• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide technical information about the management of occupational exposure limits(OELs) for substances with completely revised ACGIH TLVs. Methods: The history of ACGIH TLVs for aluminum compounds, the reason for the complete revision of the related ACGIH TLV in 2008, and OELs for them in respective countries were reviewed. In addition, the results of a 2019 work environment assessment for aluminum compounds in Korea were reviewed. Results: In 1979, the ACGIH set up the TLVs for aluminum compounds considering types of compounds such as metal dust, pyro powders, welding fumes, soluble salts, alkyls, and aluminum oxide. However, in 2008 the ACGIH withdrew the TLVs for all types of aluminum and its compounds and adopted new TLVs for aluminum metal and insoluble compounds. This can cause confusion in many countries in the management of exposure to aluminum compounds because they adopt or refer to the ACGIH TLVs. Conclusion: Although Korea is setting occupational exposure limits by referring to the ACGIH's TLVs, it is necessary to sufficiently review whether it is necessary to accept the TLVs as they are if a TLV is completely changed, like took place with the revision of aluminum compounds in 2008.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.245-263
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• 1997

For twelve solvent thinners, evaporation rates of components were investigated and models to estimate the actual concentration have been evaluated. Also, the current ACGIH TLVs (Threshold Limit Values) for the concentration of organic mixtures have been adjusted. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. Airborne concentrations of solvent thinner components were related to their respective vapor pressure (r=0.96). On the other hand, there was no significant relation between the concentrations in the air of the thinner compounds and the original amount in liquid form. 2. Airborne concentrations of each chemical were estimated by temperature at $8.5{\pm}1$, $16.7{\pm}1$ and $31.5{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ with an air velocity of 1.5 m/s. The concentrations were increased by increasing temperature (p<0.05). The percentage of concentrations were proportionate to their respective percentage of vapor pressure. Among the chemicals studied, n-butyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol, m-xylene, p-xylene and o-xylene showed a clear relationship to temperature. 3. Airborne concentration of each chemical was estimated by air velocity at 0.05, 1.50 and 2.50 m/s, with a constant temperature at $17{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. The concentrations were increased by increasing air velocity (p<0.05). The percentage of concentrations were proportionate to their respective percentage of vapor pressure. Among the chemicals studied, n-butyl alcohol, m-xylene and p-xylene showed a clear relationship to velocity. 4. In estimating the concentrations of solvent thinners by temperature and air velocity, ACGIH TLVs for mixtures tended to be larger than the values obtained by ACGIH exposure index. It shows that ACGIH TLVs for mixtures are not adequate for evaluating the airborne concentration of thinners and other organic mixtures. 5. The evaporation rate of the thinners were compared to the theoretical equations of Hummel, Braun and Mackay. The Hummel and Braun methods were close to exposure index but Makay's showed an underestimated value. In order to see the accuracy of each three models, the SSE (Error Sum of Squares) calculated for Hummel's was 1.73, being the closest to the actual values. 6. Present ACGIH TLVs for mixtures are not appropriate evaluate industrial environments. In this study, a correction of TLVs using vapor pressure of respective components was suggested. In order to evaluate the corrected TLVs a paired t-test was performed. There was no significant difference between the exposure index and the concentration over suggested TLVs (p>0.05). Thus, this corrected TLVs seem appropriate in order to evaluate actual industrial workplaces organic chemical concentration in the air.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.176-182
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• 2005

