• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.433-445
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• 2015

Objectives: The major objectives of this study are to review the issues surrounding trade secret claims in the Chemicals Control Act and Amendment on Occupational Safety and Health Act(1917-227) and to propose a way of improving the reliability of chemical information in MSDSs, labels and National Chemical Survey results. Materials: To review the issues on trade secret claims, we made an analysis frame which was divided into three steps: Value and Problem Recognition; New Regulation Design; and Enforcement and Amendment. We then compared Korean issues with issues from the United States' Hazard Communication Standard and Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act, Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and the European Union's Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and Mixtures. Results: The stage of right-to-know development in Korea has passed the Value and Problem Recognition phase, so efforts are needed to elaborately design new regulation. Conclusions: We recommend two ways to improve right-to-know in Korea. First, strict examination of the quality of documents for trade secret claims is very important. Second, trade secrets should be limited to less-hazardous substances.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.175-189
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• 2018

Objectives: In this study, we analyze statistics on industrial accidents caused by chemical skin contact and provide skin toxicity hazard information on the related domestic system and circulation volumes. Methods and Results: We analyzed occupational fatalities and skin diseases caused by chemical leaks and contact from 2007 to 2016(10 years) and surveyed data on occupational skin diseases using the 2014 work environment survey data. The NIOSH Skin Notation Profiles for 57 chemical substances, which are provided to prevent occupational skin diseases, were searched and hazard information on skin contact with chemical substances was classified. In order to identify skin toxicity information among domestically distributed and legally regulated substances and to investigate skin-toxic substances, MSDS basic data on 19,740 chemical substances provided on the homepage of Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency were searched. Acute toxicity(dermal) category 1-4 substances totaled 1,020, and the number of chemical substances classified as category 1 and 2 substances were 135 and 137, respectively. In the chemical substances prescribed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 173 substances were classified into acute toxicity(dermal) categories 1-4, 58 of which correspond to category 1 or 2. Conclusions: Within the present range of industrial accidents, the proportion of skin diseases due to contact with chemicals is not high. However, there is always a risk of occupational skin diseases due to increasing chemicals and due to the use of new chemicals. It is hoped that this information will be used by workplace safety and health officials and health and safety experts to prevent acute toxity(dermal) due to chemical skin contact.

• 환경생물
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.87-100
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• 2003

환경오염이 심각해짐에 따라 국내외적으로 환경에 대한 관심이 고조되고 인체에 해를 끼치는 환경요인으로부터 방어하기 위한 많은 노력들이 기울여지고 있다. 특히 내분비계장애물질이 생식기능과 면역기능을 약화시키고, 행동 이상을 일으키며, 암 발생률을 높인다는 점이 밝혀지기 시작하면서 많은 연구들이 발표되고 여러 가지 방법들이 내분비계장애물질과 더불어 환경분야연구에 응용되어왔지만 단백질을 대상으로 연구하여 유전자기능을 연구하는 프로테오믹스(proteomics) 연구를 접목시키려는 시도가 아직까지는 빈약하다. 프로테오믹스는 기능을 갖는 단백질들의 발현을 종합적이고 정량적으로 측정하는 가장 직접적인 수단이고, 질병, 약물투여, shock 등 생물학적인 동요(perturbation)에 의하여 변하는 단백질들의 발현양상의 변화를 정확하게 관찰할 수 있으며, 생체내 유전자발현의 궁극적인 양상을 규명할 수 있고, 또한 유전자, 단백질 및 질병간의 연결고리를 제공한다. 기존의 biomarker는 다른 질병 표지자와 연관성이 높아 직접적인 유해물질 노출 위험도를 정확히 판정하기 어렵다. 따라서 대량발굴탐색(high-throughput screen-ing)이 가능한 2차원 전기영동 분석과 MALDI-TOF 또는 protein chip array와 SELDI-TOF에 의한 단백질 분자구조 분석기술 및 이들을 지원하는 생물정보학(bio-informatics)의 발전을 이용하여 환경독성 연구에 이용 할 수 있는 표적단백질(biomarker)발굴에 적절한 이용이 가능할 것이다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.480-507
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• 1993

Environmental pollution is common problem of the present world that is intimately related to the future survival of human beings. The problems of environmental pollution originate from the pursuit of benefit by enterprises, insufficient countermeasure of government and ignorant life style of the people. Health hazards due to environmental pollution have characteristics of irreversibility, difficulty in measurement and ineffectiveness of personal prevention. Objects of this article are to review the various aspects of environmental pollution, to outline the present status of environmental pollution and strategy to control environmental pollution in Korea. In the first part of this article, causes of environmental pollution are presented. International relationships, world-wide status of environmental pollution and health hazards due to environmental pollution are briefly reviewed. In the second part, present status of air, water, soil and ocean pollution in Korea is presented. Pollution by radioactive materials, noise, vibrations, odor, wastes and chemicals is reviewed. Climate changes related to environmental poisoning, problems of workplace environment, pesticide and defoliants are also reviewed. Finally, control measures for environmental pollution including the role of government are reviewed.

• 한국환경보건학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경보건학회 2002년도 춘계 국제 학술대회
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• pp.1.1-2
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• 2002

Ultimate objective of industrial hygiene is the prevention of health impairment that may result from exposure to chemicals at workplaces. This implies the definition of permissible levels of exposure, that is, levels that according to the present status of knowledge are estimated to cause no adverse health effects during the lifetime of the workers, and the regular assessment of the possible health risk associated with exposure by comparing the current or the integrated exposure with the permissible exposure limits. Workers in solvent thinner-using occupation environment might be highly exposed to VOCs(volatile organic compounds) because solvent thinner has been used extensively such as painting, spraying, degreasing, coating and so on in Korea. The purpose of this study was to recognize, evaluate and propose the alternative control the VOCs from solvent thinner-using workplace.

