• Title/Summary/Keyword: environmental health policy

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A Case Study on Health Impact Assessment from Petroleum Refinery Plant Operation - Human Risk Assessment due to Chemicals Inhalation - (석유정제시설 운영에 대한 건강영향평가 사례 연구 - 화학물질 흡입에 따른 인체 위해도 평가 -)

  • Myung, Nho-Il;Lee, Young-Soo;Shin, Dae-Yewn
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.259-270
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    • 2010
  • We conducted human risk assessment for exposure to inhalation of chemical substances emitted from the storage tanks of petroleum refineries. To assess human risk, this study calculated chemical emissions from the external floating roofs on storage tank at petroleum refineries, as well as concentrations thereof in the ambient air using the K-SCREEN model, and then determined risk in accordance with the Reference Concentration (RfC) values and Inhalation Unit Risk criteria developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The results indicated that non-carcinogenic chemicals have a hazard quotient of less than 1, meaning they have an insignificant effect on human health for residential areas near the storage tanks. Among the known carcinogens, the hazard risk for benzene slightly exceeded $10^{-6}$, indicating the need for corrective reduction measures. The methodology for health impact assessment devised herein provides findings useful in decision making for policy makers and the general public with respect to construction of industrial complexes. However, the methodology proposed herein does have limitations, including discrepancy in results induced by use of U.S. data (due to the lack of usable domestic data). More systematic studies from related researchers will be needed to address these issues and produce more reliable outcomes.

Revies on the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Korea (한국에 있어서 연탄가스 중독에 관한 역학적 조사)

  • 이옥휘
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.25-39
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    • 1978
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most serious health problems in Korea. In this review, the author made a intensive reference review on the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning, the patterns of carbon monoxide poisoning and the prospects of CO poisoning. Following findings were induced through the review. 1. Carbon monoxide poisoning is influenced by variable social factors than any other diseases or accidents and is more closely related with the economical and cultural parameters of the community. 2. The increase of risk in the populatlon is expected by National Energy Policy and the hazards of CO poisoning will rather be increasing as long as no radical control measure will be taken. 3. More practical control measure, including extensive public relation service, should be established to eradicate this serious health hazard in Korea.

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A Study on the Improvement of Health Damage Relief Regulation due to Environmental Hazardous Factors (환경유해인자로 인한 건강피해 구제제도의 개선방안에 관한 고찰)

  • Baek, Woonsuk;Shim, Younggyoo
    • Journal of Environmental Policy
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.75-100
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    • 2013
  • Health damages such as pneumoconiosis and kidney damage, caused by environmental hazardous factors are being reported in health impact assessment conducted on environmentally vulnerable areas, including cement factories and refineries. Current legal system for relieving the environmental victims is not effective enough because the environmental health act does not specify the environmental hazardous factors to be considered for the relief. The aim of this study is to examine the problems of the existing system by making empirical analysis on health damages and afflicted people as well as on cases when afflicted people were able to be covered by remedy system. The results show that, insufficiencies of the relief system are due to the following reasons: First, current Environmental Health Act does not act well as a remedy system. Second, due to its unique nature of environmental health damage, it is hard to identify and prove the cause of health damage and unlawful actions of violators in the process of environmental dispute conciliation and lawsuits against polluters. This paper suggests following solutions on above mentioned problems. First, in defining the range and definition of environmental diseases, negative system should be used alongside with the current positive system. Second, we suggest adding the nature of public law to relief system, in order to ease the legal burden of proof. Third, in case when it is hard to identify the polluters and one cannot expect reliefs for their damage, it is possible to elevate the effectiveness of the relief measure by expanding scope of the search for possible environmental hazardous factors that caused the health damage. It is urgent to improve the relief system so as to secure the environmental rights of Koreans.

