• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

In order to evaluate environmental comfort of tractor cabs, temperature, relative humidity and noise within the cab were taken from 31 tractors during plowing and rotovating operations. The temperature and humidity were evaluated with regard to the comfort zone of KS B ISO 14269-2 and PMV of ISO 7730. The noise was evaluated with regard to the permissible sound level of OSHA for daily exposure of 8 hours. The collected data indicated that thermal environment of the cabs was out of the comfort zone, which meant tractor operators worked under uncomfortable thermal conditions. Difference in the thermal comfort by tractor power and maker, and type of works was not found. However, 25% of the studied tractors showed PMV in a range of -0.5 to +0.5, which indicated their operators worked under the comfort criteria. PMV was improved when the cab was air-conditioned. Levels of measured cab noise were lower than the permissible criteria, and 76.7% of the studied tractors had cab noise ranged from 75 to 85 dBA. There was a tendency that high powered tractors, rotovating operations and locally-made tractors had greater cab noise levels. However, their differences were insignificant.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.420-430
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• 2002

Rating scales for environmental noise are varied in their calculation procedure. Among them WECPNL (weighted equivalent continuous perceived noise level) is the rating scale for aircraft noise currently being used in domestic and applied only for aircraft noise. However $L_{dn}$ calculated from $L_{eq}$ $L_{eq}$ is used as a rating scale for not only aircraft noise but also environmental noise. Besides, it is easy to calculate and internationally preferred. It is, therefore, not adequate for the evaluation of residents' exposure. Moreover it is very difficult to measure the aircraft noise by WECPNL due to the complicated calculating procedures if automatic measuring system is not used. Accordingly. this study aims to propose alternative evaluation procedure for the aircraft noise. To achieve this purpose, the data measured by automatic measuring system were gathered and calculated with three evaluation procedures : WECPNL $L_{eq}$ and $L_{dn}$, and the results calculated from different methods were compared and analyzed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.103-114
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• 2017

The landslide disaster damage has been increased by mountain development, leading to construction of educational facilities, medical facilities, petty industrial facilities, and large housing complexes. Therefore, effective regulation is required as an effort in urban planning solutions. For suggesting specific mitigation strategies on urban landslide, this study aims to define evaluation criteria for urban planning management of debris-flow disaster. AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), one of the multiple criterion decision making methods, was utilized in this study. This study makes use of 16 sub-criteria under the framework of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, and well-planned expert survey measures their weights. The weights are also applied to evaluate each grid in urban space (min $10{\times}10m$) and classify it with red, orange, yellow, or green grade so that areas at higher risk are clearly identified. This study concludes that the suggested method is useful to support a strategies for urban planning management of debris-flow disaster, particularly in a GIS base.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 1983

The purpose of this study was to analyze general ingredient of bean cured on the market and to examine its exposure to bacterial contamination. For this study, 17 samples (each 9 samples for general bean curd, soft bean curd, and uncurdled bean curd) were randomly collected from nine areas in Seoul from the beginning of April, 1983 to the beginning of June, 1983. The result of ingredient analysis of moisture, ash, and protein of bean curd was compared with the standard set by the Ministry of Health & Social Affairs. In order to find out exposure of bean curd on the market to bacterial contamination, total biological bacteria and coliform group were examined. Experimental results were shown as follows 1) Results of ingredient analysis of moisture, ash, and protein of general bean curd showed that total samples in both moisture and protein met the standard set by the Ministry of Health & Social Affairs but 44.4% of the samples in ash was below the above standard, indicating average 82.0%, 0.9% and 9.6% in moisture, ash, and protein order. 2) Experimental results of moisture, ash, and protein of soft bean curd demonstrated 90.2%, 0.5% and 4.3% respectively total samples in both moisture and protein satisfied the self-criteria set by the Soft Food Co-operative Association of Seoul City but 11.1% of the samples in ash didn't meet the self-criteria. 3) Total samples of uncurdled bean curd satisfied the self-criteria set by the above association, indicating average 92.0%, 0.4%, and 3.5% in moisture, ash, and protein order. 4) Total biological bacteria and coliform group detected in general bean curd showed that more than 10$^5$/g in total biological bacteria accounted for 88.8% of the samples and that 10$^4$/g or more in coliform group accounted for 77.7% of the samples. The result proves that general bean curd has been exposured to a severe bacterial contamination. 5) Result of total biological bacteria and coliform group detected in such packed bean curd as uncurdled bean curd and soft bean curd showed that 61.6% of the samples exceeded 10$^6$/g in total biological bacteria and 27.7% of the samples exceeded 10$^3$/g in coliform group. 6) According to the change with time and temperatures in total biological bacteria and coliform group of general bean curd, general bean curd began to decay around 72 hours at 4$\circ$C and around 48 hours at 23$\circ$C and around 24 hours at 37$\circ$C and, at that time, total biological bacteria approached 10$^6$/g while coliform group did 10$^6$/g. The result indicates that temperature has a great effect on bacteria counts and decay.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Background: In Japan, new regulations that revise the dose limit for the lens of the eye (hereafter the lens), operational quantities, and measurement positions for the lens dose were enforced in April 2021. Based on the international safety standards, national guidelines, the results of the Radiation Safety Research Promotion Fund of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, and other studies, the Working Group of Radiation Protection Standardization Committee, the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS) developed a guideline for radiation dose monitoring for the lens. Materials and Methods: The Working Group of the JHPS discussed the criteria of non-uniform exposure and the management criteria set not to exceed the dose limit for the lens. Results and Discussion: In July 2020, the JHPS guideline was published. The guideline consists of three parts: main text, explanations, and 26 examples. In the questions, the corresponding answers were prepared, and specific examples were provided to enable similar cases to be addressed. Conclusion: With the development of the guideline on radiation dose monitoring of the lens, radiation managers and workers will be able to smoothly comply with revised regulations and optimize radiation protection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2013

