• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2015

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health problem with 250 million people worldwide known to have disabling impairment of moderate to greater severity. The aims of the study are to estimate the prevalence of NIHL in the police force; and study its association with age, sex, duration of service (years), smoking and alcohol habits, use of hearing protective devices, as well as preexisting chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 police personnel who had undergone periodic medical examination over a 12-month period. The diagnostic criteria for NIHL were (1) history of occupational noise exposure, (2) bilateral hearing loss, (3) hearing loss of ${\geq}25dBA$ at 4,000 Hz in two consecutive audiograms, and (4) no significant medical history affecting hearing. Severity of NIHL was based on the World Health Organization grading. Results: Males (74.8%) made up the majority of the police force. The mean age for police personnel was $35.55{\pm}9.57years$, and the mean duration of service was $14.75{\pm}9.39years$. Compliance with the usage of hearing protective devices was seen in 64.4%. The prevalence of NIHL in this study population was 34.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (37.7%) than in females (23.9%). The study also showed strong associations between NIHL and male sex (odds ratio, 1.9; P < 0.05), and hypertension (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001). Overall, 93% were found to have mild NIHL, 3.5% had moderate NIHL, and 3.5% had severe NIHL. No police personnel were found to have profound hearing loss. Conclusion: The prevalence of NIHL in this study is high compared to other similar studies among police personnel. This study shows that increasing age, male, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and longer duration of service are significant associated factors for NIHL. Preventative strategies include health surveillance, implementation of a hearing conservation program, and legislation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.425-435
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed in order to establish reliable and relative selection criteria for hazardous substances requiring management(HSRM) in the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea. Methods: To determine the relative criteria and weight of evidence for HSRM, we analyzed the difference between the selection method of priority substances in studies by KOSHA(Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) and the European Union Risk Ranking Method(EURAM). In addition, 597 hazardous substances with exposure limit valueswereanalyzed and the posted health hazards classification by MOEL(Ministry of Employee and Labor), MOE(Ministry of Environment), and EU CLP(Classification, Labelling and Packaging regulation) were compared based on GHS(Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals) criteria. The existing HSRM(167 substances) were evaluated for suitability by the proposed criteria in this study. Results: As a result of this study, the criteria and procedures for selecting HSRM in the Occupational Safety and Health Act were arranged utilizing GHS health hazard classification results, occupational disease cases and domestic use situations. Conclusions: The applicability of the proposed criteria was proved via the evaluation of existing HSRM(167 substances). Most HSRM (161 substances) were found to correspond to a significant health effect or substantial health effect. The question of whether to include the six substances that have been found to have general health effects as HSRM would be require further research.

• Atmosphere
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2005

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the Adaptation Policy Framework (APF) to support the developing countries in order to help to make adaptation policy and strategy to climate change. This study provides the summary of the APF and will help for preparing policy regarding the impact of climate change and its adaptation. APF consists of five basic and two cross-cutting steps. Five basic steps are made of (a) defining project scope and design, (b) assessing current vulnerability and adaptation, (c) assessing future climate-related risks, (d) developing an adaptation strategy, and (e) continuing the adaptation process. Cross-cutting steps consist of engaging stakeholder and enhancing adaptive capacity. The project scope and design process includes four major tasks: scope the project and define its objectives, establish the project team, review and synthesize existing information on vulnerability and adaptation, and design the APF project. The main purpose of assessing current vulnerability and adaptation is to understand the characteristics of current climate-related vulnerability in priority systems and the scope of adaptive responses. Future climate-related risks are assessed in order to characterize future climate-related risks, so that adaptation policies and measures can be designed to reduce the system's exposure to future climate hazard. In developing an adaptation strategy, all of the preceding APF-related work is synthesized into a well-considered strategy that can direct real adaptation action. Continuing the adaptation process is in order to implement and sustain the APF-strategy, polices, and measure. The purpose of involvement of stakeholders is to communicate between individuals and groups about projects. Finally, enhancing adaptive capacity provides guidance on how adaptive capacity can be assessed and enhanced.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.555-564
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• 2020

