• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2010

Objectives : The records of 447 pesticide poisoning deaths from the National Forensic Service (NFS) headquarters located in Seoul of Korea from 2005 to 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Methods : The data of each case were analyzed by using the SPSS program. Results : The mean age was $57.8{\pm}14.8$ years and the range was 16-92 years. The numbers of deaths of males and females were 301 and 134, respectively. The largest number of cases occurred in people aged 50-59 years (n=92, 20.6%) followed by the age groups 40-49 years (n=91, 20.4%), 60-69 years (n=88, 19.7%), and 70-79 years (n=75, 16.8%). The total number of deaths among other age groups (10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 80-89, and 90-99 years) was 73, representing only 16.3%. Of all pesticide poisoning deaths, 96.2% were due to suicide, and 28.4% of the total number who died received medical treatment. The mostfrequent site of ingestion was the person's own residence (n=279, 62.4%). The most common classes of pesticide were bipyridylium herbicide (paraquat, 31.1%), organophosphate insecticide (21.7%), and carbamate insecticide (15.4%). The major pesticides having a high proportion of fatalities were paraquat (31.1%), methomyl (11.4%), glyphosate (9.1%), dichlorvos (5.6%), phosphamidon (4.6%), and methidathion (4.0%). Conclusions : This study showed that poisoning deaths due to pesticides are one of the major public health problems in Korea. Enforcement of regulations and safety education to prevent pesticide poisoning should be carried out by the government.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.583-593
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the frequency score of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and concentration of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites in farmers. Methods: The study was conducted in Chungcheongnam-do Province of South Korea. We collected urine samples from 308 farmers from September to December 2017 and May to July 2018. Among them, 17 farmers with urinary creatinine levels outside the normal range were excluded. Information on the frequency of wearing PPE was obtained from the farmers through face-to-face survey. Each frequency of wearing for seven types of PPE was converted into a score and expressed as a total score, which was divided into quartiles. Four types of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass selective detector. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites affected by the frequency of wearing PPE. Results: The average frequency score of wearing PPE was 8.0. The quartiles of frequency score of wearing PPE were divided as follows: 1st quartile (≤1), 2nd quartile (1-6), 3rd quartile (6-12), and 4th quartile (>12). Compared with subjects with a low frequency score of wearing PPE (reference), subjects with a high frequency score of wearing PPE (4th quartile) had lower concentrations of urinary diethyl phosphate (DEP) (p<0.01) and dialkyl phosphate (ΣDAP) (p<0.05), which is the sum of dimethyl phosphate (DMP), DEP, dimethyl thiophosphate (DMTP), and diethyl thiophosphate (DETP). Conclusion: Concentrations of urinary organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were associated with frequency score of wearing PPE. Particularly as the frequency score of wearing PPE increased, concentrations of urinary DMP, DEP, DETP, and ΣDAP significantly decreased. The findings of this study can contribute to the management of health effects among farmers working with pesticides.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Mathematical model such as GLEAMS have been developed and successfully applied to upland fields to estimate the level of pesticide residues in soil. But, the GLEAMS model rarely applied to the Korean conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: To evaluate pesticide transport in soil residue using the GLEAMS model from pepper plot, Alachlor, Endosulfan, Cypermethrin and Fenvalerate were applied for standard and double rate. Soil sampling was conducted and decaying patterns of pesticides were investigated. Observed climate data such as temperature and irrigation amount were used for hydrology simulation. The observed pesticide residue data of 2008 were used for parameter calibration, and validation of GLEAMS model was conducted with observed data of 2009. After calibration, the $K_{oc}$ (Organic carbon distribution coefficient) and WSHFRC (Washoff fraction) parameters were identified as key parameters. The simulated concentrations of the pesticides except Fenvalerate were sensitive to $K_{oc}$ parameter. Overall, soil residue concentrations of Alachlor, Cypermethrin and Fenvalerate were fairly simulated compared to those of Endosulfan. The applicability of the GLEAMS model was also confirmed by statistical analysis. CONCLUSION(s): GLEAMS model was eligible for evaluation of pesticide soil residue for Alachlor, Cypermethrin and Fenvalerate.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2024

This study investigated the levels of 345 pesticide residues in 50 herbal medicines sold in Incheon metropolitan city to determine their safety. Pesticide residues are harmful substances that can cause serious health problems owing to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The analysis of pesticide residues in the samples was conducted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, known for its high analysis efficiency, to analyze a wide range of pesticides for which no standards have been set. The analysis was cross-validated with the pretreatment method outlined in the Korea Pharmacopoeia. Among the 50 samples encompassing 24 different herbs, 22 pesticide residues were detected in 24 samples, covering 7 distinct herbs, resulting in a detection rate of 48%. It is noteworthy that, except for two cases, all detected pesticides were those for which no standards were set. However, after conducting a risk evaluation considering the daily dosage of herb, it was determined that the levels of pesticide residues were within safe limits. Pesticides with high frequency within the same category of herbs were detected, indicating the necessity for continuous monitoring and regulation. In addition, comparative analysis using the pretreatment method outlined in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, yielded similar results, suggesting the possibility of analyzing pesticide residues in herbs using the QuEChERS method. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in herbs and the development of high-efficiency reliability analysis methods should continue to ensure consumer safety.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2012

