• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.103-113
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if virtual reality-based exercise was effective in balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty patients with PD were assigned randomly to the experimental (n=15) or control groups (n=15). The experimental group performed virtual reality-based exercise and the control group underwent conventional physical therapy for 30minutes, five times per week for four weeks. A force platform system, the Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), the six-minute walking test (6MWT), and the Korean Version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES) were used to evaluate balance, gait, and falls efficacy. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine the within- and between-group differences after training, respectively. RESULTS: Changes in the K-BBS score (p<.001) and fall efficacy (p<.01), following the intervention were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group whereas significant group difference were not observed for the anterior-posterior and mediolateral postural sway lengths. The change in the ground reaction force (p<.001) and 6MWT values (p<.05) were significantly greater after intervention in patients in the experimental group than in the control group, whereas a significant group difference was not observed for the step and stride lengths. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that virtual reality-based exercise is an effective intervention for improving balance, gait, and fall efficacy in patients with PD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2005

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in lead workers, 652 lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 102 non-occupationally lead exposed blue collar workers in general manufacturing industries were also joined this study. All study subjects joined this study with written informed consent. The study variables of lead exposure were blood and patella lead. For the general characteristics of study subjects, standardized questionnaire regarding age, sex, past disease history, job duration, body mass index (BMI), drinking and smoking habit were provided. For the past history of neurotoxicity related diseases, all study subjects were interviewed by qualified occupational health physician. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposed subjects had worse performance on all tests(p<0.05). 2. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for blood lead were negative for 13 of the 14 tests. Blood lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms & root MSD), Trail-Making Test B, Digit Symbol Substitution, Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention, and Purdue pegboard both hand). 3. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for patella lead were negative for 12 of the 14 tests. Patella lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms). Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention. Pursuit Aiming rest (no. of correct & no. of incorrect), Purdue pegboard non-dominant hand and both hand). With above results, blood lead and patella lead were associated with poorer performance of neurobehavioral tests. In addition, patella lead was confirmed to be better predictor of manual dexterity test in neurobehavioral test battery in lead workers

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2016

The second-stage near surface disposal facility for low and very low level radioactive waste's permanent disposal is to be built. During the institutional control period, the inadvertent intrusion of the general public is limited. But after the institutional control period, the access to the general public is not restricted. Therefore human who has purpose of residence and resource exploration can intrude the disposal facility. In this case, radioactive effects to the intruder should be limited within regulatory dose limits. This study conducted the safety assessment of human intrusion on the second-stage surface disposal facility through drilling and post drilling scenario. Results of drilling and post drilling scenario were satisfied with regulatory dose limits. The result showed that post-drilling scenario was more significant than drilling scenario. According to the human intrusion time and behavior after the closure of the facility, dominant radionuclide contributing to the intruder was different. Sensitivity analyses on the parameters about the human behavior were also satisfied with regulatory dose limits. Especially, manual redistribution factor was the most sensitive parameter on exposure dose. A loading plan of spent filter waste and dry active waste was more effective than a loading plan of spent filter waste and other wastes for the radiological point of view. These results can be expected to provide both robustness and defense in depth for the development of safety case further.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.141-149
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• 2018

The perception of risk that firefighters have is closely related to their performance and emergency preparedness in nuclear power plant accidents. This study investigated the unique risk perception among firefighters working in nuclear power plants (NPPs) using a concept mapping method. Thirty three firefighters in NPPs participated in this study. Two core axes, "fear and control" and "coping resource", emerged in the firefighters' risk perception. In particular, the risk perception consisted of six clusters: fear of radiation exposure and low controllability; anxiety caused by the lack of control and authority; lack of trust and cooperation; lack of authority and professionals; lack of equipment, manual, and information; and lack of knowledge and training. Catastrophic expectation and a low sense of control caused by the lack of responsive resources were the main factors that increase the risk perception. The theoretical and practical contributions of this study were discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.506-512
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• 2007

