• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.73-79
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• 2009

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of single and combined exposure of toluene (T) and xylene (X) on the cytochrome-450(CYP)-mediated metabolizing capacity, induction of CYP isozymes and the excretion of their metabolites in urine. Animal were adults male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and divided into 4 groups such as control, T (treated with 63.7 mg/body kg), X (treated with 65.9 mg/body kg) and TX(T=X). Organic solvents was administrated by intraperitoneal injection for 3 days. The contents of protein and CYP in liver microsomes of control group were $16.48{\pm}0.56 mg/m{\ell}$ and $0.744{\pm}0.025$ nmol/mg protein, respectively, and they contents were significantly lower than in derived from treated groups (p<0.01). The activities of PROD and ${\rho}NPH$ were significantly higher in single treated groups than in control and combined group (TX). When Western immunoblotting were carried out with two monoclonal antibodies (MAb 1-98-1 and MAb 2-66-3) which were specific against CYP2B1/2 and CYP2E1, respectively, a strong signal corresponding to CYP2B1/2 was observed in microsomes obtained from rats treated with X and TX. The color density against CYP2E1 was slightly increased in T and TX groups compared with C and X groups. The amounts of urinary hippuric acid in T single treated group was $3.29{\pm}1.97$ g/g creatinine and TX combined group was $2.91{\pm}1.76$ g/g creatinine, but was not significant. However, amount of urinary methy hippuric acid in X single treated group ($1.62{\pm}0.72$ g/g creatinine) was significantly higher than TX combined group ($0.93{\pm} 0.63$ g/g creatinine)(p<0.01). These results suggested that CYP2E1 isozyme might be responsible for the metabolism of T, and CYP2B1/2 isozyme is for X. And also, difference of metabolites level between single and combined group may be speculated that the intermediates of T and X interacted each other in the process of their metabolite formation reaction.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.172-180
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• 2002

Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs) are large scale industrial chemicals which are using in diverse applications. The goal of this study was to determine if exposure to 2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 52) leads to an increase in the production of active oxidants, and subsequently promotes apoptosis of neuronal SK-N-MC cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was examined in SK-N-MC cells after treatment of PCB 52 by concentrations and incubation times, respectively. It showed that the rate of ROS production in the cells was increased in a does-dependent manner to 45 min, followed by a return towards control levels after 120 min treatment. We also examined the association of PCB-induced apoptosis with the modulation of biomakers of oxidative damage to lipids (malondialdehyde [MDA]) in SK-N-MC cells. Increased MDA was observed in a dose-dependent manner in groups treated with 10, 15, and 20 figJ me of PCB 52 for 24 h. After treatment of PCB 52, the cells did not show any significant change in the rate of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) activity. Whereas, the cells had a two-fold greater rate of change in catalase activity at 20 ㎍/㎖ of PCB 52 for 24 h when compared to control group. Korean Ginseng is one of the most important crude drugs which has been used as a traditional Oriental medicine. We next investigated protective effect of extracts of ginseng on cytotoxicity induced by PCB 52 in SK-N-MC cells. Pretreatment of SK-N-MC cells with 25-200 μg/ml of ginseng were reduced cell death in a dose-dependent manner in PCB 52-treated cells. To examine the sensitivity of beta-catenin to ginseng, the protective effect of a range of ginseng concentrations was examined in SK-N-MC cells treated with PCB 52. The result demonstrated that ginseng efficiently blocked PCB 52 inducible beta-catenin proteolysis in a concentration dependent manner. The ROS formation was also measured in the presences of extract of ginseng and superoxide dismutase (inhibitor of oxygen free radical production). The both SOD (400 U/ml) and ginseng (200 μg/ml) significantly inhibited RDS generation in PCB 52-treated group.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.518-527
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• 2014

