• Title/Summary/Keyword: hazardous substances

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Numerical Modeling for Effect on Bund Overtopping Caused by a Catastrophic Failure of Chemical Storage Tanks (저장시설의 순간 전량 방출 시 방류벽의 월파 효과에 대한 수치모델링)

  • Min, Dong Seok;Phark, Chuntak;Jung, Seungho
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.42-50
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    • 2019
  • As the industry develops in Korea, the use of hazardous chemicals is increasing rapidly and chemical accidents are increasing accordingly. Most of the chemical accidents are caused by leaks of hazardous chemicals, but there are also accidents in which all the substances are released instantaneously due to sudden high temperature/pressure or defection of the storage tanks. This is called catastrophic failure and its frequency is very low, but consequence is very huge when it occurs. In Korea, there were 15 casualties including three deaths due to catastrophic rupture of water tank in 2013, and 64 instances of failures from 1919 to 2004 worldwide. In case of catastrophic failure, it would be able to overflow outside the bund that reduces the evaporation rate and following consequence. This incident is called overtopping. Overseas, some researchers have been studying the amount of external overflow depending on bund conditions in the event of such an accident. Based on the previous research, this study identified overtopping fraction by condition of bund in accordance with Korea Chemicals Controls Act Using CFD simulation. As a result, as the height increases and the distance to the facility decreases while meeting the minimum standard of the bund capacity, the overtopping effect has decreased. In addition, by identifying the effects of overtopping according to atmospheric conditions, types of materials and shapes of bunds, this study proposes the design of the bund considering the effect of overtopping caused by catastrophic failure with different bund conditions.

Korea Total Diet Study-Based Risk Assessment on Contaminants Formed During Manufacture, Preparation and Storage of Food

  • Kwon, Kisung;Jo, Cheon-Ho;Choi, Jang-Duck
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.213-219
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    • 2021
  • Hazardous substances are formed during food manufacturing, processing, or cooking, and may pose a threat to food safety. Here, we present a dietary exposure assessment of Korean consumer's intake of hazardous materials through a Total Diet Study (TDS) which was conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The levels of exposure to materials such as acrylamide, furan, biogenic amines, etc., were estimated and risk assessments were then performed. Acrylamide and furan were selected as hazards with high priority of reduction control due to their having a margin of exposure (MOE) lower than 10,000. Risk assessment of exposure to ethyl carbamate, benzene and 3-MCPD showed MOEs higher than 100,000, indicating "safe". Dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene was also found to be safe MOE levels >10,000. In addition, the results indicated safe MOEs (>1,000,000) for heterocyclic amines, nitrosamines, and biogenic amines. Most of the potential food contaminants were being kept at safe levels, however, it is necessary to continue to monitor and control exposure levels in accordance with the 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) principle.

Safety investigation of the moisturizing medium prepared using the Chinese oak mushroom (Lentinula edodes) based on the presence of residual pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactive materials (중국산 표고(Lentinula edodes) 보습배지의 잔류농약, 중금속 및 방사능 안전성 분석)

  • Jang, Eun-Kyoung;Jeong, Sang-Wook;Jang, Hye-Mi;Ban, Seung-Eon
    • Journal of Mushroom
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.22-28
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    • 2022
  • In order to provide basic data for preparing management standards and to verify the safety of the Chinese oak mushroom-derived moisturizing medium-which is synthesized and imported in large quantities-the presence of 321 residual pesticides, 7 heavy metals, and 3 radioactive materials was analyzed in the moisturizer samples. Examination of residual pesticides in seven moisturizing medium samples prepared using the Chinese oak mushroom and three domestic sawdust samples used for mushroom culture revealed the presence of cypermethrin and iprodione in three moisturizer samples, but the contents of these pesticides were below the standard limits. Zn was detected in ten samples, Cu was detected in nine samples, and Ni was detected in four samples, but their contents were below the standard limits. Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg were not detected in any sample. No radioactive materials were detected in the samples. In addition, fruiting bodies of the oak mushroom were observed in each medium. Examination did not reveal the presence of any residual pesticides or harmful compounds. In this study, the use of the moisturizing medium prepared using the Chinese oak mushroom was found to be safe. As residual pesticides, heavy metals, and radioactivity-even in trace amounts-remain concentrated in the human body, continuous verification of the safety of hazardous substances and pollutants during the systematic cultivation and management of these mushrooms is required.

