• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.322-334
• /
• 2007

This study covers the investigation of the actual condition in the workplace to produce plastics products using synthetic resins and the investigation on the trends amount of the domestic production of thermoplastic resins. To analyze the monomers included in thermoplastic resins frequently used in the workplace, we analyzed thermal characteristics for test compounds using thermogravimetric analysis and did the qualitative analysis using Pyrolyzer GC-MSD & TDS GC-MSD. And then we classified the health hazard of monomers based on GHS classification criteria using information toxicity & carcinogenicity. The number of the workplace to produce plastics products among all domestic manufacturers of 73,884 was 4,391 (5.94%). The number of workers to produce plastics products among all workers of 2,522,750 in all domestic manufacturers was 104,971 (4.16%). The amount of production per year for thermoplastic resins is in the order of PP, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, ABS, PS and such compounds was producing over 1 Million ton per year each. The classification result based on GHS classification criteria for 22 main compounds included thermoplastic resins says 2 compounds of acrylonitrile, naphthalene are in Acute oral category 3 and benzene is in Acute dermal category 1. The classification results of health hazard of carcinogenicity based on IARC & ACGIH carcinogen classification says 2 compounds of benzene, vinyl chloride are in category 1A (known to be human carcinogens).

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2006

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an octane booster that is added to the reformulated gasoline, has been a widespread contaminant in aquatic ecosystem. MTBE is a recalcitrant pollutant having low biodegradability. Due to its higher water solubility and low octanol-water partition coefficient, it can be rapidly transported to the surrounding water environment. Also, MTBE is a known animal carcinogen, and is classified as a possible human carcinogen by U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The adverse effect of MTBE to aquatic biota was widely reported. In Korea, the recent detection of MTBE in groundwater near gasoline filling stations has drawn concern to public health and ecosystem. To address this concern, the effect of MTBE to human health and ecosystem was discussed in this review. Also, ecotoxicity data of MTBE for fish, invertebrates, and algae were extensively compared to estimate the hazard concentration 5($HC_5$) of MTBE as a screening level.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제46권4호
• /
• pp.410-422
• /
• 2020

Objectives: According to the Act on Registration, Evaluation, Etc. of Chemicals, new and existing chemicals must be registered by 2030. In addition, industries need to submit hazard data as an attachment during the registration process. Therefore, we constructed a nationwide chemical database to support small industry by providing hazard data and original sources. During the process, we developed a new standard procedure for minimizing errors and increasing reliability. Methods: We analyzed the categories of errors and the cause of the errors through the verification results of the 2019 project. We present an improved database construction methodology and system. Results: Errors are categorized according to their causative factors into simple, technical, and structural type errors. Simple errors arise simply because of decreased concentration or negligence in following the instructions. Technical errors are caused by a discrepancy between the professional field and the type of data. Structural errors indicate systemic errors such as incomplete forms on the excel database or ambiguity in the guidelines. Lessons from the errors collected in the 2019 project are used to update the procedures for database authorization and technical guidelines. The main update points are as follows; 'supplementation of review process', 'giving regular training to external reviewers', 'giving additional information to authors, like physico-chemical properties of substances, degradability, etc.', 'amendment of excel form', and 'guideline upgrades'. Conclusions: We conducted this study with the aim of improving the accuracy and reliability of the database of hazard information for chemical substances. The new procedures and guidelines are now being used in the 2020 project for construction of a hazard information database for Korea.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.150-158
• /
• 2019

Soil contaminated with heavy metals from artisanal gold mining in Anka Local Government Area in Northwestern Nigeria was investigated to evaluate the human health risk as a result of heavy metals. Measured concentration of heavy metals and exposure parameters were used to estimate human carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. GIS-based Kriging method was utilized to create a prediction maps of human health risks and probability maps of heavy metals concentrations exceeding their threshold limits. Hazard index calculation showed that 21 out of 23 locations are posing non-cancer risk for children. Adults and children are at high cancer risk in all locations as the total cancer risk exceeded $1{\times}10^{-6}$ (the lower limit CTR value). Kriging model showed that only a very small area in Anka has a hazard index of less than unity and cumulative target risk of less than $1{\times}10^{-4}$, indicating a significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children. The probability of heavy metals to exceed their threshold concentrations around the study area was also found to be high.