In order to monitor the levels of pesticides in environment-friendly stalk and stem vegetables and leafy vegetables selling at markets in Korea. A total of 637 (395 organic agricultural products, 242 pesticide-free agricultural products) samples of 21 stalk and stem vegetables and leafy vegetables were collected twice from markets in July and August 2010 in Korea. Pesticide residues in samples were analyzed by multiresidue method for 240 pesticides using GC-ECD/NPD and HPLC-DAD/FLD. The suspected-pesticides were confirmed with a GC-MSD. As a result of analysis, six pesticides were detected from eight samples, representing a detection rate of 1.3% and amounts of pesticide residues in samples were as follows: alachlor 0.043, chlorfenapyr 0.022-0.324, diazinon 0.024, dicofol 0.009-0.138, dithiopyr 0.008, metolachlor 0.025 mg/kg. Their residue levels were below the MRLs. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the pesticides detected from stalk and stem vegetables and leafy vegetables were less than 25% of their acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), representing that residue levels of the pesticides detected were evaluated as safe for consumption. However, five samples containing pesticide residues were unsuitable environment-friendly products because of pesticides detected more than their 10% MRLs in organic and pesticide-free agricultural products.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.57-61
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• 2001

Tank mixing application of pesticides has been used to reduce labor and to control wide spectrum of pests, but it may cause significant pesticide poisoning on human and animals due to carelessness. The toxic response of pesticides for the tank mixtures and mixtures was investigated to determine acute toxicity and enzymatic change using experimental animals. Acute oral toxicity and acute dermal toxicity were tested by RDA test guideline. The $LD_{50}$ was calculated by probit analysis method and cholinesterase was measured with automatic analyzer. The toxicities were generally higher than estimated toxicities in tank mixing and mixture. Serum cholinesterase activity was inhibited more than expected at the dose levels of 1/5, 1/10 and 1/20 of $LD_{50}$. Therefore, the results of this study showed that acute toxicity caused by the pesticide mixtures should be considered before the tank mixing method is applied.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2011

Monitoring of pesticide residues were conducted at three sites in the Southern Area of Seoul, Korea (Gang-nam, Gang-dong and Song-pa). We measured pesticide residues within soil samples using multi-pesticide residues analysis. Samples were collected at the three sites with 60 sampling spots. The amount of pesticide residues in the soil samples were as follows [(minimum-maximum), mg/kg] endosulfan 0.002-0.999, procymidone 0.002-1.200, diazinon 0.003-0.024, metalaxyl 0.012-0.075. In soil treated with 0.445 mg/kg of endosulfan, the pesticide absorbed by chamnamul, was 0.157 mg/kg (Absorption rate : 35.3%). However, in soil treated with 0.358 mg/kg of endosulfan, the pesticide absorbed by lettuce, was 0.004 mg/kg (Absorption rate : 1.1%).

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1152-1157
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• 2018

In this paper, we try to solve the difficulties of the location of the structure for the movement of the wire - based pesticide spraying equipment designed for field farming. To do this, we apply earth resistivity measurement method and analysis technique which can indirectly grasp the earth structure. Electrodes are installed on the field in a selected farming area, and multi-switches built in the control board are driven to automatically acquire ground resistivity data. Then, the optimal point suitable for the actual structure installation is selected through the site analysis using the 2D image restoration algorithm.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.271-282
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• 2013

This is the result of pesticide residue monitoring certified Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) by national agricultural cooperative federation (NACF) from 2009 to 2012. NACF evaluated simultaneously 283 pesticide multi-analysis method with GC (ECD, NPD) and HPLC. 6,590 agricultural products were analyzed in this period. As the results 1) detected 20.27% in 2009, 23.42% in 2010, 28.07% in 2011 and finally 31.75% in 2012, respectively. There was the total detected pesticide residue in the agricultural products. The violated ratio of agricultural products were 2.25% in 2009, 1.82% in 2010, 1.67% in 2011 and 3.47% in 2012, respectively. 13 pesticides went over the maximum residue limits (MRLs); carbendazim was the predominant violation. 40 pesticides; endosulfan was the predominant detected pesticide did not registered respectively crops in Korea. Most agricultural products that were under the MRLs met the safety standard, however agricultural products that contain neither registered nor set up MRL any level for example endosulfan in strawberry. Agricultural products that go over the MRLs with permitted pesticides, for example carbendazim in apple, are rejected. Because of these intricacies continual observation and evaluation will be need during GAP agricultural cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Spiropidion and its metabolite are tetramic acid insecticide and require the establishment of an official analysis method for the safety management because they are newly registered in Korea. Therefore, this study was to determine the analysis method of residual spiropidion and its metabolite for the five representative agricultural products. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three QuEChERS methods (original, AOAC, and EN method) were applied to optimize the extraction method, and the EN method was finally selected by comparing the recovery test and matrix effect results. Various adsorbent agents were applied to establish the clean up method. As a result, the recovery of spiropidion was reduced when using the dispersive-SPE method with MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA), graphitized carbon black (GCB) and octadecyl (C₁₈) in soybean. Color interference was minimized by selecting the case including GCB and C18 in addition to MgSO₄. This method was established as the final analysis method. LC-MS/MS was used for the analysis by considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and the analysis was performed in MRM mode. The results of the recovery test using the established analysis method and inter laboratory validation showed a valid range of 79.4-108.4%, with relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation were less than 7.2% and 14.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Spiropidion and its metabolite could be analyzed with a modified QuEChERS method, and the established method would be widely available to ensure the safety of residual insecticides in Korea.