• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2016

Objectives: Preservatives are commonly used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other products to extend the expiration date and prevent the growth of microorganisms. Preservatives are generally effective in controlling mold and inhibiting yeast growth, and against a wide range of bacterial attacks as well. They also adversely affect the quality of sperm and cause precocious puberty in children. This study was performed to analyze seven preservatives used in pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Methods: Five kinds of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were examined for analysis with a high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Each sample was homogenized and the targeted compounds were extracted with methanol. The suspended particulate was removed by syringe filter. Next, the sample was injected into an HPLC system. The separation of the seven preservatives was achieved with a C18 column and gradient mode. The accuracies were between 73% and 120% and precision was lower than 11.58% (RSD). Results: All of the calibration curves showed good linearity with a coefficient of determination ($r^2$) over 0.999. Among the PPCP samples, the detection rate of preservatives was 32.5% for pharmaceuticals, 44.8% for toothpaste, 76.9% for mouthwash, 40.0% for body lotion and 56.0% for wet tissues. The average concentrations of the preservatives in PPCPs were BA 1141.0 mg/kg, MP 709.8 mg/kg, EP 624.9 mg/kg, PP 216.9 mg/kg, BP 167.8 mg/kg, and TCS 538.2 mg/kg. The most frequently detected preservatives in pharmaceuticals and personal care products were BA, MP and PP. The concentrations of preservatives exceeded Korean regulatory standards in 11 samples of medicines, three of mouthwash and two of body lotion. Conclusion: We found that most of the PPCP samples contained various preservatives. It is necessary to identify which preservatives were used and to determine the level of preservatives in PPCPs and to assess the health risk to susceptible populations such as children.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.177-190
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• 2013

Air pollution trends in Japan between 1970 and 2012 were analyzed, and the impact of air pollution countermeasures was evaluated. Concentrations of CO decreased from 1970 to 2012, and in 2012, the Japanese environmental quality standard (EQS) for CO was satisfied. Concentrations of $SO_2$ dropped markedly in the 1970s, owing to use of desulfurization technologies and low-sulfur heavy oil. Major reductions in the sulfur content of diesel fuel in the 1990s resulted in further decreases of $SO_2$ levels. In 2012, the EQS for $SO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Concentrations of $NO_2$ decreased from 1970 to 1985, but increased from 1985 to 1995. After 1995, $NO_2$ concentrations decreased, especially after 2006. In 2012, the EQS for $NO_2$ was satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations, except those alongside roads. The annual mean for the daily maximum concentrations of photochemical oxidants (OX) increased from 1980 to 2010, but after 2006, the $98^{th}$ percentile values of the OX concentrations decreased. In 2012, the EQS for OX was not satisfied at most air quality monitoring stations. Non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) concentrations generally decreased from 1976 to 2012. In 2011, NMHC concentrations near roads and in the general environment were nearly the same. The concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) generally decreased. In 2011, the EQS for SPM was satisfied at 69.2% of ambient air monitoring stations, and 72.9% of roadside air-monitoring stations. Impacts from mineral dust from continental Asia were especially pronounced in the western part of Japan in spring, and year-round variation was large. The concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ generally decreased, but the EQS for $PM_{2.5}$ is still not satisfied. The air pollution trends were closely synchronized with promulgation of regulations designed to limit pollutant emissions. Trans-boundary OX and $PM_{2.5}$ has become a big issue which contains global warming chemical species such as ozone and black carbon (so called SLCP: Short Lived Climate Pollutants). Cobeneficial reduction approach for these pollutants will be important to improve both in regional and global atmospheric environmental conditions.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.207-215
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• 1987