• 한국입자에어로졸학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Generally, large amounts of DOP(Di-Octyl Phthalate) chemicals are used as plasticizers in PVC compound manufacturing processes. However, it is very important to collect DOP species immediately from a workplace in order to protect worker's heath and recover them. To accomplish these objectives, we need to understand the droplet formation and growth mechanisms of DOP species. In this study, two important parameters such as temperature gradient and residence time were considered to clarify these mechanisms. We found that residence time is very critical to determine the droplet size distribution of DOP, whereas temperature gradient in general operating conditions(less than $-6.8^{\circ}C/cm$) is negligible.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.26-31
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• 2012

Objectives: To review the occurrence of cancer cluster in S Electronics semiconductor factories, process of epidemiological researches and lawsuit for industrial accident compensation. Methods: Occupational Safety and Heatlh Research Institute (OSHRI) epidemiological research report, Seoul National University (SNU) field survey report and Seoul Administrative Court ruling were investigated. Result:: OSHRI denied the association between working environment and outbreak of cancers, but SNU survey team reported that carcinogens do exist in workplace and the workers are exposed to them. Seoul Administrative Court ruled that 2 victims got cancer due to hazardous chemicals in working environment and be compensated but 3 victims were not acknowledged. Conclusions: Procedure of current OSHRI epidemiological research should be reassessed by the purpose of Occupational Accident Compensation Insurance Law.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential means for protecting workers against hazardous agents or risks that threaten their safety and health. Governmental organizations related to safety and health in the workplace regulate the PPE rules to protect workers and to minimize damage from hazardous agents. This study discussed current PPE rules overseen by the Korea Ministry of Environment and explores future perspectives on the matter. Methods: This study was based on a review of PPE regulations with which every stakeholder should comply in the workplace. Both South Korean regulations enforced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Environment and cases from other countries were reviewed. Results: Regulations related to the PPE required for handling chemical substances in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Enforcement Decree, Enforcement Rules, and Notification of Protective Equipment Certification under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The Ministry of Environment also regulates the PPE standards for 97 substances requiring preparation for accidents and adjustment of work conditions, but a recent amendment (partially amended on September 30, 2022) loosened some unreasonable or excessive provisions. It requires workers simply to carry or otherwise keep PPE handy instead of wearing it for some tasks in which hazardous chemicals are not handled directly. Conclusions: It is important to regularly review provisions that need to be improved or supplemented to help all stakeholders. Considerations should be also made to build a reasonable regulatory system that can induce more mature safety management in each workplace.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2024

인화성 액체가 누출되면 풀에서 증발된 증기로 인해 근로자들에게 중독이나 질식 등의 피해를 불러올 수 있으며 화재나 폭발 등의 2차 사고로 이어질 수 있다. 이러한 피해를 예방하기 위하여 실내 작업장을 설계할 때 환기설비를 설치해야 한다. 이때, 누출된 화학물질의 특성에 따라 거동이 상이하므로 물질에 따른 적합한 환기구의 위치를 선정할 필요가 있다. 따라서 최적의 환기구 배치를 도출하기 위하여 3D CFD 시뮬레이션을 도입하였고 환기구 배치에 따른 환기효율을 정량적으로 평가하였다. 이때, 실내 작업장에서 인화성 액체가 누출되어 풀을 형성하는 상황을 가정하였고 풀에서 증발된 증기의 농도를 비교하여 최적의 환기구 배치를 도출하였다. 증기밀도가 큰 톨루엔을 대상물질로 하여 연구를 진행한 결과, 상부급기-하부배기일 때 환기효율이 가장 높아 동일한 유지비용으로 약 3.7배의 환기효과를 보이는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구를 통해 작업장은 시뮬레이션 결과를 적용하여 환기구를 설치함으로써 근로자의 안전성을 확보할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제31권
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2016

Objectives A hazard assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a commonly used workplace chemical, was conducted in order to protect the occupational health of workers. A literature review, consisting of both domestic and international references, examined the chemical management system, working environment, level of exposure, and possible associated risks. This information may be utilized in the future to determine appropriate exposure levels in working environments. Methods Hazard assessment was performed using chemical hazard information obtained from international agencies, such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-generated Screening Information Data Set and International Program on Chemical Safety. Information was obtained from surveys conducted by the Minister of Employment and Labor ("Survey on the work environment") and by the Ministry of Environment ("Survey on the circulation amount of chemicals"). Risk was determined according to exposure in workplaces and chemical hazard. Results In 229 workplaces over the country, 831 tons of DEHP have been used as plasticizers, insecticides, and ink solvent. Calculated 50% lethal dose values ranged from 14.2 to 50 g/kg, as determined via acute toxicity testing in rodents. Chronic carcinogenicity tests revealed cases of lung and liver degeneration, shrinkage of the testes, and liver cancer. The no-observed-adverse-effect level and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level were determined to be 28.9 g/kg and 146.6 g/kg, respectively. The working environment assessment revealed the maximum exposure level to be $0.990mg/m^3$, as compared to the threshold exposure level of $5mg/m^3$. The relative risk of chronic toxicity and reproductive toxicity were 0.264 and 0.330, respectively, while the risk of carcinogenicity was 1.3, which is higher than the accepted safety value of one. Conclusions DEHP was identified as a carcinogen, and may be dangerous even at concentrations lower than the occupational exposure limit. Therefore, we suggest management of working environments, with exposure levels below $5mg/m^3$ and all workers utilizing local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection when handling DEHP.