• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.314-322
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• 2003

Objectives : In this study, the exposure status of the hazardous substances from incinerators, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), were studied , and the relationship between the exposure of these hazardous substances and their heath effects on the workers and residents near municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators and an industrial incinerator investigated. Methods : Between July 2001 and Jure 2002, 13 workers at two MSW incinerators, 16 residents from the area around the two MSW incinerators, 6 residents from the control area, and further 10 residents near an industrial incinerator, estimated to emit higher levels of hazardous substances, were interviewed. Information, including sociodemographic information, personal habits, and work history, detailed gynecologic and other medical history were collected through interviews. Blood samples were also collected from 45 subjects, and analyzed for PCDD/DFs, by high resolution gas chromatography -high resolution mass spectrometry, using the US EPA 1613 method. In addition to the questionnaire survey, urinary concentrations of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as oxidative injury biomarkers. The urinary concentrations of 8-OH-dG were determined by in vitro ELISA, and the MDA by HPLC, using u adduct with thiobarbituric acid. Results : The PCDD/DFs concentrations in the residents near the industrial incinerator were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. The average TEQ (Toxic Equivalencies) concentrations of the PCDD/DFs in residents near the industrial incinerator were 53.4pg I-TEQs/g lipid. The estimated daily intakes were within the tolerable daily intake range (1-4 pg I-TEQ/Kg bw/day) suggested by WHO (1997) in only 30% to the people near the industrial incinerator. Animal studies have already shown that even a low body border of PCDD/DFs, such as 10 ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage in laboratory animals. Our study also showed that the same body burden of PCDD/DFs can cause oxidative damage to humans. Conclusions : The exposures to PCDD/DFs and the oxidative stress of residents near the industrial incinerator, were higher than those in the controls, workers and residents near the MSW incinerators. Proper protection strategies against these hazardous chemicals are needed. Because a lower body burden of PCDD/Fs, such as 10ng TEQ/kg bw, can cause oxidative damage, the tolerable daily intake range should be restrictedly limited to 1pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.517-532
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• 2010

After establishment of Banwol industrial complex in 1987, Ansan city becomes the largest industrial sector development in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. As the population and industrial activity grow over this region, toxic air pollutants, particularly POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) from various emission sources have been major public concerns. Air samples for POPs monitoring were collected at the industrial sites ($A_2$), residential sites ($B_1$, $B_2$), commercial site (C), and rural/remote site (D) of the area of Ansan during 2008 with a prolonged industrial sampling site $A_1$ from 2001 to 2008. All samples were analysed for 2,3,7,8 substituted-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin like polychlorinatd diphenyls (dl-PCBs). In site $A_1$, a steady decline of their concentrations from 2003 to 2008 was observed due to the reinforced emission guideline from waste incinerators. The average concentration of the PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs ranged between 0.118 pg-TEQ/$m^3$ (rural/remote site D) and 0.532 pg-TEQ/$m^3$ (industrial area $A_2$). These level were generally consistent with previous studies in Gyeonggi-do, while higher than other places. Most of PCDD/Fs congener were partitioned into particle phase, whereas dl-PCBs were partitioned into gas phase. The logarithm of gas-particle partition coefficient $K_P$ of dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs were well correlated with sub-cooled liquid vapor pressure $P_L$. The slope $m_T$ of log $K_P$ versus log $P_L$ for PCDD/Fs (-1.22) and dl-PCBs (-1.02) in industrial area ($A_2$) were high compared to other residential/commercial area. It suggests that this area was likely influenced by the direct emission source of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. To simulate the partition of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs between gas and particle phase, Junge-Pankow model ($P_L$-base) and $K_{oa}$ model were applied. It was found that J-P model was more suitable than the $K_{oa}$ model in this study.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.395-400
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• 2011

This study has been carried out in order to effectively manage three groups of unregulated hazardous organic substances (PCDD/DFs, PAHs, PCBs) in South Korea. The investigated substances have been analyzed according to the test methods for hazardous substances in specified wastes provided by the National Institute of Environmental Research, Korea. Total contents of the organic compounds have been determined for hazardous wastes from three major industrial categories (paint, iron removal, steelmaking), such as waste organic solvent, waste paint or dust. By investigating the waste samples for 7 PAHs using GC/MSD, Naphthalene has been detected (N.D~1631.33 mg/kg). The highest Naphthalene concentration, which exceeded the korean marine dumping waste standard, was found in waste organic solvents and waste paints. Although a content analysis of 7 PCB isomers has been conducted, none of these compounds was detected. The analysis of PCDD/DFs has revealed that all samples meet the criterion for low POP content defined in the technical guidelines developed under the Basel Convention. The PCDD/DFs content in dust samples deriving from 10 manufacturing processes (billet, bloom) was determined to be in the range of N.D~5.66 ng I-TEQ/g waste.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2020

Objectives: The concentration distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenlys (dl-PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fine particles were investigated to provide basic data on POP behavior and composition analysis. Methods: The concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PAHs by particle size were evaluated for TSP, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5. Also, fine dust component analysis and factor analysis were performed to identify the source of PCDD/Fs. Results: The particle size distribution was found to account for 24.3% of >10 ㎛, 14.5% of 2.5-10 ㎛, and 61.2% of <2.5 ㎛. The average contributions of coarse particles (>2.5 ㎛) and fine particles (<2.5 ㎛) were PCDD/Fs 67%, dl-PCBs 66%, benzo (a) pyrene 83% and PAHs 84%, and the contributions of fine particles (<2.5 ㎛) were higher than coarse particles (>2.5 ㎛). However, the contributions of coarse particles increased in April to September with higher temperatures, while those of fine particles increased in February to March with lower temperatures. Conclusions: Low chlorinated (4Cl-5Cl) PCDD/Fs were more adsorbed compared to coarse particles due to the influence of pollutant migration from particulate to gas phase according to temperature rise, whereas high chlorinated (6Cl-8Cl) PCDD/Fs were more adsorbed compared to fine particles. PCDD/Fs sources were assessed to be major sources of emissions, such as incineration facilities and/or open burning.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.447-457
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• 2010

This study aims to monitor the variation of concentration of PCDD/DFs between the gaseous phase-particulate phases in the ambient air of urban area in Korea. This monitoring is evaluated by using the Junge-Pankow model and the Koa absorption model with the application of the Octanol-air partition coefficient. In this study, the ambient air samples were analyzed according to each congener group of the PCDD/DFs by HRGC/HRMS, which have been investigated for the past 5 years. In the results, the annual variation in the concentration level of $\Sigma$PCDD/DFs in TSP was increased from $1588\;fg/m^3$ in 1998 to $5123\;fg/m^3$ in 2002, and from 31 fg I-TEQ/$m^3$ to 94 fg I-TEQ/$m^3$ in the $\Sigma$I-TEQ. In the case of PUF of gaseous phase sample, their variation was increased from $1615\;fg/m^3$ in 1998 to $2237\;fg/m^3$ in 2002, and in the $\Sigma$I-TEQ from 12 fg I-TEQ/$m^3$ to 17 fg I-TEQ/$m^3$. The relative coefficient between the gas phase concentration of PCDD/DFs and the temperature was a value of 0.744; the contributive rate of the temperature to the gaseous phase concentration was 0.554. According to the results, the pattern of the coefficient of distribution based on log $p_L^0$ is similar to the ambient air of the urban areas.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.870-878
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• 2010

We investigated the concentration and the sources of ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants [i.e., 17 toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in waste papers and lumbers from industrial complexes. The total concentrations in waste papers and lumbers ranged from 9.69~176.77 pg/g-dry and 0.14~0.25 pg/g-dry for 17 PCDD/Fs, 109.95~4097.25 pg/g-dry and 28.23~59.88 pg/g-dry for 12 Co-PCBs and 9.30~52.18 ng/g-dry and 0.82~1.82 ng/g-dry for 16 PAHs respectively. Generally, the concentration of these pollutants in waste papers was higher than those in waste lumbers. OCDD was dominant in waste papers and lumbers and the PCDD/F patterns of these samples were similar with that of stack gas. The distribution patterns of Co-PCBs in wastes were related with commercial PCB products, indicating the effect of commercial PCB products on ubiquitous environment. The diagnostic ratios of several PAH compounds in waste paper showed that they were related with pyrogenic sources.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.814-824
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• 2005

This study analyzed and standardized the harmful substances of organic compounds(dioxins) in disposable diapers for infant's clothing. Commercial samples obtained from Korea, Japan, America and German were determined by HRGC/HRMS. Experimental Methods were consisted of comparision of extracting solvent, analysis of PCDD/Fs, and analysis of PCDD/Fs of extraction in disposable diaper. The results were as follows. No high TEQ values in TCDD(1), PCDD(0.5) and HxCDD(0.1) were found for commercial disposable diapers from country Korea, Japan, U.S.A and German. In extraction for 6hrs experiments, HpCDD and OCDD were detected in disposable diapers of U1, U2 and G2, respectively. In extraction fur 24hrs experiments, HpCDD, OCDD and OCDF were detected in disposable diapers of J3, U1, U2 and U3. So we need to set standards of measurement for harmful materials contained in textile goods. This will make a safe and comfortable clothing environment for all users, regardless of age.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.12-15
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• 2011

The Korean government has regulated emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in waste water of manufacturing facilities producing chlorinated compounds since 2009. As this regulation is expected to be reinforced in 2013 to 50 pg I-TEQ/L, a large sample volume is required for the analysis of trace amounts of PCDD/Fs in waste water. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is used to extract PCDD/Fs from aqueous samples; however, its low efficiency makes it inadequate for analyzing large sample volumes. Herein, we present a disk-type solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the analysis of dioxin at a part per quadrillion level in waste water. This SPE system contains airtight glass covers with a decompression pump, which enables continuous semi-automated extraction. Small (0.5 L) and large (7 L) samples were extracted using LLE and SPE methods, respectively. The method detection limits (MDLs) were 0.001.0.25 and 0.015.4.1 pg I-TEQ/L for the SPE and LLE methods, respectively. The concentrations of detected congeners with both methods were similar. However, the concentrations of several congeners that were not detected with the LLE method were quantified using the SPE method.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2001

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins(PCDDs), dibenzofurans(PCDFs), and biphenyls(PCBs) were analyzed by HRGC/HRMS in human blood samples from the Siwha industrial area in Korea. The PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in workers were higher than those in residents. The average TEQ concentrations of PCDD/Fs in workers and residents were 40.3 pg I-TEQs/g lipid and 16.6 pg I-TEQs/g lipid, respectively, and the total PCB concentrations were 174.1 ng/g lipid and 151.0 ng/g lipid, respectively. When applied to principal component analysis, the PCDD/F congener distributions of workers were differentiated from those of residents. But, all of them were similar to the distribution in several Korean foods. Estimated daily intake(EDI) of each person was calculated, and then only 40% to the total people were within the tolerable daily intake range(1-4pg I-TEQ/kg bw/day) suggested by WHO(1997).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2008

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are ubiquitous and can contaminate the food chain. A study monitoring PCDD/Fs in imported meat was conducted at the National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS, Republic of Korea) in order to maintain food safety from the bioaccumulative PCDD/Fs. Seventeen PCDD/Fs with toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) established by World Health Organization (WHO, 1998) were analyzed in imported beef, pork, and chicken by high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-GC/MS). Results of the monitoring for the last 5 years are presented. The levels of PCDD/Fs were similar to other studies except two unusually high concentrations in pork and beef. Excessive levels greater than the Korean provisional maximum residue limit of PCDD/Fs were found in a sample of pork imported from Chile and a sample of beef imported from U.S, and those products were rejected and returned. There was no obvious trend or differences with respect to time or origin of meat in this study.