• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2001

This study was performed to estimate environmental and biological monitoring of workers exposed to methyl bromide through quarantine fumigation. Airborne methyl bromide and it's metabolites were analyzed by gas chromatography and ion chromatography, respectively. The results are as followings; airborne concentration of methyl bromide(TWA) was $2.08{\pm}1.56ppm$(N=8). Dispersion and setting/degas groups were $0.67{\pm}0.12ppm$(N=2) and $2.54{\pm}1.53ppm$(N=6), respectively. Bromide ion concentration in serum was $23.40{\pm}14.91mg/{\ell}$(N=10) in the exposed workers and $4.74{\pm}0.82mg/{\ell}$(N=21) in the non-exposed workers. Bromide ion concentration in urine was $35.56{\pm}26.89mg/{\ell}$(N=11) in exposed group and $6.62{\pm}2.31mg/{\ell}$(N=21) in non-exposed group. Good correlation was observed between concentration of serum and urine ($r^2$=0.890 p<0.01). No significant correlations of other determinants were observed. Calculated from a regressive curve, the biological half lifes of serum and urine were 10.7 and 5.9 days. In these results, biological monitoring of bromide ion of serum and urine provided useful information for evaluating exposure of workers to methyl bromide, so that an availability of bromide ion of biological samples was showed as biological monitoring indices for methyl bromide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Urban Environment
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.503-509
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• 2018

In this study, a Proton-Transfer Reaction-Time-of-Flight Mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) was used for the continuous monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from semiconductor workplace such as photolithography (PHOTO), flat panel display (FPD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), etching (WET) process. The averaged VOCs mixing ratio in the such workplace, PHOTO was 6.5 ppm, FPH was 6.4 ppm, WET was 2.0 ppm and OLED was 1.3 ppm, respectively. The abundance of VOCs in the workplace were methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) with 2.8 ppm (69%) and acetaldehyde with 0.5 ppm (13.2%). Depending on the semiconductor process characteristics, various VOCs have been observed in the workplace. The VOCs mixing ratio are lower than the workplace regulation standard (TWA), it is necessary to continuously monitor and effectively manage these VOCs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2022

Objectives: For chemical risk assessment in workplaces, it is necessary to determine a reference value through hazard assessment. In general, OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) is used for this value. However, since chemicals with OEL were not enough, the concept of DNEL (Derived No Effect Level) was introduced in chemical safety assessment. In this study, the possibility and approach of applying DNEL for chemical risk assessment in domestic workplaces were investigated. Methods: The characteristics of OEL and DNEL were investigated. In addition, ACGIH TLV and GESTIS DNEL were compared and the corresponding scopes were analyzed among the chemical substances notified in South Korea. Results: OEL and DNEL are similar concepts reflecting reference values that should not be exposed based on health effects. While their evaluation and derivation are determined based on similar information and procedures, they may vary depending on the responsible actor, data availability, principles of judgment, and more. As a result of the comparative analysis of ACGIH TLV and GESTIS DNEL, it was confirmed that there is some correlation between TWA and DNEL. The conservatism of DNEL was around 50%. Additionally, it was found that the available range of DNEL among chemicals in South Korea is considerable. Conclusions: This study showed that DNEL can be applied when assessing the risk of chemical substances in domestic workplaces considering several regards. However, since this is not the same level as OEL, we have proposed a proper approach to carry out risk assessment step by step.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated occupational exposures to noise and heat stress during routine non-outage works in three coal-fired power plants in the Republic of Korea. Methods: The data were collected during the summer of 2020. Full shift noise exposure of 52 workers were measured using noise dosimeters. Heat stress of 16 worksites were measured for 70 minutes using wet-bulb globe temperature monitors. Results: The noise dosimetry results revealed time-weighted averages that ranged from 47.5 to 88.9 dBA. 2 out of 52 noise measurements exceeded 85 dBA. Based on the arithmetic mean, the coal service group showed the highest level at 80.2 dBA by job tasks. Noise exposures exceeding 85 dBA were measured in the coal service and plant operator group. Heat stress index measurements ranged from 20.3℃ to 37.2℃. 1 out of 9 indices measured in coal facilities and 4 out of 7 indices measured in boiler house exceeded 1 hour TWA during moderate work. Heat stress indices measured from boiler houses were significantly higher than those measured from coal equipment. Conclusions: The results show that overexposure to noise and heat stress may be encountered during routine non-outage work activities in coal-fired power plants. Appropriate actions should be taken to reduce future health outcome from occupational exposure to noise and heat stress in the industry.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2024

