• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2000

Photobacterium phosphoreum was used for the study of bioluminescence response to toxic substances including phenol, As2O3, SoO2, and CrO3 in view of developing monitoring system. measurement of inhibition of bioluminescence in P. phosphoreum has been proposed as a sensitive and raped procedure to monitor toxic substances. The concentration of toxic substance causing 50% light reduction(EC50) in bioluminescence intensity was determined with free and immobilized P. phosphoreum, The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for bioluminescence emission were found to be 400ppm for As2O3, 800ppm for phenol, 60ppm for SeO2 and 60ppm for CrO3 , respectively. The linear correlation between Gamma value and the concentration of toxic substances was obtained and EC50 wa calculated from the linear correlation. The free cells were shown to be more sensitive to toxic substances than cells immobilized on Sr-alginate and Ca-alginate. However, the linear regression curves were derived from the Sr-alginate immobilized cells indicating the immobilization method in s useful tool for monitoring of toxic substances under the more stable condition of bioluminescence.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.484-490
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• 1999

Various materials including sodium alginate, k-carrageenan, collagen and polyacrylamide were studied in order to maintain the stability of bioluminescence of Photobacterium for the monitoring of volatile toxic substances. Kinetic parameters of specific rate($\mu$), and gamma(${\gamma}$) value were determined for the relationship between bioluminescence of immobilized P. phosphoreum and toxic substances. The bioluminescence intensity was found to be proportional to the concentration of toxic substances and the free cells were shown to be more sensitive than immobilized cells when volatile substances were exposed to the cells. Bioluminescence increased slightly after several minutes, which was due to the volatility of toxic compounds. Furthermore, P. phosphoreum immobilized on strontium alginate was better than cells immobilized on sodium alginate for the response to substances used.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

Qualifying quantities (upper tier (UT) and lower tier (LT)) are designated for the regulation of toxic substances. In this study, we aimed to establish systematic criteria for the qualifying quantities by comparing the South of Korea chemical control act with the European Seveso III Directive (Seveso III). In Seveso III, qualifying quantities are defined as "hazard categories" applying GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), and LTR (lower-tier requirements) and UTR (upper-tier requirements) are determined. The Pro HC (proposed hazard categories) were relevant to the GHS classification of toxic substances and were compared with the currently regulated qualifying quantities. Furthermore, we estimated the Pro LTR (proposed lower-tier requirements) and Pro UTR (proposed upper-tier requirements) corresponding to each Pro HC. Consequently, it was supposed that LT and UT were selected based on GHS like those of Seveso III. Therefore, designation criteria for qualifying quantities should be established by setting the Pro HC such as in Seveso III, rather than designating the qualifying quantities of toxic substances by itself individually. In addition, qualifying quantities should not be delegated to GHS classifications (H302, H341, H411) that do not meet the criteria for the designation of toxic substances, and the corresponding substances should be excluded from classification as toxic substances. This study provides insights into the selection of hazard categories and criteria for qualifying quantities of toxic substances.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was performed to suggest how to re-establish criterion for toxic substances under the Chemical Control Act (CCA) in South Korea by comparing the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) score and toxic properties. Methods: Toxic substances were classified into seven groups (Acute toxicity (1A), Chronic toxicity (2C), Environmental hazards (3E), Acute toxicity & chronic toxicity (4AC), Chronic toxicity & environmental hazards (5CE), Acute toxicity & environmental hazards (6AE), and Acute toxicity & chronic toxicity & environmental hazards (7ACE)) according to their toxic properties. The GHS score was calculated to sum up five toxicity indicators (health acute toxicity, health repeated toxicity, carcinogenicity, health other chronic toxicity and environmental hazards). Results: The GHS score of 7ACE was higher by 7 times that of 1A. 1A is the only group which has lower than the total GHS score. The highest score was 47, for sodium chromate (CAS no. 7775-11-3), which belongs to group 7ACE. This is classified as acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and acute and chronic environmental hazard. On the other hand, the lowest score was 2.75, which was assigned to 177 chemicals belonging to group 1A. When the health acute toxicity indicator was omitted from the toxic criterion, toxic substances could be divided into the sub-groups 'human chronic hazards group' (HCG) and 'environmental hazards group' (EG) according to their GHS score and properties. Conclusions: The proposed criterion for toxic substances is to establish sub-groups defined as HCG and EG for separate control and that the 1A group be moved to substances requiring preparation for accidents under the CCA.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.766-775
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• 2007

The use of toxic chemicals was extended as the industry in Korea has grown dramatically during the last three decades. However, list of toxic substances and limit concentrations in the water environment are not consistent within management of ambient water, drinking water and industrial effluent. This article suggests the systematic framework to classify toxic substances in the water environment and deriving their effluent limits. The most important factor for decision-making to classify toxic substances is whether their concentrations in the water environment are higher than the reference concentrations, estimated by considering human health risk and ecological risk. Using a risk-based reference concentration, the ambient water quality criterion, it is possible to derive the regulatory limit concentrations of toxic substances in drinking water and in industrial effluent. The goal concentrations in the effluent, which guarantee the human and ecological safety, should be determined with scientific investigation, balancing environmental benefit and economical effect, considering availability of treatment technology and identifying characteristics of wastewater from different industries.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2012

