• Title/Summary/Keyword: Safety and Health Levels

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The level of food literacy and its association with food intake and obesity status among Seoul citizens: results from Seoul Food Survey 2021

  • Hyelim Yoo;Eunbin Jo;Hyeongyeong Lee;Eunji Ko;Eunjin Jang;Jiwon Sim;Kirang Kim;Sohyun Park
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.17 no.5
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    • pp.945-958
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    • 2023
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial skill for selecting sustainable and healthy food options, necessitating the identification of vulnerable groups in the community using valid measurement tools. Identifying weak domains in FL is essential for enhancing the overall FL. This study examined the FL levels of Seoul citizens based on their sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the relationship between FL, food intake, and weight status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study employing representative samples of Seoul citizens. Data collection occurred from September to October 2021, with 4,039 citizens aged 18 yrs and above participating in face-to-face surveys. Thirty-three FL items were assessed, comprising 14 items in the nutrition and safety (NS) domain, eight items in the cultural and relational (CR) domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological (SE) domain. In addition, data on food intake sufficiency and obesity status were collected. The descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Men, students, young adults, older citizens, and people experiencing food insecurity had the lowest scores for all the FL domains. The highest quartile group of NS scores had a higher probability of consuming adequate servings of vegetables and fruits, with significant linear trends observed (P for trend < 0.05). In all three FL domains, the odds ratio for obesity was significantly lower in the groups with high FL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A close relationship was observed between low FL, obesity, and food intake, even after controlling for other covariates. Vulnerable groups with low FL were also identified. Therefore, it is essential to develop programs to improve FL and the health and well-being of these groups.

A Monitoring of Aflatoxins in Commercial Herbs for Food and Medicine (식·약공용 농산물의 아플라톡신 오염 실태 조사)

  • Kim, Sung-dan;Kim, Ae-kyung;Lee, Hyun-kyung;Lee, Sae-ram;Lee, Hee-jin;Ryu, Hoe-jin;Lee, Jung-mi;Yu, In-sil;Jung, Kweon
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.267-274
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    • 2017
  • This paper deals with the natural occurrence of total aflatoxins ($B_1$, $B_2$, $G_1$, and $G_2$) in commercial herbs for food and medicine. To monitor aflatoxins in commercial herbs for food and medicine not included in the specifications of Food Code, a total of 62 samples of 6 different herbs (Bombycis Corpus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Menthae Herba, Nelumbinis Semen, Polygalae Radix, Zizyphi Semen) were collected from Yangnyeong market in Seoul, Korea. The samples were treated by the immunoaffinity column clean-up method and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with on-line post column photochemical derivatization (PHRED) and fluorescence detection (FLD). The analytical method for aflatoxins was validated by accuracy, precision and detection limits. The method showed recovery values in the 86.9~114.0% range and the values of percent coefficient of variaton (CV%) in the 0.9~9.8% range. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) in herb were ranged from 0.020 to $0.363{\mu}g/kg$ and from 0.059 to $1.101{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. Of 62 samples analyzed, 6 semens (the original form of 2 Nelumbinis Semen and 2 Zizyphi Semen, the powder of 1 Nelumbinis Semen and 1 Zizyphi Semen) were aflatoxin positive. Aflatoxins $B_1$ or $B_2$ were detected in all positive samples, and the presence of aflatoxins $G_1$ and $G_2$ were not detected. The amount of total aflatoxins ($B_1$, $B_2$, $G_1$, and $G_2$) in the powder and original form of Nelumbinis Semen and Zizyphi Semen were observed around $ND{\sim}21.8{\mu}g/kg$, which is not regulated presently in Korea. The 56 samples presented levels below the limits of detection and quantitation.