The Keum River Estuary was investigated two times in April and July, 1986, to study process controlling chlorophyll distribution in estuarine waters. During the surveys, distribution patterns were studied for chlorophyll-a, nutrients, ph, SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter), DO (Dissolved Oxygen), temperature, salinity, etc. During April survey(low-discharge period), sea water penetrated to Kangkyung, about 35km upstream from the constructing weir, while in July (high-discharge period) only to 3 km upstream from the weir,In April SPM showed very high concentrations (500mg/l)on the average. But very low concentrations(about10mg/l)were observed in July due to high discharge of fresh water.Chlorophyll-a concentrations showed large variations both in time and space :much higher concentraations in July than in April and sharp decrease in concentrations at the fresh water-sea water interface (April:$6.5\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}$ for fresh waters and 41.4\mu\textrm{g}/{\ell}$ forestuarine waters). Differebce ub chlorophyll-a concentrations for these two surveys appear to be caused mainly by the difference in effectiveness of penetrating lights controlled by SPM in the waters. Sharp decrease in chlorophll-a at the fresh water-sea water interface is believed to be resulted from mass mortality of fresh water phytoplankton caused by changes in osmotic pressure in the region. Observations in the same regions such as increase in AOU(Apparent Oxygen Utilization)and ammonia, decrease in PH,probably resulted through decomposition processes of dead planktons,furtuer support the idea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.310-320
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• 2014

Backgrounds: Endotoxin, which found in the outer membrane of the gram-negative bacteria cell wall, makes up almost all of the lipopolysaccharide(LPS). When people are exposed to endotoxin,it can result in diverse health effects such as an airway irritation and inflammation, fever, malaise, bronchitis, allergic asthma, toxic pneumonitis, hypersensitivity lung disease. Cases among the elderly, children or pregnant can occur more frequently than a healthy adult if they are repeatedly exposed to the existing endotoxin. Therefore, we investigated and assessed the environmental characteristics associated with the airborne endotoxin concentration level in six hospital lobbies. Method: Endotoxin from indoor air in six hospital lobbies was measured by an area sampling method and analyzed according to American Society for Testing and Materials International(ASTM international) E2144-01. Total suspended particulate(TSP), carbon dioxide($CO_2$), temperature and humidity were also measured by using direct reading measurements or airborne sampling equipment at the same time. Environmental characteristics were appropriately divided into two or three groups for a statistics analysis. One-way analysis variable(one-way ANOVA) was used to examine a difference of the endotoxin concentration, depending on the environmental characteristics. In addition, only variables with p-value(p<0.25) were eventually designed to the best model by using multiple regression analysis. Results: The correlation analysis result indicated that TSP(p=0.003) and $CO_2$(p<0.0001) levels were significantly associated with endotoxin concentration levels. In contrast, temperature(p<0.068) and humidity(p<0.365) were not associated with endotoxin concentration. Levels of endotoxin concentration were statistically different among the environmental characteristics of Service time(p=0.01), Establishment of hospital(p<0.001), Scale of hospital(p=0.01), Day average people using hospital(p=0.03), Cleaning time of lobby(p=0.05), Season(p<0.001), and Cleaning of ventilation system(p<0.001) according to ANOVA. Finally, the best model(Adjusted R-square=72%) that we designed through a multiple regression test included environmental characteristics related to Service time, Area of lobby, Season, Cleaning of ventilation system, and Temperature. Conclusions: According to this study, our result showed a normal level of endotoxin concentration in the hospital lobbies and found environmental management methods to reduce the level of endotoxin concentration to a minimum. Consequently, this study recognized to be requirement for the management of ventilation systems and an indoor temperature in order to reduce the level of endotoxin concentration in the hospital lobbies.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.211-221
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• 2012

The ascidian Styela clava has been one of the favorite seafood in Korea. Suspended culture of Styela clava was initiated in 2001 and the annual production reached 15,084 M/T, but declined to 2,655 M/T in 2011. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to estimate the material balance according to the farm-environment. Vertical particulate fluxes and release fluxes were estimated at 2 stations, an ascidian farm (AF) and a non-cultivated area (control) in Jindong Bay. An in-situ benthic chamber(BelcI) was used in summer and winter season. The sedimentation fluxes of organic carbon were 72 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, 93 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, 34 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ in Jul. AF, Feb. AF, Feb. control. The organic carbon oxidation rates were 13 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, 81 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, 31 mmol C $m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$, in each. The release fluxes of nutrients followed the general pattern, well. Consequently, the ratio of the organic carbon burial fluxes were 20:4:1, in each. By the estimation of the carbon circulation, it could be a scientific basis to analyze the reason of production decline for cultivated organism.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.116-127
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• 2013