Purpose: The Tox-Info system is a poisonous substance information database developed by the Korean National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage effectiveness of the Tox-Info system by comparing the toxic substances included in the database with the distribution of the toxic substances implicated in the cases of intoxicated patients presenting to emergency departments. The secondary aim of the study was to propose any additional substances that should be added to the database. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients suffering with toxic exposure who had visited any of 12 selected emergency departments in Korea from January 2010 to December 2011. The identified toxic substances were classified into groups including prescription drugs, agricultural chemicals, household products, animals or plants, herbal drugs, and others. We calculated the coverage rate of the Tox-Info database relative to the number of intoxication cases and the type of toxic substances involved. Results: A total of 5,840 intoxicated patient records were collected. Their mean age was $46.6{\pm}20.5$ years and 56.2% were female. Of the total intoxication cases, 87.8% of the identified toxic substances were included in the Tox-Info database, while only 41.6% of all of the types of identified toxic substances were included. Broken down by category, 122 prescription drugs, 15 agricultural chemicals, 12 household products, 14 animals or plants and 2 herbal drugs involved in poisoning cases were not included in the Tox-info database. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the clinical usefulness of the Tox-Info system. While 87.8% of the substances involved in the cases were included in the Tox-Info database, the database should be continuously updated in order to include even the most uncommon toxic substances.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.555-560
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• 1996

The toxic substances (endotoxins) from the bacterial cell walls were extracted by using incubator, centrifuge, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and their fatty acid compositions were analyzed by Gas Chromatography. The lethal toxicities and pyrogenic activities of toxic substances were tested and the results were compared each other. The results of fatty acid analyses showed that the major fatty acid of the toxic substance was tetradecanoic acid for Vibrio vulnificus, dodecanoic acid for Escherichia coli, and decanoic acid for Salmonella typhimurium. These three fatty acids were the main fatty acids ofr three toxic substances (more, than 70%). The unique points in the fatty acid compositions were that tetradecanoic acid was composed as important one (37.15%) for V. vulnificus and that the amount of hexadecanoic acid was very small (below 2%) for three toxic substances. The lethal toxicity in ICR mice of toxic substance from V. vulnificus (LD50 was 52.5 mg/kg) was similar to that of E. coli (56.5mg/kg), but weaker than that of S. typhimurium (37.5mg/kg). Toxic substance from V. vulnificus was more pyrogenic in rabbit than that from E. coli, but less than that from S. typhimurium.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.6
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• 2023

The increasing prevalence of toxic substance-exposure in pets in South Korea endangers the health and safety of numerous companion animals, and has become a cause for concern. Notably, the annual incidence of forensic analysis in pets has increased by more than 150% in South Korea, mainly in populous regions such as Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. In response to this growing issue, veterinary forensic examinations were conducted on 549 dogs and cats from 2019 to 2022. This study revealed the presence of various toxic substances, including pesticides, insecticides, and drugs such as analgesics, anesthetics, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants, in pets. Among the 38 different toxins identified in pets, coumatetralyl, methomyl, terbufos, and buprofezin were the most frequently detected. In this study, toxic substances for pets were identified based on the "toxic agent list for humans," developed by the National Forensic Services, because no list of toxic agents for animals currently exists and data regarding potentially toxic substances for dogs and cats is limited. This is one of the limitations of this study, and necessitates the establishment of a toxic agent list for animals. Continued monitoring and research is also recommended to reveal the incidence, causes, and solutions of toxicity in animals.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 1999

Offsite consequences resulting form worst-case scenarios involving release of toxic substances in the Yochon area were estimated using the ALOHA(Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres) model. Eight toxic substances, including NH3, were considered; five were toxic gases and three were toxic liquids at ambient temperature. For toxic gases, the entire quantity was assumed to be released at a constant rate during a 10-minute period. For toxic liquids, the entire quantity stored in the tank was assumed to be spilled and spread and spread instantaneously to form a pool with a depth of 1cm, and then evaporated over some period of time. Except for phosgene and toluene 2,4-diisocyanate, for which concentration levels corresponding to human health effects are very low, average distances of the area at risk of adverse health effects for a 1- tom release were predicted to be $2.3{\pm}1.1 km$ for the worst-case meteorological conditions and $0.93{\pm}0.69km$ under typical meteorological conditions of the Yochon are. Because a large number of people were predicted to be affected in the current analysis, refined analyses considering both realistic accident scenarios and topographic effects were warranted.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.693-699
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• 1998

The relationship between bioluminescence of immobilized Photobacterium phosphoreum and toxic substances was investigated to monitor toxic substances in aqueous solution. The sodium alginate was used as an immobilization matrix. A bioluminescence intensity was maximum when OD660 for cell concentration were between 1.0 and 1.2 and the biolumescence was stable at the pH range of between 6.0 and 8.0. The optimum concentration of alginate for immobilization was found to be 5.0%(w/v) in which dilution was carried out with 2.5%(w/v) NaCl solution that is an optimum environmental condition for the growth of P. phosphoreum. The bioluminescence intensity responded against the toxic substances was proportional to the concentration and a regression curve were established with linearity by using specific bioluminescence reduction rate and Gamma values. It was also found that the response was very rapid and sensitive. The response with such rapidity and sensitivity is a very important factor for the real time monitoring. The immobilized cells showed higher sensitive response to the toxic substances than free cells.