• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.252-261
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• 2019

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of secondary metabolites that are produced by plants all over the world as a defense mechanism against herbivores. To date, over 660 PAs have been identified from more than 6,000 plant species that have been reported to be widely present in plants belonging to Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and Fabaceae. This study describes an analytical method based on UPLC-MS/MS for the quantitation of 7 pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Lycopsamine, Echimidine, Retrorsine, Retrorsine N-oxide, Senecionine, Heliotrine, and Trichodesmine) in honey, and was applied to 84 honey samples for validation. Quantitation was performed based on a matrix-matched calibration to compensate for the matrix effect on the electrospray ionization. Good linear calibrations were obtained for all 7 PAs in the spiked honey samples (2.575-202.14 ㎍/kg; R² ≥ 0.998). The extraction recoveries for most of the PAs in the honey samples were in the range of 81 %-108 %. The analysis showed that 6 of the 84 honey samples were contaminated by the PAs with the mean total sum of PAs being 47.19 ㎍/kg, and the concentrations of the PAs were observed to be in the range of 1.76-202.1 ㎍/kg. The retronecine type compounds (Echimidine, Lycopsamine) were the most frequently found PAs in honey. These data provide useful information for the assessment of human risk posed by the consumption of honey contaminated PAs.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.133-173
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• 2011

Since mid-1960s the reports from the Surgeon General, the World Health Organization, and other health experts state that there is no risk-free level exposure to smoking and secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke is made up of more than 7,000 chemicals. Hundreds are toxic, and at least 70 are carcinogens. The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach smoker's lungs quickly every time smoker inhale causing damages immediately. Inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can also damage smoker's DNA, which can lead to cancers. Smoking is responsible for more than 87% of lung cancers, but there are a host of other chronic diseases directly related to exposure to tobacco smoke. It's also a major cause of heart disease, stroke, aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and most of the other diseases. In the United States, each year with more than from 440,000 to 520,000 deaths caused by smoking and exposure to involuntary smoke. They conclude that smoking is the single most important source of preventable morbidity and mortality. The United States of America have about 60-year history of tobacco litigation. Tobacco litigation has been an important tool in tobacco control strategies aimed at limiting the activities of tobacco companies and providing redress to people who have become ill as a result of their use of tobacco products. Tobacco litigation is a kind of tort litigation. Quite often, as in the asbestos and other mass tort litigation episodes, tobacco litigation can play an educational role, warning the public about the magnitude of health risks that might otherwise be less clearly perceived. Tobacco litigation allows smokers, their families or other victims of smoking to sue tobacco companies in order to be compensated for the harm they have suffered. Potential benefits of tobacco litigation include compensation for smoking-related damages, strengthening regulatory activity, publicity, documents disclosure and changing tobacco industry behavior. And also tobacco litigation can limit the political activities of tobacco industry, protect human rights of smokers and non-smokers, increase burden to tobacco price-up and enhance the effects of law and politics in public health.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2017

N-nitrosamines are the nitroso compounds which are produced by nitrosation reactions of the secondary amine and nitrite under acidic conditions. Approximately 300 species of N-nitrosamine have been tested for carcinogenicity in laboratory experiments, with 90% of them demonstrated carcinogenic effects different animal species, including higher primates. In 1978, IARC classified NDMA and NDEA as Group 2A, and NDPA, NDBA, NPIP, NPYR and NMOR as Group 2B. In this study, we established pretreatment and analytical method for N-nitrosamines (NDMA, NDEA, NMEA, NDPA, NDBA, NPIP, NPYR and NMOR) in human urine for biological monitoring of N-nitrosamines. The analytes were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE), then quantitative analysis was performed by LC-(APCI)-MS/MS. The accuracies of the established method were between 85.8~108.7% and precisions were lower than 20%. The limit of detection (LOD) were between 0.0002 (NDBA) and 0.0793 (NDMA) ng/ml. The linearity obtained was satisfying for the 8 N-nitrosamines, with a coefficient of determination ($r^2$) higher than 0.999. The mean concentrations of N-nitrosamines in the urine were 2.645 mg/g creatinine for NDMA, 0.067 mg/g creatinine for NDEA, 0.009 mg/g creatinine for NMEA, 0.011 mg/g creatinine for NDBA, 0.271 mg/g creatinine for NPIP and 0.413 mg/g creatinine for NPYR. NDPA and NMOR were not detected. It can be used as a instrumental methodology for evaluation and risk assessment of human exposure to N-nitrosamines for the further research.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.235-240
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• 2013