Development of Accident Response Information Sheets for Hydrogen Fluoride (불화수소에 대한 사고대응 정보시트 개발)

  • Yoon, Young Sam;Park, Yeon Shin;Kim, Ki Joon;Cho, Mun Sik;Hwang, Dong Gun;Yoon, Jun heon;Choi, Kyung Hee
    • Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.18-26
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    • 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.

Environment-wide association study of elevated liver enzymes: results from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018-2022

  • Youngchan Chi;Jong-Tae Park;Sewhan Na;Kyeongmin Kwak
    • Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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    • v.35
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    • pp.27.1-27.12
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    • 2023
  • Background: Environmental exposure is characterized by low concentration, chronic, and complex exposure. Traditional epidemiological studies show limitations in reflecting these characteristics since they usually focus on a single or very limited number of exposure factors at a time. In this study, we adopted the methodology of environment-wide association study (EWAS) to figure out the association of human liver function with various environmentally hazardous substances. Methods: We analyzed 2,961 participants from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 4 (2018-2020). Using generalized linear model (GLM) analysis, we analyzed the association of 72 variables with 3 liver function indices (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT]). Finally, we visualized our results with Manhattan plot. Results: In GLM analysis, perfluorooctanesulfonate were positively associated with ALT (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-3.46; padjusted = 0.0147) and perfluorodecanoic acid showed positive association with GGT (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.36-5.5; padjusted = 0.0256). Plasma mercury showed positive association with GGT (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.14-1.84; padjusted = 0.0315). Using a plastic container while keeping food in the refrigerator was associated with elevated GGT compared to using a glass container (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.16-1.95; padjusted = 0.0153). 2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate, showed a negative trend with all 3 indices, with AST (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.39-0.73; padjusted = 0.00357), ALT (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.34-0.75; padjusted = 0.036), GGT (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.4-0.76; padjusted = 0.00697). Bisphenol S and frequent use of sunblock cream showed negative association with ALT (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66-0.89), and GGT (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.55), respectively. Conclusions: We conducted an exploratory study on environmental exposure and human liver function. By using EWAS methodology, we identified 7 factors that could have potential association with liver function.

A Case Study on the Health Impact Assessment of Residential Development Projects (주거지 개발사업에 대한 건강영향평가 사례 연구)

  • Shin, Moonshik;Dong, Jongin;Ha, Jongsik
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.29 no.5
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    • pp.391-402
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    • 2020
  • Health Impact Assessment based on municipal law is performed and written in the sanitary and public health part in the current environmental impact assessment. Residential development projects such as housing site development etc., are not subject to health impact assessment under Article 13 of the Environmental Health Act. However, health impact assessment is conducted partially based on the review that health impact assessment targets which are identified among substances emitted from pollutants nearby industrial complexes should be assessed risk (including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) at the stage of the environmental impact assessment consultation. Although residential development projects do not have plans for pollutant emitting facilities that emit hazardous air pollutants, there is a possibility that residents might be affected by pollutants from industrial complex near residential area in the future. In this study, Health impact assessment was conducted to examine the impact on residents in planned areas by analyzing previous residential development projects. We predicted future impact by using the literature survey results on surrounding area (case1) and conducting contribution analysis (case2) and predicting exposure concentration of carcinogenic substances applying Atmospheric Diffusion Model (AERMOD). By this study, we concluded that applying on-site survey, contribution analysis and prediction of exposure concentration by using AERMOD complementarily will be effective to assess the health impact to the receptors by pollutants from industrial complexes near the planned zone.