Objectives: The adverse health effects attributed to exposure to radon have been well known over the world. However, the efforts for prevention and mitigation of radon have not been taken in Korea so far. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation methods applied for various types of houses and public buildings with high level of radon. Methods: Based on the results of "National Radon Survey" performed by the National Institute of Environmental Research(NIER) in 2010-2012, we selected 30 candidate buildings consisting of 20 houses and 10 public buildings with greater than $148Bq/m^3$ of radon level. We measured the concentration of radon in 30 buildings, using E-PERMs and RAD-7 during January to March of 2013. More than five E-PERMs and one RAD-7 per house were installed for seven days. Ten houses and five public buildings were finally chosen to be mitigated after mainly considering the level of radon and the location of buildings nationwide. Three mitigation methods such as Sealing, two types of Active Ventilation(window-shaped and wall-typed ventilations), and Active Soil Depressurization(ASD) were applied, and the concentrations of radon were measured before and after mitigation, respectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation methods, reduction rates of radon were calculated and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was performed. Results: The mean concentration of 15 buildings just before radon mitigation was $297.8Bq/m^3$, and most of the buildings were located in Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, and Daegu areas(73.3%), and built in 1959-1998. The level of radon decreased from 48% to 90% and kept the below recommendation limit of $148Bq/m^3$ after installation of radon mitigation. Among mitigation methods applied, the reduction rate(58.7-90.4%) of radon attributed to ASD was the greatest than that of other methods, followed by Active Ventilation(48.4-78.4%) and Sealing(<22%). The effectiveness of radon reduction by window-shaped Active Ventilation(63.2-75.2%) was relatively better than that of wall-typed Active Ventilation(48.4-54.3%). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that ASD could be more effective for radon mitigation. Moreover, our findings would be background information in future for making the strategy for radon mitigation nationwide, as well as for developing Korean-version of mitigation techniques according to types of dwellings in Korea.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.528-535
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• 2014

Objectives: This study compares the differences of fit factors before and after training on the N95 mask. The results will be utilized to suggest the need of providing effective training on respirator use. Methods: A total of 49 study subjects were tested, comprised of nurses from a general hospital and undergraduate nursing students from a medical school. Anthropometric measurements of face length and face width were compared with the NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) panel. Fit factors(FF) were measured with TSI Portacount Pro+8038 before and after on-site training regarding the proper use of respirators. The FF pass/fail criterion was set at 100. Results: Two subjects(4.1 %) passed the fit test before training on use of the N95. However, 36(73.5%) of the 49 passed the test after training. Overall the FF(GM(GSD)) was 13.4(3.2) before training, but improved to 106.6(2.1) after training, which was statistically significant. These findings suggest the efficacy of educational intervention, and the performance of the direct on-site training proved to be better than that of the traditional educational methods. Conclusions: This study showed the effect of on-site training of the N95 respirator among health care workers(HCW). Therefore, providing effective training on the use of N95 for HCWs before their work assignments will greatly reduce exposure to harmful agents. It is recommended that fit testing be mandated to check for adequate protection being provided by the given respirators.

• 생물환경조절학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.147-157
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• 2018