Distribution of hazardous heavy metals in commercial herbal medicines classified by plant parts used in seoul (서울지역 유통한약재의 약용부위에 따른 유해중금속 분포)

  • Kim, Donggyu;Kim, Bogsoon;Han, Eunjung;Han, Changho;Kim, Oukhee;Choi, Byunghyun;Hwang, Insook;Chae, Youngzoo;Kim, Minyoung;Park, Seungkook
    • Analytical Science and Technology
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.504-513
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    • 2009
  • In this study, the safety of commercial herbal medicines was evaluated by determining concentration of hazardous heavy metals. 3,152 samples (244 types) purchased by individual packing unit from market in Seoul, were analyzed using ICP-MS and mercury analyzer. As a result, the content (mg $kg^{-1}$) of Pb was higher in the above-ground part (0.92) than underground part (0.43). But in case of As and Cd contents, there is slightly higher in the underground-parts (0.26, 0.13) than the above-ground parts (0.18, 0.08). There were many herbal medicines exceeding regulatory limits of Cd comparing with other metals. The levels of Hg seemed to be different between above-ground part(0.009) and underground part (0.008) but there was no sample exceeding tolerance limits. In the comparison of imported samples with domestic herbal medicines, it was shown that Pb, As, and Hg were measured highly in the imported ones, Cd was not significantly different (t-test, p<0.05). The significant correlation was observed between Pb and As (r=0.386, p<0.01) but there was no difference in other parts. The heavy metal contamination of herbal medicines measured in total amount of respective heavy metals (mg $kg^{-1}$) was high in Flos (6.241) and Caulis (2.238), and decreased in the order of Cortex (1.634), Herba (1.154), Perithecium (0.861), Rhizoma (0.828), Radix (0.825), Fructus (0.475), and was low in Semen (0.422) (ANOVA-test, p<0.05).

Occupational exposure to dust and respirable quartz in coal briquettes ash handling worker (연탄재 처리 환경미화원의 분진 및 호흡성 석영 노출)

  • Kim, Boowook
    • Particle and aerosol research
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2021
  • The purpose of this study is to assess respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure levels in workers who collect and dispose used coal briquette ash (CBA) in sanitation companies that are subcontracted by one medium-sized local government on the collection of municipal household waste (MHW), and to analyze the quartz content in CBA. When the CBA powder that undergone specialized pretreatment in several steps were subjected to mineral identification and quantitative analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), it was found that quartz represented 18%, and in addition, mullite, and plagioclase were included. For two CBA collectors, samples were collected by the personal sampling evaluation method. After respirable dust was collected in accordance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 7500 method, the concentration of quartz was analyzed using XRD. Meanwhile, a portable real-time dust monitor (Sidepak AM520, TSI Inc., USA) was also used to observe the dust exposure level for each time zone and job task. The RCS exposure level of one worker was as high as 0.024 mg/㎥, which was the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) level. The other worker also exhibited a concentration of 0.013 mg/㎥, which was more than half of TLV. The Sidepak results revealed that the work of collecting CBA and loading it onto a vehicle was hardly exposed to the dust of a significant level. It was found, however, that the work of transferring the collected CBA to a container through a conveyor belt was exposed to a very high average respirable dust concentration of 2.238 mg/㎥. The results of this study confirmed that quartz, which is crystalline silica and a carcinogen, is contained in CBA, one of municipal household waste (MHW), in high concentration. It was also confirmed that workers are exposed to high RCS concentrations while transferring collected CBA into a container. Although each local government in South Korea handles CBA in different ways, it is imperative to investigate the CBA exposure level of sanitation workers and improve their working conditions.

Exposure to Ozone and TVOCs during Shipyard Welding and the Adequacy of RPE (조선소 용접작업 중 오존 및 TVOCs의 노출평가와 사용 호흡보호구의 적합성)

