces, exposed workers, regional distribution, and exposure level of health hazards in metalworking process were investigated based on employee exposure assessment database provided by KOSHA (the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), which was collected from workplace hazard evaluation programs in Korea. Exposure metrics for methanol were assessed by RCR (risk characterization ratio). Results: The numbers of processes, workplaces, and exposed workers of metalworking, which include CNC (computer numerical control) were 25, 14,405, and 169,102 respectively. The numbers of samples of chemical hazards including methanol were 91,325, and it was found that workers in metalworking were exposed to 249 kinds of chemical hazards. There were 16 kinds of special controlled substances including beryllium. It is estimated that the number of workplaces involving CNC process was 2,537, and the number of exposed workers was 27,976. In CNC process, the total number of workplaces handling methanol was 36, and 298 workers were estimated to be exposed. There was no exceeded that surpassed the OEL and 49% of samples were below the limit of detection. Methanol exposure concentrations in Gyeonggido Province were statistically significantly higher than in other areas (p <0.0001). Conclusions: In the metalworking process including CNC, there is exposure to a wide variety of health hazards. There was no sample exceeding the OEL for methanol. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the limits of the employee exposure assessment system and urgently improve measures to prevent the occurrence of events like methanol poisoning.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to estimate the level of exposure of traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs) on the pedestrians in Seoul area. The road network's link-based pollutant emission was calculated by using a set of mobile source emission factor package and associated activity information. The population information, which is the number of pedestrian, was analyzed in conjunction with the link-based traffic emissions in order to quantify exposure level by selected 23 spots. We proposed the Exposure Intensity, which is defined by the amount of traffic emission and the population, to quantify the probability of exposure of pedestrian. Link-based traffic NOx and PM emissions vary by up to four times depending on the location of each spot. The Hot-spots is estimated to be around 1.8 times higher Exposure Intensity than the average of the 23 selected spots. The information of Exposure Intensity of each spot allows us to develop localized policies for air quality and health. Even in the same area, the Exposure Intensity over time also shows a large fluctuation, which gives suggestions for establishing site-specific counter-measures.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.436-443
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• 2012

Previous Korean total diet studies (KTDSs) have estimated dietary exposure to toxic chemicals based on 110-120 representative foods selected from over 500 foods appeared in the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES), which would result in a possible underestimation. In order to find measures for a closer-to-real estimate of dietary exposure to heavy metals, this study examined the feasibility of mapping foods to the representative foods in the KTDS by comparing estimates. In mapping, those foods not analyzed in the 2009 KTDS (443 out of 559 foods appeared in the 2007 KNHANES) were mapped to the 114 representative foods used in the 2009 KTDS based on the closeness in regards to biological systematics and morphological similarity. Dietary exposures to total mercury and lead were re-estimated using the content of total mercury and lead in 114 foods analyzed in the 2009 KTDS, food intake, and individual's own body weight for respondents in the 2007 KNHANES instead of mean body weight of Koreans used in the 2009 KTDS. The re-estimates of exposure with mapping were approximately 50% higher than the original estimates reported in the 2009 KTDS. In addition, mapping enabled the comparison of percentile distribution of the exposure among populations of different age groups. In conclusion, estimates via mapping resulted in a more comprehensive estimation of dietary exposure to heavy metals present in foods that Koreans consume.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2022

Objectives: Objective of this study is to review briefly exposure characteristics, monitoring instruments and threshold limit values for extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF) methods. This study was undertaken through brief literature review. We performed a literature search in PubMed to identify ELF-MF studies conducted in workplaces. Initial search keywords such as 'extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF)' and 'electromagnetic fields (EMF)' combined or singly. We limited our review to occupational rather than general nonworkplace environmental exposures. Methods: The contents we reviewed: key industry and occupations generating ELF-MF, several direct-reading instruments monitoring ELF-MF and threshold limit values (TLV) preventing health effects may be caused by the exposure to ELF-MF. Results: The industries related to the generation and supply of electricity, electrolytic installations, welding, and induction heating and more were regarded as high ELF-MF exposure industries. All jobs handling or employed performed in power cable lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment are found to be exposed to ELF-MF. Threshold or ceiling limit, 1,000 µT, is established to prevent acute effects of exposure to low-frequency EMFs on the nervous system: the direct stimulation of nerve and muscle tissues and the induction of retinal phosphenes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ELF-MF as possibly carcinogenic to humans chiefly based on epidemiological studies on childhood leukemia. However, a causal relationship between magnetic fields and several types of cancer including childhood leukemia has not been established nor has any other long-term effects. Risk management using precautionary measures, has been initiated by the US and EU to prevent chronic health effects related to ELF-MF exposure in workplaces. Conclusion: This study recommends the implementation of various measures such as theestablishment of occupational exposure limit values for ELF-MF and precautionary principle to prevent potential chronic occupational health effects may be caused by ELF-MF in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3379-3391
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• 2013

