• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.7
• /
• pp.1758-1764
• /
• 2019

As the safety level of nuclear power plants (NPPs) relates to the safety of individuals, society, and the environment, it is important to establish NPP safety goals. In Korea, two quantitative health objectives and one large release frequency (LRF) criterion were formally set as quantitative safety goals for NPPs by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in 2016. The risks of prompt and cancer fatalities from NPPs should be less than 0.1% of the overall risk, and the frequency of nuclear accidents releasing more than 100 TBq of Cs-137 should not exceed 1E-06 per reactor year. This paper reviews the hierarchical structure of safety goals in Korea, its relationship with those of other countries, and the relationships among safety goals and subsidiary criteria like core damage frequency and large early release frequency. By analyzing the effect of the release of 100 TBq of Cs-137 via consequence analysis codes in eight different accident scenarios, it was shown that meeting the LRF criterion results in negligible prompt fatalities in the surrounding area. Hence, the LRF criterion dominates the safety goals for Korean NPPs. Safety goals must be consistent with national policy, international standards, and the goals of other counties.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.307-313
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Chemicals derived from various environment media contaminates food across the food supply chain. In Korea, levels of contaminants in food have been sporadically measured by monitoring programs of different government agencies. There is difficulty with data compilation and integrated analysis across media. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose an overall integrated database and analytical platform design for the 'ECO-FOOD NET (Environmental COntaminant reduction platform for FOOD through an interagency collaboration NETwork)', a tool to support the reduction of environmental contaminants in food. Methods: We developed a new data structure and standardized protocols for the compilation of integrated data. In addition, we conducted subject-oriented logical and physical relational database modeling and created the architecture design of the platform. Results: We established a standardized code system related to exposure media and route, analysis method and food matrix. In addition, we designed the seven software modules of 'About the System', 'Introduction to Interagency Work', 'Media-Chemicals Profiles', 'Method Bank', 'Monitoring Data Base', 'Integrated Media Analysis', and 'Risk-Benefit Analysis'. Conclusions: This study will contribute to decision-making as a tool for executing risk management, such as sustainable reduction policies of contaminants in food.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.12
• /
• pp.4693-4697
• /
• 2022

Parylene coating was adopted on CdZnTe (CZT) detector as a mechanical protection layer after wet passivation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ammonium fluoride (NH₄F). Wet chemical passivant lose their effectiveness when exposed to the ambient conditions for a long time. Parylene coating could protect the effectiveness of passivation, by mechanically blocking the exposure to the ambient conditions. Stability of CZT detector was tested with the measurement of leakage current density and response to radio-isotopes. When the enough thickness of parylene (>100 ㎛) is adopted, parylene is a promising protection layer thereby ensuring the performance and long-term stability of CZT detectors.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2004.10a
• /
• pp.71.1-71.1
• /
• 2004

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.7
• /
• pp.1168-1172
• /
• 2018

This study went beyond making an indicator simply based on theoretical arguments, and explored a wide spectrum of different types of perceptions about energy safety to make a concept of energy safety for the Korean society. The energy safety schemata of people can be divided into three types. Type1 is concern about multi-level risks-responsibility-centric, type2 is concern about security and personal burden-expertise-centric, and type3 is concern about health and personal burden-responsibility-centric. Questions were designed on the basis of the characteristics, differences and commonalities of the three types of perceptions, explored through the Q methodology, and Koreans' perception of nuclear safety was examined. Based on the results of this research the following components of trust in nuclear safety were derived, risk perception, responsibility, honesty, expertise and procedural justification. The items for specifically evaluating them were developed, and factor analysis was conducted, and as a result, the validity of each item was proven. The components of the nuclear safety trust indicator do not exist independently, but influence each other continuously through interactions. For this reason, rather than focusing on any one of them, laws and systems must be improved first so that they can move together in one big frame.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-21
• /
• 1997

