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

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제11권3호
• /
• pp.372-377
• /
• 2020

Infection risks of handling specimens associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by public health laboratory services teams were assessed to scrutinize the potential hazards arising from the work procedures. Through risk assessments of all work sequences, laboratory equipment, and workplace environments, no aerosol-generating procedures could be identified except the procedures (mixing and transfer steps) inside biological safety cabinets. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, protective gowns, face shields/safety goggles, and disposable gloves, together with pertinent safety training, was provided for laboratory work. Proper disinfection and good hand hygiene practices could minimize the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection at work. All residual risk levels of the potential hazards identified were within the acceptable level. Contamination by gloved hands was considered as a major exposure route for SARS-CoV-2 when compared with eye protection equipment. Competence in proper donning and doffing of PPE accompanied by hand washing techniques was of utmost importance for infection control.

• 전자공학회논문지T
• /
• 제36T권2호
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 1999

최근에 휴대전화기가 저 연령층까지 널리 보급되어 어린이들의 두부내에 열점(hot-spot)형성문제가 염려되고 있는 실정이다. 전자파의 인체영향이 체온상승의 열적작용에 의한 것이라고 생각한다면 휴대전화기에 의해 발생하는 두부내 국소SAR의 인체영향도 두부의 온도상승과 연관된다고 추정된다. 본 논문은 휴대전화기를 실사용 상황에서 시간대별 두부의 국소부위에 대한 온도변화를 측정하였다. 그 결과 휴대전화기의 통화시작점에서 계속적인 온도상승을 보이다가 통화가 끝나는 시점에서 두부의 국소적인 온도변화는 빠르게 회복되지만 생체전신의 평균온도는 상승함을 알 수 있었다.

• 농업생명과학연구
• /
• 제46권4호
• /
• pp.141-153
• /
• 2012

본 연구에서는 안전한 토마토를 생산하기 위한 농산물우수관리제도(Good Agriculture Practices; GAP) 모델 확립의 기초 자료를 제공하고자 경남에 소재한 토마토 재배 농가 중 토경 재배 3 농가와 양액 재배 3 농가를 대상으로 수확단계에서의 생물학적(위생지표세균, 병원성 미생물, 곰팡이), 화학적(중금속, 농약) 및 물리적 위해요소를 조사하였다. 먼저 생물학적 위해요소 분석결과, 일반세균과 대장균군은 토경재배 농장의 토양에서 최대 7.5 및 5.0 log CFU/g으로 양액재배 농장의 양액보다 0.1~2.8 log CFU/g 높은 수준으로 검출되었다. 그 외 다른 시료에서의 일반세균 및 대장균군의 경우 토경재배 농장에서는 1.7~6.5 및 0.3~2.9 log CFU/g, leaf, mL, hand or $100cm^2$로 검출되었고 양액재배 농장에서는 각각 1.1~5.7 및 0.1~4.0 log CFU/g, leaf, mL, hand or $100cm^2$로 검출되었다. 대장균은 모든 시료에서 검출되지 않았으며, 곰팡이의 경우 전체적으로 0.2~5.0 log CFU/g, leaf, mL, hand or $100cm^2$ 수준으로 검출되었다. 병원성 미생물은 Bacillus cereus와 Staphylococcus aureus만 양액을 제외한 대부분의 시료에서 검출되었으며, 공중낙하균은 토경재배 농장에서 0.4~1.6 log CFU/plate, 양액재배 농장에서 0.1~1.0 log CFU/plate 수준으로 검출되었다. 화학적 위해요소인 중금속(Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Zn, Ni 및 As)과 잔류농약은 모든 시료에서 국내 허용기준치 이하로 검출되었고, 물리적 위해요소는 다른 위해요소에 비해 발생가능성은 낮지만 유리조각, 캔 등으로 확인되었다.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2002

Stink bug, Canthecona furcellatta (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an important predator of silkworm larvae. Nymphs and adult attack the early stage silkworm larvae and causes about 10-15 per cent loss to silk industry. Synthetic organic pesticides has tremendous impact on minimizing the pest population but repeated and frequent use has created problems of residual toxicity, development of resistance to insecticides, pest resurgence and out break, phyto-toxicity and hazards to non target species and beneficial organism. Silkworms are very sensitive to pesticides; therefore, attempt has made to control the bug population through introduction of its native natural enemies in the silkworm-rearing field. Biological control has tremendous scope in sericulture because it is eco-friendly in nature and non-harmful farmers. Native natural enemies have been screened. Psix striaticeps, Trissolcus spp. and Telenomus spp. have been recorded as the most potential parasitoid against pentatomid bug. Life cycle, sex ratio and other various attributes of the par-asitoids have been recorded. The parasitization potential of the parasitoid is very high and they have the ability to discriminate between parasitized and unpar-asitized host. Mass propopagation technique under laboratory condition has been standaydized.

