• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.136-145
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic slovents and noise on hearing loss. We selected organic solvents exposed group of 32 cases, noise exposed group of 31 cases, both noise and solvent exposed group of 31 cases, and control group of 53 cases and studied the relation between exposure level of noise and organic solvents and degree of hearing loss. The results were as follows. The subjects under investigation were exposed to noise and organic solvents under threshold limit values and the amount of urinary hippuric acid excretion were also under biological exposure indices. In case of noise, both noise and organic solvents exposed group and noise exposed group were more exposed than organic solvents exposed group(p<0.05). When urinary hippuric acid excretion were concerned, both noise iud organic solvents exposed group and organic solvents exposed group showed higher values than noise exposed group(p<0.05). In comparison of mean auditory threshold values by frequency, on the air conduction test, both noise and organic solvents exposed group showed significantly higher hearing loss than noise exposed group in 500Hz of right ear, 500 and 2000Hz of left ear(p<0.05). Forty-three cases among 147 subjects were regarded as hearing loss group and average age(42.6years) of hearing loss group was higher than normal groups average age of 38.0 years. Urinary hippuric acid excretions of hearing loss group were significantly higher than normal group(p<0.05). Thirty-eight percent(12cases) of noise exposed group, 40.6 $\%$(13cases) of organic solvents exposed group, 51.6 $\%$(16cases) of both noise and organic solvents exposed group, and 3.8 $\%$(2cases) of unexposed group were regarded as hearing losers. Exposed groups showed higher incidence of hearing loss than unexposed group but there were no significant differences among the exposed groups. The variables showing significant correlation with hearing loss were age and the amount of hippuric acid in urinary excretion. When age were adjusted for the purpose of seeing the effects of hearing losses due to organic solvent, urinary excretion of hippuric acids was the only variable with significant correlation with hearing loss (p<0.05). When odds ratio to hearing loss between control and exposed groups was considered, noise exposed group showed 6.1 times (95 $\%$ CI: 3.3-8.7), organic solvents exposed group showed 7.4 times (95 $\%$ CI: 3.5-14.6) and both noise and organic solvents exposed group showed 17.2 times(95% CI: 5.6-31.8) higher values than unexposed group(p<0.01). Above results suggest that health screening test of hearing loss is also needed in organic solvents exposed workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate the coke oven emissions (COE) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon levels in coke manu-facturing industry, secondary lead smelting industry and glass bottle manufacturing industry. 1. There were no significant difference between the means of personal samples and area samples by the types of industry(p>0.05). The levels of airborne total particulates of the secondary lead smelting industry was the highest($2.30mg/m^3$), and those of the coke manu-facturing industry and glass bottle manu facturing industry were $1.95mg/m^3$ and $1.37mg/m^3$. The concentration of COE was the highest in the glass bottle manufacturing industry($0.79mg/m^3$), and in order of $0.19mg/m^3$ in the coke manufacturing industry and $0.06mg/m^3$ in the secondary lead smelting industry. COE/total particulates(%) was highest in the glass bottle manufacturing industry(58.1%) and in order of 10.3% in the coke manufacturing industry and 3.1% in secondary lead smelting industry. There were significant differences in the total particle concentration and COE by the types of industry(p<0.05). 2. The levels of airborne total particulates was the highest at the smelting process of secondary lead smelting industry($2.30{\pm}0.72mg/m^3$), and the lowest at the smelting process of glass bottle manufacturing industry ($0.99{\pm}1.22mg/m^3$) Concentration of COE was the highest at the casting process of glass bottle manufacturing industry ($1.09{\pm}1.15mg/m^3$), the lowest at the smelting process of secondary lead smelting industry ($0.06{\pm}0.03mg/m^3$). The COE/total particulates(%) was the highest at the casting process of glass bottle manufacturing industry($65.9{\pm}20.5%$), and the lowest at the smelting process of secondary lead smelting indusry($3.1{\pm}2.7%$). 3. There were positive correlations between level of The airborne total particulates and concentration of COE in coke manufacturing industry and glass bottle manufacturing industry (p<0.05), but negative correlation in secondary lead smelting industry. 4. The numbers of case and rates that over the Threshold Limit Values(TLVs) were 24 (77.4%)cases in glass bottle manufacture, 14(23.7%) cases in the coke manufacturing industry and no one case in secondary lead smelting industry. Total numbers of case and rates that over TLVs were 38( 35.5%) cases. 5. The limit of detection(LOD) for PAH was $10{\mu}g/ml$ in standard sample. All PAH levels of the cokes manufacturing industry and the secondary lead smelting industry and the glass bottle manufacturing industry were trace or not to detect.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2001