• 한국물환경학회지
• /
• 제24권2호
• /
• pp.247-259
• /
• 2008

The utilization of a variety of hazard chemicals bears risks to human health and ecosystem. The increasing usage of various chemicals indicates the greater emission of those chemicals to water system, and the subsequent deterioration of water quality. Water system is vulnerable to many pollutants, however, there are limitations of managing a range of hazard chemicals based on insufficient legal foundations. Therefore it is needed to select hazard chemicals that can be potentially discharged into water system, and subsequently to classify a wide range of existing chemicals for better management of those chemicals. In this study, the 259 candidate chemicals of concern were selected from the lists of the toxic released inventory chemicals (148), hazard concern candidate chemicals (106), and wastewater effluent standard candidate chemicals (116). We suggested the category 1, 2, 3 and 4 of hazard chemicals potentially discharged into water system. The assessment factors considered for the classification were hazard potential, persistence and emission to water body. This work was conducted as a part of the project entitled 'Development of integrated methodology for evaluation of water environment', and the results were used to develop the monitoring lists of hazard chemicals in four major rivers in Korea.

• 한국안전학회지
• /
• 제34권5호
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2019

The characteristic of fire and explosion related to electrostatic discharge is that it is difficult to reproduce the electrostatic charge and discharge phenomenon in addition to the large human and material damage. Therefore, in order to prevent accidents and disasters related to electrostatic in fire and explosion hazard areas, it is important to manage the level of electrostatic in a safe manner from the perspective of system between industrial facilities and human bodies. Rule 325 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, "Prevention of Fire / Explosion due to Electrostatic", requires the use of grounding, conductive materials, humidification and electrification in order to prevent the risk of disaster caused by static explosion and electrostatic in the production process. In order to comply with these measures, related technologies, standards and systems are needed from the viewpoint of preventive measures related to electrostatic in fire and explosion hazard areas, but in Korea, it is still insufficient. Therefore, technical, institutional and managerial measures are needed as a precautionary measure to improve the level of ESD safety in fire and explosion hazard areas and prevent electrostatic related injury. In Korea, we analyzed the current status and characteristics of electrostatic related disaster by using the statistics of industrial accident and fire statistics of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. We also analyzed the current status and characteristics of electrostatic related disasters in Japan using JNIOSH accidents and disasters investigation cases and JNIOSH fire accident data of Japan Fire Bureau. The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the current status of electrostatic related accidents and disasters in Korea and Japan in order to improve the safety management of electrostatic in fire and explosion hazard areas. In order to prevent accidents and disasters in the industrial field, The technical, institutional, and managerial measures to manage the level of electrostatic in a safe state were derived from the system point of view.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제10권1_2호
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this research is to estimate a safe environmental level of human exposure to thresholding-acting toxicants in drinking water and recommend the acceptable levels and management plans for maintaining good quality of drinking water' and protecting health hazard. This research has been funded as a national project for three years from 1992 to 1995. This study(the second year, 1993-1994) was conducted to monitor 39 species of noncarcinogenic chemicals such as volatile organic compounds(VOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbens(PAHs), pesticides and heavy metals of drinking water at some area in six cities of Korea, and evaluate health risk due to these chemicals through four main steps (hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment and risk characterization) of risk assessment in drinking water. In hazard identification, 39 species of non-carcinogenic chemicals were identified by the US EPA classification system. In the step of exposure assessment, sampling of tap water from the public water supply system had been conducted from 1993 to 1994, and 39 chemicals were analyzed. Inclose-response assessment for non-carcinogens, reference doses(RfD) and lifetime health advisories(HAs) of lifetime acceptable levels were calculated. In risk characterization of detected chemicals, the hazard quotients of noncarcinogens were less than one except those of manganese and iron in D city.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2005