• 한국시뮬레이션학회논문지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.49-64
• /
• 2021

화학·생물(화생) 위험을 초기 단계에 효과적으로 대응하기 위해서는 화생 대응 계획을 체계적으로 발전시켜야 하며, 모델링 및 시뮬레이션은 이를 위한 과학적 수단으로 활용될 수 있다. 그러나 오염 확산 모델링 분야는 많은 발전을 이루고 있으나, 화생 대응 계획을 모의하고 적절성을 분석하는 시뮬레이션 분야는 여전히 초기 단계에 머무르고 있다. 이에 본 논문에서는 화생 오염 탐지, 보호, 제독 등 대응 계획을 과학적으로 모의하기 위한 모델을 제안한다. 먼저 기상 및 지형 조건을 고려하여 예측된 오염 확산 결과를 교전 모델에 반영하는 방법을 제시한다. 이어서 공개된 사상자 예측 기법을 기반으로 전투 모의 개체의 화생 피해를 모의하는 화생 전투 피해 모의 기법을 설계한다. 그리고 화생 위험 탐지·정찰, 제독, 보호 등 화생 위험 대응 계획을 체계적으로 모의하는 과업을 모델링한다. 끝으로 화생 감시소 운용에 의한 오염 탐지의 신속성을 분석하는 한편, 화생 제독소 운용 시 오염 부대 규모와 제독 부대 규모에 따른 제독 소요 시간을 분석함으로써 화생 전투 모의 실험의 가능성을 확인한다. 제안된 모델을 이용하면 향후 군의 화생 방호 체계 및 운용개념에 대한 효과 분석은 물론 재난 방재 및 모의 훈련 분야에서도 일부 활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2019

Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2014

The extracts and pure saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) are reported to have a wide range of health benefits. Platycosides (saponins) from the roots of PG are characterized by a structure containing a triterpenoid aglycone and two sugar chains. Saponins are of commercial significance, and their applications are increasing with increasing evidence of their health benefits. The biological effects of saponins include cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, neuroprotective activity, antiviral activity, and cholesterol lowering effects. Saponins with commercial value range from crude plant extracts, which can be used for their foaming properties, to high purity saponins such as platycodin D, which can be used for its health applications (e.g., as a vaccine adjuvant). This review reveals that platycosides have many health benefits and have the potential to be used as a remedy against many of the major health hazards (e.g., cancer, obesity, alzheimer's) faced by populations around the world. Methods of platycoside purification and analysis are also covered in this review.

• 한국전자통신학회논문지
• /
• 제14권3호
• /
• pp.613-618
• /
• 2019

EMF (전자기장)는 지식 기반 정보 사회에서 살기위한 귀중한 자원 중 하나다. EMF는 우리의 삶을 쉽고 편리하게 만들어주는 가전제품과 휴대 전화, 개인용 컴퓨터, 의료 기기 및 방송 타워 등의 정보 통신 기기에 사용된다. 그러나 EMF 노출과 관련된 생물학적 유해성은 전기 통신 장치로부터의 신호도 증가하고 있다. 인체에 대한 EMF 노출의 영향에 대한 연구가 오랫동안 수행되었지만 EMF 효과가 유해한 지 여부는 아직 증명되지 않았다. 본 논문에서는 생활주변의 각종 전자기기로부터 방출 되는 전자장과 그 영향에 대해서 고찰한다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.395-402
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Microbial contamination of face masks used by healthcare professionals can vary depending on the degree of exposure to bioaerosols in various healthcare environments. However, research on this topic is limited. Therefore, we analyzed microbial contamination of N95 respirators used in hospital offices, wards, and outpatient settings. Methods: Samples isolated from N95 respirators worn for 2, 4, and 6 hours were incubated at a temperature of 35-37℃ or 25-28℃ for 24 hours or for 3-7 days, and colony-forming units were counted in chocolate agar, tryptic soy agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar plates. Total indoor airborne bacteria were also measured in the healthcare environments. Finally, microbial species were identified using Gram staining with a microscopic speculum. Results: The three types of environments did not deviate from the maintenance of standard indoor air quality. There was no difference between the microbial species identified in the healthcare environment and mask contamination. However, the number of bacteria in the masks worn in each environment differed, and the degree of contamination increased with mask-wearing time (p<0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, care must be taken to avoid recontamination of masks due to improper use and exposure to biological hazards in healthcare environments. In conclusion, scientific evidence is necessary for safe mask-wearing times. Based on the results of this study, we hope to conduct further research to establish guidelines for the safe use of face masks during respiratory disease epidemics.