Highly-porous $SnO_2$thin films were prepared for recognizing and detecting of the inflammable gases, like butane, propane, LPG, carbon monoxide. To obtain sensing films, Sn, Pt/Sn, Au/Sn, and Pt,Au/Sn films were deposited employing a thermal evaporator for Sn film and a sputter for novel metals of Pt or/and Au. These films were annealed for 2 h at $700^{\circ}C$ to form $SnO_2$-based thin films. The films showed the tetragonal structure and also exhibited many defects and porosity, which could give high sensitivity to thin films. The thin films showed high sensitivity and reproductivity to the tested gases(butane, propane, LPG, and carbon monoxide) to even to low gas concentrations in range of workplace environmental standards. Especially, Pt/$SnO_2$film showed the highest sensitivity to butane, LPG, and carbon monoxide. And pure $SnO_2$ film manifested the highest sensitivity to propane. By using the sensing patterns from the films, we could reliably recognize the kinds and the quantities of the tested inflammable gases within the range of the threshold limit values(TLV) and the lower explosion limit(LEL) through the principal component analysis(PCA).

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2018

In this study we performed risk evaluation based on parameters using the SINMAP, GIS-based extended program in order to predict ground disaster that is frequent recently. As for the risk evaluation, in order to understand the effects of parameters, we defined that the ranges of internal friction angles and T/R values as important variables had three and four patterns, respectively. The results of the interpretation were compared with those of the existing landslide in order to identify landslide flow and to evaluate the applicability of the parameters. The analysis of the geomorphologic saturated zone showed that the boundary saturated zone and the saturated zone were almost consistent with the site of avalanche of earth and rocks and the area of underground water convergence was correlated to the area where collapse started, indicating that the geomorphologic saturated zone may serve as an index for estimating possibility of landslide when used with slope distribution, colluvial soil, and structures inducing landslide in combination. When the lower limit of the internal friction angle increased more, the upper threshold decreased by 50 to 70% and the influence on the stability index was higher, but the influence was declined within the range of lower wetness index. The analysis of changes based on wetness index range showed that all the groups have similar SI distribution, except for the one in which mean altitude values are applied, indicating that the results are susceptible more by the internal friction angle than by the wetness index.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2001

Objective : For the purpose of preparing the fundamental data and health promotion and control program on organic solvents in air of manufacturing industry. Methods : The author surveyed number of organic solvent components which was used in working site and also determined the organic solvents concentration in air of 927 manufacturing industries and 1,267 working process with gas chromatography(NIOSH manual) for five years from 1995 to 1999. Results : Mean number of solvents components by type of industry, working process was number of 12. There were exceeded to TLV of 1,2-dichloroethane in textile manufacturing industry N,N-dimethyl furan in tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage, handbags, saddlery, harness and footwear manufacturing industry and chemical and chemical product manufacturing industry by type of industry. There were exceeded to TLV of 1,2-dichloroethane in handwriting and drawing process, cellosolve in adhesive spreading process, N,N-dimethly furan in production of solvent process and adhesion process by working process Total exceeded rate to threshold limit values of organic solvents mixture were 12.9% for EI(Exposure index) and 10.0% for Em(Estimation of mixture) by type of industry, 11.3% for EI and 8.2% for Em by type of working process. The highest exceed rate was 36.7% for EI in tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage handbags, saddlery, harness and footwear manufacturing industry and 29.0% for Em in textile manufacturing industry. The highest exceeded rate was 23.1% for EI and 12.5% for Em in adhesive spreading process by working process. Mean values of total subjects by type of industry and type of working process were $0.7{\pm}1.8$ for EI and $0.7{\pm}1.7$ for Em respectively. Conclusions : As above results, the author suggest that it makes the environmental control program on 1.2-dichloroethane, N,N-dimethyl furan, cellosolve by kind of organic solvent and on textile manufacturing industry, tanning and dressing of leather ; luggage, handbags, saddlery harness and footwear manufacturing industry by type of industry, and on handwriting, drawing process and adhesive spreading process and adhesion process by type of working process.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.1 s.19
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• pp.16-30
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• 1986

