• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 2012

Various social problems such as traffic congestion, car accidents and environmental problems(air pollution, noises etc.) have been happening in the Seoul metropolitan area that has the car oriented traffic system providing cars continuously. Along with this, the financial burden caused by current oil price anxiety made paradigm shift from caroriented to public transportation-oriented. Its typical example is an arterial branch bus system changing(bus lane through the center of main road) started in Seoul in July, 2004. But study on safety analysis of bus lane and characteristic of accidents are not sufficient enough to now. The bus lanes are expanded to provide roads for better traffic operation and accidents between buses and pedestrians or ordinary vehicles are considered main problems. This study divided each bus route of median bus lane(bus-only lane through the center of main roads) and bus lane at roadside by intersection and collected and analysed data about influence variables of bus accidents chosen in each section. We constructed a logistic model using collected data. As a result, bus lane at roadside are used by both buses and other kinds of vehicles differently from median bus lane and showed such characteristic in accident influence. Therefore access management to factors causing conflict and improvement of operation management are required. In case of median bus lane, the more buses moving general vehicle lane and traffic volume of section were, the more accidents happened. In case that stop line of center lane is not backward, view blocking of vehicles turning left caused accidents.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2014

A study was conducted to determine the phytotoxic effect of mercury on seed germination and seedling growth of an important arid legume tree Albizia lebbeck. The seeds germination and seedling growth performance of A. lebbeck responded differently to mercuric chloride treatment (1 mM, 3 mM, 5 mM and 7 mM) as compared to control. Seed germination of A. lebbeck was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM. Root growth of A. lebbeck was not significantly affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM, and 3 mM. Shoot and root length of A. lebbeck were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by 5 mM concentration of mercury treatment. Increase in concentration of mercury treatment at 5 mM and 7 mM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced seedling dry weight of A. lebbeck. The treatment of mercury at 1 mM decreased high percentage of seed germination (22%), seedling length (10%), root length (21.85%) and seedling dry weight (9%). Highest decrease in seed germination (51%), seedling (34%), root length (48%) and seedling dry weight (41%) of A. lebbeck occurred at 7 mM mercury treatment. A. lebbeck showed high percentage of tolerance (78.14%) to mercury at 1 mM. However, 7 mM concentration of mercury produced lowest percentage of tolerance (51.65%) in A. lebbeck. The seed germination potential and seedling vigor index (SVI) clearly decreased with the higher level of mercury. Plantation of A. lebbeck in mercury-polluted area will help in reducing the burden of mercury pollution. A. lebbeck can serve better in coordinating in land management programs in metal contaminated areas. The identification of the toxic concentration of metals and tolerance indices of A. lebbeck would also be helpful for the establishment of air quality standard.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2019

Objectives: Patients with respiratory diseases are increasing as air pollution due to fine dust gets worse. Diseases that occupy a large proportion of respiratory diseases in medical institutions are acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis and Allergic rhinitis. The number of patients with all three diseases is gradually increasing. This study was to suggest assignment of medicine policy for improving accessibility to Korean medical treatment of respiratory diseases analyzing the current treatment status of acute bronchitis, Chronic bronchitis and Allergic rhinitis patients in Western medical and Korean medical institutes in this situation. Methods: This study used 2017 National patient sample data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service for research. Acute bronchitis, Chronic bronchitis, Allergic rhinitis was according to KCD code. This research contains Socio-demographic analysis classified by sex and age, the number of three disease's patients. Also the number of medical treatment, the expense of recuperation cost, medical practices were analyzed compare with Western and Korean medicine. Results: The incidence of three diseases is higher among female than male. There are many patients under the age of 10 in the case of acute bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, while there are many patients over 50 years of age in chronic bronchitis. Western medical treatment take up a larger proportion than Korean medical treatment in part of the number of three disease's patients, the number of medical treatment, the expense of recuperation cost. Conclusions: Much more patients of these diseases visit in Western medical clinic and hospital than Korean medical clinic and hospital for treatment. There are many parts of Korean medical treatment that are not covered by Health insurance benefits like herbal decoction, pharmacopuncture, etc. Korean medicine need to do the efforts for expanding medical field in variety. Also it is demanded for institutional support for reduction of the cost burden and improving on accessibility of Korean medical treatment in order to treat with the increase in respiratory diseases due to fine dust.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2019

