• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.230-240
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• 2015

An IOM sampler equipped with glass fiber filter has been recently utilized instead of solid adsorbent, which was used to measure the inhalation exposure of agricultural operator to pesticides. The aim of this study is to validate the efficacy of an IOM sampler by measuring the trapping efficiency and breakthrough using kresoxim-methyl water-dispersible granule and fenthion emulsifiable concentrate. On LC-MS/ MS, minimum detection level was 12.5 pg and method limit of detection was 5.0 ng/mL. Good linearity ($R^2$ > 0.999) for matrix matched standards was obtained. Recoveries of pesticides from glass fiber filter were 102-109% (kresoxim-methyl) and 97-104% (fenthion) while those from XAD-2 resin were 94-98% (kresoxim methyl) and 93-100% (fenthion). Trapping efficiency test was performed with personal air pumps and IOM sampler (glass fiber filter) connected with solid adsorbent (XAD-2 resin) with two types of formulation (solid and liquid) which were diluted by standard rate and sprayed to IOM sampler. Those pesticides were trapped only in glass fiber filter without any breakthrough to solid adsorbent. After spiking of pesticides to glass fiber filter, breakthrough test was carried out with IOM sampler (glass fiber filter) which was connected with solid adsorbent. As a results, 87-101% of kresoxim-methyl and 96-105% of fenthion remained in spiked glass fiber filter, however, no pesticides were detected in second glass fiber filter and solid adsorbent. In conclusion, IOM sampler which equipped with glass fiber filter can be applied widely for pesticide inhalation exposure study since it has good trapping efficiency and adsorption capacity, regardless of the solid or liquid formulation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.386-392
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• 2009

This study was undertaken to compare the performance of three dust samplers for collecting cotton dust fibers. For this study, three dust samplers including Vertical Elutriator (VE), Total Dust Method (TDM) using 37 mm cassette, and the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler were selected. A total of 6 cotton mills and 4 towel factories were investigated. When measured by VE, the GM for cotton dust was 0.19 $mg/m^3$ which was less than the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) 0.2 $mg/m^3$. But when measured by TDM and IOM at the same locations, the GMs were 0.37 and 0.63 $mg/m^3$, respectively. In Korea, most industrial hygienists have used the TDM for cotton dust measurements and the results were compared with either the TLV for cotton dust or the PNOC (particulates not otherwise classified) of 10 $mg/m^3$ for making decisions. The results of this study clearly showed that past cotton dust measurements and decisions made with such results were not correct. It needs to be noticed the related contents by using VE if it applies to the exposure limit, 0.2 $mg/m^3$, and needs to be revised the exposure limit by IOM. Also, if TDM is used, it requires to be studied and suggested to the new OEL.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2011

Occupational exposure to silicon carbide dust of manufacturing industries has seldom been evaluated in Korea. Accordingly, we evaluated various silicon carbide dust concentrations in the breathing zone of workers between May 2010 and July 2010. To compare silicon carbide dust concentrations, three dust samplers including the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler, 37mm cassette sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler were used. A total of 5 manufacturing industries producing abrasive and refractory materials using silicon carbide were investigated. The geometric mean concentrations were 2.04, 0.97, and $0.48mg/m^3$ in inhalable, total and respirable silicon carbide dust, respectively. The geometric mean concentrations of silicon carbide in abrasive material manufacturing industries were slightly higher than that of refractory manufacturing industries, and finishing operations were higher than that of other operations. It was found that the results of exposure assessment in airborne dust at manufacturing industries using silicon carbide in Korea showed exceeding rate to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value ($3mg/m^3$) was 10% in respirable dust samples. Therefore, with the consideration of the close relationship between smaller dust size and the occurrence of occupational respiratory diseases, it is suggested to promulgate the new occupational exposure limit for respirable silicon carbide dust.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cobalt concentrations in airborne inhalable, total and respirable dust from manufacturing industries using cobalt. Methods: To compare cobalt concentrations, three types of dust samplers(a 37mm closed cassette sampler, Institute of Occupational Medicine(IOM) sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler) were used. The analysis of cobalt concentrations was conducted using AAs based on the NIOSH 7300 method. Results: The geometric mean of cobalt concentration in total dust was $1.47{\mu}g/m^3$, and the rate of excess of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(KOEL) was 10.0%. The geometric mean concentrations of cobalt in super alloy manufacturing industries were higher than those in plating industries, and molding operations showed higher exposure levels to cobalt than did other operations. Conclusions: The rate of cobalt concentration in inhalable dust from super alloy manufacturing industries exceeding the Workplace Exposure Limit(WEL) as recommended by the Health & Safety Executive(HSE) was 7.1%, which means proper work environmental management is required through wet work environments. Given that molding operations had higher cobalt concentrations, it is necessary to apply measures such as local exhaust for reducing airborne dust in cobalt manufacture industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.461-472
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the differences in EC concentrations according to the type of sampler by measuring and analyzing EC. Methods: Elemental carbon was measured in diesel engine vehicles and at the roadside. Using NIOSH method 5040, a cassette was coupled to 37 mm and 27 mm quartz filters and measurements were performed 21 times. There were 14 types of measurement methods, and polystyrene, polypropylene, and metal samplers were evenly placed inside the movable chamber. Results: The results measured using the 37 mm conductive cassette (closed/open) and the IOM sampler made of conductive materials showed a higher ratio than the other results. When the 37 mm conductive cassette was measured with the lid open, it showed a statistically significantly higher ratio than with other measurement methods (p<0.05). Conclusions: Checking the EC concentration a total of 21 times at each ratio based on the concentration of the 3-stage polystyrene cassette, it was statistically significantly higher when the 37 mm conductive cassette was open. This same cassette also showed a slightly higher EC concentration when closed. It was ascertained that some DEE was collected on the cassette wall surface due to the electrical conductivity of the polystyrene cassette, resulting in sample loss. Since EC is composed of fine particles, it is thought that electrical conductivity may affect its concentration.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2021

