• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.281-291
• /
• 2018

Recently, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) from China is regarded as a major reason for elevated levels of particulate matter (PM) in Korea. However, local emissions also play an important role in PM pollution, especially in large-scale industrial cities. In this study, PM samples were collected at suburban, residential, and industrial sites in Ulsan, Korea. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were analyzed, and a potential human health risk assessment was conducted. The concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in total suspended particles (TSP) increased during high $PM_{10}$ episodes, and backward trajectory analysis verified the influence of LRAT from China during the high episodes. Furthermore, the concentrations of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ at the industrial site were higher than those at the residential site. The risk assessment of PAHs and heavy metals in $PM_{2.5}$ suggested no significant health effects. The highest levels of PAHs were measured in the particle size of $0.32{\sim}0.56{\mu}m$ at the residential site, and those of heavy metals were detected in the particle size of 1.8~5.6 and $>18{\mu}m$, reflecting different major emissions sources for both groups. On the basis of this preliminary study, we are planning long-term monitoring and modeling studies to quantitatively evaluate the influence of industrial activities on the PM pollution in Ulsan.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
• /
• v.35 no.7
• /
• pp.670-682
• /
• 2018

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) can be released to humans and the environment through the generation of waste containing engineered nanomaterials (WCNMs) and the use and disposal of nano-products. Nanoparticles can also be introduced intentionally or unintentionally into waste streams. This study examined WCNMs in domestic industries, and target nanomaterials, such as silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, nano silver, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were selected. We tested 48 samples, such as dust, sludge, ash, and by-products from manufacturing facilities and waste treatment facilities. We analyzed leaching and content concentrations for heavy metals and hazardous constituents of the waste. Chemical compositions were also measured by XRD and XRF, and the unique properties of nano-waste were identified by using a particle size distribution analyzer and TEM. The dust and sludge generated from manufacturing facilities and the use of nanomaterials showed higher concentrations of metals such as lead, arsenic, chromium, barium, and zinc. Oiled cloths from facilities using nano silver revealed high concentrations of copper, and the leaching concentrations of copper and lead in fly ash were higher than those in bottom ash. In XRF measurements at the facilities, we detected compounds such as silicon dioxide, sulfur trioxide, calcium oxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. We found several chemicals such as calcium oxide and silicon dioxide in the bottom ash of waste incinerators.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.48-55
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the dietary iodine intake of Koreans by a Total Diet Study (TDS) which provides 'closer-to-real' estimates of exposure to hazardous materials and nutrients through an analysis of table-ready (cooked) samples of foods. Methods: Dietary intake data from 2013-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was used to select representative foods (RFs) for iodine analysis. A total of 115 RFs were selected and 158 'RF × cooking method-combination' pairs were derived by pairing each RF to corresponding cooking method(s) used more frequently. RFs were collected from 9 mega-markets in 9 metropolitan cities nationwide and mixed into composites prior to cooking preparation to a 'table ready' state for iodine analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Iodine intake of Koreans was estimated based on the food intake data of the 2016-2018 KNHANES. Results: High iodine content was detected in seaweeds such as sea mustard and kelp. The mean iodine intake/capita/day was 418.4 ㎍ and the median value was 129.0 ㎍. Seaweeds contributed to 77.4% of the total iodine intake and the contribution by food item was as follows: sea mustard (44.0%), kelp (20.4%), laver (13.1%), milk (3.9%), egg (3.5%). Compared to the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020, the proportion of people with iodine intake exceeding the tolerable upper intake level or below the estimated average requirement was high in the physiologically vulnerable groups (infants, children, pregnant women, and lactating women). Conclusions: The results, drawn from a TDS, are regarded closer to real estimates for iodine intake of Koreans compared with values in existing literature, which were based on a very limited variety of foods. On the other hand, it seems necessary to seek out solutions for the problematic iodine intake among physiologically vulnerable groups through in-depth analyses on food intake data collected with significant scale & quality.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.70-81
• /
• 2021

This study evaluated the recyclability of waste plastics in used coffee capsules disposed of as municipal waste. For recycling, a new material separation process was developed to remove the coffee grounds through primary crushing, washing, sieving, and secondary crushing, followed by corona discharge electrostatic separation. Furthermore, for the under 10 mm size fraction samples, the aluminum removal and the plastic recovery were 95.4% and 98.3%, respectively, under optimal conditions. In addition, for the 15 mm fraction samples, the aluminum removal and the plastic recovery were 91.3% and 97.2%, respectively. To evaluate the recyclability of the separated waste plastics, the samples were pelleted, and their material properties were analyzed. No hazardous substances were detected, and the results were similar to those for homo-PP. Therefore, it was confirmed tha t sufficient functiona lity existed a s recycled PP. However, owing to the da rk color of the pellets, limited applications to black or dark products are expected.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.324-330
• /
• 2020

Ozone (O₃) is a general disinfectant to remove micro-pollutants in water treatment system. Previous studies have reported effect of ozone to bacteria and pathogens removal, but its effect to the relatively large organisms has little known. In this study, we investigated potential effects of ozone toxicity to the non-bite midge larvae (Glyptotendipes tokunagai) with accumulate mortality, coloration change and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The accumulate mortality rate of G. tokunagai increased in a dose-time dependent manner and the highest mortality rate was observed to 75% at 30 minute of exposure duration with 2.0 ppm of ozone concentration. Exposure to ozone was a factor increasing body color of the larvae. The tendency of HSP70 mRNA expression showed up-regulation in ozone exposure at 20 minute. After that time, the expression of HSP70 in exposed group decreased to a similar level of control group. Our results clearly showed that ozone toxicity affects physical and molecular activity of G. tokunagai, implying the potential hazardous of ozone in the aquatic ecosystem including macroinvertebrates.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.858-863
• /
• 2020