People grow up and build up most of their character through living in dwelling space and have relax and refresh at home. Creating healthy dwelling space is being considered very important in architectural planning and design for providing comfortable living environment and improving quality of life. One of the properties of the earth is that the earth has a magnetic field associated with it- the Geomagnetic field. The geomagnetic field is produced by a combination of crustal rocks, external electric current systems that surround the earth that surround the earth and currents induced in the outer layers of the earth by magnetic field variations. Human beings have evolved with the background of magnetic field, they are accustomed to living in its presence. Geopathic stress occurs at geopathic zones where the geomagnetic field is disturbed. Geopathic zones exhibit magnetic charges. Geopathic zones are characterized by variations in geomagnetism, for the geomagnetic field is not uniform but exhibits many highly localized distortions, some random, some fairly regular. These occur in geological faults, caves and underground water channel. Many research papers and experiments of the western countries indicates that the geomagnetic field affects the people and living organism in dwellings. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the geomagnetic field and people's response in living space. In this study the Health Hazard of geomagneic field in dwelling are studied through literature survey of related science field.

• 대한통합의학회지
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2024

Purpose : Sarcopenic obesity is associated with adverse health consequences in females. Nevertheless, there has been limited research on the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity among younger women. This study aimed to identify the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity in younger females. Methods : This study utilized data based on 2008~2011 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys by the centers for disease control and prevention. The analysis was concentrated on a subset of 1,520 women aged between 30 and 39 years of age. The participants answered a questionnaire to gather demographic information. They then underwent a physical examination to measure the human detention variables, which was conducted utilizing bioelectrical impedance analysis. The blood pressure and blood laboratory tests were determined using established laboratory protocols for evaluating blood parameters. Results : This study included 1,520 patients aged 30~39 years old. The mean age of the participants was 34.97 (years)±2.74 and the overall prevailing rate was 1.84 %. The hazard components in human dimensions were the height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). The hazard components in biochemical and blood pressure were high fasting glucose, increased triglyceride, elevated total cholesterol, high systolic blood pressure, and increased diastolic blood pressure with p-values <.05. Conclusion : This study examined the hazardous components and prevailing rates of sarcopenic obesity in younger women living in the community. The results contribute to the current body of knowledge on sarcopenic obesity and shed light on possible hazardous components in a younger female population. Based on these findings, there should be increased health and medical attention towards the prevention, management, and health promotion related to reducing risk factors for sarcopenic obesity in younger women.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제44권3호
• /
• pp.227-237
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study was investigated the characteristics of small-scale water works (SWW) in Gyeongnam area and conduct a health risk assessment of water-quality inspection items unfitted for water-quality standards (WQS). Methods: The characteristics of SWW in Gyeongnam province were analyzed using the data of SWW in the last three years (2014~2016) published in National Waterworks Information System. In addition, the health risk assessment for inspection items unfitted for WQS was carried out in four steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. Results: The total number of SWW in Gyeongnam area was gradually decreased from 2014 to 2016. In addition, drinking water sources of SWW were in the order of ground water, valley water, spring water, surface water, and river-bed water. The number of points unfitted for WQS in SWW by year was 22, 45, and 18 in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively, and a total of 112 points were found to unfit for WQS in SWW during 2014~2016. The hazard quotient (HQ) for fluoride, nitrate nitrogen, boron in the unfitted points for WQS was more than 1.0, and the mean values for turbidity and color in points unfitted for WQS were 2.38 nephelometric turbidity unit and 16.25 color unit, respectively. Conclusions: The HQ for fluorine, nitrate nitrogen and boron was more than 1.0 in points unfitted for WQS among SWW in Gyeongnam area, and the turbidity and the color degree exceeded WQS, which mean that there is a possibility of harmful impacts on the human health.