• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.376-381
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• 2013

In this study, we monitored total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in tuna, billfish, and deep-sea fish distributed in Seoul city. With the acquired data, we carried out statistical analysis and an exposure assessment for intake. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of total mercury and methylmercury were $0.32{\pm}0.31/0.20{\pm}0.20$ for tuna, $0.43{\pm}0.48/0.20{\pm}0.17$ for patagonian toothfish, $0.99{\pm}0.72/0.51{\pm}0.40$ for billfish and $1.20{\pm}0.70/0.95{\pm}0.51$ for sharks, respectively. We found that sharks, billfish, patagonian toothfish, and tuna were more contaminated with total mercury and methylmercury, in sequence, and that 66% of the total mercury concentration consisted of methylmercury, on average. Although the estimated weekly intakes of methylmercury from commercial deep-sea fish were lower than the weekly intakes recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), we identified that the total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in tuna, billfish, and deep-sea fish continued to increase with the passage of time. Therefore, we confirmed the necessity of continuous monitoring and comprehensive analysis for general safety.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: For the safety of imported agricultural products, the study was conducted to develop the analytical method of unregistered pesticides in domestic. The analytical method of 6 pesticides, chlorthal-dimethyl, clomeprop, diflufenican, hexachlorobenzene, picolinafen, and propyzamide, for a fast multi-residue analysis were established for two different type crops, orange and brown rice by GC-ECD and confirmed by mass spectrometry. METHODS AND RESULTS: The analytical method was evaluated to limit of quantification, linearity and recoveries. The crop samples were extracted with acetonitrile and performed cleanup by liquid-liquid partition and Florisil SPE to remove co-extracted matrix. The extracted samples were analyzed by GC-ECD with good sensitivity and selectivity of the method. The limits of quantification (LOQ) range of the method with S/N ratio of 10 was 0.02~0.05 mg/kg for orange and brown rice. The linearity for targeted pesticides were $R^2$ >0.999 at the levels ranged from 0.05 to 10.0 mg/kg. The average recoveries ranged from 74.4% to 110.3% with the percentage of coefficient variation in the range 0.2~8.8% at two different spiking levels (0.02 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg) in brown rice. And the average recoveries ranged from 77.8% to 118.4% with the percentage of coefficient variation in the range 0.2~6.6% at two different spiking levels (0.02 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg) in orange. Final determination was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) to identify the targeted pesticides. CONCLUSION: As a result, this developed analytical method can be used as an official method for imported agricultural products.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2010

This study was conducted to monitor aflatoxins in various medicinal herbs, providing available data for the safety of those products. To monitor aflatoxins in medicinal herbs, a total of 400 samples of 40 different herbs were collected in commercial retailers in Seoul, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, and Busan from March to August, 2008. The samples that passed the sensory evaluation were tested for aflatoxins. Aflatoxins in samples were analyzed by HPLC-florescence coupled with photochemical enhancement. Samples were extracted with 70% methanol and then diluted to the appropriate concentration. A refining process was performed using an immunoaffinity column. The analytical method used in this study was validated. The $R^2$ value for aflatoxin $B_1$ was 0.99946, and the detection range was from 0.25 to 10.0 ng/mL. The accuracy of the analysis was ranged from 83.2% to 101.8%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) in the aflatoxin $B_1$ analysis was 3.4%, demonstrating the precision of this method. In addition, the detection limit and quantitative analysis limit of aflatoxin $B_1$ was $0.53\;{\mu}g/kg$ and $1.76\;{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. These results indicated that the analytical method used in this study was appropriate. The results of HPLC showed that 1% (4 samples) of the samples may contain aflatoxins. The concentration of quantified aflatoxin was $2.3\;{\mu}g/kg$ for both Quisqualis fructus and Remotiflori radix samples. The other samples were below the limit of quantification. Moreover, the concentration of aflatoxin $B_1$ which is made by specific fungi were below the level of regulation. Only 20% of aflatoxin $B_1$ were transferred to hot water. Therefore, the levels of aflatoxins in medicinal herbs were considered to be safe especially considering the aflatoxin transfer ratio.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

