• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.321-327
• /
• 2009

1,3-butadiene is classified as suspected human carcinogen, group A2(American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH). In Korea, 1,3-butadiene has been used as a raw material; monomer, homopolymer, polybutadiene latex, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS) and styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR), in the petrochemistry and precision chemistry industry. As petrochemistry industry in Korea has been developed, the potential exposure possibility of 1,3-butadiene to workers can be increased. Therefore the purpose of this study is to evaluate airborne 1,3-butadiene concentration and workers' exposure levels in the workplace using 1,3-butadiene. Air samples were collected with 4-tert-butyl catechol(TBC) charcoal tube(100 mg/50 mg) and were analyzed by gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector(GC/FID) according to the Choi's method(2002). Geometric mean (GM) and arithmetic mean (AM) of total 59 workers' exposure concentrations to airborne 1.3-butadiene were 0.042 ppm and 1.51 ppm, respectively. Although most samples were lower than 1ppm, 2 samples(21.5ppm and 33.1ppm as 8hr-TWA) were exceeded the Korean standard(2ppm) over 10 times at the repair process in synthetic rubber and resin manufacture industry. 14 samples(41%) of total 34 short-term air samples were exceeded the Korean standard(10ppm as STEL) of Ministry Labor. 1,3-butadiene concentration(GM) in the synthetic rubber and resin manufacture industry(7.87ppm) was significantly higher than that in the monomer manufacure industry (0.35ppm)(p<0.05). Also in the sampling and repair process, each GM(range) was 1.39ppm(N.D.-469.6ppm) and 7.85ppm(N.D.-410.2ppm). In conclusion, it depends on the industry and process, 1,3-butadiene can be exposed to workers as high concentration for short-term.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.123-136
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This paper was prepapred to report airborne asbestos fiber concentrations in asbestos textile, brake-lining, commutator, and building materials manufacturing industries, and some other asbestos related industries in Korea from 1994 to 2006. Methods: Airborne asbestos data that have been sampled and analyzed in the above industries during 1994-2006 were collected. These data were reviewed to scrutinize the qualified data based on the records such as sampling and analyzed method and quality control procedures. All asbestos data were generated using the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Method 7400. Results: Average concentration of asbestos fiber was 2.14 fibers/cc(0.02-15.6 fibers/cc) in the asbestos textile industry, 0.26 fibers/cc(0.01-1.01 fibers/cc) in the building-materials industry, 0.15 fibers/cc(0.01-0.93 fibers/cc) in the brake-lining manufacturing industry, and 0.14 fibers/cc(0.03-1.36 fibers/cc) in the commutator producing industry. For these industries, the percentage of samples of which asbestos fiber concentrations above the limit of exposure(0.1 fibers/cc) was 97.6% in the asbestos textile industry, 62.3% in the building-materials industry, 53.5% in the brake-lining manufacturing industry, and 34.3% in the commutator producing industry. Asbestos fiber concentration was below the limit of exposure in the gasket producing, petrochemistry, musical instrument producing industries, and the brake-lining exchange operations. Conclusions: Airborne asbestos fiber level in the asbestos textile, brake-lining producing, commutator and building-material producing industries was above the limit of exposure, but in the gasket producing, petrochemistry, musical instrument producing industries and the brake-lining exchange operations were below the limit of exposure.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.1069-1076
• /
• 2012

This study is aimed to provide the basic data for improve plan of industrial safety and health education for industrial disaster prevention. The self-administered questionnaire were given to 167 manufacturing industry workers of 5 manufactural workplace in Kangwon province during the period from March 15th to April 15th, 2010. As a results, The rate of 76.6% in manufacturing industry workers have educational place for industrial safety and health education, but their industrial safety and health education was established in the workplace office, about 44.3%. Industrial safety and health education almost was done by means of lecture. Industrial safety and health education for manufacturing industry worker was done without thinking about general characteristics and kinds of work of manufacturing industry workers. The results of this study indicate that industrial safety and health education are needed to improve the problems. To improve the industrial safety and health education, it is necessary to be established industrial safety and health education thinking about general characteristics and kinds of work of workers.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2016

