• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.328-337
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in concentration according to the position at the left or right shoulder within a 30 cm of radius of workers' respirators and provide basic data for the establishment of an industrial health policy. Methods: Personal samples were collected from a total of 65 workers from 27 manufacturing firms in South Gyeongsang-do Province from November 5, 2011 to December 30, 2012 after classifying the laborers into left- and right-side groups. The organic compound samples were collected and analyzed in accordance with the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) 1501. Results: In terms of the concentration of organic compounds collected from both left and right shoulders at the position of workers' respirators, isobutyl acetate was the highest with 145 ppm at the left shoulder, followed by ethyl acetate (133.5 ppm) and toluene (38.13 ppm). At the right shoulder, on the contrary, ethyl acetate (149.3 ppm) was the highest, followed by toluene (46.26 ppm), xylene (29.63ppm) and isopropyl alcohol (28.06 ppm). Overall, the right shoulder was higher than the left shoulder in terms of concentrations. Conclusions: For the measurement of the working environment, workers' personal samples should be collected at the place closest to the respirator. In terms of the reduction of error, the attachment of two sample media is expected to reduce errors in exposure assessment.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.312-321
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the best method to analyze PAHs at extremely low concentrations. To this end, 16 PAHswere analyzed simultaneously by GC/MS, HPLC/FLD and HPLC/UVD, and the analytical characteristics of HPLC and GC/MS were compared. Methods: This study was conducted by GC/MS and HPLC/FLD/UVD, and evaluated linearity, precision and detection limit. Standard solutions were prepared for 21 samples in the range of $0.00001{\sim}1.0{\mu}g/mL$ and the samples were divided into four groups. All samples were made in three sets and analysis was replicated seven times. Results: Sixteen PAHs could be simultaneously separated by HPLC and GC/MS, and the adequate equipment was HPLC/FLD. The retention times by HPLC were shorter than GC/MS, and HPLC had better separation for most PAHs than GC/MS. The peaks of naphthalene and naphthalene-D8 partially overlapped for GC/MS. HPLC/FLD had a 20-2000 times lower limit of detection than GC/MS and UVD. However FLD was not adequate for analyzing acenaphthylene because it has too low a fluorescence quantum yield to be detected. The precision of HPLC/FLD/UVD and GC/MS showed less than 20% at $0.001{\mu}g/mL$ PAHs and when the concentration was higher, the coefficient of variation was decreased. HPLC/FLD was better for the overall detection of limits. Conclusions: The results indicate that the HPLC/FLD method has good linear range, precision and a detection of limits from $0.00001{\sim}0.0001{\mu}g/mL$ for all 16 PAHs. This study contributes to providing useful data for analysis technology and can be applied to occupational exposure measurement for PAHs in workplaces.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제32권1호
• /
• pp.36-45
• /
• 2006

The aim of this study is to examine size-based concentration and genera of airborne fungi distributed in public facilities such as hospital, kindergarten, day-care center and postpartum nurse center and to provide fundamental data in order to prevent respiratory diseases caused by exposure to airborne fungi. Culturable total and respirable concentrations of airborne fungi averaged to $382\;cfu/m^3\;and\;292\;cfu/m^3$ in hospital, $536\;cfu/m^3\;and\;347\;cfu/m^3$ in kindergarten, $334\;cfu/m^3\;and\;266\;cfu/m^3$ in day-care center, and $371\;cfu/m^3\;and\;289\;cfu/m^3$ in postpartum nurse center, respectively. The ratio of respirable to total concentration of airborne fungi in the investigated public facilities was ranged from $55\%\;to\;70\%$ but there was no significant difference among them (p>0.05). The mean I/O ratio of culturable total and respirable concentrations were 0.56 and 0.64 in hospital, 0.72 and 0.91 in kindergarten, 0.33 and 0.45 in day-care center, and 0.63 and 0.73 in postpartum nurse center, respectively. Indoor concentration of airborne fungi did not correlated significantly with indoor temperature and relative humidity (p>0.05) but had a significant positive correlation with $CO_2$ concentration (p<0.01) and surrounding condition (p<0.05). Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., and Aspergillus spp. were estimated to over $95\%$ of total airborne fungi identified in the investigated public facilities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.207-215
• /
• 1990

