• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제50권2호
• /
• pp.102-112
• /
• 2024

Background: Despite the rise in the number of domestic indoor climbing gyms, there is a lack of specific hygiene standards and research on the holds installed in them. Holds can act as vectors for microbial transmission through the hands, posing a risk of infectious diseases, especially with damaged skin. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the contamination level and species of microorganisms on holds according to the management methods practiced in indoor climbing gyms and identify effective strategies for reducing microbial contamination. Methods: We investigated factors that may influence microbial contamination of holds, including hold management methods, user information, and hygiene management at three climbing gyms in Seoul. A total of 72 holds were sampled, 18 for each management method of brushing, high-pressure washing, and ethanol disinfection. Samples were cultured on LB and blood agar at 37℃ for 48 hours to calculate CFUs. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA was carried out to identify microorganisms. Dunn-Bonferroni was employed to see the microbial reduction effect of the management method and the difference in microbial contamination by management method and climbing gym. Results: As a result of microbial identification, microorganisms such as Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Micrococcus, which were derived from various environments such as skin and soil, were discovered on the surface of the climbing hold. Among the discovered microorganisms, some species had potential pathogenic properties that could cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal disease, bacteremia, and sepsis. All hold management methods were effective in reducing microorganisms (p<0.05), with ethanol disinfection being the most effective (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that there are potential pathogens on holds that demand thorough management for microbial prevention. Proposed methods include regular brushing and ethanol disinfection in addition to high-pressure washing with long cycles, which are the existing forms of hold management. Further studies on shoe management are advised to curb soil-derived microorganisms.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.26-30
• /
• 1991

Continuous epidural analgesia is widely used in pain management. We investigates the incidence of contamination of epidural catheters used in epidural catheters for pain control. The tips of epidural catheters were examined for bacterial growth after use. In culture from 250 patients undergoing continuous epidural catheterization, 33(13.2%) catheters were found to be contaminated: staphylococcus epidermis 66.9%; staphylococcus aureus 12.1%; alpha streptococcus 12.1%; and others 9.1%. One significant epidural infection occured. One of the most common causes of the epidural infection during long time epidural block is the transmission of the microorganism from the contaminated skin to the epidural space along the epidural catheter. To prevent epidural infection, sterilization of the skin around the epidural catheter is essential.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 1972

Mountain Wells are very important water source for the most of the climbers in Seoul area. But the facilities around the wells are not modernized to prevent from contamination of microorganism and the other pollutants. We focussed our intention on the detection of some harmful chemical ingredients and contaminants. A total of 58 wells were examined according to the Standard Methods(APHA) and the following results were obtained: 1) Among the examined 58 wells, only 10 wells were adequate to the drinking water standard, 2) 7.9mg of liberated $CO_2$ was found in the Tchun-Ho-Dong Mineral Well, 3) Chemically harmful ingredients were not found, 4) The Mountain Wells were contaminated by Coliform groups as many as 18 times than rural wells.

• 한국물환경학회지
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.504-512
• /
• 2006

In order to estimate microbial contaminant discharge from diffuse sources, rainfall runoff was monitored at forestry, agriculture and urban watersheds. Total coliform and E. coli were monitored at the study watersheds as they are regulated by the environmental laws. Concentration and EMC (Event Mean Concentration) of coliform of rainfall runoff at the urban watershed were the highest followed by those from agricultural and forestry watersheds. By monitoring coliform concentrations of overlying water and sediment at five monitoring points in the downstream of the Geum River, average concentration from spring to summer was higher than those values from fall to spring. Coliform concentrations in the pore water were higher compared to those of overlying water and closely related with flow rate of the river.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제30권12호
• /
• pp.2993-2998
• /
• 2009

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-on-a-chip (EOC) biosensor combined with cell concentration technology based on immuno-magnetic separation (IMS) was investigated for use as a potential tool for early screening of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) in food products. The target analyte is a well-known pathogenic foodborne microorganism and outbreaks of the food poisoning typically occur due to contamination of normal food products. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a rapid and reliable sensor that could be utilized on a daily basis to test food products for the presence of this pathogenic microorganism. The sensor was optimized to provide a high detection capability (e.g., 5.9 ${\times}\;10^3$ cells/mL) and, to eventually minimize cultivation time. The cell density was condensed using IMS prior to analysis. Since the concentration rate of IMS was greater than 100-fold, this combination resulted in a detection limit of 54 cells/mL. The EOC-IMS coupled analytical system was then applied to a real sample test of fish intestines. The system was able to detect L. monocytogenes at a concentration of 2.4 CFU/g after pre-enrichment for 6 h from the onset of cell cultivation. This may allow us to monitor the target analyte at a concentration less than 1 CFU/g within a 9 h-cultivation provided a doubling time of 40 min is typically maintained. Based on this estimation, the EOC-IMS system can screen and detect the presence of this microorganism in food products almost within working hours.

