• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.835-860
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• 2013

Recently, the consumption of nanomaterials has been significantly increased in both industrial and commercial sectors, as a result of steady advancement in the nano-technologies. This ubiquitous use of nanomaterials has brought up the concern that their exposure to environments may cause detrimental effects on human health as well as natural ecosystems, and it is required to characterize their behavior in various environmental media and to evaluate their ecotoxicity. For the sake of accomplishing those assessments, the development of methods to effectively separate them from diverse media and to quantify their properties should be requisitely accompanied. Among a number of separation techniques developed so far, this study focuses on Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) because of its strengths, such as relatively less disturbance of samples and simple pretreatment, and we review overseas and domestic literatures on the separation of nanomaterials using the FFF technique. In particular, researches with Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (FlFFF) are highlighted due to its most frequent application among FFF techniques. The basic principle of the FlFFF is briefly introduced and the studies conducted so far are classified and scrutinized based on the sort of target nanomaterials for the purpose of furnishing practical data and information for the researchers struggling in this field. The literature review suggests that the operational conditions, such as pretreatment, selection of membrane and carrier solution, and rate (velocity) of each flow, should be optimized in order to effectively separate them from various matrices using the FFF technique. Moreover, it seems to be a prerequisite to couple or hyphenate with several detectors and analyzers for quantification of their properties after their separation using the FFF. However, its application has been restricted regarding the types of target nanomaterials and environmental media. Furthermore, domestic literature data on both separation and characterization of nanomaterials are extremely limited. Taking into account the overwhelmingly increasing consumption of nanomaterials, the efforts for the area seem to be greatly urgent.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.69-93
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• 2014

The aim of this research was to develop a climate change vulnerability index at the district level (Si, Gun, Gu) with respect to the health care sector in Korea. The climate change vulnerability index was esimated based on the four major causes of climate-related illnesses : vector, flood, heat waves, and air pollution/allergies. The vulnerability assessment framework consists of six layers, all of which are based on the IPCC vulnerability concepts (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) and the pathway of direct and indirect impacts of climate change modulators on health. We collected proxy variables based on the conceptual framework of climate change vulnerability. Data were standardized using the min-max normalization method. We applied the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) weight and aggregated the variables using the non-compensatory multi-criteria approach. To verify the index, sensitivity analysis was conducted by using another aggregation method (geometric transformation method, which was applied to the index of multiple deprivation in the UK) and weight, calculated by the Budget Allocation method. The results showed that it would be possible to identify the vulnerable areas by applying the developed climate change vulnerability assessment index. The climate change vulnerability index could then be used as a valuable tool in setting climate change adaptation policies in the health care sector.

• Proceedings of the KOR-KST Conference
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• 1995.02a
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• pp.3-32
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• 1995

The Highway Capacity Manual specifies procedures for evaluating intersection performance in terms of delay per vehicle. What is lacking in the current methodology is a comparable quantitative procedure for ass~ssing the safety-based level of service provided to motorists. The objective of the research described herein was to develop a computational procedure for evaluating the safety-based level of service of signalized intersections based on the relative hazard of alternative intersection designs and signal timing plans. Conflict opportunity models were developed for those crossing, diverging, and stopping maneuvers which are associated with left-turn and rear-end accidents. Safety¬based level-of-service criteria were then developed based on the distribution of conflict opportunities computed from the developed models. A case study evaluation of the level of service analysis methodology revealed that the developed safety-based criteria were not as sensitive to changes in prevailing traffic, roadway, and signal timing conditions as the traditional delay-based measure. However, the methodology did permit a quantitative assessment of the trade-off between delay reduction and safety improvement. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) specifies procedures for evaluating intersection performance in terms of a wide variety of prevailing conditions such as traffic composition, intersection geometry, traffic volumes, and signal timing (1). At the present time, however, performance is only measured in terms of delay per vehicle. This is a parameter which is widely accepted as a meaningful and useful indicator of the efficiency with which an intersection is serving traffic needs. What is lacking in the current methodology is a comparable quantitative procedure for assessing the safety-based level of service provided to motorists. For example, it is well¬known that the change from permissive to protected left-turn phasing can reduce left-turn accident frequency. However, the HCM only permits a quantitative assessment of the impact of this alternative phasing arrangement on vehicle delay. It is left to the engineer or planner to subjectively judge the level of safety benefits, and to evaluate the trade-off between the efficiency and safety consequences of the alternative phasing plans. Numerous examples of other geometric design and signal timing improvements could also be given. At present, the principal methods available to the practitioner for evaluating the relative safety at signalized intersections are: a) the application of engineering judgement, b) accident analyses, and c) traffic conflicts analysis. Reliance on engineering judgement has obvious limitations, especially when placed in the context of the elaborate HCM procedures for calculating delay. Accident analyses generally require some type of before-after comparison, either for the case study intersection or for a large set of similar intersections. In e.ither situation, there are problems associated with compensating for regression-to-the-mean phenomena (2), as well as obtaining an adequate sample size. Research has also pointed to potential bias caused by the way in which exposure to accidents is measured (3, 4). Because of the problems associated with traditional accident analyses, some have promoted the use of tqe traffic conflicts technique (5). However, this procedure also has shortcomings in that it.requires extensive field data collection and trained observers to identify the different types of conflicts occurring in the field. The objective of the research described herein was to develop a computational procedure for evaluating the safety-based level of service of signalized intersections that would be compatible and consistent with that presently found in the HCM for evaluating efficiency-based level of service as measured by delay per vehicle (6). The intent was not to develop a new set of accident prediction models, but to design a methodology to quantitatively predict the relative hazard of alternative intersection designs and signal timing plans.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2000

