• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational health and safety

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Effect of Toluene or Ethanol Pretreatment on Toluene Metabolism in Rats (렛트에 톨루엔 및 에탄올 전처치가 톨루엔 대사에 미치는 영향)

  • Cha, Sang-Eun;Jeon, Tae-Won;Yoon, Chong-Guk
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.296-305
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    • 1998
  • A study was performed to evaluate an effect of toluene or ethanol pretreatment on the toluene metabolism. A slight liver damage in rats was induced by administration of 0.2 ml of toluene or 0.2 ml of 50% ethanol per 100 g of body weight intraperitoneally every other day for four weeks except the last day before sacrifice. One day before sacrifice, toluene was administered to rats pretreated ethanol or toluene and the control. Rats were sacrificed at the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th week after the first administration of xenobiotics mentioned above. Based on the histopathological findings, liver weight per body weight, serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic glutathione content, toluene- or ethanol-pretreated groups showed the reversible liver injury. By the treatment of one dose of toluene, the contents of hippuric acid in urine was higher in the group pretreated with toluene or ethanol than control. The contents of cytochrome P-450, benzylalcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase activities were generally more increased in toluene- or ethanol-pretreated rats than control. $K_m$ values of the benzylalcohol dehydrogenase in pooled liver samples from toluene- and ethanol-pretreated groups were similar each other. $V_{max}$ values of toluene- or ethanol-pretreated group was higher than control. In conclusion, the toluene metabolism is accelerated in rats pretreated with toluene or ethanol.

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The Factor Which Influence Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (초음파 검사자의 근골격계 증상에 영향을 주는 요인)

  • Kang, Seon-Hee;Kim, Tae-Hyoun
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.227-236
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    • 2007
  • We investigated the factors which influence the musculoskeletal symptoms in diagnostic medical sonographer. The Korean Society of Medical Sonographer conducted a survey through e-mail. Of the 400 subjects, 124 subjects responded(31%). The number of abdominal sonographer was 72(71.3%), obstetrics sonographer was 20(19.8%), echocardiographer was 9(8.9%) for effective 101 participant among themselves. According to the NIOSH diagnostic criteria, 86 subjects(85.1%) had musculoskeletal symptoms on their shoulders/neck, 73 subjects(72.3%) on their hands/wrists/arms/elbows, 44 subjects(43.6%) on their lower back. The factor of musculoskeletal symptoms were analyzed by the logistic regression analysis. The factors of symptoms for the hands/wrists/arms/ elbows were official autonomy, number of scans performed per week. The factors of symptoms for the shoulders/neck and the lower back were work break. However scan type were not observed as a significant factor. The study came to conclusion that many study subjects experienced musculoskeletal symptoms. These measures should be taken properly and promptly by the hospital's administrators.

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Effect of CCl4-induced liver damage on the metabolism of toluene in rats (흰쥐에 있어서 사염화탄소에 의한 간 손상이 toluene 대사에 미치는 영향)

  • Choi, Woo-Chang;Cha, Sang-Eun;Yoon, Chong-Guk
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.61-69
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    • 1997
  • To evaluate an effect of pathological liver damage on the toluene metabolism, the rate were induced acute liver damage with 3 times $CCl_4$ injection (0.1 ml of 50 % in olive oil/100 g body wt.) three days. In the present animal molel, the injection of toluene(0.3 ml of 50 % in olive oil) showed the more decreased urine hippuric acid throughout 24 hr in the liver damage induced animals($CCl_4$-pretreated rats) than normal group. The activities of hepatic aniline hydroxylase, benzylalcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase were significantly decreased in $CCl_4$-pretreated rats than the normal group at 24 hr after injection of toluene. Furthermore, the benzaldehyde dehydrogenase in pooled liver of $CCl_4$-pretreated rats showed similiar $K_m$ value, but showed the more decreased $V_{max}$ value compared with the normal group by the injection of toluene. These results suggest that the rats induced liver damage with $CCl_4$ may reduce the toluene metabolism.