This study was conducted to describe the exposure levels of welding fumes by the type of manufacturers, work process, welding type and the size of manufacturers, and to find out the trend of chronological changes of airborne welding fume levels. The subjects of this study were 509 manufacturers, consisting of 11 types of manufacturers, 3 work processes, 7 welding types, in Busan from January, 1997 to December, 2005. Airborne concentration of welding fume was determined by manual of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the data were analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 for Windows program. The mean concentration of airborne welding fume in all manufacturers was $1.29\;mg/m^3$ (Range: $0.01{\sim}3.00\;mg/m^3)$. The level of welding fume was the highest, as $1.96\;mg/m^3$, for manufactures of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, which was lower than $5.0\;mg/m^3$ of 8 hr-TWA in Korean permissible exposure limit for welding fume. There was a significant difference in the mean levels of welding fumes by work process, showing the highest in welding workshop ($1.39\;mg/m^3$), followed by pipeline welding workshop ($1.26\;mg/m^3$) and engineering workshop ($1.20\;mg/m^3$). Among welding types, the mean level of welding fume was the highest in the type of $CO_2$ & arc welding, as $1.46\;mg/m^3$, followed by $CO_2$ welding ($1.40\;mg/m^3$), shielded metal arc welding ($1.31\;mg/m^3$), spot welding ($1.27\;mg/m^3$), and so on. The highest mean level of welding fume was $1.58\;mg/m^3$ in work process of pipe line welding workshop for the manufacturers of basic iron and steel, and $2.27\;mg/m^3$ in the type of arc welding for the manufactures building ship and boats. By the size of manufacturers, the mean concentration of welding fume for manufactures in small scale with less than 50 workers was the highest as $1.45\;mg/m^3$ (Range: $0.07{\sim}3.00\;mg/m^3)$. The mean level of welding fume was the highest as $1.39\;mg/m^3$ both in 1997 and in 2005, showing a trend of fluctuating periodically within a range of $1.10{\sim}1.39\;mg/m^3$. The above results suggested that more effective control program for work environment producing welding fumes should be developed and applied since there were significant variations in welding fume levels by the type of manufacturers, work processes, welding types, the size of manufactures, and by year.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 1994

This study was designed to establish the relationship between airborne trichloroethylene concentrations and total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in urine samples of the trichloroethylene exposed workers, to examine if the biological screening value for trichloroacetic acid in urine set by the Ministry of Labor is appropriate, and to suggest a suitable biological screening value for total trichloro-compounds in urine. Seventy male workers from the cleaning, the packing, and the inspcetion areas were selected as the study group and eighty male office workers were chosen as the control group. The results were as follows: 1. The mean values of total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in the exposed group ($48.1{\pm}1.5mg/{\ell}$, $19.7{\pm}1.9mg/{\ell}$) were significantly higher than those in the control group($4.3{\pm}1.5mg/{\ell}$, $1.8{\pm}1.2mg/{\ell}$). 2. The airborne tichloroethylene concentrations were significantly related with the concentrations of total trichloro-compounds in urine(r=0.8212) and the concentrations of trichloroacetic acid in urine(r=0.7216). 3. The average trichloroethylene concentrations in the manual cleaning plants and that in the automatic cleaning plants were 40.1 ppm and 7.7 ppm, respectively. The difference between two groups was statistically significant. 4. The geometric mean of 49.6 ppm trichloroethylene concentration was resulted in the $185.4mg/{\ell}$ total trichloro-compounds in urine, and the 50 ppm trichloroethylene concentration was expected to produce $170.4{\pm}28.5mg/{\ell}$ total trichloro-compounds in urine. 5. With the geometric mean of 49.6 ppm trichloroethylene concentration, the corresponding geometric mean concentration of trichloroacetic acid in urine was $74.7mg/{\ell}$. In conclusion, the level of personal exposure to trichloroethylene concentration was significantly correlated with the concentrations of total trichloro-compounds and trichloroacetic acid in urine. Current biological screening value of $75mg/{\ell}$ for trichloroacetic acid in urine set by the Ministry of Labor was thought to be appropriate, and a biological screening value for total trichloro-compounds in urine should be set in the range of $170.4{\pm}28.5mg/{\ell}$ as a reference value for trichoroethylene exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2001

