• Title/Summary/Keyword: hazardous

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Development of an Algorithm for Dynamic Traffic Operations of Freeway Climbing Lane Toward Traffic Safety (교통안전성을 고려한 고속도로 오르막차로 동적운영 알고리즘 개발)

  • PARK, Hyunjin;YOUN, Seokmin;OH, Cheol
    • Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.68-80
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    • 2016
  • Interest in freeway truck traffic has increased largely due to greater safety concerns regarding truck-related crashes. The negative interactions between slow-moving trucks and other vehicles are a primary cause of hazardous conditions, which lead to crashes with larger speed variations. To improve operational efficiency and safety, providing a climbing lane that separates slow-moving trucks from higher performance vehicles is frequently considered when upgrading geometrics. This study developed an operations strategy for freeway climbing lanes based on traffic conditions in real time. To consider traffic safety when designing a dynamic strategy to determine whether a climbing lane is closed or open, various factors, including the level of service (LOS) and the percentage of trucks, are investigated through microscopic simulations. A microscopic traffic simulator, VISSIM, was used to simulate freeway traffic streams and collect vehicle-maneuvering data. Additionally, an external application program interface, VISSIM's COM-interface, was used to implement the proposed climbing lane operations strategies. Surrogate safety measures (SSM), including the frequency of rear-end conflicts and, were used to quantitatively evaluate the traffic safety using an analysis of individual vehicle trajectories obtained from VISSIM simulations with various operations scenarios. It is expected that the proposed algorithm can be the backbone for operating the climbing lane in real time for safer traffic management.

Public Health Risks: Chemical and Antibiotic Residues - Review -

  • Lee, M.H.;Lee, H.J.;Ryu, P.D.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.402-413
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    • 2001
  • Food safety is a term broadly applied to food quality that may adversely affect human health. These include zoonotic diseases and acute and chronic effects of ingesting natural and human-made xenobiotics. There are two major areas of concern over the presence of residues of antibiotics in animal-derived foodstuffs with regard to human health. The first is allergic reactions. Some antibiotics, such as penicillins can evoke allergic reactions even though small amounts of them are ingested or exposed by parenteral routes. The second is development of antibiotic resistance in gut bacteria of human. Recently multi-resistant pneumococcal, glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and gram negative bacteria with extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamases have spread all over the world, and are now a serious therapeutic problem in human. Although it is evident that drugs are required in the efficient production of meat, milk and eggs, their indiscriminate use should never be substituted for hygienic management of farm. Drug should be used only when they are required. In addition to veterinary drugs, environmental contaminants that were contaminated in feed, water and air can make residues in animal products. Mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals derived from industries can be harmful both to animal and human health. Most of organic contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, and metals are persistent in environment and biological organisms and can be accumulated in fat and hard tissues. Some of them are suspected to have endocrine disrupting, carcinogenic, teratogenic, immunodepressive and nervous effects. The governmental agencies concerned make efforts to prevent residue problems; approval of drugs including withdrawal times of each preparation of drugs, establishment of tolerances, guidelines regarding drug use and sanitation enforcement of livestock products. National residue program is conducted to audit the status of the chemical residues in foods. Recently HACCP has been introduced to promote food safety from farm to table by reducing hazardous biological, chemical and physical factors. Animal Production Food Safety Program, Quality Assurance Programs, Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank are para- or non-governmental activities ensuring food safety. This topic will cover classification and usage or sources of chemical residues, their adverse effects, and chemical residue status of some countries. Issues are expanded to residue detection methodologies, toxicological and pharmacokinetic backgrounds of MRL and withdrawal time establishments, and the importance of non-governmental activities with regard to reducing chemical residues in food.

Association between Subjective Distress Symptoms and Argon Welding among Shipyard Workers in Gyeongnam Province (경남소재 일개조선소 근로자의 건강이상소견과 아르곤 용접과의 관련성)

