• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 2021

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to introduce the development process of work situations and types in the revised regulations on wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for hazardous chemical handlers, analyze the implementation of the regulations, and then provide basic data for future education strategies. Methods: The development process of work situations for regulation was explained through a flowchart by year. In 2018, a survey of 30 chemical managers and 201 managers and handlers was conducted based on recognition of work situations and the related regulations. In 2019, 91 chemical managers and 204 handlers were surveyed to find the degree of compliance with regulations, direction for improvement of understanding the regulations, and training methods. Results: Only 78.0% of chemical managers and 66.7% of handlers said they were aware of the regulations (p<0.05). Just 79.0% of handlers knowing the regulations said they would wear PPE in compliance with these regulations. Therefore, the best way to make workers wear proper PPE in accordance with regulations is to strengthen the promotion of education on regulations. In order to improve the quality of education, 51.7% of managers and 33.3% of handlers cited educational content (video, ppt, etc.) as the top priority. Conclusion: This study suggested that more educational opportunities should be provided and educational content should be developed in order for workers handling hazardous chemicals to wear PPE as prescribed in regulations.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.755-767
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• 2014

Chlorine is one of the most produced and most used non-flammable chemical substances in the world even though its toxicity and high reactivity cause the ozone layer depletion. However, in modern life, it is impossible to live a good life without using Chlorine and its derivatives since they are being used as an typical ingredient in more than 40 percent of the manufactured goods including medicines, detergents, deodorant, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and plastic, etc. Even if Chlorine has been handled and distributed in various business (small and medium-sized businesses, water purification plants, distribution company, etc.), there have been few researches about its possible health hazard and transportation risks. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to make a detailed assessment of Chlorine-related risks and to model an index of chemicals transportation risks that is adequate for domestic circumstances. The assessment of possible health hazard and transportation risks was made on 13 kinds of hazardous chemicals, including liquid chlorine. This research may be contributed to standardizing the risk assessment of Chlorine and other hazardous chemicals by using an index of transportation risks.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of worker exposure to hazardous chemical substances and propose the direction of work environment management for protecting worker's health in the semiconductor assembly process. Methods: Four assembly lines at two semiconductor manufacturing companies were selected for this study. We investigated the types of chemicals that were used and generated during the assembly process, and evaluated the workers' exposure levels to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde and the current work environment management in the semiconductor assembly process. Results: Most of the chemicals used at the assembly process are complex mixtures with high molecular weight such as adhesives and epoxy molding compounds(EMCs). These complex mixtures are stable when they are used at room temperature. However workers can be exposed to volatile organic compounds(VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde when they are used at high temperature over $100^{\circ}C$. The concentration levels of benzene and formaldehyde in chip molding process were higher than other processes. The reason was that by-products were generated during the mold process due to thermal decomposition of EMC and machine cleaner at the process temperature($180^{\circ}C$). Conclusions: Most of the employees working at semiconductor assembly process are exposed directly or indirectly to various chemicals. Although the concentration levels are very lower than occupational exposure limits, workers can be exposed to carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde. Therefore, workers employed in the semiconductor assembly process should be informed of these exposure characteristics.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2013

In Toxic Chemicals Control Act chemicals manufacture, import, sell, use, emission handling throughout the process leading monitoring system is based on. This is to prevent illegal distribution of chemicals, proper management is derived. However, monitoring of check the system vary sector, inspection agencies Environmental office & local government are divided. For this reason, the sharing of information & business hard to maintain the connectivity. chemical handling overall management status for the comprehensive & systematic analyzes. This should establish measures to improve business management.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.232-244
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to develop a management system for the safe handling of chemicals and related health management based on reporting under the Chemical Control Act (CCA). It is used to search handling information by constructing data linked to the name of companies, chemicals, products, etc. Methods: Due to the differences in submission periods for each reporting regulation of the Chemical Control Act, the data used is as follows: A statistical survey collected 26,222 companies in 2014 and 2016, Pollutant Release Transfer Registers (PRTR) collected 4,234 companies in 2015-2017, performance reports by handlers of hazardous chemical substances collected 14,658 companies in 2016-2018, and declarations for import of toxic chemicals collected 892 companies in 2016-2017. The total information on 36,080 companies is standardized based on company ID, name, business registration number, address, and more. The data were classified into information such as company, chemical, and product name and amounts handled and released, and then extracted according to criteria to establish relationships among classified information. Results: A search service was developed for handling information on chemical substances for reporting data by linking four reporting data: statistical survey, PRTR, performance report by handler of hazardous chemical substances, and declaration for import of toxic chemicals under the CCA. It was composed of five menus to search by regulation type, reporting regulation, companies and chemicals, and system management. Conclusion: It is necessary to use data linked by company, region, and chemical to respond and to prevent chemical accidents. In addition, these items can be utilized to perform handling and safety management of chemicals according to whether regulations under the CCA may be implemented.

• KOREAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-43
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• 2010

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.11 no.3_4
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• pp.45-51
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• 1996

Histopathological changes of gills and caudal fins isolated from fishes, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, and Hernibarbus labeo, which were killed by oxygen deficiency or toxic chemicals, were studied. The toxic chemicals were HCl, NaOH, chloroform, benzene, heavy metals(Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Hg), and o-dichlorobenzene. The exposure level was enough to kill the fishes within 30 minutes. Oxygen deficient water was prepared by aeration of nitrogen gas and the oxygen concentration was less than l ppm. Cryocutting was used for the rapid preparation of tissue slides and the tissues were stained by hematoxylin/eosin. In the fishes killed by hazardous chemicals, congestion and/or hyperplasia of secondary lamella and erosion of fin were found as the major histopathological changes. Whereas, these characteristics were not observed in gills or caudal fins of fishes killed by oxygen deficiency. These different bioindications appeared in the fishes killed by toxic substances or natural causes, can be used for the rapid identification of the causes of fish kills.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.27-31
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• 1998

Motor vehicle exhaust is the major cause to the air contamination in Seoul. It includes many toxic chemicals to human health such as aidehyde, PAHs, benzene, xylene, toluene, benzo[a]pyrene, nickel, arsenic and cadmium in gasoline exhaust and formaldehyde, PAHs, 1,3-butadiene, benzene and particulate matter in diesel exhaust. Some chemicals out of them are classified as a human carcinogen. Many large diesel vehicles such as buses and trucks are drivened frequently in Seoul so that the air in Seoul is seriously contaminated by diesel exhaust, especially particulate matter. The amounts of particulate matter from large diesel vehicles may be estimated to be more than 50% of small dust in Seoul. The particles of particulate matter are coated with many toxic chemicals and some of these are considered as a human carcinogen. The cancer risk has to be throughly managed because the population density of Seoul is very high. Government should list hazardous air pollutants in Seoul, assess the exposure of people to toxic pollutants, especially carcinogens and manage human health risk.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2012

Objectives: Hazard identification is the most important step in occupational health monitoring at the workplace. This paper reviewed the several related stuffs to the hazard identification in the semiconductor industry. Methods: I checked the MSDS system, chemical toxic informations, trade secrets and by-products by experience and the literature used in semiconductor industry. Results: I found and experienced as follows; (1) There are a few inventory and history of chemicals used in workplace. Toxic information of chemicals to be available is very limited. (2) There are many trade secrets in MSDS for chemical mixtures. It is difficult to identify the accurate information from MSDS. (3) By-products is necessary to identify that they will produce in workplace. Conclusions: It is necessary to regulate the obligations of employers which check the inventory and history of chemicals used in workplace. It is necessary to amend the trade secrets in MSDS system.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.430-437
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• 2016

Objectives: The new Chemical Control Act from the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014-259) simply states only in basic phrases that every worker handling the listed chemicals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and does not consider the different hazard characteristics of particular chemicals or work types. The purpose of this study was to produce an exposure risk matrix and assign PPE to the categories of this matrix, which would be useful for revising the act to suggest PPE to suit work types or situations. Methods: An exposure risk matrix was made using hazard ranks of chemicals and workplace exposure risks in the previous study. For the 20 categories of exposure risk matrix PPE, levels A, B, C, D as classified by OSHA/EPA were assigned. After 69 hazardous chemicals were divided into 11 groups according to their physiochemical characteristics, respirators, chemical protective clothing (CPC), gloves and footwear were suggested on the basis of the assigned PPE levels. Results: PPE table sheets for the 11 groups were made on the basis of work types or situations. Full facepiece or half-mask for level C was recommended in accordance with the exposure risk matrix. Level A was, in particular, recommended for loading or unloading work. Level A PPE should be worn in an emergency involving hydrogen fluoride because of the number of recent related accidents in Korea. Conclusion: PPE assignment according to the exposure risk matrix made by chemical hazards and work type or situation was suggested for the first time. Each type of PPE was recommended for the grouped chemicals. The research will be usefully used for the revision of the Chemical Control Act in Korea.