• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.292-298
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this research is to establish Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) for chemical and biological risk factors that occur in farm work involving 24 tasks among 15 crops. Methods: To categorize SEGs, work type, work environment, and similar tasks for each crop were considered. After confirming the chemical risk factors (pesticides, inorganic dust-total dust and PM₁₀, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide) and biological factors (organic dust-total dust and PM₁₀, and endotoxins) that occur in the crops and tasks, similar crops and tasks were selected as SEGs. Results: Among chemical risk factors, pesticides was selected for the SEGs, which was categorized by open field, greenhouse, fruit, and specialty crops. For inorganic dust, open field (plowing harrowing, seedling, planting, harvest, and sorting and packing) and specialty crops (plowing harrowing, seedling, planting, and harvest) were selected as SEGs. For ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, livestock (preparation of farm, management of nursery bed, feeding, shipment and manure treatment) were selected as SEGs. For biological risk factors such as organic dust (total dust, PM₁₀) and endotoxins, open field (manure application), greenhouse (plowing harrowing, planting, manure application, and harvest), fruit (manure application), specialty crops (manure application, making furrows, mixing mushroom media, harvest, and sorting and packing), and livestock (preparation of farm, maintaining poultry litter, feeding, shipment and manure treatment) were selected as SEGs. Conclusions: To establish similar exposure groups in agriculture, it is important that the characteristics of each hazard factor are categorized by identifying risk factors occurring by tasks.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.205-213
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• 1990

The regulation of neurotoxicants has usually been based upon setting reference doses by dividing a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) by uncertainty factors that theoretically account for interspecies and intraspecies extraploation of experimental results in animals to humans. Recently, we have proposed a four-step alternative procedure which provides quantitative estimates of risk as a function of dose. The first step is to establish a mathematical relationship between a biological effect or biomarker and the dose of chemical administered. The second step is to determine the distribution (variability) of individual measurements of biological effects or their biomarkers about the dose response curve. The third step is to define an adverse or abnormal level of a biological effect or biomarker in an untreated population. The fourth and final step is to combine the information from the first three steps to estimate the risk (proportion of individuals exceeding on adverse or abnormal level of a biological effect or biomarker) as a function of dose. The primary purpose of this report is to enhance the certainty of the first step of this procedure by improving our understanding of the relationship between a biomarker and dose of administered chemical. Several factors which need to be considered include: 1) the pharmacokinetics of the parent chemical, 2) the target tissue concentrations of the parent chemical or its bioactivated proximate toxicant, 3) the uptake kinetics of the parent chemical or metabolite into the target cell(s) and/or membrane interactions, and 4) the interaction of the chemical or metabolite with presumed receptor site(s). Because these theoretical factors each contain a saturable step due to definitive amounts of required enzyme, reuptake or receptor site(s), a nonlinear, saturable dose-response curve would be predicted. In order to exemplify this process, effects of the neurotoxicant, methlenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), were reviewed and analyzed. Our results and those of others indicate that: 1) peak concentrations of MDMA and metabolites are ochieved in rat brain by 30 min and are negligible by 24 hr, 2) a metabolite of MDMA is probably responsible for its neurotoxic effects, and 3) pretreatment with monoamine uptake blockers prevents MDMA neurotoxicity. When data generated from rats administerde MDMA were plotted as bilolgical effect (decreases in hippocampal serotonin concentrations) versus dose, a saturation curve best described the observed relationship. These results support the hypothesis that at least one saturable step is involved in MDMA neurotoxicity. We conclude that the mathematical relationship between biological effect and dose of MDMA, the first step of our quantitative neurotoxicity risk assessment procedure, should reflect this biological model information generated from the whole of the dose-response curve.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.549-561
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• 2009

Purpose: Work-related stress and risk factors among Korean employees were identified in this study. Methods: Data were obtained from employees aged 20 to 64 using the Korean Working Conditions Survey 2006 (KWCS). Multiple logistic regression analysis using SAS version 9.1 was performed to examine risk factors of work-related stress by gender. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of work-related stress among male and female employees was 18.4% and 15.1% respectively. After adjustments for multiple variables among both male and female employees, there was a significant relationship between work-related stress and risk factors including education, company size, work time, ergonomic risks, biological chemical risks, and job demands. The significant variables for male employees were housework load, occupational class, and shift work, and for female employees, type of employment. Conclusion: There is a need to develop and support intensive stress management programs nationally giving consideration to work-related stress associated with working time, physical working environment, and job demands. Based on gender specific approaches, for male employes, stress management programs should be developed with consideration being given to occupational class and shift work. For stress management programs for female employees, consideration needs to be given to permanent employment status, specifically those in small companies.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.467-474
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• 2014

