• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2008

Water quality standards (WQS) are mandatory to guarantee the human health and protection of aquatic ecosystems, and maintain the condition of suitable water quality. The present WQS for the protection of human health in Korea contain nine substances (As, Cd, $Cr^{6+}$, CN, Pb, Hg, ABS, organophosphorus compounds and PCBs), but it is insufficient to preserve the human and aquatic ecosystem from a variety of chemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the substance of WQS for the protection of human health. In this study, we chose the 20 chemicals from 43 chemicals of the project entitled 'Development of Integrated Methodology for Evaluation of Water Environment'. The methodology for calculating water quality criteria was amended from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)'s equation for deriving ambient water quality criteria for the protection of human health. The factors including fish intake, drinking water intake, and human body weight used in the equation reflected Korean situations. The monitoring values were derived from the water quality monitoring data in Korean four main rivers. The orders of priorities of chemicals were evaluated by human health risk assessment, and the proposed WQS was derived by technical and economic analyses. These results were reflected to expand the WQS for the protection of human health.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.5999-6003
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• 2014

Pesticides used in Korea are grouped by four classes of hazard (extremely, highly, moderately and slightly hazardous) based on acute oral and dermal toxicity in the rat. However, there is little information of carcinogenic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential carcinogenicity for active ingredients of pesticides used in Korea. A total of 1,283 pesticide items were registered under the Pesticide Control Act of which 987 were commercially available. Of these 987 items, 360 active ingredients not duplicated were evaluated for carcinogenicity using the carcinogen list established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some 25 out of 360 ingredients were classified as likely to be carcinogenic (probable) to humans and 52 had suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential (suspected) based on the US EPA classification. Some 31% of 987 items contained probable or suspected human carcinogenic ingredients. Carcinogenic pesticides accounted for 24% (5,856/24,795 tons) of the total volume of consumption in Korea. Interestingly, pesticides with lower acute toxicity were found to have higher carcinogenic potential. Based on these findings, the study suggests that it is important to provide information on long-term toxicity to farmers, in addition to acute toxicity data.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

The interest of the people in the radioactive contamination of the water has increased significantly and the study about analysis and management of radioactive materials are being actively conducted. And monitoring spots have been expanded to the range of public water as well as drinking water by publishing the rule of drinking water quality standards and examination in the Environmental Enforcement Ordinance No. 553 of Korea. In this study, US EPA was investigated as the foreign advanced cases and the way that is appropriate for the Korea was sought by analyzing investigate radionuclide, interval and management. As a result, in the selection part of investigate radionuclide, geological survey, status of nuclear power plants and the presence of the use of artificial radionuclides of the Korea should be investigated and additionally after the selection of a few radionuclides, the systems should be extended to cover all possible radionuclides by considering radioactive pollution levels in humans may be exposed due to the annual drinking water. In the part of the investigate interval, the concept(MCL, DL) should be set up for preventing concentration detection of above MCL and it needs to the maintenance and management. For example, when the concentration is more than MCL, it should be investigated on a quarterly and when the concentration is lower than MCL, it should be investigated to each different interval and management. And the US EPA divided the management area and make the roadmap for managing drinking water. The each classified area has been organized to match the state budget and labor force and the individual data have been managed effectively by HPGe, the NaI, TLD and so on.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2017

Objectives: Much scientific evidence indicate a positive association between moldy environments and respiratory illnesses and/or symptoms. However, few comprehensive assessments of mold have been performed for such settings. Spore counts or microscopic enumeration only may not be sufficient for evaluating fungal exposure. Recently, Mold Specific QPCR technology developed by the US EPA (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, ERMI) has been widely used worldwide and great performance for assessing fungal exposure has been shown. Methods: We aimed to develop a Korean version of ERMI suitable for the distribution of fungal flora in Korea. Thirty dwellings in the Seoul and Incheon area were selected for sampling, and each was classified as 'Flooded, 'Water-damaged' or 'Non-water-damaged'. Results: Dust on the floor and airborne sampling were collected using an MAS100 and a 'Dustream' collector. Samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR) for the 36 molds belonging to ERMI. Student t-test and ANOVA tests were carried out using SAS software. The median ERMI values of flooded, water damaged, and non-water damaged dwellings were 8.24(range: -5.6 to 27.9), 5.47(-25. 4 to 32.7), and -15.30(-24.6 to 14.8), respectively. Significant differences were observed between flooded and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.001) and between water-damaged and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.032). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that ERMI values attributed to dust samples in Korea could be applicable for the identification of flooded or water damaged buildings. However, much data is needed for continuously developing the Korean version of ERMI values.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.424-435
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• 2016

Background: The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendations and the Federal Guidance Report (FGR) published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been widely applied worldwide in the fields of radiation protection and dose assessment. The dose conversion coefficients of the ICRP and FGR are widely used for assessing exposure doses. However, before the coefficients are used, the user must thoroughly understand the derivation process of the coefficients to ensure that they are used appropriately in the evaluation. Materials and Methods: The ICRP provides recommendations to regulatory and advisory agencies, mainly in the form of guidance on the fundamental principles on which appropriate radiological protection can be based. The FGR provides federal and state agencies with technical information to assist their implementation of radiation protection programs for the U.S. population. The system of radiation dose assessment and dose conversion coefficients in the ICRP and FGR is reviewed in this study. Results and Discussion: A thorough understanding of their background is essential for the proper use of dose conversion coefficients. The FGR dose assessment system was strongly influenced by the ICRP and the U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), and is hence consistent with those recommendations. Moreover, the ICRP and FGR both used the scientific data reported by Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) as their primary source of information. The difference between the ICRP and FGR lies in the fact that the ICRP utilized information regarding a population of diverse races, whereas the FGR utilized data on the American population, as its goal was to provide guidelines for radiological protection in the US. Conclusion: The contents of this study are expected to be utilized as basic research material in the areas of radiation protection and dose assessment.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.324-329
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• 2008

