• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2020

Background: This study aims to assess whether the TSI PortaCount (Model 8020) is a measuring instrument comparable with the flame photometer. This would provide an indication for the suitability of the PortaCount for determining the workplace protection factor for particulate filtering facepiece respirators. Methods: The PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion^TM) was compared with a stationary flame photometer from Moores (Wallisdown) Ltd (Type 1100), which is a measuring instrument used in the procedure for determining the total inward leakage of the particulate filtering facepiece respirator in the European Standard. Penetration levels of sodium chloride aerosol through sample respirators of two brands (A and B) were determined by the two measuring systems under laboratory conditions. For each brand, thirty-six measurements were conducted. The samples were split into groups according to their protection level, conditioning before testing, and aerosol concentration. The relationship between the gauged data from two measuring systems was determined. In addition, the particle size distribution inside the respirator and outside the respirator was documented. Linear regression analysis was used to calculate the association between the PortaCount (with and without the N95-Companion^TM) and the flame photometer. Results: A linear relationship was found between the raw data scaled with the PortaCount (without N95-Companion^TM) and the data detected by the flame photometer (R² = 0.9704) under all test conditions. The distribution of particle size was found to be the same inside and outside the respirator in almost all cases. Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, the PortaCount may be applicable for the determination of workplace protection factor.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.345-352
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate 820 university students in C and G areas to analyze the effects of ethical values of health administration major college students on the perception of patient personal information protection and to present important basic data for the development of education programs. The data were analyzed through SPSS/WIN 18.0 Program. As a result of analysis, the average of personal information protection of college students majoring in health administration was low at 2.04 ± 0.24, and ethical values were idealistic tendency 2.51 ± 0.32 points, and relativistic tendency was 2.34 ± 0.34 points, which showed a high idealistic tendency. Ethical values were also significantly related to idealistic ethics and relativistic ethics in terms of the level of awareness of patient personal information protection and the perception of patient personal information protection exposure. Therefore, in order to increase the protection of patients' personal information of university students majoring in health administration, the correct ethical values should be established, and systematic and continuous education is needed for this purpose.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2008

Water quality standards (WQS) are mandatory to guarantee the human health and protection of aquatic ecosystems, and maintain the condition of suitable water quality. The present WQS for the protection of human health in Korea contain nine substances (As, Cd, $Cr^{6+}$, CN, Pb, Hg, ABS, organophosphorus compounds and PCBs), but it is insufficient to preserve the human and aquatic ecosystem from a variety of chemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the substance of WQS for the protection of human health. In this study, we chose the 20 chemicals from 43 chemicals of the project entitled 'Development of Integrated Methodology for Evaluation of Water Environment'. The methodology for calculating water quality criteria was amended from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)'s equation for deriving ambient water quality criteria for the protection of human health. The factors including fish intake, drinking water intake, and human body weight used in the equation reflected Korean situations. The monitoring values were derived from the water quality monitoring data in Korean four main rivers. The orders of priorities of chemicals were evaluated by human health risk assessment, and the proposed WQS was derived by technical and economic analyses. These results were reflected to expand the WQS for the protection of human health.

• KOREAN ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSES
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.50-54
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• 2012

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 2024

Background: Glove reuse poses risks, as chemicals can persist even after cleaning. Decontamination methods like thermal aeration, recommended by US OSHA, vary in effectiveness. Some studies show promising results, while others emphasize the importance of considering both permeation and tensile strength changes. This research advocates for informed glove reuse, emphasizing optimal thermal aeration temperatures and providing evidence to guide users in maintaining protection efficiency. Methods: The investigation evaluated Neoprene and Nitrile gloves (22 mils). Permeation tests with toluene and acetone adhered to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) F739 standards. Decontamination optimization involved aeration at various temperatures. The experiment proceeded with a maximum of 22 re-exposure cycles. Tensile strength and elongation were assessed following ASTM D 412 protocols. Breakthrough time differences were statistically analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. Results: At room temperature, glove residuals decreased, and standardized breakthrough time (SBT)₂ was significantly lower than SBT₁, indicating reduced protection. Higher temperature decontamination accelerated residual removal, with ∆SBT (SBT₂/SBT₁) exceeding 100%, signifying restored protection. Tensile tests showed stable neoprene properties postdecontamination. Results underscore thermal aeration's efficacy for gloves reuse, emphasizing temperature's pivotal role. Findings recommend meticulous management strategies, especially post-breakthrough, to uphold glove-protective performance. Conclusions: Thermal aeration at 100℃ for 1 hour proves effective, restoring protection without compromising glove strength. The study, covering twenty cycles, suggests safe glove reuse with proper decontamination, reducing costs significantly. However, limitations in chemical-glove combinations and exclusive focus on specific gloves caution against broad generalization. The absence of regulatory directives on glove reuse highlight the importance of informed selection and rigorous decontamination validation for workplace safety practices.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2021

