• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2011

This study was intended to resolve problems caused by different classification criteria and management methods of carcinogenicity, which have made industrial safety & health institutions and business employers difficult to execute projects or to carry out occupational safety and health related works, and have affected how civic groups perceive carcinogens. The content of this study contained the comparison of management and categorization standards for carcinogens between Korea and other countries as well as the current carcinogenicity-related information supply status of each professional institution. Furthermore, this research examined the current state of supplying information on carcinogenicity among major institutional information supply according to the categorization standard for carcinogens by UN GHS, Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea(KMoEL), and GHS MSDS provided by Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency(KOSHA). Now, professional agency provide 927 kinds of IARC, 237 kinds of NTP, 351 kinds of ACGIH and 1,006 kinds of EU ECHA information on carcinogenic agents. KMoEL provides carcinogenicity-related information of 58 chemical agents in accordance with the category of carcinogens guided by ACGIH. KOSHA offers 13,232 kinds of GHS MSDS information including 2,484 carcinogenic substances. Therefore, carcinogenicity-related information of chemical substances, which are not available on the existing GHS MSDS DB, should be updated for the future reference.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.280-291
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• 2020

Objectives: Hazard classification is a controversial issue in the new MSDS system in which chemical companies have to prepare and submit MSDS for chemicals that they manufacture or import to the competent authorities according to the amended Occupational Safety and Health Act. The aim of this study is to suggest how to apply and manage harmonized hazard classification criteria and results by investigating current hazard classification systems and trends. Methods: The domestic issues about different hazard classification criteria and results were investigated by reviewing the literature and business outcomes regarding KOSHA. We also checked official and unofficial reports from the UN to understand international discussion about the topic. Chemical hazard classification results from agencies providing chemical information were analyzed to compare a harmonized rate between classifications. Furthermore, a field survey of a few chemical companies was conducted. Results: Under the related competent authorities, an integrated standard proposal was developed to harmonize the domestic hazard classification criteria. Although harmonized chemical information is strongly needed, we recognized the uncertainty and difficulty of harmonized hazard classification from the UN global list project review. In practice the harmonization rate of the classification was generally low between the classification in KOSHA, MoE, and EU CLP. Among hazard classes, health hazards largely led the disharmony. The field survey revealed a change of perception that the main body of chemical information production is manufacturers. Approaches and solutions about hazard classification issues differed depending on business size, types of chemical handling, and other factors. Conclusions: We proposed reasonable ways by time and step to apply hazard classification in the new MSDS system. Chemical manufacturers should make and offer chemical information including responsible hazard classifications. The government should primarily accept these classifications, evaluate them by priority, and support or supervise workplaces in order to communicate reliable chemical information.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2012

Objectives: In chemical hazard communication, information receiver's perception is a important factor, but the study on the perception was few. Therefore, this study evaluated the perception of managers and workers group about chemical hazard communication by chemical hazard communication tools that were being used in fields. Methods: 91 managers and 238 workers were surveyed in two companies where use chemicals. All subjects were asked about the comprehensibility and perception for MSDS and GHS Pictograms being used in their workplaces through face-to-face interviews. Results: Most of the respondents knew MSDS, and more than half of the respondents had used MSDS once or more per year. The level of use to find the information on chemicals with MSDS was higher in the managers in comparison with workers. Also, the managers could understand and find the information on MSDS easier(p < 0.05). In the question asking the meaning of GHS Pictograms, the managers responded more correctly, as well(p < 0.05). 86.8% of the managers and 62.6% of the workers were conscious of the possible health hazards of chemicals that they could be exposed at work. However, among the respondents conscious of the health hazards, only less than 70% were well aware of the contents of the health hazards correctly. Conclusions: In chemical hazard communication, it is very important to evaluate whether information receiver have proper and correct knowledge and perception or not and actions based on the evaluations as well as provide correct information.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.506-515
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the status of hazard communication regarding dental materials among dental hygienists in the Daegu Metropolitan City and the North Gyeongsang-do Province area. Materials: A total of 310 dental hygienists were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires to investigate the status of hazard communication on dental materials and information needs. We collected instructions for use and material safety data sheets(MSDSs) for 67 dental materials frequently used at dental hospitals located in the Daegu Metropolitan City and the North Gyeongsang-do Province area. Results: The questionnaire surveys showed that only 11% of the 310 dental hygienists had knowledge of MSDS and 46.8% of respondents never read instructions for use before using materials. Just 7.4% of dental hygienists have undergone training on hazard information for dental materials. In particular, dental hygienists working at dental clinics had significantly lower response rates on knowledge of MSDS(p<0.001), reading of instructions for use(p=0.042) and training on the hazard information of dental materials(p=0.004) than those in dental hospitals or general hospitals. The essential information most desired by dental hygienists was hazard identification(82.3%) followed by first-aid measures(53.9%), handling and storage(51%), disposal considerations (49%) and toxicological information(47.1%). All dental materials were on foreign products which came from Japan(59.7%), the USA(26.9%) and Liechtenstein(13.7%). In terms of usage, 56.7% of dental materials were prosthetic, followed by conservation(31.3%), orthodontics(9%), and prevention(3%). We found that dental hygienists had accessed MSDSs for only five dental products among the 67 dental materials. The instructions for the use of the 67 dental materials provided hazard identification(64.2%), first-aid measures(83.6%), handling and storage(97%), disposal considerations(20.9%) and toxicological information(26.9%). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the hazard communication system for dental hygienists working at dental clinics should be improved.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2012

