• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.139-152
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• 2009

According to the third study on the distribution of chemical substances carried out by the Department of Environment in 2006, there were a total of 900 chemical substances whose respective annual usage amount exceeded 1,000 tons and, among them, 90 substances belonged to the 168 hazardous substances requiring management(53.6%). The work-related illnesses caused by hazardous substances requiring management in Korea between $1992{\sim}2005$ can be classified into four groups depending on the type of the chemical substances. These four groups are 23 organic substances including benzene, 12 metals including lead, 3 acids and bases including hydrogen chloride, and 6 gaseous substances including carbon monoxide. These hazardous substances requiring management were again classified depending on the threshold limit values. The chemicals whose TLV was lower than or equal to 0.005 ppm included 4 organic substances including methylene bisphenyl isocyanate and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI). The chemicals whose TLV was larger than 51 ppm included 22 organic substances including diethyl ether and 1,2-dichloroethylene. When we classified these hazardous substances requiring management according to the categories of GHS health hazards, we found that isobutyl acetate and magnesium oxide didn't belong to the 13 health hazard categories. Among the substances whose TLV is set and whose annual usage amount is more than 0.1 million ton, we recommended 12 chemical species including 4,4'-Methylenedianiline as new hazardous substances requiring management. All the recommended substances were found to be hazardous when we classified their health hazards.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the factors associated with intoxicated patient's disposition in the pediatric emergency department. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated pediatric intoxicated patients visiting the pediatric emergency department of a hospital between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013. Specifically, we analyzed the association between hospitalization recommended rate and the following variables: patient age group, symptoms, intentional poisoning, decontamination and toxic level of substance. Results: We collected data from 345 patients. A high incidence was noted in the 1-4 years of age group and 10-15 years of age group. Unintentional poisoning occurred in 306 patients (88.7%). A total of 115 patients (33.3%) had symptoms when visiting. Forty three patients (12.5%) ingested cleaning substances, which was the most common agent. Potentially-toxic level was the most common level of the substance. The hospitalization recommended rate associated with visits in 2011 was 2.5 times greater than in 2012 and 2013, decontamination was 2.0 times greater than no decontamination, and poisoning with potentially-toxic substances was 2.6 times greater than poisoning with other toxic substances. Additionally, the hospitalization recommended rate associated with symptomatic patients was 2.4 times greater than that of asymptomatic patients and intentional poisoning was 2.4 times greater than unintentional poisoning. Conclusion: Patients with decontamination, ingestion of potentially-toxic substances, symptoms and intentional poisoning had increased hospitalization rates. In addition, the hospitalization rate for patients who visited in 2011 was greater than that of patients who visited in 2012 or 2013.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.125-155
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• 1999

The objectives of this study were (1) an investigation of the current status of the hazardous substances, (2) a comparative analysis of classification system of hazardous substances between Korea and other countries, (3) a development of the new classification system in Korea, finally a review of prerequisites for effective enforcement of the new system. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The backbone of classification system of hazardous substances in Korea is based on Japanese classification system and EC(European Committee) guideline of hazardous substance. There are many problems in managing and handling of hazardous substances due to discordant of Japanese and EC system. It is desirable to revise the classification system to be harmonized with international guideline for example, guideline of IFCS(The Inter-governmental Forum on Chemical Safety) and EC guideline. 2) There are several problems in definitions of corrosive, sensitizing and irritation in MSDS Code of Ministry of Labour. It is desirable to reform those definitions. 3) Among the hazardous substances under the current system, there are several substances such as, beta-propiolactone, methyl bromide, ethyleneimine, etc that are not used and produced in Korea. It is desirable to exclude the substances from the list of controlled substances. 4) The section 39, about 'substance that designated to attach warning label' in Korea Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHAct) should be eliminated, because above section is unnecessary under the MSDS system. 5) The researchers recommend to establish a new list of hazardous substance which are controlled by OSHAct. It is desirable that the new list is consist of two types. The first type is 'a list of the specially controlled substances' and the other is 'the generally controlled substances'. 6) It is recommended that the specially controlled substances should include hazardous substances that are highly toxic and widely used in Korea. And the generally controlled substances should include hazardous substances that can be analysed by instrument and carry threshold. limit values(TLV's).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of indoor air cleaners and to inform how to select them correctly to the users. The efficiencies of removing suspended bacteria per hour were $64.3{\pm}13.1%$ for filter, wet, and complex type, respectively, which showed the complex type was the most efficient. The removal efficiencies of formaldehyde (HCHO) after two hours operation of air cleaners showed 88.3% and 81.1% for filter and wet type, respectively. The efficiency of complex type, with removal rate of 55.5~58.4%, was decreased after 30 minutes operation. Therefore, it is recommended to perform over 60 minutes when doing air cleaner certification test for HCHO removal efficiency. Generally, air cleaners having low wind volume showed higher efficiency. All tested air cleaners had no potential for removing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which is toxic substances, and it is desirable to develop a device which can control these substances. The results also confirmed that there was no ozone production from all tested air cleaners. And it is recommended to ventilate for 20 minutes every four hours to maintain 50% ventilation status.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.9 no.2 s.27
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

