• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제30권
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• pp.17.1-17.6
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• 2015

Objectives In this study, the possibility of using existing test data provided in Korea and elsewhere for the registration of chemical substances was examined. Data on 510 chemical substances that are among the first subject to registration under the "Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (K-REACH)" were analyzed. Methods The possibility of using existing data from 16 reference databases was examined for 510 chemical substances notified in July 2015 as being subject to registration. Results Test data with the reliability required for the registration of chemical substances under the K-REACH constituted 48.4% of the required physicochemical characteristics, 6.5% of the required health hazards, and 9.4% of the required environmental hazards. Conclusions Some existing test data were not within the scope of this research, including data used for registration in the European Union (EU). Thus, considering that 350 of these 510 species are registered in EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals, more test data may exist that can be utilized in addition to the data identified in this study. Furthermore, the K-REACH states that non-testing data (test results predicted through Read Across, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships) and the weight of evidence (test results predicted based on test data with low reliability) can also be utilized for registration data. Therefore, if methods for using such data were actively reviewed, it would be possible to reduce the cost of securing test data required for the registration of chemical substances.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.95-103
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to better understand the conceptual model and Stoffenmanager nano module and apply it to the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials. Methods: Site visits were conducted to five nanomaterial production processes. Product and exposure variables were investigated in these workplaces. Hazard banding and exposure classification of the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials were conducted using documents and the website of Stoffenmanager Nano. Results: The five sites featured different products, packing tasks, ventilation and local exhaust, and others. The hazards for nano-nickel and copper were classified as E. The hazards for both fumed silica and indium tin oxide were classified as D. The hazard for spherical silica was classified as C. The exposure classes in the synthesis process of nanomaterials ranged from 2 through 4. The exposure classes in the packing process of nanomaterials ranged from 1 through 4. Conclusions: Application of Stoffenmanager nano to the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials helped to better understand the control level of the work environment and to suggest appropriate actions. The comparison of each process showed the effect of the production process and handling of solids and ventilation on exposure class.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.70-79
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• 2000

This study was done for the purpose of investigating the status of the use and perceptions of pesticides among the farmers who spray them in person. And it was also done to provide the basic statistics for the Agricultural Health Policy and study. Over the part of agricultural area in Kyungju and Ulsan City, Korea, from July to September 1999, 1032 questionnaires were distributed and 561 of them were collected and 447 were analysed. Major results of this study are as follows. The proportion of those who have special location for pesticides storage was only 5.3%, and that of those who lock hte storage location was only 13.6%. As to the treatment of bottles after use, most common response was 'burn in home'(47.7%). Most farmers purchase pesticides through 'pesticide store' or 'Agricultural Cooperatives'. The knowledge and Usage of pesticides depends in large part on experiences. The farmers who cultivate orchard spray pesticides more frequently than those cultivate paddy rice mainly. Most common pesticides in use are oganophosphates and carbamates. And also the pesticides that contains so-called 'Environmental Hormone' are used. The perception about the hazards of pesticides is rather superficial and insufficient. 'Herbicide(Gramoxon·Paraco)'(38%) is accepted as the most hazardous by farmers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Background: Firefighting involves exposure of firefighters to risks related to this activity, serious injuries, and occupational diseases are recorded. There are other consequences such as thermal and emotional stress. This systematic review is proposed in order to analyze the risks and consequences faced by these workers and thus provide elements to improve safety management systems in institutions. Method: A descriptive observational study of systematic literature review on the risks and consequences of exposure to firefighters' activity was proposed, and the information was analyzed and described based on the available data and according to the variables determined. Results: The studies showed data on mechanical, physical, chemical, psychosocial risks, workers' perception and resilience, and epidemiological data. Information related to firefighters' activity on falls and slips, exposure to noise, and high concentrations of carbon monoxide is detailed. In addition, the relationship between burnout, cognitive, and physical fatigue as adverse effects on health and performance is mentioned. Conclusions: Among the preventive measures, the use of personal protective equipment is suggested, incorporation in prevention programs of information on exposure to risk factors, as well as the implementation of models that can predict the perception of workers, additionally, the generation of management systems with safety climate models for fire departments.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.267-271
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• 2023

Background: The objective of this study is to identify the working conditions and health status of Vietnamese male migrant workers in Republic of Korea, in comparison to the Korean general population. Methods: We conducted our survey through the Migrant People Center, and we received completed questionnaires from 87 male Vietnamese migrant workers. The questionnaire employed was identical to those used in the Korean Working Conditions Survey and the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The collected data from the Vietnamese migrant workers was then compared with the Korean reference population using indirect age-standardization. Results: Vietnamese male workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of health problems including hearing problems (age-standardized prevalence ratio (aSPR) 13.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.07-20.4), skin problems (aSPR 13.49, 95% CI: 8.07-20.4), and low back pain (aSPR 8.40, 95% CI: 6.50-10.69). Elevated exposure to workplace hazards such as chemicals (aSPR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51-3.51), organic solvents (aSPR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28), handling of heavy objects (aSPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24-2.21), and high temperatures (aSPR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.46-2.57) was observed among them. Additionally, they faced a higher risk of no personal protective equipment (aSPR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26-4.52) and a greater prevalence of unmet medical needs (aSPR 7.14, 95% CI: 4.74-10.32). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the elevated workplace hazards, health problems, and unmet medical needs among Vietnamese male workers compared to the Korean reference population. These findings underscores the urgency for enhanced scrutiny over working conditions and protective equipment provision, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and worker education.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.303-308
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• 2023