Objectives: The study aim was to evaluate the application of a chemical exposure assessment tool for the Korean workplace. The Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea (KMOEL) introduced the need for workplace risk assessments in 2011, requiring the Korean chemical industry to consider both domestic and international chemical regulation policies (e.g., estimations of exposure scenarios). Exposure scenarios are required in the European Union as part of material safety data sheets (MSDS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) system. Methods: Although many programs for the estimation of exposure have been developed worldwide, to date there is no standard for the Korean workplace. To develop programs suitable for the Korean workplace, we examined the applicability of the European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals target risk assessment (ECETOC TRA), which is recommended by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA). Results: To investigate the applicability of the ECETOC TRA to Korean industry, this study simulated 15 industrial processes. The predicted respiratory exposures for four processes using origin input parameters were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. Using calibrated input parameters, results for two processes were underestimated compared to the measured respiratory exposure. This result suggests that the use of calibrated input parameters reduces the differences between predicted and measured respiratory exposure. Conclusions: we developed applicable exposure estimating method by modifying the ECETOC TRA program; one suggested the development of exposure estimating program that explains Korea domestic workplace exposure scenario.This study will support the introduction of exposure scenario in MSDS system and protect health of worker from hazardous chemical.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.205-206
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• 2002

인체의 유해성과 더불어 오존과의 반응성으로 관심의 대상이 되고 있는 대기 환경 중에 VOCs 물질은 최근 약 10여년간 대기 환경 관리에 주요 관심 대강이었으며, 앞으로도 지속적인 노력이 이루어 질 대상이다. 이러한 VOCs는 배출원 및 그 종의 다양성, 그리고 일반적으로 수십 ppb이하의 매우 낮은 농도로 대기 환경 중에 존재하고 있어 측정 및 관리에 어려운 물질이나, 분석기술의 발달과 측정과정에 다양한 방법들이 개발됨에 따라 다양한 종류의 결과들이 발표되고 있다. 특히 이러한 폭정 결과들을 착용하여 이미 MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheets)나 각종 inventory, Database의 구축이 진행되고 있다. (중략)