A coal mine drainage sludge(designated as CMDS) is mainly generated during physicochemical treatment or electrical purification of the drainage abandoned mine that include dissolved heavy metal. To understand the possibility of an application of the dehydrated CMDS as the landfill cover medium of hygienic a reclaimed ground, an laboratory experiment was performed to investigate the physicochemical and geoengineering characteristics of the dehydrated CMDS. To improve the geoengineering characteristics of the dehydrated CMDS, the liquid limit, plasticity limit test, compaction method test, strength test, and hydraulic conductivity test ware performed with the lithification material mixed sludge. When the mixed ratio of the sludge and the lithification material was more than 1:06, the compaction method was A method, the moisture content less than 33.5%, the strength of mixed sludge was $8.2kg\;cm^{-2}$, the hydraulic conductivity was $2.7\times10^{-6}cm\;sec^{-1}$, the sludge was up to the landfill standard of US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2018

Groundwaters in different rock types (Mesozoic granite, Precambrian gneiss, and schist) of Ganghwa island, Incheon City were characterized by using naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and hydrogeochemical constituents. For the study, groundwater samples from 69 wells had been collected over eight years. Statistical methods were applied to relate hydrogeochemical components and NORM in the groundwater samples. The groundwater samples belonged to $Ca(Na)-HCO_3$ types. The uranium concentrations in three groundwater samples exceeded 30 ug/L of United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL). The radon concentrations in 28 groundwater samples exceeded 4,000 pCi/L (picocuries per Liter) of US EPA alternative maximum contaminant level (AMCL). Gross-alpha in all the groundwater samples did not exceed 15 pCi/L of US EPA MCL. The average concentrations of uranium and radon in groundwater were the highest in granite area, and then gneiss, schist areas in order. In schist area, the correlation coefficient (R) between radon and $HCO_3$ is -0.40 and R between uranium and $SO_4$ is 0.54. In gneiss area, the R between radon and uranium is 0.55 and the R between uranium and $SO_4$ is 0.41. According to factor analysis, each geological area shows different chemical characteristics. The statistical analysis of whole groundwater resulted in nearly no significant relationship among uranium, radon and chemical constituents. Subsequently, more detailed studies on hydrogeological, geochemical, and geological characteristics related to NORM are required to better understand the behavior and fate of NORM.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.651-663
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• 2018

The hydrochemistry of groundwater from 47 wells in the Chungwon area, Korea was analyzed to examine the occurrence of natural radionuclides like uranium and radon. The range of Electrical Conductivity (EC) value in the study area was $67{\sim}1,404{\mu}S/cm$. In addition to the high EC value, the content of cations and anions also tends to increase. Uranium concentrations ranged from $ND{\sim}178{\mu}g/L$ (median value, $0.8{\mu}g/L$) and radon concentrations ranged from 80~12,900 pCi/L (median value, 1,250 pCi/L). Uranium concentrations in one well, that is 2.8% of the samples, exceeded $30{\mu}g/L$, which is the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), based on the chemical toxicity of uranium. Radon concentrations in three wells, that is 6% of the samples, and one well, that is 2.8% of the samples, exceeded 4,000 pCi/L (AMCL of the US EPA) and 8,100 pCi/L (Finland's guideline level), respectively. Concentrations of uranium and radon related to geology of the study area show the highest values in the groundwater of the granite area. The uranium and radon contents in the groundwater were found to be low compared to those of other countries with similar geological settings. It is likely that the measured value was lower than the actual content due to the inflow of shallow groundwater by the lack of casing and grouting.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2003

The measurement of radium ($^{226}Ra$) in the groundwater was established using ${\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy without sample preparation. The background interference by air borne radon daughter nuclides was reduced by $N_2$ gas flow into the counting chamber. Leakage of radon gas produced in the radioactive equilibrium with radium and its daughter nuclides was prevented by use of the air-tighted aluminium container. We investigated the effect of air layer in the counting container. Radioactivity variation due to emanation of radon into the air layer was within the counting error range 5%. When the nitrogen gas was flowed around the detector, peak counts of ${\gamma}$-rays from the daughters of airborne radon was decreased and detection limit was decreased to 0.02 Bq/L. The detection limit of detector was lower than 0.74 Bq/L, the $^{226}Ra$ Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) in the groundwater proposed by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It was confirmed that $^{226}Ra$ radioactivity in the groundwater could be determined by the ${\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.553-566
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• 2018

The occurrence of natural radionuclides like uranium and radon in groundwater was hydrochemically examined based on 40 well groundwaters in Mungyeong area. The range of electrical conductivity (EC) value in the study area was $68{\sim}574{\mu}S/cm$. In addition to the increase of EC value, the content of cations and anions also tends to increase. Uranium concentrations ranged from $0.03{\sim}169{\mu}g/L$ (median value, $0.82{\mu}g/L$) and radon concentrations ranged from 70~30,700 pCi/L (median value, 955 pCi/L). Only 1 out of 40 wells (2.5%) showed uranium concentration exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL; $30{\mu}g/L$) proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon concentrations of eight wells (20%) exceeded AMCL(Alternative maximum contaminant level) of the US EPA (4,000 pCi/L). Four out of those eight wells even exceeded Finland's guideline level (8,100 pCi/L). When concentrations of uranium and radon were investigated in terms of geology, the highest values are generally associated with granite. The uranium and radon levels observed in this study are low in comparison to those of other countries with similar geological settings. It is likely that the measured value was lower than the actual content due to the inflow of shallow groundwater by the lack of casing and grouting.