• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.273-281
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• 2021

The radiological safety of the spent resin treatment facility with a¹⁴C treatment capacity of 1 ton/day was evaluated in terms of the external and internal exposure of worker according to operation scenario. In terms of external dose, the annual dose for close work for 1 h/day at a distance of more than 1 m (19.8 mSv) satisfied the annual dose limit. For 8 h of close work per day, the annual dose exceeded the dose limit. For remote work of 2000 h/year, the annual dose was 14.4 mSv. Lead shielding was considered to reduce exposure dose, and the highest annual dose during close work for 1 h/day corresponded to 6.75 mSv. For close work of 2000 h/year and lead thickness exceeding 1.5 cm, the highest value of annual dose was derived as 13.2 mSv. In terms of internal exposure, the initial year dose was estimated to be 1.14E+03 mSv when conservatively 100% of the nuclides were assumed to leak. The allowable outflow rate was derived as 7.77E-02% and 2.00E-01% for the average limit of 20 mSv and the maximum limit of 50 mSv, respectively, where the annual replacement of the worker was required for 50 mSv.

• 농약과학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.347-353
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• 2005

한국 농업환경에서 benzimidazole계 살균제의 안전사용 및 농약살포자를 보호하기 위하여 단기(30일 이내) 및 장기(6개월 이상) 노출에 대한 농작업자 위해성평가를 수행하였다. 농작업자의 노출량 산출은 일본의 EPN 45% 유제 노출시나리오를 이용하였으며, 일일 작업시간은 4시간으로 가정하였고, 작업자에 대한 급성 및 만성 허용노출량(AOEL)은 단기노출은 기형독성, 만성노출은 만성독성 NOAEL로부터 산출하였다. Benzimidazole계 농약들은 US/EPA가 $Q_1^*$를 설정하여 발암성평가를 하고 있는 농약들로서 본 연구에서도 작업자의 만성 노출에 대한 발암성평가를 평균일일노출량(LADD)를 일생 동안 농업에 종사하는 연수, 농약살포 횟수, 농업형태 등을 고려하여 평가하였다. 농작업자에 대한 농약 노출량은 benomyl, carbendazim 및 thiophanate-methyl에 대하여 각각 0.2, 0.36 및 0.42 mg/kg/day 이었고, sAOEL은 0.3, 0.1 및 0.2 mg/kg/day 이었으며, cAOEL의 경우 benomyl과 carbendazim은 0.025, thiophanate-methyl은 0.08 mg/kg/day이었다. 만성 및 발암위해성평가를 위한 LADD는 benomyl 0.0038, carbendazim 0.0067 및 thiophanate-methyl 0.0081mg/kg/day로 산출되었다. 위의 수치를 이용하여 AOEL/exposure를 산출한 결과 급성위해성은 $0.28{\sim}1.5$, 만성 위해성은 $3.73{\sim}9.88$로서 작업자에 대한 급성 위해성은 보호장비를 착용할 경우 최대 90%까지 노출량이 감소하므로 보호장비 착용시 안전할 것으로 생각되었으며, 만성 위해성은 AOEL/exposure가 1 이상으로서 안전한 것으로 판단되었다. 발암위해성평가 결과는 보호장비를 착용할 경우 $9.12{\times}10^{-7}{\sim}1.13{\times}10^{-5}$으로 실제적인 농약살포 인자를 고려하여 평가하면 농약살포자에 대한 위해성은 없을 것으로 추정되나 보다 실제적인 노출성적을 이용한 농약살포 작업자 위해성평가가 필요하리라 판단된다.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.72-81
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure and risk assessment of residents near asbestos mines in Korea. Methods: To assess asbestos types and airborne concentrations, air monitoring was performed in the neighborhoods of Kwangcheon (KC) and Sinsuk (SS) mines, which were leading South Korean mines in the past. In addition, activity-based-sampling (ABS) of residents' particular activities were conducted in order to estimate the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risks (ELCRs) for the residents. Conclusions: The average concentration of airborne asbestos in KC was 0.0014 f/cc and 0.0015 f/cc by PCM and TEM, respectively. In SS it was equal at 0.0012 f/cc by PCM and TEM. No statistically significant difference was found in the average concentration of airborne asbestos between the two mines. The average asbestos concentration of ABS was 0.0048 f/cc (PCM) and 0.0042 f/cc (TEM) in KC, while it was 0.0137 f/cc (PCM) and 0.0125 f/cc (TEM) in SS. It was found that the average asbestos concentration of ABS in SS was statistically significantly higher than that of KC (p<0.01). The results of ELCRs by scenario in KC showed that the scenarios of bicycle, car, weed control, weed whacking, child playing in the dirt, and physical training fell within $1{\times}0^{-6}-1{\times}10^{-4}$, which is the acceptable range of ELCR. The scenarios of motorcycle, walker, digging, and field sweeping, however, exceeded the acceptable range. In SS, only the scenario of car fell within the acceptable range, while all of the other scenarios exceeded the acceptable range.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.425-437
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• 2015

Objectives: Risk assessment is a tool for predicting and reducing uncertainty related to the effects of future activities. Probability approaches are the main elements in risk assessment, but confusion about the interpretation and use of assessment factors often undermines the message of the analyses. The aim of this study is to provide a guideline for systematic reduction plans regarding uncertainty in risk assessment. Methods: Articles and reports were collected online using the key words "uncertainty analysis" on risk assessment. Uncertainty analysis was conducted based on reports focusing on procedures for analysis methods by the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In addition, case studies were performed in order to verify suggested methods qualitatively and quantitatively with exposure data, including measured data on toluene and styrene in residential spaces and multi-use facilities. Results: Based on an analysis of the data on uncertainty, three major factors including scenario, model, and parameters were identified as the main sources of uncertainty, and tiered approaches were determined. In the case study, the risk of toluene and styrene was evaluated and the most influential factors were also determined. Five reduction plans were presented: providing standard guidelines, using reliable exposure factors, possessing quality controls for analysis and scientific expertise, and introducing a peer review system. Conclusion: In this study, we established a method for reducing uncertainty by taking into account the major factors. Also, we showed a method for uncertainty analysis with tiered approaches. However, uncertainties are difficult to define because they are generated by many factors. Therefore, further studies are needed for the development of technical guidelines based on the representative scenario, model, and parameters developed in this study.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.90-99
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• 2023

