• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.249-259
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• 2018

Radiation technology (RT) has long been applied in various fields for increasing the safety and shelf-life of foods by controlling pathogen-induced poisoning. RT was introduced for the first time in Korea in the 1950s to eliminate harmful microorganisms in food materials. In the 1980s, RT had been scientifically proven to be effective for the sterilization of food and public health products. In recent years, irradiation with gamma rays has also been used for improving physiological properties through the structural modification of natural molecules, which has been proposed to be applicable to various industries. In particular, radiation transformation technology (RTT), which involves the development of new functional compounds through the molecular conversion of natural biomaterials, is becoming a new high-value technology as a fusion technique of RT and biotechnology. The present reports have suggested that RTT can be an effective tool for the development of new functional compounds and improvement of the physiological activity of biomolecules.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cadmium is a toxic metal that is an occupational and environmental concern especially because of its human carcinogenicity; it induces serious adverse effects in various organs and tissues. Even low levels of exposure to cadmium could be harmful owing to its extremely long half-life in the body. Cadmium intoxication may be prevented by the consumption of dietary components that potentially reduce its accumulation in the body. Dietary chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from animal sources; it has been known for its ability to bind to divalent cations including cadmium, in addition to other beneficial effects including hypocholesterolemic and anticancer effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of dietary chitosan in reducing cadmium accumulation using an in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cadmium was administered orally at 2 mg (three times per week) to three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control, low-dose, and high-dose (0, 3, and 5%, respectively) chitosan diet groups for eight weeks. Cadmium accumulation, as well as tissue functional and histological changes, was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats fed the chitosan diet showed significantly lower levels of cadmium in blood and tissues including the kidneys, liver, and femur. Biochemical analysis of liver function including the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed that dietary chitosan reduced hepatic tissue damage caused by cadmium intoxication and prevented the associated bone disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary chitosan has the potential to reduce cadmium accumulation in the body as well as protect liver function and bone health against cadmium intoxication.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2833-2839
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• 2016

Background: Tobacco use among youth is a major public health problem. Youth outside of formal school settings are often understudied but may be at increased risk. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 326 young people aged 15-24 years in four randomly selected motor parks in Lagos state. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Results: The mean age of the respondents was $21.0{\pm}2.3yrs$. Many 252 (77.3%) dropped out before the end of the third year of secondary schooling. The majority were aware that active (78.2%), and passive smoking (77.3%) are harmful to health. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents disagreed with an outright ban of cigarettes (63.2%) and restriction of cigarette sales to persons below 18 years (67.9%) while 254 (66.8%) supported a ban on tobacco smoking in enclosed public places. One hundred and fifty (46.0%) respondents had experimented with smoking of which 106 (32.5%) had progressed to become current smokers. Half of the current smokers, 54 (50.9%), felt the need for a cigarette first thing in the morning. A multivariate analysis for smoking initiation, showed that for every increasing year of age, respondents were 1.08 times more likely to have initiated cigarette smoking; males and respondents who lived alone or with peers were 2.34 times and 1.77 times more likely to have initiated smoking respectively; those who consume alcohol and marijuana were 7.27 and 1.89 times respectively more likely to have initiated smoking while those who consumed alcohol were 6.17 times more likely to be current smokers.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-69
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• 2021

Chungnam region accounts for the largest SO_X (22.8%) emission with the second-largest NO_X (10.8%) emission in Korea due to the integration of many large industrial sources including a steel mill, coal-fired power plants, and petrochemical complex. Air pollutants emitted by large industrial sources can cause harmful problems to humans and the environment. Thus, it is necessary to understand dispersion patterns of air pollutants from large industrial sources in Chungnam to characterize atmospheric contamination in Chungnam and the surrounding area. In this study, seasonal atmospheric dispersion characteristics for SO_X, NO_X, and PM2.5 from ten major point sources in Chungnam were evaluated using HYSPLIT 4 model, and their contributions to SO₂, NO₂ concentrations in the regions near the source areas were estimated. The predictions of the HYSPLIT 4 model show a seasonal different dispersion pattern, in which air pollutants were dispersed toward the southeast in winter while, northeast in summer. In summer, due to weaker wind speed, air pollutants concentrations were higher than in winter, and they were dispersed to the metropolitan area. The local emissions of air pollutants in Taean area had a greater influence on the ambient SO₂ and NO₂ concentrations at Taean, whereas SO_X and NO_X emissions from large sources located at Seosan showed relatevely little effect on the ambient ambient SO₂ and NO₂ concentrations at Seosan.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2019