Objectives: To identify and investigate through qualitative and quantitative analysis the hazardous substances generated when compressed wood was burned at a live fire-training center. Methods: Four types of compressed wood that are actually used in live fire training were burned in a chamber according to KS F2271. The gaseous material was sampled with a gas detector tube and conventional personal samplers. Results: 1,3-butadiene, benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and nitric acid were detected. In particular, 1,3-butadiene (497.04-680.44 ppm), benzene (97.79-125.02 ppm), formaldehyde (1.72-13.03 ppm), hydrogen chloride (4.71-15.66 ppm), hydrogen cyanide (3.64-8.57 ppm), and sulfuric acid (3.85-5.01 ppm) exceeded the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit as measured by sampling pump according to the type of compressed wood. Conclusions: We found through the chamber testing that firefighters could be exposed to toxic substances during live fire training. Therefore, firefighter protection is needed and more research is required in the field.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.588-598
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• 2020

Objectives: Human indices were developed to determine returning point of residents and damage restoration after the chemical accident Methods: To determine the returning point of residents after the chemical accident, a new concept, the standard man model was introduced as a human index, in which both H-code and its acute effects were main idea. To evaluate the applicability, a hydrogen fluoride leakage accident in Gumi was applied. The returning point were suggested as the conservative remission period of acute effects among relevant hazard effects and compared with actual returning point. The coverage of each age group were considered with reflecting average daily dose expected for actual residents. In addition, a relief-index as a social-scientific approach was reflected as well to apply the damage restoration Results: Actual returning point of residents in Gumi was 88 days; and that of standard man model suggested was 84 days. The expected amount of exposure at aged 12 or under was at least 2.35 times greater than that of this model, 40s, theoretically. However, their population ratio was less than 1%, so 99% of residents could be applied when the standard man model was applied. The relief-index was as an objective and quantitative methodology to apply the qualitative aspect. Conclusions: Although evaluated as a relatively positive result, there was a limitation such as the number of accident applied to the verification of standard man model. The relief index was also considered, but further research should be carried out to find threshold level for the relief.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2018

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to quantify the risk of mortality linked to various regimens of hypertonic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients using home-based PD was carried out. The prescribed regimen of glucose-based PD solution for all patients, determined on the basis of their individual conditions, was extracted from their medical chart records. The primary outcome was death. The treatment regimens were categorized into 3 groups according to the type of PD solution used: original PD (1.5% glucose), shuffle PD (1.5 and 2.5% glucose), and serialized PD (2.5 and 4.5% glucose). Multivariate analysis (using the Weibull model) was applied to comprehensively examine survival probabilities related to the explanatory variable, while adjusting for other potential confounders. Results: Of 300 consecutive patients, 38% died over a median follow-up time of 30 months (interquartile range: 15-46 months). Multivariate analysis showed that a treatment regimen with continued higher-strength PD solution (serialized PD) resulted in a lower survival rate than when the conventional strength solution was used (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 4.6, p<0.01). Five interrelated risk factors (age, length of time on PD, hemoglobin levels, albumin levels, and oliguria) were significant predictors contributing to the outcome. Conclusions: Frequent exposure to high levels of glucose PD solution significantly contributed to a 2-fold higher rate of death, especially when hypertonic glucose was prescribed continuously.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution of blood lead concentrations of residents in the areas surrounding an industrial complex. Methods: During the three-month period from August to October 2012, informed consent was obtained from a total of 417 residents in Gwangyang and Yeosu. We collected blood samples from all subjects, and their demographic characteristics were acquired using a questionnaire. The blood samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer and data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Results: The geometric mean concentration of blood lead in all subjects was $1.85{\mu}g/dL$. The highest (p<0.01) blood lead concentrations were in the current drinking group ($2.24{\mu}g/dL$). Blood lead concentrations in the smoking group ($0.59{\mu}g/dL$) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in the non-smoking group ($0.24{\mu}g/dL$). Risk assessment was performe using the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS) as a reference. The hazard indices of blood lead in males and females were 0.65 and 0.52, respectively Conclusion: We provided baseline data for reference values of toxicity and heavy lead concentrations. Our results might be useful for further evaluation of risks due to exposure to heavy metals via oral, air, and percutaneous routes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.323-327
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• 2001

