• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.643-651
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions, intake levels and information needs of elementary school students on artificial food colorants in order to provide better understanding and proper dietary education to these students. From May to June 2010, a survey was conducted from 315 elementary school students at fifth and sixth grade level who were living in Seoul. The questionnaire was distributed by 14 elementary school teachers to their classroom students. The results showed that food safety was regarded as the most important factor in purchasing food items, and artificial food colorants were the most interested among various food additives. Although there was a lack of general knowledge and the students' estimated intake levels of artificial food colorants from processed foods were comparatively low, most (82.7%) believed that artificial food colorants were dangerous for health. The information they wanted to know most was the safety, necessity, and function of artificial food colorants, in order. Above results suggested the necessity of providing accurate information on artificial food colorants to elementary school students possibly by developing educational materials which can improve the perceptions on artificial food colorants and encourage a safe dietary life.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.389-406
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to estimate the safety level of non-cooking and cooking processed foods to propose the sanitary management of foods donated to foodbanks. The time and temperature were measured and the microbial levels of aerobic plate counts (APC), coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, B. cereus, and E. coli O157:H7 were analyzed on ten food items donated to seven foodbanks. The amount of cooked foods donated to each foodbank was about 10 to 40 servings. All foodbanks hired a supervisor and had at least one refrigerator/freezer and one temperature-controlled vehicle, but only four foodbanks had the separate offices to manage the foodbank operation. The flow of donated foods was gone through the steps; production, meal service and holding at donator, collection by foodbank, transport (or holding after transport) and distribution to recipients. After production, the levels of APC of both non-cooking and cooking processed foods were complied with the standards by Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development, and were not increased till distribution. Only the level of coliforms in dried squid & cucumber salad (1.5×$10^3$ CFU/g) was not met the standards. E. coli and other pathogens were not detected in all tested samples. The microbial levels of delivery vessels and work tables were satisfactory, but the APC levels of two of four tested serving tables (6.9×$10^3$ and 5.3×$10^3$ CFU/100$cm^2$) and the coliforms level of one (1.1×$10^3$ CFU/100$cm^2$) were over the standards. The air-borne microflora level in serving room was estimated as satisfactory. It took about 3.0 to 6.5 hours from after-production to distribution and the temperatures of donated foods were exposed mostly to temperature danger zone, which had a high potential of microbial growth. These results imply that a checklist to monitor time and temperature in each step should be provided and the employees involving foodbank operation should be properly educated to ensure the safety of donated foods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.478-483
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to assess the levels of hazardous substances in floor dust in primary schools located in the city of Busan in Korea. Materials and Methods: An on-site investigation of three primary schools was performed between April and May 2013. The hazardous substances measured in this study were 14 heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Al, Sn, Co, Mo and Si) and the biological agents were bacteria, fungi and endotoxin). Results: Among the heavy metals, Cd, Co, Pb and Cr were not detected in the floor dust from the three primary schools. The mean levels of other heavy metals were as follows: $20({\pm}10)ng/cm^2$ for As, $30({\pm}20)ng/cm^2$ for Al, $5({\pm}4)ng/cm^2$ for Sn, $20({\pm}20)ng/cm^2$ for Mo, $1,340({\pm}620)ng/cm^2$ for Si, $110({\pm}100)ng/cm^2$ for Cu, $240({\pm}50)ng/cm^2$ for Fe, $30({\pm}30)ng/cm^2$ for Mn, $10({\pm}10)ng/cm^2$ for Ni, and $50({\pm}30)ng/cm^2$ for Zn. It was found that mean concentrations of bacteria, fungi and endotoxin in the floor dust of primary schools were $4.7{\time}10^7({\pm}2.2{\time}10^7)cfu/cm^2$, $6.3{\time}10^6({\pm}6.4{\time}10^6)cfu/cm^2$, and $8,140({\pm}5,801)EU/cm^2$, respectively. The predominant species identified in the floor dust of the primary schools were Pseudomonas spp. for bacteria and Penicillium spp.,Cladosporidium spp.,and Aspergillus spp. for fungi, which would be somewhat similar to the microbial distribution pattern of other general environments. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained from this study, the levels of heavy metals, microbes and endotoxin distributed in the floor dust of primary school were higher than those reported for other general facilities. Thus, preventive measures should be prepared for the health care of children.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.355-361
• /
• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 and lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking, and exercise) modulate the levels of urinary styrene metabolites such as mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) after occupational exposure to styrene. We recruited 79 male workers who had received chronic exposure in styrene fiberglass-reinforced plastic manufacturing factories. We found that serum albumin was significantly correlated with blood styrene/ambient styrene (BS/AS), urinary styrene (US)/AS, and US/BS ratios as well as urinary metabolites, that total protein correlated with US/MA and US/PGA ratios, and that low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol significantly correlated with US/BS, US/MA, and US/PGA ratios. Multiple logistic regression analyses using styrene-metabolizing enzyme genotypes and lifestyle habits as dependent variables and blood and urine styrene concentrations and urine styrene metabolite levels as independent variables revealed that $CYP2E1^*5$ was associated with the MA/US ratio and GSTM1 with US/BS, that a smoking habit was associated with US/AS and MA/US ratios and MA and PGA levels, and that regular exercise was correlated with PGA/US. In conclusion, the results suggested that genetic polymorphisms of styrene-metabolizing enzymes, lifestyle behaviors, and albumin and LDL-cholesterol serving as homeostasis factors together are involved in styrene metabolism.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate chromium in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood and urine of workers at chrome plating factories, and to determine the correlation between environmental and biological chromium levels. This study involved 29 workers as study group and 24 undergraduate students as control group. The geometric means(GM) of airborne hexavalent chromium and total chromium concentrations in the plating factories were 3.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 10.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. Hexavalent chromium levels in two of total 29 measurements exceeded the korean occupational exposure limit and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value(ACGIH-TLV) of 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. Only one sample for total chromium exceeded the Korea occupational exposure limits, the ACGIH-TLV, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Recommended Exposure Limits(NIOSH-REL) of 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L. The GM of chromium concentrations in blood and urine of workers exposed to chromium were 8.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 11.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively, whereas the chromium concentrations in blood and urine of the controls were 1.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and 3.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L, respectively. There were statistically significant differences of blood and urine concentrations between study group and control group (p<0.01). The chromium concentrations in urine were most highly related to hexavalent chromium, concentration in air(r=0.642, p<0.01). Also, there was a relatively high correlation between the hexavalent chromium concentrations in air and chromium concentrations in whole blood(r=0.557, p<0.05). These results indicate that whole-blood chromium with urinary chromium could be an indicator of chromium body burden caused by exposure to chromic acid mist in plating operation.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.118-129
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study aims to examine the levels of the perception and work performance of patient safety based on the healthcare accreditation criteria among long-term care hospital nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using questionnaires. Out of 205 criteria, 39 items relevant to patient safety were selectively adapted for this study. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The mean scores of perception and work performance were 4.36 and 4.24 out of 5, respectively, and the difference between them was significantly different (t=5.78, p<.001). The two variables were both significantly higher among those nurses who were older, married, head nurses, had many nursing experiences, and aware of Healthcare Accreditation than the other nurses. Positive correlations were observed between perception and work performance in all three sub-systems. The relations between these two in the patient care system was the most highly correlated (r=.894, p<.001). The lowest scores of perception and work performances were fire-related criteria (i.e., reporting). Conclusion: Overall, subject's perception proves to be higher than their work performance. It is necessary to develop some viable environment and training programs to enhance their work performance up to the level of their perception of patient safety.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.377-383