We experimented with the particle-settling velocity and CHCl3 absorption efficiency of seven activated-carbon and analyzed seven heavy metal contents by elution for application to the field treatment of sunken HNS on the marine seabed. The mean particle-settling velocity was in the range 0.5-8 cm/s, except when the 8-20 mesh was used. The larger the HNS particle, the faster the particle-settling velocity was, and the CHCl3 absorption efficiency increased considerably owing to the larger surface area. In addition, the elution test results showed that the total Zn and As contents in >100-meshed activated carbon was higher than the contents criteria for the standard for water-treatment agents, and Cr, Zn, and As were released at higher concentrations than those released by other activated-carbon groups. Taken together, the CHCl3 absorption efficiency, settling velocity, and elution test results suggested that the 20-60, 20-40, and 2mm&down mesh activated-carbon adsorbents could be applied to the field treatment of HNSs and that the minimum required amount for field treatment were 0.82, 0.90, and 1.28 ton/㎘, respectively, as calculated based on the HNS-adsorption-capacity priority.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.179-187
• /
• 2021

In the past five years, form construction, which accounts for approximately 25% of the total construction period, has continued to occur without a significant decrease in the number of deaths, with the largest proportion of collapse accidents. Accordingly, this study analyzed the difference in perception between the manager and worker by a questionnaire survey on the degree of risk and safety management level regarding a mold collapse accident. The survey was conducted in three groups: safety manager, field worker, and field manager. The results of the survey were analyzed by an independent sample T-Test using the SPSS program. As a result, there was almost no difference in recognition between managers, but a significant difference in recognition between managers and workers. In addition, there was a difference in management perception between the administrator and worker, which clearly shows the difference in the position between the administrator who manages and supervises hazardous disaster factors and the worker who works directly in the field. Such differences in perception can be a factor that cannot be mitigated. Based on this study, more developed research can narrow the perception gap between managers and workers and be used as a basic material for disaster research.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.68-76
• /
• 2021

As hazardous chemicals are releasing in process industries such as chemical & petro-chemical plants, the importance of initial responses has been always emphasized. However, little attention of quantitative analysis of the consequence by different initial responses during releasing of the chemicals has been done. The main objective of current paper is to investigate the effects of initial responses for the release accidents of hydrofluoric acid. For this, a simplified equation that can easily calculate the effect distance by varying concentrations of hydrofluoric acid was firstly deduced. In addition, a causal loops for the initial response steps using the system dynamics technique was constructed during release of 50% hydrofluoric acid. The effect distances according to different scenarios of the initial actions were also quantitatively analyzed by applying the simplified equation to the causal map. As a result, the highest reduction rate on the maximum effect distance was obtained with 'start time of action after leak detection' being about 87% while the lowest was 'arrival time of professional response team' being about 50%, as expected. It is expected that the results gained from the current study can be helpful as of basics of the initial response to the workplace, dealing with the hydrofluoric acid.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.587-601
• /
• 2020

Exposure to hazardous substances occurs through multiple pathways. Aggregated risk assessment, which includes all potential exposure pathways to a single toxicant, is necessary to prevent exposure to harmful substances. We aimed to estimate cadmium and lead exposure through various media, such as food, water, air, smoking, cosmetics, and female hygiene products. This study covered 10,733 subjects from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2016, 2017). Dietary exposure was estimated using 24-hour recall data. For water and inhalational exposure, regional variations were considered. Water was classified as tap, bottled, and public water. Inhalational exposure was estimated using the '2014 Time Use Survey' based on daily lifestyle and social status. The frequency and volume of cosmetic usage were randomly approximated by sex and age. Post-menarcheal and premenopausal women were assumed to use feminine hygiene products. Non-carcinogenic aggregated risks were estimated using the Aggregate Risk Index from EPAs and the Total Exposure Hazard Index from Korean government guidelines. For carcinogenic risk assessment, excessive cancer risk was estimated. Ingestion, especially food, was the major route for both cadmium and lead exposure. Smoking was also associated with high cadmium exposure. Exposure to lead from cosmetics was remarkable but not critical. In aggregate risk assessments, median cadmium and lead exposure did not exceed the reference value. Sex, age, smoking status, and income affected exposure levels, unlike to regional variations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.226-237
• /
• 2021

Coastal safety accidents are characterized by a high proportion of human negligence and repeated occurrences of accidents caused by the same factors. The Korea Coast Guard prepares and implements various countermeasures to prevent accidents at coastal safety accident sites. However, there is a shortage of safety facilities and safety management personnel according to the limited budget. In addition, the ability to be proactively and proactively respond is low due to the limitations of the coastal safety accident risk forecasting system, which relies on the meteorological warning of the Korea Meteorological Administration. In this study, as part of preparing the foundation for establishing a preemptive and active coastal safety management system that can manage accident-causing factors, predict and evaluate risk, and implement response and mitigation measures after an accident occurs before coastal safety accidents occur. The establishment of a risk assessment system was proposed. The main evaluation factors and indicators for risk assessment were established through the analysis of the status of coastal safety accidents. The risk assessment methodology was applied to 40 major hazardous areas designated and managed by the Korea Coast Guard.