화학공정의 기초설계는 물질수지와 열수지 계산을 기초로 공정의 경제성을 확보하고 주어진 조건 내에서 원하는 제품을 생산 가능하도록 한다. 이 단계를 통해 공정은 사용될 물질과 반응, 설비의 구조와 운전 조건 등이 결정되기 때문에 이후 바뀔 수 없는 고유한 특성을 갖게 된다. 고유한 특성은 뛰어난 경제성일 수도 있지만 다양한 잠재적 위험요인을 내포하는 것일 수도 있다. 따라서 기초설계를 위한 공정모사와 정량적 위험성 평가 기법의 통합을 통해 보다 안전하면서도 경제적인 공정을 설계하는 것이 중요하다. 본 논문에서는 LNG 액화공정을 Aspen HYSYS를 이용하여 모사하고, 폭발 사고에 대한 정량적 위험성 평가를 수행함으로써 잠재적 위험성을 최소화하면서도 경제성을 고려하도록 설계변수를 결정하였다. 이를 위해 확률적 최적화 방법론을 이용하여 Aspen HYSYS의 최적화 한계를 극복하였고, Aspen HYSYS와 Matlab의 연동을 통해 정량적 위험성 평가의 정확성을 높이며 최적화를 용이하게 하였다. 정량적 위험성 평가 결과, 공정 변수 중 안전성 확보를 위해 중요한 변수는 혼합냉매의 압력이었고, 0.5~10%의 운전비용 증가를 통해 잠재적 위험성을 4~18% 줄일 수 있었다. 비용을 크게 증가시킬수록 위험성의 절대적 수치는 낮아지지만 비용 대비 위험성 감소의 효과는 떨어졌다. 이처럼 공정모사와 정량적 위험성 평가 기법의 통합은 태생적으로 보다 안전한 공정의 설계가 가능하게 하고, 기초설계 단계에서부터 공정 내 위험요인을 수치적으로 확인할 수 있어 위험요인이 적은 특성을 갖도록 공정을 설계하는데 도움이 될 것이다.

• 해양환경안전학회지
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.785-795
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• 2018

국제해사기구는 선체부착생물의 위험성을 인식해서 2011년 '선체부착생물에 의한 외래위해종 이동 저감을 위한 관리 및 제어 가이드라인'을 공표하였고, 향후 이를 강제화하기 위한 국제 협약을 계획하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 향후 강제화 될 국제협약에 효과적으로 대응하기 위해 선체부착생물관리 관련 선도국 사례를 소개하고 수중제거에 대한 환경 위해성 평가 기법에 대해서도 알아보았다. 선체부착생물관리 관련해서 선도국인 호주와 뉴질랜드는 수중제거 시나리오 의거해 수행한 생물 및 화학 위해성 평가를 근간으로 선체부착생물관리규제안을 마련하였다. 자국 정부의 특별한 규정이 없는 대부분의 유럽 국가들은 국제해사기구의 선체부착생물 규정에 따라 수중제거를 수행하는 것으로 확인되었다. 우리나라인 경우 선체부착생물에 대한 국내법은 존재하지 않고, 해양 생태계법에 의거해서 약 17종의 해양생태게교란생물만 지정해서 관리하고 있다. 선박 선체에 대한 수중제거는 외래생물 확산 및 수생 환경으로의 화학 물질 방출을 수반하므로, 생물학적 위해성평가와 화학적 위해성평가를 별개로 수행한 후 이 둘의 평가를 종합하여 수중제거 수용 여부를 판단하였다. 생물학적 위해성평가는 수중제거과정에서 외래생물 유입에 영향을 미치는 핵심요소를 기반으로 40 code의 수중제거 시나리오 작성하고 위해성우선순위(Risk Priority Number, RPN) 점수를 산정하였다. 화학적 위해성평가는 수중제거 시 용출되는 구리(Copper) 농도를 기준으로 MAMPEC(Marine Antifoulant Model to Predict Environmental Concentrations) 모델 프로그램을 사용하여 PEC(Predict Environmental Concentration) 값과 PNEC(Predict No Effect Concentration) 값을 산출하였다. 최종적으로 PEC/PNEC 비의 값이 1 이상이면 화학적 위해성이 높음을 의미한다. R/V 이어호가 부산감천항에서 수중제거를 수행한다는 가정하에 위해성평가를 시범 실시한 결과, 생물학적 위해성은 RPN이 <10,000 이어서 저위험으로 판단되었으나, PEC/PNEC 비의 값이 1 이상으로 화학적 위해성이 높아 최종적으로 수중제거가 불가능한 것으로 평가되었다. 따라서 우리나라도 선도국 사례를 참조해서 수중제거기술을 개발하고 또한 국내 항만 현실에 맞는 선체부착생물규제 국내법을 제정해야 할 필요가 있을 것이다.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.2-10
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• 2021

Microplastics with a size of less than 5 mm have emerged as an important environmental and food safety issue, as they have been detected not only in marine but also in terrestrial ecosystem and drinking water. Although many studies have been conducted on the exposure of microplastics and the effects on human health, the lack of standardized experimental methods for microplastics has been reviewed as a major problem. In order to overcome this, European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are conducting a project to develop detection methods for microplastics as well as to establish the risk assessment methodologies for microplastics. Being the microplastics suggested to have a substantially potential risk on human health, reliable risk assessments should be conducted considering the various sources of microplastics, chemical pollutants and biological factors. In addition, international standards and regulations should be applied.