Objective : For the purpose of preparing the fundamental data and health promotion and control program on organic solvents in air of manufacturing industry. Methods : The author surveyed number of organic solvent components which was used in working site and also determined the organic solvents concentration in air of 927 manufacturing industries and 1,267 working process with gas chromatography(NIOSH manual) for five years from 1995 to 1999. Results : Mean number of solvents components by type of industry, working process was number of 12. There were exceeded to TLV of 1,2-dichloroethane in textile manufacturing industry N,N-dimethyl furan in tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage, handbags, saddlery, harness and footwear manufacturing industry and chemical and chemical product manufacturing industry by type of industry. There were exceeded to TLV of 1,2-dichloroethane in handwriting and drawing process, cellosolve in adhesive spreading process, N,N-dimethly furan in production of solvent process and adhesion process by working process Total exceeded rate to threshold limit values of organic solvents mixture were 12.9% for EI(Exposure index) and 10.0% for Em(Estimation of mixture) by type of industry, 11.3% for EI and 8.2% for Em by type of working process. The highest exceed rate was 36.7% for EI in tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage handbags, saddlery, harness and footwear manufacturing industry and 29.0% for Em in textile manufacturing industry. The highest exceeded rate was 23.1% for EI and 12.5% for Em in adhesive spreading process by working process. Mean values of total subjects by type of industry and type of working process were $0.7{\pm}1.8$ for EI and $0.7{\pm}1.7$ for Em respectively. Conclusions : As above results, the author suggest that it makes the environmental control program on 1.2-dichloroethane, N,N-dimethyl furan, cellosolve by kind of organic solvent and on textile manufacturing industry, tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage, handbags, saddlery harness and footwear manufacturing industry by type of industry, and on handwriting, drawing process and adhesive spreading process and adhesion process by type of working process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.495-503
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of humidifier disinfectant-like products (HD-like products) and humidifier disinfectant products (HD products) and introduce actual cases of the usage of HD-like products in hospitals based on an on-site investigation. Methods: The characteristics, chemical components, and usage of HD-like products (Hichlor or Biospot) and HD products (N-with) containing NaDCC (sodium dichloroisocyanurate) were compared. In the process of conducting the on-site investigation, four hospitals were identified as previously using HD-like products. Each on-site investigation to identify the use of HD-like products was composed of four parts: 1) hospital infection control guidelines, 2) manual for humidifiers in patient's rooms, 3) interviews with nursing staff, infection managers, and purchase managers, 4) searching on the product purchase system. Results: Although HD-like products (Hichlor and Biospot) and HD products (N-with) were sold for different usage purposes, they were all white-colored and coin-shaped foaming tablets with the same chemical component, NaDCC. The manual for using HD-like products and HD products was similar (inserting the tablet in a humidifier container with water). Among the four hospitals, one had used Hichlor in the same manner as HD (N-with) by inserting a tablet in 1L of water in a filled humidifier container and Biospot as a kind of detergent for humidifier container cleaning. Another two hospitals had used Biospot and/or Aniosyme as a kind of detergent for humidifier container cleaning. The other hospital had used unknown product in the same manner as N-with, so we thus assumed it was either an HD products (N-with) or HD-like products (Hichlor, Biospot). Conclusion: This study raises the possibility of the development of adverse health effects similar to exposure to an HD-products when exposed to an HD-like products and the possibility of further use in other medical institutions or multi-use facilities. Therefore, an expansion of the investigation is needed in order to confirm whether there have been similar cases in the past.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2017

Purpose: The smartphone is actively being used in many research fields, primarily in medical and diagnostic applications. However, there are cases in which smartphone-based systems have been developed for agriculture, environment, and food applications. The purpose of this review is to summarize the research cases using smartphone cameras in agriculture, environment, and food. Methods: This review introduces seventeen research cases which used smartphone cameras in agriculture, food, water, and soil applications. These were classified as systems involving "smartphone-camera-alone" and "smartphone camera with optical accessories". Results: Detecting food-borne pathogens, analyzing the quality of foods, monitoring water quality and safety, gathering information regarding plant growth or damage, identifying weeds, and measuring soil loss after rain were presented for the smartphone-camera-alone system. Measuring food and water quality and safety, phenotyping seeds, and soil classifications were presented for the smartphone camera with optical accessories. Conclusions: Smartphone cameras were applied in various areas for several purposes. The use of smartphone cameras has advantages regarding high-resolution imaging, manual or auto exposure and focus control, ease of use, portability, image storage, and most importantly, programmability. The studies discussed were achieved by sensitivity improvements of CCDs (charge-coupled devices) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) on smartphone cameras and improved computing power of the smartphone, respectively. A smartphone camera-based system can be used with ease, low cost, in near-real-time, and on-site. This review article presents the applications and potential of the smartphone and the smartphone camera used for various purposes in agriculture, environment, and food.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2008

The purpose of this survey was to identify ergonomic risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and understand the current MSD risk status in the wholesale/retail industry. The field survey was conducted at 120 wholesale/retail establishments, and the cause of MSD occurred from the national industrial accident statistics by the Ministry of Labor in 2006 was analyzed in terms of company size, a term of work, job title, and cause of occurrence. The numbers of disasters on MSD were 602 which were included 432 disasters who met with low back pain by incident. A checklist was developed by KOSHA to use for the field survey. A total of 419 tasks were identified at the 120 establishments surveyed. The highest frequency was Task 2(45%) which was mostly observed in repetitive work (e.g. displaying, scanning, cutting or wrapping of goods). The second and third were Task 9(34%) and Task 8(14%) which were identified in manual materials handling (e.g. lifting, lowering, carrying or stocking of goods). The results suggest that the three Tasks should be first considered for the control in wholesale/retail industry and that exposure to MSD risk factors in those Tasks should be primarily addressed in order to reduce MSD risk in that industry.