• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.413-417
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• 2003

The last few decades have seen drastic growth in the use of brominated flame retardants(BFRs). There is the problems of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins(PBDDS) and polybrominated dibenzofurans(PBDFs) generation as by-products in combustion process of BFRs. PBDDs/PBDFs are highlighted the new pollutants of environmental contamination, recently. In this study, the 10 kinds of PBDDs/PBDFs standards were used to perform the experiments of recoveries. The analysis of PBDDs/PBDFs in soil environmental samples. was carried out. In silica gel column cleanup, PBDDs/PBDFs eluted until 80mL of n-hexane, and the recovery was obtained 73∼105%. In multi-layer silica gel column cleanup, the recovery was obtained 56∼125% with various elution solvents. In alumina clean process, the standard mixture(PBDES, PBDDs/PBDFs) eluted the first fraction of 2% dichloromethane with n-hexane in the range of 0∼100mL, PBDEs compounds eluted in the second fraction of 50% dichloromethane with n-hexane. In activated carbon column cleanup, the PBBEs eluted to the first fraction(n-hexane) and second fraction(toluene), but PBDDs/PBDFs only eluted to the second fraction. The analytical methods of PBDDs/PBDFs for soil was established based on the experimental results of the environmental samples.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2023

Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.247-262
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• 2011

This study assessed the health risks of childhood exposure to PBDEs via different possible pathways in children's facilities and indoor playgrounds. When PBDE contamination was measured, it was determined through multiple routes, including inhalation of indoor dust, dermal contact with product surfaces and children's hands, and incidental dust ingestion. Samples were collected from various children's facilities (playrooms, daycare centers, kindergartens, and indoor playgrounds) during summer (Jul-Sep, 2007) and winter (Jan-Feb, 2008). The hazard index (HI) was estimated for non-carcinogens, and PBDEs, such as TeBDE, PeBDE, HxBDE, and DeBDE, were examined. The sensitivity to the compounds did not exceed 1.0 (HI) for any of the subjects in any facility. However, current data about toxicity does not reflect effects that were fully sensitive in children, so there is uncertainty in the dose-response data. The contribution rates of PBDEs were 71.4 to 96.1% and 3.7 to 28.2% for intake and inhalation exposure, respectively, indicating that intake of floor dust and inhalation are the primary routes.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

The combustion characteristics of cypress wood coated with boric acid (BA) and ammonium pentaborate (APB) were examined using a cone calorimeter according to the ISO 5660-1 standard. As a result, the combined specimens of boric acid and ammonium pentaborate (BA/APB) led to an improved fire performance index due to their synergistic effect. In addition, the total heat release values of the specimen coated with the boron compounds were 6.1~14.1% lower than that of the base specimen. The total smoke release rate (TSR) of the specimens coated with the boron compound decreased throughout the combustion process, except for BA/APB. The maximum concentration of carbon monoxide was reduced by 15.8~25.5%. In general, wood treated with flame retardants has a lower fire hazard.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to understand the content characteristic of polybrominated biphenyl ethers in indoor household dust. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as additive brominated flame retardants (BFR) in electrical and electronic equipment, and insulation in the indoor environment, and may be released indoors via volatilization or as dusts. The indoor household dust samples were collected from January to December in 2011 and measured for the concentrations, congener profiles and possible sources of PBDEs. The concentrations of 22 congeners of PBDEs (the sum of PBDEs 47, 49, 66, 71, 77, 85, 99, 100, 119, 126, 138, 153, 154, 156, 183, 184, 191, 196, 197, 206, 207 and 209) were 35.22~575.88 ng/g for apartment dust samples and 524.44 ng/g for laboratory dust sample. The eight congeners of BDE-47, 153, 183, 196, 197, 206, 207, and 209 are detected in the more than 1 ng/g. The three congeners of BDE-206, 207 and 209 in all dust samples were detected.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2012

