• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: Mine drainage from metal mining districts is a well-recognized source of environmental contamination. Oxidation of metal sulfides in mines, mine dumps and tailing impoundments produces acidic, metal-rich waters that can contaminate the local surface water and soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: This experiment was carried out to investigate the pollution assessment of heavy metal on the water quality of mine drainage, paddy soils and sediment in lower watershed affected by mine drainage of the Sambo mine. The average concentrations of dissolved Cd (0.018~0.035 mg/L) in mine drainage discharged from the main waste rock dumps(WRD) was higher than the water quality standards (0.01 mg/L) for agricultural water in Korea. Also, the average concentrations of dissolved Zn, Fe and Mn were higher than those of recommended maximum concentrations (Zn 2.0, Fe 5.0, Mn 0.2 mg/L) of trace metal in irrigation water proposed by FAO (1994). The average contents of Pb and Zn in paddy soils was higher than those of standard level for soil contamination(Pb 200, Zn 300 mg/kg) in agricultural soil by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. Also, the concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn in sediment were higher than those of standard level for soil contamination (Cd 10, Pb 400, Zn 600 mg/L) in waterway soil by Soil Environmental Conservation Act in Korea. The enrichment factor (EFc) of heavy metals in stream sediments were in the order as Cd>Pb>Zn> As>Cu>Cr>Ni. Also, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of heavy metals in stream sediments were in the order as Zn>Cd>Pb>Cu>As>Cr>Ni, specially, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of Zn (Igeo 3.1~6.2) were relatively higher than that of other metals in sediment. CONCLUSION(s): The results indicate that stream water and sediment were affected by mine drainage discharged from the Sambo mine at least to a distance of 1 km downstream (SN-1, SN-2) of the mine water discharge point.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

The survey of nitrosamine occurrence at Nakdong river is conducted in this study. According to the study results, six nitrosamine compounds (NDEA as N-nitrosodiethylamine, NDPA as N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine, NDMA as N-nitrosodimethylamine, NMEA as N-nitrosomethylethylamine, NDBA as N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine, and NDPHA as N-Nitrosodiphenylamine) were detected at the Nakdong river. Among these, NDEA and NDPA are the most important compounds in terms of the nitrosamine contamination of Nakdong river. The detected concentration of NDEA exceeded the CDHCS (California Department of Health Care Services) response level of 100 ng/L at several sites. The detected concentration of NDPA approached the response level (500 ng/L) at few sites. When all nitrosamine concentrations were summed up, the maximum concentration of 735.7 ng/L was detected at the Nakdong river.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2007

This paper presents an attempt to determine natural background levels of heavy metals which could be used for assessing heavy metal contamination. For this study, a large archive dataset of heavy metal concentration (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) for more than 900 surface sediment samples from various Korean coastal environments was newly compiled. These data were normalized for aluminum (grain-size normalizer) concentration to isolate natural factors from anthropogenic ones. The normalization was based on the hypothesis that heavy metal concentrations vary consistently with the concentration of aluminum, unless these metals are of anthropogenic origin. So, the samples (outliers) suspected of receivingany anthropogenic input were removed from regression to ascertain the "background" relationship between the metals and aluminum. Identification of these outliers was tested using a model of predicted limits at 95%. The process of testing for normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test) and selection of outliers was iterated until a normal distribution was achieved. On the basis of the linear regression analysis of the large archive (please check) dataset, background levels, which are applicable to heavy metal assessment of Korean coastal sediments, were successfully developed for Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn. As an example, we tested the applicability of this baseline level for metal pollution assessment of Masan Bay sediments.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2158-2165
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• 2023