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The Effect of working Noise Exposure and Military Background on the Hearing Threshold (특수병과의 과거 군 소음 노출이 소음 노출 작업자의 청력에 미치는 영향)

  • Chung, Ho-Keun;Kim, Kyoo-Sang
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.137-146
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    • 2003
  • Objectives : Impaired hearing is a prevalent occupational hazard, not only in industry, but also in the armed forces. In military life, noise has unusual characteristics, and constitutes a serious hazard to hearing. The aim of this study was to analyze the hearing threshold data in order to compare the hearing loss among shipyard workers, representing different workers, and a military service background. Methods : A cross-sectional audiological survey, combined with a questionnaire study, was conducted on a stratified random sample of 440 shipyard workers, with long-term exposure to noise. The employees were divided into four groups, according to their working and military service backgrounds, in relation to their exposure to noise. Results : As expected, the working and military noise exposure group (Group I) had significantly poorer hearing than the other groups. The high frequencies (2-8 kHz) showed the greatest difference in terms of poorer fearing in both ears. The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was highest in Group I. A logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the dependence of the NIHL in relation to age, smoking, drinking, working duration, ear protection, past history of ear diseases, and working and military sonics backgrounds, on the noise exposure The important factors found to be related to the NIHL, in relation to noise exposure were: age, work duration, and working and military service backgrounds. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for NIML in the right ear were 4.5 times greater (95% CI 1.7-11.6) for the military noise exposed group, and 7.9 times greater (95% CI 2.0-31.3) for the working noise exposed group than in the controls. The hearing thresholds at the pure-tone average and 4 kHz were significantly increased with age and work duration with both the working and military service backgrounds. Conclusions : From these results, specific preventive programs were planned, which should be assessed by epidemiological surveillance of the military noise exposed population.

Analysis of the Operation Status and Function based on the Overseas Accident Investigation Agency (국외 재난원인조사기구의 운영 현황 및 기능분석)

  • Lee, Kyung-Su;Yang, Seung-Ho;Kim, Yeon-Ju;Park, Jihye;Kim, Tai-Hoon;Kim, Hyunju
    • Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.442-453
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: The objective of this study is to suggest desirable direction of Korean accident investigation organization by analyzing the operation status and way of overseas developed countries' investigation agency. Method: To accomplish the objective of this study, we were examined four main characteristics of accident investigation agencies of the U.S., Japan, and Sweden, focusing on (1); the background of the establishment, (2);organizational structure, (3);major tasks and functions, (4); accident investigation procedures. Result: First, the purpose of its establishment and task is to prevent recurrence of disasters and accidents, at the same time, administrating and researching duties such as legal system, policy, recommending improvement and conducting scientific disaster-cause analysis to contribute safety for the government. Second, it is operated as an independent organization under the president, not belonging to the ministry, in order to enable fair investigation in an impartial position. Third, it has the authority to be recognized for its expertise in the results of investigation. In other words, it is operated as a permanent organization with professional personnel, and secures authority through the accident research with indepth investigation and high-quality recommendations. Conclusion: The overseas investigation agencies rapidly manage and coordinate their operational practices in order to resolve national requirements and social conflicts with fairness, accuracy and expertise in accident investigations. In order to prevent the recurrence of similar events, Korea needs to efficiently reconstruct its investigative functions distributed by each government department. In addition, institutional improvement is needed to make general adjustments at the national level, organize and operate control tower for when the accident has happened.

A Studs on Exposure to Organic Dust and Ammonia in Poultry Confinement Buildings (일부 육용 양계 농업인의 유기먼지와 암모니아 노출에 관한 연구)

  • Shin, Cheol-Lim;Lee, Kyung-Suk;Kim, Kyung-Ran;Kang, Tae-Sun;Paik, Nam-Won
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.303-314
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    • 2004
  • Objectives: This study was carried out to assess exposure levels of organic dusts and ammonia in poultry farms in Korea. Methods: A total of six poultry farms were investigated. The farms were located in Namwon, Chonlabuk-do and in Kae-San, Chungchongbuk-do. This study consisted of a questionnaire and measuring organic dusts and ammonia. The questionnaire included the characteristics of the farms, work patterns and the tasks of the poultry farms. Results and Conclusions: The farmers raised the chickens 45 times a year and the average number of years in the poultry farm were eight years ranging from 2 to 12 years. They worked for seven days per week and the average hours spent caring the chickens are 6.3 hours per day. The duration of staying in the confinement buildings was 3.3 hours per day. The work time in summer was longest. The feed and the water supply systems were automatic and the control of ventilation windows used "winch curtain" was semiautomatic. They used mechanical ventilation system in winter and used dilution ventilation system in the other seasons. The geometric mean concentration of total and respirable dust sampled in the poultry confinement buildings was 4.0 mg/$m^3$and 0.9 mg/$m^3$ respectively. The ratio of respirable to total dusts range from 9 to 49 percent. There was no sample exceeding the criteria 10 mg/$m^3$ for total dust and 3 mg/$m^3$ for respirable dust in farms. The criteria have been recommended by Korean Ministry of Labor and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist. The personal respirable dusts measured during a circle work averaged geometric mean concentration 1.4 mg/$m^3$ Two personal samples were exceeded the threshold 3 mg/$m^3$. There was a positive relation between an index and the personal samples of respirable dusts($R^2$=0.98). The index is calculated by multipling the total number of chickens in the farm by the age of the chickens and then dividing by the volume of the confinement building. The geometric mean concentration of area and personal ammonia samples was 23.3 ppm and 22.2 ppm, respectively. Some of the ammonia samples, both area and personal samples, exceeded the short term exposure limit value 35 ppm.