4차 산업혁명과 함께 국내외로 최첨단융합기술이 농업분야에 적용되기 시작하면서, ICT, 스마트팜 등이 농촌에 보급되기 시작하였다. 그러나 국내 농촌인구수의 지속적인 감소, 고령화로 인하여 최신 기술들의 전파에 어려움이 많은 실정이다. 이에, 다양한 농민 교육 프로그램이 필요한 가운데, 최근 가상현실 기술이 떠오르면서, 농민교육용 프로그램 개발에 활용을 고려해 볼 수 있다. 현재 가상현실 기술은 교육, 의료, 오락 등 다양한 분야에 응용되고 있으며, 교육효과의 증진, 경제적인 교육, 위험성 감소 등의 장점을 바탕으로 농업 분야에 접목이 가능할 것으로 판단하였다. 특히, 스마트팜의 경우 내부의 환경 조절을 위하여 다양한 기술이 집약되어 운영이 되기 때문에, 농민들이 이러한 공기역학적 환경 분포를 이해하는데 가상현실 기술이 매우 효과적일 수 있다. 이를 위해서는 유동, 온도, 가스 등의 분석 및 측정 결과를 바탕으로 가시화하는 기술이 필요하다. 현장에서 직접 환경 요소를 측정하는 것에 한계가 있기 때문에, 최근 연구가 활발하게 이루어지고 있는 전산유체역학을 통한 농업시설 내의 환경 분포 및 에너지 부하를 분석결과를 융합하면 용이할 것으로 사료된다. 또한 농민이 대상이기 때문에 사용자 편의성을 고려한 인터페이스 구축이 병행되어야 할 것이다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.405-417
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between physical factors, working conditions and occupational injuries among Korean workers. Methods: We used data from the 2nd Korean Working Conditions Survey, conducted in 2010. A total of 7,114 workers over 15 years of age were selected from among 10,019 Korean workers. The participants were interviewed using questionnaires. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations among physical factors, working conditions and occupational injuries. Results: After the adjustment of socio-demographic factors, the odds ratio of injuries through physical factors such as vibration (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 4.037, 95% CI 2.30-7.09), noise (aOR 4.562, 95% CI 2.64-7.89), high temperature (aOR 3.262, 95% CI 1.86-5.73), and low temperature (aOR 3.358, 95% CI 1.76-6.41) were greater in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. The odds ratios of occupational injury(aOR 5.272, 95% CI 3.19-8.7 for very high speed work, aOR 3.303, 95% CI 1.95-5.60 for tight deadlines, and aOR 3.641, 95% CI 1.72-7.70 for not enough time to work) increased with increased work demands. Conclusions: In this study, physical factors such as vibration, noise, and high and low temperatures were significantly correlated with occupational injuries according to the increase in exposure intensity(p for trend <0.001). Also, working conditions such as high-speed work, tight deadlines and insufficient time to work showed significant associations with occupational injuries(p for trend<0.001).

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.449-457
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• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, the system of management of medical waste largely relies on the incineration method. Our study aimed to identify any regional imbalances between the generation and treatment of medical waste, and provide reference data for future policy in Korea. Methods: We analyzed data on the amount of medical waste from 2,000 hospitals in 2012, 2013, and 2014 obtained from the Korea Environment Corporation. In the Arc GIS program (version 10.2.3), the addresses of hospitals and incinerators were transformed into map coordinates. The amount of waste generated by each hospital and the amount incinerated were represented by density and size of a triangle symbol, respectively. Results: As of 2014, the total amount of medical waste from the top 2,000 hospitals was 136,073 tons, out of which about half (49%) was generated in the capital area. Eleven incineration companies (three in the capital area, two in the Chungcheong Provinces area, one in the Jeolla Provinces area, and five in the Gyeongsang Provinces area) treated this waste. For the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, about 60% of the medical waste generated from the hospitals in the capital area was treated within the capital area and about 40% was transported to other areas, especially the Gyeongsang Provinces area, for treatment. On the other hand, about 90% of the medical waste incinerated in the capital area originated from the capital area. Conclusion: Our results suggest a spatial imbalance between the generation and treatment of medical waste in Korea and warrants multilateral policies, including the expansion of on-site treatment, strengthening regulation of the containment of medical wastes, promoting reductions in medical waste and more.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.185-193
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• 2008

We evaluated the response to salt stress of two different ginseng lines, STG3134 and STG3159, which are sensitive and tolerant, respectively, to salt treatment. Plants were exposed to a 5 dS/m salt solution, and chlorophyll fluorescence was measured. STG3134 ginseng was more sensitive than STG3159 to salt stress. To characterize the cellular response to salt stress in the two different lines, changes in protein expression were investigated using a proteomic approach. Total protein was extracted from detached salt-treated leaves of STG3134 and STG3159 ginseng, and then separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(2-DE). Approximately 468 protein spots were detected by 2-DE and Coommassie brilliant blue staining. Twenty-two proteins were found to be reproducibly up- or down-regulated in response to salt stress. Among these proteins, twelve were identified using MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-Q-TOF and classified into several functional groups: photosynthesis-related proteins(oxygen-evolving enhancer proteins 1 and 2, rubisco and rubisco activase), detoxification proteins(polyphenol oxidase) and defense proteins($\beta$-1,3-glucanase, ribonuclease-like storage protein, and isoflavone reductase-like protein). The protein levels of ribonuclease-like storage protein, which was highly induced in STG3159 ginseng as compared to STG3134, correlated tightly with mRNA transcript levels, as assessed by reverse-transcription(RT)-PCR. Our results indicate that salinity induces changes in the expression levels of specific proteins in the leaves of ginseng plants. These changes may, in turn, playa role in plant adaptation to saline conditions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.269-276
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• 2001