• 환경생물
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.88-99
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 해양생태계 위해성 평가 시 생물학적, 비생물학적 요인에 대한 인공생태계 실험의 초기 안정성을 객관적으로 평가하기 위해 육상 기반 해양 폐쇄형 메조코즘(LMCM) 실험을 수행하였다. 변동계수(CV)의 진폭 변화는 실험의 안정성 분석 자료로 사용하였다. 본 연구에서 LMCM 그룹(200, 400, 600, 1,000 L) 내 비생물학적 실험변수에 대한 CV 값은 20~30% 범위로 유지되었다. 그러나 엽록소-a, 식물플랑크톤 및 동물플랑크톤과 같은 생물학적 요인의 CV 진폭 파이는 600L와 1,000L LMCM 그룹에서 높게 분석되었다. 이와 같은 결과는 실험 초기에 생물학적 변수에 대한 제어가 부족하여 발생한 것으로 해석된다. 또한 ANOVA 분석에 따르면, LMCM 그룹 간 CV 값은 생물학적 요인과 연관된 실험변수들에서 유의한 차이를 보였다(p<0.05). 본 연구에서 생물학적 변수의 안정화는 LMCM 그룹의 크기와 그룹 내 생물의 생태-생리학적 활동의 복잡성을 감안할 때 수질 및 영양염 성분을 제외하면 실험 초기 생물학적 변수의 변동성을 제어하고 유지할 필요가 있으나 현실적으로 어려운 부분이 많았다. 결론적으로 해양에서 과학적 도구로써 인공생태계 실험은 생물학적, 비생물학적 요인을 구분하여 명확한 측정요소(endpoint)를 비교 분석할 수 있는 연구목적 수립, 실험조건의 안정성 유지 및 실험결과를 객관적으로 해석할 수 있는 표준화된 분석 기법의 도입이 필요한 것으로 판단된다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.207-214
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• 2010

Toxicity identification and quantification are important factors to evaluate the effect of industrial effluent on the aquatic environment. In order to measure the potential and real toxicity of mixed chemicals in the effluents, the biological method (i.e., WET test) should be used as well as chemical analysis method. In this study, we conducted WET test for various kinds of industrial effluents using aquatic organisms such as water flea (Daphnia magna), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), fish (Oryzias latipes, Danio rerio), and microorganism (Vibrio fisheri). In addition, we carried out chemical analysis and TIE (Toxicity Identification Evaluation) for effluents in order to identify the substances causing toxicity. Among the 30 kinds of wastewater, S13 showed the highest eco-toxicity and $Ca^{2+}$ and $Cl^-$ ion were suspected as major compounds causing toxicity for aquatic organisms. In order to confirm these suspected compounds, various confirmation procedures need to be carried out.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.441-455
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• 2010

Researchers who work in science and engineering R&D laboratories are commonly exposed to a wide range of chemical, biological and physical hazards. They also may adopt ergonomically poor postures for long periods of time. These factors may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes in laboratory workers. Recently, there were several fatal accidents in the laboratories in universities and research institutes in Korea. Consequently, the 'Laboratory Safety Act' was enacted in 2006. However, there are concerns about the health risk associated with chronic exposures to hazards, as the management measures provided in this Act are very limited, focusing primarily on accident prevention and compensation for lab work-related accidents. In this article, the methods for assessing exposure to chemicals in laboratory environments are discussed. Also, epidemiological studies examining the association between laboratory exposure and health effects, including cancer and reproductive toxicity are extensively reviewed. Finally, the possible roles of environmental health professionals in this area are suggested, along with a list of critical research needs for properly assessing laboratory workers' exposure and risk.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.417-428
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• 2017

Diseases caused by foodborne or waterborne pathogens are emerging. Many pathogens can enter into the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, which is a survival strategy when exposed to harsh environmental stresses. Pathogens in the VBNC state have the ability to evade conventional microbiological detection methods, posing a significant and potential health risk. Therefore, controlling VBNC bacteria in food processing and the environment is of great importance. As the typical one of the gram-negatives, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a widespread foodborne and waterborne pathogenic bacterium and is able to enter into a VBNC state in extreme conditions (similar to the other gram-negative bacteria), including inducing factors and resuscitation stimulus. VBNC E. coli has the ability to recover both culturability and pathogenicity, which may bring potential health risk. This review describes the concrete factors (nonthermal treatment, chemical agents, and environmental factors) that induce E. coli into the VBNC state, the condition or stimulus required for resuscitation of VBNC E. coli, and the methods for detecting VBNC E. coli. Furthermore, the mechanism of genes and proteins involved in the VBNC E. coli is also discussed in this review.