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.446-464
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the task-specific hazards of chemicals used by nail technicians in Daegu Metropolitan City. Materials: A total of 30 nail shops located in Daegu City were surveyed to investigate the major tasks and practices performed by nail technicians and the ingredients listed in nail care products used in shops. We also collected instructions for use and material safety data sheets(MSDSs) of nail care products and compared CAS Nos. of ingredients with the lists of chemicals regulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act(ISHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA). Results: A total of 125 chemical ingredients were found in 468 nail care products used at the 30 nail shops. The most frequently found ingredients were ethyl acetate(72%), followed by n-butyl acetate(71.8%), isopropanol(56%), benzophenone(51.1%), nitrocellulose(46.4%) and ethanol(45.3%). Comparing six tasks, the task of manicuring used the most products at 222 products containing 91 ingredients. Among the 125 ingredients, there are 31 chemicals with occupational exposure limits(OEL) designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor(MoEL), eight categorized as carcinogens, one mutagen and two reproductive toxic chemicals. In terms of carcinogens, formaldehyde was identified as the only confirmed human carcinogen(1A). We found that there was one chemical with a permissible limit, one special management substance, 18 workplace monitoring substances and ten special health diagnosis substances regulated by ISHA. For CSCA, nine poisonous substances, six substances requiring preparation for accidents and one restricted substance were identified. Conclusions: Based on these findings, formaldehyde was identified as one of the chemicals that should most strictly be controlled for the protection of the health of nail technicians and customers. At the same time, it is necessary to distribute materials with detailed hazardous information of nail care products for nail shop technicians.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.107-121
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• 1996

The objective of this study is to establish the application method of environmental information system which is related to hazard identification for Health Risk Assessment. For establishing the environmental information system, fourteen hazardous chemicals were chosen and applicated to the database network such as RTKNET(Right Know Net), MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheets), TRI(Toxic Release Inventory), IRIS, AIRS, etc. The searching method of environmental information is classified to three sections such as the domestic commercial information company, international database agencies, and internet. Recently the importance of environmental information is being emphasized because it is essential 10 use database system in the field of environmental studies. Most of the foreign research organizations are communicating actively for information exchange, and the improvement of the quality of research. It is required to accumulate the data and develop them to database for future research.

• International Journal of Safety
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2005

Recycled polyol was obtained by glycolysis of MDI-based Polyurethane(PU) rigid foam. The chemical structure of the recycled pclyol was confirmed by GC(gas chromatography) and 1H-NMR. The recycled polyol throughout the glycolysis contained liquid polyol and methylenedianiline(MDA). MDA which could cause liver cancer is carcinogenic material. TWA(Time Weighted Average.) amount for MDA in MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheets) was confined less than 0.1 ppm. The melting temperature of MDA is $92^{\circ}C$, and boiling temperature is $398^{\circ}C$. During the gylcolysis most of MDA was dissolved in liquid polyol. The probability that MDA diffuses into the atmosphere is low but there could be an absorption of MDA into skin. Furthermore because MDA is amine compound, recycled polyol which contained MDA had a difficulty in reaction control of polyurethane. Therefore reduction of MDA amount was needed strongly. In this study the elimination of MDA were performed through deamination of the recycled polyol by glycidyl ether compounds. As glycolysis was proceeded, the amount of MDA was 9.8 wt % at early stage and increased up to 14.0 wt % after 8 hours reaction. It was found that 2-Ethylhexyl glycidyl ether which contains aliphatic moiety was very effective compound for eliminating the primary aromatic amine compound :md the optimal mole ratio of 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether to MAD was 3. The final polyol after deamination by 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether has an appropriate viscosity(less than 500 centi poise) for polyurethane reaction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to provide harmonized guidelines on health and environmental classification criteria and its results of chemicals in Korea. Methods: Firstly, The history of GHS implementation in UN and Korea was reviewed. Secondly, the differences in classification criteria on health and environmental hazards among UN GHS and two Korean government agencies, Korea Ministry of Employment and Labour (KMoEL) and Korea Ministry of Environmental (KMoE). The classification results were compared between classifications of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) based on KMoEL and classifications of Korea National Institute of Environmental Research (KNIER) based on KMoE. Finally, an inter-agency harmonization on the classification criteria and the results was suggested by comparing the classification results of 5 chemicals; Benzene, carbon disulfide, formaldehyde, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, and trichloroethylene. Results: KMoEL and KMoE revised regulations on chemical management and published a Notices on GHS classification criteria according to UN GHS document. However, the hazard to the ozone layer contained in the latest edition of UN GHS document published in 2011 was not included yet. The differences in classifications of 5 chemicals between KOSHA and KNIER were 36.2% in health hazards and 23.4% in environmental hazards, respectively. In conclusion, we suggested that a new revision be needed to include newly contained hazard and inter-agency working party be organized to harmonize classification results.