• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2010.05b
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• pp.910-914
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• 2010

A collision between a barge and an oil tanker of Hebei Spirit caused the release of an estimated 12,547 tons of light crude oil into the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Taean-gun, Korea on December 7, 2007. This study was aimed to evaluate exposure conditions and acute health effects in soldiers participating in the Hebei Spirit oil spill cleanup activities and the association between these and the nature of the work and use of protection devices. The sample comprised 2,624 soldiers stratified by working area and number of working days. We divided working area into the coast of Taean-gun(highly polluted area) and other areas affected by Hebei Spirit oil spill. And we divided number of working days into 1-7 days, 8-14 days, 15-21 days and above 22 days. Data were obtained via a structured, self-administered questionnaire and included information on working area, type of working, number of working days, use of protective materials, and acute health effects. Acute health effects were classified into 5 groups: neurological, respiratory, dermatologic, ophthalmic and other symptoms. Data analysis was performed using unconditional logistic regression used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. On logistic regression analysis, working on the coast of Taean-gun was significantly associated with increased risk of acute health problems: headache, dizziness, nausea, general fatigue, insomnia, flushed face, sore throat, dry throat, runny nose, cough, sputum, skin irritation, sore eyes, injection of conjunctiva, tear, and low back pain. Furthermore soldiers working more than 21 days were significantly associated with increased risk of acute health problems: insomnia, flushed face, sore throat, runny nose, cough, sputum, tear, low back pain and fever. Accordingly, the exposure to the oil and the subsequent cleanup efforts were suggested to inflict acute health problems on soldiers participating in the Hebei Spirit oil spill cleanup activities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.194-199
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• 2004

The paper does researches and analysis on the process of marine oil spill crisis response (MOSCR), and develops the marine oil spill crisis response simulation exercise system. The system developed by this paper is composed of four subsystems, including the training system of MOSCR, the geographical information system of MOSCR, the marine oil spill control and cleanup decision-making expert system, and the computer simulation exercise system. The paper builds up the applied model system of MOSCR. The system takes the marine oil spill crisis response geographical information system as the platform, which integrates all aspects of MOSCR. This system can offer an oil spill scene to the trainees and simulate the whole process of MOSCR on the interface of GIS.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.19 no.4 s.65
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• pp.35-41
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• 2005

There has been increasing offshore oil exploration, drilling, and production activities, as well as a huge amount of petroleum being transported by tankers and pipelines through the ocean and costal environment. Assessment must be made of the potential risk of damage resulting from the exploration, development and transportation activities. This is achieved through predictive impact evaluations of the fate of hypothetical or real oil spills. VVhen an oil spill occurs, planning and execution of cleanup measures also require the capability to forecast the short-term and long-term behavior of the spilled oil. A great amount of effort has been spent by government agencies, oil industries, and researchers over the past decade to develop more realistic models for oil spills. Numerous oil spill models have been developed and applied, most of which attempt to predict the oil spill fate and behavior. For an actual contingency planning, the oil fate and behavior model should be combined with an oil spill incident model, an environmental impact and risk model and a contingency planning model. The purpose of this review study is to give an overview of existing oil spill models that deal with the physical, chemical, biological, and socia-economical aspects of the incident, fate, and environmental impact of oil spills. After reviewing the existing models, future research needs are suggested. In the study, available oil spill models are separated into oil spill incident, oil spill fate and behavior, environmental impact and risk, and contingency planning models. The processes of the oil spill fate and behavior are reviewed in detail and the characteristics of existing oil spill fate and behavior models are examined and classified so that an ideal model may be identified. Finally, future research needs are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.385-395
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess exposure to VOCs and PAHs and the health effects on volunteers who participated in an oil spill cleanup in Yeosu. Methods: Atmospheric VOCs were evaluated in the vicinity of the accident site and questionnaire surveys were conducted to identify personal characteristics and acute health symptoms of clean-up workers seven days after the accident. The levels of metabolites of VOCs (t,t-MA, HA, PGA, MA, MHA) and PAHs (2-NAP, 1-OHP, 2-HF, 1-HPH), oxidative stress markers (TABARS, 8-OHdG) in the urine of workers were analyzed. Their correlation was determined by multiple regression analysis with SAS ver. 9.4. Results: Although the concentration of atmospheric VOCs in the residential areas were low at the time of survey, the levels of VOCs and PAHs metabolites in clean-up workers were higher than those in the control group after clean-up activities. The levels of urinary VOC and PAH metabolites were significantly increased after clean-up compared to those measured before participation. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were also increased and showed significant correlations with those of metabolites of benzene. Conclusion: This study shows that oil spill clean-up activities affect exposure to VOCs and PAHs and the health of clean-up workers. The results suggest the need for check-ups of participants in oil spill cleaning work.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Objectives: On December 7, 2007, the Hebei Spirit oil tanker spilled out 12,547 kl of crude oil on the Yellow Sea 10 km away from the cost of Taean Province, Korea. As the coastline has been contaminated, local residents have been exposed to crude oil. Because the residents were showing many symptoms, we investigated the acute health effects of this oil spill on them. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of the heavy and moderately oil soaked area in Taean and the lightly oil soaked area in Seocheon. Ten seashore villages were selected from each area, and 10 male and female adults were selected from each village. We interviewed the subjects using a structured questionnaire on the characteristics of residents, the cleanup activities, the perception of oil hazard, depression and anxiety, and the physical symptoms. The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The logistic regression model was adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking, the perception of oil hazard and anxiousness. Results: The more highly contaminated the area, the more likely it was for residents to be engaged in cleanup activities and have a greater chance of exposure to oil. The indexes of anxiety and depression were higher in the heavy and moderately oil soaked areas. The increased risks of headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, tingling of limb, hot flushing, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, itchy skin, rash, and sore eyes were significant. Conclusions: The results suggest that exposure to crude oil is associated with various acute physical symptoms. Long-term investigation is required to monitor the residents' health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.282-287
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• 2018