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are used in a variety of consumer products. Several of those are produced in large quantities. Their chemical structure similarities to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as their toxicity, has been studied. PBDEs are persistent and lipophilic, which results in their bioaccumulation in the fatty tissues of organisms and enrichment throughout food chains. In addition, a number of studies also reported high levels of PBDEs in animals and food resulting from the use of contaminated animal feed Public concern about PBDEs levels in animals and food has been raised. Feed contamination by toxic chemicals has been the cause of the contamination of poultry products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PBDEs in pig feed to search the origin chase of POPs in pigs. Feed samples were obtained wheat from East Europe, corn from South America and America, soybean meal from Korea, America, South America and India and tallow from Korea. The preparation of samples was based on the EPA method 1614. Instrumental analysis was based on the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Quantification was carried out by the isotopic dilution method. The analysis of ${\Sigma}PBDEs$ involved 22 PBDE congeners, including BDE-17, 28, 47, 49, 66, 71, 77, 85, 99, 100, 119, 126, 138, 153, 154, 156, 183, 184, 190, 191, 196 and 197.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.477-484
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• 2010

Personal care products are a diverse group of synthetic organic chemicals such as antimicrobial compounds, UV filters and organo-phosphate flame retardants and derived from individual usages of soaps, toothpaste and cosmetics. It has been detected in municipal sewage effluent and various environmental samples such as surface water, marine, soil, sediment and aquatic biota in many countries. The occurrence of personal care products in environmental samples could negatively impact the health of the ecosystem and humans, due to persistent, long-term chronic exposure of aquatic organisms. In this study, fifteen personal care products in aquatic environmental samples were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with liquidliquid extraction (LLE). Method detection limits were in the range of $0.004\sim0.273\;{\mu}g/L$. Two compounds (TCEP, TCPP) were detected in surface waters and seven compounds (triclosan, 4-MBC, EHMC, BP-3, TCEP, TPP, TBEP) were detected in sewage treatment plants (STP) influents or effluents.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2012

Total 11 samples of sediments from the Geum river and the Nakdong river and its estuaries were analyzed to investigate the distribution characteristics of PBDEs and HBCD. Concentration of PBDEs in sediments ranged from 2.19~101.34 (average 30.70, median 20.91) ng/g-dw. The concentration range of PBDEs in river sediments is greater than those of estuary sediments. The HBCD concentration was ranged from N.D.~7.85 (average 1.47, median 0.32) ng/g-dw. HBCD concentrations compared with PBDEs are approximately 1/20 level, which is associated with low domestic usage. Isomer patterns of PBDEs and HBCD suggested that not only the use of commercial products, but the physicochemical properties of these materials, environmental degradation, and environmental behavior could affect the distribution characteristics of these chemicals and their isomers.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.754-768
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• 2017

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of industrial aromatic organobromine chemicals that have been used since the 1970s as flame retardants in a wide range of consumer products and articles, including plastics, computers, textiles and upholstery. Commercial PBDEs were added to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants in May 2009. PBDEs are still frequently found in sludge and effluent from wastewater treatment plants, even though commercial PBDEs were prohibited or voluntarily phased out several years ago. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are not designed to effectively remove PBDEs. This indicates that there is an urgent need for new developments and improvements to enhance upon the treatment techniques which are currently available. Several studies have suggested the potential removal and degradation technologies for PBDEs in wastewater. In this study, the concentrations and compositional profiles of PBDE congeners in sludge and effluent are investigated by analyzing the relevant literature data in relation to their usage patterns in commercial products in North America and South Korea. The strengths and weaknesses of the current PBDEs removal techniques (i.e., biodegradation, zero-valent iron, photolysis, sorption, etc.) are discussed critically. In addition, future research direction regarding the treatment and removal of PBDEs from wastewater is also suggested, based on the literature review.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.300-316
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• 2002

The extraction methods of PBBs from environmental samples by soxhlet extraction for solid phase and liquid-liquid extraction for liquid phase were compared. After extraction, silicagel and florisil as column clean up methods were used for the comparison of cleanup efficiency with different solvent system. Also, the analytical instruments were used GC/MSD. The 22 kinds of PBBs standards were used to establish the analytical methods to perform the experiments of recoveries and detection limits in water and soil. The detection limits of PBBs represented 5~10 ng/L for water and 0.5~3.5 ng/g for soil samples, respectively. The recoveries of water samples represented 96~107% in n-hexane, dichloromethane and toluene for water, and 60~80% in combined solvent with n-hexane and acetone. The recoveries of soil sample were surveyed 67~97% in soxhlet extraction and 64~76% in ultrasonic extraction with selected solvents.