• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.42-48
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• 2023

An adult male Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) with ataxia and lethargy was rescued. Through the necropsy of this otter with neurological symptoms, a broad range of vascular damage caused by mercury toxicity in several organs, hepatocellular necrosis, and vacuolation in the brain. In mercury examination, liver, kidney, and hair showed values of 0.878 ± 0.027, 1.807 ± 0.049, and 5.712 ± 0.102 ㎍/g, respectively. Compared with certified reference material, it was confirmed that the concentration of mercury were 6.7 times, 13.7 times, and 43.3 times higher, respectively. When the symptoms and diagnosis results were comprehensively reviewed, this otter's demise was revealed due to mercury poisoning. The mercury concentration in the liver does not exceed the lowest observed effect level of 3.4 ㎍/g. However, even at low concentrations, long-term accumulation can cause symptoms including neuropathy, and the possibility that these heavy metals have accumulated in other wild animals cannot be ruled out. It seems that continuous monitoring using sentinel animals is necessary.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.161-168
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• 2020

식물 종마다 잎에 미세먼지(PM)를 흡착하는 정도가 서로 다르며 잎을 통해 PM을 흡수할 수 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. PM에 포함된 중금속은 인체 및 식물에 영향을 미칠 수 있으며 입자 크기에 따라 미치는 영향이 다를 수 있다. 따라서 충북대학교 내 도로변에 위치한 회양목 (Buxus koreana), 주목 (Taxus cuspidate), 철쭉 (Rhododendron yedoense), 이팝나무 (Chionanthus retusa)와 같은 가로수 잎에 축적된 PM을 입자 크기(PM_>10 및 PM_2.5-10)에 따라 분획 및 정량화하였다. 잎에 축적된 크기 별 PM의 금속 농도는 유도 결합 플라스마 질량 분석법(ICP-MS)으로 분석하였다. 나무 잎 표면에 축적된 PM_>10의 질량은 6.11-32.7 ㎍/㎠, PM_2.5-10의 질량은 0-14.8 ㎍/㎠이었다. 잎 표면에 홈이 있고 털을 갖고 있는 철쭉이 작은 PM 입자를 잘 유지하고 있었으며 광택이 있는 잎 표면을 가진 주목과 회양목은 많은 PM을 축적하고 있었다. PM은 Al, Ca, Mg, Fe와 같은 지각 구성 원소와 Cu, Pb, Zn와 같은 중금속을 포함하고 있었다. 지각 구성 원소의 농도는 PM_>10 입자에서 더 높았고, 중금속 농도는 PM_2.5-10 입자에서 상대적으로 더 높았다. 잎에 흡수된 Mn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn과 PM_2.5-10의 중금속 농도는 유의한 상관관계를 보여 나무 잎을 통해 PM이 흡수될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.101-106
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• 2006

The work of hairdressers includes washing, coloring, bleaching, permanent waving, conditioning, and cutting hair. Hairdressers are subjected to a number of physical and toxicological hazards. The toxicological hazards are those resulting from exposure to a wide range of chemicals that are usually classified active processes. In this study, twenty beauty shops were selected to assess the exposure to indoor air pollutants such as VOCs and particulate matter $(PM_{10})$ during one month from September 1 to September 30, 2003. Indoor air quality of beauty shops might be worse by vehicle emissions because the beauty shops were generally located near roadways. Personal exposures to VOCs and $PM_{10}$ were related to indoor concentrations of beauty shops. According to the questionnaire, hairdressers complained of sore throat, eye irritation, and nervousness as physical symptoms. The measured mean concentrations of respiratory particulates were $30.5ng/m^3$ in indoor, $30.5ng/m^3$ in outdoor and $44.0ng/m^3$ on personal levels. The personal concentration was found higher than indoor and outdoor concentrations. The heavy metals mean concentrations were shown as indoor (Na>Zn>Cr), outdoor (Cr>Zn>Pb), and personal (Na>Cr>Zn) levels. Conclusively, customers as well as workers in the beauty shops might be highly exposed to air pollutants from indoor and outdoor sources. Therefore, proper management should be taken to improve the indoor air quality in beauty shops.