• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.95-103
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to better understand the conceptual model and Stoffenmanager nano module and apply it to the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials. Methods: Site visits were conducted to five nanomaterial production processes. Product and exposure variables were investigated in these workplaces. Hazard banding and exposure classification of the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials were conducted using documents and the website of Stoffenmanager Nano. Results: The five sites featured different products, packing tasks, ventilation and local exhaust, and others. The hazards for nano-nickel and copper were classified as E. The hazards for both fumed silica and indium tin oxide were classified as D. The hazard for spherical silica was classified as C. The exposure classes in the synthesis process of nanomaterials ranged from 2 through 4. The exposure classes in the packing process of nanomaterials ranged from 1 through 4. Conclusions: Application of Stoffenmanager nano to the synthesis and packing processes of nanomaterials helped to better understand the control level of the work environment and to suggest appropriate actions. The comparison of each process showed the effect of the production process and handling of solids and ventilation on exposure class.

• 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.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2016

Background: Management and workers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often find it hard to comprehend the requirements related to controlling risks due to exposure to substances. An intervention study was set up in order to support 45 SMEs in improving the management of the risks of occupational exposure to chemicals, and in using the control banding tool and exposure model Stoffenmanager in this process. Methods: A 2-year intervention study was carried out, in which a mix of individual and collective training and support was offered, and baseline and effect measurements were carried out by means of structured interviews, in order to measure progress made. A seven-phase implementation evolutionary ladder was used for this purpose. Success and failure factors were identified by means of company visits and structured interviews. Results: Most companies clearly moved upwards on the implementation evolutionary ladder; 76% of the companies by at least one phase, and 62% by at least two phases. Success and failure factors were described. Conclusion: Active training and coaching helped the participating companies to improve their chemical risk management, and to avoid making mistakes when using and applying Stoffenmanager. The use of validated tools embedded in a community platform appears to support companies to organize and structure their chemical risk management in a business-wise manner, but much depends upon motivated occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, management support, and willingness to invest time and means.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2011

N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) is globally used as an organic solvent in the production of synthetic leather and resins because of its low volatility, making it an attractive industrial material. Despite its excellent property as a chemical solvent, utilization of DMF is somewhat controversial nowadays due to its hazardous effects on exposed workers in work places. Many toxification cases are being reported globally and the number of cases of liver damage is still increasing in developing countries. On account of this, a series of epidemiologic surveys are being conducted to understand the degrees of liver damage caused by DMF exposure. Furthermore, many investigations have been performed to clarify the mechanism of DMF-induced liver toxicity using both human and experimental animal models. This review summarizes the current occupational cases reported on liver damage from workers exposed to DMF in industrial work places and the research results that account for DMF-induced liver failure and possible carcinogenesis. The findings reviewed here show the synergistic toxicity of DMF exposure with other toxicants, which might occur through complicated but distinct mechanisms, which may extend our knowledge for establishing risk assessments of DMF exposure in industrial work places.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 1999

To develop managing guidance of occupational noise exposure for metal working facility, we have studied about drafting contour map of noise exposure, methods of noise assessment and actual calculation method of time weighted noise exposure. Therefore we have suggested that contour maps of noisy workplace are very important for controlling metal working fluid facility and two kinds of noise assessment method, so called, personal andstatic exposure are necessary to avoid argument between workers and managing group. Finally we would like recommend that the Korean specification of noise exposure should be modified to protect ONIHL(oocupational noise induced hearing loss).