Comparative study was performed for the assessment of DNA damage and Chromosomal aberration in human lymphocyte exposed to low dose radiation using fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) and single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE). Chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed to radiation at doses of 5, 10, 30 and 50cGy were analysed with whole chromosome-specific probes by human chromosome 1, 2 and 4 according to PAINT system. FISH with chromosome-specific probe has been used to be a valid and rapid method fer detection of chromosome rearrangements induced by low dose radiation. The frequencies of stable translocation per cell equivalents were 0.0116, 0.0375, 0.040f, 0.0727 and 0.0814 for 0, 5, 10, 30 and 50cGy, respectively, and those of dicentric were 0.00, 0.0125, 0.174, 0.0291 and 0.0407 respectively. Radiation induced DNA damage in human lymphocyte in a dose-dependent manner at low doses from 5cGy to 50cGy, which were analysed by single tell gel electrophoresis(SCGE). From above results, FISH seemed to be useful for radiation biodosimetry by which the frequencies of stable aberrations in human lymphocyte can be observed more easily than by conventional method and SCGE also seemed to be sensitive method f9r detecting DNA damage by low dose radiation exposure, so that those methods will improve our technique to perform meaningful biodosimetry for radiation at low doses.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.264-272
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• 2013

Climate changes have caused not only changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, but also temperature and precipitation. The damages on agricultural production system will be increased by heavy rainfall and snow. In this study we assessed vulnerability of crop cultivation facility and animal husbandry facility by heavy rain in 232 agricultural districts. The climate data of 2000 years were used for vulnerability analysis on present status and the data derived from A1B scenario were used for the assessment in the years of 2020, 2050 and 2100, respectively. Vulnerability of local districts was evaluated by three indices such as climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and each index was determined from selected alternative variables. Collected data were normalized and then multiplied by weight value that was elicited in delphi investigation. Jeonla-do and Gangwon-do showed higher climate exposures than the other provinces. The higher sensitivity to abnormal weather was observed from the regions that have large-scale cultivation facility complex compared to the other regions and vulnerability to abnormal weather also was higher at these provinces. In the projected estimation based on the SRES A1B, the vulnerability of controlled agricultural facility in Korea totally increased, especially was dramatic between 2000's and 2020 year.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

This study was executed to determine the cumulative dietary risk of PAHs exposed by food ingestion. Food samples including barbecued beef, barbecued pork, grilled chicken, ham, bacon and vegetable oil which were collected from food markets. These samples were saponified, extracted and cleaned up to purify PAHs, and then the purified sample solutions were analyzed by HPLC-FL. Generally, the levels of total PAHs in barbecued beef (0.2 ppb), bacon (0.3 ppb), barbecued pork (0.7 ppb), ham (0.8 ppb), and vegetable oil (1.2 ppb) were low, whereas the level of total PAHs in grilled chicken (9.3 ppb) was significantly high. For the exposure assessment of PAHs due to food ingestion, PAHs levels converted into TEQ$_{BaP}$, the average body weight for 20-73 age group and consumed levels of food proposed from report on the National Health and Nutrition Survey were used. The estimated lifetime average daily intake of dietary PAHs was 4.32${\times}$10$^{-4}$ $\mu\textrm{g}$-TEQ$_{BaP}$kg/day as the mean value. The dietary risk adjusted to cancer potency of benzo(a)pyrene as 7.3 (mg/kg/day)$^{-1}$ was 3.44${\times}$10$^{-6}$ based on current data.ata.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.440-456
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• 2019

