• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2008

Dialkylated phthalates have been commonly used as plasticizers and a variety of applications. Phthalate diesters have been shown to be developmental and reproductive toxicants. It is very difficult to exactly estimate the dose of dialkylated phthalates taken up by the general population because of environmental contamination. Urinary metabolites of phthalates enabled to estimate internal exposure. The objective of this study was quantitative determination of phthalate metabolites by LC/MS/MS with on-line cleanup method to analyze phthalate metabolites in Korean children's urine. We employed LC/MS/MS with on-line enrichment and column-switching techniques for this biological monitoring. Metabolites determined were 4 primary metabolites; MEHP, MnBP, MiBP, MEP and 2 secondary metabolites of DEHP; 5-OH-MEHP), 5-oxo-MEHP. We analyzed children's urine from 30 boys and 30 girls. The method detection limit of phthalate metabolites were 0.03 ng/mL for MEP, 1.05 ng/mL for MBP, 0.22 ng/mL for MEHP, 0.15 ng/mL for 5-OHMEHP and 0.16 ng/mL for 5-oxo-MEHP, respectively. Switching Column LC/MS/MS was proven to be a useful tool to determine metabolites of phthalate diesters in human urine. The correlation among phthalate metabolites was very high and statistically significant, except MEP. The children's age (months) was negatively correlated to the concentration of phthalate metabolites. The geometric mean concentration of phthalate metabolites (mg/g creatinine) in children's urine were 25.5 for MEP, 130.3 for MnBP, 56.8 for MiBP, 19.5 for MEHP, 85.6 for 5-OH-MEHP and 83.1 for 5-oxo-MEHP, respectively. Levels of estimated daily intake of parent phthalate compounds (${\mu}g$/kg bw/day) were 0.8 for DEP, 5.0 for DnBP, 1.9 for DiBP and $8.9{\sim}14.2$ for DEHP, respectively. Estimated daily intake for DEP and DiBP were lower than those of other studies but the value for DEHP was higher than that of other study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate asphalt fumes and PAHs exposure among asphalt road paving workers. Methods: Task-based personal air samplings(n=41) were carried out in 3 asphalt road paving construction sites using PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene) filters for asphalt fume and XAD-2 with glass fiber filters for PAHs. The concentration of fumes and PAHs were showed by four different job(paver finisher operator, paving laborer(raker), macadam roller operator and tire roller operator). Results: The geometric mean(GM) concentration of asphalt fumes as benzene soluble aerosol was highest at paving laborers($42.32{\mu}g/m^3$), followed by in order, paver finisher operators($41.57{\mu}g/m^3$), macadam roller operators($31.9{\mu}g/m^3$), and tire roller operators($30.31{\mu}g/m^3$). The GM of total PAHs concentration was highest at paver finisher operators($37.5{\mu}g/m^3$), followed by in order, paving laborers($20.13{\mu}g/m^3$), tire roller operators($8.66{\mu}g/m^3$), and macadam roller operators($6.23{\mu}g/m^3$). The results of the evaluation of 16 compounds of PAHs showed that the concentrations of naphthalene, achenaphthylene, achenaphthene, pyrene, fluorene and benz (a) anthracene was higher than those of other PAHs compounds and as the carcinogenic substances, benzo(a)pyrene, and debenz(a,h) anthracene were detected. The benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentration(BaPeq) was $2.81{\mu}g/m^3$ at paver finisher operators, $2.07{\mu}g/m^3$ at paving laborers, $0.41{\mu}g/m^3$ at tire roller operators and $0.22{\mu}g/m^3$ at macadam roller operators. Asphalt road paving workers have higher benzo(a)pyrene equivalent(BaPeq) values even though at lower total PAHs concentration than workers in steel pipe coating and tar industry. Conclusions: Asphalt road paving workers were found to have risk of carcinogen exposure due to higher Benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentration(BaPeq) than other PAHs exposure occupations. This study confirmed the carcinogenic hazards among asphalt paving workers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.292-303
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aims to analyze manganese (Mn) concentrations in maternal and cord bloods at delivery and to estimate the Mn exposure risk for fetuses whose mothers were occupationally exposed to Mn. Materials and Methods: Forty-six pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were collected at delivery from mothers who were occupationally unexposed to Mn. Mn concentrations of blood were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. Mn exposure levels for fetuses of female workers were estimated by simulating two working exposure scenarios. Results: The geometric mean concentration of Mn in maternal and cord blood were $27.0(1.34){\mu}g/L$, $46.6(1.25){\mu}g/L$, respectively. Transfer ratios of Mn from maternal to cord blood were $1.81{\pm}0.62$, which indicated that the Mn concentrations in cord blood were higher than those in maternal blood. Mn concentrations in cord blood for the worse or general scenarios were estimated to $22.3-1,881{\mu}g/L$ and $1.59-308{\mu}g/L$, respectively. The probabilities of exceeding $74{\mu}g/L$, which was adopted as a reference level reported in a previous study, were 95% and 44% for the two scenarios, respectively. Conclusions: Comparable levels of Mn exposure in maternal or cord blood to those in this study have shown various health effects in previous studies. This suggests that Mn exposure levels in mothers and fetuese in Korea need to be monitored and managed. In addition, female workers who are occupationally exposed to Mn should be protected from the exposure since their fetuses can be exposed to Mn at risky levels during their pregnancy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.421-430
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate whether mass drug administration (MDA) intervention has an equivalent effect on reducing the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection regardless of the baseline values. A repeated cross-sectional survey was performed targeting students of 12 primary schools in Al Jabalain and El Salam districts of White Nile State, Sudan, at both 1 week before and 8 months after the MDA. Prior to the baseline survey, schoolaged children in Al Jabalain had received MDA interventions twice in 4 years, while those in El Salam had not. The baseline prevalence was 9.1% in Al Jabalain and 35.2% in El Salam, which were reduced to 1.8% and 5.5% at 8 months after the MDA, respectively. The corresponding reduction rates were 80.3% and 84.4%, not significant difference between both districts. However, changes in the geometric mean intensity (GMI) of egg counts were significantly different between both districts. The baseline GMIs were 14.5 eggs per 10 ml of urine (EP10) in Al Jabalain and 18.5 EP10 in El Salam, which were reduced to 7.1 and 11.2 EP10 after treatment, respectively. The corresponding reduction rates were 51.0% and 39.5%. In conclusion, MDA interventions were found to bring about similar relative reduction in prevalence regardless of the baseline value; however, the relative reduction in infection intensity was more salient in the district with a low baseline value for both prevalence and intensity. This clearly points to the importance of repeated MDA interventions in endemic areas, which will eventually contribute to schistosomiasis elimination.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2015