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-74
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• 2013

Here, we present a case of lung cancer in a 48-year-old male horse trainer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case report to include an exposure assessment of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) as a quartz. The trainer had no family history of lung cancer. Although he had a 15 pack/year cigarette-smoking history, he had stopped smoking 12 years prior to his diagnosis. For the past 23 years, he had performed longeing, and trained 7-12 horses per day on longeing arena surfaces covered by recycled sands, the same surfaces used in race tracks. We investigated his workplace RCS exposure, and found it to be the likely cause of his lung cancer. The 8-hour time weight average range of RCS was 0.020 to $0.086mg/m^3$ in the longeing arena. Horse trainers are exposed to RCS from the sand in longeing arenas, and the exposure level is high enough to have epidemiological ramifications for the occupational risk of lung cancer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.264-271
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• 1998

A pilot study was undertaken to examine the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields(EMFs). The purpose of this study was to investigate of the EMFs exposures of personal environment, 60Hz magnetic fields. An experimental study was performed for six weeks of January-February 1998 to compare changes in melatonin levels in urine of 20 subjects during their normal sleeping hours and each 20 subjects in occupational and non-occupational group measured personal 24-h continual exposure, using EMDEX II (for 40-800Hz, Enertech Consultant, Inc.). An urine samples were collected 3 times a day(before sleep or around 24:00 ; immediately after wake-up ; around noon) for an week from each subjects and analyzed by radioimmunoassay. This study did not significant difference for the subjective average melatonin levels between occupational and nonoccupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields. The mean personal exposure levels of occupational group were $0.215{\mu}T$, whereas non-occupational group were $0.18{\mu}T$. Occupational group were exposed more highly while at work. Finally, this study would provide significant data for furture study of exposure assessment of magnetic fields. A large scale study concerning more detailed exposure assessment should provide important information on health risk assessment of MFs. Further study should provide information on the contribution of various sources and the relationship between melatonin and immune system activity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2008

To clarify the DNA damage from reactive oxygen species, we measured the DNA damage through Fpg/Endo III FLARE (Fragment Length Analysis with Repair Enzyme) assay and real time RT-PCR. The 80 SD rats assigned to 4 dose groups exposed to cumene vapor for 90 days. With Fpg/Endo III FLARE assay in hepatocytes, we found the OTM (Olive Tail Moment) and TL (Tail Length) significantly increased in no-enzyme treated and Fpg-treated control and 8 ppm groups with 28 days exposure. In Endo III-treated 8 ppm group, significantly increased the values with 90 days exposure. With lymphocytes, it was founded the values significantly increased in no-enzyme treated 800 ppm group in 28 and 90 days. It was significantly increased in Endo III-treated 80 ppm for 28 days and 800 ppm for 90 days. From the above findings, FLARE assay was suggested as being available as a biological marker for DNA damage induced by cumene exposure in SD rats. And we used real time RT-PCR for the OGG1 mRNA expression, it had dose-dependent biologic effects in 1 day exposure, but decrease the levels of rOGG1 mRNA. Our findings provide evidence that cumene exposure may cause suppression of rOGG1 in the rat hepatocytes or lymphocytes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aims to suggest definitions in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system in order to suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea. Methods: The occupational safety and health related acts from six countries were researched, including from Korea. To understand the health hazards of substances with permissible exposure limits, health hazards were prioritized for 211 substances through working environment measurement on the basis of KOSHA's preceding research. Results: To suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances, definitions were suggested in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system. Based on the health hazard priorities for the working environment, selection criteria were identified. Conclusions: Three suggestions for substances with permissible exposure limits were proposed including substances where occurred serious health hazards such as carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity to workers.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in a polymerization reaction in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It has been used in many consumer products, including plastics, polyvinyl chloride, food packaging, dental sealants, and thermal receipts. However, there is little information available on the inhalation toxicity of BPA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine its inhalation toxicity and effects on the estrous cycle, spatial learning, and memory. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 10, 30, and $90mg/m^3$ BPA, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks via whole-body inhalation. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum chemistry, estrous cycle parameters, performance in the Morris water maze test, and organ weights, as well as gross and histopathological findings, were compared between the control and BPA exposure groups. Statistically significant changes were observed in serum chemistry and organ weights upon exposure to BPA. However, there was no BPA-related toxic effect on the body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, organ weights, estrous cycle, performance in the Morris water maze test, or gross or histopathological lesions in any male or female rats in the BPA exposure groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) for BPA in rats is above $90mg/m^3$/6 hr/day, 5 days/week upon 8-week exposure. Furthermore, BPA did not affect the estrous cycle, spatial learning, or memory in rats.