• 보건행정학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.368-373
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• 2019

Korea is undergoing a rapid environmental change in health and welfare. Therefore, the law mandates the establishment and implementation of plans in accordance with the changes. A total of 49 long-term plans related to health and welfare were specified by the National Law Information Center, the Korean representative legal information website managed by the Korea Ministry of Government Legislation. Of the 49 long-term plans, 10 plans (20.4%) were not yet fully constructed. Eight out of 10 non-constructive plans have been put into force for more than a year, but these plans still require further systematic planning and development. The complete construction of long-term plans is substantial to account for the changes in South Korean health and welfare. In addition, a systematic plan with solidarity and continuity between the mutual plans should be established in planning.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.119-126
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• 2021

Background: During the period 2001 to 2016, the maximum temperatures in Thailand rose from 38-41℃ to 42-44℃. The current occupational heat exposure standard of Thailand issued in 2006 is based on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) defined for three workload levels without a work-rest regimen. This study examined whether the present standard still protects most workers. Methods: The sample comprised 168 heat acclimatized workers (90 in construction sites, 78 in foundries). Heart rate and auditory canal temperature were recorded continuously for 2 hours. Workplace WBGT, relative humidity, and wind velocity were monitored, and the participants' workloads were estimated. Heat-related symptoms and signs were collected by a questionnaire. Results: Only 55% of the participants worked in workplaces complying with the heat standard. Of them, 79% had auditory canal temperature ≤ 38.5℃, compared with only 58% in noncompliant workplaces. 18% and 43% of the workers in compliant and noncompliant workplaces, respectively, had symptoms from heat stress, the trend being similar across all workload levels. An increase of one degree (C) in WBGT was associated with a 1.85-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.48) in odds for having symptoms. Conclusion: Compliance with the current occupational heat standard protects 4/5 of the workers, whereas noncompliance reduces this proportion to one half. The reasons for noncompliance include the gaps and ambiguities in the law. The law should specify work/rest schedules; outdoor work should be identified as an occupational heat hazard; and the staff should include occupational personnel to manage heat stress in establishments involving heat exposure.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.173-184
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• 2006

From the harmfulness expectation test conducted through a toxicity anticipation program, methylcyclohexane turned out to be harmful and simulative, but no carcinogenicity was anticipated. In a four-hour acute inhalation toxicity test, the result showed that lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) was 3,750 ppm (15,054 mg/L), which was identified as a harmful substance on the basis of the harmful substance classification standard $2 of the Industrial safety and health law. methylcyclohexane fell under the category $4(2,500 substance from the GHS standard acute toxicity harmfulness classification. Also, from subchronic inhalation toxicity test that included 6 hours a day, five days a week, and for 13 weeks, we could observe weight, activity, long term weight, blood and blood biochemical influence from the exposure of test substance. No-observed effect level (NOEL) was determined below $100{\sim}400ppm$ inboth male and female. This material falls under the Category 2 ($50{\sim}250ppm/6hours/90days$) in the GHS (Globally Harmonized System) standard trace long-term whole body toxicity repeated exposure, and can be classified as a harmful substance in accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Law harmful substance standard $NOEL{\leq}0.5mg/L/6hr/90day$ (rat).

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.54-61
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• 2019

Objectives: In this study, we investigated an assessment for exposure levels of hazardous substances to kids cafes that unregulated by law. Methods: Heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, pesticides and phthalate were measured at 20 kids cafes in Gyeonggi-do and Incheon. Samplings were conducted from April to July in 2018. Results: Heavy metals were detected over the standard mainly around the floor and walls in the 19 kids cafes. Pesticides were detected in 7 locations with chlorpyrifos, diazinon and cypermethrin, and showed the highest detection level of chlorpyrifos. The concentrations of DEHP in all kids cafes were exceeded with standard. The risk assessment results showed that HCHO as carcinogen had a safety level and DEHP as non-carcinogens had a safety level as assessed to be under than 0.1. Conclusions: Considering the exposure investigation results and the importance of child health protection, kids cafe should be included in the legal management list of children's activities zones.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.501-507
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• 2008

The concentrations of HCHO(formaldehyde), $PM_{10}$(particulate matter), $CO_2$(carbon dioxide) and TBC(total bacteria counter) distribution in schools(Chung-Nam Area) were examined, and the results were compared with the recommended criterion of the administration law of indoor air. The subjects were an elementary school, a middle school and a high school in Chung-Nam area, and the concentration of TBC was examined by Single Stage Air Cascade Sampler, which applied the inertia collision catching method of 28.29L/min(flux) during 5 months from March, 2007 to July, 2007. The instrument(LD-3B, SIBATA Company)was used to examine $PM_{10}$, by a light scattering method and a light transmission method. The instrument(Airboxx(KD Engineering) was used to examine $CO_2$. The instrument(Z300XP(Environmental sensor)was used to examine HCHO. The result indicated that the $PM_{10}$ average concentrations of the surveyed classrooms were $49{\mu}g/m^3$ in Spring and $59{\mu}g/m^3$ in Summer. The $CO_2$ average concentration of the surveyed schools were 576 ppm in the classroom and 527 ppm in the stateroom. The average concentration of TBC were $729CFU/m^3$ in an elementary school, $401CFU/m^3$ in a middle school, $381CFU/m^3$ in a high school. The HCHO average concentration of the surveyed schools were 0.03 ppm in the classroom, 0.02 ppm in the stateroom.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.19.1-19.5
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• 2023