The usage and types of chemicals being developed, with diversified new exposure of workers, are of natural concern to occupational disease. In Korea, with industrialization, application of many chemicals has increased. A large proportion of mortality and disease is due to cancer, and the causal hazardous agents include chemical agents, like heavy metals and so on. Due to the long latency period with malignancies and the fact they are usually found after workers' retirement, it is suggested that management policies must be established to prevent occupational cancers occurring among workers in Korea. To give a general description about the efforts to prevent the occupational cancer with exposure to chemicals, articles on the trends of occupational cancers were reviewed and summarized with related research and efforts for prevention in Korea. It is important to improve the understanding of occupational cancer and help to maintain sustainable and appropriate measures to guarantee workers safety and health.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.146-152
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• 1995

To achieve a better understanding of the effects on behavioral safety caused by possible neuroprotective doses (50 mg/kg, p.o.) of dextromethorphan HBr (DM), several motor activity measures were monitored in two generations of mice through a long-term period of ten months. Adult male mice (G1), in the presence of DM, developed behavioral tolerance after an initial suppression period. Prenatally exposed, second generation (G2) mice formed two groups, prenatal exposure alone (G2C) and prenatally exposed with additional postnatal exposure (G2T). In the presence of DM, group G2T was characterized by significant behavioral impairment; while G2C exhibited behavioral activation. These results suggest that more attention should be given to the prenatal effects of DM on a developing organism.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.295-300
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• 2005

This Study intends to find out the subjective symptom of Construction Business Worker caused by chemical material exposure, also willing to research how much they are exposed to VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds) and under how much harmful circumstance they are working. As the results, the job group among construction business workers which is most highly dangerous degree to be taken ill of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is Interior Worker, next following by order of Clerical Worker, Exterior Worker. According to this result, the continuous exposure in high density must be prevented by the measures for Interior Worker also to be bestowed a compulsory break during working hour for regular exposure to the open air,

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.362-370
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• 2022

The assessment of specific impacts on the environment is a preventive measure for environmental protection which is based on the definition and proposal of measures that can prevent harmful effects, reduce or eliminate them. In the physical sense, vibration is the oscillating motion of an object with the effect of internal or external forces applied to it. People who touch a vibrating surface or object will feel these vibrations. In general, there are two types of vibration exposure. The first are the vibrations of the hands and arms transmitted by the held parts of tools or machinery. The second are whole-body vibrations transmitted from a seat or surface to a motorized car. The risk of injury to workers exposed to vibration varies depending on the size, frequency, type, duration of exposure, and organ affected. The purpose of this paper is to review the measurements of vibrations in the Kosovo Energy Corporation in the mine Sibovc Southwest, where coal with a rotary excavator is exploited and the evaluation of vibrations for working conditions for workers working in that environment and improving working conditions for the measurement of vibrations we have used the device Minimate DS 078, the purpose of such environmental impact assessment is to collect data and predict the harmful impacts on the environment, namely the impact on water, air, soil, life and health of as well as identify and propose measures that could prevent, reduce or eliminate altogether.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.391-401
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• 2010

A reduction in risk of occupational exposure to chemical hazards within the workplace has been the focus of attention both through industry initiatives and legislation. The aims of this study were to develop an exposure matrix by industry and process, and to apply this matrix to control the risk of occupational exposure to Dichloromethane (DCM). The exposure matrix is a tool to convert information on industry and process into information on occupational risk. The exposure matrix comprised industries and processes involving DCM, based on an exposure database provided by KOSHA (the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency), which was gathered from a workplace hazards evaluation program in Korea. The risk assessment of the exposure matrix was performed using Hallmark risk assessment tool. The results of the risk assessment were indicated by a Danger Value (DV) calculated from the combination of hazard rating (HR), duration of use rating (DUR), and risk probability rating (RPR) of exposure to the chemical, and were divided into four control bands which were related to control measures. The applicability of the risk assessment of the exposure matrix was evaluated by a field study, and survey of the employees of the exposure matrix groups. Among 45 industries examined, this study found that greater attention should be paid to two industries: the manufacture of other optical instruments and photographic equipment, and the manufacture of printing ink, and to one process among 47 examined, the packing process in the manufacture of printing ink, because these were regarded as carrying the highest risk. This tool of a risk assessment for the exposure matrix can be applied as a general exposure information system for hazard control, risk quantification, setting the occupational exposure limit, and hazard surveillance. The exposure matrix includes workforce data, and it provides information on the numbers of exposed workers in Korea by agent, occupation, and level of exposure and risk.