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) adopted the Lifting Threshold Limit Values ($TLVs^{(R)}$) in 2005 as a guideline for protecting the workers from work-related low back and shoulder disorders associated with repetitive lifting tasks. The TLVs consist of three tables with recommended weight limits for lifting tasks and their determination procedures are simple. The TLVs sans the material weight/the recommended values (LITLVs) were obtained from 45 lifting tasks in ship engine manufacturing factories. These values were compared and correlated with the Recommended Weight Limits (RWLs) and lifting indices (LIs) determined by the Revised Lifting Equation (LE) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The average ratio, LITLVs/LIs, was 0.8 (LITLVs: $1.3{\pm}0.8$, LIs: $1.6{\pm}0.7$). Thus, the TLVs underestimated the risk than the LE. The LITLVs were highly correlated with LIs (r=0.82). The predicted value of LITLVs when LIs=1 wa 0.76. Using the predicted TLVs the higher risk ones of a large number of tasks can be screened to be further investigated.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.82-90
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to provide workplaces with political guidelines that apply international CMRs (Carcinogens, Mutagens, Reproductive toxins) information to Public Notice of TLVs (Threshold Limit Values). We analyzed information supply status about CMRs of international agencies and compared substances for which TLVs are set in KMoEL (Ministry of Employment and Labor in Korea). Methods: We referred to the reliable literature about classification criteria of CMRs corresponding to UN GHS (Globally Harmonized System of classification and Labeling of chemicals) and Public Notice No. 2009-68 'Standard for Classification, Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet' in KMoEL. The classification system of CMRs in professional organizations (IARC, NTP, ACGIH, EU ECHA, KMoEL, etc.) was investigated through the internet and literature. Conclusions: 191 chemical substances among total 650 substances with TLVs are classified as carcinogens. Also, 43 substances classified as mutagens, and 44 as reproductive toxicants. These results suggest that the information of CMRs in Public Notice of TLV will be reorganized to 191 carcinogens, 43 mutagens, and 44 reproductive toxicants.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.131-144
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• 2006

For the purpose of preparing the fundamental data on working environment of small scale manufacturing industries and preventing the occupational diseases of workers in these industries, authors surveyed the status of working environment to several chemical substances and physical agents by types of industry and types of process in the small scale manufacturing industries with less than five workers in Gimhae including 235 workplaces, 14 types of industry and 25 types of process from January 2002 to December 2004. This measurement method was work environment measurement method (established in Ministry of Labor, Korea), analytical methods (2nd Ed.) of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and manual of analytical methods (4th Ed.) of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 for windows, the results were as follows: 1. Noise generated in 14 types of industry and 22 types of process. an actual level of mean exposure (90.7 dB(A)) exceeded threshold limit values (TLVs) in manufacture of other transport equipment. An actual level of mean exposure (90.2dB) exceeded TLVs in the process of wire-drawing and 90.4dB in the process of wire-stranding. 2. Dusts of type I, II, III were generated in 9 types of industry and 8 types of process. Its mean concentration did not exceed TLVs. 3. Heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni) were generated in 7 types of industry and 7 types of process. Its mean concentration did not exceed TLVs. 4. 16 kinds of organic solvents were generated in 11 types of industry and 6 types of process. Its mean concentration did not exceed TLVs. As the above results, chemical substances and physical agents were generated in the several different types of industry and process of the manufacturing industry with less than five workers, and only mean level of noise was exceeded TLVs. In case of exceeding threshold limit values, improvement of work environment is actively needed, and work environment management should be performed continuously for prevention of an occupational diseases and work related diseases.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.148-155
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to compare the average levels and similarity of occupational exposure limits in South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan and Finland. Methods: In this study, occupational exposure limits (OELs) for one hundred and seventy seven hazardous substances which are managed in the workplace by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea were matched with those of other countries. The units for the exposure limits of the same substance (identical CAS number) were unified and the exposure limits in each country were compared with threshold limit values (TLVs) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) using a geometric mean method. Geometric similarity was calculated to assess the association by each country. Results: The exposure limits according to ACGIH TLVs in South Korea, the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland were 148, 37, 76, 90, and 110, respectively. When using TLVs of ACGIH as a standard, the geometric mean ratios of Germany, Finland, the E.U., South Korea, and Japan were 0.79, 0.80, 0.82, 1.19, and 1.27, respectively. Geometric similarity with TLVs of ACGIH was highest in South Korea (0.75) followed by Japan (0.56), the E.U. (0.52), Finland (0.50), and Germany (0.46). Conclusions: Through the comparison of levels of OELs and similarities among South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland, we could better understand the characteristics of occupational exposure limits by country.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.166-178
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• 2024