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A Study on the Analysis of School Health Program by the Chronological Events in Korea (우리나라 학교보건사업 변천에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Sang-Wook
    • Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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    • v.4 no.2 s.7
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    • pp.61-90
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    • 1989
  • The purpose of this study was to identify and name clusters of school health program, and to describe some of the characteristics of administrative supports. The literature, materials and public documents were analysed by the chronological events from 1945 to 1989. The result of this study is as follows : 1. A brief summary of the history of school health program was included as an introduction to the analysis of the current programs of school health. Five current school health-program clusters were identified from findings of a study of programs ; 1) Physical assessment, laboratory examination and health services for the students, 2) health insturction 3) healthful living condition(environmental health), 4) health clinic management 5) administrative supports. 2. The earliest school-based efforts focused on communicable disease prevention by the ministry of health and social affairs. Annual medical inspection(health assessment) for school children for eyes, ears, nose, and throat were mandated nation-wide in 1951 by physical Assessment Act. 3. In 1979, the health instruction of schools to improve the health status of students was improved by health department in the Ministry of Education. 4. Experiences in healthful environment were basic components of the school health program. However, without careful planning and supervision these experiences were not contributed to the goal of school health. The formal program of school health environment were initiated in 1979. 5. In 1980, the guidelines of school health clinic management were prepared by Ministry of Education such as guidance of essential degrees and facilities in school health clinic. 6. Two patterns of administration of school health programs existed in Korea. In one the school health department operated its own health program and in the other the physical education department operated the health program within the school system. The school health department was established in Ministry of Education from 1979 to 1982. Improved school health programs will be a key element in the comprehensive national child health policy whic I will ask the Ministry of Education to develop for the Department.

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The Health and Occupation Research Network: An Evolving Surveillance System

  • Carder, Melanie;Hussey, Louise;Money, Annemarie;Gittins, Matthew;McNamee, Roseanne;Stocks, Susan Jill;Sen, Dil;Agius, Raymond M.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.8 no.3
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    • pp.231-236
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    • 2017
  • Vital to the prevention of work-related ill-health (WRIH) is the availability of good quality data regarding WRIH burden and risks. Physician-based surveillance systems such as The Health and Occupation Research (THOR) network in the UK are often established in response to limitations of statutory, compensation-based systems for addressing certain epidemiological aspects of disease surveillance. However, to fulfil their purpose, THOR and others need to have methodologic rigor in capturing and ascertaining cases. This article describes how data collected by THOR and analogous systems can inform WRIH incidence, trends, and other determinants. An overview of the different strands of THOR research is provided, including methodologic advancements facilitated by increased data quantity/quality over time and the value of the research outputs for informing Government and other policy makers. In doing so, the utility of data collected by systems such as THOR to address a wide range of research questions, both in relation to WRIH and to wider issues of public and social health, is demonstrated.

Consumer Values and Green Consumption: Implications for Marketing Strategy and Environmental Policy

  • Lee, Hyun Ju;Park, Seong-Yeon
    • Asia Marketing Journal
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.87-114
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    • 2018
  • The objective of this study is to find the effects of consumer values on eco-friendly buying behavior. This study examines environmental attitudes and involvement as moderating variables to explain eco-friendly buying behavior of consumers. Hypotheses were developed based on Focus Group Interviews, Depth Interviews, and literature reviews. To test such hypotheses, questionnaires were distributed and collected among female adults aged 18 or above, and who are either office workers or housewives. The analysis results show that personal values, sociocultural values, and values related to ecofriendly products affect consumers in their eco-friendly buying behavior. Among those values, concern about safety and health, eco-friendly culture and trend, willingness to pay price premiums and functional effects of eco-friendly products have significant effects on eco-friendly buying behavior. Reflecting these results, business marketers must appeal to consumers with more focus on safety and health, perceived consumer effectiveness, self-monitoring, eco-friendly culture and trend, media exposure, willingness to pay price premiums, design excellence and functional effects, to implement marketing communication strategies accordingly.

Dermal Exposure Associated with Occupational End Use of Pesticides and the Role of Protective Measures

  • MacFarlane, Ewan;Carey, Renee;Keegel, Tessa;El-Zaemay, Sonia;Fritschi, Lin
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.4 no.3
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    • pp.136-141
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    • 2013
  • Background: Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. Methods: This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. Conclusions: Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods.