To analyze aflatoxin $M_1$ ($AFM_1$), we dissolved infant formula in warm water and cleaned it by using an immunoaffinity column (IAC). The amount of $AFM_1$ was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. $AFM_1$ was detected in 281 of 439 samples. Thus, the detection rate of $AFM_1$ was 64.0%. The average concentration of $AFM_1$ in positive samples was 2.6 ng/kg (of prepared formula). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of $AFM_1$ through infant formula was 0.087-0.646 ng/kg body weight/day and the additional number of cases of liver cancer associated with exposure to $AFM_1$ would be 0.003-0.020 cancer cases/1,000,000. Because there is less than 1 cancer case/1,000,000 per year, the exposure to $AFM_1$ through infant formula in Korea is considered to be an unlikely human health concern.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1_2
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• pp.19-29
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• 1996

Human exposure to volatile compounds in tap water can occur from inhalation and dermal absorption as well as direct ingestion. The relative contribution to total human exposure from these pathways has been considered to be important especially for VOC's (volatile organic compounds). In an attempt to reduce the uncertainty of the risk assessment, it has been suggested that the exposure assessment process could be significantly improved by adopting Monte-Carlo simulation. However, there is no actual data in Korea for each exposure parameter to determine the level of exposure, and the distributional pattern. Therefore, we surveyed water use patterns and behavior related to multi-route exposure to VOC's in household tap water in Korea, and compared these values to the those in western countries. In the first survey, we calculated daily water intake using data from a sample of 1322 persons of several cities in Korea. In the second survey, we obtained questionnaire data on exposure time for showering, bathing and household activities, and tap water intake from 851households in Korea. In the last survey, we measured the exposure parameters (exposure time, water use rate etc.) related to showers, baths, toilets, dish washing, washing and cooking, and tap water intake was surveyed. Also, the subjects were measured their body weight, height and tidal volume, etc. A diary, a flow meter and a measuring cup were used to measure these values as precisely as possible. Average daily water intake was ranged 0.79-1.71 L/day for adults in three surveys. Tap water intake measured by log-sheet during one week in third survey was 1.26 (average), 1.98 L/day (90 percentlie), respectively. These results were comparable with results from EPA (1.4, 2L/day). The average amount of water used by housewives in the third survey was 515.0 $\pm$ 564.6L/day. In usual activity, the amount of water used in the bathroom, the laundry and the kitchen was 140.0 $\pm$ 538.9, 148.0 $\pm$ 174.5, 229.3 $\pm$ 205.4 L/day, respectively. Exposure parameters such as water intake rate, exposure duration, body weight, inhalation rates in surveyed data of Korean people differed from those published from western countries. This could be attributed to variations in lifestyle, dietary habits and physiological characteristics.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.240-247
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• 2018

This study was carried out to determine the levels of lead and cadmium as found in nine agricultural products (n = 578) sold in Korea, and to estimate the risk to human health that is summarily associated with their intake. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were measured using an ICP-MS after microwave digestion in this study. The average contents of Pb and Cd were measured as 0.014 and 0.017 mg/kg for barley, 0.006 and 0.005 mg/kg for mung bean, 0.008 and 0.007 mg/kg for kidney bean, 0.010 and 0.004 mg/kg for green bean, 0.008 and 0.001 mg/kg for pineapple, 0.016 and 0.002 mg/kg for apricot, 0.015 and 0.002 mg/kg for Japanese apricot, 0.021 and 0.002 mg/kg for plum and 0.019 and 0.003 mg/kg for jujube, respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd in the study samples were less than the maximum residual levels established by the European Union (EU), CODEX, and the Korea Food Code. As we have seen, the daily dietary exposures of Pb and Cd from these agricultural products for the general population were noted as 0.067% of PTWI ($25{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week) and 0.28% of PTMI ($25{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./month), respectively. In line with the study conclusions, these results suggest that the current dietary intakes of Pb and Cd from these agricultural products in Korea have no appreciable risk effects on health for humans as noted in this experiment.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2017