Background: Healthcare settings have been recognized among the most hazardous places to work. Based on the five categories of occupational hazards that were identified by the ILO and WHO, this study aimed to analyze policy framework relevant to occupational health protection of health workers (HWs) in public health service in China, then discussed how to share the experience of the National Health Service (NHS) England for improvement. Methods: Based on policy learning theories, policy analysis and qualitative interview were used in this study. Results: In the Chinese public health service, at least five laws related to the regulation of occupational health protection for HWs; however, enforcement of relevant laws was separated and multi-centered; the national monitoring system, which targeted to occupational hazards and health outcome for HWs in China, had yet to be developed; the top three priorities were workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, and musculoskeletal disorders; national strategies included Security Hospital, and Healthy China 2030. In NHS England, three laws were fundamental; several monitoring systems had been set up, including NHS Staff Survey, Commissioning for Quality and Innovation incentive scheme; mental health, musculoskeletal problem, and nutrition disorder and overweight were raised great concern; Health and Safety, and NHS Healthy Workforce Program were critical nationwide strategies. Conclusion: There were several similarities as well as differences between the Chinese public health system and NHS England, which laid foundation of learning by China. Recommendations of improving occupational health policies in China were provided, based on the lessons learned from the NHS England.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

Because information on biological agents in the workplace is lacking, biological hazard analyses at the workplace to securely recognize the harmful factors with biological basis are desperately needed. This review concentrates on literatures published after 2010 that attempted to detect biological hazards to humans, especially workers, and the efforts to protect them against these factors. It is important to improve the current understanding of the health hazards caused by biological factors at the workplace. In addition, this review briefly describes these factors and provides some examples of their adverse health effects. It also reviews risk assessments, protection with personal protective equipment, prevention with training of workers, regulations, as well as vaccinations.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.673-680
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the awareness and performance towards the dental radiation protection behaviors in dental institutions in Busan and Gyeongnam. Methods : Two hundred and one dental medical institutions in Busan and Gyeongnam participated in the survey from March 10 to April 4, 2014. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 for ${\chi}^2$ test, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. Results : There were significant differences in the awareness and performance towards the radiation protection behaviors according to age, monthly income, and type of hospital(p<0.05). Protective equipment influenced on the awareness and performance of dental staff and patients(p<0.001). The important variables on dental radiation protection included protection facility and education of protective equipment. It is found the variable to affect the performance of dental radiation protection was protection facility, wearing of protective device staff and patients, education on RSM. Conclusions : These results can provide the basic data for the effective dental radiation safety management and improvement for the dental institutions.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the influencing factors that affect the radiation protection behavior of nurses, by applying the educational diagnostic stage of the PRECEDE Model. Methods: Participants were 167 nurses working in interventional procedure rooms and operating rooms in general hospitals and university hospitals in Korea. Data were collected from August 30 to September 25, 2019, through self-reporting questionnaires and analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: The influencing factor that affects nurses' radiation protection behavior was the radiation protection environment (β=.41, p<.001), accounting for 59.6% of the radiation protection behavior (F=17.34, p<.001). Conclusion: Administrative and financial efforts to create a safe organizational atmosphere and establish a safe radiation protection environment are needed. Moreover, it is necessary to develop guidelines for nursing work in radiology to improve radiation protection behavior and reduce nurses' radiation exposure.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.80-82
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• 2021

Dr. Haruyuki Ogino, a member of the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS), was awarded the 2021 Bo Lindell Medal by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). To commemorate this, the "Joint JHPS-KARP-ARPS program for young radiation protection (RP) scientists to discuss the future of RP" was organized via a web meeting system. First, Dr. Ogino gave a lecture, and then young researchers selected from each academic society made presentations on the future of RP. After the presentations by the three researchers, a free talk was held-young researcher groups of each country being active is a great opportunity to collaborate and exchange information. It was emphasized that the low awareness of knowledge related to radiation has been common to all of the participating countries. Thus, it is necessary to utilize communication via web technology, as done for this program, effectively. One of the biggest advantages for Asia and Oceania is that we do not have a significant time difference. The round-table discussion was concluded by expressing the hope of active exchange and development of young researchers in the future.