• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.179-182
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• 2023

The Chemical Substances Control Act has been legislated to counter the risks posed by chemical substances to public health and the environment, but a number of small- and large-scaled incidents related to hazardous chemicals continue to occur every year. The Korean Ministry of Environment takes legal responsibility for prevention, preparedness, and response to nationwide chemical accidents under the Chemical Substances Control Act. The determination of chemical accidents that occur during hazardous chemical handling processes is based on the Article 2 (Definitions) of the law and the administrative criteria for judgement of chemical accidents. However, there are certain ambiguities in the scientific basis for determining chemical accidents under the current regulations. Whether or not a chemical accident has a direct influence on penalties and administrative measures for a workplace where an accident occurred, it is necessary to find reasonable criteria for determining chemical accident based on legal and scientific evidence.

• 약학회지
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.142-149
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• 2010

Development of alternative testing methods for the replacement of hazardous reagents with less hazardous ones is strongly enforced because exposure of human and environment to hazardous reagents are restricted and hazardous reagents are gradually prohibited from using in various testing methods. Thus, in this study, we developed 8 monographs from the Korean Pharmaceutical Codex by substituting the use of the hazardous reagents including ICH class 1 such as benzene, chloroform and dioxane to the use of less toxic ones like ICH class 2 or 3 reagents. We also improved their qualification and quantification performance. Among 8 monographs, the 6 newly developed TLC methods for the identification of nifedipine, oxolamine citrate, ketoprofen lysinate, chlorquinaldol, retinol acetate, and riboflavin showed a clear spot of corresponding material without any interference in spite of the replacement with ICH class 2 or 3 reagents. For the quantification of domperidone and trimebutine, HPLC methods were developed for the substitution of UV/VIS spectrometry and titrimetry, respectively. These HPLC methods were validated for the linearity, recovery, reproducibility, and inter-laboratory variations. In conclusion, the newly developed methods could be expected to become valuable tools for revising the Korean Pharmaceutical Codex.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.285-293
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to ascertain the important factors for SMEs in managing the risks of chemicals and to suggest a government role in strengthening the responsibility of small and medium enterprises(SMEs) as employers. Methods: About 100 enterprises were surveyed in Incheon. A questionnaire for employers and walk-through surveys by occupational hygienists were performed at each enterprise. Results: The results showed that most employers thought chemicals were not hazardous but chemical management was needed. When employers determine how to manage chemicals, they rely heavily on personal experience and rather less on information from the government or experts. However, if employers think the chemicals are hazardous, they do more to manage the chemicals. Conclusions: When employers think chemicals are hazardous, risk assessment would be an effective tool to control chemical hazards in SMEs. Employers' position on chemical hazards is very important. Since the government is the initiator, it is the government who develops messages for SMEs, such as "Chemicals are hazardous and management can reduce the risk of chemicals." Governmental messages can play an invaluable role in strengthening the responsibility of SME employers to manage chemical hazards.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.7-16
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• 2000

본 연구에서는 대상물질을 선점한 후 그에 따른 세 가지 기준 즉 독성, 화재폭발, 환경기준과 각각의 피해예측기법을 설정하고 이 기준들을 알고리즘을 통한 통합한 종합위해등급으로서 선정된 대상물질에 적용하였다. 특히, 환경기준은 포괄적인 개념으로서 USCG 및 MSDS의 환경기준 분류와 NFPA의 건강위해성(Nh) 중 환경관련 부분을 조합하여 환경지수 모델화를 하였다. 또한 각 기준에 따른 피해예측 기법을 선택하여 지역별 인의에 위치한 화학물질 관련업체에 사용 또는 저장 중인 유해화학물질에 대해 적용하여 사용물질에 대한 종합위해등급 설정(단일물질에 대한 가연성, 독성, 반응성, 환경성에 대한 Hazard level 및 표시 모델화) 및 그에 따른 사고시 피해예측 강도산정 (CPQRA, IAEA, VZ eq), Risk contour를 구할 수 있었다. 이 결과 모든 화학공정 및 저장 등에서 발생할 수 있는 독성 누출, 화재폭발의 잠재적 위험성산정을 통한 안전성 평가의 Tool로 활용이 가능하다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.156-165
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to identify and analyze the exposure status of welding students in specialized high school welding labratories, compare it with the exposure to welding hazards of industrial workers, and seek to improve the educational environment for youth through domestic and international exposure standards. Methods: This study compares the level of exposure to hazardous factors in a welding laboratory of a vocational high school in Jeollanam-do and a welding process in a general industrial site by measuring the work environment. A 10-question survey was conducted to review the effects of welding hazards on the human body, carcinogenicity information, international (US, UK, France) exposure standards, general characteristics between the two groups, and awareness of occupational health. Results: Exposure to hazardous factors in both groups was below the standards set by MOEL. Specialized high school students were exposed to higher levels than workers, and some hazardous factors exceeded the standards when compared to international exposure standards. During the survey, students were less aware of the hazards of welding, safety and health education, and the need for work environment measurement than workers. Conclusions: For the respiratory protection of students in vocational high school welding labs, it is necessary to create a comfortable training environment. Exposure standards for harmful factors should be strictly applied, such as overseas standards, or exposure should be limited by setting a limit on the number of hours of welding practice per week. In addition, it is necessary to conduct safety and health education for welding students to raise their awareness of the importance of measuring the working environment and wearing appropriate protective equipment.

