• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.2 s.57
• /
• pp.392-401
• /
• 1997

Generally working environment and worker's health status of small scale industries (SSI) which employ less than 50 workers are known to be poorer than those of large scale industries(LSI) which employ more than 500 workers. However, according to the analysis of occupational injuries in Korea, prevalence rate of occupational injuries of SSI was 3.1 times as high as LSI. But there was no difference in prevalence rate of occupational disease and werkers with suspected occupational disease(D1) between SSI and LSI. To confirm these two different facts, we surveyed working environment and worker's health status of SSI and LSI in Kyeungin industrial complex. Workers in SSI were 10,878 and workers in LSI were 8,291 and number of hazardous agents in SSI were 3,554 and those of LSI were 1,916. We found following results. First, proportion of male workers and workers who were less than 30 yens old and more than 50 yens old was higher in SSI compared to LSI. Second, worker in SSI had more liver disease, viral hepatitis, and pneumoconiosis than in LSI, and there were more worker with suspected occupational disease, general disease, and worker needed close observation in SSI. But these effects had not statistical significance under the condition controlled by age and sex with logistic regression. Third, the numbers measured for specific chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals in SSI was more than in LSI. However there was on difference in the excess rate of each hazardous agent between SSI and LSI. As the above results workers' health status in SSI was poorer than in LSI, but these results were mainly due to the population structure difference. Although there were some limitation of this study and problems of sensitivity and validity for periodic health examination and working environment evaluation method, the concept that working environment and worker's health status in SSI should be reviewed. In future the study that will reveal the real weak point of SSI should be performed.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2009

Objectives: To compare the contents of hazardous substances before/after a decoction. Methods : The heavy metal contents before/after a decoction were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) and mercury analyzer. In order to analyze pesticides in 6 samples we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide (S02) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. Results : 1. The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) for the samples were as follows: Socheongryong-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.115, Cd; 0.179, As; 0.069 and Hg; 0.028, after decoction - Pb; 0.110, Cd; 0.011, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.002), Insampaedok-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.207, Cd; 0.148, As; 0.171 and Hg; 0.026, after decoction - Pb; 0.075, Cd; 0.006, As; not detected and Hg; O.OOD, Oryung-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.955, Cd; 0.430, As; 0.063 and Hg; 0.027, after decoction - Pb; 0.083, Cd; 0.013, As; 0.006 and Hg; 0.002), Hwangryunhaedok-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.825, Cd; 0.210, As; 0.050 and Hg; 0.009, after decoction - Pb; 0.107, Cd; 0.010, As; 0.005 and Hg; O.OOD, Bangpungtongseong-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.740, Cd; 0.162, As; 0.585 and Hg; 0.018, after decoction - Pb; 0.041, Cd; 0.006, As; 0.022 and Hg; not detected) and Oyaksungi-san (before decoction - Pb; 1.199, Cd; 0.183, As; 0.321 and Hg; 0.031, after decoction - Pb; 0.096, Cd; 0.008, As; 0.021 and Hg; 0.0004). 2. Contents (mg/kg) of sulfur dioxide (S0$_2$) before a decoction in Socheongryong-tang, Insampaedok-san, Oryung-san, Hwangryunhaedok-tang, Bangpungtongseong-san and Oyaksungi-san exhibited 3.2, 5.7, 4.5, 49.8, 7.8 and 22.4, respectively. However, contents of sulfur dioxide after a decoction in all samples were not detected. 3. Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides before/after a decoction in all samples were not detected. Conclusions : These results will be used to establish a criterion of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide.

• Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.18-26
• /
• 2014

We analyzed the demand of competent authorities requiring adequate technical information for initial investigation of chemical accidents. Reflecting technical reports on chemical accident response by environmental agencies in the U.S. and Canada, we presented information on environmental diffusion and toxic effects available for the first chemical accident response. Hydrogen fluoride may have the risk potential to corrode metals and cause serious burns and eye damages. In case of inhalation or intake, it could have severe health effects. The substance itself is inflammable, but once heated, it decomposes producing corrosive and toxic fume. In case of contact with water, it can produce toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive gases and its solution, a strong acid, may react fiercely with a base. In case of hydrogen fluoride leak, the preventive measures are to decrease steam generation in exposed sites, prevent the transfer of vapor cloud and promptly respond using inflammable substances including calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ground limestone, dried soil, dry sand, vermiculite, fly ash and powder cement. The method for fire fighting is to suppress fire with manless hose stanchions or monitor nozzles by wearing the whole body protective clothing equipped with over-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus from distance. In case of transport accident accompanied with fire, evacuation distance is 1,600m radius. In cae of fire, fire suppression needs to be performed using dry chemicals, CO₂, water spray, water fog, and alcohol-resistance foam, etc. The major symptoms by exposure route are dyspnoea, bronchitis, chemical pneumonia and pulmonary edema for respiration, skin laceration, dermatitis, burn, frostbite and erythema for eyes, and nausea, diarrhea, stomachache, and tissue destruction for digestive organs. In atmosphere, its persistency is low, and its bioaccumulation in aquatic organism is also low.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.68-77
• /
• 2024

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is an environmentally hazardous pollutant that originates from various sources. PM is comprised of solid particles and liquid droplets of diverse composition and size. Hazardous chemical compositions of PM include elemental and organic carbon, organic compounds, biological compounds and metals. Upon acute and chronic PM exposure, toxic contaminants enter and accumulate within physiological systems and prompt cell structure changes accompanied with intracellular endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, lipid accumulation, and cell cycle arrest. Ultimately, these cellular response leads to the development of key characteristics of aging. In addition, PM internalization enhances autophagy reflux and lysosomal dysfunction, which is involved in cell aging. Previous studies have emphasized a positive association between PM and increased mortality or decreased lifespan, although these are evidenced mostly by observational studies. Direct evidence of the link between PM and aging is still limited. This review evaluates the evidence from not only observational studies but also in vitro and in vivo evidence of PM on aging progression and age-related diseases development. This evidence is based on age-associated cellular changes including endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, adipose accumulation, autophagy, which strengthen the association between PM exposure and aging. Understanding the underlying cellular responses under PM may allow for the development of new therapeutic targets for PM-induced aging.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.402-413
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.20 no.7
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2015

This study was performed to provide fundamental data to establish the new soil pollution standards and the soil contamination management plans in a rational manner. The distribution characteristics of new soil contaminants such as barium (Ba) and chromium (Cr) in soils (n=140) were investigated in relation to land-use classification and geological features. Also, the sequential extraction test was conducted to evaluate fate and mobility of new soil contaminants. The soil samples taken from 140 sites were analyzed to survey distribution levels of selected new soil contaminants. The average concentration and range for hazardous metals (Ba, Cr) were Ba 128.946 (26.757~489.587) mg/kg, Cr 30.121 (2.579~132.783) mg/kg. Based on land use classification, the highest Ba concentration was found in factory soils, followed by dry field and park soils, while Cr concentration was highest in rice paddy soils, followed by dry field and factory soils. Within 10 geological units investigated the highest Ba and Cr concentrations were observed in the soils from Okcheon group and metamorphic rocks, respectively. The BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction was conducted to identify chemical distributional existence of 2 elements of soils from each geological unit. Ba in soils is mainly assumed to exists as reducible form (such as BaSO₄, BaCO₃) and Cr in soils mainly is assumed to exist as residual form (such as Cr₂O₃, Cr_xFe_1-x(OH)₃(x < 1)).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.88-94
• /
• 1985

In order to investigate the pollution potential of soils after the construction of Onsan Industrial Complex(non-ferrous metal refineries), concentrations of hazardous heavy metals were analyzed for soil samples collected from paddy, upland, orchard and forest soils around the Complex during the period of March 1978 to May 1979. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The concentrations of heavy metals (air-dry basis) for cultivated soil samples from 46 sites were obtained in the range of trace-9.3 ppm As, trace-0.6 ppm Cd, 4${\sim}$22 ppm Cu, trace-0.37 ppm Hg, 6${\sim}$43 ppm Pb and 27${\sim}$93 ppm Zn, which were regarded as non-polluted when compared with the whole Korea data for non-polluted paddy soils. 2) When the heavy metal concentrations were compared with respect to paddy, upland and orchard soils, no significant difference was observed in As, Cd, Cu and Zn whereas significant difference was observed in Hg and Pb. When they were compared with respect to region surrounding the Complex, no significant difference was observed in As, Cd, Hg whereas significant difference was observed in Cu and Pb. 3) Soil samples from several sites near Korea Zinc Refinery were contaminated with Cd, Pb and Zn, due to the accidental emission during its testing operation. Any further contamination was not observed after regular operation of the Refinery.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2013

