• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2007

전주시에 소재한 아파트의 큰 방과 작은 방을 대상으로 실내 체적과 측정되는 라돈 농도와의 상관 관계를 분석하였다. 또한 실내의 라돈 농도를 측정하여 실내의 시간별 라돈 농도의 변화를 파악하고 이를 토대로 실내 라돈의 년간 피폭선량을 계산하였다. 본 연구를 위하여 각각 8개의 아파트 큰 방과 작은 방을 대상으로 라돈 농도를 측정하였으며, 큰 방의 평균 체적은 $31.59\;m^3$ 그리고 작은 방의 평균 체적은 $16.82\;m^3$이었다. 큰 방의 평균 라돈 농도는 $71.73\;Bq/m^3$, 작은 방의 평균 라돈 농도는 $108.51\;Bq/m^3$로 측정되어 실내 체적과 실내 라돈 농도는 반비례 관계로 나타났다. 밀폐된 실내 라돈 농도의 주 발생원이 건축자재임을 감안하여 건물 벽의 표면적을 체적으로 나누어 계측해 본 결과 표면적/체적의 비가 클수록 측정되는 실내 라돈 농도가 크게 나타났다. 실내 라돈 농도의 하루 중 시간에 따른 변화를 조사한 결과 오전 $8{\sim}10$시에 일 최고 농도($114.5\;Bq/m^3$)를 보였고, 오후 $2{\sim}4$시에 일 최저농도($67.7\;Bq/m^3$)를 나타냈으며, 하루 중 라돈 농도의 변화는 약 $46.8\;Bq/m^3$이었다. 8개 지점의 실내 라돈의 연간 피폭선량을 계산해 본 결과 0.3에서 2.16 mSv/yr사이로 나타나, 일부 아파트의 피폭선량이 국제방사선영향과학위원회(UNSCEAR)가 제시한 수치인 1.3 mSv/yr를 초과했다.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제1권1호
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The level of benzene exposure in the petrochemical industry during regular operation has been well established, but not in turnaround (TA), where high exposure may occur. In this study, the characteristics of occupational exposure to benzene during TA in the petrochemical companies were investigated in order to determine the best management strategies and improve the working environment. This was accomplished by evaluating the exposure level for the workers working in environments where benzene was being produced or used as an ingredient during the unit process. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, a total of 705 workers in three petrochemical companies in Korea were studied. Long- and short-term (< 1 hr) samples were taken during TAs. TA was classified into three stages: shut-down, maintenance and start-up. All works were classified into 12 occupation categories. Results: The long-term geometric mean (GM) benzene exposure level was 0.025 (5.82) ppm (0.005-42.120 ppm) and the short-term exposure concentration during TA was 0.020 (17.42) ppm (0.005-61.855 ppm). The proportions of TA samples exceeding the time-weighted average, occupational exposure level (TWA-OEL in Korea, 1 ppm) and the short-term exposure limit (STEL-OEL, 5 ppm) were 4.1% (20 samples of 488) and 6.0% (13 samples of 217), respectively. The results for the benzene exposure levels and the rates of exceeding the OEL were both statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the 12 job categories of petrochemical workers, mechanical engineers, plumbers, welders, fieldman and scaffolding workers exhibited long-term samples that exceeded the OEL of benzene, and the rate of exceeding the OEL was statistically significant for the first two occupations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the periodic work environment must be assessed during non-routine works such as TA.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제48권4호
• /
• pp.227-235
• /
• 2022