In order to prepare the fundamental data for the improvement of noisy working environments and the effective hearing conservation program on workers exposed to industrial noise, the authors surveyed the working processes and evaluated the noise levels on 56 manufacturing industries in Pusan area from April to July in 1985. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The noise level was the highest in shipbuilding and repairing(95.6 dBA), and followed by steel rolling(94.0 dBA), manufacture of motor vehicles(93.1 dBA), manufacture of fishing nets(92.9 dBA), manufacture of testiles(92.5 dBA), iron and steel foundries(89.3 dBA), manufacture of metal products(89.1 dBA), preserving and processing of marine foods(87.0 dBA), manufacture of rubber products(85.3 dBA), manufacture of plywood(84.9 dBA) and manufacture of paints(84.5 dBA). 2. Among fifty surveyed working processes, the noise level of twenty-one processes (42%) exceeded the threshold limit value for 8 hours per day. 3. As the allowable exposure times by governmental threshold limit values to industrial noise level(dBA), cocking of shipbuilding and repairing and plating(CGL) of steel rolling were the shortest(30 minutes), and followed by assembling(rivet) of manufacture of motor vehicles(1 hour) weaving of manufacture of textiles and shot, machine, pipe laying of shipbuilding and repairing(2 hours). 4. By the result of octave band analysis on noisy working processes in excess of 90 dBA, the sound level was the highest at 2,000 Hz or 4,000 Hz. 5. It was recognized that the measurement of overall sound pressure level was also effective as octave band analysis in evaluating the industrial noise.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2018

The effect of elevated temperature on temperate paddy rice will be significant for dependable food supply in East Asia. Using temperature gradient field chamber (TGFC), which was designed to make the horizontal air temperature gradient by $0^{\circ}C$ to $3^{\circ}C$ higher than outside, we examined the measurement to understand the effects of extremely high temperature on paddy rice. In particular, the data of the year 2016, the worst heat wave in over 22 years, was analyzed in this study. The rice height in the relatively warmed condition was rapidly increased during early growth stage. However, the average grain weight and number of spikelet per panicle in the warmed chamber condition were gradually declined with increasing air temperature averaged for 40 days after first heading in each chamber. In particular, the grain yield was more dramatically decreased by the raising temperature because the percent ripened grain was quickly dropped as getting over the threshold temperature for pollination. Therefore, the surplus photosynthetic product by such lower grain filling rate may disturbed the decreases of the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and SPAD chlorophyll values after first (normal) heading. In addition, the late-emerging head grain were appeared. However, this yield was too small to recover the normal yields decreased by extremely high temperature condition. Our result represented that the warmed condition in 2016 would be the critical limit for the stable yield of temperate paddy rice.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2012

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent pathogen in VAP, rapid identification of it, is pivotal. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a useful method for etiologic diagnoses of MRSA pneumonia. Methods: We performed qPCR for mecA, S. aureus-specific femA-SA, and S. epidermidis-specific femA-SE genes from bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washing samples obtained from clinically-suspected VAP. Molecular identification of MRSA was based on the presence of the mecA and femA-SA gene, with the absence of the femA-SE gene. To compensate for the experimental and clinical conditions, we spiked an internal control in the course of DNA extraction. We estimated number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of MRSA samples through a standard curve of a serially-diluted reference MRSA strain. We compared the threshold cycle (Ct) value with the microbiologic results of MRSA. Results: We obtained the mecA gene standard curve, which showed the detection limit of the mecA gene to be 100 fg, which corresponds to a copy number of 30. We chose cut-off Ct values of 27.94 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^4$ CFU/mL) and 21.78 (equivalent to $1{\times}10^5$ CFU/mL). The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were 88.9% and 88.9% respectively, when compared with quantitative cultures. Conclusion: Our results were valuable for diagnosing and identifying pathogens involved in VAP. We believe our modified qPCR is an appropriate tool for the rapid diagnosis of clinical pathogens regarding patients in the intensive care unit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 1996