Background: Silicosis among workers who fabricate engineered stone products in micro or small-sized enterprises (MSEs) was reported from several countries. Workplace exposure data of these workers at high risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust are limited. Methods: We surveyed workers performing cutting, shaping and polishing tasks at 6 engineered stone fabricating MSEs in Sydney, Australia prior to regulatory intervention. Personal exposure to airborne RCS dust in 34 workers was measured, work practices were observed using a checklist and worker demography recorded. Results: Personal respirable dust measurements showed exposures above the Australian workplace exposure standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m³ TWA-8 hours for RCS in 85% of workers who performed dry tasks and amongst 71% using water-fed tools. Dust exposure controls were inadequate with ineffective ventilation and inappropriate respiratory protection. All 34 workers sampled were identified as overseas-born migrants, mostly from three linguistic groups. Conclusions: Workplace exposure data from this survey showed that workers in engineered stone fabricating MSEs were exposed to RCS dust levels which may be associated with a high risk of developing silicosis. The survey findings were useful to inform a comprehensive regulatory intervention program involving diverse hazard communication tools and enforcing improved exposure controls. We conclude that modest occupational hygiene surveys in MSEs, with attention to workers' demographic factors can influence the effectiveness of intervention programs. Occupational health practitioners should address these potential determinants of hazardous exposures in their workplace surveys to prevent illness such as silicosis in vulnerable workers.

• The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.315-343
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• 2018

In the event of an air accident, the media and members of the general public pay attention to the victim of the accident and are deeply concerned about their actions and rewards. However, through the accident of Air China(CCA) Flight 129, which occurred in 2002, we were able to confirm that it is a real problem that the victims of the air accident as well as the victims suffer much suffering and serious aftermath. Nevertheless, Korea's system for assistance the families of victims of air accident is very poor. On the other hand, when Trans-World Airlines(TWA) Flight 800 exploded and crashed over the Atlantic Ocean in 1996, the United States enacted a law to assistance the families of the victims of the accident. According to this law, systematic assistance and management of not only the victims of the accident but also their families, minimize the additional damage of victims and victims' families and help them to get rid of the accident after the accident. In particular, the measures taken by the US authorities in response to an accident in which an Asiana Airlines flight(AAR) 214 crashed during a landing at San Francisco International Airport in 2013, made a lot of suggestions for us to assistance the victims and their families in an air accident. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the necessity of improving the system for victims and victim's family assistance in air accident. In this paper, we analyze the domestic and foreign legal systems and related cases in past accidents, identify the deficiencies of the Korean system, and derive the necessity to improve the related system. It is also important to make sure that victims' families are relieved from early psychological and economic shocks and that the results of accident investigations are reliable. Relevant ministries, airlines, and related agencies should recognize that prompt and systematic assistance and cooperation is needed to ensure that victims and families are relieved of the impact and confidence in the investigation, as is the case in the United States. In addition, efforts should be made to supplement the related laws for the assistance of aircraft victims and victims' families, to establish manuals for implementation, to plan and to implement them promptly in the event of an accident. To achieve this, it is necessary to establish regulations for the legal institutionalization of the roles and responsibilities of national and state agencies on victims of aviation accidents and family assistance. And the victim and family assistance plan that the airline has to submit to it, as specified in the current law, need to specify that item. In addition, new and supplemented contents should be integrated into a single clause or proposed as a separate special law for the purpose of applying a clear law.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.147-155
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the benzene exposure levels in coal chemical and petrochemical refining industries during BTX turnaround (TA) processes where benzene was being produced. Three companies producing benzene were selected, one coal chemical and two petrochemical industries. TA processes were classified into three stages: shut down, maintenance, and start up. Data was analyzed by classifying the refining method into 2 groups (Petrochemistry, Coal chemistry) for 823 workers. Comparing the data from petrochemical industries with data from a coal chemical refining industry, while benzene concentration levels of long-term samples during TA were not statistically different (p> 0.05), those levels of short-term samples were significantly different (p< 0.001). About 4.79 % of data in petrochemical industries exceed the occupational exposure limits (OELs) of benzene, 1 ppm. In a coal refining methods, about 15.7% exceeded the benzene OELs. The benzene concentrations in maintenance and start up stage of TA for petrochemical refineries were higher than those in a coal chemical refinery (p <0.01). These findings suggest that the coal chemical refining site requires more stringent work practice controls compare to petrochemical refining sites during TA processes. Personal protective equipments including organic respirators should be used by TA workers to protect them from benzene overexposure.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.5 s.64
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• pp.711-721
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress distribution and intensity derived from the transpalatal lingual arch in the investing bone composed of photoelastic material(PL-3). The transpalatal lingual arch wire was deflected in the horizontal and vertical direction to give the various conditions. The two-dimensional photoelastic stress analysis was performed, and the stress distrebution was recored by photography The results were as follows: 1. In bilateral expansion, as horizontal deflection was singly applied, the stress was more concentrated on the root apex in square free end than round. In square free end, as vertical deflection was increased gradually, the black line meaning center of rotation moved inferiorly together with the increment of whole fringes. 2. In application of vertical deflection on anchorage side for unilateral expansion, the stress distribution that expansive force leaned to expansion side was observed. As vortical deflection increased, the extruding stress was observed on molar of expansion side. And as horizontal deflection increased, the tipping stress on the molar of anchorage side was observed. 3. In unilateral rotation with the asymmetric toe-in, the fringe appeared on the distal aspect of root apex.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was aimed at the examination of the lead exposure status of smelting process workers in steelmaking using scrap iron. Methods: The study was conducted from July to September 2012 by means of measurements taken during the smelting process, with 45 minutes set for a one-time smelting work cycle when it comes to personal air sample and area air sample. As such, daily work hours were classified into 360 minutes for measurement. The analysis of lead concentration was conducted using AAs based on the NIOSH 7300 method. Results: In the case of the personal specimens that were subjected to periodical measurement 45 minutes per one session during the smelting process, 40 out of 42 specimens measured were found to contain lead, with an average concentration level of $0.028mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.182mg/m^3$, Min: $0.005mg/m^3$, TWA-more than 50%: 4 out of 6 units). In the case of regional specimens, lead was detected in 45 out of 48 specimens measured, with an average concentration level of $0.037mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.220mg/m^3$, Min: $0.007mg/m^3$ ). In the case of regional specimens subjected to measurement using a day as the work cycle, lead was detected in 15 out of 15 specimens measured, with an average concentration level of $0.049mg/m^3$ (Max: $0.478mg/m^3$, Min: $0.005mg/m^3$ ). Conclusions: It concluded that smelting process workers in steelmaking are exposed to lead because scrap iron is used as a raw material. It is thus necessary to introduce legal management to prevent occupation-related disease in smelting process workers in steelmaking.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2010

