• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.69-98
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• 2011

Asbestos has been used for roofing, walling and the like for the constructions since 60's~70's owing to its excellent fire resistance and heat insulative nature. However, it has banned to be used in major countries all over the world since WHO-affiliated International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stipulated asbestos by a top carcinogen causing lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and so on in 1986. Therefore, we had prohibited the use of asbestos on brakes for automobile since 2007 and on most of the products other than some cases of having no alternatives such as munitions from 2009. Nevertheless, diseases from asbestos have a long incubation period of 10~40 years, therefore, even if being exposed to asbestos, preliminary prevention is rather more important than instant possible damage as damages can be greater decades later. Accordingly, this thesis has a purpose to seek a plan in order to guarantee the rights of national health from harmfulness of asbestos by comparing and reviewing the policies on asbestos in advanced countries such as France, Japan, Netherlands and such like.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.515-523
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• 2018

Objectives: Based on the results of a chemical substance emissions survey, we investigated characteristics of chemical emissions in industrial complexes and used them as basic data for chemical management. Methods: The emissions and characteristics of chemicals by major industrial complexes from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed using the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. To understand the status of chemical accidents for major chemicals emitted from the industrial complexes, the Chemistry Safety Clearing-house system of the National Institute of Chemical Safety was used. Results: Emissions from the top five industrial complexes accounted for about 30% of total chemical emissions. The chemical emission was the highest in the order of Ulsan Mipo Industrial Complex and Okpo Industrial Complex. The main chemicals emitted were xylene, ethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, toluene, dichloromethane, and others. Carcinogen emissions differed by industrial complex, but ethylbenzene and dichloromethane were the major chemicals for this type of emissions. Conclusion: Recently, the use and emission of chemicals have been continuously increasing. A chemical management plan should be prepared considering the characteristics of industrial complexes and chemical substance emissions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.85-88
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• 2003

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PARs) are an important group of organic contaminants present in sewage sludge, due to their persistence, toxic, bioaccumulative and long range transfer. These characters make themselves as Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs) in Long Range Transboundary Air Pollutions convention(LRT AP) of Europe. A method of the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) determination of PARs present in sewage sludge was developed and applied to analyzed samples from five sewerage treatment plants (SWTPs), having different treatment types. PARs were extracted from freeze-dried samples by toluene 16 hours in a soxhlet extraction system. The sludge extracts were cleaned-up by an activated silica gel column chromatography. The sum of the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency PARs sewage sludge samples varied from 2.44 to 4.82 ${\mu}g$/g. Concentration of emission carcinogen PARs(PARcarc), such as Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene, Benzo(k)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(a, h)anthracene and Indeno(1, 2, 3-cd)pyrene ranged from 0.62 to 1.03 ${\mu}g$/g. The total amount of PAHs emission from sewage sludge in Korea was calculated as a top-down approach. PARs and $\sum$PAHcarc from sewage treatment plants had several pathway each by-products. In the ocean dumping, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 1155.95 kg/year and 5040.32 kg/year. In recycle, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 98.36 kg/year and 428.87 kg/year. In the landfill, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emissions were 190.40 kg/year and 830.21 kg/year. In the incineration, PAHs and $\sum$PAHcarc emission were 33.10 kg/year and 830.21 kg/year. (In case of incineration, the whole provisions of PARs and $\sum$PAHcarc contained to flowed in sludge was supposed to be exhausted to environment through exhaust after incineration.)

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.1167-1171
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• 2003

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important group of organic contaminants present in sewage sludge, due to their persistence, toxic, bioaccumulative and long range transfer. These characters make themselves as Persistent Organic Pollutants(POPs) in Long Range Transboundary Air Pollutions convention(LRTAP) of Europe. A method of the gas chromatographicmass spectrometric (GCMS) determination of PAHs present in sewage sludge was developed and applied to analyzed samples from five sewerage treatment plants (SWTPs), having different treatment types. PAHs were extracted from freeze-dried samples by toluene 16 hours in a soxhlet extraction system. The sludge extracts were cleaned-up by an activated silica gel column chromatography. The sum of the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency PAHs sewage sludge samples varied from 2.44 to 4.82 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g. Concentration of emission carcinogen PAHs(PAHcarc), such as Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(b)f1uoranthene, Benzo(k)f1uoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and Indeno( 1,2,3-cd)pyrene ranged from 0.62 to 1.03 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g. The total amount of PAHs emission from sewage sludge in Korea was calculated as a top-down approach. PAHs and $\Sigma$PAHcarc from sewage treatment plants had emitted to environment by several pathway. The highest amount of emission to the environment was remarked in the ocean dumping(PAHs and $\Sigma$PAHcarc emissions were 1155.95 kg/year and 5040.32 kg/year, respectively).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2024

Background: The use of scented candles and incense sticks, both of which are household products that are burned for indoor deodorization and calming effects, is increasing. Fine dust has been designated as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affect air pollution and can cause diseases. Objectives: This study aims to determine the effect on indoor air quality by measuring PM_2.5 and VOCs generated when burning scented candles and incense sticks. Methods: Scented candles and incense sticks were selected as household products to burn. As for the target sample, top-selling products (five types of scented candles, five types of incense sticks) were purchased online. The PM_2.5 concentration according to time was measured immediately next to the sample and three meters away from each other in an enclosed space using a real-time aerosol photometer. VOCs were collected as samples under the same conditions using Tenax tubes and were quantitatively analyzed by TD-GC/MS. Results: In the case of scented candles, the concentration of PM_2.5 did not increase during combustion and after being extinguished by placing a cover on the candle. For the incense sticks, the concentration of PM_2.5 averaged 1,901.27 ㎍/m³. After burning scented candles and incense sticks, some VOCs concentrations were increased such as ethyl acetate and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene). Conclusions: Therefore, when using scented candles, extinguishment by placing a cover on the candle can be expected to reduce PM_2.5. It is advisable to avoid using incense sticks because PM_2.5 concentration increases from the start of combustion.