Objectives: Although several cases of lung diseases caused by indium have been reported in Japan, the United States and China, South Korea, which is estimated to have been the world's largest consumer of indium, has not yet established a criteria for the diagnosis of lung diseases caused by indium exposure. In this study, we tried to determine the applicability of the Krebs von den lungen-6, which has been widely recognized for its use with interstitial lung disease in Japan, as a biological exposure index for indium. Methods: Methods: The analysis of indium in serum was conducted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and the analysis of KL-6 in serum was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The indium levels in serum were distributed from below the detection limit to a peak of $125.78{\mu}g/L$, and the values of the KL-6 were distributed from 104.5 U/mL to 2162.2 U/mL. The serum indium and KL-6 showed good correlation ($R^2$=0.389,pfortrend=0.000) and smoking did not affect the KL-6. Conclusions: The usefulness of KL-6 as a specific biomarker for interstitial lung disease has been recognized. In addition, it is expected that effective prevention of health problems can be achieved by determining the lung-damage progress at an early stage according to individual susceptibility.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2016

Effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on skin corrosion and irritation using three-dimensional human skin models were investigated based on the test guidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG431 and TG439). EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skin was incubated with NPs including those harboring iron (FeNPs), aluminum oxide (AlNPs), titanium oxide (TNPs), and silver (AgNPs) for a defined time according to the test guidelines. Cell viabilities of EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skins were measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide based method. FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs were non-corrosive because the viability was more than 50% after 3 min exposure and more than 15% after 60 min exposure, which are the non-corrosive criteria. All NPs were also non-irritants, based on viability exceeding 50% after 60 min exposure and 42 hr post-incubation. Release of interleukin 1-alpha and histopathological analysis supported the cell viability results. These findings suggest that FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs are 'non-corrosive' and 'non-irritant' to human skin by a globally harmonized classification system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2014

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common work-related peripheral neuropathy. In addition to grip force and repetitive hand exertions, wrist posture (hyperextension and hyperflexion) may be a risk factor for CTS among workers. However, findings of studies evaluating the relationship between wrist posture and CTS are inconsistent. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies to evaluate the evidence of the relationship between wrist posture at work and risk of CTS. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies published between 1980 and 2012. The following search terms were used: "work related", "carpal tunnel syndrome", "wrist posture", and "epidemiology". The studies defined wrist posture as the deviation of the wrist in extension or flexion from a neutral wrist posture. Relative risk (RR) of individual studies for postural risk was pooled to evaluate the overall risk of wrist posture on CTS. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. All were cross-sectional or case-control designs and relied on self-report or observer's estimates for wrist posture assessment. The pooled RR of work-related CTS increased with increasing hours of exposure to wrist deviation or extension/flexion [RR = 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.646-2.43; p < 0.01: Shore-adjusted 95% CI: 1.32-2.97]. Conclusion: We found evidence that prolonged exposure to non-neutral wrist postures is associated with a twofold increased risk for CTS compared with low hours of exposure to non-neutral wrist postures. Workplace interventions to prevent CTS should incorporate training and engineering interventions that reduce sustained non-neutral wrist postures.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.27
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• pp.8.1-8.10
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• 2012

Objectives: The goal was to model and quantify the atmospheric concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the result of the Hebei Spirit oil spill, and to predict whether the exposure levels were abnormally high or not. Methods: We developed a model for calculating the airborne concentration of VOCs that are produced in an oil spill accident. The model was applied to a practical situation, namely the Hebei Spirit oil spill. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the results with previous observation data. The concentrations were compared with the currently used air quality standards. Results: Evaporation was found to be 10- to 1,000-fold higher than the emissions produced from a surrounding industrial complex. The modeled concentrations for benzene failed to meet current labor environmental standards, and the concentration of benzene, toluene, orthometa- para-xylene were higher than the values specified by air quality standards and guideline values on the ocean. The concentrations of total VOCs were much higher than indoor environmental criteria for the entire Taean area for a few days. Conclusions: The extent of airborne exposure was clearly not the same as that for normal conditions.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.202-215
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• 2023

Purpose: This study attempted to determine the factors related to behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (BRE to EDCs) in pregnancy, based on the PRECEDE model. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with participants (N=239) who met the medical records and eligibility criteria from the Women's Hospital and Public Health Center. Data were collected using a specially-designed questionnaire based on the PRECEDE model and included BRE to EDCs predisposing factors, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: In Model I it was found that participation in prenatal education influenced the BRE to EDCs significantly; and a regression showed that the determinant variables accounted for 3.4%. In Model II, the predisposing factors of perceived barriers of BRE to EDCs and environmental self-efficacy were added. It was shown that they significantly influenced BRE to EDCs in the order named, and a regression revealed that increases in the determinant variables accounted for 22.5%. In Model III, to which enabling factors were added, the information acquisition experience of BRE to EDCs interacted significantly with BRE to EDCs and a regression showed an increase in the determinant variables accounting for 25.3%. Conclusion: The results of this study, the content of endocrine disruptors must be included in the prenatal care education program for pregnant women, and it should be composed of contents that can reduce the perceived obstacle to BRE to EDCs, enhance the environmental self-efficacy, and provide the information in regard to reducing exposure to EDCs.