In order to investigate the occurrence characteristics of cancer in terms of industry in Kwangju-Chonnam area, medical utilization records of industrial medical insurance corporations during the period of 1987 to 1988 were reviewed for the identification of neoplastic disease. The cases obtained from the medical records were followed up for the verification and to get additional information. Standardized incidence data were compared by occupational characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the difference of incidence or distribution of cancer as a whole or of some selected cancer. Total cases of cancer identified were 242 during the study period. Annual incidence rate was calculated as 123.1 per 100,000 person. The frequent types of cancer were cancers of stomach, liver, lung, colon and rectum, bladder and lymphoma in descending order. Employees of mine and other sand handling industries showed significantly higher risks for cancer of stomach and cancer as a whole. Employees of the transportation industry showed the higher risk for cancer of liver, Workers in small-sized industry (${\leqq}100$) had a higher risk for cancer than who in large-sized industry (<100). These findings suggested the effect of occupational environmental exposure to cancer development.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2002

Pest control is required for protecting the food supply and for controlling disease vectors. Unfortunately, there is no perfectly safe form of pest control. Pesticides are commonly used for pest control. Pesticides are defined under the US Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act(FIFRA) as any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests, and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or dessicant(40 CFR Part 152). Currently in the United States, there are 890 active ingredients registered as pesticides. Approximately one billion pounds of active ingredient are used in the US per year. Unlike most chemicals(anti-neoplastic and anti-micobial medications are the principal exceptions), pesticides are specifically designed to kill and cause harm. Because society allows these chemicals to be disseminated into the environment, it is important to monitor the health effects associated with these releases. This represents an important justification for establishing and maintaining surveillance systems for acute pesticide-related illness and injury. A comprehensive, national surveillance system for acute pesticide-related illness and injury does not currently exist in the US. Although the United States has several surveillance systems for this condition, none provide a complete understanding of the problem of acute pesticide-related illness and injury. The Toxic Exposure Surveillance System(TESS) and Bureau of Labor Statisitics(BLS) are useful for assessing magnitude and trends. The state-based surveillance systems are more useful for timely identification of outbreaks and emerging problems. Efforts are underway to increase the number of states that conduct surveillance, and to broaden the use of the standardized case definition to facilitate aggregation of data across states. Through such efforts, a comprehensive, national surveillance system may be attainable.

• 한국가스학회지
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2013

Butanethiol은 황화수소, 메틸메르캅탄, 황화메틸 등과 함께 유해성이 높으며 대표적인 악취물질로 알려져 있으나 노출 농도별 생체에 미치는 영향 등 유해성 평가 자료가 매우 부족하여 실험동물을 이용 흡입독성 연구를 통하여 유해농도와 사람에 미치는 영향을 예측하고자 연구하였다. Butanethiol은 무색 투명액체로, 인화점 $-23^{\circ}C$로 화재위험성이 강한물질로 끓는점 $84-85^{\circ}C$, 증기압($25^{\circ}C$) 80.71 mmHg, 어는점 $-140.14^{\circ}C$의 특성을 가지고 있다. 실험동물인 SD rats와 전신흡입노출 챔버를 이용 반수치사농도를 시험한 결과 $LC_{50}$은 2,500 ppm (9.22mg/L)이상으로 이는 고용부 고시 제2012-14호[11]의 유해물질 분류기준 급성독성물질 구분 4 (10${\leq}20$ mg/L) 이상의 물질에 해당되었다. 또한 0, 25, 100, 400 ppm, 일일 6시간, 주 5일, 13주 반복 노출한 결과에서는 25 및 400 ppm군에서 체중의 유의성(p<0.01., 0.001) 있는 저하를 포함 4사료섭취량 변화, 안 자극, 수컷군의 운동성변화, 혈액 및 혈액생화학적 병변이 있었으며, 장기중량에서도 수컷의 경우 25, 100, 400 ppm군과 암컷의 400 ppm군에서 신장, 간장, 흉선, 폐장 등에서 유의성 (p<0.05) 있는 변화가 있어 무유해영향농도 (NOAEL)는 암 수 모두 25 ppm (0.092 mg/L) 이하로 평가되었다.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제9권3호
• /
• pp.277-289
• /
• 2018

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire. Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time. A combination of primary and secondary research was carried out. Primary data was collated using two recognised clinical questionnaires and statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of the software package SPSS. Results: The findings and statistical analysis showed that out of the 100 people surveyed, 30% of respondents had signs of probable distress. Of this quota, 4% showed symptoms of PTSD. The study considers how an organisation can recognise and manage PTSD and provides recommendations to assist in better recognising and managing the associated risks. Conclusion: Based upon the findings, the authors conclude that the level of PTSD within LFRS is slightly lower than those found in other studies undertaken within the Fire and Rescue Service sector. The paper provides recommendations for future studies and a series of actions for consideration by LFRS senior management to improve PTSD support services for employees.