At weekly intervals, we monitored continuous changes in water quality by constructed floating wetland equipped with the four different filter media (sponge, volcanic stone, activated carbon and magnesium hydroxide) in a eutrophic lake from March 2011 to May 2012. We also investigated phyto- and zooplankton communities both in the influent and the effluent water through the floating wetland. Over a 10-month time period, average turbidity (66%), suspended solids (79%) and chlorophyll-a (80%) concentrations were remarkably reduced in the effluent water compared to the influent (P<0.001). The average removal rates of $NO_2-N$ and $NH_3-N$ were 24% and 20%, respectively (P<0.05). The average removal rates of $NO_3-N$ and TN were less than 10% (P>0.05). On the other hand, the average removal rates of $PO_4-P$ and TP were more than 65% (P<0.01). Interestingly, the abundance of phytoplankton in the effluent was decreased about 2.6 times compared to that of the influent, whereas the abundance of zooplankton in the effluent was increased about 3.5 times compared to that of the influent. Overall, particulate matters (SS, Chl-a and TP) and dissolved nutrients ($NO_2-N$, $NH_3-N$ and $PO_4-P$) were particularly reduced at high rates. Therefore, application of our constructed floating wetland in a eutrophic lake improved the water quality and demonstrated a potential for algal bloom mitigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.288-293
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• 2018

This study was conducted to understand the characteristics of the seasonal and regional distribution of phytoplankton communities in the Fisheries Resources Protection Area of Korea (FRPA). We investigated the phytoplankton composition, abundance and dominant species collected from five different regions (Cheonsu, Tongyeong-I, Tongyeong-II, Hansan, and Jindong) in 2016. According to the results, most environmental parameters, such as temperature, salinity and nutrients, showed statistically significant seasonal differences. Suspended particulate material (SPM) only showed a statistically significant regional difference. The mean abundance of phytoplankton ranged from 13 to $4,062cells{\cdot}ml^{-1}$, with large spatio-temporal fluctuations. In particular, the bloom of phytoplankton (>$10^3cells{\cdot}ml^{-1}$) in Cheonsu Bay occurred in April and October with Skeletonema spp. and Chaetoceros socialis being the dominant species during these two seasons, respectively. The dominant species in the FRPA were diatoms (Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Skeletonema spp., and Chaetoceros pseudocriniuts) and dinoflagellates (Scrippsiella trochoidea and Tripos furca). The seasonal distribution of phytoplankton communities showed typical characteristics of coastal waters, i.e., that diatoms usually dominated in winter and autumn, while dinoflagellates tended to dominate in spring and summer. Meanwhile, the dominance rate of diatoms in the phytoplankton community in Cheonsu Bay, which is located in a high-turbidity region, was 9~27 % greater than that of diatoms in the phytoplankton community found in the south coastal waters, which is a low turbidity region.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 1985

The three tide pools of Kanagawagen Aburatsubo coast, Japan were studied for 5 months (June-October, 1991) to know the physicochemical factors and changes of the microflora, In the tide pools salinity was ${\simeq}35\%0$, temperature range was $14{\sim}32^{\circ}C$ and pH range was $7.4{\sim}8.9$. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was $255{\sim}3980\;{\mu}g-at/l$, and total phosphate-P was $1.0{\sim}27.0\;{\mu}g-at/l$. The numbers of suspended bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria on the algae were $10^4{\sim}10^7/ml$ and $10^6{\sim}10^8/g$, respectively. Bacterial flora isolated from the Samples were Acinetobacter spp., Moraxella spp., Flavobacterium spp. and Pseudomonas spp., While Acinetobacter spp. was predominant among them. T. japonicus occurred dominantly with densities of $2200{\sim}7000/l$ during $August{\sim}september$. During this period the sharp increases of the unicellular microalgae and the protozoans were observed. According to the experimental results (POC, total phosphate-P, numbers and composition of bacterial flora), T. japonicus seemed to inhabit the environment with high eutrophication and high variability.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.36-42
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• 2002

