• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.315-325
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• 2013

The possibility of acute hepatotoxicity caused by dimethylformamide (DMF) requires regular monitoring of the workers who are using DMF to prevent the occupational disease. The authors performed ambient and biological monitoring of workers involved in synthetic leather manufacturing processes using DMF to assess the correlation between the markers of ambient and biological monitoring of DMF. The authors monitored 142 workers occupationally exposed to DMF from 19 workshops in the synthetic leather and ink manufacturing industries located in northern region of Gyeonggi-do. The subjects answered questionnaire on work procedure and use of personal protective equipment to be classified by exposure type. DMF in air samples collected using personal air samplers, diffusive and active sampler, was analysed using gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) with DB-FFAP column (length 30 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 ${\mu}m$). Urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) was analysed using gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD) at selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode with DB-624 column (length 60 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 1.40 ${\mu}m$). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of the ambient DMF was $6.85{\pm}3.43$ ppm, and GM and GSD of urinary NMF was $42.3{\pm}2.7$ mg/L. The ratio of subjects with DMF level over 10 ppm was 44%, and those with urinary NMF over 15 mg/L was 87%. NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air was $4.61{\pm}2.57$ mg/L/ppm and $9.50{\pm}2.41$ mg/L/ppm, respectively, with or without respirator. There was seasonal differences of NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air, $7.63{\pm}2.74$ mg/L/ppm in summer and $4.53{\pm}2.29$ mg/L/ppm in winter. The urinary NMF concentration which corresponds to 10 ppm of ambient DMF was 52.7 mg/L (r=0.650, n=128). Considering the difference of the route of exposure which resulted from the compliance of wearing personal protective equipment, the estimated contribution of respiratory and dermal exposure route for DMF was 48.5% vs. 51.5%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.28-36
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• 2018

There was a difference in recognition of respirators according to the educational performance environment. they were showed higher recognition of respirators of group by internal and external mix trainer, less than 6 months, over 1hour, more than 5 times, variety of education. To identify the relationship between types of job classification(typical and atypical)and the levels of recognition of respirators, a total of 153 workers in a business workplace. mainly, typical workers showed higher recognition of respirators than atypical workers. Training of correct wearing showed high demands both typical and atypical workers. Descriptive statistics(SAS ver 9.2)was performed. the results of recognition of respirators were analyzed the mean and standard deviation by t-test, and anova, fit factor is used geometric means(geometric standard deviation), paired t-test, Wilcoxon analysis(P=0.05). Particulate filtering facepiece respirators (PFFR) is one of the most widely used items of personal protective equipments, and a tight fit of the respirators on the wearers is critical for the protection effectiveness. In order to effectively protect the workers through the respirators, it is important to find and evaluate the ways that can be readily applicable at the workplace to improve the fit of the respirators. This study was designed to evaluate effects of mask style (cup or foldable type) and donning training on fit factors (FF) of the respirators, since these are available at various workplace, especially at small business workplace. A total of 40 study subjects, comprised of employment type workers in metalworking industries, were enrolled in this study. The FF were quantitatively measured before and after training related to the proper donning and use of cup or foldable-type respirators. The pass/fail criterion of FF was set at 100. After the donning training for the cup-type mask, fit test were increased by 769%. but foldable-type mask was also increased after the donning training, the GM of FF for the foldable-type mask and it's increase rate were smaller as compared to the cup-type mask. Furthermore, the differences of the increase rates of the GM of FF in employment type of the subjects were not significantly for the foldable-type mask. These results imply that the raining on the donning and use of PFFR can enhance the protection effectiveness of cup or foldable-type mask, and that the training effects for the foldable-type mask is less significant than that for the cup-type mask. Therefore, it is recommended that the donning training and fit tests should be conducted before the use of the PFFR, and listening to workers opinion regularly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.245-253
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• 2006