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Normal Predictive Values of Spirometry in Korean Population (한국인의 정상 폐활량 예측치)

  • Choi, Jung Keun;Paek, Domyung;Lee, Jeoung Oh
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.58 no.3
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    • pp.230-242
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    • 2005
  • Background : Spirometry should be compared with the normal predictive values obtained from the same population using the same procedures, because different ethnicity and different procedures are known to influence the spirometry results. This study was performed to obtain the normal predictive values of the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second($FEV_1$), Forced Expiratory Volume in 6 Seconds($FEV_6$), and $FEV_1/FVC$ for a representative Korean population. Methods : Based on the 2000 Population Census of the National Statistical Office of Korea, stratified random sampling was carried out to obtain representative samples of the Korean population. This study was performed as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea in 2001. The lung function was measured using the standardized methods and protocols recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Among those 4,816 subjects who had performed spirometry performed, there was a total of 1,212 nonsmokers (206 males and 1,006 females) with no significant history of respiratory diseases and symptoms, with clear chest X-rays, and with no significant exposure to respiratory hazards subjects. Their residence and age distribution was representative of the whole nation. Mixed effect models were examined based on the Akaike's information criteria in statistical analysis, and those variables common to both genders were analyzed by regression analysis to obtain the final equations. Results : The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_6$ for males and females were $age^2$, height, and weight. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1$ for males and females were $age^2$, and height. The variables affecting the normal predicted values of the $FEV_1/FVC$ for male and female were age and height. Conclusion : The predicted values of the FVC and $FEV_1$ was higher in this study than in other Korean or foreign studies, even though the difference was < 10%. When compared with those predicted values for Caucasian populations, the study results were actually comparable or higher, which might be due to the stricter criteria of the normal population and the systemic quality controls applied to the whole study procedures together with the rapid physical growth of the younger generations in Korea.

Developmental and reproductive toxicity assessment in rats with KGC-HJ3, Korean Red Ginseng with Angelica gigas and Deer antlers

  • Lee, Jinsoo;Jeong, Ji-Seong;Cho, Kyung-Jin;Moon, Kyeong-Nang;Kim, Sang Yun;Han, Byungcheol;Kim, Yong-Soon;Jeong, Eun Ju;Chung, Moon-Koo;Yu, Wook-Joon
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.43 no.2
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    • pp.242-251
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    • 2019
  • Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine for a prolonged period, and its pharmacological effects have been extensively investigated. In addition, Angelica gigas and deer antlers were also used as a tonic medicine with Korean Red Ginseng as the oriental herbal therapy. Methods: This study was conducted to evaluate the potential toxicological effect of KGC-HJ3, Korean Red Ginseng with angelica gigas and deer antlers, on reproductive and developmental functions including fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development. KGC-HJ3 was administered by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats (22 animals per sex per group) at dose levels of 0 mg/kg (control), 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg to evaluate the potential toxicological effect on fertility and early embryonic development. In addition, KGC-HJ3 was also administered by oral gavage to mating-proven Sprague-Dawley rats (22 females per group) during the major organogenesis period at dose levels of 0 mg/kg (control), 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg to evaluate the potential toxicological effect on maternal function and embryo-fetal development. Results and conclusion: No test item-related changes in parameters for fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development were observed during the study period. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that KGC-HJ3 did not have toxicological potential on developmental and reproductive functions. Therefore, no observed adverse effect levels of KGC-HJ3 for fertility, early embryonic development, maternal function, and embryo-fetal development is considered to be at least 2000 mg/kg/day.