Background: The article presents the results of studies performed in order to develop a new method of airborne potassium bromate(V) determination at workplaces. Methods: The method is based on a collection of the inhalable fraction of potassium bromate(V) using the IOM Sampler, then extraction of bromates with deionized water and chromatographic analysis of the obtained solution. The analysis was performed using ion chromatography with conductometric detection. The tests were performed on a Dionex IonPac®AS22 analytic column (250 × 4 mm, 6 ㎛) with AG22 precolumn (50 × 4 mm 11 ㎛). Results: The method provides for potassium bromate(V) determination within the concentration range of 0.043 ÷ 0.88 mg/m³ for an air sample of 0.72 m³ in volume, i.e., 0.1-2 times the exposure limit value as proposed in Poland. The method was validated in accordance with PN-EN 482. The obtained validation data are as follows: measuring range: 3.1-63.4 ㎍/mL, limit of detection (LOD) = 0.018 ㎍/mL and limit of quantification (LOQ) = 0.053 ㎍/mL. The developed method has been tested in the work environment, on laboratory employees having contact with potassium bromate(V). Conclusion: The analytical method allowed the determination of the inhalable fraction of airborne potassium bromate(V) at workplaces and can be used to assess occupational exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.247-257
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• 2014

Assessment for operator's dermal and inhalation exposure to acetamiprid during cultivation of water melon in greenhouse was carried out. For dermal exposure measurement, whole body dosimetry (WBD) was performed as the first trial in Korea. WBD consists of cotton/polyester outer clothes and cotton inner clothes. Hand exposure was measured by washing of nitrile gloves and hands while head exposure was monitored by face/neck wipe technique. Inhalation exposure was monitored with personal air sampling pumps and IOM sampler (glass fiber filter). Analytical limit of quantitation was 2.5 ng/mL. Good reproducibility (C.V < 8.7%), linearity ($R^2$ > 0.99) and recovery (70~119%) were obtained. Field recovery of acetamiprid was 77~95%. During mixing/loading, hand exposure of acetamiprid was about 10 times ($229.7{\mu}g$) more than that of application case ($20.9{\mu}g$). During application, total dermal exposure was $1207.4{\mu}g$. Exposure of lower legs was $1132.1{\mu}g$, which is 93.8% of the total dermal exposure. Inhalation exposure during mixing/loading and application was not detected. Margin of safety (MOS) was calculated for risk assessment using male Korean average body weight (70 kg) and acceptable operator exposure level ($124{\mu}g/kg/day$) to give 140, suggesting that health risk of operator during treatment of acetamiprid for water melon in greenhouse could be safe.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2016

