• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

In generally speaking, the purpose of Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) is to give the environment its due place in the decision-making process by clearly ealuating the environmental consequence of a proposed activity before action is taken. The introduction of conventional EIA is to be seen as an end product of a very long evolutionary process, starting with rudimentary but evolving pollution control measures for air, water, noise, land and chemicals, each governed by separate, and separately administered pieces of legislation. In EIA process, the measures of status, scoping, proposed mitigation and communication have not been very quantitative in their significancy. Of course, the determinations have uncertainity in the implications for significant impacts. To improve the determination of significant impacts, some more comprehensive methodologies of EIA has been proposed with the concepts of risk analysis in the proposed projects. The concepts of risk analysis has been introduced to the expression of human health impairment due to environmental pollutants since the early 1980's. The risk analysis being meant by the statistical significance of impact has a process quantitatively considering uncertainities and importances of ecological systems and human health as well. The process of risk analysis shows assessment, doseresponse in toxicity, exposure assessment and risk characterization. With the risk assessment, it could be suggested for the proper measurements against their anticipated risk in the EIA. This paper deals the priciples developing process and application of the risk-based analysis in EIA.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-354
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• 2009

Since Barker found associations between low birth weight and several chronic diseases later in life, the hypothesis of fetal origins of adult disease (aka, Barker Hypothesis) and epigenetics have been emerging as a new paradigm for geneenvironment interaction of chronic disease. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene silencing that occur without any change in DNA sequence. Gene expression can be regulated by several epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, which may be associated with chronic conditions, such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes. One carbon metabolism which involves the transfer of a methyl group catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase is an important mechanism by which DNA methylation occurs in promoter regions and/or repetitive elements of the genome. Environmental factors may induce epigenetic modification through production of reactive oxygen species, alteration of methyltransferase activity, and/or interference with methyl donors. In this review, we introduce recent studies of epigenetic modification and environmental factors, such as heavy metals, environmental hormones, air pollution, diet and psychosocial stress. We also discuss epigenetic perspectives of early life environmental exposure and late life disease occurrence.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2020

Farmers using conventional sprayer system are exposed to pesticide poisoning and soil pollution due to pesticide application. In order to reduce this problem, the effective sprayer system is required. In this paper, we propose development of intelligent sprayer system using tree recognition. This intelligent sprayer system consists of an image recognition module, a remote control, a sprayer system, an air blower, and a control module. It is possible to spray pesticides automatically and manually through remote control using cameras and controls. We conducted a total of four experiments in tree recognition experiment, test of attachment and water sensitive papers, measurement of pesticide consumption, and measurement of worker exposure. The test results showed that the consumption of pesticides could be reduced while giving the same effect as conventional controls.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2003

Combustion generated fine particles, defined as those with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 m, have come under increased regulatory scrutiny because of suspected links to adverse human health effects. Transition metals are of particular interest due to the results of a number of studies that have shown cardiopulmonary damage associated with exposure to these elements and their presence in coal, residual fuel oils, sewage sludge, and other combusted fuels and wastes. This lecture will review results from multi-di sciplinary studies being conducted at EPA and elsewhere examining the physical, chemical, and toxicological characteristics of combustion generated particles. The research describes how collaborative work between combustion engineers and health scientists can provide insight on how combustion processes affect particle properties and subsequent health effects as measured by a combination of in-vitro and in-vivo studies using a variety of animal models. The focus of this lecture is on the interdisciplinary approach required to address the problem. Difficulties are discussed. Engineering aspects involved in this approach are described in detail. Physical and chemical characterizations are performed using a variety of analytical approaches including new techniques of x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) deconvolution of these spectra to gather metal speciation information.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.605-612
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to examine receptor-perceived characteristics of environmental and health damage in areas surrounded by industrial workplaces using environmental complaints collected by local governments in Korea. Methods: The environmental complaint data related to workplaces was collected by local governments at each municipality between the years 2015 and 2017. We analyzed the complaint data from the Busan area by the type of business (industry classification), the content of complaints (odor, smoke, noise, and certain health damage), and the frequency of complaints. Results: Among the workplaces examined, industry categories related to retail and service received the highest frequency of complaints related to noise. On the other hand, complaints of dust and odors were raised in higher frequency against manufacturing industries, indicating that air pollution was the main driver of such complaints. Most of the complaints regarding health effects from industries also contained other complaints, such as odor, noise, and dust. Our results indicate that environmental discomfort can lead to more serious health damage, and should be dealt with more seriously. Further management plans for mitigating discomforts such as noise are necessary. Conclusion: This study can be used as background data for identifying the policy priorities related to vulnerable areas polluted by industry and will contribute to improving the environmental health of residents in identified areas.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.194-204
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• 2020

The detrimental impact of air pollution as a result of frequent exposure to fine particles posed a global public health risk mainly to the pulmonary disorders in pediatric and geriatric population. Here, we reviewed the current literature regarding the role of ginseng and/or its components as antimicrobials, especially against pathogens that cause respiratory infections in animal and in vitro models. Some of the possible mechanisms for ginseng-mediated viral inhibition suggested are improvements in systemic and mucosa-specific antibody responses, serum hemagglutinin inhibition, lymphocyte proliferation, cell survival rate, and viral clearance in the lungs. In addition, ginseng reduces the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8) and chemokines produced by airway epithelial cells and macrophages, thus preventing weight loss. In case of bacterial infections, ginseng acts by alleviating inflammatory cytokine production, increasing survival rates, and activating phagocytes and natural killer cells. In addition, ginseng inhibits biofilm formation and induces the dispersion and dissolution of mature biofilms. Most clinical trials revealed that ginseng, at various dosages, is a safe and effective method of seasonal prophylaxis, relieving the symptoms and reducing the risk and duration of colds and flu. Taken together, these findings support the efficacy of ginseng as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for respiratory infections.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.343-353
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• 2023