Marine radioactivity monitoring is critical for taking immediate action in case of unexpected nuclear accidents at nuclear facilities located near coastal areas. Especially when the level of contamination is not predictable, mobile monitoring systems will be useful for wide-area ocean radiation survey and for determination of the level of radioactivity. Here, we used a silicon photomultiplier and a high-efficiency GAGG crystal to fabricate a compact, battery-powered gamma spectroscopy that can be used in an ocean environment. The developed spectroscopy has compact dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5× 8 cm³ and weighs 560 g. We used LoRa, a low-power wireless protocol for communication. Successful data transmission was achieved within 1.4 m water depth. The developed gamma spectroscopy was able to detect radioactivity from a ¹³⁷Cs point source (3.7 kBq) at a distance of 20 cm in water. Moreover, we demonstrated an unmanned radioactivity monitoring system in a real sea by combining unmanned surface vehicle with the developed gamma spectroscopy. A hidden ¹³⁷Cs source (3.07 MBq) was detected by the unmanned system at a distance of 3 m. After successfully testing the developed mobile spectroscopy in an ocean environment, we believe that our proposed system will be an effective solution for mobile real-time marine radioactivity monitoring.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2024

This study investigated the effectiveness of using pathogens and aqueous acids to reduce the Aspergillus ochraceus and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa contamination in livestock production environments. For this study, 1 mL of each bacterial suspension (10⁷-10⁸ spores/mL) was inoculated on a knife surface, dried at 37℃, and used under each treatment condition. First, to investigate the effect of organic acids, acetic, lactic, and citric acids were used. Subsequently, to select the appropriate concentration, they were prepared at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%, respectively. Accordingly, to further maximize the effect of organic acid treatment, we combined the treatment with ultraviolet light. The two strains showed a significant difference (P<0.05) compared to the initial strain, with a greater than 90% decrease in the concentrations of all organic acids. Consequently, acetic and lactic acids decreased by approximately 5 and 2 log colony forming unit (CFU)/cm², respectively, when treated with ultraviolet light (360 mJ/cm²); however, citric acid decreased by less than 1 log CFU/cm². However, when manufactured with 4% acetic acid, a severe malodor was emitted, making it difficult for workers to use it in a production environment. Accordingly, the optimal treatment conditions for organic acid and ultraviolet light for application were selected as follows: immersion in a 4% lactic acid solution for 1 minute and then, sterilization with ultraviolet light at 360 mJ/cm². Finally, when a pork meat sample was cut with a knife that was finally washed with lactic acid and treated with ultraviolet light, the low level of inoculum transferred from the cleaned knife to the surface of the sample was not detected. In conclusion, using this established method can prevent cross-contamination of the surface of the meat during processing.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2007

In this study, domestic regulatory requirement was investigated for self-disposal of concrete waste from nuclear fuel processing facility. And after self-disposal as landfill or recycling/reuse, the exposure dose was evaluated by RESRAD Ver. 6.3 and RESRAD BUILD Ver.3.3 computing code for radiological assessments of the general public. Derived clearance level by the result of assessments for the exposure dose of the general public is 0.1071Bq/g (3.5% enriched uranium) for landfill and $0.05515Bq/cm^2$ (5% enriched uranium) for recycling/reuse respectively. Also, residual radioactivity of concrete waste after decontamination was investigated in this study. The result of surface activity is $0.01Bq/cm^2\;for\;{\alpha}-emitter$ and the result of radionuclide analysis for taken concrete samples from surface of concrete waste is 0.0297Bq/g for concentration of $^{238}U$, below 2w/o for enrichment of $^{235}U$ and 0.0089Bq/g for artificial contamination of $^{238}U$ respectively. Therefore, radiological hazard of concrete waste by self-disposal as landfill and recycling/reuse is below clearance level to comply with clearance criterion provided for Notice No.2001-30 of the MOST and Korea Atomic Energy Act.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.216-220
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• 2002