Background: Quantitative risk assessments should be accompanied by uncertainty analyses of the risk models employed in the calculations. In this study, we aim to develop a computational code named SUMRAY for use in cancer risk projections from radiation exposure taking into account uncertainties. We also aim to make SUMRAY publicly available as a resource for further improvement of risk projection. Materials and Methods: SUMRAY has two versions of code written in R and Python. The risk models used in SUMRAY for all-solid-cancer mortality and incidence were those published in the Life Span Study of a cohort of the atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The confidence intervals associated with the evaluated risks were derived by propagating the statistical uncertainties in the risk model parameter estimates by the Monte Carlo method. Results and Discussion: SUMRAY was used to calculate the lifetime or time-integrated attributable risks of cancer under an exposure scenario (baseline rates, dose[s], age[s] at exposure, age at the end of follow-up, sex) specified by the user. The results were compared with those calculated using another well-known web-based tool, Radiation Risk Assessment Tool (RadRAT; National Institutes of Health), and showed a reasonable agreement within the estimated confidential interval. Compared with RadRAT, SUMRAY can be used for a wide range of applications, as it allows the risk projection with arbitrarily specified risk models and/or population reference data. Conclusion: The reliabilities of SUMRAY with the present risk-model parameters and their variance-covariance matrices were verified by comparing them with those of the other codes. The SUMRAY code is distributed to the public as an open-source code under the Massachusetts Institute of Technology license.

• 한국농공학회논문집
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.11-16
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• 2008

The effects of water and pesticide management practices on ponded water pesticide concentrations in a paddy plot were analysed using the RICEWQ model. The molinate which is a herbicide widely used in rice culture, and frequently detected in paddy environment was selected. In a previous study, the RICEWQ model was successfully calibrated with field data obtained from a paddy plot in Daegu. The calibrated model was run using water and pesticide management scenarios with a set of measured meteorological data for 1997-2006 in Daegu. For all three ponded water depths with the label rate application, the amount of molinate dissipated in ponded water and volatilized accounted for more than 70%, and the runoff losses were less than 9%. The molinate losses through drainage in the very shallow ponded depth showed 40% less than that in deep ponded depth. Comparing with the deep and shallow ponded depth, the very shallow depth was the best with regards to the reduction of molinate runoff losses. Simulations with different pesticide application rates, label rate and double label rate, showed molinate concentrations in the ponded water increased linearly with the application rate increase.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2008

A macroscopic finite element model is applied to investigate the effect of fire induced spalling on the response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Spalling is accounted for in the model through pore pressure calculations in concrete. The principles of mechanics and thermodynamics are applied to compute the temperature induced pore pressure in the concrete structures as a function of fire exposure time. The computed pore pressure is checked against the temperature dependent tensile strength of concrete to determine the extent of spalling. Using the model, case studies are conducted to investigate the influence of concrete permeability, fire scenario and axial restraint on the fire induced spalling and also on the response of RC beams. Results from the analysis indicate that the fire induced spalling, fire scenario, and axial restraint have significant influence on the fire response of RC beams. It is also shown that concrete permeability has substantial effect on the fire induced spalling and thus on the fire response of concrete beams. The fire resistance of high strength concrete beams can be lower that that of normal strength concrete beams due to fire induced spalling resulting from low permeability in high strength concrete.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.745-750
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• 2018

New exercise technology such as the virtual reality (VR)-based exercise system is required to meet soaring demand for target participants in exercises and to alleviate the difficulties in personnel mobilization through an alternative approach to the exercise system. In a previous study, event tree methodologies were introduced in setting up an exercise scenario of a VR-based radiological exercise system. In the scenario, the locations at which major events occur are rephrased as nodes, routes as paths, and public response actions as protective actions or contents of an exercise at individual locations. In the study, a model for estimating effective doses to the participants is proposed to evaluate the exercise system, using the effective dose rates at particular times and locations derived from a computer program. The effective dose received by a student when she/he follows a successful route is about a half of the dose received when she/he does not follow the exercise guide directions. In addition, elapsed time to finish an exercise when following a successful route is less than one-third of the time spent to finish an exercise when following the guide's directions.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.33-48
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• 2017

An optimum disposal plan of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) should be established to ensure long-term disposal safety at the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) disposal facility in Gyeongju. In this study, an optimum disposal system was suggested and preliminary post-closure safety assessment was performed. The DSRSs disposal system was composed of a rock cavern and near surface disposal facilities at the Gyeongju LILW disposal facility. The assessment was conducted using GoldSim program, and probabilistic assessment and sensitivity analysis were implemented to evaluate the uncertainties in the input parameters of natural barriers. Deterministic and probabilistic calculations indicated that the maximum dose was below the regulatory limits ($0.1mSvyr^{-1}$ for the normal scenario, $1mSvyr^{-1}$ for the well scenario). It was concluded that the DSRSs disposal system would maintain environmental safety over a long-time. Moreover, the partition coefficient of Np in host rock, Darcy velocity in host rock, and density of the host rock were the most sensitive parameters in predicting exposure dose in the safety assessment.