In order to analyze the shifts in the volume and profits of Computed Tomography(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) utilization for a year before and after the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, this study has been undertaken examining CT and MRI cost data from 'Y' University Hospital situated in Seoul, Korea. Following are the results of this study: 1. The medical insurance payment for CT, implemented on January 1, 1996, increased CT utilization from January 1996 to April 1996 due to low insurance premiums: however, from May 1996 the number of CT cases significantly decreased as a result of strengthened medical cost reviews and the new 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' announced near the end of April 1996 by the insurer. 2. Since the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT fee reduction rates for reimbursements by the insurer to the hospital were 50% and 40% for January and February, respectively, and 31% and 15% for March and April. A significant point in the lowering of the reduction rate was reached in May at 11%; furthermore, since June the reduction rate fell below the average reduction rate for reimbursements for all procedures. If the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' had been announced before the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT utilization would not have been so high due to the need to meet those 'standards'. In addition, loss of hospital profits resulting from the reduction for reimbursements would not have occurred. 3. The shifts in MRI utilization showed that there was no particular change with the beginning of insurance coverage for CT, and the introduction of the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' made MRI utilization increase because MRI is free of restrictions imposed by the insurer. 4. The relationship between CT utilization and MRI utilization showed that they were supplementary to each other before insurance coverage for CT, but that CT was substituted for MRI because of strengthened medical cost reviews after t~e beginning of insurance coverage for CT. 5. The shifts in volume by patient characteristics showed that the number of inappropriate case patients, according to the insurer's "Standards for approval", decreased more than the number of appropriate case patients after the introduction of insurance coverage for CT. Therefore, the health insurance fee schemes for CT have influenced patient care. 6. The shifts in profits from CT utilization showed a net profit decrease of 31.6%. In order to match the pre-coverage profit level, 5,471 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 32.7%. This profit decrease resulted from a decrease of CT utilization and low reimbursements. With insurance coverage, net profits from CT were 24.4%, and a margin of safety ratio was 39.6%. Because of the net profits and margin of safety ratio, CT utilization fees for insured appropriate cases could not be considered inappropriate. 7. The shifts in profits from MRI utilization before and after the introduction of CT coverage showed that in order to match pre-CT coverage profit levels, 2,011 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 9.2%. The reasons for needing to increase the number of cases and productivity result from cost burdens created by adding new MRI units. But with CT coverage already begun, MRI utilization increased. Combined with a minor increase in the MRI fee schedule, MRI utilization showed a net profit increase of 18.5%. Net profits of 62.8% and a 'margin of safety ratio' of 43.1% for MRI utilization showed that the hospital relied on this non-covered procedure for profits. 8. The shifts in profits from CT and MRI utilization showed the net profits from CT decreased by 2.33billion Won while the net profits from MRI increased by 815.7million Won. Overall, these two together showed a net profit decrease of 1.51billion Won. The shifts in utilization showed a functional substitutionary relationship, but the shifts in profits did not show a substitutionary relationship. From these results, We can conclude that if insurance is to be expanded to include previously uncovered procedures using expensive medical equipment, detailed standards should be prepared in advance. The decrease in profits from the shifts in coverage and changes in fees is a difficult burden that should be shared, not carried by the hospital alone. Also, a new or improved fee schedule system should include revised standards between items listed and the appropriateness of the fee schedule should constantly be ensured. This study focused on one university hospital in Seoul and is therefore limited in general applicability. But it is valuable for considering current issues and problems, such as the influence of CT coverage on hospital management. Future studies will hopefully expand the scope of the issues considered here.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.791-800
• /
• 2023