This study was performed to establish analysis methods, and evaluated for grayanotoxin in domestic/foreign honey and wild honey. The molecular weight of grayanotoxins I, II and III, excluding grayanotoxin III that has been commercialized, were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Then, the molecular structure of grayanotoxins I and II were analyzed by NMR. A total 111 samples (25 Korean honey, 21 Korean wild honey, 13 Korean honeycomb honey, 44 foreign honey, 8 foreign wild honey) were examined to determined whether or not each sample contained grayanotoxins I, II, and III. The honey samples were mixed with methanol and loaded into a tC18 cartridge, the filtrate was diluted with water, and the mixture was then analyzed by ESI triple-quadrupole LC-MS/MS. Grayanotoxins were only found in the foreign wild honey and were not detected in Korean honey, Korean honeycomb honey, or Korean wild honey. Three of the samples contained grayanotoxin I, II, and III, and one sample contained only grayanotoxins I and III. The lowest level for grayanotoxin I was 3.13 ${\pm}$ 0.00 mg/kg, and the highest level was 12.93 ${\pm}$ 0.01 mg/kg. The levels of grayanotoxin II were 0.84 ${\pm}$ 0.01 mg/kg, 0.92 ${\pm}$ 0.00 mg/kg and 1.08 ${\pm}$ 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The lowest level of grayanotoxin III was 0.25 ${\pm}$ 0.01 mg/kg and the highest level was 3.29 ${\pm}$ 0.74 mg/kg. Through this study, safety management for foreign wild honey has been enabled.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.570-578
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• 2003

Background : Ambient particles during Asian dust events are usually sized less than $10{\mu}m$, known to be associated with the adverse effects on the general populations. But, there has been no considerable evidence linking these particles to the adverse effects on airways. The objectives of this study was to investigate the possible adverse effects of Asian dust events on respiratory function and symptoms in subjects with bronchial asthma. Patients and Methods : From march to June 2002, Asthmatic patients who were diagnosed with bronchial challenge test or bronchodilator response were enrolled. We divided them into three groups; mild, moderate, and severe, according to the severity. Subjects with other organ insufficiency such as heart, kidney, liver, and malignancy were excluded. All patients completed twice daily diaries and recorded peak flow rate, respiratory symptom, and daily activity. Daily and hourly mean pollutant levels of particulate matter < $10{\mu}m$ in diameter($PM_{10}$), nitrogen dioxide($NO_2$), sulphur dioxide($SO_2$), ozone($O_3$) and carbon monoxide(CO) were measured at the 10 different monitoring sites. Results : Dust events occured 14 times during the study period. Daily averages of 4 air pollutant were measured with an increased level of $PM_{10}$, decreased level of $NO_2$ and $SO_2$, and no change in CO during dust days compared to those during control days. An increase in $PM_{10}$ concentration was associated with an increase of subjects with PEF variability of >20% (p<0.05), night time symptom(p<0.05), and a decrease in mean PEF (p<0.05), which were calculated by the longitudinal data analysis. Otherwise, there was no association between $PM_{10}$ level and bronchodialtor inhaler, and daytime respiratory symptoms. Conclusion : This study shows evidence that ambient air pollution, especially $PM_{10}$, during Asian dust events, could be one of the many aggravating factors at least in patients with airway diseases. This data can be used as a primary source to set up a new policy on air environmental control and to evaluate the safety of air pollution index. We also expect that this research will help identify precise components of dust, which are more linked to the adverse effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2012

This research was carried out as a survey on the contents of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in processed foods (milk, vegetable oil, and margarine) in Korea. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were Pb 0.3 ${\mu}g/kg$, Cd 0.15 ${\mu}g/kg$, and As 0.45 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk and Pb 0.61 ${\mu}g/kg$, Cd 0.31 ${\mu}g/kg$, and As 0.91 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil and margarine. The recoveries were 92.6-98.0% for Pb, 91.2-98.9% for Cd, and 97.9-104.7% for As. The average levels of Pb were 2.395 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 7.656 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil. The average levels of Cd were 0.483 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 0.380 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil, and levels of As were 0.781 ${\mu}g/kg$ for milk, and 1.241 ${\mu}g/kg$ for vegetable oil. The results of this study showed that Pb, Cd, and As contents in the whole samples were less than the maximum residual levels in the processed foods that were specified by the Codex standard.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2012