Occupational Safety and Health Expenses Law in construction industry was enacted in 1988 by the notification of Ministry of Employment and Labor and 22 revisions have been made since. The fact that revisions have been made almost every year since the first enactment shows that Occupational Safety and Health Expenses can effectively prevent construction accidents and the need for revisions to fit the reality has been raised continuously. Despite the construction industry has undergone various internal and external environmental changes, (such as the changes in the safety and health management techniques and the increase in the construction employees' desire for safety) the appropriation standard of Occupational Safety and Health Expenses has been calculated based on the contract price. The construction industry has constantly suggested that the Occupational Safety and Health Expenses be calculated based on the estimated construction expenses since applying the current method doesn't provide enough money to secure the safety. Also because it has become mandatory to hire a health manager since 2015, the lack of Occupational Safety and Health Expenses is expected to get worse. In this study, we will analyze the usage of Occupational Safety and Health Expenses and propose a more practical and realistic change in setting the appropriation standard of Occupational Safety and Health Expenses.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.12-17
• /
• 2016

Background: The mining industry is considered as one of the most dangerous and hazardous industries and the need for effective and efficient occupational health and safety management is critical to safeguard workers and the industry. Despite the dangers and hazards present in the mining industry, only few studies have focused on how occupational health and safety and turnover intentions in the mines. Method: The study suing a cross-sectional survey design collected quantitative data from the 255 mine workers that were conveniently sampled from the Ghanaian mining industry. The data collection tools were standardized questionnaires that measured occupational health and safety management and turnover intentions. These scales were also pretested before their usage in actual data collection. Results: The correlation coefficient showed that a negative relationship existed between dimensions of occupational health and safety management and turnover intention; safety leadership (r = -0.33, p < 0.01); supervision (r = -0.26, p < 0.01); safety facilities and equipment (r = -0.32, p < 0.01); safety procedure (r = -0.27, p < 0.01). Among these dimensions, safety leadership and safety facility were significant predictors of turnover intention, (${\beta}=-0.28$, p < 0.01) and (${\beta}=-0.24$, p < 0.01) respectively. The study also found that turnover intention of employees is heavily influenced by the commitment of safety leadership in ensuring the effective formulation of policies and supervision of occupational health and safety at the workplace. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that safety leadership is crucial in the administration of occupational health and safety and reducing turnover intention in organizations.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2011

In 1967, the problem of occupational lead exposure came to public attention in Korea. Since then, regular progress has been made in lowering workplace lead exposures, instituting new workplace controls, and implementing health examinations of exposed workers. Past serious lead poisoning episodes made it possible to introduce biological monitoring programs on a voluntary basis in high-lead-exposure facilities in Korea. Industry-specific occupational health services for lead workers in Korea during the last 22 years can be categorized into three phases. During the first phase (1988-1993), efforts were directed at increasing awareness among workers about the hazards of lead exposure, biological monitoring of blood zinc protoporphyrin began, and a respiratory protection program was introduced. During the second phase (1994-1997), a computerized health management system for lead workers was developed, blood-lead measurement was added to biologic monitoring, and engineering controls were introduced in the workplace to lower air-lead levels to comply with air-lead regulations. Finally, during the third phase (1998-present), a new biomarker, bone-lead measurement by X-ray fluorescence, was introduced. Bone-lead measurement proved to be useful for assessing body burden and to demonstrate past lead exposure in retired workers. Occupational health service practice for lead workers, including the industry-specific group occupational health system, has brought considerable success in the prevention of lead poisoning and in reducing the lead burden in Korean lead workers during the last several decades. The successful achievement of prevention of lead poisoning in Korea was a result of the combined efforts of lead workers, employers, relevant government agencies, and academic institutes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study analyzed the status of the application of trade secrets in MSDSs according to size and type of industry. The contents of the MSDS non-public approval policy are summarized. We suggest proactive improvement requirements related to the operation of the MSDS non-public approval policy. Methods: To review this subject, we selected 153 manufacturers and six importers in such fields as organic chemical production. The trade secrets application status and ratio (%) of MSDSs by industry size and industry classification were investigated. Improvements toward a proactive system related to the operation of the MSDS non-public approval policy under the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) were summarized. Results and Conclusions: According to the results, the trade secret ratio in MSDSs by industry size was 33% in workplaces with less than 50 employees, 23.1% in workplaces with more than 50 but less than 100 workers, 73% in workplaces with more than 100 workers, and 83.4% in workplaces with 300 or more workers. For the trade secret writing rate for MSDSs by industry, the highest was MOCCP (Manufacture of ink, paint, coating and similar products) at 80.9%. MOC (Manufacture of other chemicals) was the lowest at 16.2%. We propose four proactive efforts to minimize the administrative burden of implementation of the MSDS non-public approval policy. The results of this study can be used as basic data for policy improvements to make more effective use of MSDS.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.43-52
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study is to conduct a survey on awareness of the fourth industrial revolution being much debated recently and suggest the educational program for adult learner in order to create a new demand of university according to the social change. Based on earlier researches, the survey was conducted on employees working in the health and medical industry with questionnaire including the relevant educational field, areas of turnover and educational needs from July 1 to July 31, 2017. As a result, the bio-medical device, senior-friendly industry, environment and safety, clinical counselor and food service industry(coffee industry) were identified as necessary education areas. To enhance the validity of research results, in-depth interviews of relevant experts in each field were conducted from August 19 to September 22, 2017, and presented necessary education programs driven by the advent of the fourth industrial revolution and changes in each areas.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.667-675
• /
• 2020