The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education of Students' Civic Responsibility

  • Sadovyi, Mykola;Terenko, Olena;Filimonova, Tetiana;Malanchuk, Serhii;Vovkochyn, Lyudmyla;Paslawska, Alla;Oros, Ildiko
    • International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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    • v.22 no.7
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    • pp.213-219
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    • 2022
  • Building Ukraine as an independent, sovereign state requires the education of a citizen-patriot, able to live and work in a democracy, ensure the unity of Ukraine, feel constant responsibility for themselves, their people, country, seek to make a real contribution to the reform process. Modern modernization of the education system requires the search for new information and communication technologies that can ensure the formation of a citizen with an active civic position, which involves not only students mastering the rights and responsibilities of citizens, convincing them of the feasibility of democratic transformation of society, patriotic qualities and feelings, but also the identification of motivated civic actions. The pandemic and hostilities have led to significant changes in the field of education around the world, they have caused educational problems in Ukraine. At the beginning of the quarantine in the spring of 2020, all educational institutions in the emergency mode switched to distance learning. Intensive use of information and communication technologies in the life of modern society has led to a rethinking of the content of education and training of future professionals: the main role is played not so much by the information itself as the ability to work with it, critically comprehend and produce new knowledge; the main thing is not the amount of information, but its quality; information is needed for further practical application and transformation into knowledge, and the ability to work with information becomes one of the important competencies of the modern specialist in the new transformation of society: from information to the knowledge society. In this context, one of the main forms of training is distance learning, which is able to respond to the challenges of society. The main methodological positions that are taken into account in the construction of the structure and dynamics of the formation of civic responsibility of the individual during the use of information and communication technologies are highlighted. The structure of civil responsibility as a holistic system of information and communication technologies is outlined, which includes three subsystems that characterize the natural, social and systemic qualities of citizenship, interconnected hierarchically and synergistically.The constituent elements of the structural part of the model of civic culture of the individual are analyzed.

Comparison of OC and EC Measurement Results Determined by Thermal-optical Analysis Protocols (열광학적 분석 프로토콜에 의한 유기탄소와 원소탄소 측정값 비교)

  • Kim, Hyosun;Jung, Jinsang;Lee, Jinhong;Lee, Sangil
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.31 no.5
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    • pp.449-460
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    • 2015
  • Carbonaceous aerosol is generally classified into OC (organic carbon) and EC (elemental carbon) by thermal optical analysis. Both NIOSH (National institute of occupational safety and health) with high temperature (HighT) and IMPROVE-A (Interagency monitoring of protected visual environments) with low temperature (LowT) protocols are widely used. In this study, both protocols were applied for ambient $PM_{2.5}$ samples (Daejeon, Korea) in order to underpin differences in OC and EC measurements. An excellent agreement between NIOSH and IMPROVE-A protocol was observed for TC (total carbon). However, significant differences between OC and EC appeared and the differences were larger for EC than OC. The main differences between two protocols are temperature profile and charring correction method. For the same charring correction method, HighT_OC was 10% higher than LowT_ OC, while HighT_EC was 15% and 33% lower than LowT_EC for TOT (thermal-optical transmittance) and TOR (thermal-optical reflectance), respectively. This difference may be caused by the temperature of OC4 in He step and possibly difference in POC (pryorilized OC) formation. For the same temperature profile, OC by TOT was about 26% higher than that by TOR. In contrast, EC by TOT was about 50% lower than that by TOR. POC was also dependent on both temperature profile and the charring correction method, showing much distinctive differences for the charring correction method (i.e., POC by TOT to POC by TOR ratio is about 2). This difference might be caused by different characteristics between transmittance and reflectance for monitoring POC formation within filters. Results from this study showed that OC and EC depends on applied analysis protocol as shown other studies. Because of the nature of the thermal optical analysis, it may not be possible to have an absolute standard analysis protocol that is applicable for any ambient $PM_{2.5}$. Nevertheless, in order to provide consistent measurement results for scientists and policy makers, future studies should focus on developing a harmonized standard analysis protocol that is suitable for a specific air domain and minimizes variations in OC and EC measurement results. In addition, future elaborate studies are required to find and understand the causes of the differences.