  • Han, Don-Hee;Kim, Dong Hwan
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.200-210
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    • 2018
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the exposure to ozone and total volatile organic compounds(TVOCs) generated during welding work at a shipyard and recommend respiratory protective equipment(RPE) adequate against these hazards. Method: Ozone was collected for about 30 minutes at two-minutes intervals using a direct reading instrument, specifically an ozone analyzer(Serinus 10, Ecotech, Australia). TVOCs were collected for about 30 minutes at three-minute intervals using a portable GC (Alpha 115, Synspec BV, the Netherlands), and were determined simultaneously by area sampling at the welding plume closest to the welder's breathing zone. The total measurements were 162 for ozone($CO_2$ welding 47, TIG 60, stick 55), and 136 for TVOCs($CO_2$ 65, TIG 50, stick 21). Based on these measurements, a literature survey was conducted to assess the adequacy of RPE. Results: Relative to Korean OEL, measurements above STEL 0.2 ppm were 23.4% for $CO_2$, 63.3% for TIG and 14.5% for stick welding. There were significant differences(p=<0.0001) among welding types. Compared with ACGIH peak exposure of 0.4 ppm for ozone, which is not applied in Korea, $CO_2$ welding exceeded it by 10.6%, TIG by 40.0% and stick by 7.3%. Although it was not feasible to compare them directly since there are no Korean OEL, TVOCs had very high levels similar to the concentrations before moving into a new apartment and about 10-20 times the indoor air quality recommendations for some individual measurements. Conclusions: As ozone removal RPE has been recommended in welding environments for a long time(Lunau, 1967), this fact was demonstrated based on the results of the on-site work environment measurements(ozone and TVOCs). In conclusion, for all welding at a shipyard, gas/vapor and particulate combination RPE are recommended. If this is not possible, it should at least be present for TIG welding.

4'-O-Methylalpinumisoflavone inhibits the activation of monocytes/macrophages to an immunostimulatory phenotype induced by 27-hydroxycholesterol

  • Jeonga Lee;Bo Young Kim;Yonghae Son;Do Hoang Giang;Dongho Lee;Seong-Kug Eo;Koanhoi Kim
    • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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    • v.43 no.5
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    • pp.2177-2186
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    • 2019
  • The epidemiological, animal and cell effects of plant metabolites suggest versatile health benefits of flavonoids. However, whether flavonoids affect the deleterious biological activity of oxygenated cholesterol molecules remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of 4'-O-methylalpinumisoflavone (mAI) isolated from Maclura tricuspidata (Cudrania tricuspidata) on the 27-hydroxycholesterol (27OHChol)-induced activation of monocytes/macrophages using human THP-1 cells. mAI dose-dependently impaired the expression of C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2 chemokine and the migration of monocytic cells enhanced by 27OHChol. mAI downregulated the surface and cellular levels of CD14 and inhibited the release of soluble CD14. This isoflavone significantly weakened the lipopolysaccharide responses that were enhanced in the presence of 27OHChol, and inhibited the transcription and secretion of the active gene product of matrix metalloproteinase-9. mAI also suppressed the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 ligands, including CL3 and CCL4, and M1-phenotype markers induced by 27OHChol. Furthermore, mAI impaired phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit without affecting the phosphorylation of Akt. These results indicate that mAI inhibits the activation of monocytes/macrophages to the immunostimulatory phenotype in a milieu rich in 27OHChol, suggesting potential benefits of the flavonoid for the treatment of diseases in which the pathogenesis is linked to 27OHChol-induced inflammatory responses.

Biological Hazard of Electromagnetic Field Exposure: A Review (전자기파의 생체 위해성에 관한 소고)

  • Jung, Kyung-Ah;Gye, Myung-Chan
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.29 no.4
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    • pp.241-250
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    • 2011
  • The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has clearly become a public health issue. To date many $in$ $vivo$ and $in$ $vitro$ studies revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular metabolism, endocrine function, immune activity, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal system. The major parameters found to be altered in cells or individuals following EMF exposure include an increase of free radicals, DNA damage, cancer risk, developmental defect, and reproductive dysfunctions. Epidemiological studies reported EMF can increase life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, clinical depression, suicide, and Alzheimer's disease has been identified. These effects of EMF exposure differ according to duration of exposure, frequency of waves, and strength (energy) of EMF. In the present review, we briefly introduced the physical properties of EMF and summarized the effect of EMF on human and wildlife animals according to types of EMF, duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

Factors Affecting Radiation Protection Behaviors among Emergency Room Nurses (응급실 간호사의 방사선 방어행위 영향요인)