Diesel exhaust (DE) has been recognized as a noxious mutagen and/or carcinogen, because its components can form DNA adducts. Mechanisms governing the susceptibility to DE and the efficiency of such DNA adduct formation require clarification. The transcription factor Nrf2 is essential for inducible and/or constitutive expression of a group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, and we hypothesized that the nrf2 gene knockout mouse might serve as an excellent model system for analyzing DE toxicity. To address this hypothesis, lungs from nrf2(-/-) and nrf2(+/-) mice were examined for the production of xenobiotic-DNA adducts after exposure to DE (3 $mg/m^{3}$ suspended particulate matter) for 4 weeks. Whereas the relative adduct levels (RAL) were significantly increased in the lungs of both nrf2(+/-) and nrf2(-/-) mice upon exposure to DE, the increase of RAL in the lungs from nrf2(-/-) mice exposed to DE were approximately 2.3-fold higher than that of nrf2(+/-) mite exposed to DE. In contrail, cytochrome P4501Al mRNA levels in the nrf2(-/-)mouse lungs were similar to those in the nrf2(+/-) mouse lungs even after exposure to DE, suggesting that suppressed activity of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes is important in giving ise to the increased level of DNA adducts in the Nrf2-null mutant mouse subjected to DE. Importantly, severe hyperplasia and accumulation of the oxidative DNA adduct 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were observed in the bronchial epidermis of nrf(-/-) mite following DE exposure. These results demonstrate the increased susceptibility of the nrf2 germ line mutant mouse to DE exposure and indicate the nrf2 gene knockout mouse nay represent a valuable model for the assessment of respiratory DE toxicity.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2016

Background: Ingestion of $^{210}Po$ laden seafood accounts for a substantial amount of the effective dose of $^{210}Po$. Among seafood items, mollusks, especially domestically produced oysters and mussels, are highly enriched in $^{210}Po$ and are consumed in large quantities in Korea. Materials and Methods: Oysters and mussels around the Korean coasts were collected from major farm areas in November 2013. Samples were spiked with an aliquot of $^{209}Po$ as a yield tracer, and they were digested with $6mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $HNO_3$ and $H_2O_2$. The $^{210}Po$ and $^{209}Po$ were spontaneously deposited onto a silver disc in an acidic solution of $0.5mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ HCl and measured using an alpha spectrometer. The activity concentrations of $^{210}Pb$ and $^{210}Po$ were decay corrected to the sampling date, accounting for the possible in-growth and decay of $^{210}Po$. Results and Discussion: $^{210}Po$ activity concentrations in oysters were in a range from 41.3 to $206Bq{\cdot}(kg-ww)^{-1}$ and mussels in a range from 42.9 to $46.7Bq{\cdot}(kg-ww)^{-1}$. The $^{210}Po$ activity concentration of oysters in the turbid Western coast was higher than the Southern coast. The $^{210}Po$ activity concentration of the oysters was positively correlated ($R^2=0.89$) with those of the suspended particulate matter in the surface water. The calculated annual effective dose of $^{210}Po$ from oysters and mussels consumed by the Korean population was 21-104 and $5.01-5.46{\mu}Sv{\cdot}y^{-1}$. The combined effective dose due to the consumption of oysters and mussels appears to account for about $35{\pm}19%$ of that arising from seafood consumption in the Korean population. Conclusion: The annual effective dose of $^{210}Po$ for oysters in the Korean population was found to be higher than other countries. The total annual effective dose of $^{210}Po$ due to consumption of oysters and mussels consumed in Korea was found to be $76{\pm}42{\mu}Sv{\cdot}y^{-1}$, accounting for $28{\pm}16%$ of the total effective dose of $^{210}Po$ from food in Korea.