• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2018

We investigated the levels of microbial contaminants and microbial hazards during dried-laver processing. We analyzed 321 samples obtained from 18 dried-laver Pyropia spp. manufacturing facilities, including water, swab-, and processing samples as well as final products. The levels of microbial contaminants, including viable cell counts (VCC) and coliform bacteria, increased as processing progressed. The sanitary indicator bacterium, Escherichia coli, was not detected in the final products although VCC levels were high, generally exceeding 5 log CFU/g. We also investigated changes in microbial contaminants at each processing step. Both VCC and total coliform dramatically increased after 4 days of continuous processing, indicating that microbial contaminants originated, mainly, from cross contamination during processing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2019

One of the most effective methods to consistently ensure the safety of a tap water supply can be achieved by application of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach for drinking water supply systems. This approach can be termed water safety plans(WSP) which recommended by WHO(world health organization) and IWA(international water association). For the introduction of WSP into Korea, 150 hazards were identified all steps in drinking water supply from catchment to consumer and risk assessment tool based on frequency and consequence of hazards were developed. Then, developed risk assessment tool by this research was implemented at a water treatment plant($Q=25,000m^3/d$) to verify its applicability, and several amendments were recommended; classification of water source should be changed from groundwater to stream to strengthen water quality monitoring contaminants and frequencies; installation of aquarium to monitor intrusion of toxic substances into raw water; relocation or new installation on-line water quality analyzers for efficient water quality monitoring; change of chlorination chemical from solid phase($Ca(OCl)_2$) to liquid phase(NaOCl) to improve soundness of chlorination. It was also meaningful to propose hazards and risk assessment tool appropriate for Korea drinking water supply systems through this research which has been inconsistent among water treatment authorities.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.90-93
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• 1993

Increasing Public Concern : Pesticide residue is probably one of the fastest growing problems in regard to environmental contamination. Pesticide use in agriculture in this century has produced certain benefits, including a decrease in crop waste and an increase in crop yields and food quality. However, pesticide use also creates problems of having effects on the environment and remaining in food chain. The presence of pesticide residue in food, water, and soil has aroused public concern over potential health hazards. Despite information provided by national and private level agencies suggesting that food is safe, consumer groups worldwide are demanding assurance as to the safely of agricultural products.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.101-119
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• 2021

Korea's National Treasure No. 229, the Jagyeongnu (clepsydra) of Changgyeonggung Palace, is a scientific and cultural property representing the pinnacle of science and technology in the Joseon Dynasty. Currently, only the large, mid-sie, and small Pasuhos (bronze jars) remain. During a nearly two-year conservation project by the Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center (CHCSC) that began in 2018, conservators identified the contaminants on the surface of the water clock's components. It turned out that the contaminants had been caused by the exposure of squalane and silicone oil, used in an earlier preservation treatment, to the elements. The CHCSC conducted experiments to determine the most effective method to remove the contaminants. First, the conservators tried using an organic solvent, a poultice, and the application of toluene and bentonite, which yielded excellent reactivity and significant color difference changes (𝚫E). However, the reactivity was insufficiently effective to warrant the health hazards to the conservators and the environment (toluene is toxic). Although organic solvents required considerably more effort, time, and human resources, the conservators confirmed that their use achieved a true color difference variation (𝚫E) that was within the same range as the toxic hydrocarbon. Thus, they confirmed that using an organic surfactant was the best method for removing the contaminants.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

The health benefits associated with consumption of fresh produce have been clearly demonstrated and encouraged by international nutrition and health authorities. However, since fresh produce is usually minimally processed, increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has also led to a simultaneous escalation of foodborne illness cases. According to the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 10 people suffer from foodborne diseases and 420,000 die every year globally. In comparison to other processed foods, fresh produce can be easily contaminated by various routes at different points in the supply chain from farm to fork. This review is focused on the identification and characterization of possible sources of foodborne illnesses from chemical, biological, and physical hazards and the applicable methodologies to detect potential contaminants. Agro-chemicals (pesticides, fungicides and herbicides), natural toxins (mycotoxins and plant toxins), and heavy metals (mercury and cadmium) are the main sources of chemical hazards, which can be detected by several methods including chromatography and nano-techniques based on nanostructured materials such as noble metal nanoparticles (NMPs), quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic nanoparticles or nanotube. However, the diversity of chemical structures complicates the establishment of one standard method to differentiate the variety of chemical compounds. In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables contain high nutrient contents and moisture, which promote the growth of unwanted microorganisms including bacterial pathogens (Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7, Shigella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus) and non-bacterial pathogens (norovirus and parasites). In order to detect specific pathogens in fresh produce, methods based on molecular biology such as PCR and immunology are commonly used. Finally, physical hazards including contamination by glass, metal, and gravel in food can cause serious injuries to customers. In order to decrease physical hazards, vision systems such as X-ray inspection have been adopted to detect physical contaminants in food, while exceptional handling skills by food production employees are required to prevent additional contamination.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2017.04a
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• pp.136-136
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• 2017

