• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.12
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• pp.587-613
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• 1999

Environmental problems such as global climate change, depletion, ocean and air pollution, and resource degradation-compounded by an expanding world population-respect no border and threaten the health, prosperity and jobs of all mankind. Our efforts to promote democracy, free trade, and stability in the world will fall short unless people have a livable environment. We have an enormous stake in the management of the world's resources. By increasing demand for timber, natural gas, coal and consumer's goods have destroyed the grounds for living. Greenhouse gas emissions anywhere in the world have threatened coastal communities, and then changed the Earth's climate system. The burning of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels is increasing substantially the concentration of heat-trapping gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in our air. The earth's temperature and sea levels are rising as a result. Since 1972 there has been a marked growth in the number and scope of environmental treaties. In particular, after the 1992 Rio Conference, international legal instruments became more concentrated on addressing environment within the context of sustainable development and incorporated a number of new concepts and innovative approaches. A preliminary analysis of recent conventions and in particular those associated with the Rio Conference indicates various ideas, concepts and principles which have come to the fore including sustainable development, equity, common concern of humankind, common but differentiated responsibilities and global partnership. However, international trade also has an environmental impact which must be minimized or countered. Positive measures are to be preferred to achieve environmental goals, but where trade provisions are necessary, they should be appropriately used within environmental conventions to facilitate the reduction and limitation of the negative impacts of trade and to enhance the complementarity of the multilateral trade regime with the imperatives of environmental protection, in the interests of environmental protection and sustainable development generally. The international community has to recognize and endorse this need to achieve complementarity between trade and environment issues.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.96-101
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• 1995

A selective and highly sensitive spectrophotometric measurements have been developed for the determination of trace mercury(II) with thiosulfate and PAR. Hg(II)-thiosulfate complex was extracted into high molecular alkylamine such as quaternary ammonium salt and back extracted into 1 M-HCl solution. The Hg(II)-PAR complex has maximum absorbance at 499 nm and obeys Beer's law in the range of 0.04~1.0 $\mu g/mL$ of mercury(II). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity are $6.27\times 10^4 L.mole^{-1} cm^{-1}$ and $3.2\times 10^{-3}g/cm^2$ respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.406-409
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• 2005

Since 2003, Korean government has restricted landfill application of organic waste, which shares approximately 56% of total waste sludge from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. In addition, enforcement of the ocean disposal prohibition law is effective from 2005. Organic sludge was composted for the purpose of converting to organic fertilizer. After moisture content was regulated with bulking agents aerobic treatment performed. When composting was conducted, commercial and activated microbe materials, identified from soil were seeded in sewage sludge. Carbon dioxide production was increased sharply after 24 hours. Temperature and pH of compost reached to $66.2^{\circ}C$ and 8. Heavy metals were lower than their regulatory limits, which enable it to utilize as organic fertilizer.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2000

For successful privatization of environmental facility, a sound environmental policy is required to satisfy social motivation and economic. The primary purpose of environmental facility is not profit, but to supply a good quality service, an efficient management tool is needed to run the facility. In foreign countries, the privatization policy was originally based on the principle of complete competition achieving economic effiency. There were efficient cooperation and division of labor between civillian and public sector. First of all, the local government had independant budget. But, we found that the environmental facility have two important problems, the first is low effiency of operation and the second is comsumed to government finances as a homemade rate 50% in the technic application For a successful privatization of the environmental facility, The law of private capital introduction should be amended to promote fund raising. There are some other strategies ; overcoming of Nimbyism, research development of the privatization, field trip to the successful foreign environmental facilities. To support an efficient privatization policy, the environmental budget should be managed by cost-benefit analysis.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2000

In the analysis of the common categories, moisture contents and organic concentrations were not much different according to the types of industry or treatment facilities. When heavy metals contribution of the sludge from domestic and industrial wastewater treatment facilities was analyzed, As, Hg and Cr concentrations were relatively high among 42 standards of the fertilizer law. As concentration war higher in 28 of 42 facilities (67%) than limits of the fertilizer law. Hg concentration was not acceptable in the 21 of 42 facilities (50%). Cr concentration was not acceptable in 9 of 42 facilities (21%). From these results, It is found that As is the most frequently detectable component and contaminant than any other heavy metals in sludges. The data from this experiment was also compared with the guidelines of harmful organics and the rest of heavy metals that are regulated by some of the foreign countries. Be, Se and Mo concentrations were lower than the limits. Among the organics, the average concentration of PCB (10 samples) was 26.2 ppb. The highest concentration was 162.6 ppb in the sludge of the municipal wastewater treatment facilities and the lowest concentration was 2.14 ppb from the skin manufacturing industry. From the leaching analysis of re-manufacturing goods from the sludge, most of them was acceptable on the regulation law but Cr concentration was over the limit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.209-233
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• 2013