Green tobacco sickness (GTS) is known as an occupational disease among tobacco harvesters, and a form of acute nicotine intoxication by the absorption of nicotine through the skin from the wet green tobacco plant. On the assumption that GTS may occur by inhalation as well as absorption of nicotine, we measured the airborne nicotine concentration in tobacco field and the processing room of tobacco leaves. We measured the airborne nicotine concentrations in the tobacco field and processing room between 13 and 30 July 2008. All sampling and analyses of airborne nicotine were conducted according to the manual of analytic methods of NIOSH 2551, and we sampled 2 times at 11 points in the tobacco field by area sampling. The sampling in the processing room of tobacco leaves was conducted at 3 points, and earlymorning dew was collected from the tobacco by wringing the moisture into specimen bottles. The airborne nicotine concentration [geometric mean (geometric standard deviation)] in the tobacco field in the P.M. was higher [49.2 mg/$m^3$ (1.3)] than the A.M. concentration [43.4 mg/$m^3$ (1.4)]. Similarly, the nicotine concentration in the processing room of tobacco leaves was 224.4 mg/$m^3$ (1.2), and the concentration of nicotine in the dew was 64.7 mg/${\ell}$ (1.7). Based on our results, the airborne nicotine concentration in the tobacco field and the processing room of tobacco leaves were 100 and 400 times higher than the occupational recommended values (TLV-TWA of 0.5 mg/$m^3$), respectively. In the future, it is hoped that epidemiologic studies and environmental measurements will be conducted for GTS which occurs by inhalation of nicotine. If GTS is confirmed to occur by inhalation of nicotine, respiratory and dermal protective equipment must be distributed.