We evaluated the relations among exposure and urinary levels of Cr, folate, vitamin $B_{12}$ and Hcy levels in the workers chronically exposure to Cr. Subjects were 104 male employees, 65 workers exposed to Cr in 9 electroplating plants and 39 office workers who had never been occupationally exposed to hazardous substances including Cr. The geometric mean(GM) of Cr in workplace was $0.069{\pm}0.101mg/m^3$ and urinary Cr was $0.483{\pm}0.394mg/g$ creatinine and airborne Cr concentration was significantly correlated to the urinary concentration of Cr(r=0.900, p=0.000). The geometric mean concentration of urinary Cr in control group was $0.301{\pm}0.255mg/g$ creatinine. In comparing the workers exposed to Cr with controls, significantly higher mean plasma levels were found of Hcy($11.3{\pm}4.9$ vs $9.4{\pm}4.7{\mu}mol/{\ell}$, p=0.05), but vitamin $B_{12}$ levels ($181.8{\pm}68.7$ vs $216.0{\pm}64.3nmol/{\ell}$, p=0.01) was significantly decreased. Hcy concentrations correlated positively with airborne Cr concentrations(r=0.287, p=0.004) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=0.244, p=0.015) but folate concentrations correlated negatively with airborne(r=-0.234, p=0.020) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=-0.640, p=0.090), respectively. No correlations were observed between vitamin $B_{12}$, airborne and urinary Cr concentrations. Also, Hcy concentrations correlated positively with vitamin $B_{12}$(r=0.295, p=0.0020 and negatively with folate concentrations(r=-0.196, p=0.046). The various biological(i.e. age and serum indicates) or lifestyle factors(i.e. medication, smoking, alcohol and coffee intake), also taken into account as potential confounders, did not influence the correlations found. Thus, this study found evidence that Cr might be associated with elevated plasma levels of Hcy. Furthermore, elevated plasma levels of Hcy were significantly associated with folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to suggest an optimal method by comparing the analysis methods of work environment measurement datasets including left-censored data where one or more measurements are below the limit of detection (LOD). Methods: A computer program was used to generate left-censored datasets for various combinations of censoring rate (1% to 90%) and sample size (30 to 300). For the analysis of the censored data, the simple substitution method (LOD/2), β-substitution method, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method, Bayesian method, and regression on order statistics (ROS)were all compared. Each method was used to estimate four parameters of the log-normal distribution: (1) geometric mean (GM), (2) geometric standard deviation (GSD), (3) 95th percentile (X95), and (4) arithmetic mean (AM) for the censored dataset. The performance of each method was evaluated using relative bias and relative root mean squared error (rMSE). Results: In the case of the largest sample size (n=300), when the censoring rate was less than 40%, the relative bias and rMSE were small for all five methods. When the censoring rate was large (70%, 90%), the simple substitution method was inappropriate because the relative bias was the largest, regardless of the sample size. When the sample size was small and the censoring rate was large, the Bayesian method, the β-substitution method, and the MLE method showed the smallest relative bias. Conclusions: The accuracy and precision of all methods tended to increase as the sample size was larger and the censoring rate was smaller. The simple substitution method was inappropriate when the censoring rate was high, and the β-substitution method, MLE method, and Bayesian method can be widely applied.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.209-223
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• 1998

The aim of this study was to evaluate welders' exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and nickel (Ni) during welding operations in a Korean shipyard. The airborne Cr(VI) and Ni concentrations were measured during metal inert gas (MIG) welding on mild and stainless steel, and manual metal arc (MMA) welding on mild steel. The geometric mean (GM) of Cr(VI) concentrations inside the welding helmet during MIG welding on mild steel were $0.0018mg/m^3$ inside a ship section, and $0.0015-0.0026mg/m^3$ at the welding shops. All of the personal breathing zone air samples were below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value ($TLV^{(R)}$) of $0.01mg/m^3$. Conversely, eighty-eight percent(21 of 24) of the personal breathing zone air samples exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit of $0.001mg/m^3$. Ni was not detected on 20 of 23 air samples collected during MIG welding on mild steel. The three Ni samples above the limit of detection ranged from 0.015 to $0.044mg/m^3$. The GM of Cr(VI) concentrations during MMA welding on mild steel were $0.0013mg/m^3$, but Ni was not detected in the air samples during this operation. It is assumed that the airborne Cr(VI) and Ni during mild steel welding were derived from the base metals which contained about 0.03% Cr and 0.03% Ni. The GM of airborne total Cr, Cr(VI) and Ni concentrations during MIG welding on stainless steel were 4.02, 0.13 and $0.86mg/m^3$, respectively, and the levels of Cr(VI) and Ni were above the ACGIH-$TLV^{(R)}$. Cr(VI) comprised about 35.5% of the total chromium(Cr) from MIG welding on mild steel, and about 8.4% of total Cr from MIG welding on stainless steel. The ratios of Cr(VI) to total Cr were significantly different among welding shops. It was concluded that welders were exposed to high levels of Cr(VI) and Ni during welding on stainless steel, and were exposed to low levels of Cr(VI) even during welding on mild steel.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.345-352
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• 2014