A new type of passive samplers were designed and produced by authors. After evaluating the quality of activated carbon by measuring recovery rate of organic vapors and steadiness of sampling rate, activated carbon with 30 - 35 mesh produced by Company S in Korea was selected. In each passive sampler, an amount of 400 mg of the activated carbon was filled in 25-mm cassette and covered by fixed screen (or wire screen with 100 mesh). In addition to the fixed screen, a wind screen (or wire screen with 300 mesh) was also attached at outer face. The sampling rate of the new Korean passive samplers was estimated Conclusions obtained in the study are as follows. 1. Sampling rates of the newly developed Korean passive samplers were affected by sampling time. For n-hexane, sampling rates of 15- and 60-minute samples were 70.92 and 37.45 ml/min, respectively. Sampling rate of both 200- and 450-minute samples was 25.96 ml/min. It is concluded that, when passive samplers are used for measuring organic vapors, samples be collected longer than 60 minutes. 2. Sampling rate of the passive samplers was also affected by airborne concentration of organic vapors. Lower sampling rates were determined at level of 1/2 threshold limit values (TLVs) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). It is recommended that sampling rate of the passive samplers be obtained at site by measuring concentrations using both the NIOSH Method and passive samplers simultaneously. 3. When the passive samplers, which collected organic vapors, were exposed to clean air for five hours, there was no significant loss of organic vapors due to reverse diffusion. 4. When samples were stored at room temperature ($21.8{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$) and refrigerator ($3.8{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$), there was no significant difference in the accuracy of results. For trichloroethylene and n-hexane, accuracies were within 25 % at both temperatures until seven days. However, poor accuracy exceeding 25 % was indicated in toluene from the first day. It is recommended that samples be stored at freezing temperature below $0^{\circ}C$. 5. Sampling efficiency was significantly affected by direction of the passive samplers. Results of samplers facing wind and down, respectively, were compared. Lower amount of organic vapors were collected when the sampler was oriented down. It is recommended that, when air velocity is low in plants, the passive samplers be oriented to the wind. However, when air velocity is high, the passive samplers be oriented down.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2005

Objectives: Particulate contaminants, such as total and respirable dusts, can harm the health of farm workers via several routes. The principal aims of this field study were to determine the concentrations and emissions of particulate contaminants: total and respirable dusts, in the different types of swine houses used in Korea, and allow objective comparison between Korea and the other countries in terms of swine housing types. Methods: The swine houses investigated in this research were selected with respect to three criteria: the manure removal system, ventilation mode and growth stage of pigs. Measurements of total and respirable dust concentrations and emissions in the swine houses were carried out on 5 housing types at 15 different farm sites per housing type. The swine houses investigated were randomly selected from farms situated within the central districts in Korea: province of Kyung-gi, Chung-buk and Chung-nam. Results: The total and respirable dust concentrations in the swine houses averaged $1.88\;and\;0.64mg/m^3$, ranging from $0.53\;to\;4.37mg/m^3$ and from $0.18\;to\;1.68mg/m^3$, respectively. The highest concentrations of total and respirable dusts were found in the swine houses with deep-litter bed systems: $2.94mg/m^3\;and\;1.14 mg/m^3$, while the lowest concentrations were found in the naturally ventilated buildings with slats: $0.83mg/m^3\;and\;0.24mg/m^3$, respectively (p<0.05). All the swine houses investigated did not exceed the threshold limit values (TLVs) for total ($10mg/m^3$) and respirable ($2.5mg/m^3$) dusts. The mean emissions of total and respirable dusts, per pig (75 kg in terms of live weight) and area ($m^2$), from the swine houses were 97.33 and 9.55 mg/h/pig and $37.14\;and\;12.83mg/h/m^2$, respectively. The swine houses with deep-litter bed systems showed the highest emissions of total and respirable dusts (p<0.05). However, the emissions of total and respirable dusts from the other swine houses were not significantly different (p>0.05). Conclusion: The concentrations and emissions of total and respirable dusts were relatively higher in the swine houses managed with deep-litter bed systems and ventilated naturally of the different swine housing types tested. In further research, more farms than the number used in this research should be investigated, which will present objective and accurate data on the concentrations and emissions of total and respirable dusts in Korean swine houses. In addition, personal sampling should be performed to objectively assess the exposure level of farm workers to particulate contaminants.