The controversy of the risk perception related to particulate matters becomes significant. Therefore, in order to understand the nature of the particulate matters, we gathered articles and comments in on-line community related to bicycling which is affected by exposure of the particulate matters. As a result, firstly, the government - led particulate matter policy was strengthened and segmented every period, butthe risk perception related to particulate matters in the bicycle community has become active and serious. Second, as a result of analyzing the perception change of outdoor activities related to particulate matters, bicycle users in community showed a tendency of outdoor activity depending on the degree of particulate matters ratherthan the weather. In addition, the level of the risk perception related to particulate matters has been moved from fears of serious threat in daily life and health, combined with the disregard of domestic particulate matter levels or mask performance. Ultimately, these risk perception related to particulate matters have led some of the bicycling that were mainly enjoyed outdoors to the indoor space. However, in comparison with outdoor bicycling enjoyed by various factors such as scenery, people, and weather, the monotonous indoor bicycling was converted into another type of indoor exercise such as fitness and yoga. In summary, it was derived from mistrust of excessive information or policy provided by the government or local governments. It is considered that environmental policy should be implemented after discussion of risk communication that can reduce the gap between public anxiety and concern so as to cope with the risk perception related to particulate matters. Therefore,this study should be provided as an academic basis for the effective communication direction when decision makers establish the policy related to particulate matters.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.451-464
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• 2022

The high-level nuclear waste repository is a deep geological disposal system exposed to complex environmental conditions such as high temperature, radiation, and ground-water due to handling spent nuclear fuel. Continuous exposure can lead to cracking and deterioration of the structure over time. On the other hand, the high-level nuclear waste repository requires an ultra-long life expectancy. Thus long-term structural health monitoring is essential. Various sensors such as an accelerometer, earth pressure gauge, and displacement meter can be used to monitor the health of a structure, and a piezoelectric sensor is generally used. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a highly durable sensor based on the durability assessment of the piezoelectric sensor. This study designed an accelerated life test for durability assessment and life prediction of the piezoelectric sensor. Based on the literature review, the number of accelerated stress levels for a single stress factor, and the number of samples for each level were selected. The failure mode and mechanism of the piezoelectric sensor that can occur in the environmental conditions of the high-level waste repository were analyzed. In addition, two methods were proposed to investigate the maximum harsh condition for the temperature stress factor. The reliable operating limit of the piezoelectric sensor was derived, and a reasonable accelerated stress level was set for the accelerated life test. The suggested methods contain economical and practical ideas and can be widely used in designing accelerated life tests of piezoelectric sensors.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.549-561
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• 2020

This study aimed to assess the performance and life of nine natural mineral dancheong pigments: Seokganju, Jinsa, Hwangto, Jahwang, Wunghwang, Seokrok, Noerok, Seokcheong, and Baekto. The design of the accelerated weathering test considered the domestic climate characteristics and the location of Dancheong. Outdoor weathering tests were conducted at the Research Institute in Daejeon and the Sungnyemun Gate in Seoul to confirm the field reproducibility of the accelerated weathering test. Monitoring of the physical changes in pigments through accelerated and outdoor weathering tests are based on ultraviolet exposure dose. Despite small cracks at the beginning of the tests, the monitoring showed that Seokganju and Baekto had no marked physical changes, but the surface cracks of Jinsa and Seorok continue to expand. Hwangto and Noerok were marked with water or were resin stained, and the particles of Jahwang, Wunghwang, and Seokcheong had lost their luster. Despite the absolute difference in color change in each test, the final chromaticity change patterns of pigments were similar in that the color difference between Baekto and Noerok was below five, and Jina was above 28. The physical and surface color pigment changes were more concentrated in outdoor weathering tests than in accelerated tests, and the Seoul site was more intense than the Daejeon site. This is because outdoor weathering tests are exposed to severe variations of temperature and moisture or deposition of dust particles and, in the case of Seoul, the site is more exposed to the external environment than the Daejeon site.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2012

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and assessment of health risk effects of heavy metals in herbal pills. 31 Items and 93 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas, herbal markets and on-line supermarkets from Jan to Jun in 2010. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in samples were as follows : 0.87 mg/kg for Pb, 0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 2.87 mg/kg for As and 0.16 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. In addition, the average contents of heavy metals in different parts of plants, including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were 0.63 mg/kg, 3.94 mg/kg, 1.42 mg/kg, 1.05 mg/kg, 0.16 mg/kg, 22.31 mg/kg and 10.17 mg/kg, respectively. After the estimations of dietary exposure, the acceptable daily intake (ADI), the average daily dose (ADD), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the relative hazard of heavy metals were evaluated. As the results, the relative hazards compared to PTWI in samples were below the recommended standard of JECFA as Pb 3.1%, Cd 0.9%, Hg 0.5%. Cancer risks through slope factor (SF) by Ministry of Environment Republic Korea and Environmental Protection Agency was $4.24{\times}10^{-7}$ for Pb and $3.38{\times}10^{-4}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic). Based on our results, possible Pb-induced cancer risks in herbal pills according to parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.95{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.45{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.14{\times}10^{-7}$, $6.27{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.99{\times}10^{-8}$, $3.61{\times}10^{-7}$ and $9.64{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Possible As-induced cancer risks in herbal pills by parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.54{\times}10^{-5}$, $7.24{\times}10^{-5}$, $1.23{\times}10^{-4}$, $2.02{\times}10^{-5}$, $3.25{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.18{\times}10^{-3}$ and $5.67{\times}10^{-6}$ respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe.