• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.579-585
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• 2013

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances which persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. POPs are thermally stable, highly lipophilic and water-insoluble compounds which can induce various toxic influences including immunotoxicty, carcinogenicity adverse effects on reproduction, development and endocrine fuctions. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardant. Because of their toxicity and persistence, the industrial production of some PBDEs is restricted under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major POPs. In this study, PBDEs was measured in various site of Sihwa industrial complex to investigate concentration distribution of POPs. The levels of PBDEs in house dust samples were 0.722~44.024 ng/g-dry. In PBDEs congener, BDE-209 was relatively higher in the all sites. The concentration of BDE-209 measured over 80.0% of total PBDEs. In various site, high molecular PBDEs homologues are measured higher than low molecular.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2005

Bioassay using the marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis, and chemical analyses were conducted to assess the toxicity of the various sewage sludges, one of the major ocean dumped materials in the Yellow Sea of Korea. Sludge elutriates extracted by filtered seawater were used to estimate the ecotoxicity of the sludge. Chemical characterization included the analyses of organic contents, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants in sludge. Bacterial bioluminescent inhibition (15 min), rotifer mortality (24 hr) and rotifer population growth inhibition (48 hr) assay were conducted to estimate the sludge toxicity. EC50 15 min (inhibition concentration of bioluminescence after 15 minutes exposed) values by Microtox(R) bioassay clearly revealed different toxicity levels depending on the sludge sources. Highest toxicity for the bacteria was found with the sludge extract from dyeing waste and followed by industrial waste, livestock waste, and leather processing waste. Clear toxic effects on the bacteria were not found in the sludge extract from filtration bed sludge and rural sewage sludge. Consistent with Microtox(R) results, rotifer neonate mortality and population growth inhibition test also showed highest toxicity in dyeing waste and low in filtration bed and rural sewage sludge. High concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals were measured in the samples from the industrial wastes, leather processing plant waste sludge, and urban sewage sludge. However, there was no significant correlation between pollutant concentration levels and the toxicity values of the sludge. This suggests that the ecotoxicity in addition to the chemical analyses of various sludge samples must be estimated before release of potential harmful waste in the natural environment as part of an ecological risk assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.313-321
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• 2014

Objectives: Pine needles are used as passive air samplers (PAS) of atmospheric persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This study was carried out in order to investigate whether pine needles can also be used as a PAS of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Methods: PBDEs in one to three year-old pine needles were analyzed with HRGC/HRMS. Results: PBDEs in the atmosphere were accumulated in the pine needles. The rate of increase in concentration of lower substituted PBDEs (tri- through hepta-) in pine needles was linear. The rate of increase of the higher substituted PBDEs (octa- through deca-) was also liner, but only up to two year-old pine needles. The concentration did not increase further in older pine needles. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that young pine needles, those that are two years old or less, are recommended for use as PAS of atmospheric PBDEs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.208-216
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate levels of POPs in soil by land use and identify congener profiles of PCBs, PCDD/Fs in soil in Korea. Heptachlor, Aldrin, Endrin, Mirex, Toxaphene were not found in all areas. The concentrations of Diedrin, Chlordane, ${\Sigma}$DDT, HCB in soil samples were in ranged from N.D. to 12.08 ${\mu}g$/kg, from N.D. to 16.08 ${\mu}g$/kg, from N.D. to 38.19 ${\mu}g$/kg and from N.D. to 1.32 ${\mu}g$/kg. In case of PCBs, concentration were in ranged from N.D. to 172.12 ${\mu}g$/kg, and PCBs contaminated area was higher than other areas. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs were in ranged from 0 to 6.68 pg I-TEQ/g. In addition, the ${\Sigma}$PCDFs concentration in the industry area soil was higher than ${\Sigma}$PCDDs.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.319-325
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate residual organochlorine pesticides in green house soil and oriental melon, green pepper, and lettuce. The majority of them were designated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the international community at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant. Extraction and clean-up method were developed using the QuEChERS method for residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soil and oriental melon, green pepper and lettuce. Recovery of OCPs in greenhouse soil and oriental melon, green pepper, and lettuce ranged from 73.3-110.6%. Limit of detection (LOD) of OCPs in soil and 3 crops were 0.01-0.08 and $0.11-0.17{\mu}g/kg$. The residues of OCPs in oriental melon, green pepper and lettuce greenhouse soil were analyzed by the developed method, and dieldrin, ${\beta}-endosulfan$ and endosulfan sulfate were detected at 1.4-72.5, 0.1-78.7 and $0.0-214.1{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The detection frequency of 3 compounds in soils were 52 (29.7%), 34 (19.4%) and 57 (32.6%) among 175 samples, respectively. However, these compounds were not detected in all crop samples. The residue level in 3 crops were lower than 1/58.8 of maximum residue level of them. These results showed that the OCPs residue in oriental melon, green pepper, and lettuce greenhouse soil were not as high as crop safety threatening.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2021.06a
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• pp.422-422
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• 2021

현대사회에서 플라스틱의 요구량은 꾸준히 증가하고 있으며 이에따라 생산량 역시 맞춰 증가하고 있다. 이에 따라 전세계적으로 플라스틱으로 인해 발생하는 폐기물의 양 역시 증가하고 있으며 이로 인해 플라스틱 재질의 폐기물이 많아지고 있다. 이 중 가장 문제가 되는 폐기물이 바로 미세플라스틱이다. 미세플라스틱은 1㎛ ~ 5mm 미만의 플라스틱으로 그 물리 화학적인 특성으로 인해 회수가 어려우며 외부 환경에 잔류시 독성을 유발할 수 있다. 플라스틱의 약한강도와 열악한 내열성 그리고 유기용매에 취약하다는 단점을 보완하기 위해 첨가하는 화학물질로 인해 내분비계교란물질을 발생시켜 생명체의 내분비계를 교란시켜 최종적으로 성기능장애를 유발한다. 또한 미세플라스틱의 표면은 유기염류성 살충제와 같은 잔류성오염물질(POPs persistent organic pollutants)사이의 흡착성이 크기 때문에 미세플라스틱은 POPs 농도를 주변보다 최대 백만배 높게 만들 수 있다. 미세플라스틱의 분석은 표준화된 방식이 없어서 제각각이지만 대체로 미세플라스틱 표면에 응집된 유기물을 처리하는 전처리, 미세플라스틱의 농도를 분석하는 정량분석, 그리고 미세플라스틱의 성분을 분석하는 정성분석의 과정을 거쳐서 진행된다. 이러한 미세플라스틱의 분석법을 기반으로 하수처리장에 유입되는 하수의 미세플라스틱 분석방법을 제안하면 다음과 같다. 우선 유입수로부터 미세플라스틱을 따로 분리하기 위해 체거름을 진행했다. 이후 유입하수의 성상에 맞는 적정 전처리 방법을 알아내기 위해 유기물을 제거하기 위한 산화방식으롷서 과산화수소수, 80℃의 과산화수소수, 그리고 펜톤산화의 서로 다른 3가지 방식을 사용했다. 이후 이어지는 정량분석과 정성분석결과를 비교하여 유입하수에 가장 최적인 미세플라스틱 측정방법을 알아보고자 한다.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-111
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• 2013

Worldwide there is concern about the continuing release of a broad range of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other halogenated organochlorines persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. They are condemned for health adverse effects such as cancer, reproductive defects, neurobehavioral abnormalities, endocrine and immunological toxicity. These effects can be elicited via a number of mechanisms among others include disruption of endocrine system, oxidation stress and epigenetic. However, most of the mechanisms are not clear, thus several number of studies are ongoing trying to elucidate them in order to protect the public by reducing these adverse effects. In this review, we briefly limited review the process, the impacts, and the potential mechanisms of dioxin/dioxin like compound, particularly, their possible roles in adverse developmental and reproductive processes, diseases, and gene expression and associated molecular pathways in cells.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2009

Among the toxicants in the environment dioxin-like compounds, including TCDD(2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin), are well known as carcinogen and teratogen. TCDD the most toxic of these compounds, may result in a wide variety of adverse health effects in humans and environment, including carconogenesis, hepatotoxicity, teratogenesis, and immunotoxicity. Also TCDD increases superoxide, peroxide radicals and induces oxidative stress that leads to breakage of DNA single-strand and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recently, there have been reports that persistent organic pollutants(POPs) may be causing metabolic disease through mitochondrial toxicity. In order to examine if dioxin brings about toxicity on mitochondria directly, we measured the change of the mitochondrial membrane potential after exposure to TCDD using JC-1 dye. After short time exposure of dioxin, mitochondrial depolarization was observed but it recovered to the control level immediately. This TCDD effect on mitochondrial membrane potential was not correlated either to the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) or extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ by TCDD. Less than 2 hours exposure of TCDD did not show any change in ROS production but 0.25 nM TCDD for 48 hours or 0.5 nM TCDD for 12 hours exposure did increase in ROS production. Under these conditions of ROS production by TCDD, no changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential by TCDD was observed.