• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.150-164
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• 2000

This study was conducted at occupational health laboratories in Seoul and Gyunggi district area from December, 1999 to January, 2000. The main purpose of this study was to survey the actual condition of safety and health by questionnaire and checklist and to assess the performance of fume hoods and the airborne exposures to chemicals in the laboratories. The chemicals in the cabinet were not classified by hazardous properties and the compressed gases were not stored safely. The prevalences of laboratories having first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and safety showers were found to be 18%, 55%, and 9%, respectively. Most laboratory workers were not educated for safety and health. Also, there was no performance evaluation for hazards and risks. The fume hoods in laboratories had not been annually inspected by checklist and the face velocity had been checked more than one time in the previous year for only 18% of them. Five percent of fume hoods had the face velocity more than 4.0 m/sec and 17% had no capture performance. Detected organic solvents were methylenechloride, acetone, ethylbenzene, isopropanol, xylene, methylisobutylketone, trichloroethylene, and toluene. The concentrations of organic solvents were much less than the occupational exposure limits proposed by the Ministry of Labor in Korea. This study showed that the actual condition of safety and health was not appropriate for laboratory workers. It is recommended that laboratory workers should be educated for the treatment and storage of hazardous chemicals and compressed gases to improve the working environment of the occupational safety and health laboratories.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.186-189
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• 2019

Polypyrrole is a typical electrical conducting polymer, which has an excellent charge transport property. Cyclodextrins are a group of toxic-free and cyclic oligosaccharide molecules, capable of capturing low molecular weight chemicals. Considering these advantages, hybrid materials of polypyrrole and cyclodextrin can be used to detect hazardous compounds. Cyclodextrin molecules can accommodate toxic chemicals by the formation of host-guest complexes and generate electric signals, which are effectively delivered by polypyrrole backbone. In this study, the polypyrrole/cyclodextrin hybrid material was prepared using a facile wet method and included into a hydrogel. Subsequently, it was applied to a simple sensor system with a gold-patterned electrode for the detection of potentially hazardous material, methyl paraben. Compared with pristine polypyrrole, it was found that the polypyrrole/cyclodextrin hybrid showed an improved performance. This study can be an example of using environmentally benign conducting polymer/cyclodextrin hybrids as sensing media.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2019

Although the rare earth elements (REEs) recycling industry is expected to increase worldwide in hightech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hazards of cosmetic ingredients in Korea. Methods: An Excel database of cosmetic ingredients was developed on a website(Korea Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary) and used for a hazard assessment based on Tox-free, a database containing toxic information such as on carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants(CMRs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs), as well as other regulated chemicals in Korea. Results: A total of 16,605 chemicals were registered with the cosmetic ingredient dictionary and 308 of them were identified as either CMRs or EDCs. CMRs included formaldehyde and nickel gluconate, and EDCs included parabens, benzophenon, styrene, and toluene. Reproductive toxicants such as xylene, zinc chloride, toluene, and formaldehyde were regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances(the Chemical Control Act). Conclusions: Regulations on cosmetics components should be strengthened, and the right to know about cosmetics containing hazardous chemicals should be guaranteed.

• 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.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1277-1287
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• 2014

As concerns have been raised about health effects of children's products containing hazardous chemicals on children, the Korea Ministry of Environment announced 135 environmental hazardous substances in children's products (EHSCP) which were subject to risk assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the current status of EHSCP for management due to their various exposure routes and types. In this study, we investigated the exposure assessment of EHSCP as well as relevant policies implemented in domestic and foreign countries. Domestic and foreign cases of detection of EHSCP were reviewed in the literature and websites of related agencies. Due to the lack of reference values for child-specific toxicity of EHSCP, those for adults and regulatory status of EHSCP were also investigated and reviewed with literature. The related agencies of foreign countries provided 13 child-specific reference doses (RfDs), 76 RfDs, and 42 reference concentrations as toxicity reference values of the EHSCP. Among substances investigated in the studies to assess exposure of hazardous substances in children's products by the Korea Ministry of Environment, 23 substances were included in 135 EHSCP. The same studies identified 9 substances which were excluded from the 135 EHSCP. For regulatory status for hazardous substances in children's products, 44 substances (32.6 %) and 84 substances (62.2 %) of 135 EHSCP were under regulation in Korea and foreign countries, respectively. In the present study, we found that a list of 135 EHSCP should be revised to ensure children's safety.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 2010