• 한국조리학회지
• /
• 제8권3호
• /
• pp.249-257
• /
• 2002

Gamma irradiation(1~10 kGy) was applied to chicken for the evaluation of their microbiological safety. In 3kGy-irradiated sample, the initial level of microbial contamination in chicken was 1.8$\times$10$^4$CFU/g (Coliforms), 2.2$\times$10$^3$CFU/g(Salmonella) and 2.7$\times$10$^3$CFU/g(Listeria), All kinds of contaminated microorganism were sterilized by 7kGy-irradiation. Also, irradiation followed by freeze storage at the same time was very effective in inhibiting bacterial growth. The pH was slightly increased during storage period and titratable acidity decreased. However, no significant changes in pH and acidity were observed by gamma irradiation.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 2012

본 연구에서는 2011년 3월에서 11월 사이에 서울지역에서 유통된 신선 채소류 187건을 대상으로 일반미생물과 식중독균 오염실태를 조사하였다. 중온균은 2.5-9.4 log CFU/g의 범위로 검출되었으며, 세균수가 6 log CFU/g 이상인 시료는 모두 115건(61.5%)으로 나타났고, 가장 균수가 높은 시료군은 미나리였다. 호냉성균은 중온균과 유사한 패턴으로 검출되었으며 범위는 2.3-8.9 log CFU/g로 나타났다. 총대장균군은 시료의 90.9%에서 검출되었으며, 평균함량은 3.2 log CFU/g 이었다. 대장균은 24건(12.8%)에서 검출되었으며, 상추, 미나리, 쑥갓에서 각각 19.1, 16.7, 13.3% 검출되었다. $C.$ $perfringens$는 20건(10.7%), $S.$ $aureus$는 15건(8.0%)이 검출되었으며, $Salmonella$ spp.는 5건(2.7%)이 검출되었다. $L.$ $monocytogenes$는 과일류(토마토)에서 1건이 검출되었으며, $E.$ $coli$ O157:H7은 검출되지 않았다. 식중독 세균과 대장균이 중복해서 검출된 경우는 8건(4.3%)이었다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제37권5호
• /
• pp.376-386
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial hazards posed by food utensils and fixtures in food service operations at selected middle and high schools located in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We collected 200 samples of utensils and fixtures including cups, spoons/chopsticks, food trays and tables from five different schools in Seoul. Target microorganisms of this study were divided into two groups: total bacterial count and total coliform as indicators of microbial contamination and Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus as pathogens of food poisoning. We used selective media to quantify microbial concentration and 16S rRNA PCR assay for qualitative analysis. In addition, intensive interviews with nutritionists were conducted and observations were made to identify factors that may affect microbial contamination. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the microbial concentration and operation characteristics of each operation. Results: The level of microbial concentration in school B and C were significantly lower than in school A, D and E (p<0.05). Some samples from school A, D and E showed over 3.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total bacterial count) and 1.0 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total coliform), which requires immediate hygienic action. The number of customers per staff member, periodicity of hygiene education for staff and daily operation time of sterilizers were also found to be important factors related with the microbial contamination of food service operations. Conclusions: These results suggested that not only a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach, but also efforts to assess internal risk factors within operations be needed to reduce the microbial contamination of food utensils and fixtures. This study is expected to provide preliminary data for assessing microbial hazards in food service operations.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제41권6호
• /
• pp.397-404
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate microbial contamination in the school food service environment for the assessment of microbial food safety. Methods: We collected both swab samples from tables and desks and airborne bacterial samples from an elementary school (School A) and a high school (School B). Heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were measured with selective media to quantify microbial concentration. PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA genes was performed to identify the strains of S. aureus and B. cereus isolated. In addition, we made a food service checklist for the locations to evaluate the food service environment. A Wilcoxon test was employed to examine the differences in microbial concentration between before lunchtime and afterwards. Results: Heterotrophic plate counts showed higher levels after-lunch compared to before-lunch at School B. However, levels of S. aureus were higher in the after-lunch period (p<0.05) in both classrooms and in the cafeteria in School A. B. cereus was only sparsely detected in School B. Several samples from food dining carts were found to be contaminated with bacteria, and facilities associated with food delivery were found to be vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Although microbial concentrations in the air showed little difference between before- and after-lunchtime in the cafeteria in School A, those in classrooms were greater after-lunchtime at both schools. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the microbial safety in schools after lunchtime of concern. Necessary preventive measures such as hygiene education for students and food handlers should be required to minimize microbial contamination during food service processes in schools.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.395-402
• /
• 2008

본 연구는 2007년 6윌부터 10월까지 제주도에서 양식장이 가장 많이 밀집되어 있는 제주도 동부 연안에 위치한 양식장 4개소를 대상으로 하여 사육 용수, 양어 사료, 양식 넙치의 미생물학적 오염도를 조사하였다. 식품병원성 미생물 중 일반세균과 총대장균군 그리고 Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus를 조사 하였다. 이번 연구를 수행하는 동안 동부지역은 집중적인 호우로 인해 전년보다 400 mm 이상의 많은 강우량을 나타내었다. 사육 용수의 검사결과 V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, B. cereus가 빈번하게 검출되었고, 양어 사료의 경우 Salmonella spp, S. aureus, B. cereus는 각각 $0{\sim}4.3{\times}l0^3$ CFU/ml, $0{\sim}2.7{\times}l0^4$ CFU/ml, $0{\sim}7.6{\times}l0^3$ CFU/ml 검출 되었다. 또한 양식 넙치의 미생물 검사 결과 적은 양이지만 Salmonella spp., S. aureus, B. cereus가 검출되었고, 총대장균군과 E. coli Ol57:H7은 검출되지 않았다. 이번 조사 결과로 보아 미생물학적 위해요소는 양식장의 작업 환경이나 주변 환경 등의 환경적 요인이 크게 작용하는 것으로 사료되며, 양식장의 위생관리에 작업자들은 주의를 기울여야 할 것으로 생각된다. 앞으로 이와 관련하여 수산물 위생에 대한 좀 더 체계적인 시스템을 도입하여 적용한다면 수산물에서 야기되는 문제점들이 해결되어 제주도의 청정 브랜드의 이미지를 더욱 부각시킬 수 있으며, 안전하고 깨끗한 수산물의 생산이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.