• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.307-320
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• 2009

This study was conducted not only to review airborne asbestos levels reported in workplaces in Korea, but also to analyze their levels according to various characteristics All asbestos concentration reported as either geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) or ranges were transformed to arithmetic mean to estimate exposure level. In addition, weighted arithmetic means (WAMs) were calculated to weigh asbestos levels based on the different number of samples. Differences of asbestos levels among several characteristics such as industry type, decade, operation and sampling and analytical methods were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The number of articles studying asbestos levels from workplaces was found to be 9 including two report types. Five of those were reported prior to 1990s and rest of them after 1990s. Only several industries such as asbestos textile, asbestos cement, brake-lining repair shops were studied, while various industries using asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were not studied. ANOVA found that asbestos exposure levels (WAM = 5.26f/cc) reported from textile industry were significantly higher than those from other industries (cement = 0.63f/cc, brake-lining = 0.2f/cc - 0.47f/cc) (p < 0.0001). Average exposure levels studied prior to the 1990s (3.13f/cc) were found to be significantly higher than that (0.86f/cc) after the 1990s (p<0.0001). All WAMs reported until the 1994 were found to be higher than the current occupational exposure limits (0.1f/cc). This study recommends that retrospective exposure to asbestos based on various industry types and operations should be assessed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.475-482
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• 2005

This study aimed to determine the fluoride intakes in 120 preschool children aged 3 to 6 residing in Jumunjin (community water fluoridation area) and Gangneung (non-fluoridation area). The parents were asked to collect 24-hour urine samples and to duplicate the samples of all the diets that their children ingested in the day of urine collection. The acid-diffusible fluoride in the food and non-carbonate beverages were isolated by the acid-diffusion technique and then measured with a fluoride electrode. The fluoride in carbonate beverages, drinking waters and urine samples were measured directly with a fluoride electrode. The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) of daily fluoride intakes from all kinds of diet was 5.99 (2.27) $\mu$g/kg/day in the children in Gangneung and that of the children in Jumunjin was 18.36 (2.69). The amount of fluoride intake by food and drinking water in fluoridation area were significantly larger than that in non-fluoridation area but the statistical difference of fluoride intake by beverages between two areas was not observed. The GMs (GSDs) of daily fluoride excretion by urine of children in non-fluoridation area and in fluoridation area were 8.39 (1.73) and 18.62 (1.77) $\mu$g/kg/day, respectively. The correlation between fluoride intake from diet excluding beverage and urinary excretion was statistically significant. It is concluded that the amount of fluoride intake of children living in fluoridation area did not exceed the upper intake level to avoid the risk of dental fluorosis (2.2 mg/day in 4- to 8-year-olds) and urinary excretion of fluoride was good indicator of fluoride intake from diets.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.304-313
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• 2012

In this study, the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent for polydispersed aerosol during dynamic processes was investigated. Log-normal aerosol size distribution was assumed, and a sensitivity analysis of the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent with regards the coagulation and condensation process was performed. The ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent is expected to decrease because of the particle growth due to coagulation and condensation. However, it is difficult to quantify the degree of change. In order to understand quantitatively the change in the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent during coagulation and condensation, different real and imaginary parts of the refractive index were considered. The results show that the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent is sensitive to changes in size distribution and refractive index. The total number concentration decreases and the geometric mean diameter of aerosols increase during coagulation. On the while, the geometric standard deviation approaches monodispersed size distribution during the condensation process, and this change in size distribution affects the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent. The degree of change in the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent depends on the refractive index and initial size distribution, and the size parameter changes with the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent for a given refractive index or chemical composition; this indicates that the size distribution plays an important role in determining the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent as well as the chemical composition. Subsequently, this study shows how the ${\AA}$ngstrom exponent changes quantitatively during the aerosol dynamics processes for a log-normal aerosol size distribution for different refractive indices; the results showed good agreement with the results for simple analytic size distribution solutions.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.150-150
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of metals concentrations in blood of adults who were not occupationally exposed in Korea. The blood samples were obtained between February and August 2001 from volunteer adults in urban area of Korea. 66 male participants were 46 (20-75) years of age and 74 female were 40 (20-69) years of age. The levels of metals in blood were observed the log-normal distribution, and we calculated geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). The GM levels of metals in blood of the men were 65.88$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.23$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.15$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The GM levels of the women were 58.49$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.66$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.30$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The levels of Pb-B and Cd-B were significantly higher non-smoker than smoker, whereas those of Cr-B and Ni-B were not different by smoking habit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2005