Objectives: The 12 occupational exposure limits(OELs) for chromium and its compounds in Korea were set by applying the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). However, this is significantly different from the TLVs after the existing TLVs were integrated and withdrawn in 2018, so it is necessary to review the revision. Methods: Various documents related to chromium OELs were reviewed, including the ACGIH TLV Documentations for chromium and its compounds. A field survey was conducted targeting workplaces handling chromium and its compounds. Based on this, a revised OELs were proposed and a socio-economic evaluation was conducted. Results: The OELs for chromium compounds in Korea was first enacted in 2002, and in 2007, the OELs for chromium (hexavalent) compounds (insoluble) was lowered from 0.05 mg/m³ to 0.01 mg/m³. In 2008, the OELs for strontium chromate was newly established as 0.0005 mg/m³, and in 2018, the OELs for calcium chromate was newly established as 0.001 mg/m³. Total chromium and hexavalent chromium were measured for each of 6 samples at 2 welding sites, 4 plating sites, and 2 spray coating sites. When omparing the average of the results measured by ICP, a total chromium analysis method, and the analysis results by IC, a hexavalent chromium analysis method, only workplace 4 was the same, and total chromium was evaluated more, and total chromium was evaluated at 0.0004 to 0.0027 mg/m³. And hexavalent chromium was evaluated as non-detection ~ 0.0014 mg/m³. Amendment ①: The exposure standard for hexavalent chromium is not divided into water soluble, insoluble, chromium ore processing, and other hexavalent chromium compounds, and is integrated into 0.01 mg/m³, which is the level of chromium (hexavalent) compound (insoluble)., OELs for chromium (metal) and chromium (trivalent) compounds are integrated into chromium (trivalent) compounds, and the exposure level is maintained. Amendment ②: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.005 mg/m³, which is the OELs of OSHA, and there is a grace period of 4 years. Amendment ③: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.0002 mg/m³, which is the exposure standard of ACGIH, and there is a grace period of 5 years. Conclusions: Amendment ①: The change in the OELs is insignificant, so the cost required is small, and the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so there is no problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ②: In all scenarios except chromium 6(insoluble), the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so it is thought that there will be no major problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ③: Since the benefit/cost ratio is less than 1 in all scenarios, it is thought that the total social benefit that can be obtained when applying the amendment is not large.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1994년도 교수 연수회(환경)
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• pp.402-403
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• 1994

There are three different approaches to chemical risk assessment which will be considered in this paper. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Cancer Risk Assessment includes some of the approaches used by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) effort is an evaluated database approach similar to that used in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Criteria Documents and in the documentations prepared by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and those of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). A third approach is used by the Committee on Toxicology.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.10-16
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• 1994

A Study was performed in order to measure mixed organic solvent concentrations in air of painting operations during January 5-28, 1991. The mixed organic solvent concentrations were analyzed by the gas chromatography. The results were as follows: 1. The detection of organic solvent was highest in aromatic hydrocarbon(68%), and followed by aliphatic hydrocarbon (18%), and ketone (14%). 2. The detection of organic solvent by component category was highest in the grid class solvent (79.4%), and followed by the 3rd class solvent (20.6%). 3. Number of cases exceeding TLVS of mixed solvent level in air was highest on dipping operation (44%), and followed by spray operation (40%), dry and washing operation (33%), and adhensive operation (12%).

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.206-211
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• 2001

This article describes identification and quantification of benzene in the casting process. Air samples around the casting process were taken by using personal air sampler attached charcoal tube and desorbed by carbon disulfide. The identification and quantitative analysis of benzene have been performed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Calibration range of standard solutions for benzene was prepared in range from 0.1 to 2 times of TLVs concentrations($1.4{\sim}28{\mu}g/1m{\ell}$ CS2) and the limit of detection was $0.11{\pm}0.002{\mu}g/1m{\ell}$ CS2. Benzene detected in airborne was ranged in 4.0ppb~104.7ppb.