Due to limitations in responding to oil spill incidents that are urgent or that cover a wide area with only oil spill response vessels, Korea Coast Guard (KCG) patrol vessels are utilized. In this study, we have developed an oil sweep system suitable for small patrol vessels. The equipment consists of three components - fixed support, poles, and slide fixers - and can be fastened with a toggle pin to a fall prevention bar on small patrol vessels without welding or additional efforts for installation. The respective weights of each component - fixed support, poles (2 pcs), and slide fixers (4 pcs) - are approximately 9.2 kg, 6.5 kg, and 3.5 kg. The 3 m-pole, which is rotatable 180 degrees horizontally, is folded deckward when replacing oil absorbents. As the development of this equipment has improved the method of deploying and retrieving oil absorbents on KCG small patrol vessels, we expect that more efficient oil spill cleanup will be possible.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2009

Objectives : Our objective was to examine and evaluate the psychological health of the residents of Taean during the cleanup of the Hebei Spirit(HS) oil spill and to review some factors associated with the results. Methods : A community survey of 71 men and women was conducted 8 weeks after the HS oil spill. Questionnaires used were the PWI(Psychological Well-being Index) scale for psychosocial distress, the CES-D(Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression) scale for depressive symptoms, and a questionnaire created to assess suicidal impulses. Results : The overall prevalence of high-risk psychosocial distress among the study group was 64.2%. The percentages of respondents with scores on the CES-D Scale above 16 and above 21 were 77.6% and 62.7%, respectively. The percentage of respondents categorized as having suicidal impulses was 18.3%. When compared with unexposed groups in the general population taken from various sources, the residents of Taean were 6.5 times as likely to have high stress and 9.4-9.7 times as likely to be depressed. No significant difference in the rate of suicidal impulse was found between the residents of Taean and the general population. Factors associated with high stress, depression, and suicidal impulses were age, a change in income, educational level, number of days working on the cleanup, and positive responses to questions about "affected daily activity" and "hospital visit due to work on cleanup". Conclusions : The results suggest that the HS oil spill had a significant impact on the psychological health of residents of Taean, but the comparability of the unexposed groups is a limitation of the study.

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2004.05b
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• pp.73-79
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• 2004

When large-scale oil spill happens, it will put the fatal impact on the ecosystem, ultimately harm human being seriously. Accordingly every coastal country invests to improve response technologies, of which oil removal by use of bioremediation agent is taken to be secondary or alternative cleanup method in a specific spilled area In this regards, the author attempts to find out the efficiency and effectiveness of bioremediation agent to oil slick by laboratory experiment as well as the possibility of bioremediation application to future spill accident and gets the some results. In this study, the effectiveness and efficiency of bioremediation agent to oil slick is examined by short-term laboratory test and it is found that bioremediation agent am degrade oils effectively. however, considering the environment c! spill site is quite different from that of lab, the author will carry on the on-scene test of bioremediation for longer period to look into the possibility of biorediation agent as one of oil spill response methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.322-331
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• 2016

Oil budget calculator identifies the removal pathways of spilled oil by both natural and response methods, and estimates the remaining oil required response activities. A oil budget calculator was newly developed as a response tool for Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident in Gulf of Mexico in 2010 to inform clean up decisions for Incident Comment System, which was also successfully utilized to media and general public promotion of oil spill response activities. This study analyzed the theoretical background of the oil budget calculator and explored its future application to Korea. The oil budge calculation of four catastrophic marine pollution incidents indicates that 3~8% of spilled oil was removed mechanically by skimmers, 1~5% by in-situ burning, 4.8~16% by chemical dispersion due to dispersant operation, and 37~56% by weathering processes such as evaporation, dissolution, and natural dispersion. The results show that in-situ burning and chemical dispersion effectively remove spilled oil more than the mechanical removal by skimming, and natural weathering processes are also very effective to remove spilled oil. To apply the oil budget calculator in Korea, its parameters need to be optimized in response to the seasonal characteristics of marine environment, the characteristics of spilled oil and response technologies. A new algorithm also needs to be developed to estimate the oil budget due to shoreline cleanup activities. An oil budget calculator optimized in Korea can play a critical role in informing decisions for oil spill response activities and communicating spill prevention and response activities with the media and general public.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2009

In this paper, the author carried out the study to develop oil spill response training courses for competent responders examining IMO guidelines and response training courses of developed maritime countries as well as Korea. According to a result of study, fundamental training courses are to be established on the basis of IMO guideline, and also to prepare pre-arranged brief course like Basics of Spill Response for beginner. The courses should be step-by-step related with mutual continuous contents, and more times are given to on-site training for basic course and to classroom lecture with desk-top exercise for advanced course. Besides, SCAT shall be added to shoreline cleanup course, finally it is advisable that total 9 types of courses are established with additional refresh course.