Objectives: Exposure to fine dust (PM10) could contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or respiratory abnormalities. Since garlic is known to possess an anti-oxidative stress effect, the present study was performed to evaluate the effect of garlic intake on fine dust-mediated pulmonary toxicity. Methods: Rats were intratracheally instilled with fine dust at 15 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for five days following five-day intragastric intubation of garlic at 0.7 or 1.4 g/kgBW/day, or 13.1 mg/kgBW/day S-allyl-cysteine (SAC) as a reference component in garlic. Blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Results: Deposit of fine dust was visually and histopathologically observed in the lungs. Body weight gain during the instillation period was significantly lowered in all the groups instilled with fine dust. Neutrophil numbers in blood were significantly elevated in the fine dust alone group, but this alteration was diminished in the groups administered with garlic. Levels of serum glutathione were lower in the rats instilled with fine dust alone, and this decrease in the glutathione level seems dose-dependently compensated among the groups administered with garlic. Similar findings were observed in the BALF with statistical significance. Typical pulmonary histopathological observation related with inflammation was demonstrated in the lungs of the rats exposed to fine dust alone, whereas such histopathologic findings were not improved in the groups administered with garlic. Conclusion: The present study suggests that garlic intake could alleviate fine dust-mediated pulmonary or systemic toxicities. Further investigation is necessary to delineate the mechanism of garlic-mediated effects on pulmonary function.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.605-612
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to examine receptor-perceived characteristics of environmental and health damage in areas surrounded by industrial workplaces using environmental complaints collected by local governments in Korea. Methods: The environmental complaint data related to workplaces was collected by local governments at each municipality between the years 2015 and 2017. We analyzed the complaint data from the Busan area by the type of business (industry classification), the content of complaints (odor, smoke, noise, and certain health damage), and the frequency of complaints. Results: Among the workplaces examined, industry categories related to retail and service received the highest frequency of complaints related to noise. On the other hand, complaints of dust and odors were raised in higher frequency against manufacturing industries, indicating that air pollution was the main driver of such complaints. Most of the complaints regarding health effects from industries also contained other complaints, such as odor, noise, and dust. Our results indicate that environmental discomfort can lead to more serious health damage, and should be dealt with more seriously. Further management plans for mitigating discomforts such as noise are necessary. Conclusion: This study can be used as background data for identifying the policy priorities related to vulnerable areas polluted by industry and will contribute to improving the environmental health of residents in identified areas.