• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2018

Salmonella infections in livestock industry cause various problems such as worsening animal welfare and productivity, damaging consumer confidence in the food safety of animal products. Chicken meat and eggs are known as major source of pathogen causing human foodborne infections. Therefore food safety concerns have prompted the poultry producers and governments to introduce the strategy and regulation to control these pathogens. Salmonella can persist for long periods of time in a wide range of spaces including feed bin, feed processing facilities, poultry farm, slaughterhouse, processing plants, etc. For the effective and constant Salmonella control, combination of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest measures should be considered comprehensively. The control measures would be most effective at farm level where the contamination initiates. Transmission of pathogen from feed origin to the live poultry and finally to the products was proven already. To control bacteria in the feed ingredients and formula feed, thermal processing, irradiation or chemical treatment may be applied. Chemical treatments to inhibit Salmonella in the feed involve the use of products containing organic acids, formaldehyde, or a combination of such compounds. However, recontamination which might occur during storage and transport process and/or by other various factors should always be under control and eliminated. Feed additives used to control Salmonella in birds' gastrointestinal track can be of various types, including prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and bacteriophages. Although their mode of action varies, they ultimately inhibit the colonization of Salmonella in the gut and improve the performance of birds. This review describes the strategies that could be adapted to the management of feedstuffs and the use of feed additives in pre-harvest stage to control Salmonella contamination in poultry farming.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.665-672
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• 2013

In radiology department, where patients with a variety of diseases receive their tests, there is a large possibility of cross contamination of nosocomial infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests take particularly more time than other tests do, which increases the possibility of being exposed to cross contamination. Therefore, this research examines the status of MRI equipment sterilization and investigates the bacterial distribution on head coils, which have the most frequent contact with patients, patient fixation blocks, and bores, which are confined spaces. The status of MRI equipment disinfection was examined by a survey targeting 150 employees, and the distribution of bacteria was measured in ten medical facilities. The result of bacterial distribution tests on MRI equipment showed various bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Sphingomona, Pantoea agglomeranss, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Saprophyticus, Brevundimona, and Myroidesspecies. The result of examining the stat us of MRI room disinfection showed that the disinfections of the head coil, block, and bore were implemented well, and the largest proportion was carried out once a day in the morning. The time and implementation of disinfection by the disinfection manager showed that they were implemented well when the manager was the MRI room examiner. The disinfection after examining a patient using an appropriate disinfectant is mandatory to prevent cross contamination.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2024

Background: Despite the rise in the number of domestic indoor climbing gyms, there is a lack of specific hygiene standards and research on the holds installed in them. Holds can act as vectors for microbial transmission through the hands, posing a risk of infectious diseases, especially with damaged skin. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the contamination level and species of microorganisms on holds according to the management methods practiced in indoor climbing gyms and identify effective strategies for reducing microbial contamination. Methods: We investigated factors that may influence microbial contamination of holds, including hold management methods, user information, and hygiene management at three climbing gyms in Seoul. A total of 72 holds were sampled, 18 for each management method of brushing, high-pressure washing, and ethanol disinfection. Samples were cultured on LB and blood agar at 37℃ for 48 hours to calculate CFUs. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA was carried out to identify microorganisms. Dunn-Bonferroni was employed to see the microbial reduction effect of the management method and the difference in microbial contamination by management method and climbing gym. Results: As a result of microbial identification, microorganisms such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus, which were derived from various environments such as skin and soil, were discovered on the surface of the climbing hold. Among the discovered microorganisms, some species had potential pathogenic properties that could cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal disease, bacteremia, and sepsis. All hold management methods were effective in reducing microorganisms (p<0.05), with ethanol disinfection being the most effective (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there are potential pathogens on holds that demand thorough management for microbial prevention. Proposed methods include regular brushing and ethanol disinfection in addition to high-pressure washing with long cycles, which are the existing forms of hold management. Further studies on shoe management are advised to curb soil-derived microorganisms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.45-56
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• 2024