Previous studies have estimated crash prediction models with the fixed effect model which assumes the fixed value of coefficients without considering characteristics of each intersections. However the fixed effect model would estimate under estimation of the standard error resulted in over estimation of t-value. In order to overcome these shortcomings, the random effect model can be used with considering heterogeneity of AADT, geometric information and unobserved factors. In this study, data collections from 89 intersections in Daejeon and estimates of crash prediction models were conducted using the random and fixed effect negative binomial regression model for comparison and analysis of two models. As a result of model estimates, AADT, speed limits, number of lanes, exclusive right turn pockets and front traffic signal were found to be significant. For comparing statistical significance of two models, the random effect model could be better statistical significance with -1537.802 of log-likelihood at convergence comparing with -1691.327 for the fixed effect model. Also likelihood ration value was computed as 0.279 for the random effect model and 0.207 for the fixed effect model. This mean that the random effect model can be improved for statistical significance of models comparing with the fixed effect model.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.541-555
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine heavy metal exposure levels in the blood and urine of a nationally representative adult population in Korea, and to identify the major influence factors for exposure through linkage analysis using questionnaire data. Methods: Biological samples and questionnaire data were collected from adults aged 18 and over who had participated in the Korean National Environmental Health Survey from 2009 to 2017. Lead, mercury, and cadmium exposure levels were presented with geometric mean and 95th percentiles. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. Results: Blood lead levels increased slightly in Cycle 2 compared to Cycle 1, but decreased in Cycle 3. Blood and urinary mercury and urinary cadmium levels decreased over time. The main influence factors included gender, age, and smoking status for blood lead levels; gender, age, and intake of fish at least once a week for blood mercury levels; and age for urinary cadmium levels. Conclusion: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey is an effective tool for confirming over-time changes in exposure to lead, mercury, and cadmium in Korean adults and to identify its influence factors. The results of this study are expected to present basic data for calculating reference values and baseline exposure levels for environmental chemicals in Korean adults.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2019

Objective: This study is conducted to evaluate airborne lead concentration in and around lead production plant. Methods: Airborne lead concentration was monitored simultaneously inside of the processes of lead recycling factory and outside of factory which include stack, boundary of factory and residential area 1 km and 7.5 km from factory, respectively. All samples were measured three times at 1.5 m from the ground and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer or flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Results: All airborne lead concentrations measured inside of factory($13.9{\mu}g/m^3-252.9{\mu}g/m^3$) and outside of factory($0.001{\mu}g/m^3-54.97{\mu}g/m^3$) showed log-normal distribution. Geometric mean lead concentration, $54.81{\mu}g/m^3$, measured inside of factory was significantly higher than outside of factory, $0.20{\mu}g/m^3$(p<0.01). Among the samples measured inside the factory, lead concentration was the highest in the refining process($59.02{\mu}g/m^3-252.9{\mu}g/m^3$). In the case of the samples outside the factory, the nearest chimney was the highest($3.84{\mu}g/m^3-54.97{\mu}g/m^3$), and the lead concentration at the farthest place, 7.5 km from the factory was the lowest($0.001{\mu}g/m^3-1.7{\mu}g/m^3$). The arithmetic lead concentration, $0.45{\mu}g/m^3$ in the residential area near the factory was below the atmospheric environment standard of $0.5{\mu}g/m^3$, but the maximum concentration of $3.4{\mu}g/m^3$ was exceeded. Conclusions: Airborne lead concentration in residential area, 1 km away from lead recycling plant, may exceed ambient air standard of $0.5{\mu}g/m^3$.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2022

Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2023

Background: Few studies have assessed exposure to chemicals in the context of environmental vulnerability with a focus on exposure among populations living in certain geographical areas. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate cadmium exposure levels and kidney damage indices in environmentally and socioeconomically vulnerable populations, with further subgrouping according to economic status. Methods: Four areas were selected to represent geographical vulnerability (two environmentally vulnerable populations and two socioeconomically vulnerable populations). Among them, population groups with lower socioeconomic status (SES) were separately classified. Urinary cadmium (UCd), beta2-microglobulin (β2-MG), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels were analyzed in samples from 245 residents of these four areas. Results: Geometric means of concentrations of UCd (0.97~2.02 ㎍/g creatinine) in all selected populations (N, 245; mean age, 67.8~70.9 years old) were higher than the national reference values (0.39 for adults and 0.78 ㎍/g creatinine for people in their 60s). Participants with a lower SES had higher UCd and NAG concentrations than did non-low SES participants. In the lower SES group, there was a significant association between UCd and NAG concentrations; however, there was no such correlation in the non-low SES group. Conclusions: Consistent with the findings of previous studies evaluating chemical exposure and associated health effects in specific populations, the findings of this study suggest that individuals with a low SES may be more vulnerable to exposure and related health effects.