• 한국의류산업학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.82-91
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• 2023

The children who are part of this study are compelled to wear masks at educational facilities for an extended period of time as they continue to be exposed to Asian dust, fine dust, and COVID-19. However, use of masks is currently causing them a lot of inconvenience. This study aimed to gather basic data for the development of a mask that is suitable and comfortable for children to wear. A total of 331 children aged 1 to 9 were investigated through their parents in terms of their lifestyle, mask wearing and purchasing status, mask preferences, mask inconvenience, and mask improvement. According to the survey on mask use, the proportion of children aged 1-3 years old and wearing ultra-small/XS masks, 4-6 year olds wearing small/S, and 7-9 year olds wearing small/S was the highest. More than 80% of children were wearing masks with a standard filter of KF80 or higher. The purchase criteria for children's masks were found to be excellent in terms of wearing comfort and meeting the filter standards. According to the survey on inconvenience of wearing masks, the majority of those surveyed expressed the need to develop children's masks of different sizes. Furthermore, they experienced various kinds of inconveniences from adult masks, such as the material quality and length of earring bands; it was deduced that these aspects need to be taken care of. The vertical folding type was the most popular in the mask design for children. Children have to wear masks for a prolonged period of time, but they are experiencing lot of inconvenience, which need to be addressed.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2022

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of wearing a mask and different mask filters on the respiratory function of stroke patients. Methods : A total of 15 stroke patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The respiratory functions were compared between participants with and without masks and among respiratory functions with three different mask filters. The order of using masks was non-wearing masks, Dental masks, KF80 masks, and KF94 masks; the difference in respiratory volumes among these conditions were measured. For accuracy of the measurement, sufficient education on the respiratory measurement method was provided to the researcher, and the heart rate of the participants was estimated to confirm their stability before the measurements. To ensure accuracy, the subjects were educated on the researchers' respiratory measurement methods. Each measurement was followed by 10 min breathing stability before replacing the next mask. Results : The results of this study showed that the difference in respiratory functions, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), in stroke patients was statistically significant among different masks (p<.05). Afterwards, the values of FVC, FEV₁, and MVV in stroke patients wearing masks were significantly lower than those of the non-masked control group (p<.05). The difference in respiratory functions with different mask filters showed no statistical significance (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that participants wearing any of the masks presented a lower respiratory function than that of those without using masks; additionally, no difference in respiratory functions was observed with differences in mask filters. Therefore, wearing a mask for a prolonged period is confirmed to affect breathing in stroke patients with weak respiratory function.

• 한국포장학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.73-83
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• 2024

In this study, environmental evaluation of high barrier coated paper (coating layer/paper) packaging is conducted in comparison with conventional aluminum laminated (PET/VMPET/LLDPE) plastic packaging. The target product for this packaging is a KF94 mask, which requires a high barrier of water and oxygen to maintain the filtration ability of the mask filter. The functional unit of this study is 10,000 mask packaging materials based on a material capable of blocking oxygen (<1 g/m²day) and moisture (<3 g/m²day) for the preservation of KF94 masks. In order to understand the results easily, paper-based mask packaging system divided into 6 stages (pulp, pulping & paper making, calendaring & coating, printing, packing and waste management), while plastic-based mask packaging consists of 5 stages (material production, processing, printing, packing, waste management) In case of paper-based mask packaging, most contributing stage is calendaring & coating, resulting from heat and electricity production. On the other hand, plastic-based mask packaging is contributed more than 30% by material production, specifically due to linear low density polyethylene and purified terephthalic acid production. The comparison results show that global warming potential of paper-based mask packaging has 32% lower than that of plastic-based mask packaging. Most of other impact indicators revealed in similar trend.

• 한국입자에어로졸학회지
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.191-202
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• 2019

In this study, performance (particle removal efficiency and breathing resistance) of several commercially available face masks (electrostatic filter masks (KF80 certified), a nanofiber filter mask (KF80 certified), and an uncertified mask) with their filter structure and composition were evaluated. Also, effects of relative humidity (RH) of incoming air, water and alcohol exposure, and reusability on performance of face masks were examined. Monodisperse and polydisperse sodium chloride particles were used as test aerosols. Except the uncertified mask filter, PM_2.5 removal efficiency was found to be higher than 90%, and the nanofiber filter mask had the highest quality factor due to the low pressure drop and high removal efficiency (nanofibers were arranged in a densely packed pore structure and contained a significant amount of fluorine in addition to carbon and oxygen). In the case of the KF80 certified mask, the removal efficiency was little affected when the RH of incoming air increased. When the mask filters were soaked in water, the removal efficiency of mask filters was degraded. In particular, the uncertified mask filter showed the highest removal efficiency degradation (26%). When the mask was soaked in alcohol, the removal efficiency also decreased with the greater degree than the water soaking case. The nanofiber mask filter showed the strongest resistance to alcohol exposure among tested mask filters. During evaluation of reusability of masks in real life, the removal efficiency of certified mask filter was less than 4% for 5 consecutive days (2 hours per day), while the removal efficiency of uncertified mask filter significantly decreased by 30% after 5 days.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.427-439
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aims to investigate differences in microbial contamination according to the duration and environment of mask wearing. Methods: Forty-five participants were recruited from workers in an offices, multi-purpose facilities, and a schools. After wearing of KF94 mask for two. four, and six hours, the microorganisms adsorbed on the outer and inner layers of the mask were inoculated on BAP(Blood Agar Plate), Chocolate agar, and SDA plates. The bacterial count (CFUs: colony-forming units) cultured in each plate was measured and analyzed for changes in filtration efficiency. Results: The microbial contamination of masks worn in classrooms, offices, and multi-purpose facilities showed a significant difference depending on the environment (p<0.000). The measured CFUs increased significantly according to the time wearing the mask. The difference between the inner and outer layers of the mask was also significant (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the filtration efficiency of the masks by duration time (p=0.515). Conclusions: Masks worn by workers in the offices, multi-purpose facilities, and schools showed an increase of microbial contamination with the amount of time wearing the mask. The results indicate that the masks used in daily life may have adverse health effects if they are worn for a long time or reused over several days without the realizing that the masks can be contaminated with biological hazards. Guidelines on the safe threshold time for mask use should be established through further research.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.750-756
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• 2020