Objectives : To evaluate the internal burden and hazardous effects associated with smoking in middle and high school students. Methods : We analysed urinary cotinine(U-cotinine) concentrations and the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE). A comparison was done of U-cotinine concentrations and the frequency of SCE in peripheral lymphocytes across school levels (middle vs. high) and smoking types (direct: daily & occasional smoking, indirect; usual indirect & non-smoking), in 122 males. Results : The middle school student group comprised 6.8% daily smokers, 15.9% occasional smokers, 40.9% daily indirect smokers, and 35.4% nonsmokers, while the high school student group comprised 18.0%, 20.5%, 35.7%, and 21.8%, respectively. The U-cotinine concentration and the frequency of SCE among the middle school students were $79.11{\mu}g/l$ and 2.0 per cell, respectively, which were significantly lower than the $146.85{\mu}g/l$ (p=0.078) and 2.6 per cell (p=0.005) of the high school students. Among the 40 direct smokers, these two biomarkers were $236.66{\mu}g/l$ and 2.59 per cell, significantly higher than the $67.33{\mu}g/l$ (p=0.0001) and 2.1 per cell (p=0.003) among indirect smoking groups. The variation in individual U-cotinine concentration ranged widely in both the indirect and direct smoking groups. Conclusion : Urinary cotinine concentrations and the frequency of Sister Chromatid Exchange seem to objectively and effectively evaluate student exposure whether it was direct or indirect smoking. Consequently, these biomarkers may be useful in monitoring the objective efficacy of anti-smoking programs in adolescent populations.

• 환경영향평가
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.194-202
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• 2018

국내 법적인 건강영향평가로서 환경영향평가 내 위생 공중보건 항목의 평가는 특정 개발 사업에서 배출되는 유해대기오염물질 배출량 및 주변 주요 지점의 노출농도 산정, 이를 활용한 위해성 평가로 진행되고 있다. 하지만 개발 사업부지 주변의 노출 가능한 인구집단 규모를 고려하지 못하는 등 개발 사업부지 주변의 수용체 특성은 해당 위해성 평가에서 제대로 반영되지 못하고 있다. 본 논문의 목적은 개발 사업부지 주변의 노출 가능한 인구수를 산정 반영한 위해성 평가를 위해 잠재노출 인구수의 산정 및 이를 실제 위생 공중보건 항목 작성 시 활용하는 방안을 제안하는 것이다. 개발 사업부지 주변의 인구수 산정 관련한 국내 자료 현황을 파악하고 이를 고려한 잠재노출 인구수 산정 알고리즘을 제안하였다. 나아가 산업단지 개발 시 유해대기오염물질 배출을 가정한 사례 분석을 수행하였다. 잠재노출 인구수를 활용한 위해성 평가는 인구집단 위해도 개념이 적용되어야 함을 제시하였으며, 향후 연구로 평가결과에 대한 건강영향 여부의 판단기준 설정이 요구됨을 제안하였다. 또한 본 논문의 잠재노출 인구수 산정방법을 통해 개발사업의 입지제한 도구로의 활용가능성을 제안하였다. 이번 논문은 위생 공중보건 항목 작성 시 개발 사업부지 주변의 수용체 특성을 반영한 위해성 평가를 수행하는 방안을 제시했다는 것에 의미가 있다.