Heavy metals emitted from urban development do not decompose in the soil and remain for long periods, continually impacting the environment. Since the mid-1990s, there has been increasing societal concern in South Korea regarding soil contamination, prompting various legislative revisions to reduce pollution. This study utilizes the Environmental Impact Assessment Support System (EIASS) to investigate projects in the metropolitan area that have exceeded the Ministry of Environment's soil contamination concern levels from 1989 to 2022 and to examine improvements in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. The results reveal that the average concentrations of nine contaminants-cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and fluoride (F)-have all increased over the years. Among these, Zn had the highest relative proportion, with 37.5% of the 40 sites exceeding environmental concern levels. Investigation of 19 specific projects at these exceedance sites showed that only 7 had documented analyses of contamination causes and remediation plans, and just one had contracted additional remediation services, though results from these efforts were found to be lacking. Furthermore, since 2019, a significant proportion of these sites were involved in residential developments, likely due to government initiatives in new city development and extensive housing supply plans. This research emphasizes the importance of public disclosure of the processes and outcomes of remediation efforts on historically contaminated soils prior to project development. It discusses improvements to the EIA by reviewing current legislation and international examples. The findings of this study are expected to heighten public awareness about heavy metal contamination and enhance transparency in soil remediation efforts, contributing to sustainable environmental management and development.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

Nitrate ($NO_3^-$), a common surface water and groundwater pollutant, poses a serious environmental problem in regions with intensive agricultural activities and dense population. It is thus important to identify the source of nitrate contamination to better manage water quality. Due to the distinct isotope compositions of nitrate among different origins, the dual isotope analysis (${\delta}^{15}N$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$) of nitrate has been widely applied to track contamination sources. This paper provided the underlying backgrounds in the isotope analysis of nitrate, which included typical ranges of ${\delta}^{15}N$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$ from various nitrate sources, isotope fractionation, the analytical methods used to concentrate nitrate from samples, and the potential limitations of the dual isotope analysis along with the resolutions. To enhance the applicability of the dual isotope analysis as well as increase the ability to interpret field data, this paper also introduced several case studies. Furthermore, other environmental tracers including ${\delta}^{11}B$ and $Cl^-/Br^-$ ratios were discussed to accompany the dual isotope analysis for better assignment of contamination sources even when microbial transformation of nitrate and/or mixing between contaminant plumes occur.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.230-230
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• 2013

In amorphous or microcrystalline thin-film silicon solar cells, p-i-n structure is used instead of p/n junction structure as in wafer-based Si solar cells. Hence, these p-i-n structured solar cells inevitably consist of many interfaces and the cell efficiency critically depends on the effective control of these interfaces. In this study, in-situ plasma treatment process of the interfaces was developed to improve the efficiency of a-Si:H solar cell. The p-i-n cell was deposited using a single-chamber VHF-PECVD system, which was driven by a pulsed-RF generator at 80 MHz. In order to solve the cross-contamination problem of p-i layer, high RF power was applied without supplying SiH4 gas after p-layer deposition, which effectively cleaned B contamination inside chamber wall from p-layer deposition. In addition to the p-i interface control, various interface control techniques such as thin layer of TiO2 deposition to prevent H2 plasma reduction of FTO layer, multiple applications of thin i-layer deposition and H2 plasma treatment, H2 plasma treatment of i-layer prior to n-layer deposition, etc. were developed. In order to reduce the reflection at the air-glass interface, anti-reflective SiO2 coating was also adopted. The initial solar cell efficiency over 11% could be achieved for test cell area of 0.2 $cm^2$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.455-460
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• 2010

