• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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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.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.372-377
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• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics T
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• v.36T no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 1999

With the recent increase in the use among young children of portable telephone public concern regarding potential health hazards due to a hot spot appearing inside the infant head, has been growing. Since the biological hazards due to RF exposure are caused mainly by a temperature-rise in tissue, the effect of localized SAR for portable telephones should also be related to the temperature-rise in the human head. In this paper, it was measured that in the actual use of portable telephone the temperature of the local tissue in the human-head change. As a result, it should be noted that the mean temperature of human-body and localized tissue is rising from beginning call. However the temperature variation of localized tissue is recovered rapidly as normal temperature, although the mean temperature of human-body rising continuously at ending call of portable telephone.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.141-153
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• 2012

Samples collected from six tomato farms(A, B, C : soil culture, D, E, F : Nutriculture) located in Gyeongsangnam-do were tested for the analyses of biological(sanitary indications, major foodborne pathogens, fungi), chemical(heavy metals, pesticides) and physical hazards. The highest levels of total bacteria(7.5 log CFU/g) and coliforms(5.0 log CFU/g) in soil culture farms were higher than those of nutriculture farms(total bacteria: 2.5 log CFU/mL, coliforms: 0.6 log CFU/mL). In crops and personal hygiene soil culture farms showed a slightly higher contamination levels. From all farms, the levels of fungi in soil farms were higher than those of nutrient solution. In case of major pathogens, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in all sample with the exception of nutrient solution. Meantime, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli O157 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. For airborne bacteria, soilculture farms showed less contamination than nutriculture farms. A piece of glass and can was confirmed asphysical hazards. Heavy metal(Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Zn, Ni and As) and pesticide residues as chemical hazards were detected, but their levels were lower than the regulation limit. These results demonstrate that potential hazards on harvesting stage of tomato fam were exposed. Therefore, proper management is needed to prevent biological hazards due to cross-contamination, while physical and chemical hazards were in appropriate levels based on GAP criteria.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 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.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.49-64
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• 2021

M&S techniques are widely used as scientific means to systematically develop response plans to chemical and biological (CB) hazards. However, while the theoretical area of hazard dispersion modeling has achieved remarkable practical results, the operational analysis area to simulate CB hazard response plans is still in an early stage. This paper presents a model to simulate CB hazard response plans such as detection, protection, and decontamination. First, we present a possible way to display high-fidelity hazard dispersion in a combat simulation model, taking into account weather and terrain conditions. We then develop an improved vulnerability model of the combat simulation model, in order to simulate CB damage of combat simulation entities based on other casualty prediction techniques. In addition, we implement tactical behavior task models that simulate CB hazard response plans such as detection, reconnaissance, protection, and decontamination. Finally, we explore its feasibility by analyzing contamination detection effects by distributed CB detectors and decontamination effects according to the size of the {contaminated, decontamination} unit. We expect that the proposed model will be partially utilized in disaster prevention and simulation training area as well as analysis of combat effectiveness analysis of CB protection system and its operational concepts in the military area.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 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
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 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.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.613-618
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• 2019

EMF (Electromagnetic Field) is a valuable resource for living in a knowledge-based information society. The EMF is used in home appliances that make our lives easy and convenient, and in telecommunication devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, medical devices and broadcasting towers. However, the biological hazards associated with EMF exposure are also increasing in signal from telecommunication devices. Studies of the effects of EMF exposure on humans have been conducted for a long time, but it has not yet been demonstrated whether the EMF effect is harmful. In this paper, we examine the electromagnetic field emitted from various electronic devices around living and its effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 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.