To investigate the field applicability of a diffusive sampler (3M OVM #3500, passive sampling method) authors conducted a simultaneous measurement of personal organic solvents exposure in the air of the workplaces by charcoal tube with low volume sampler (active sampling method) and diffusive sampler. Samples were collected and analyzed by NIOSH method ($NMAM^{(R)}$) from thirty-eight workers in 12 factories who work in 6 different processes. Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) were used to describe the result. To compare the results of the two methods, paired t-test was used. According to the manual of the exposure assessment of the mixed organic solvents (Ministry of Labor, Korea), Em was calculated. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the two methods. Results were as follows; 1. Eight different solvents (ethyl acetate, n-hexane, toluene, xylene, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone) were detected simultaneously in the two methods and the concentrations of the personal exposure were lower than 0.5 TLV level. The concentration of the charcoal tube method was higher than that of a diffusive sampler in n-hexane and MEK (p<0.05). 2. Em of the charcoal tube method was higher than that of diffusive sampler method but not significantly different and was lower than the OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) in all 6 processes. 3. There was a significant correlation between the two methods in low concentrations of the 8 organic solvents (p<0.05). In conclusion, there was no difference in charcoal tube method and diffusive sampler method in low concentrations of some organic solvents, diffusive sampler can be applied to assess the personal monitoring in low level exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.488-499
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the characterization of organics solvent exposure among painting workers in the shipbuilding painting process, especially for their daily variations(within worker variance). Methods: Charcoal passive dosimeters were worn throughout each work shift for 20 days for five painting workers from October 19 to November 26, 2015. A total of 100 samples were collected, analyzed and compared with statutory workplace environmental measurements. Results: The geometric mean(GM) and geometric standard deviation(GSD) of mixed organic solvent(six substances) exposure index(EI) for the 100 samples were 0.42 and 4.42 respectively. The median and range of GSD for within worker EI representing five workers' daily EI variation is 3.72 and 2.63 ~ 5.20, respectively, which is classified as a very large variation(GSD>3). We were able to divide the painting process into two similar exposure groups(SEGs), Touch-up and Spray. Spray painting workers were much more exposed to organic solvent than Touch-up painting workers(GM=0.71 vs. 0.19), but less variably (GSD=3.64 vs. 4.10). xylene is the substance to which the workers were most exposed(GM=16.19 ppm, GSD=4.36), and the exposure characteristics of six substances including xylene is similar to those of EI. Conclusions: The daily variation of organic solvent exposure in the shipbuilding painting process is so high that statutory Assessment of Reliability of Work Environment Monitoring needs to be conducted with statistically sufficient number of samples and evidence.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the health risk of workers exposed to butyl glycidyl ether to prevent them from developing occupational diseases. Methods: The workplaces that coat floor with epoxy were selected and the samples were collected and analyzed with NIOSH 1616 Method. We calculate workplace reference concentration using with NOAEL estimated by the study of Anderson et al. in 1978. Risk was calculated by the ratio of exposure to workplace reference concentration. Monte-Carlo simulation was performed to derivate the median, cumulative 90%, and cumulative 95% value by using Crystal Ball. Results: Butyl glycidyl ether is a skin, eye irritator and can result in central nervous system depression, allergic reaction. NOAEL was 38 ppm and workplace reference concentration was calculated as 0.73 ppm corrected with uncertainty factors. Geometric mean was 1.152 ppm and geometric standard deviation was 1.522 by the workplace environment measurement. The median, cumulative 90%, and cumulative 95% value of risk were calculated as 1.617, 1.934, and 2.092, respectively. Conclusions: Not only cumulative 90% and cumulative 95% value but also the median of risk is higher than 1.0 by the risk characterization, so it can do a lot of harm to workers. Therefore, the process of derivating workplace reference concentration and the appropriacy of the uncertainty factors should be re-examined.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 1996