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Exposure to fine particles in urban air has been associated with a number of negative health effects. High levels of fine particles have been detected at underground stations in big cities. We investigated the exposure conditions in four occupational groups in the Stockholm underground train system to identify high-exposed groups and study variations in exposure. Methods: $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ were measured during three full work shifts on 44 underground workers. Fluctuations in exposure were monitored by a real-time particle monitoring instrument, pDR, DataRAM. Qualitative analysis of particle content was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Nitrogen dioxide was measured using passive monitors. Results: For all underground workers, the geometric mean (GM) of $PM_1$ was $18{\mu}g/m^3$ and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $37{\mu}g/m^3$. The particle exposure was highest for cleaners/platform workers, and the GM of $PM_1$ was $31.6{\mu}g/m^3$ [geometric standard deviation (GSD), 1.6] and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $76.5{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.3); the particle exposure was lowest for ticket sellers, and the GM of $PM_1$ was $4.9{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 2.1) and of $PM_{2.5}$ was $9.3{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.5). The $PM_1$ and $PM_{2.5}$ levels were five times higher in the underground system than at the street level, and the particles in the underground had high iron content. The train driver's nitrogen dioxide exposure level was $64.1{\mu}g/m^3$ (GSD, 1.5). Conclusions: Cleaners and other platform workers were statistically significantly more exposed to particles than train drivers or ticket sellers. Particle concentrations ($PM_{2.5}$) in the Stockholm underground system were within the same range as in the New York underground system but were much lower than in several older underground systems around the world.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2006

One of the main attractions of treatment with herbal medicine is its apparent lack of side effects compared with the drug therapies used in allopathic medicine. However, evidence from various countries suggest that Asian herbal medicine carry a significant risk of contamination with toxic heavy metals at levels that may seriously threaten health. The aims of this study were to analyze and compare concentrations of heavy metals in urine and hair from 184 patients taking herbal medicines in the form of decoctions and/or pills in comparison to 101 control subjects taking either Western or no medications. Levels of metal concentrations exceeding WHO reference values were observed in a number of hair and urine samples for all subjects. After adjusting for potential confounders, taking decoctions or pills was associated with higher levels of some metals (such as Cu, Pb in urine), as well a higher odds ratio of exceeding the upper limit of reference ranges for Pb, Hg in hair. In contrast, taking decoctions or pills was associated with lower levels of some metals (such as Cu in urine and Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb in hair), suggesting that some herbal medicines may have a chelating effect on heavy metals in the body. Overall, the results obtained in the study show a mixed picture and suggest that heavy metals contamination in herbs is sometimes present, but may also be counteracted by the potential for some herbal medicines to act as chelating agents. Further study must be followed to obtain more concrete evidence.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.125-136
• /
• 2016

In this study, the convergent relation between perception of patient safety culture and safety nursing activity was investigated to prevent safety accidents and prepare data of nursing intervention for patient safety. Nurses in B City who signed on the written consent participated in this study between February 16 and 28, 2015. A total of 266 copies were collected and were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. The mean score of patient safety culture was 3.60 on a scale of 0 to 5, and safety nursing activity, 4.28. The subcategory of perception of patient safety culture, which included the accident report frequency and patient safety level positively (+) influenced safety nursing activity. Therefore, effective communications and report systems in hospitals may be necessary to enhance patient safety culture. Education programs of patient safety should be developed and provided to nurses in hospitals to enhance the levels of patient safety management and their services.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.497-503
• /
• 2007

The humoral immune response of chicken vaccinated with fowl and pigeon pox virus vaccines was determined with the protective potentiality of the two vaccines in field condition of Bangladesh. Different aged Fayoumi chicks were subjected for the study. To assess the relationship with better immune response among experimental groups, the average percentage of 'take reaction' was examined and recorded to 97.77% in group A, 93.33% in group B and 100.0% in group C. The level of immune status induced by different vaccinated group was measured by passive hemagglutination (PHA) microplate test method. The mean PHA titer levels after primary vaccination were $33.06{\pm}14.13$ in group A, $32.0{\pm}14.81$ in group B, and $33.0{\pm}13.66$ in group C. Following booster vaccination, the mean PHA titer levels in prior of challenge were increased to $55.46{\pm}14.64$ in groups A and C, and $46.93{\pm}16.52$ in group B. The recorded PHA titer levels of each group at two weeks after challenge were significantly increased to $106.66{\pm}31.22$, $93.86{\pm}33.04$ and $110.93{\pm}29.29$, respectively. The PHA titer levels after vaccination and challenge were significantly increased compared to pre-vaccination titer levels (P<0.01). Although the PHA titer levels among three groups administrated different vaccine combinations in prior of challenge were significantly varied (P<0.01), it was observed that all of the vaccinated chicks were highly protected against challenge infection.