March 19, 1999, the renovation qf the runway of the Bo-Fai ai1field in Hua Hin, Prachubk-erikhan, Thailand, unearthed chemicals which were left over from the project "anch Hand Operation" held during the Vietnam war era. The chemical mixtures were analyzed by the US EPA, the Department oj Medical Sciences (DMSc), Ministry oj Public Health (MoPH) and the Pollution Control Department (PCD), the Ministry oj Science Technology and Environment (MOSTE) of Thailand, The samples were found to contain several defoliants used in the operation. They were 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, Dicamba, Cocydelic acid, and Dioxins. Due to the complexity of the issue, the multiplicity of possible health effects, and the socio-economic implications for imports and exports, the Thai Society of Toxicology submitted a proposal to request World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva. The assistance is for the area of chemical safety and called for immediate action to explore the magnitude qf risk involved with Dioxins. In this paper we present our approach to health risk assessment which takes into an account the epidemiological studies of high-risk group exposed to the Ranch Hand operation. Dioxins are endocrine disruption chemicals which public concerns are developed due to presumption that a hazard exists (www.eva.gov/dioxins/html) for which current methodologies are deemed insufficient. The recent concepts of how oxidative stress toxicants may affect health end points and biomarkers of exposure of exposed individuals are discussed. While research activities are undergoing, The Thai Society of Toxicology do not anticipate significant risk to local residents and the environment due to our concurrence with opinion from the international experts invited by the World Health Organization proposed to the local experts at a workshop in Bangkok.n Bangkok.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.194-194
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• 2003

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, 1989) has classified whole diesel exhaust as probably carcinogenic to humans. Diesel exhaust particulate matter (DPM) adsorbs different chemical substances including PAHs and nitroarenes. DPM is emphasized because it is a major component of diesel exhaust, it is suspected of contributing to a health hazard. Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of carbon particles and associated organics and inorganics, and it is not known what fraction or combination of fractions cause the health effects [cancer effects, noncancer effects (respiratory tract irritation/inflammation and changes in lung function)] that have been observed with exposure to diesel exhaust. In order to identify which chemical classes are responsible for the majority of the observed biological activities, we performed a particular biological/chemical analysis. Respirable particulate matter (PM2.5: <2.5mm) was collected from diesel engine exhaust using a high-volume sampler equipped with a cascade impactor. Particulate oganic matter was extracted by the dichloromethane/sonication method and the crude extract was fractionated according to EPA recommended procedure into seven fractions by acid-base partitioning and silica gel column chromatography. We examined genotoxic potentials of diesel exhaust particulate matter using novel genotoxicity tests, which are rapid, simple and sensitive methods for assessing DNA-damage at the DNA and chromosomal level (comet assay, in vitro MN test and Ames test). Higher genotoxic potency was observed in non polar fractions and several PAHs were detected by GC-MS, such as 1,2,5,6 dibenzanthracene, chrysene, 1,2-benzanthracene, phenanthrene and fluoranthene.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.191-197
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• 2013

To classify the chemical hazard according to globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS), we investigated the genotoxicity of three chemicals, methyl myristate, 2-ethylhexanoic acid zinc salt, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine, using male ICR mice bone marrow cells for the screening of micronucleus induction. Although these three chemicals have already been tested numerous times, a micronucleus test has not been conducted. The seven week-old male ICR mice were tested at three dosages for the three chemicals, respectively. After 24 h of oral administration with the three chemicals, the mice were sacrificed and their bone marrow cells were prepared for smearing slides. As a result of counting the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCE) of 2,000 polychromatic erythrocytes, all treated groups expressed no statistically significant increase of MNPCE compared to the negative control group. There were no clinical signs related with the oral exposure of these three chemicals. It was concluded that these three chemicals did not induce micronucleus in the bone marrow cells of ICR mice, and there was no direct proportion with dosage. These results indicate that the three chemicals have no mutagenic potential under each test condition, and it is not classified these chemicals as mutagens by GHS.