Fourteen(14) large commercial buildings located in Seoul with friable sprayed-on surface insulation material on ceiling were investigated for fiber types in bulk material and for airborne fiber concentrations in buildings by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order to compare the results with those by polarized light microscopy (PLM) and phase contrast microscopy (PCM). The results were as follows: 1. Chrysotile asbestos was found in one bulk sample out of total 14 bulk samples collected. Glass fiber and mineral wool were the two major constituents of the bulk samples. 2. The Na-Mg-Si-Ca-Fe-Al ratios of the EDX spectra which were normalized with the Si peak were 0-1.0-10-8.3-4.0-4.0 in mineral wool and 0-5-10-21-0-0 in chrysotile asbestos, respectively. 3. Airborne fiber concentrations were log-normalcy distributed and the geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) fiber concentrations by TEM in the underground parking lots and inside buildings were 0.0048 f/cc(1.93) and 0.0040 f/cc(2.27), respectively with no statistical difference. In the outdoor ambient air, statistically significantly lower concentration of 0.0018 f/cc(2.04) was measured. 4. The TEM/PCM ratios of airborne fiber concentrations ranged 0.5 - 2.0 for 80 % of airborne samples analyzed, end the regression equation between TEM and PCM was PCM=-0.2724+1.1355(TEM) with the coefficient of determination $R^2=0.52$. The results of this study confirmed that the sprayed-on surface insulation material found in some commercial buildings may possibly be contaminated with asbestos fiber. Since statistically significant relationship of fiber concentrations measured by PCM and TEM inside buildings and ambient air was found, previous results by PCM in ambient air could be used to estimate the ambient fiber concentrations in knowing the ratio of TEM/PCM.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.518-524
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• 2003

Ultrasonic nebulizer with the application of new engineering methodology and the design of electronic circuit was made for lead inhalation toxicology study and 2730ppm lead nebulizing solution was used to generate lead aerosol. After modification of source and inlet temperatures, the results of particle size analysis for lead aerosol were as following. The highest particle counting for source temperature 20℃ was 39933.66 in inlet temperature 100℃ and particle diameter 0.75tLm. The highest particle counting for source temperature 50℃ was 39992.71 in inlet temperature 250℃ and particle diameter 0.75μm. The highest particle counting for source temperature 70℃ was 37569.55 in inlet temperature 50℃ and particle diameter 0.75μm. The ranges of geometric mean diameter(GMD) were 0.754-0.784μm for source temperature 2℃, 0.758-0.852μm for source temperature 50℃, and 0.869-1.060μm for source temperature 70℃. The smallest GMD was 0.754μm in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃, and the largest GMD was 1.060μm in source temperature 70℃ and inlet temperature 250℃. The ranges of geometric standard deviation(GSD) were 1.730-1.782 for source temperature 20℃, 1.734-1.894 for source temperature 50℃, and 1.921-2.148 for source temperature 70℃. The lowest GSD was 1.730 in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃, and the highest GSD was 2.148 in source temperature 70℃ and inlet temperature 250℃. Lead aerosol generated in this study was polydisperse. The ranges of mass median diameter(MMD) were 1.856-2.133μm for source temperature 20℃, 1.877-2.894μm for source temperature 50℃, and 3.120-6.109μm for source temperature 70℃. The smallest MMD was 1.856μm in source temperature 20℃ and inlet temperature 20℃, and the largest MMD was 6.109μm in source temperature 70℃ and inlet temperature 250℃. Slight increases for GMD, GSD, and MMD values were observed with same source temperature and increase of inlet temperature. MMD for inhalation toxicology testing in EPA guidance is less than 4μm. In this study, source temperature 20℃ and 50℃ with inlet temperature from 20℃ to 250℃ were conformed to the EPA guidance, but inlet temperature 20℃ and 50℃ for source temperature 70℃ were conformed EPA guidance. MMD for inhalation toxicology testing in OECD and EU is less than 3μm. In this study, source temperature 20℃ and 50℃ with inlet temperature from 20℃ to 250℃ were conformed to the EPA guidance, but none for source temperature 70℃.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance characteristics of Andersen and total suspended particulate (TSP) samplers in terms of particle size distribution (PSD) and mass sampling efficiency. In the present study, two Andersen and four TSP samplers were selected and tested to quantitatively estimate human exposure to fly ash representing industrial particulate matter (PM) in a carefully controlled chamber. The PSD characteristics, a mass median aerodynamic diameter and a geometric standard deviation, were found from the sampled PM of airborne samplers in the chamber. An Andersen sampler was compared with a TSP sampler quantified by a coulter counter multisizer, as a reference sampler, to describe the correlation of mass sampling efficiencies between two types of samplers. Overall results indicate that Andersen samplers overestimated small PM due to particle bounce phenomena between impaction stages. There was reasonably good correlation ($R^2$ = 0.89 and 0.91) between the mass sampling efficiencies of Andersen and TSP samplers during the two tests. However, the lower values of slope (0.71 and 0.72) in two tests showed that the Andersen sampler underestimated PM (> AD $10.1\;{\mu}m$) with sufficient inertia due to a relatively lower Andersen inlet velocity at 0.8 m/s comparing with the operating air velocity at 2.1 m/s in the sampling zone of a chamber.