  • Choi, Woo-Ho;Jin, Seong-Mi;Kweon, Deok-Heon;Kim, Jang-Rak;Kang, Yune-Sik;Jeong, Baek-Geum;Park, Ki-Soo;Hwang, Young-Sil;Hong, Dae-Yong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.547-555
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    • 2014
  • Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the association between subjective distress symptoms and argon welding among workers in Gyeongnam Province shipyard. Method: 31 argon and 29 non-argon welding workers were selected as study subjects in order to measure concentrations of personal dust, welding fumes and other hazardous materials such as ZnO, Pb, Cr, FeO, MnO, Cu, Ni, $TiO_2$, MgO, NO, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO and Ar. An interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was also performed on the same subjects. The items queried were as follows: age, height, weight, working duration, welding time, welding rod amounts used, drinking, smoking, and rate of subjective distress symptoms including headache and other symptoms such as fever, vomiting and nausea, metal fume fever, dizziness, tingling sensations, difficulty in breathing, memory loss, sleep disorders, emotional disturbance, hearing loss, hand tremors, visual impairment, neural abnormality, allergic reaction, runny nose and stuffiness, rhinitis, and suffocation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 18. Data are expressed as the mean ${\pm}SD$. An ${\chi}^2$-test and a normality test using a Shapiro wilk test were performed for the above variables. Logistic regression analysis was also conducted to identify the factors that affect the total score for subjective distress symptoms. Result: An association was shown between welding type (argon or non-argon welding) and the total score for subjective distress symptoms. Among the rate of complaining of subjective distress symptoms, vomiting and nausea, difficulty breathing, and allergic reactions were all significantly higher in the argon welding group. Only the concentration of dust and welding fumes was shown to be distributed normally after natural log transformation. According to logistic regression analysis, the correlations of working duration and welding type (argon or non-argon) between the total score of subjective distress symptoms were found to be statistically significant (p=0.041, p=0.049, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that argon welding could cause subjective distress symptoms in shipyard workers.

Under and Over Employment and Working Conditions (과소/과잉노동과 근로환경)

  • Rhee, Kyung Yong;Song, Se Wook;Kim, Young Sun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.536-546
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: The major objective of this paper is compare the exposure work hours and experieence of ill health symptoms among under and over employment and matched group. Workers with over employment have more exposed to hazards than that with under employment because that workers with over employment work more than those with ender employment. Methods: This study as heuristics one used the third Korean Working Conditions Survey done by Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute in 2011. The sample size is 50,023 economic active persons. Over and under employment were measured by matching method of preferred and actual work hours. The exposed work hours to hazards were measured according to 13 hazardous factors and the experience of ill health symptoms were scaled by the number of experienced 14 ill health symptoms. To compare the exposure and the symptoms experience were compared by mean difference test with F test. Results: The proportion of over employment in male employees is 32.1% and that in female employees is 29.3% and under employment rate is 11.2% in mae and 13.9% in female employees. There is significant difference of the rate of over and under emplyment among age groups, industrial sectors, occupational groups and the state of employment. The difference of the exposed work hours to hazards among under, over and matched group were statistically significant in all hazards by gender. The exposed work hours to hazards in over employment were more than those in under employment. The number of experienced symptoms in over employment is statistically significantly more than that in under employment. Conclusions: Workers with over employment may be vulnerable group in the criteria of hazard exposure and health status. The results have some implications and limitations because that this study is heuristic one. The mismatch of preferred and actual working hours may be unfavorable work condition that has impact on safety and health of workers. The impact mechanism may be investigated as future study, Because that this study used cross sectional survey data, some causal relationships cannot be evaluated.

Solidification/Stabilization of Arsenic Contaminated Soil Using Cement-Based Synthesized Materials (시멘트계 합성물질을 이용한 비소 오염 토양의 고형화/안정화)

  • Kim, Ran;YHong, Seong Hyeok;Jung, Bahng Mi;Chae, Hee Hun;Park, Joo Yang
    • Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.59-65
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    • 2012
  • Solidification/Stabilization(S/S) is one of the remediation technologies that have been applied for treating inorganic hazardous wastes. This study investigated the reduction of arsenic concentration of arsenic-contaminated soil using by S/S. The binder plays a role in controlling the mobility and solubility of the contaminants in S/S process, so it is important to determine the optimum binder content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of S/S using four different binders(cement, zero valent iron, and monosulfate and ettringite(cement-based synthesized materials) at the binder content ranged between 5%(wt.) and 20%(wt.). The leachability of arsenic in 1 N HCl was different depending on the types of binders: cement(71.41%) > monosulfate(47.45%) > ettringite(46.36%) > ZVI(33.08%) at the binder content of 20%. Additionally, three kinds of a mixture binder were prepared using cement and additives(monosulfate, ettringite, calcium sulfoaluminate(CSA)) and tested for arsenic reduction. The highest arsenic removal capacity was found at the mass ratio of cement to the additive, 4:1 in all experiments using a mixture binder, regardless of the additives types. A mixture binder(cement and additives) resulted in higher arsenic removal relative to the arsenic removal when cement was used alone.