With an annual growth rate of about 30%, wind energy systems, such as wind turbines, represent one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies. Continuous structural health monitoring of wind turbines can help improving structural reliability and facilitating optimal decisions with respect to maintenance and operation at minimum associated life-cycle costs. This paper presents an integrated monitoring system that is designed to support structural assessment and life-cycle management of wind turbines. The monitoring system systematically integrates a wide variety of hardware and software modules, including sensors and computer systems for automated data acquisition, data analysis and data archival, a multiagent-based system for self-diagnosis of sensor malfunctions, a model updating and damage detection framework for structural assessment, and a management module for monitoring the structural condition and the operational efficiency of the wind turbine. The monitoring system has been installed on a 500 kW wind turbine located in Germany. Since its initial deployment in 2009, the system automatically collects and processes structural, environmental, and operational wind turbine data. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach not only to ensure continuous safety of the structures, but also to enable cost-efficient maintenance and operation of wind turbines.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2021

Objectives: There was a judgment of acquittal for the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung regarding humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). The rationale used in this judgement is discussed here 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 risk of HD and external and internal exposure to CMIT/MIT are discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: Rendering a determination in a criminal trial of insufficient evidence of causation, the court dismissed the prosecution's motion that humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injuries (HDLI) and asthma were associated with the utilization of these products. However, CMIT/MIT, a strong sensitizing and corrosive substance, has been reported to be associated with brain toxicity, allergic contact dermatitis, and asthma. Furthermore, the judgment did not consider total consumption amounts or the cumulative dose of CMIT/MIT in the humidifier. Lastly, there are several cases supporting the fact that exposure to water-soluble substances including CMIT/MIT can cause lower respiratory tract diseases. In addition to cases of asthma among the workers exposed to CMIT/MIT, we identified lung injury victims who were exposed to HDs exclusively containing CMIT/MIT. 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 judgement.

• Proceedings of The Korean Society of Health Promotion Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.1-9
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• 2001

Health Insurance System in Korea was introduced in 1977 and expanded health insurance benefits for all people in 1989. The development of medical service and technology takes a growing concerning for public health and medicine. And also, it helps to extend the average life span of Koreans. Therefore, the old people are steadily increased over seven percent of total population and will take more than 14% in 2023. Generally, the old people have the chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. Also, smoking, stress, environmental pollution and lack of exercise, leading cause of cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory infections have affected to state economy negatively. Therefore, health promotion law was established for a variety of health promotion process, including education, program implementation and community development. The goals and strategies for health promotion are as following: . Practice of healthy life: - Strengthen publicity activities on smoking and exercise. - Program development for nonsmoking and exercise. - Program extent for community health. Strengthen of mental health: - Planning of national survey for mental patient. - Prevention of alcoholism - Setting up special hospital for alcoholism . Constant cancer management under government - Developing medical treatment and prevention program. - Early diagnosis for the whole nation . Management of chronic disease - Strengthen of Prevention Program . Reinforcing of oral health - A national survey of oral health - Oral health education

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2017

Objectives: The purposes of the study were to analyze the temporal variation of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and particulate matter (PM) in daycare centers and evaluate the appropriateness of the official test method of one-time measurement. Methods: Indoor air quality in 46 daycare centers in the Seoul Metropolitan Area was measured as specified in the official test method of Indoor Air Quality Management law. In addition, indoor air quality in the 46 daycare centers was measured over 37 days using a real-time monitor (AirGuard K). Results: The daily means of $CO_2$ and PM in the 46 daycare centers were $1042.74{\pm}134.45ppm$ and $67.60{\pm}18.25{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Indoor air quality in the daycare centers showed significant temporal fluctuation. Measurements for single days were significantly different from the 37-day average exposure. Relative error of short term exposure decreased with an increase in the number of sampling days. The noncompliance rate for $CO_2$ using the official testing method was 2.17%, and none exceeded the $PM_{10}$ standard of $100{\mu}g/m^3$. With monitoring over 37 days, the daily noncompliance rate for $CO_2$ was 50.4% and the daily noncompliance rate for PM was 13.8%. Conclusions: When the official test method evaluates the indoor air at daycare centers one day per year, the results may not represent actual indoor air quality over a longer period of time. Real-time monitoring devices could be an alternative for managing indoor air quality.