Since 2020, according to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) amended in 2016, each Administration shall transfer the annual fuel consumption of its registered ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after verifying them. The Administration needs stacks of materials, which must not be manipulated by ship companies, including the Engine log book and also bears an administrative burden to verify them by May every year. This study considers using the Automatic Identification System (AIS), mandatory navigational equipment, as an objective and efficient tool among several verification methods. Calculating fuel consumption using a ship's speed in AIS information based on the theory of a relationship between ship speed and fuel consumption was reported in several examples of relevant literature. After pre-filtering by excluding AIS records which had speed errors from the raw data of five domestic cargo vessels, fuel consumptions calculated using Excel software were compared to actual bunker consumptions presented by ship companies. The former consumptions ranged from 96 to 123 percent of the actual bunker consumptions. The difference between two consumptions could be narrowed to within 20 percent if the fuel consumptions for boilers were deducted from the actual bunker consumption. Although further study should be carried out for more accurate calculation methods depending on the burning efficiency of the engine, the propulsion efficiency of the ship, displacement and sea conditions, this method of calculating annual fuel consumption according to the difference between two consumptions is considered to be one of the most useful tools to verify bunker consumption.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.560-569
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• 2003

Background : A large number of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone influence on the body. These pollutants put a burden on the lung and the sequelae resulting from the oxidative stress are thought to contribute to the development of fibrotic lung disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Also, carbon monoxide generated from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds is an important component of air pollution caused by traffic exhaust fumes and has the toxic effect of tissue hypoxia and produce various systemic and neurologic complications. The objective of this study is to compare the difference of pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin(CO-Hb) level between the traffic policemen and clerk policemen. Method : Three hundred and twenty-nine of traffic policemen, and one hundred and thirty clerk policemen were included between 2001 May and 2002 August. The policemen who took part in this study were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included questions on age, smoking, drinking, years of working, work-related symptoms and past medical history. The serum CO-Hb level was measured by using carboxyoximeter. Pulmonary function test was done by using automated spirometer. Additional tests, such as elecrocardiogram, urinalysis, chest radiography, blood chemistry, and CBC, were also done. Results : $FEV_1(%)$ was $97.1{\pm}0.85%$, and $105.7{\pm}1.21%$(p<0.05). FVC(%) was $94.6{\pm}0.67%$, and $102.1{\pm}1.09%$, respectively(p<0.05). Serum CO-Hb level was $2.4{\pm}0.06%$, and $1.8{\pm}0.08%$(p<0.05). After correction of confounding factors (age, smoking), significant variables were FVC(%), $FEV_1(%)$ and serum CO-Hb level(%)(p<0.05). Conclusion : Long exposure to air pollution may influence the pulmonary function and serum CO-Hb level. But, further prospective cohort study will be needed to elucidate detailed influences of specific pollutants on pulmonary function and serum carboxyhemoglobin level.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.595-605
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• 2012

Fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) were collected and analyzed from April 2010 through January 2011 in Chungju to investigate the characteristics of $PM_{2.5}$ and its ionic species. The annual mean concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $NH_4{^+}$ in the particulate phase were 40.84, 7.61, 7.14 and $3.74{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were higher in fall and spring than in winter and summer. The elevated concentrations episodes are the main factor that enhanced the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in the fall. Among the major ionic species ${SO_4}^{2-}$ showed the highest concentration, followed by $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3^-$ exhibited higher concentrations during the winter, but ${SO_4}^{2-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ were not showed seasonal variation. The high correlations were found among $PM_{2.5}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$ during all seasons except for spring. The evaluation of backward trajectories and meteorological records show that the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration levels occurred during W-NW weather conditions, which influenced by the emission sources of China area. The low pollution levels generally occurred during E-S weather conditions, which influenced by the East Sea and south of the Yellow Sea. The elevated $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentrations arouse the concentration of $NO_3{^-}$, but no effects on ${SO_4}^{2-}$ and $NH_4{^+}$.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.491-505
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• 1992