The thermochemical parameters for safe handling, storage, transport, operation and process design of flammable substances are explosive limit, flash point, autoignition temperature, minimum oxygen concentration, heat of combustion etc.. Explosive limit and autoignition temperature are the major physical properties used to determine the fire and explosion hazards of the flammable substances. Explosive limit and autoignition temperature of methane fur LNG process safety were investigated. By using the literatures data, the lower and upper explosive limits of methane recommended 4.8 vol$\%$ and 16 vol$\%$, respectively. Also autoignition temperatures of methane with ignition sources recommended $540^{\circ}C$ at the electrically heated cruicible furnace (the whole surface heating) and recommended about $1000^{\circ}C$ in the local hot surface. The new equations for predicting the temperature dependence and the pressure dependence of the lower explosive limits for methane are proposed. The values calculated by the proposed equations were a good agreement with the literature data.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.179-207
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• 2000

Hazardous organic solvents management as prescribed by presidential decree in Korea is reviewed. The status of import, manufacture, and circulation of organic solvents was investigated. Problems inherent in the management of organic solvents in the electroplating, metal degreasing, and dry cleaning industries were discussed. The chemical substance management system in Korea was compared to those of foreign organizations. A walk-through check list was developed and then used to assess the actual conditions and potential hazards of chemical substances in these industries. The questionnaire could be used to develop a chemical management system and protect workers from hazardous substances. Based on the results of the site survey, MSDSs were not integrated appropriately into the workers education and were not readily accessible to employees. In the case of the dry cleaning industry, the new dry cleaning solvent used as a substitute includes a lot of potentially hazardous organic solvents. This research is preliminary. It is recommended that a national survey be performed to better identify the current situation. Because chemical substances are regulated by thirteen laws in seven executive branches, management systems often overlap, resulting in ineffective control. Using the above results, a model for managing chemical substances was developed. This will more efficiently provide MSDS information to workers covered by the presidential decree and allow the construction of a management system database for better cooperation with the executive branches in Korea.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.50-56
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• 2009

Explosion limit and autoignition temperature are the major properties used to determine the fire and explosion hazards of the flammable substances. Explosion limit and autoignition temperature for safe handling of ethylene were investigated. By using the literatures data, the lower and upper explosion limits of ethylene recommended 2.6vol% and 36vol%, respectively. Also autoignition temperatures of ethylene with ignition sources recommended $420^{\circ}C$ at the electrically heated crucible furnace (the whole surface heating) and recommended about $800^{\circ}C$ in the local hot surface. The new equations for predicting the temperature dependence and the pressure dependence of the lower explosion limits for ethylene are proposed. The values calculated by the proposed equations were a good agreement with the literature data.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2015