Background: Abandoned metal mines are classified as vulnerable areas with the highest level of soil contamination among risk regions. People living near abandoned metal mines are at increased risk of exposure to toxic metals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between soil contamination levels in areas around abandoned metal mine and the blood lead levels of local residents. Moreover, we assess the possibility of using soil contamination levels as a predictive indicator for human exposure level. Methods: Data from the Survey of Residents around Abandoned Metal Mines (2013~2017, n=4,421) and Investigation of Soil Pollution in Abandoned Metal Mines (2000~2011) were used. A random coefficient model was conducted for estimation of the lower level (micro data) of the local resident unit and the upper level (macro data) of the abandoned metal mine unit. Through a fitted model, the variation of blood lead levels among abandoned metal mines was confirmed and the effect of the operationally defined soil contamination level was estimated. Results: Among the total variation in blood lead levels, the variation between abandoned mines was 18.6%, and the variation determined by the upper-level factors such as soil contamination and water contamination was 8.1%, which was statistically significant respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference in the least square mean of blood lead concentration according to the level of soil contamination (p=0.047, low: 2.32 ㎍/dL, middle: 2.38 ㎍/dL, high: 2.59 ㎍/dL). Conclusions: The blood lead concentration of residents living near abandoned metal mines was significantly correlated with the level of soil contamination. Therefore, in biomonitoring for vulnerable areas, operationally defined soil contamination can be used as a predictor for human exposure level to hazardous substances and discrimination of high-risk abandoned metal mines.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Using laborers participating in the petrochemical factory turnaround process as subjects, this study aims to identify exposure to benzene in the air and examine the relationship between exposure and the excretion of urinary metabolites by measuring concentrations of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA). Methods: A passive sampler was used to measure the level of benzene in the air. In order to analyze urinary metabolites, the urine of laborers participating in the turnaround process was collected twice daily, both before and after work. In addition, a survey was conducted on work factors and lifestyle habits as factors affecting the concentration of urinary metabolites. Results: During the survey period, benzene was detected in the samples from all workers, and its average concentration was $0.16{\pm}0.22ppm$. The average concentration of t,t-MA after work was $1.20{\pm}1.86mg/g$ creatinine, and the results of analyzing urinary metabolites concentration before and after work showed statistically significant differences(p=0.003). There was also a statistically significant correlation (r=0.52, p=0.002) between benzene in the air and the concentration of after-work urinary t,t-MA. Conclusions: During the turnaround process, the average benzene concentration in workers was $0.16{\pm}0.22ppm$, which was below the exposure limit. However, their average t,t-MA concentration was $1.20{\pm}1.86mg/g$ creatinine, which exceeded the exposure limit of 1mg/g creatinine. The characteristics of turnaround process work require considerations such as underestimating the passive sampler being used and the skin absorption of benzene, and there needs to be a simultaneous assessment of working environment measurements and biological monitoring.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the exposure to vinyl chloride monomer(VCM) induces lipid peroxidation in workers by evaluating the concentration of malondialdehyde(MDA) in the urine in order to assess worker's oxidative stress due to exposure of vinyl chloride monomer. The subjects investigated in the study were divided into the experimental group; 18 workers exposed to VCM, and the control group; 19 workers unexposed to VCM. A gas chromatography/pulsed flame photometric detector(GC/PFPD) was utilized to analyze thiodiglycolic acid(TDGA), which was methylated with trimethylsilyldiazomethane (2.0M in diethyl ether) in urine and the urinary MDA, the product of lipid peroxidation, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet-visible detector after derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine(DNPH). The concentrations of urinary TDGA in controls and VCM exposure workers were 0.13(2.01)mg/g Cr. GM(GSD) and 0.35(1.96)mg/gCr. GM(GSD), respectively. The concentrations of urinary MDA were $0.12(2.21){\mu}mol/gCr$. GM(GSD) in controls and $1.35(1.79){\mu}mol/gCr$. GM(GSD) in VCM exposure workers. As a result of simple regressions analysis between urinary concentration of TDGA and MDA in VCM exposure workers, it was found that the $R^2$ value was 0.261 (p=0.03) and the drinking and smoking did not affect their level. In conclusion, the workers exposed to VCM have a potentially to suffered by oxidative stress due to VCM exposure and the urinary MDA can be applicable to the marker of effect to assess the level of worker's VCM exposure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• 제38권2호
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2005

We investigated the effects of prolonged exposure in hot environmental condition and ingestion of fluid on various physiological variables including plasma glucose, lactate, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and heart rate as well as golf putting performance. Six male professional golfers were voluntarily participated in three different putting trials which were separated by seven days of time interval period. Three different putting trials were conducted at either 20℃ or 32℃, or 32℃ + Fluid ingestion. Performing 32℃ + Fluid ingestion trial, all subject ingested sport drink as much as their body mass was decreased. For each experiment, all subjects were undertaken total 48 putting, which separated by four x 12 putting in four different time points (i.e., Rest, 1 hr, 2 hr, and 3 hr). Plasma glucose concentration was significantly decreased with hot ambient condition but it was almost fully recovered by fluid ingestion. Plasma lactate concentration was significantly higher when subjects were exposed in hot environmental condition, and it did not change with fluid ingestion. There was a no different in putting performance and psychological fatigue level (performed by GRID test) at any environmental conditions. The RPE, commonly used for evaluating of physical fatigue level, was significantly dropped by fluid ingestion which indicates lower physical fatigue level. In addition to this, heart rate (HR) was also significantly decreased after fluid ingestion. Based on these results, it was concluded that the ingestion of fluid during prolonged exposure in hot ambient condition decrease the degree of physical fatigue levels and heart rate, which will possibly improve the golf performance when exposed in extreme weather condition in summer. (Korean J Nutrition 38(2): 117～124, 2005)