Lichens play crucial roles in the ecosystems, contributing to soil formation and nutrient cycling, and being used in biomonitoring efforts to assess the sustainability of ecosystems including air quality. Previous studies on heavy metal accumulation in lichens have mostly relied on manipulated environments, such as transplanted lichens, leaving us with a dearth of research on how lichens physiologically respond to heavy metal exposure in their natural habitats. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated lichens from two of South Korea's geographically distant regions, Gangwon Province and Jeju Island, and examined whether difference in ambient heavy metal concentrations could be detected through physiological variables, including chlorophyll damage, lipid oxidation, and protein content. The physiological variables of lichens in response to heavy metals differed according to the collection area: Arsenic exerted a significant impact on chlorophyll degradation and protein content. The degree of fatty acid oxidation in lichens was associated with increased Cu concentrations. Our research highlights the value of lichens as a bioindicator, as we found that even small variations in ambient heavy metal concentrations can be detected in natural lichens. Furthermore, our study sheds light on which physiology variables that can be used as indicators of specific heavy metals, underscoring the potential of lichens for future ecology studies.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.19.1-19.18
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• 2021

Clinical and molecular phenotypes of asthma are complex. The main phenotypes of adult asthma are characterized by eosinophil and/or neutrophil cell dominant airway inflammation that represent distinct clinical features. Upper and lower airways constitute a unique system and their interaction shows functional complementarity. Although human upper airway contains various indigenous commensals and opportunistic pathogenic microbiome, imbalance of this interactions lead to pathogen overgrowth and increased inflammation and airway remodeling. Competition for epithelial cell attachment, different susceptibilities to host defense molecules and antimicrobial peptides, and the production of proinflammatory cytokine and pattern recognition receptors possibly determine the pattern of this inflammation. Exposure to environmental factors, including infection, air pollution, smoking is commonly associated with asthma comorbidity, severity, exacerbation and resistance to anti-microbial and steroid treatment, and these effects may also be modulated by host and microbial genetics. Administration of probiotic, antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment for asthma may modify the composition of resident microbiota and clinical features. This review summarizes the effect of some environmental factors on the upper respiratory microbiome, the interaction between host-microbiome, and potential impact of asthma treatment on the composition of the upper airway microbiome.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.67-90
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop indoor air quality management strategies regarding indoor air pollutants while considering various factors affecting indoor pollutants concentration. The Integrated Indoor Air Quality model(IIAQ) developed by Seoul National University is used for this study. The IIAQ model is a tool that can provide an integrated view to indoor environmental pollution by simulating suggested scenarios. The results of the modeling are used to assess health risk. The concentrations that are used for the risk characterization are weighted concentrations based on the period of time in each place and existing Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) standards. The estimated concentration of toluene and formaldehyde for 10 years through the IIAQ model was 207.3 $ug/m^3$ and 36.4 $ug/m^3$ in indoors, and 55.9 $ug/m^3$ and 8.62 $ug/m^3$ in outdoors. These concentrations are lower than the existing IAQ standards. The estimated carcinogenic risk of formaldehyde is up to 1.05E-03 for the adult male group and exceeds 1E-06 for all receptor groups. This value means that cancer could affect one person out of 1000. The estimated non-carcinogenic risk of toluene was lower than 1, which means that there was no serious non- carcinogenic risk. The result of modeling shows that using low emitting indoor sources is the most effective strategy for both formaldehyde and toluene. This risk assessment suggests that the total exposure levels of existing IAQ standards may cause serious carcinogenic risk. In order to avoid uncontrolled risk, it is suggested that the current IAQ standards should be adjusted by taking into account the total amount of exposure from all exposure pathways from indoor and outdoor sources.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2008

The repair technique using surface impregnation of reactive compound is so effective for deteriorated concrete structures that many researches are recently focused on these works. Particularly, inorganic impregnant is regarded as ecofriendly material because there is no air-pollution during manufacturing process as well as field coating works. Furthermore, The delamination between old concrete and impregnated surface does not occur, resulting from different material characteristics. In order to evaluate the durability performance of surface-impregnated concrete, durability evaluation through the long-term exposure tests is significant, however, experiments are usually limited to the temporary and qualitative laboratorial scope. In this study, durability characteristics for inorganic and organic/inorganic impregnated concrete specimens are evaluated through longterm chloride exposure test. The specimens with 21MPa and 34MPa strength have been prepared and exposed to chloride attack in the atmospheric, tidal, and submerged conditions. Evaluation for compressive strength, chloride penetration, and electrical potential (half cell potential) for steel corrosion are performed for the specimens exposed for 2 years. From the results, no distinct strength gaining is observed but the resistance to chloride penetration and steel corrosion is evaluated to be improved through surface impregnation. The more improved resistance to chloride attack is measured in the inorganic impregnated concrete and the results from atmospheric condition show more improved resistance to chloride attack than those from submerged and tidal condition.