Background: Occupational workers at altitudes are more prone to falls, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Acrophobia, height-related anxiety, and affected executive functions lead to postural instabilities, causing falls. This study investigated the effects of repeated virtual height exposure and training on cognitive processing and height-related anxiety. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 ± 1.26 years; mass 69.52 ± 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge (E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs. Conclusion: Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short-term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.216-224
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• 2015

Objectives: Decreased fertility and impaired health owing to early menopause are significant health issues. Smoking is a modifiable health-related behavior that influences menopausal age. We investigated the effects of smoking-associated characteristics on menopausal age in Korean women. Methods: This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2012. Menopausal age in relation to smoking was analyzed as a Kaplan-Meier survival curve for 11 510 women (aged 30 to 65 years). The risk of entering menopause and experiencing early menopause (before age 48) related to smoking were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The menopausal age among smokers was 0.75 years lower than that among non-smokers (p<0.001). The results of the Cox proportional hazards model showed pre-correction and post-correction risk ratios for entering menopause related to smoking of 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.46) and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.47), respectively, and pre-correction and post-correction risk ratios for experiencing early menopause related to smoking of 1.36 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.80) and 1.40 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.85), respectively. Conclusions: Smokers reached menopause earlier than non-smokers, and their risk for experiencing early menopause was higher.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.241-256
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to review the characteristics of three-dimensional printing technology focusing on printing types, materials, and health hazards. We discussed the methodologies for exposure assessment on hazardous substances emitted from 3D printing through article reviews. Methods: Previous researches on 3D printing technology and exposure assessment were collected through a literature review of public reports and research articles reported up to July 2018. We mainly focused on introducing the technologies, printing materials, hazardous emissions during 3D printing, and the methodologies for evaluation. Results: 3D printing technologies can be categorized by laminating type. Fused deposition modeling(FDM) is the most widely used, and most studies have conducted exposure assessment using this type. The printing materials involved were diverse, including plastic polymer, metal, resin, and more. In the FDM types, the most commonly used material was polymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene(ABS) and polylactic acids(PLA). These materials are operated under high-temperature conditions, so high levels of ultrafine particles(mainly nanoparticle size) and chemical compounds such as organic compounds, aldehydes, and toxic gases were identified as being emitted during 3D printing. Conclusions: Personal desktop 3D printers are widely used and expected to be constantly distributed in the future. In particular, hazardous emissions, including nano sized particles and various thermal byproducts, can be released under operation at high temperatures, so it is important to identify the health effects by emissions from 3D printing. Furthermore, appropriate control strategies should be also considered for 3D printing technology.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.471-478
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• 2021

Background: Employment standards (ES) include having a regular payday, regular breaks, the right to paid sick or vacation time, and paid wages. Inadequate ES contribute to the labour market vulnerability of workers; however, they are not typically considered to be risk factors for workplace injury. In a sample of Canadian workers, we examine the risk of injury associated with inadequate ES, independent of, and combined with inadequate workplace protections from workplace hazards. Methods: Data from 2,803 adults working 15 hours or more/week in workplaces with at least five employees were analysed. We explored associations between exposure to workplace hazards with inadequate protections [termed occupational health and safety (OHS) vulnerability] and inadequate ES on workplace injury (physical or mental injury; injury requiring time off). Additive interaction models were used to examine the independent and combined effects of these exposures. Results: Occupational health and safety vulnerability and inadequate ES were independently associated with increased injury outcomes. Adjusted models showed an additive relationship for all injury outcomes between OHS vulnerability and inadequate ES. Statistically significant superadditive relationships were observed for physical injury risk with policy and procedure vulnerability plus inadequate ES [synergy index (S) 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13-2.00] and for overall OHS vulnerability plus inadequate ES (S 1.53, 95% CI: 1.16-2.02), suggesting a combined effect greater than independent effects. Conclusion: Occupational health and safety vulnerability and inadequate ES are independently associated with workplace injury. For certain injury outcomes, the combined effect of OHS vulnerability and inadequate ES is greater than the independent effects of each individual exposure.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.225-236
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to develop a tool that can identify drinking motives and measure the degree of problem drinking in female university students. Methods: From June 25th, 2012 to September 21st, 2012, a methodological study was carried out on this subject. A basic questionnaire was made based on research literature and interviews with 8 female university students. The subjects who participated in the survey for factor analysis were 397 female university students from 2 universities in G Metropolitan City. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using PASW and AMOS 18.0. The developed tool was found to be acceptable in terms of construct validity and modeling suitability. The questionnaire comprised 16 questions on drinking motives in 4 sub-categories including 'relief' (4 questions), 'friendship' (3 questions), 'consolation' (4 questions), and 'escape' (5 questions). Problem drinking consisted of 11 questions in 3 different sub-categories including 'loss of control,' 'health hazards,' and 'sexual hazards.' Conclusion: The questionnaire was proved to have reliability and validity. Finally, the researcher suggests that this questionnaire is adequate for assessing drinking motives and problem drinking of female university students.