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.286-292
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronical exposure to high-level dusts on cellular immune function. Methods: The subjects were 110 male workers, among whom 60 were chronically exposed to high-level dusts in mica, limestone and iron mines. The remaining 50 were office workers. Ambient total, respirable dust and crystalline silica in the workplace were sampled using personal air samplers and analyzed according to NIOSH method 0500. Serum levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxide and superoxide misutase activity were measured using absorption chromatography. The subpopulations of CD4+, CD8+, natural killer cells (CD16+) and CD3+ T-lymphocytes were examined by two-color staining using monoclonal antibodies. Results: The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was significantly higher in exposed workers and superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in control workers. No significant difference in numbers of T-lymphocyte subpopulations were observed between exposed and control workers. A significant correlation in exposed workers was observed among total dusts, respirable dusts and crystalline silica. Hydrogen peroxide was significantly correlated with total dust (r=0.720, p<0.01), respirable dust (r=0.770, p<0.01) and crystalline silica (r=0.678, p<0.01). Concentration of hydrogen peroxide showed a significantly negative correlation with numbers of CD8+ cells (r=-0.274, p<0.01), CD3+ cells (r=-0.222, p<0.01) and natural killer cells (r=-0.556, p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that chronical exposure to high-level dust affects cellular immune function and effects might mediate through reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제4권4호
• /
• pp.216-220
• /
• 2013

A 46-year-old man who had worked as a bumper spray painter in an automobile body shop for 15 years developed lung cancer. The patient was a nonsmoker with no family history of lung cancer. To determine whether the cancer was related to his work environment, we assessed the level of exposure to carcinogens during spray painting, sanding, and heat treatment. The results showed that spray painting with yellow paint increased the concentration of hexavalent chromium in the air to as much as $118.33{\mu}g/m^3$. Analysis of the paint bulk materials showed that hexavalent chromium was mostly found in the form of lead chromate. Interestingly, strontium chromate was also detected, and the concentration of strontium chromate increased in line with the brightness of the yellow color. Some paints contained about 1% crystalline silica in the form of quartz.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제21권4호
• /
• pp.215-221
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the exposure level of hazardous chemical agents for dental technicians in Ulsan. Methods: We measured airborne total dusts and metals such as Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt, and Chromium in 10 dental laboratories by the NIOSH Methods 0500 and 7300, respectively. Methyl methacrylate (MMA), a key ingredient in acrylic resin, was also monitored using passive samplers for long-term sampling and Tenax tubes for short-term sampling. Results: Measured levels of all items were below 10% of the Korean exposure limit except for Nickel. The geometric mean concentration and geometric standard deviation of total dust, Nickel, and MMA were $0.14mg/m^3$ (2.16), $165.3{\mu}g/m^3$ (3.31), and 0.2 ppm (2.5) respectively. Airborne Nickel concentration of two dental laboratories exceeded the exposure limit ($1000{\mu}g/m^3$). The major emission sources of Nickel were metal trimming and casting processes. Conclusions: We found that Nickel, a carcinogen, should be controled most urgently to protect dental technicians.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제3권3호
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2012

The objectives are to compare the airborne asbestos concentrations resulted from mitering of abestos cement roof sheets by a high-speed motor and a hand saw, and to monitor whether other workers near the test sites are vulnerable to the fibers exceeding the occupational exposure limit. Four test cases were carried out and altogether 7 personal and 4 area air samples were collected. The NIOSH method 7400 was employed for the air samplings and analysis. Using the phase contrast microscopy, fiber counting was conducted under Rule A. The study showed that the fiber concentration medians for personal air samples gathered from the two tools were 4.11 fibers/cc (ranged: 1.33-12.41 fibers/cc) and 0.13 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.01-5.00 fibers/cc) respectively. The median for the area samples was 0.59 fibers/cc (ranged: 0.14-3.32 fibers/cc). Comparing each study case, the concentration level caused by the high-speed motor saw was more than twice that of the hand saw. According to the area samples, the workers nearby the test site are at risk from high exposure to asbestos.