The Bacterial Contamination in Glasses for Vision Correction (시력 교정용 안경의 세균 오염)

  • Kim, Heung-Soo;Hwang, Seock-Yeon;Yun, Chi-Young
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.18 no.1
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    • pp.67-73
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: Recently, bacterial contamination of equipment and accessories required for vision correction has become a main causal factor in ophthalmic diseases. Thus, We investigated on both the actual condition of bacterial contamination from glasses of vision correction. Methods: Investigation of microorganisms was carried out with a group of 145 glasses wearers, composed of 36 elementary school students, 37 middle school students, 38 high school students, 10 college students, and 32 aged men. Results: Seventeen species of bacteria are detected from glasses of vision correction: B. cereus, B. licheniformis, Bacillus sp., CNS, Enterococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serretia sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus,, Acinetobacter sp., Enterobacter cloacae, GNR, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among 17 species of bacteria, there are some potential causative agents for keratitis, corneal ulcer, Acute dacryocystitis, Orbital cellulitis, Periphlebitis retinae, Marginal blepharitis, and Acute conjunctivitis. Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis cause keratitis. Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus aureus cause corneal ulcer. Staphylococcus aureus causes acute dacryocystitis, orbital cellulitis, periphlebitis retinae, marginal belpharitis. Streptococcus hemolyticus causes acute conjunctivitis. Conclusions: In summation, it is verified that hazardous, opportunistic and infectious microorganisms exist in glasses for vision correction. Ophthalmic diseases are predicted. Therefore, supplementary research on the development of a cleaning solution to cleanse the infection and of an effective method to remove microorganisms is required.

Research on the Actual State of Environmental Disease and Health Education at Middle and High School Students (일 지역 중.고등학생들의 환경성 질환 및 보건교육 실태 조사)

  • Jung, Jong-Hyeon;Moon, Ki-Nai;Seo, Bo-Soon;Kim, Chang-Tae;Lee, Jae-Hong
    • The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.65-87
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform basic study on environmental and respiratory diseases in Ulsan and vicinities. Also, this study evaluated the actual state of environmental disease and health education at middle and high schools in Ulsan and surroundings. Methods: For this study, we conducted a survey on the health of the general public, environmental effects, and investigated the characteristics of environmental disease, health and hygiene education, etc. The populations of this study were middle and high school students in Ulsan, Korea. This study investigated the knowledge of environmental disease and health education at schools in Ulsan and vicinities from November 2009 to December 2009. All statistical calculations were performed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, and gained the following results by implementing Frequency Analysis, Cross-tabulation Analysis and ANOVA. Results: As more and more environmental diseases are increased, the interest of the people has been increasing on this. The incidence rates of asthma and atopy were represented the top 25% of the country in Korea. The source of heavy metal, PAHs and VOCs in Ulsan includes the Petrochemical Complex at Nam-gu and Ulju-gun, the Nonferrous Metal Industrial Complex at Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, and the Heavy Industrial Complex at Dong-gu and Buk-gu. Especially, there are a number of fossil fuel combustion facilities such as waste incineration plants and boilers at Nam-gu and the Onsan Industrial Complex. It may help greatly to investigate the characteristics of environmental pollutants such as environmental air pollutant and indoor contaminant to better manage the local student's health. Conclusions: It has been revealed that the hazardous chemicals and environmental contaminants are main substances of cause for asthma, atopy, dermatitis, and allergy disease. Therefore, through with collecting basic data such as environmental disease of inhabitants, health education, conscious and knowledgeable level in parents of students and students, We have to exert to improve knowledge and prevention with health life in school through development of health education program systematically for preventing of environmental disease.

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Concentration of PFOA and PFOS in Whole Blood and Factors Controlling Their Exposure Among Koreans (한국인의 혈 중 PFOA와 PFOS 농도와 노출요인)