In this study, the development of transparent UV blocking material using $TiO_{2-x}$ oxide thin film process was developed. A process technology is related to a process technology for making a sample with ultraviolet-shielding property of visible light transmittance of 78 % or more (total light transmittance at 550 nm) and of a UV cut-off characteristic of more than 95 % at 315 nm in ultraviolet wavelength band. In this study, it is possible to establish a flexible device process condition of high performance ultraviolet (UV) shielding thin film, to design mixed type of transparent flexible device with heterogeneous characteristics and to formulate composite deposition technology, according to various market demands. Establishment of actual roll-to-roll continuous process and equipment and process technology will affect related industries greatly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.119-140
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was based on the occurrence of a coffee roasting process-related disorder(bronchiolitis obliterans; published by NIOSH in the US) among workers exposed to chemicals called diacetyl in a coffee processing facility. Flavorings added to coffee contain diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, all of which are subject to exposure in a number of food manufacturing processes, including coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. Therefore, this study aims to review the toxicity to workers related to food processing and food additive manufacturing to prevent occupational diseases. Methods: We surveyed the related literature, domestic and international references, and the status of relevant domestic and foreign professional organizations. The present situation of workers was investigated by reviewing literature on the safety and health of workers in the coffee roasting process using domestic and foreign literature and presentations. Expert advisory opinions were reflected, and experts were consulted by participating in domestic and overseas academic conferences. Results: Most of the fragrance materials for coffee were harmful and hazardous substances according to the GHS classification, and research was carried out through a second external consultation. A literature review on the measurement of air pollutant emissions from coffee roasters and the estimation of air pollutant emissions during coffee roasting examined the characteristics of pollutants emitted during coffee roasting. Conclusions: Two chemicals identified as causing bronchiolitis obliterans in the coffee roasting process are believed to explain why the disease is difficult to treat. This information can be used effectively in the future prevention of this disease. Future studies should clearly identify the potential for toxicity of alpha-diketones and the bases of OELs in relation to the occurrence of obstructive bronchiolitis, including measurement of various organic compounds and alpha-diketones from ground coffee, as well as various coffee grinds and coffee bean varieties. In particular, it is necessary to clarify the current understanding of the dose-response relationship between alpha-diketone and lung disease in workers involved in coffee roasting.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.529-534
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The leaves of Moringa oleifera (MO) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) commonly grown in Ethiopia possess potential nutritional and medicinal value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and functional characteristics of the dried leaf powder from two Moringa species to develop sustainable nutritional supplements for Ethiopians from locally grown plant sources. MATERIALS/METHODS: Freshly harvested and air-dried MO and MS leaves were authenticated and the nutritional contents, such as protein, ash, lipids, and selected vitamins and minerals, were analyzed using standard analytical procedures. Amino acid compositions were also determined by an amino acid analyzer. Nine-week-old mice were randomly divided into four groups to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Moringa. The first group was fed a basal diet, the second group a high-fat diet, and the others were fed a high-fat diet containing 0.1% Moringa leaf powder from each species. After seven weeks, serum indices related to lipid profiles from each mouse were analyzed. RESULTS: The present study revealed high protein (28-29%) and ash (7-11%) contents. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, and leucine were the most abundantly found amino acids in both species. The predominant minerals in the leaf powder were calcium (826-1,530 mg/100 g), potassium (794-904 mg/100 g), and magnesium (286-431 mg/100 g). Pyridoxine (475.06 mg/100 g) and vitamin E (34.2 mg/100 g) were found only in MS. Niacin was found only in MO at 32.21 mg/100 g, whereas ascorbic acid was found in both species (3.89 and 6.19 mg/100 g dry weight for MO and MS, respectively). The results of the animal study showed that mice on a high-fat diet containing 0.1% MO leaf powder alleviated the elevation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by the high fat diet. MO was more effective than MS in preventing hypercholesterolemia and fat deposition. CONCLUSION: The findings in this work confirmed that Moringa leaves of both MO and MS possessed high nutritional value but MO was better at preventing the harmful effects of the high-fat diet than MS.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: In 2021, lung cancer in school food workers was first recognized as an occupational cancer. The classification of the carcinogenicity of cooking fumes by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was based on Chinese epidemiological data. This study aimed to determine the hazard levels of school cooking fumes in Korea. Materials and Methods: Based on public school cafeterias in one area, 25 locations were selected for the survey according to the number per school type, ventilation states, and environmental pre-assessments of cafeterias. Two inside cooking areas using a heat source and one outside cooking area were selected as control measurement points. Measurements of CO, CO₂, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), including benzene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, respectively), were taken. The concentrations and patterns of each substance in the kitchens were compared with the outdoor air quality. Result: Known carcinogens, such as the concentrations of PAHs, formaldehyde, TVOC (benzene), and particulate matter in school cooking fumes, were all detected at similar or slightly higher levels than those found outside. Additionally, substances were detected at relatively low concentrations compared to the Chinese cooking fumes reported in the literature. However, the short-term exposure to high concentrations of CO (or composite exposure with CO₂) and PM2.5 in this study were shown. Conclusion: The school cooking fumes in South Korea was a relatively less harmful than Chinese cooking fumes, however short-term, high exposure of toxic substances can cause a critical health effect.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.21-26
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• 2022

Zinc is emerging as a environment-friendly plating material to replace cadmium, which is harmful to the human body, to prevent hydrogen gas penetration or release from metal materials. Electroplating of Zn and Zn alloys, which is usually performed in an aqueous acidic atmosphere, has disadvantages such as low coulombic efficiency, corrosion, and hydrogen release, resulting in industrial use difficult. In this study, a deep-eutectic solvent was synthesized using choline chloride and ethylene glycol. Using this as a solvent, an electrolyte for Zn plating was prepared, and then zinc was plated on the STS 304 substrate. The surface microstructure and roughness were observed using SEM and AFM. The crystal structure of the electro-plated film was analyzed using XRD. Finally, the preventing effects of hydrogen release through Zn-based deep-eutectic plating on the STS 304 substrate were compared with the uncoated substrate.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.157-164
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• 2021

Recently, a number of studies have been conducted on photocatalysts and adsorbents that can remove harmful substances to improve environmental problems related to fine particles. In this study, a porous foam composites were fabricated using palm-based activated carbon having a large amount of micro-pores and foam concrete with a significantly larger total pore volume compared to general construction materials. To evaluate the adsorption potential of fine particles, the pore structure of the foam composites were analyzed. For the analysis of the pore structure of the foam composite, BET and Harkins-jura theory were applied from the measured nitrogen adsorption isotherm. From the results of the analysis, the specific surface area and micro-pore volume of the foam composite containing activated carbon increased significantly compared to Plain. As thereplacement of activated carbon increased, the specific surface area and micro-pore volume of the foam composite tended to increase. It seems that the foam composite has high adsorption performance for gaseous fine particle precursor such as nitrogen oxides.