  • Lee, Su Jin;Boo, Sunjoo;Ahn, Jeong-Ah;You, Mi-Ae
    • Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.15-26
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    • 2020
  • Purpose : This study aimed to examine factors affecting radiation protective behaviors among emergency room nurses by assessing knowledge, attitude, and environment for radiation protection. Methods : The study employed a cross-sectional design. Subjects were a convenience sample of 129 nurses working in emergency rooms of three general hospitals. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results : The more the nurses received radiation safety education (t=2.26, p=.026), used protective gear (t=4.40, p<.001), and took health screenings (t=2.65, p=.009), the higher their levels of radiation protection behavior. There were significant relations between radiation protective behaviors and attitude (r=.27, p=.002), and radiation protective behaviors and environment for radiation protection (r=.55, p<.001). The factors affecting radiation protective behaviors were protective environment (β=.53, p<.001), protective attitude (β=.32, p<.001), and the use of protective gear (β=.24, p=.002). Conclusions : The government, hospital administrators, and radiation protection-related organization should adopt the following measures to protect emergency room nurses from radiation: research and development of shield instrument, medical examination for emergency room nurses, protocol development of radiation protection behaviors, extension of education chances of radiation protection, and encouraging the use of protective equipment.

Benzidine Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Bladder Cancer Cells through Activation of ERK5 Pathway

  • Sun, Xin;Zhang, Tao;Deng, Qifei;Zhou, Qirui;Sun, Xianchao;Li, Enlai;Yu, Dexin;Zhong, Caiyun
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.188-197
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    • 2018
  • Benzidine, a known carcinogen, is closely associated with the development of bladder cancer (BC). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical pathophysiological process in BC progression. The underlying molecular mechanisms of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, especially extracellular regulated protein kinases 5 (ERK5), in regulating benzidine-induced EMT remains unclarified. Hence, two human bladder cell lines, T24 and EJ, were utilized in our study. Briefly, cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay, and cell invasion was determined by Transwell assay. Quantitative PCR and western blot were utilized to determine both gene expressions as well as protein levels of EMT and MAPK, respectively. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected to further determine ERK5 function. As a result, the migration and invasion abilities were enhanced, epithelial marker expression was decreased while mesenchymal marker expression was increased in human BC cell lines. Meanwhile, benzidine administration led to activation of ERK5 and activator protein 1 (AP-1) proteins, without effective stimulation of the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 pathways. Moreover, Benzidine-induced EMT and ERK5 activation were completely suppressed by XMD8-92 and siRNAs specific to ERK5. Of note, ERK1/2 was activated in benzidine-treated T24 cells, while benzidine-induced EMT could not be reversed by U0126, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, as indicated by further study. Collectively, our findings revealed that ERK5-mediated EMT was critically involved in benzidine-correlated BC progression, indicating the therapeutic significance of ERK5 in benzidine-related BC.

Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Pre-harvest Fresh Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) in Chungbuk Province in 2019 (충북지역 생산단계 수삼 중 잔류농약 모니터링 및 위해성 평가(2019))

  • Song, Tae Hwa;Lee, Young Wook;Youn, Taek Han;Park, Eun A;Shim, Eun Sun;Lee, Ju Hee;Kyung, Kee Sung
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.40 no.2
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    • pp.118-126
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    • 2021
  • BACKGROUND: It is very important to monitor the residual characteristics of pesticides in pre-harvest fresh ginseng to ensure consumer safety. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-eight fresh ginseng samples were collected from 8 ginseng-growing fields 10 days before harvest and pesticide residues in fresh ginseng with and without rhizome (head of ginseng) and rhizome were analyzed for 320 pesticides by using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS. As a result of the pesticide residue analysis, the number of pesticides detected from the fresh ginseng with rhizome, that without rhizome and rhizome were 26, 25, and 40, respectively, indicating that high number of pesticides found in rhizome, compared with the other parts. Pyraclostrobin was detected with the highest frequency in all samples, reaching to 21.2% in fresh ginseng with rhizome, 16.8% in that without rhizome, and 14.8% in rhizome. CONCLUSION: The residue levels of pesticides detected did not exceed their maximum residue limits, in spite of residual data in fresh ginseng before harvest. The amounts of the estimated daily intakes of all the detected pesticides were found to be from 0.018 to 1.818% of their acceptable daily intakes, indicating that concentrations of pesticides detected from fresh ginseng with and without rhizome collected before harvest do not pose the immediate health risks.