The aims of this study are to assess external radiation exposed doses of body and hands of nuclear medicine workers who handle radiation sources, and to measure radiation exposed doses of the hands induced by a whole body bone scan with high frequency and handling a radioactive sources like $^{99m}Tc$-HDP and $^{18}F$-FDG in the PET/CT examination. Skillful workers, who directly dispense and inject from radiation sources, were asked to wear a TLD on the chest and ring finger. Then, radiation exposed dose and duration exposed from daily radiation sources for each section were measured by using a pocket dosimeter for the accumulated external doses and the absorbed dose to the hands. In the survey of four medical institutions in Incheon Metropolitan City, only one of four institutions has a radiation dosimeter for local area like hands. Most of institutions uses radiation shielding devices for the purpose of protecting the body trunk, not local area. Even some institutions were revealed not to use such a shielding device. The exposed doses on the hands of nuclear medicine workers who directly handles radioactive sources were approximately twice as much as those on the body. The radiation exposure level for each section of the whole body bone scan with high frequency and that of the PET/CT examination showed that radiation doses were revealed in decreasing order of synthesis of radioactive medicine and installation to a dispensing container, dispensing, administering and transferring. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences of radiation exposure doses of the hands before and after wearing a syringe shielder in administration of a radioactive sources. In this study, although it did not reach the permissible effective dose for nuclear medicine, the occupational workers were exposed by relatively higher dose level than the non-occupational workers. Therefore, the workers, who closely exposed to radioactive sources should be in compliance with safety management regulations, and take actions to maximally reduce locally exposed dose to hands monitoring with ring TLD.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

In order to expand facility agriculture and reduce greenhouse construction costs in reclaimed land, a greenhouse foundation method that satisfies economic feasibility and structural safety at the same time is required. As an alternative, the allowable bearing capacity and settlement were reviewed when the DCM(Deep cement mixing) method was applied among the soft ground reinforcement methods. To examine the applicability of the greenhouse foundation, the allowable bearing capacity and settlement were calculated by applying the theory of Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen, and Schmertmann. In case of the diameter of 800mm and the width and length of the foundation of 4m, the allowable bearing capacity was 179kN/m² and the settlement was 7.25mm, which satisfies the required bearing capacity and settlement standards. The calculation results were verified through FEM(Finite element method) analysis using the Mohr-Coulomb material model. The allowable bearing capacity was 169kN/m² and the settlement was 2.52mm. The bearing capacity showed an error of 5.6% compared to calculated value, and the settlement showed and error of 65.4%. Through theoretical calculations and FEM analysis, it was confirmed that the allowable bearing capacity and settlement satisfies the design criteria as a greenhouse foundation when the width and length of the foundation were 4m. Based on the verified design values, it is expected to be able to present the foundation design criteria for greenhouses through empirical tests such as bearing capacity tests and long-term settlement monitoring.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.259-278
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• 2022

With the spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI), various AI-based services are expanding in the financial sector such as service recommendation, automated customer response, fraud detection system(FDS), credit scoring services, etc. At the same time, problems related to reliability and unexpected social controversy are also occurring due to the nature of data-based machine learning. The need Based on this background, this study aimed to contribute to improving trust in AI-based financial services by proposing a checklist to secure fairness in AI-based credit scoring services which directly affects consumers' financial life. Among the key elements of trustworthy AI like transparency, safety, accountability, and fairness, fairness was selected as the subject of the study so that everyone could enjoy the benefits of automated algorithms from the perspective of inclusive finance without social discrimination. We divided the entire fairness related operation process into three areas like data, algorithms, and user areas through literature research. For each area, we constructed four detailed considerations for evaluation resulting in 12 checklists. The relative importance and priority of the categories were evaluated through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). We use three different groups: financial field workers, artificial intelligence field workers, and general users which represent entire financial stakeholders. According to the importance of each stakeholder, three groups were classified and analyzed, and from a practical perspective, specific checks such as feasibility verification for using learning data and non-financial information and monitoring new inflow data were identified. Moreover, financial consumers in general were found to be highly considerate of the accuracy of result analysis and bias checks. We expect this result could contribute to the design and operation of fair AI-based financial services.