Objectives: This study is aimed to describe the current situation about urinary biomarker N-methylformamide(NMF) for workers exposed to N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF) according to industrial classification. Materials: Special health examination records of the workers who had undergone urinary biological monitoring in 2013 were collected. The numbers and percentage of workers, whose urinary NMF values were above the limit of detection(LOD) and above the biological exposure index(BEI) were calculated. Health relatedness with DMF as judged by their doctors was also described. All description was classified according to the $9^{th}$ Korean Standard Industrial Classification(KSIC). Results: It appeared that most workers exposed to DMF belong to manufacturing section(80.7%). The geometric mean(GM) values of urinary NMF were 6.25 mg/L, 3.54, and 3.86 for the manufacturing section, professional, scientific and technical activities section, and for the construction section respectively. In detail, it seemed that division of textiles(except apparel) (GM 7.51 mg/L), division of leather, luggage and footwear(11.59 mg/L), and division of rubber and plastic products(6.89 mg/L) were highly exposed to DMF with a high percentage of workers with urinary NMF values above BEI. This was probably due to the effect of skin absorption that the division of leather, luggage and footwear showed the highest urine NMF GM. Conclusions: It seemed that workers in manufacture industries such as textile, leather, luggage, footwear, rubber and plastic products were highly exposed to DMF. So, efforts should be focused on those industries in order to effectively diminish worker's exposure. Further studies to compare DMF air-monitoring with bio-monitoring according to industrial classification should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-152
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toluene diisocyanates (TDIs) exposure among polyurethane waterproofing workers in the construction industry. Methods: Task-based personal air samplings were carried out at seven construction sites using organic vapor monitor for VOCs (n=88) and glass fiber filters coated with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine(1-2PP) for TDIs (n=81). The concentration of VOCs and TDIs were shown for four different work types(mixing paint, primer roller painting, urethane resin spread painting, painter assistant) at five different worksites (rooftop, ground parking lot, piloti, bathroom, and swimming pool). The two TDI sampling methods (filter vs impinger) were evaluated in parallel to compare the concentrations. Results: The geometric mean(GM) concentration of VOCs Exposure Index (EI) was highest for primer roller painting (1.4), followed in order by, urethane resin spread painting (0.85), mixing paint (0.53), and painter assistant (0.35) by work types. The GM of VOCs EI was highest for bathroom (1.4) followed in order by, swimming pool (0.85), piloti (0.89), ground parking lot (0.82) and rooftop (0.57) by worksites. The GM of 2,4-/2,6-TDI concentration was 0.052 ppb and 0.432 ppb each. There was no statistical difference in TDIs concentrations among worksites. The concentration of 2,6-TDI was ten times higher than that of 2,4-TDI. The concentration of 2,6-TDI by impinger method was 5.7 times higher than that by filter method. Conclusions: In this study, we found 38.6% of the VOCs samples exceeded the occupational exposure limits and 19.8% of the 2,6-TDI samples exceeded 1 ppb among polyurethane waterproofing workers. The most important determinants that increase the concentration of VOCs and TDIs was indoor environment and primer painting work.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2022

Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.439-444
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• 2021

Background: In a previous study, we estimated exposure prevalence and the number of workers exposed to carcinogens by industry in Korea. The present study aimed to evaluate the optimal exposure intensity indicators of airborne lead exposure by comparing to blood lead measurements for the future development of the carcinogen exposure intensity database. Methods: Data concerning airborne lead measurements and blood lead levels were collected from nationwide occupational exposure databases, compiled between 2015 and 2016. Summary statistics, including the arithmetic mean (AM), geometric mean (GM), and 95th percentile level (X95) were calculated by industry both for airborne lead and blood lead measurements. Since many measurements were below the limits of detection (LODs), the simple replacement with half of the LOD and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods were used for statistical analysis. For examining the optimal exposure indicator of airborne lead exposure, blood lead levels were used as reference data for subsequent rank correlation analyses. Results: A total of 19,637 airborne lead measurements and 32,848 blood lead measurements were used. In general, simple replacement showed a higher correlation than MLE. The results showed that AM and X95 using simple replacement could be used as optimal exposure intensity indicators, while X95 showed better correlations than AM in industries with 20 or more measurements. Conclusion: Our results showed that AM or X95 could be potential candidates for exposure intensity indicators in the Korean carcinogen exposure database. Especially, X95 is an optimal indicator where there are enough measurements to compute X95 values.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2014

Objectives: Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical component in polycarbonate plastic with which many people come into contact every day. A great deal of controversy has arisen over its safety since this material, which is known to disrupt the human endocrine system and cause neurological difficulties and cancer, is commonplace in beverage containers, food can liners, and receipt paper rolls. In this study, we determined the levels of exposure to BPA of workers in the service industry depending on the number of receipts contacted. Methods: The participants were 16 male and 18 female workers employed in the service industry. Using a questionnaire, we investigated general and job characteristics. Urine samples were collected and analyzed by the LC-MS/MS technique after enzymatic hydrolysis and solid phase extraction (SPE). Results: The geometric mean (GM) concentration of urinary BPA from all subjects was 1.02 ng/ml. Workers were exposed significantly to more BPA according to the number of receipts they contacted, their work experience, and working hours per day. The BPA concentration of those who touched more than 100 receipts per day was 3.09 ng/ml, while that of the other participants was 0.61 ng/ml. It was shown that wearing gloves can protect from BPA exposure. Conclusion: We determined the urinary BPA concentrations of workers in service industry and found that the contact with receipts could increase the BPA exposure of service workers.