Purpose: It is necessary for dental technicians exposed to hazardous chemicals in the dental laboratories to be informed of the various harmful effects of chemicals for their health and safety. The purposes of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the use of MSDS in dental laboratories and the recognition rate of MSDS for dental technicians. Methods: 231 dental technicians who were self-written questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS 12.0. The answers to the questionnaire underwent frequency analysis, chi-square test and correlation analysis were performed to investigate association between health effects and recognition rate of chemical information. Results: The results from the effects of damage caused by chemicals 60.7%, and when it was less than 2 years working experience 47.6%. Currently any dental laboratories(rooms) was not furnished MSDS(0%) and even similar data furnishing rate was only 17.3%. Answer rate of 'Do not know about MSDS' was 73.6%. In addition to, education in the types and characteristics of chemicals(74.5%) does not receive all the higher education. For the question of 'To prevent human risks and accidents, is to provide chemical information needed', the answer rate of 'needed' was 87.2%. Moreover, the answer rate of 'To provide chemical information that could prevent accidents' was 76.6%. Therefore it was found that dental technicians need to be provided for chemical information. In addition, they wanted to get education related to chemicals used in the workplace(80.5%), and 90.9% was answered that they was willing to keep MSDS in they workplace. Conclusion: This study investigated the current dental laboratories(rooms) and the MSDS for the awareness and recognition of workers was very low, education was not being conducted properly. The dental laboratories(rooms) of the compact characteristics of the MSDS was not reasonably accessible and the furnishing location, dental laboratories(rooms) for the real item was needed for improvement. MSDS for dental technicians through education and promotion of information about chemicals and chemicals was to prevent health problems caused by the MSDS that will raise awareness of the necessity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.590-595
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• 2015

Sampling campaigns were conducted for hazardous chemicals and heavy metals in influents and effluents of industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea for best management practices (BMPs) of those pollutants through the plants and the receiving water bodies. Twenty seven WWTPs, receiving wastewater from industrial complexes and treating more than $2,000m^3/day$, were selected for the sampling campaign. Influents and effluents of each WWTPs were sampled once a month (total three times per plant) between July and September, 2012, and analyzed for 22 hazardous water pollutants among 28 regulated for effluents limits in Korea. Concentrations of mercury, arsenic, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and benzene in the influents were relatively higher; concentrations of mercury and arsenic in effluents were relatively higher than those of other pollutants. Most of the hazardous chemicals and heavy metals were removed (including phase transfer) more than 60% through the treatment processes except for selenium (30% removal) and 1,4-dioxane (18% removal).

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.653-659
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• 2022

In this study, the awareness of hazardous chemicals and the need for education of dental hygienists were investigated. The subject of this study was an online survey of 103 dental hygienists working in medical institutions from June to August 2021 and analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program. As a result, work experience was positively correlated with perception (r=.280, p<0.01) and work (r=.303, p<0.01), and work experience with perception (r=.411, p<0.01).Hazardous chemical information showed a positive correlation with practice (r=.371, p<0.01). As a result of the education requirement survey, only 27.2% had experience in hazardous chemical education, and 96.1% of the awareness of the need for education was highly surveyed. As for the desired method of education, 49.5% of them were online education, and the desired time for education was 1 hour. Therefore, in order to create a safe working environment for dental hygienists and to secure the safety of hazardous chemicals, it was necessary to expand educational opportunities at universities, medical institutions, and maintenance education, and to increase accessibility through online education.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2005

The risk assessment is the qualitative or quantitative evaluation of the risk posed to human health and the environment by the actual or potential presence or release of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is assessed by the environmental criteria, and risk assessment is assessed by the risk rate. Risk rate based on dose-response values may not be easy to apply on regulatory basis like EIA for uncertainty. Internationally there is an example of OECD program. Risk assessment of High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals has started since the OECD Program with the 1990 Council Act on the Co-operative Investigation and Risk Reduction of Existing Chemicals. These HPV chemicals include all chemicals produced or imported at levels greater than 1,000 tonnes per year in at least one Member country or in the European Union region. The SIDS called the Screening Information Data Set is regarded as the minimum information needed to assess an HPV chemical to determine whether any further work should be carried out or not. All the data elements of SIDS including assessment for environment and health are prepared as three formats of the full SIDS Dossier, the SIDS Initial Assessment Report (SIAR), and the SIDS Initial Assessment Profile (SIAP) of an HPV chemical. In 1998 the global chemical industry through the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has joined to work with OECD. The OECD has assessed approximately 1,000 chemicals from 1991 through 2004 with ICCA. Till the February of 2005, 592 chemicals of those chemicals completed SIDS reports. Member countries have been targeted the goal of 1,000 new chemicals from 2005 to 2010 and Korea shared 36 chemicals from the 1,000 new chemicals. Currently Korea has completed SIDS reports of 7 chemicals among sponsored 24 chemicals. In conclusion SIDS project will be linked to national program for outputs application with more reliable production. Both the OECD and industry will carry out their commitment to complete assessments for more and the remaining chemicals assessment. The major outputs will contribute to cope with international chemical management.