This study was conducted to lay the foundation for creating a society safe from radiation by investigating the establishment of a radiation social safety net and the establishment of safety awareness and safety culture among citizens living in Busan. Data was collected through an online survey, and 200 copies of the survey were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS Window Ver 28.0. To verify differences between groups, t-test and one way ANOVA were performed, and correlation analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between variables. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to confirm the influence between variables. As a result, first, in terms of building a social safety net, citizens' safety awareness, and establishing a safety culture, the scores of the group with male gender, age in 20s, and high school graduation were found to be high. Among them, there was a statistical difference in gender at the significance level of .01 for building a social safety network and at the significance level of .05 for establishing a safety culture. In terms of occupation, there was a statistical difference between professionals and service workers at the significance level of .05 regarding the building of a radiation social safety network. Second, as a result of multiple regression analysis, it was found that 'local government radiation safety education', a subordinate factor in building a radiation social safety network, had a positive effect on citizens' safety awareness and establishment of a safety culture. Third, the results of the correlation analysis between the building of a social safety network, citizens' safety awareness, and establishment of a safety culture showed a positive correlation. Therefore, it is believed that a good radiation social safety network will have a positive impact on citizens' safety awareness and the establishment of a safety culture.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.869-881
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study is to verify the economic validation of quality management integrated train freight car by analyzing economic evaluation indicators such as benefit and cost, net present value, and inter rate of return. Methods: First, we itemize benefit and cost field by reviewing literatures; Benefit consists of 1)Safety, 2)Operation, and 3)Maintenance; Cost consists of 1)Set-up fee, 2)Wireless internet fee, and 3)Cloud storage using fee. Second, based on these estimated values, we conduct an economic evaluation analysis. Among them, benefit and cost, net present value, and internal rate of return are selected. Results: As a result, all estimated values are highly over criterion of economic validity($$B/C{\geq}_-1$$, $$NPV{\geq}_-0$$, $$IRR{\geq}_-R$$); 1)benefit over cost ratio is 28.22, 2)Net present value is 8,121.66million KRW, and 3)Internal rate of return value is 2272%. Conclusion: The findings of this study will help making a decision when train industry adopts IoT technology for improving the effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.96-104
• /
• 2012

The objective of this study is to compare on the occupational injury rate and mortality rate of all workers and foreign workers. By doing so, this study seeks to find out the improvements necessary to secure the basic safety net for foreign workers, as well as to find out the legal and institutional measures in place to make timely political intervention and protect the health of foreign workers. The status of foreign workers in Korea, their employment trends by industries, and occupational accident types and scales of Korean and foreign workers were analyzed from 2005 to 2009. Each year, foreign workers' occupational injury rate was much lower than Korea's overall occupational injury rate. But when analyzed by industry, occupational injury rate (death rate per 10,000 workers) of manufacturing industry was about 2 to 5 times higher than the overall occupational injury rate in Korea. Also, construction industry showed 3 to 16 times higher rate than the rate of overall industries. Although the death rate per 10,000 workers showed a declining yearly trend, foreign workers' occupational injury rate has the tendency to increase gradually. In particular, occupational injury rates and death rates per 10,000 workers were considerably high in the manufacturing and construction industries.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.125-137
• /
• 2024

Background: The Korea Risk Information Surveillance System (K-RISS) was developed to enable the early detection of food and drug safety-related issues. Its goal is to deliver real-time risk indicators generated from ongoing food and drug risk monitoring. However, the existing K-RISS system suffers under several limitations. Objectives: This study aims to augment K-RISS with more detailed indicators and establish a severity standard that takes into account structural changes in the daily time series of K-RISS values. Methods: First, a Delphi survey was conducted to derive the required weights. Second, a control chart, commonly used in statistical process controls, was utilized to detect outliers and establish caution, attention, and serious levels for K-RISS values. Furthermore, Bai and Perron's method was employed to determine structural changes in K-RISS time series. Results: The study incorporated 'closeness to life' and 'sustainability' indicators into K-RISS. It obtained the necessary weights through a survey of experts for integrating variables, combining indicators by data source, and aggregating sub K-RISS values. We defined caution, attention, and serious levels for both average and maximum values of daily K-RISS. Furthermore, when structural changes were detected, leading to significant variations in daily K-RISS values according to different periods, the study systematically verified these changes and derived respective severity levels for each period. Conclusions: This study enhances the existing K-RISS system and introduces more advanced indicators. K-RISS is now more comprehensively equipped to serve as a risk warning index. The study has paved the way for an objective determination of whether the food safety risk index surpasses predefined thresholds through the application of severity levels.