• 분석과학
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.49-57
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• 2020

Controlling the quality of indoor air is important in order to maintain a healthy life. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the hazardous substance concentration of indoor air and circulation based on different ventilation methods in the apartment, which is one of the representative housing types in Korea. As target substances, we considered the hazardous substances which are generated during the cooking process and radon gas which is originated from building materials. We measured the concentrations of carbon dioxide and fine particles in relation to type of food and ventilation methods in order to determine the change in the concentration levels of hazardous substances which are generated during the cooking process. On the other hand, we measured the concentration of radon gas before and after letting fresh air into a room through windows in order to determine the change in the concentration level of radon gas which is originated from building materials. The results show that turning on the ventilation fan plays a major role in reducing the concentration levels of hazardous substances in the kitchen, and that it is more effective to turn on the ventilation fan during cooking than after cooking to prevent the diffusion of hazardous materials produced by cooking through the indoor air. Also, the results indicate that letting fresh air into a room through windows more than one time a day is necessary to reduce the concentration level of radon gas in the room to safe concentration range.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.734-745
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• 2011

In this article, we reviewed the monitoring status of hazardous VOC in ambinet air in Korea and some developed countries such as USA, Japan, and UK. In many countries, two types of VOC monitoring stations are being operated, i.e., for hazardous VOC and photochemical VOC. Each country has different target VOC but all includes benzene. Korea, Japan, and UK have a national ambient air quality standard for benzene, but no national standard has been established in the USA. For sampling of the hazardous VOC, the adsorbent method is adopted in Korea and UK, while the canister method is used in the USA. Both of adsorbent and canister methods are used in Japan. USA and UK have only non-automatic method to measure the hazardous VOC, and the individual samples are being sent to their national laboratories for integrated analysis. On the other hand, Korea and Japan have automatic and nonautomatic methods to measure the hazardous VOC. Local governments or regional environmental agencies in Korea and Japan have the authorization for the sampling and analysis of VOC. According to a field study to evaluate the performance of automatic VOC monitoring system, controlling the moisture in the air sample was identified as the most important problem. However, careful attention must be given to using a moisture removing device such as Nafyon dryer, because of unexpected artifacts formation. In order to have reliable data, it is highly recommended not only to use internal standards, but to use appropriate hydrophobic adsorbents as a cold trap in any automatic on-line VOC monitoring system.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.801-810
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• 2013

A field study was conducted to evaluate air quality from gas stations with and without Stage II vapor recovery systems that are currently used to reduce VOCs. The THC and VOCs levels were monitored for the test at three locations (inside office, around refueling area, site boundary) from a total of five gas stations. The results showed a considerable reduction in THC concentration which ranged from 48.7% to 81.8% with and without the operation of the Stage II VRS. Acoording to our comparative analysis, BTEX and other 19 VOCs levels were also significantly reduced with Stage II vapor recovery systems.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential means for protecting workers against hazardous agents or risks that threaten their safety and health. Governmental organizations related to safety and health in the workplace regulate the PPE rules to protect workers and to minimize damage from hazardous agents. This study discussed current PPE rules overseen by the Korea Ministry of Environment and explores future perspectives on the matter. Methods: This study was based on a review of PPE regulations with which every stakeholder should comply in the workplace. Both South Korean regulations enforced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Environment and cases from other countries were reviewed. Results: Regulations related to the PPE required for handling chemical substances in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Enforcement Decree, Enforcement Rules, and Notification of Protective Equipment Certification under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The Ministry of Environment also regulates the PPE standards for 97 substances requiring preparation for accidents and adjustment of work conditions, but a recent amendment (partially amended on September 30, 2022) loosened some unreasonable or excessive provisions. It requires workers simply to carry or otherwise keep PPE handy instead of wearing it for some tasks in which hazardous chemicals are not handled directly. Conclusions: It is important to regularly review provisions that need to be improved or supplemented to help all stakeholders. Considerations should be also made to build a reasonable regulatory system that can induce more mature safety management in each workplace.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.179-189
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• 2001

This study was performed to identify the current status of work environment management and to provide appropriate recommendations for small scale industry with less than 5 workers from September, 2000 to October, 2000 in Seoul city and Gyoung-gi province. The 211 companies were surveyed by checklist included the elements of management of work environment, hazardous chemicals, MSDS, personal protective equipment, and ventilation system. The proportion of metal products manufacturing and printing industries are 25.6 % and 22.3%, respectively. The daily working hours in printing industry is longer than others. The industries that produce potentially hazardous agents, such as noise, dust, metal, organic solvents, radiation and chemical material are pulp, plating, machinery, and printing, respectively. In above industries, only 2.8 % of those recognised and had MSDS. The proportion of companies providing fire extinguishers, safety showers are found to be 13.3 %, 7.1 %, respectively. Only 24.2 % of companies provided personal protective equipment to the workers. The ventilation system was operated in most of companies. But local exhaust ventilation system is provided to 22.3 % of those, also had not been annually inspected. This study showed that the current status of occupational safety and health was not appropriate for workers in small scale industries. It is suggested that annual physical examination have to be performed, MSDS usage must become widespread, and employer and emplyees in small scale industry should be educated for the treatment and storage of hazardous chemicals to improve the occupational safety and health of the working environment. also, regulatory standard has to be applied to local exhaust ventilation system in small scale industry to improve the working condition.