This study has been conducted to provide a management plan for recycled products (plastic wastes) by identifying hazardous substances present in it and conducting exposure assessment. The concentration of 7 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Zn) was analyzed. Exposure scenario was assumed by the consumption of kimchi made in a recycled plastic bucket. According to the analysis, all of the analyzed samples were within the food code standard level except one sample (137.03 mg/kg, sum of Cd, $Cr^{6+}$, Pb and Hg). In leaching test, all of heavy metals were within the leaching standard (Standards specifications of utensil and container-Packing). In an oral exposure test, Fe, Pb and Zn were detected in cabbages and were below PMTDI (Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake). As one of the recycled plastic buckets exceeded the standard level, we conclude not to recommend the recycled plastic buckets for cooking purpose.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2009

Objective : To compare the contents of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide before/after a decoction. Methods : The heavy metal contents before/after a decoction were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) and mercury analyzer. In order to analyze pesticides in 4 samples we used simultaneous multi-residue analysis of pesticides by GC/ECD, which was followed by GC/MSD analysis to confirm the identity of the detected pesticide in each sample. In addition, the contents of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) were performed by Monier-Williams distillation method. Results: 1. The mean values of heavy metal contents (mg/kg) for the samples were as follows: Jaeumganghwa-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.190, Cd; 0.184, As; 0.099 and Hg; 0.028, after decoction - Pb; .033, Cd; 0.003, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.001), Yukmijiwhang-tang (before decoction - Pb; 0.484, Cd; 0.133, As; 0.053 and Hg; 0.009, after decoction - Pb; 0.065, Cd; 0.008, As; 0.007 and Hg; not detected), Bojungikgi-tang (before decoction - Pb; 0.863, Cd; 0.197, As; below 0.016 and Hg; 0.011, after decoction - Pb; 0.071, Cd; 0.009, As; 0.004 and Hg; 0.001) and Ssangwha-tang (before decoction - Pb; 1.511, Cd; 0.212, As; 0.094 and Hg; 0.016, after decoction - Pb; 0.029, Cd; 0.006, As; 0.005 and Hg; 0.0004). 2. Contents (mg/kg) of sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) before a decoction in Jaeumganghwa-tang, Yukmijiwhang-tang and Ssangwha-tang exhibited 22.7, 107.3 and 5.5, respectively. However, contents of sulfur dioxide after a decoction in all samples were not detected. 3. Contents (mg/kg) of residual pesticides before/after a decoction in all samples were not detected. Conclusion : These results will be used to establish a criterion of heavy metals, residual pesticides and sulfur dioxide.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the nutritional composition of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: Acrididae) changes nutrients depending on the host plants. In this study, to confirm whether Locusta migratoria is an edible insect, the nutrients and harmful substances such as heavy metals and pathogens were analyzed and compared according to corn (LC) or wheat (LW) as host plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: All experimental methods mainly referred to AOAC (2004). The content of crude protein per dry weight was 77.3% in (LW), 1.1 times higher than 69.8% in LC. Crude fat was 6.5% in LW, 2.2 times less than LC 14.3%. Alpha-linolenic acid, which has the highest content among unsaturated fatty acids, was 1.2 times higher in LC (39.9%) than LW (32.5%). As a result of analysis of harmful substances by LC and LW, lead and cadmium among heavy metals were at levels suitable for heavy metal standards of edible insects, and arsenic was not detected in both groups. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected in both groups. CONCLUSION: When comparing the overall nutrients composition of LW and LC, it was confirmed nutrients are different depending on the host plants, and the safety was proved.