This study was carried out to find out any inherent problems occurring in the sampling and analytical procedures, and to suggest the relevant solutions to the problems. In addition, an optimal condition of clean-up process was developed, which was based on a method using silica glass column. As a result of experiments to test any artificial contamination of blank samples such as glassware and collection media, artifacts of DBP and DEHP appeared to be detected in various kinds of laboratory tools and apparatuses used in the sampling and analytical works. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate a degree of contamination before laboratory works by conducting a prior check any possible contaminations in all experimental tools and apparatus. It is also necessary to devise a method to avoid a tool, if possible, or to use a substitute of phthalate free. If the use of any plastic tool to cause contamination is inevitable, it should be properly corrected with a blank level, as is equally treated as the sample. The clean-up process demonstrated in this study can give us a significant benefit in terms of the quantity and quality of a target compound by GC/MS analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.512-521
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• 2015

In this research, environmental friendly organic acid containing microetching system to improve adhesion strength between photoresist resin and Copper Clad Laminate(CCL) was developed without using strong oxidant $H_2O_2$. Etching rate and surface contamination on CCL were examined with various etching conditions with different etchants, organic acids and additives. to develope an optimum microetching condition. Etching solution with 0.04 M acetic acid showed the highest etching rate $0.4{\mu}m/min$. Etching solution with the higher concentration of APS showed the higher etching rate but surface contamination on CCL is very serious. In addition, stabilizer solution also played an important role to control the surface contamination. As a result of research, the etching solution containing 0.04 M of acetic acid, 0.1 M of APS with 4 g/L of stabilizer solution(ST-1) was best to improve adhesion between CCL and photoresist resin as well as showed the most clean and rough surface with the etching rate of $0.37{\mu}m/min$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1853-1857
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• 2008

Salmonella contamination in chicken meat was studied with 100 chicken meat samples purchased from 55 shops located in various regions. A total of 21 isolates of Salmonella enterica were isolated from 21 chicken meat samples from four shops located at open markets, whereas there were none from supermarkets with well-equipped cold systems. Among these, 18 isolates were identified as Salmonella enterica serotype Haardt (S. Haardt) and three isolates were S. enterica serotype Muenchen. When the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the S. Haardt isolates were assayed with the agar dilution method to determine susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid, all 18 isolates were resistant to tetracycline and nalidixic acid and nine of these were resistant to ampicillin. These isolates showed reduced susceptibility to eight fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin. When quinolone resistance determining regions of gyrA and gyrB were sequenced, every isolate had the same missense mutation Ser83$\rightarrow$Tyr (TCC$\rightarrow$+TAC) in gyrA, whereas no mutation was found in gyrB. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with XbaI revealed a close relationship among these isolates, suggesting a contamination of raw chicken meat with clonal spread of nalidixic acid-resistant and quinolone-reduced susceptibility S. Haardt in chickens. Results in this study show the importance of a well-equipped cold system and the prudent use of fluoroquinolone in chickens to prevent the occurrence of quinolone-resistant isolates.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.25 no.2_spc
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• pp.1-15
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• 2020

Monitoring and assessing terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs) are one of the most important steps to remediate contaminated sites via various in-situ techniques. TEAPs are a part of the microbial respiration reactions. Microorganisms gain energy from these reactions and reduces pollutants. Monitoring TEAPs enables us to predict degradability of contaminants and degradation rates. In many countries, TEAPs have been used for characterization of field sites and management of groundwater wells. For instance, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided strategies for groundwater quality and well management by applying TEAPs monitoring. Denmark has also constructed TEAPs map of local unit area to develop effective groundwater managing system, particularly to predict and assess nitrogen contamination. In case of Korea, although detailed soil survey and groundwater contamination assessment have been employed, site investigation guidelines using TEAPs have not been established yet. To better define TEAPs in subsurface environments, multiple indicators including ion concentrations, isotope compositions and contaminant degradation byproducts must be assessed. Furthermore, dissolved hydrogen concentrations are regarded as significant evidence of TEAPs occurring in subsurface environment. This review study introduces optimal sampling techniques of groundwater and dissolved hydrogen, and further discuss how to assess TEAPs in contaminated subsurface environments according to several contamination scenarios.