• 한국환경보건학회지
• /
• 제41권6호
• /
• pp.449-457
• /
• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, the system of management of medical waste largely relies on the incineration method. Our study aimed to identify any regional imbalances between the generation and treatment of medical waste, and provide reference data for future policy in Korea. Methods: We analyzed data on the amount of medical waste from 2,000 hospitals in 2012, 2013, and 2014 obtained from the Korea Environment Corporation. In the Arc GIS program (version 10.2.3), the addresses of hospitals and incinerators were transformed into map coordinates. The amount of waste generated by each hospital and the amount incinerated were represented by density and size of a triangle symbol, respectively. Results: As of 2014, the total amount of medical waste from the top 2,000 hospitals was 136,073 tons, out of which about half (49%) was generated in the capital area. Eleven incineration companies (three in the capital area, two in the Chungcheong Provinces area, one in the Jeolla Provinces area, and five in the Gyeongsang Provinces area) treated this waste. For the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, about 60% of the medical waste generated from the hospitals in the capital area was treated within the capital area and about 40% was transported to other areas, especially the Gyeongsang Provinces area, for treatment. On the other hand, about 90% of the medical waste incinerated in the capital area originated from the capital area. Conclusion: Our results suggest a spatial imbalance between the generation and treatment of medical waste in Korea and warrants multilateral policies, including the expansion of on-site treatment, strengthening regulation of the containment of medical wastes, promoting reductions in medical waste and more.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.541-549
• /
• 2019

Objectives: This study aims to examine patients who developed acute pesticide poisoning while spraying or using pesticide and presented to the emergency department in hospitals in Chungcheongnam-do Province. Based on the findings, this study will provide implications for safety and health management pertaining to the use of pesticides. Methods: Pesticide poisoning data collected by the Chungnam Center for Farmers' Safety and Health from 2014 to 2018 was cross-sectionally analyzed. A total of 331 patients with pesticide poisoning presented to one of hospitals and four of medical centers in the region(Dankuk University Hospital, Gongju and Hongsung, Cheongyang, Cheonan Medical Center). Seventeen of these patients (15 men and two women) developed poisoning while spraying pesticide. The patients' charts were reviewed to collect data on pesticide poisoning, namely currently working in farming-related occupation, means of transportation to the hospital, place of poisoning, symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning, treatment, pesticide used when poisoning occurred, and classification by technical ingredients. Results: Fifteen out of 17 patients who developed poisoning while spraying pesticide were men. Insecticide was used in 35.3% of the cases, and herbicide was used in 29.4% of the cases, which was different from cases of poisoning from ingestion poisoning. The major symptoms were vomiting (35.3%), nausea (29.4%), dizziness (29.4%), and headache (23.5%). A total 11 ingredients were identified in 12 patients, and the most common ingredient was glyphosate, which is an herbicide. Most patients showed a state of mild toxicity, but two patients showed a state of severe toxicity. These patients respectively used glyphosate and paraquat. Conclusions: Our findings can be useful for suggesting the need for a national healthcare system to manage occupational pesticide poisoning among farmers. Further, these findings can be used to increase the awareness of the risk of acute poisoning during pesticide spraying and suggest the need for a safety health education to increase farmers' awareness of pesticide poisoning.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 1990

Between 1977 and 1987, 20 patients with mesothelioma were treated at Severance Hospital. Data was gathered from medical charts at the time of hospitalization of mesothelioma patients and from a follow-up questionnaire by mail or telephone. The results acquired were as follows : 1. Among the 20 patients, 11 men and 9 women with mesothelioma were identified. The mean age at hospitalization was 47 years and 11 mesothelioma patients were known or presumed to be dead during the different observation periods. 2. Only one mesothelioma patient had a definite history of occupational asbestos exposure. 3. The sites of origin of mesothelioma were the pleura(13), peritoneum(2), pericardium(2), mediastinum (2), and pelvis(1). Common symptoms included dyspnea, chest pain, abdominal distension, etc. 4. Pathologically, mesotheliomas were divided into 14 malignant types and 6 benign types ; and histologically, 8 fibrous mesotheliomas and 3 epithelial mesotheliomas were shown. 5. There was a statistically significant difference in survival rate according to pathologic type and smoking status. In the groups with malignant mesothelioma, 50% survival time from first symptoms was 18 months and that from diagnosis was 11 months. Also, 75% survival time from diagnosis was 6 months in the smoking groups and 19 months in the non-smoking groups.