• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between airborne total dust and man-made mineral fibers (MMMF), and to estimate total dust concentration to maintain below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV$^{(R)}$) for the MMMF. The regression coefficients between airborne total dust concentrations and fiber concentrations determined in the industries producing glass fibers, rock wool. refractory ceramic and continuous filament glass fibers products were 0.41, 0.42, 0.20 and 0.19, respectively. The size characteristics of fibers as well as the amounts of contaminated non-fibrous dusts could affect the correlation intensities. When total dust and fiber exposure data were compared with the occupational exposure limits, there was a large gap between two evaluation results. The regression coefficient between total dust and fiber data was increased ($r^2=0.88$) in the process of insulation installation generating in the higher levels of glass or rock wool fibers. In this case, an estimated total dust concentration of glass wool or rock wool fibers complying with the ACGIH TLV (1 f/cc) was $1.7mg/m^3$. In conclusion, the total dust and fibers concentrations was highly correlated at the higher exposure levels so that total dust-monitoring data could be used to control simply and economically and to estimate worker's exposure to fibers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2019.11a
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• pp.56-57
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• 2019

Recently, the risk of fine dust is emerging in Korea. According to the OECD report, the incidence of hospitalization and mortality from lung disease is increased, and the incidence of lung cancer and mortality from ischemic heart disease with prolonged exposure are increased. In addition, indoor air quality has become an important factor affecting the human body as indoor life has increased due to the Industrial Revolution. Air pollutants that cause indoor air deterioration typically include particulate dusts as described above, formaldehyde and VOCs released in gaseous form from adhesive wood products used in building materials and furniture. May cause breathing problems. In this study, we analyzed the properties of adsorption matrix for improving indoor air quality using cork.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2009

Occupational exposure to inorganic dusts such as coal and silica has been identified as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk factor. This risk factor causes lung inflammation and protease-antiprotease imbalance. This abnormal inflammatory response of the lung induces parenchymal tissue destruction and leads to progressive airflow limitation that is characteristics of COPD. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of proteases such as neutrophil elastase (NE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and antiproteases such as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 with lung function. The study population contained 223 retired workers exposed to inorganic dusts. We performed lung function test, including percent of forced expiratory volume in one second ($%FEV_1$) predicted and $%FEV_1$/forced vital capacity (FVC). We analyzed serum MMP-9, AAT, TIMP-1 and plasma NE concentrations by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. NE, AAT, and TIMP-1 concentrations in workers, who had $%FEV_1$<80% predicted, were higher than those of workers who had $%FEV_1{\geq}80%$ (P<0.05). Both AAT and TIMP-1 concentrations in workers with airflow limitation were higher than those of workers with normal airflow (P<0.05). $%FEV_1$ predicted showed significant negative correlation with AAT (r=-0.255, P<0.0l), TIMP-1 (r=-0.232, P<0.01), and NE (r=-0.196, P<0.01). $%FEV_1$/FVC predicted showed significant negative correlation with NE (r=-0.172, P<0.05). From the results of stepwise multiple regression analysis about $%FEV_1$ and $%FEV_1$/FVC, significant independents were NE (r=-0.135, P=0.001) and AAT (r=-0.100, P=0.013) in $%FEV_1$, and NE (r=-0.160, P=0.014) in $%FEV_1$/FVC. In the present study, there were significant correlations between airflow limitation and protease concentration and between airflow limitation and antiprotease concentration. Serum protease and antiprotease concentrations, however, may be affected by the biological and inflammatory responses. It is necessary to evaluate specimens more reflected the effects of proteases and antiproteases in the lung such as lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.699-708
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• 2015

This study was performed to identify the state of the exposure and characteristics of pollutants by each process at 4 casting sites located in Gyeongsang-do from April to November 2013. The concentrations of methanol, crystallized silica glass, formaldehyde and phenol were analyzed by different process - casting process, molding process, core process, and shakeout & finishing process. The highest concentration of methanol was found in casting and molding process, whereas the highest concentration of crystalline quartz(Silica) was observed in core process. The most oxidized steel dusts and the highest concentration of fume were found in shakeout & finishing process. As a result of this study, those labors working at the casting site were found to be constantly exposed to various forms of hazardous chemicals; therefore, it is considered that this is the time to manage and plan how to reduce them. In addition, it is required to thoroughly manage the local exhauster, and improve the process and working environment to reduce various forms of hazardous chemicals.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.595-601
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• 2018