There are several types of shift work in Korea: rotating shift, 24-hour shift, day-night shift, fixed night work, and.so on. As a result of analyzing the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 6th Korean Working Condition Survey, Korean shift workers accounted for 11.6%-13.9% of wage workers. Weekly working hours of shift workers were 57.69 ± 1.73 (24-hours shift) and 49.97 ± 0.67 (fixed night shift), which were significantly longer than day workers. To prevent health consequences of night work, many countries regulate the working hours of night work not to exceed 7-9 hours a day. However, Korea does not regulate working hours for night work, and some occupations may work more hours than the prescribed overtime hours. To prevent health consequences and reduce working hours for Korean night shift workers, it is necessary to regulate the working hours of night shift workers by law.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.340-357
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• 2019

The purpose of this paper is to help develop a comprehensive understanding of the humidifier disinfectant disaster from diverse perspectives based on a critical review of the relevant academic research papers published so far in the fields of both natural and social science. The authors reviewed pertinent articles in the six academic areas of law, social science, humanities, medicine, toxicology, and environmental health. A proper understanding of the issue of humidifier disinfectant is a challenging task because diverse aspects of it have become related over the more than two decades since such products were first released to the market in 1994. Technical and esoteric issues such as the complex system for relief and compensation for health damages and the approval of chemical toxicity are known to be major impediments to viewing the bigger picture regarding this tragedy. The authors believe that experts need to consider a comprehensive perspective going beyond their individual research arena to gain a better understanding of this issue, especially since it was an alarm signal on ethics and the role of experts and scholars in Korean society. Besides the two professors arrested by the prosecutor's office, it should be remembered that medical doctors recommended patients use humidifiers and disinfectants, and the media was inactive in reporting on this issue. Furthermore, the current paucity of examination of the social and political implications of this tragedy calls for more active engagement by researchers in the humanities and social sciences. In this regard, this paper is a work of self-examination and self-criticism by the authors that could resonate with the overall academic community.

• 한국환경교육학회지:환경교육
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.69-83
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• 1991

The management and disposal of harzardous chemicals from the middle school science class was studied for the safety of student and for the protection of the environment. This study was undertaken by analysis of 5 kinks of current middle school science text book and questionnaire survey, and reviewed on the recommended methods for the disposal of harzardous chemical wastes from science class. There are 237 chemicals determined in the middle school science text books and 87 among them actually used in middle school science laboratory. 51 chemicals are classified as harzardous ones and 49 highly hazardous according to the 'Law of Toxic Chemicals management'. 116 chemicals are defined as water pollutants and 10 are highly hazardous water pollutants according to the 'Water Quality Control Law' as well are 91 chemicals as air pollutants and 19 are highly hazardous air pollutants according to the 'Air Quality Control Law' Questionnaire survey results the identification of toxic chemicals, need for education, awareness of toxic effects and current problems in the management. Disposal of toxic chemicals in middle school science class has been undertaken without any treatment, which could be caused of environmental pollution. Most of science teacher wanted to have opportunities to attend supplement courses for the management and disposal of chemicals for the safety and environmental protection. Simple and applicable methods for the management and disposal of chemicals at middle school science level should be strongly recommended to be installed.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.193-204
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• 2021

Objectives: In January 2021, the former heads of the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung were acquitted for manufacturing and selling humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). In this article, we analyzed the rationale used in this judgement in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the toxicological and individual association with HD perspectives were discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: The ruling stated that the necessary conditions for causality between CMIT/MIT and such diseases were not met based on the fact that asthma and lung damage were not found in the inhalation exposure animal experiments. The judgment overlooked the inevitable limitations of using animal experiments for verifying health effects in humans, which are often inconsistent with the observations in animals. Among 11 governmentaffirmed lung injury cases with CMIT/MIT usage, three patients' humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) pathology proved that CMIT/MIT could cause lung injury similar to that caused by PHMG and PGH. In addition, five children showed decreased lung function related to damage caused by humidifier disinfectant exposure. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's decision.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.179-182
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• 2023

The Chemical Substances Control Act has been legislated to counter the risks posed by chemical substances to public health and the environment, but a number of small- and large-scaled incidents related to hazardous chemicals continue to occur every year. The Korean Ministry of Environment takes legal responsibility for prevention, preparedness, and response to nationwide chemical accidents under the Chemical Substances Control Act. The determination of chemical accidents that occur during hazardous chemical handling processes is based on the Article 2 (Definitions) of the law and the administrative criteria for judgement of chemical accidents. However, there are certain ambiguities in the scientific basis for determining chemical accidents under the current regulations. Whether or not a chemical accident has a direct influence on penalties and administrative measures for a workplace where an accident occurred, it is necessary to find reasonable criteria for determining chemical accident based on legal and scientific evidence.