Korea is preparing an offshore carbon capture, transport and storage (CCS) demonstration project which is recognized as one of important $CO_2$ reduction technologies to mitigate climate change. The offshore CCS project aims to transport, inject and store large amount of $CO_2$ into offshore geologic formation, and has a potential risk of leakage which might cause disastrous damage to human health, environment and property. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the offshore CCS project, a strict HSE (health, safety and environment) management plan and its implementation are required throughout the project life cycle. However, there are no HSE domestic laws or regulations applicable to CCS projects, and the related research is insufficient in Korea. For the derivation of the essential and urgent requirement in HSE management framework applicable to the offshore CCS project in Korea, we analysed the HSE management methodologies and foreign CCS HSE management guidelines and cases. First, this paper has analyzed ISO 31000, a generalized risk management principles. Second, we have investigated the HSE management practices of CCS projects in Norway and UK. Based on the analyses, we suggested the necessity of developing the HSE Philosophy and the HSE management process through the whole life cycle. Application of HSE management in early phase of an offshore CCS project will promote systematic and successful project implementation in a cost-effective and safe way.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.164-169
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to monitor the residue of pesticides and to assess their risk in domestic agricultural products, such as fruit vegetables, tomatoes, oriental melons and root vegetables, garlic, potatoes and onions. METHODS AND RESULTS: 250 samples containing both general and environment-friendly certified agricultural products were collected from traditional markets and supermarkets in 6 cities. 132 pesticides except for herbicides were analysed using the multi-residue methods by GC/ECD, GC/NPD and HPLC/UVD. 17 kinds of pesticides were detected from 42 samples, which were 32 general, 1 organic, 4 pesticide-free and 5 low pesticide agricultural products. Among those, myclobutanil detected in 1 potato and procymidone detected in 10 oriental melons were unregistered pesticides for using in Korea. Fenbuconazole detected in 1 potato and phorate detected in 1 tomato were exceeded over the MRLs established by Korea Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, a risk assesment was conducted using a percentage of acceptable daily intake(%ADI). %ADI ranged from 0.0064% to 4.6035%, and showed these values have no effect on human health.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.505-516
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• 2016

With the development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials are used in various fields. Therefore, the interest regarding the safety of nanomaterial use is increasing and much effort is diverted toward establishment of exposure assessment and management methods. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are effectively used to protect the health of workers in various industrial workplaces. This study aimed to propose an OEL for domestic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on animal inhalation toxicity test. Basic procedure for development of OELs was examined. For OEL estimation, epidemiological study and quantitative risk assessment are generally performed based on toxicity data. In addition, inhalation toxicity data-based no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and benchmark dose (BMD) are estimated to obtain the OEL. Three different estimation processes (NEDO in Japan, NIOSH in USA, and Baytubes in Germany) of OELs for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were intensively reviewed. From the rat inhalation toxicity test for MWCNTs manufactured in Korea, a NOAEL of $0.98mg/m^3$ was derived. Using the simple equation for estimation of OEL suggested by NEDO, the OEL of $142{\mu}g/m^3$ was estimated for the MWCNT manufacturing workplace. Here, we used test rat and Korean human data and adopted 36 as an uncertainty factor. The OEL for MWCNT estimated in this work is higher than those ($2-80{\mu}g/m^3$) suggested by previous investigators. It may be greatly caused by different physicochemical properties of MWCNT and their dispersion method and test rat data. For setting of regulatory OELs in CNT workplaces, further epidemiological studies in addition to animal studies are needed. More advanced technical methods such as CNT dispersion in air and liquid should be also developed.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.17 no.1 s.50
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• pp.143-150
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• 2007

AMD (Acid mine drainage) from disused mines is one or the most significant pollutant problems to make harmful effect to human health. We demonstrated the mechanism of resolution and adsorption reaction for arsenic, manganese and zink from the soil and mine tailings which were located in the vicinity of a disused mine in Kyoungnam area. The resolution experiments were carried with a column test f3r 45 days continuously. Metal chemical forms in water were changed with the condition of solution pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential). Metal chemical forms affected on the reaction of resolution and adsorption of metals in water environments. Even though the sampling was carried in very closed location, there was significant different results of pollution level and ORP changes in terms of column operations. Hence It was important to note the pH and ORP in AMD to evaluate a risk assessment and a soil management using monitoring metals. When we operate AMD management with the mechanism of resolution and adsorption it can be achieved better economic solution.