Recently, as the fine dust level has risen rapidly, there is a great interest. Exposure to fine dust is associated with the development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and has been reported to increase death rate. In addition, there exist damage to fine dusts continues at industrial sites. However, exposure to fine dust is inevitable in modern life. Therefore, predicting and minimizing exposure to fine dust is the most efficient way to reduce health and industrial damages. Existing fine dust prediction model is estimated as good, normal, poor, and very bad, depending on the concentration range of the fine dust rather than the concentration value. In this paper, we study and implement to predict the PM10 level by applying the Artificial neural network algorithm and the K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm, which are machine learning algorithms, using the actual weather and air quality data.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.259-269
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to prepare fundamental data and assess the relationship between level of exposure to airborne respirable dust, chest radiation findings, and the results of pulmonary function tests among workers in a cloth manufacturing factory. Methods: The number of total subjects was 144 (124 female and 20 male) workers in a cloth manufacturing factory in the city of Busan. This study measured the concentration of airborne respirable dust by gravimetric analysis and performed pulmonary function testing, and got chest radiation findings from December 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Collected data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistical package program (ver. 24.0). Results: The mean concentration of respirable dust was the highest in the cutting process. The effecting factors on $FEV_1/FVC$ were age, sex, and working process. The effecting factors on chest radiation findings were doing no exercise and concentration of respirable dust. Conclusions: Based on the above results, the authors consider there to be a need to secure sufficient working space and improve the engineering systems, for example the overall or local ventilation, in order to minimize the exposure to respirable dust. Health education and health promotion activities should also be improved in order to maintain optimal health status. The authors expect further studies to be performed on pulmonary function testing, chest radiation findings, and symptoms related to pulmonary function, including continuous observation, among workers in a cloth manufacturing factory.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.105-115
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• 2020

With the decrease of the agricultural population in Korea, the workers who is vulnerable to labor are increasing in agricultural industry because of aging, feminization of population. They are exposed in poor working environment with higher temperature and concentrations of dust, gas. Higher concentration of harmful gas and dust can cause chronic and acute disease to workers depending on exposure intensity and frequency. In order to improve the working environment in the livestock facilities, It is important to secure monitoring data of the thermal environment and the concentration of harmful gases and fine dust. Multi-point measurement was performed to analyze the regional environmental conditions in the pig rooms. When analyzing the working environment, video monitoring was conducted to analyze the concentration changes of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and fine dust according to worker movement and work type. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide monitoring result showed 1.5~2 times higher concentrations than other work when working in the pigs living zone, and 2~4 times higher than other work when working to increase the activity of pigs. In the case of fine dust, the result was 1.3 times higher than the worker's exposure standard in a specific work. The concentrations of gases and dusts from pig farms are not of concern for acute poisoning in normal work, but there is a risk of chronic respiratory disease if they are continuously exposed. Accordingly, there is a need for development of work environment monitoring device tailored to workers and preparation of alternatives.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.584-590
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate quartz concentrations in airborne total and respirable dusts. Materials: Respirable dust samples were collected using a 10 mm aluminum cyclone equipped with a 37 mm$5{\mu}m$ pore size PVC filter. Total dust samples were collected with a three stage cassette from three work sections at earthwork sites located in the South Chungcheong-do Province area. Results: The geometric means of quartz concentrations were $0.008mg/m^3$ and $0.004mg/m^3$ in total dust and respirable dust, respectively. The geometric means of quartz contents analyzed by FTIR were 3.74% in total dust and 3.16% in respirable dust. The geometric mean of quartz concentrations and contents in secondary blasting operations were higher than those in other operations. Conclusions: Given that secondary blasting operations had higher quartz concentrations, there is a need to reduce respirable dust, such as through wet operations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.541-545
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• 2008

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunologically-mediated disease resulting from repeated exposure to sensitizing agents, such as organic dusts or chemicals. Isocyanate is a volatile and highly reactive chemical that is extensively used in the manufacturing of automobiles, upholstery, and polyurethane foam. Occupational respiratory diseases associated with isocyanate, such as bronchial asthma, are well-known. It is thought that HP is one of the rare diseases induced by isocyanate with a very low frequency worldwide. We report a case of HP in an automobile painting sprayer which appeared to be associated with isocyanate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.5-10
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• 2003

This paper explores not only emerging scientific problems but also the difficulties communicating air quality issues into an increasingly sensitive the public and policy arena. The public understanding and trust in air pollution information and indices may be very different to the notions of validity or accuracy that are important for a scientist. We operate in a world where openness requires us to reveal both the difficulties and disagreements in our understanding of the polluted atmosphere. Yet this can be confusing and increase complexity in situations where clear political and social decisions are required. I am going to examine these issues, starting with questions of what substances we regard as pollutants and the difficulties of getting the correct balance of concern given the broadening the base of chemicals emitted to the environment. There are also questions of exposure particularly in terms of vulnerable populations, who may spend large amounts of time indoors, where air is rarely monitored. In contemporary society there are pollution problems that extend far beyond urban areas and we have to consider regional issues such as windblown dusts, smoke from forest fires along with issues of the emission of green house gases and ozone depleting substances. Finally I will discuss the issues of communicating with a concerned public and sceptical politicians and the troubling interface between technological and sociological control. Such complexity is often missed in a maze of seemingly stronger political and social needs.