To evaluate exposure characteristics of the insecticide imidacloprid to apple orchard workers during treatment on orchard fields and evaluate its potential risk using a whole body dosimetry (WBD) method, 1,000-time diluted acephate+imidacloprid 25(20+5)% solutions were sprayed on 10 apple orchard fields in Cheongju with a speed sprayer at a rate of 3,000 L/ha/person, after put on clothes such as inner/outer clothes, personal air pump with a IOM sampler, nitrile glove and mask. Exposure test included mixing, loading and application steps. The test pesticide imidacloprid residues in the collected samples were analyzed with a HPLC-DAD. Recoveries ranged from 81.5 to 108.6% for analytical method validation and from 73.8 to 86.7% for field recovery. Total exposed amounts to mixer/loader and applicator were found to be 0.0014-0.0279% of total applied active ingredient of imidacloprid. Glove exposure of both mixer/loader and applicator was higher than the other parts. Margins of safety of mixer/loader and applicator were calculated to be 97-355 and 46-196, respectively, indicating that exposure risk of imidacloprid to apple orchard workers by spraying with a speed sprayer was very low.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.286-293
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: 18% of difenoconazole+iminoctadin triacetate microemulsion (3%+15%) formulation were mixed and sprayed as closely as possible to normal practice on the ten of farms located in the Youngju of South Korea. Patches, cotton gloves, socks, masks and XAD-2 resin were used to measure the potential exposure for applicators wearing standardized whole-body outer and inner dosimeter (WBD). This study has been carried out to determine the dermal and inhalation exposure to difenoconazole during preparation of spray suspension and application with a power sprayer on a grape orchard. METHODS AND RESULTS: A personal air monitor equipped with an air pump IOM sampler and cassette and glass fiber filter were used for inhalation exposure. The field studies were carried out in a grape orchard. The temperature and relative humidity were monitored with a thermometer and a hygrometer. Wind speed was measured using a pocket weather meter. All mean field fortification recoveries were between 97.3% and 119.6% in the level of 100 LOQ (limit of quantification) while the LOQ for difenoconazole was $0.025{\mu}g/mL$ using HPLC-UVD. The arms exposure to difenoconazole for the mixer/loader (0.0794 mg) was higher than other body parts (head, hands, upper body, legs). The exposure to difenoconazole in the legs for applicator (3.78 mg) was highest in the parts of body. The dermal exposure for mixer/loader and applicator were 0.02 and 2.28 mg on a grape orchard, respectively. The inhalation exposure during application was estimated as 0.02 mg. The ratio of inhalation exposure to dermal exposure was equivalent to 0.9% of the dermal exposure. CONCLUSION: The inhalation exposure for applicator indicated $18.8{\times}10^{-3}mg$, which was level of 0.9% of the dermal exposure (2.28 mg). Operator exposure (0.004 mg/kg bw/day) to difenoconazole during treatment for grape is calculated as 2.5% of the established AOEL (0.16 mg/kg bw/day).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.302-311
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Dithianon (75%) formulation were mixed and sprayed as closely as possible by normal practice on the ten farms located in the Mungeong of South Korea. Patches, cotton gloves, socks, masks, and XAD-2 resin were used for measurement of the potential exposure of dithianon on the applicators wearing standardized whole-body outer and inner dosimeter (WBD). This study has been carried out to determine the dermal and inhalation exposure to dithianon during preparation of spray suspension and application with a power sprayer on a apple orchard. METHODS AND RESULTS: A personal air monitor equipped with an air pump, IOM sampler and cassette, and glass fiber filter was used for inhalation exposure. The field studies were carried out in a apple orchard. The temperature and relative humidity were monitored with a thermometer and a hygrometer. Wind speed was measured using a pocket weather meter. All mean field fortification recoveries were between 85.1% and 99.1% in the level of 100 LOQ (limit of quantification), while the LOQ for dithianon was $0.05{\mu}g/mL$ using HPLC-DAD. The exposure to dithianon on arms of the mixer/loader (0.0794 mg) was higher than other body parts (head, hands, upper body, or legs). The exposure to dithianon on the applicator's legs (3.78 mg) was highest in the body parts. The dermal exposures for mixer/loader and applicator were 10 and 8.10 mg, respectively, from a grape orchard. The inhalation exposure during application was estimated as 0.151 mg, and the ratio of inhalation exposure was 11.2% of the dermal exposure (inner clothes). CONCLUSION: The dermal and inhalation exposure on the applicator appeared to be 4.203 mg - 25.064 mg and $0.529{\mu}g-116.241{\mu}g$, respectively. The total exposures on the agricultural applicators were at the level of 2.596 mg - 25.069 mg to dithianon during treatment for apple orchard. The TER showed 3.421 (>1) when AOEL of dithianon was used as a reference dose for the purpose of risk assessment of the mixing/loading and application.