A Study on the Characteristic Trace of Water Quality Pollutants in the Industrial Wastewater (업종별 산업폐수의 수질오염물질 배출 특성)

  • Park, Sun Ku;Kim, Sung Soo;Ko, Oh Suk
    • Analytical Science and Technology
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.141-150
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    • 1999
  • Twenty organic chemical substances, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene, isopropyl benzene, stylene, bromobenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 2-chlorotoluene 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, p-isopropyltoluene, 4-chlorotoluene, n-butylbenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, naphthalene, tert-butylbenzene, sec-butylbenzene, phenol, isopropyl benzene hydroperoxide were isolated from untreated and treated wastewater collected at 76 companys of 9 types industry in the basin of Young San River. Their organic compounds were elucidated by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and by comparison with each standard reagents. Especially, phenol compound is detected from effluent water but not detected from plant wastewater in the chemical industry. Heavy metal, which are Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Al and Fe, are contained in the plant wastewater of all industry, Fe, Al of them is more detected than the other metals in plant wastewater. Cr, Cd, Pb, As is contained much in plant wastewater of electricity and electron, metal molding industry. Nine metals is nearely treated when plant wastewater is treated, and then the concentration of each other metals is detected below water quality standard or not detected by using AA.

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Assessment of Biological Toxicity Monitoring in Water Using Sulfur Oxidizing Bacteria (하천수의 생태독성을 파악하기 위한 황산화미생물의 이용가능성 평가)

  • Kang, Woo-Chang;Oh, Sang-Eun
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.170-174
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    • 2012
  • BACKGROUND: Inappropriate discharge of wastewaters and industrial effluents are becoming detrimental to the aquatic environment. The presence of toxic substances on wastewaters can be detected by physicochemical and biological methods. However, physicochemical methods do not give any information about biological toxicity. Therefore, in this study we tried to detect the presence of toxic substance on waters using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) as a bioassay. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: The SOB biosensor was first stabilized using synthetic stream water and operated in both continuous and semi-continuous mode. When the SOB biosensor was operated in continuous mode, the effluent electrical conductivity (EC) stabilized at~1.72 dS/m. While in the case of semi-continuous, the EC stabilized at~0.6 dS/m. The SOB system was also operated at different reaction times to ascertain the shortest reaction time for monitoring the toxicity. Finally, the SOB biosensor was fed with nitrite as toxic substance. When 5 mg/L of nitrite was added to the SOB system, the EC decreased immediately. However, the EC recovered after few cycle. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the SOB biosensor can be used as warning system to protect aquatic environment from hazardous materials. Although SOB biosensor can not give specific information about the toxic substances, it can assess whether the water is toxic or not.

Advancement Plan on Hazardous Material Classification and Comparative Study of the Criteria in UN GHS and Safety Control of Dangerous Substances Act (UN GHS와 위험물안전관리법상의 위험물질 분류기준 비교 및 선진화 방안 연구)

  • Lee, Bong Woo;Lee, Kijun;Park, Jeongpil;Shin, Dongil
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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    • v.17 no.5
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    • pp.42-50
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    • 2013
  • With the rapid change of industry and the development of science and technology, more than 100,000 industrial chemicals are being used and 2,000 new materials are developed every year. Chemical products have had favorable influence on our daily life and contributed very much to the prosper of human culture. But some materials are inherently poisonous and dangerous. Korea ranks as the number 7 in world's chemical products market and the chemical sector is contributing to the economic revival through importing and exporting of the products. With the increasing domestic as well as international interests about REACH and GHS, the need for the effective and efficient chemical material management system is getting bigger and bigger. In this research, we compare the criteria in UN GHS and Safety Control of Dangerous Substances Act of Korea for the development of global standard test methods and the classification and labelling for the chemicals, and suggest an advancement plan for the introduction of the GHS in a building block approach. In addition, providing the harmonized information about chemical hazards is suggested for the elimination of international trade barriers for chemical industries.

Estimation of Multi-Route Exposure and Aggregated Risk Assessment for Cadmium and Lead (카드뮴과 납의 다경로 노출량 추정 및 통합 위해성 평가)

  • Yu, Changwoo;Kwon, Hoonjeong
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.35 no.6
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    • pp.587-601
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    • 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.