• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.257-265
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• 2008

Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the key technologies of the 21 st century and is expected to enable one to broaden the applicability across a wide range of sectors that can benefit public and improve industrial competitiveness. Already, consumer products containing nanomaterials are available in markets including coatings, computers, clothing, cosmetics, sports equipment and medical devices. Recently, Institute of Occupational Medicine in UK reported an occupational hygiene review for nanoparticles in the viewpoint of nanotoxicity. They reported that the exposure control is very important issues in workplace for exposure assessment, but no proper methods are available to measure the extent of exposures to nanoparticles in the workplace. Therefore, for the estimation of exposure of nanomaterials, we have to approach the material-balance methodology, which similarly carried out in TRI (toxic release inventory) for hazardous chemicals. In order to use this methodology, the exposure source of nanomaterials should be determined firstly. Therefore, herein we investigated the main sources and processes for the exposure to nanomaterals by conducting the survey. The results could be used to define and assess nanohazard sources.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2008

Public perceptions of nanotechnology and its potential risk can be an important measure for the sustainable advances of the technology. We conducted a survey for public (N =599) and experts (N = 165). They answered the same questions and results were analyzed. 74% of the public have not heard about the potential risk of nanotechnology and 77% expected that nanotechnology/materials are not harmful to the human and nature. 74% of experts realized the potential hazards by nanomaterials. The results represented that large perception gab between public and experts has existed in Korea. Interestingly, Korean public thought that nanotechnology is more profitable and less risky than that of American. We suggest that 'now is the best time to give appropriate information on the potential risk of nanotechnology to Korean public without preconception or exaggeration.'

• 청정기술
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.161-172
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• 2007

청정기술의 발전을 위하여 나노기술이 융합된 새로운 기술의 도입이 필요하다. 최근 개발된 나노입자, 나노튜브 등은 이미 많은 소비재의 원료로 사용되고 있으며, 인체 및 환경에 쉽게 노출될 수 있다. 이러한 나노입자는 작은 크기와 넓은 비표면적 특성으로 인해 기존물질에 비하여 반응성이 높고 인체나 환경에 독성을 나타낼 커다란 잠재성을 가지고 있으며, 이미 많은 연구결과에서 이러한 나노물질이 인체 및 환경 유해성을 유발하는 원인과 결과에 대하여 보고하고 있다. 본 논고에서는 나노기술 기반 청정기술 발전의 방향을 제시하기 위하여 나노물질의 인체 및 환경 유해성에 관한 위험성평가 방안을 검토하고, 나노물질의 잠재적인 위해성을 살펴보고자 한다.