  • Suh, Chun-Hui;Lee, Chae-Kwan;Lee, So-Ryong;Park, Mi-Hee;Lee, Jong-Tae;Son, Byung-Chul;Kim, Jeong-Ho;Kim, Kun-Hyung
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.105-117
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in blood and factors controlling their exposure among Koreans. Methods: Study subjects were selected to include 718 members of the general population residing in five metropolitan cities and the Gangwon Province area from August 2008 to January 2009. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle, socio-demographic characteristics, and other related factors. Blood samples were collected and extracted using solid-phase extraction and anion-exchange methods, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC, Agilent 1200 Series) coupled with a Triple Quad LC-MS/MS system (Agilent 6410). Results: Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the blood were measured as 1.82 and 6.06 ng/ml, respectively. Mean PFOA and PFOS concentrations generally increased with age in both genders. Blood PFOA concentration was significantly different according to such variables as age, family income, residential district, and province. Blood PFOS concentration was significantly different by such variables as gender, age, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Also, family income, hazardous facilities, job classification, and province contributed significantly to differences in blood PFOS concentration levels. Conclusions: Blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations in Koreans were similar with those found in Japan, the USA, and Germany, but less than those in Australia. PFOA and PFOS exposure seems to be affected by a variety of factors in Korea. Therefore, investigation is required for each factor to assess the relative contribution of different variables.

A Review on the Performance Criteria of Equipment Required for Asbestos Removal (석면 해체.제거 작업에서 사용되는 장비의 성능 기준에 관한 고찰)

  • Lee, Naroo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.212-221
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    • 2013
  • Objectives: Asbestos fibers are accumulated in negative pressure unit (NPU) or vacuum cleaner in asbestos removal. Failure of operation or poor use performance of the NPU or vacuum cleaner causes asbestos fibers to spread in the air. Asbestos contractors should have an NPU fitted with a HEPA , vacuum cleaner, decontamination area, respirators, wetting equipment, and differential pressure manometer to register with the Ministry of Employment and Labor. There should be performance criteria of equipment used in asbestos removal. But there are none such criteria used in asbestos removal. This study was performed to investigate international or national performance criteria of equipment used in asbestos removal. Methods: Regulations, approved code of practice, guidance and national standards of the UK, USA and Korea were reviewed. A survey was done to investigate the requirements for equipment used in asbestos removal in Korea. Results: Air flow of NPUs used in Korea usually covers from$500m^3/h$ to over $3000m^3/h$. Some requirements for NPUs used in Korea were missing compared to the requirements of British standards for NPUs. All NPUs have different missing requirements. The UK also has separate British standard for leak tests for NPUs. Highly hazardous class vacuum cleaners should be used in asbestos removal in the UK. It has national standards on the operation of vacuum cleaners used in asbestos removal. There is only a certification system for less than 2.5kw rated voltage vacuum cleaners for home use in Korea. Powered (-assisted) respirators with mask are recommended in asbestos removal. Type 5 coveralls should be used in asbestos removal in the UK. There are international standards for requirements and leak tests of type 5 coveralls. A manometer for measuring differential pressure is needed in asbestos removal. The manometer's measuring range should cover less than ${\pm}125$ Pa and the gradation of manometer should be less than 2.5 Pa. The definition of decontamination area should be corrected. Installation of airlock and minimum area should be considered in decontamination area. Conclusions: Equipment should be used in asbestos removal proper performance and no leaks. There should be a certification system for equipment used in asbestos removal. This study can help to a certification system for equipment used in asbestos removal in Korea.

Critical Limit Establishment of Sterilization Process for HACCP System of Liquefied Coffee and Sikhe (액상커피와 식혜의 HACCP 시스템 적용을 위한 살균공정의 한계기준 설정)

  • Kwon, Sang-Chul
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.13 no.11
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    • pp.5247-5253
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    • 2012
  • The purpose of this study was to apply in the HACCP(Hazard Analysis Critical control) system of liquefied coffee and sikhe. The establishment of Critical limit during sterilization processing was measured by sterilization temperature and sterilization time for 30 days from April 1~30, 2012, and it was conducted at P company in Jincheon (Chungcheongbuk-do), korea. As a result, microbial(coliform, bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and yeast & mold) of sikhe and liquefied coffee were detected before sterilization. In contrat, all microbial was not detected to Sikhe(238mL Can, 500mL and 300mL PP, 1.8L PP) after sterilization ($15{\pm}1$, $35{\pm}1$ and $45{\pm}1$ mins at $121{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, respectively) and Liquefied coffee was not detected after sterilization($121{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, $20{\pm}1$ mins). The sterilizer condition for deciding the most temperature and time were $121{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, $20{\pm}1$ mins. In conclusion, the sterilization process would be a great alternative to prevention, decreasing and removing of harmful microorganism, such as general bacteria, coliform and pathogenic bacteria etc. Therefore, the critical limit of sterilization temperature and time for quality control and biosafety was established at $121{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, $20{\pm}1$ mins. And it suggests that HACCP plan is necessary for monitoring method, monitoring cycle, solving method, education, training and record management during sterilization processing.