The microbiological examinations of food service operations were conducted for the hygienic evaluation at four elementary schools in Busan, Korea. Total one hundred and seventy two swabbed samples using sponge were collected from the surface of environments, utensils and equipments of food service facilities and analyzed by measuring the total, coliform and psychrotrophic count. Sampling sites were the surfaces of floors, drains, walls, knives, cutting boards, rubber gloves, vinyl aprons, plastic containers, carriers, shelves, trays, dry shelves, electric tray dryer, food containers, soup containers, rice cookers, frying pans, boiling cookers, refrigerators, dumb waiters and dishwashers. The swabbed samples kept in an ice-parked box were transported to a laboratory and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the degree of contamination depended on the sampling sites. Averages of total counts of surface swab samples were ranged from 0.62 to 7.79 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. The level of coliforms were ranged from not detectable to 5.26 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$, and those of psychrotrophs from not detectable to 6.15 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. The severely contaminated sites were dumb waiters, drains, rice cookers, knives, plastic containers and floors. Also cutting boards, rubber gloves, carriers, drying shelves, vinyl aprons, boiling cookers, soup containers, frying pans and refrigerators were highly contaminated with the level of abode 3.5 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. Therefore, those sites should be focused and controlled according to control points of sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP). Also, periodic microbiological examination in addition to visual examination is recommended on these highly contaminated sites indicated above results at food service operations in elementary school.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.822-826
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of a 0.5% sodium alginate eggshell coating, that was applied at two temperatures, 5 and $25^{\circ}C$, by examining the degree of microbial inhibition on the eggshell surface as well as the coating's effects on egg quality during storage. A significant portion of human Salmonella enteritidis infection is traced to food contamination, and eggs are often highly exposed to this type of contamination. The 0.5% sodium alginate coating's effect for inhibiting microbial growth on the eggs, at $25^{\circ}C$ for 7 days, was one hundred thousand times more effective than that of the uncoated eggs. The pH level in eggs increases as the eggs lose $CO_2$ and as the storage temperature increases. We found that the pH of the coated eggs was lower than that of the uncoated eggs. The pH for the uncoated eggs changed from 7.72 to 7.94 over 30 days of storage at $5^{\circ}C$. However, when the eggs were coated with 0.5% sodium alginate, the pH changed from 7.72 to 7.85 over 30 days of storage at $5^{\circ}C$. The Haugh unit was 66.02 for the uncoated eggs and 70.37 for the 0.5% sodium alginate coated eggs after 30 days of storage. The yolk index of the eggs coated with sodium alginate was higher than that of the uncoated eggs after 30 days. These results indicate that a sodium alginate coating on eggs can serve as protection from microbes and is effective in preserving the interior quality of eggs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.511-519
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of infection control in dental office and the degree of infection control practice of dental hygienists. A self-reported questionnaire was answered by 193 dental hygienists working in dental hospitals or dental clinics in Gyeonggi and Incheon areas. The number of bacteria was measured sample of surface dental unit chair shoulder backrests and light handles from 19 dental hospitals and 28 dental clinics. It was responded that impression or occlusion bodies were routinely disinfected in 52.6% of the dental hospitals and dental prosthesis were routinely disinfected in 46.4% in dental clinics. The dental hospital and clinics disinfect the surface each 26.3%, 25% after the patient treatment. The dental hospital and clinic were detected bacteria $5.02^*10\^3CFU/mL$, $1^*10\^4CFU/mL$, from dental unit chair backrest, respectively and $8.32^*10\^3CFU/mL$, $4.26^*10\^4CFU/mL$ from light handles, respectively. At the conclusion of this investigation, it can be kept from infection source in dental office is to make the right selection and use of the personal protective equipments and to improve the practice level by regular and active education. The same infection control practice should be done by institutionalizing and mandating infection control practice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.407-417
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• 2004

This study is to verify radiation detection method by using $\alpha$-spectroscopy and ${\gamma}$-spectroscopy for concretes and components which will be generated during the decommissioning of the uranium conversion plant. Components and inside walls of the building were contaminated with natural uranium materials. Some parts of the stainless steel pipes and concretes of the walls were sampled and analyzed their alpha and gamma activities respectively. Alpha and gamma activities are well matched each other in the range of high activity region to 0.01 Bq/g and gamma activities are over estimated comparing alpha activities corresponded in below 0.005 Bq/g region for the natural uranium of AUC sample. The $^{238}U$ originated from natural products of conversion process could be distinguished by measuring $^{214}Pb$ or $^{214}Bi$ and $^{234}Th$ or $^{234m}Pa$. Uranium contaminations mainly are in the wall surface of the plant. Decontamination process of generating wastes which can be reached tp background level gamma activities measured by gamma spectroscopy can also be used to conservative assessment data.