Quality of Life Using WHOQOL-Bref in Taegu (WHOQOL-Bref를 이용한 대구시민의 삶의 질)

  • 이종렬;박천만
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.129-154
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    • 2000
  • This study aims at providing the basic data necessary for developing a model of and the policies for the improved quality of life of the adult population by measuring and analyzing factors affecting the quality of life based on a WHOQOL-Bref survey of 1,200 persons above the age of 20 residing in Taegu Metropolitan City area. 1. The factors affecting their quality of life were measured as follows: The physical conditions got the highest point of 3.31 while the psychological conditions got 3.20 and the environmental conditions got the lowest point of 3.09. The overall quality of life was rated to be at 3.11 2. General conditions affecting the quality of life, such as the economic conditions, health conditions and stress all turned out to be variables having significant differences(p〈0.01) in all the factors affecting the quality of life. 3. Through the analysis, we also found out the positive correlation exists among all the factors determining the quality of life(p〈0.01), while the psychological factor turning out to have the highest correlation value(r=0.640) with the overall quality of life. 4. To find out the factors affecting all the aspects of quality of life, we also conducted a multiple regression analysis employing the general characteristics as an independent variable. The health, economic and stress conditions all turned out to be significant in all aspects(p〈0.01). Summarizing the above analysis, the quality of life has a high correlation with the psychological, physical and environmental conditions. It has also turned out that the health, economic and stress conditions have the greatest influence on the quality of life. Therefore, it is believed to be necessary that a comprehensive program be developed to promote the public health and to formulate a model for improvement of the people's quality of life that can enhance their physical, psychological and social health conditions.

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Epidemiological Characteristics of Mobile Phone Ownership and Use in Korean Children and Adolescents

  • Byun, Yoon-Hwan;Ha, Mina;Kwon, Ho-Jang;Choi, Kyung-Hwa;Burm, Eunae;Choi, Yeyong;Lim, Myung-Ho;Yoo, Seung-Jin;Paik, Ki-Chung;Choi, Hyung-Do;Kim, Nam
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.28
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    • pp.18.1-18.8
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    • 2013
  • Objectives As public concern on possible harmful effects of mobile phone in children has been raised, information of epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use in children and adolescents will be essential for public health policy. Methods Using three databases (n=21,693) collected from 2008 to 2011, we examined characteristics of mobile phone ownership and use, and socioeconomic positions (SEP) in Korean children and adolescents. Results The ownership rate and the amount of mobile phone use were higher in females than males, in higher school grades than lower grades, and at 2011 than 2008. The average age of first mobile phone ownership was shown to decrease from 12.5 years in currently high school students to 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011. More than 90% of children in the 5th grade owned a mobile phone. More children owned a mobile phone in lower SEP communities than in higher SEP. Children with parents educated less than those with parents educated more were more likely to own and use mobile phone. Conclusions Considering the epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use, precautionary measures to prevent unnecessary exposure to mobile phones are needed in children and adolescents.

Estimation of Nutrients Reduction Rates to Prevent Eutrophication on the Hwaong Reservoir (화옹호의 부영양화 방지를 위한 영양염류 삭감률 산정)

  • Kim, Mi-Ah;Kim, Young-Hee;Lee, Hong-Keun;Hwang, Dae-Ho;Kim, Ji-Young
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.20 no.6
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    • pp.589-596
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    • 2004
  • In this study, the reduction rates of nutrients were suggested to prevent eutrophication on the Hwaong reservoir in the year of 2008 and 2012. With EPA's WASP6 model, future water quality were simulated. In 2008, T-N would be 1.36mg/L and T-P 0.100mg/L on average. ; In 2012, T-N 2.66mg/L and T-P 0.128mg/L. With all the water quality management plans that the government authorities are carrying out, these results indicate that the reservoir would be reach the eutrophic or hypertrophic state according to the Vollenweider's trophic states. Therefore, the Hwaong reservoir requires additional plans for nutrients management. Here, the target water quality to prevent eutrophication of the reservoir sets into mesotrophic state ; T-N 0.475mg/L and T-P 0.02mg/L.(median of Vollenweider index for mesotropphic state) The reduction rates of nutrients on Namyang and Eoeun streams were estimated with uniform treatment method to meet the goal. The results showed that nutrients from two streams should be reduced up to 78% in 2008, and 84% in 2012. Since the ratio of T-N/T-P would be higher than 16 at target years, T-N was not considered as the limiting factor and was not reduced.