The purpose of this research was to understand the structure of the lived experience of parents of a child terminally ill with cancer The research question was “What is the structure of the experience of parents of a child terminally ill with cancer\ulcorner” The sample consisted of 17 parents of children admitted to the cancer units of two university hospitals in Seoul. The unstructured interviews were carried out from October 10, 1991 through January 10, 1992. They were audio-recorded and analysed using Van Kaam's method. Parents ascribed the cause of the cancer to the mother's emotional imbalance during pregnancy, the mother's stress, failure to observe religious rites, food, the parent's sin, misfortune and pollution. The theme clusters were tension, fear and depression experienced during pregnancy, stress that children suffer from abusive parents, failure to observe religious activites, bad luck, and sins committed during a previous life. When the child suffered a recurrence of cancer, the parents experienced negative emotions, nervousness, sorrow. depression and death. The theme clusters were feelings of despair, helplessness, regret, guilt, insecurity, emptyness and apathy. The long struggle with cancer resulted in the loss of economic security, loss of psychological and physical well being, and social withdrawal. The theme clusters were the economic burden of medical cost, giving up treatment, debt, limited medical insurance coverage and blood transfusion. The loss of psychological well being included stress, lack of support systems, inability to carry out responsibilities, lack of trust of the medical ten family breakdown, inappropriate expression of emotion and not disclosing the diagnosis to the child. Physically the parents suffered fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of weight, dizzness, headache, psychosomatic symptoms, and increased consumption of liquor and cigarettes. Social withdrawal was manifested by taking time off from work to look after the child, decrease of outside social activities and feelings of isolation. Influences on family life were spousal conflicts, negative response of siblings, separation of the family members and economic hardship. The theme clusters were blaming a spouse for the cause of the illness and disagreements, maladjustment, lonliness, hostility and depression of siblings. The high price of medical care over the long period was a major factor influencing the life of the family. Positive experiences during the child's long illness were the strengthening of support systems and religious beliefs and financial help from social organizations. The support of one's spouse primarily helped to overcome the stress of the long illness. In addition, support was received from parents of other children with cancer and from nurses and religious leaders. The nurse, by providing empathetic support, should be a person with whom parents can express their feelings and share their experiences.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.229-262
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• 2015

Toxic tort cases have increased dramatically since the 1970s, as large technological systems, such as nuclear power plants and chemical factories, or mass-produced, high-tech products, had exposed citizens and consumers to dangerous substances. It was, however, difficult to establish causal connection between exposure and the alleged harms in many of the environmental, pollution, and product liability cases under the framework of tort law conception of causation and responsibility. Science and law was called upon to resolve such 'late modern' legal cases where true causes are hard to find, where no single explanatory factor is sufficient for explaining diseases like cancer. This article examines how plaintiffs in the Korean tobacco litigation mobilized such late modern tools in science and law, such as epidemiology and the allocation of the burden of proof, in the context of the global circulation of science and law. It further shows how a set of the scientific theories and legal arguments developed in order to cope with late modern risk played a central role in establishing a causation between smoking and cancer in 2011. This article suggests that STS scholars can fruitfully examine the interaction between science and law as a way to understand and engage with social and legal issues engendered by late modern risk.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.133-150
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• 2021

Purpose: The epidemiologic understanding of allergic diseases, including prevalence and risk factors, is needed for allergy management. This study identified the prevalence of and coping patterns for various types of allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), food allergy (FA), and drug allergy (DA), in Nam-gu, Ulsan, one of the most industrialized districts in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report multiple choice questionnaire. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and other measures were reviewed to develop the questionnaire. Data was collected from May 9th to November 30th of 2018. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed to apprehend the prevalence of symptoms, diagnostic rates, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and others. Results: By randomized sampling, 9,102 children from 25 nurseries, 25 kindergartens, and 15 elementary schools participated in the study. The prevalence of asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 11.1%, 48.7%, 15.5%, 17.6%, 15.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. The respective rate of ever being diagnosed with asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 4.2%, 38.4%, 25.5%, 23.3%, 9.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Last year's allergy related school absenteeism rates were 10.8%, 4.1%, and 1.3% for asthma, AR, and AD, respectively. Lastly, 59.2% of the participants considered air pollution as the most challenging factor in allergy management. Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current state of various allergic diseases in Nam-gu, Ulsan. The study's findings are expected to be applied to strategies for decreasing the socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.66-85
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• 2002

Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with heavy metals. This may be mainly due to a soil contamination by an environmental pollution. The objective of this study is to identify the contents of various heavy metals in the blood from OhJeokSan-Decoction (OD) treated-rats. For this study, 13 kinds of metals including essential and heavy metals, i.e. Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were analyzed by a slight modification of EPA methods and the following results are obtained. ; 1. There is no significant difference between the OD-treated groups and control group in liver, kidney, bone, brain, weight, food intake. 2. The amount of each metal analyzed in the liver are as follows; Al ; $0.235{\sim}4.215mg／kg$, As ; $0.103{\sim}0.461mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.005{\sim}0.010mg／kg$, Co ; $0.017{\sim}0.046mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.137{\sim}0.403mg／kg$, Cu ; $1.736{\sim}4.827mg／kg$, Fe ; $54.472{\sim}381.447mg／kg$, Hg ; not detected, Mn ; $1.159{\sim}2.803mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.007{\sim}0.095mg／kg$, Pb ; not detected, Se ; $0.682{\sim}1.887mg／kg$, Zn ; $10.213{\sim}26.119mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. In control and other experimental group, several metal (Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, As, Cr) has a significant difference, but in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups, there are no significant difference. 3. The amount of each metal analyzed in the kidney are as follows; Al ; $1.712{\sim}31.230mg／kg$, As ; $0.062{\sim}0.439mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.010{\sim}0.062mg／kg$, Co ; $0.000{\sim}0.101mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.125{\sim}0.636mg／kg$, Cu ; $3.385{\sim}12.502mg／kg$, Fe ; $41.148{\sim}99.709mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.270mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.433{\sim}2.301mg／kg$, Ni ; $0.000{\sim}0.221mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}0.584mg／kg$, Se ; $0.540{\sim}1.600mg／kg$, Zn ; $8.775{\sim}17.060mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Cu, Se, Cr, and Hg are variated significantly in control and other experimental group, and Cu, Se, Cd, Cr are variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 4. The amount of each metal analyzed in the bone(tibia and fibula) are as follows; Al ; $9.557{\sim}119.464mg／kg$, As ; $0.139{\sim}12.250mg／kg$, Cd ; $0.000{\sim}0.295mg／kg$, Co ; $0.022{\sim}0.243mg／kg$, Cr ; $0.239{\sim}1.999mg／kg$, Cu ; $0.000{\sim}2.291mg／kg$, Fe ; $240.249{\sim}841.956mg／kg$, Hg ; $0.000{\sim}0.983mg／kg$, Mn ; $0.214{\sim}7.353mg／kg$, Ni ; $5.473{\sim}11.453mg／kg$, Pb ; $0.000{\sim}8.502mg／kg$, Se ; $0.000{\sim}3.005mg／kg$, Zn ; $61.158{\sim}195.038mg／kg$, by groups, respectively. The concentration of Se, Cd are variated significantly in control and other experimental groups, and Se is variated significantly in experimental I and other experimental II, III, IV, V groups. 5. Exceptionally several metal concentration is increased or decreased. but there is no significant harmful difference of metal concentration in the liver, kidney and bone, from the OD-treated-rats compared to those of the control group even if higher dosage($1{\sim}8$ times dosage of person) of OD was administered. Thus, it is expected that the herbal decoction in the traditional herbal medicine would not lay any burden on the body and the heavy metal toxins would not affect our physiological system. However, other kinds of herbal treatment, such as i.v. and i.p. should be considered in terms of metal toxicity in the body since the level of certain metal.