By-products has been considered lately in Total Mixed Ration (TMR) as an alternative to livestock feed around the world. This is due to the high cost of using forage as feed, less expense in exploring by-products of agriculture origin and environmental concerns with their disposal. However, by-products usually contain contaminants and the production process requires fermentation using a storage and fermentation tank. Animal feed is the start point of the food safety chain in the 'farm-to-fork' model. This necessitated a study to model a protocol that will culminate to safe feed production. Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be unsafe was explored. Implementation of this model provides a mechanism that ensures product safety is continuously achieved. The entire production process of By-products feed production was evaluated using HACCP wizard software. This includes the plant layout, technical standards, storage and fermentation tank cleansing method, staff assignment, safety control method, and distribution. The potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards that may exist in every step of the production process were identified, and then critical control points (CCPs) were selected. This will ensure the safety of products made from livestock that consumes by-product feed. These includes cheese, milk, beef, etc.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.699-708
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• 2015

This study was performed to identify the state of the exposure and characteristics of pollutants by each process at 4 casting sites located in Gyeongsang-do from April to November 2013. The concentrations of methanol, crystallized silica glass, formaldehyde and phenol were analyzed by different process - casting process, molding process, core process, and shakeout & finishing process. The highest concentration of methanol was found in casting and molding process, whereas the highest concentration of crystalline quartz(Silica) was observed in core process. The most oxidized steel dusts and the highest concentration of fume were found in shakeout & finishing process. As a result of this study, those labors working at the casting site were found to be constantly exposed to various forms of hazardous chemicals; therefore, it is considered that this is the time to manage and plan how to reduce them. In addition, it is required to thoroughly manage the local exhauster, and improve the process and working environment to reduce various forms of hazardous chemicals.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.5-14
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• 2006

Generally, the sediments contain significant water, clay, colloidal fraction and contaminants, and can result in soft strata with high initial void, and its potential hazards in subsurface environments exist. Electrokinetic technique has been used in sedimentation for volume reduction of slurry tailing wastes and in remediation for extraction of contaminants from contaminated soils. In this research, the coupled effects of sedimentation and remediation of contaminated sediments are focused using electrokinetic sedimentation and remediation techniques from experimental aspects. A series of laboratory experiments including variable conditions such as initial solid content of the specimen, concentration level of the contaminant, and magnitude of applied voltage are performed with the contaminated sediment specimens mixed with ethylene glycol. Commercially available high specification Kaolin was used to simulate slurried sediment. From the test results, the settlement of specimen increases with increasing of applied voltage and decreasing of solid content and contamination level. The density of specimen increases due to settlement of specimen in the process of electrokinetic sedimentation and decreases due to extraction of organic contaminant in the process of electrokinetic remediation.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

In this study, a selecvively block barrier was developed to prevent the spread of contaminants (TPH, Phenol) in the ground only when contamination occurs. The materials were used Jumunjin sand, bentonite, polyolefin elastomer and spill hound marine. First, the properties and environmental hazards characteristics of materials were analyzed for evaluated their usability. Then, the possibility of use as a barrier material was confirmed by analyzing the water permeability characteristics that change after 24 hours of contact with contaminants. As a result of the analysis, the pH of each component was similar to the general groundwater pH range. In addition, the toxicity characteristics and the possibility of dissolution of hazardous substances, it was determined that there was no environmental hazard as the content was below the regulation value. Lastly, when comparing the permeability coefficient before and after contact with the contaminant, the permeability coefficient of approximately α × 10^-3cm/sec before contact was reduced to α × 10^-6cm/sec after contact with the contaminant.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2016

Even though the food safety system in the United States is one of the best in the world, many millions of people become sick and thousands die from foodborne illnesses caused by any of a number of microbial pathogens and other contaminants. Large recalls of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food Drug and Administration (US FDA)-regulated food products due to findings of E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, and other problems occur each year. As the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) passed in 2011, FSMA will require food processing, manufacturing, shipping, and other regulated entities to conduct an analysis of the most likely safety hazards and to design and implement risk-based controls to reduce or eliminate these hazards. FSMA also mandates increased scrutiny of food imports, which account for a growing share of U.S. food consumption; food import shipments will have to be accompanied by documentation showing that they can meet safety standards that are at least equivalent to those in the U.S. On September 17, 2015, the US FDA published final rules for Preventive Controls for Human and Animal Food and, continuing into 2016, the US FDA intends to finalize the remaining five rules it has proposed to implement FSMA. Among these rules, this article will review and discuss Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule and its components, and suggest how to comply with these FSMA rules as foreign human food and ingredients suppliers to the US.