Objectives: After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, the South Korean government announced guidelines on wearing masks to prevent its spread. The guidelines have changed depending on the severity of the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to identify mask-wearing behaviours to counter the spread of COVID-19 in indoor and outdoor environments. Methods: The type of mask worn and proper wearing were observed in cafés, supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets in Seoul. Behavioral assessment was repeated in August at social distancing levels 1 and 2, in October at social distancing level 1, and in November after the mask mandates. Results: In August, 22.1% of subjects in cafés, 90.8% in supermarkets, 91.8% in underground shopping malls, and 83.6% on outdoor streets wore masks properly. In October, the proportion of correct wearers increased in all locations. After masks became mandatory in November, about 97% of users of supermarkets, underground shopping malls, and streets wore masks properly. In cafés, the proportion of proper wearers was 61.5% with both social distancing level 2 in August and the mandate in November. The number of KF-certified mask wearers continued to increase from August to November. Conclusion: This study investigated mask-wearing behaviors to counter COVID-19 through observations in indoor and outdoor places in Seoul. Mask-wearing behavior was different depending on the place and the government guidelines in place. The results could be used for evaluation of the current guidelines for COVID-19.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.516-538
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• 2020

The present study investigated regional and sex differences in knowledge, perception, cognition and behavior of fine-dust protective masks for periods of high concentration of fine dust in Korea. A total of 2,012 adults from seven provinces responded to the questionnaire. The results (all p<.05) showed that 78% of respondents considered pollution from China to be the greatest contributor of fine dust. Seoul and Gyeonggi residents more frequently checked fine dust forecasts than other provinces and consulted their smartphone applications to do so more than other residents. Jeju, Gwangwon, and Jeonla residents had less knowledge of KF 80, 94, and 99 masks than residents of other provinces. Gwangwon and Jeju residents had less trust in the effectiveness of protective masks than other residents. Females perceived themselves as unhealthier respiratory, more frequently checked the concentration of fine dust, trusted more the effectiveness of masks, and more frequently wore masks, compared to male respondents. Those who self-identified their respiratory function as poor, more frequently checked fine dust forecasting, and had greater knowledge of masks, which resulted in greater trust in the protective function of masks, and finally had higher wear frequency of masks for days with high concentrations of fine dust.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.109-123
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• 2020

Objectives: The aims of this study were to review the standards and key components of the standards for disposable masks in Korea, the US, EU, Japan, and China and to evaluate the appropriateness of disposable masks during a virus pandemic. Methods: We reviewed the standards in the above countries and compared their key elements for each standard. For the second purpose, systemic paper gathering using key words like 'mask', 'respirator' 'virus', and 'coronavirus' in the PubMed search engine was performed. Fifty-three papers were selected and reviewed in regard to the appropriateness of test protocols with sodium chloride(NaCl) particles for virus filtration and the effectiveness against viruses. Results: The standards for masks are largely divided into two categories: US standards and EU standards. In Korea, the Ministry of Employment and Labor adapted the EU standards for workers and the Health Masks adopted the Ministry of Employment and Labor standards by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Regarding airborne viral infections, WHO emphasizes only droplet infection, while many studies have shown that small particles enter the air through coughing or sneezing, which increases the possibility of airborne infection. Compared to other particles, various factors such as airborne viability and the ability to replicate the virus in the body are further involved in the virus's airborne infection rate. Airborne infection is classified into absolute air infection, preferential air infection, and opportunistic air infection. The NaCl-certified N95 mask showed good filtration efficiency against viruses and NaCl particles were proved to be a surrogate material for viruses. From this, KF94 is also expected to be effective in blocking viruses. Conclusion: The N95 test method could be used as a surrogate test method for virus filtration. N95-class masks have been found to effectively block viral infections in the air. However, surgical or medical masks are only partially effective against airborne virus infection though they could effectively block large droplet infection. However, most studies considered in this study targeted N95 in foreign countries and studies on masks actually used in Korea are very limited, so studies on microorganisms and reuse on domestic masks should be conducted in the future.