An experiment was conducted to increase the quality of rice bran by fermentation using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and humic substances and its utilization as a feed ingredient for broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out in two steps. First, the fermentation process was done using a completely randomized design in factorial with 16 treatments: i) Dosage of B.amyloliquefaciens ($2.10^8cfu/g$), 10 and 20 g/kg; ii) Graded levels of humic substances, 0, 100, 200, and 400 ppm; iii) Length of fermentation, three and five days. The results showed that the fermentation significantly (p<0.05) reduced crude fiber content. The recommended conditions for fermentation of rice bran: 20 g/kg dosage of inoculums B. amyloliquefaciens, 100 ppm level of humic substances and three days fermentation period. The second step was a feeding trial to evaluate the fermented rice bran (FRB) as a feed ingredient for broiler chickens. Three hundred and seventy-five one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into five treatment diets. Arrangement of the diets as follows: 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% level of FRB and the diets formulation based on equal amounts of energy and protein. The results showed that 15% inclusion of FRB in the diet provided the best bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) values. In conclusion, the nutrient content of rice bran improved after fermentation and the utilization of FRB as a feed ingredient for broiler chickens could be included up to 15% of the broiler diet.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate exposure levels of various chemicals used in wafer fabrication product lines in the semiconductor industry where work-related leukemia has occurred. Methods: The research focused on 9 representative wafer fabrication bays among a total of 25 bays in a semiconductor product line. We monitored the chemical substances categorized as human carcinogens with respect to leukemia as well as harmful chemicals used in the bays and substances with hematologic and reproductive toxicities to evaluate the overall health effect for semiconductor industry workers. With respect to monitoring, active and passive sampling techniques were introduced. Eight-hour long-term and 15-minute short-term sampling was conducted for the area as well as on personal samples. Results: The results of the measurements for each substance showed that benzene, toluene, xylene, n-butyl acetate, 2-methoxy-ethanol, 2-heptanone, ethylene glycol, sulfuric acid, and phosphoric acid were non-detectable (ND) in all samples. Arsine was either "ND" or it existed only in trace form in the bay air. The maximum exposure concentration of fluorides was approximately 0.17% of the Korea occupational exposure limits, with hydrofluoric acid at about 0.2%, hydrochloric acid 0.06%, nitric acid 0.05%, isopropyl alcohol 0.4%, and phosphine at about 2%. The maximum exposure concentration of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) was 0.0870 ppm, representing only 0.1% or less than the American Industrial Hygiene Association recommended standard (100 ppm). Conclusion: Benzene, a known human carcinogen for leukemia, and arsine, a hematologic toxin, were not detected in wafer fabrication sites in this study. Among reproductive toxic substances, n-butyl acetate was not detected, but fluorides and PGMEA existed in small amounts in the air. This investigation was focused on the air-borne chemical concentrations only in regular working conditions. Unconditional exposures during spills and/or maintenance tasks and by-product chemicals were not included. Supplementary studies might be required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.6
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• 2023

The increasing prevalence of toxic substance-exposure in pets in South Korea endangers the health and safety of numerous companion animals, and has become a cause for concern. Notably, the annual incidence of forensic analysis in pets has increased by more than 150% in South Korea, mainly in populous regions such as Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. In response to this growing issue, veterinary forensic examinations were conducted on 549 dogs and cats from 2019 to 2022. This study revealed the presence of various toxic substances, including pesticides, insecticides, and drugs such as analgesics, anesthetics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, in pets. Among the 38 different toxins identified in pets, coumatetralyl, methomyl, terbufos, and buprofezin were the most frequently detected. In this study, toxic substances for pets were identified based on the "toxic agent list for humans," developed by the National Forensic Services, because no list of toxic agents for animals currently exists and data regarding potentially toxic substances for dogs and cats is limited. This is one of the limitations of this study, and necessitates the establishment of a toxic agent list for animals. Continued monitoring and research is also recommended to reveal the incidence, causes, and solutions of toxicity in animals.