• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.477-487
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• 2019

Objectives: Firefighters are known to be exposed to a variety of toxic substances, but little information is available on the exposure profile of firefighting activities. The aims of this study were to conduct exposure monitoring of toxic chemicals at fire scenes, to compare the concentrations of respective chemicals among firefighting tasks, and to assess the main factors influencing the concentrations of chemicals. Methods: Researchers performed sampling at firefighting scenes during four weeks in 2013. At the scene, we collected samples based on firefighters' own activities and examined the situation and scale of the accident. Collected samples were classified into three categories, including fire extinguishing and overhaul, and were analyzed in the laboratory according to respective analysis methods. Results: A total of fourteen fire activity events were surveyed: five fire extinguishing, six overhaul, and three fire investigations. Although no substance exceeded the ACGIH TLV, PAHs were detected in every sample. Naphthalene ranged from 0.24 to 279.13 mg/㎥ (median 49.6 mg/㎥) and benzo(a)pyrene was detected in one overhaul case at 10.85 ㎍/㎥. Benzene (0.01-12.2 ppm) was detected in every task and exceeded the ACGIH TLV. No significant difference in concentrations between tasks was shown. Conclusions: These results indicate that all firefighting tasks generated various hazardous combustion products, including possible carcinogens.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 1998

In an effort to reduce artifically the residual pesticides on crop and soil by accelerated photolysis,some 40 among the naturally occurring and synthetic coumpound were screened for photosensitization and/or photocatalysis and six promising chemicals were selected.The fungicides and the four selected photosensitizers and/or photocatalyst (PS) were applied to each crop.The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. The wavelengths of maximum absortion (${\lambda}$max) and the molar absorptivites (${\varepsilon}$max) of procymidone,vinclozolin,and carbendazim in acentone were all 209 nm and 853,854,and 8740 respectively. 2. Of the 40 naturally-occuring and synthetic compounds screened,six promising ones were selected and designated as PS-1 (aromatic ketone),PS-2(aromatic amine)PS-3(quinone) ,PS-4 (inorganic compound),PS-5(organic acid salt) and PS-6(semiconductor photocatalyst). 3. In the accelerated photolysis of pesticide in soil by applying PS ,procymidone was decoposed rapidly by virtue of PS-2,being 59% of the control 3 days after application. 4. The vinclozolin residue in soil was reduced to 71% and 21% of the control 1 and 15 days,respectively,after PS-2 application. 5. The photolysis of carbendazim in soil was not accelerated by any of the PS tested. 6. The pesticide residues on the crop were prominently reduced by PS application.The procymidone residue on tomato was reduced to 47% of the control 15 days after PS-1 application and that on red pepper reduced to 57% 15 days after PS-2 application. 7. Vincrozolin residus remaining on tomato 1 and 15 days after PS-2 application were 38% and 56% of the control whereas those on the red pepper were 82% and 64%,respectively. 8. PS-2 was the most effective for the accelerated photolysis of carbendazim residues remaining on tomato, whereas on red pepper, the four of PS tested were all effective, but did not make much difference between them. This might be due to the shielding of sunlight by the leaves of red pepper not to exert the photosensitizing effect of PS-2 to the full.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2000

Because the household garbage had high water contents, it is difficult to compost it without an additive. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate possibility of using the waste newspapers as a humidity conditioner for the household garbage composting. The maximum temperature was $66.0^{\circ}C$ in spring, $69.2^{\circ}C$ in summer, $60.9^{\circ}C$ in fall and $56.0^{\circ}C$ in winter for composting periods. The seasonal pH value reached around 8.5 after 1 week and then repeated fluctuation at the narrow range in spring and fall, while it was stabilized at the range of $8{\sim}9$ after increasing to 8.5 after 1 week in winter. The water content was reduced little in winter, while decreased significantly in the other seasons. The water content after 8 weeks was 22.2% in spring, 47.6% in summer, 25.5% in fall and 72.5% in winter. The mass was reduced rapidly during the first week of each season, but it did not show much decrease. The volume reduced after 8 weeks to 59%, 32%, 27%, and 34% in spring, summer, fall and winter respectively. Organic matter content decreased over the four seasons. Nitrogen contents were in the range of 0.7% to 2.2% during the four seasons. The contents of inorganic compounds based on dry matyter were in the range of $0.94{\sim}2.59%\;P_2O_5$, $1.23{\sim}1.87%\;CaO$, $0.37{\sim}0.46%\;MgO$, $0.55{\sim}1.98%\;K_2O$. Concentration of heavy metals(Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, As) based on dry matter were less than the limiting value of the by-product compost.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.625-639
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• 2019

Microplastics are one of the substances threatening the marine ecosystem. Here, we summarize the status of research on the effect of microplastics on marine life and suggest future research directions. Microplastics are synthetic polymeric compounds smaller than 5 mm and these materials released into the environment are not only physically small but do not decompose over time. Thus, they accumulate extensively on land, from the coast to the sea, and from the surface to the deep sea. Microplastic can be ingested and accumulated in marine life. Furthermore, the elution of chemicals added to plastic represents another risk. Microplastics accumulated in the ocean affect the growth, development, behavior, reproduction, and death of marine life. However, the properties of microplastics vary widely in size, material, shape, and other aspects and toxicity tests conducted on several properties of microplastics cannot represent the hazards of all other microplastics. It is necessary to evaluate the risks according to the types of microplastic, but due to their variety and the lack of uniformity in research results, it is difficult to compare and analyze the results of previous studies. Therefore, it is necessary to derive a standard test method to estimate the biological risk from different types of microplastics. In addition, while most of the previous studies were conducted mostly on spheres for the convenience of the experiments, they do not properly reflect the reality that fibers and fragments are the main forms of microplastics in the marine environment and in fish and shellfish. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on additives and POPs (persistent organic pollutants) in plastics, but little is known about their toxic effects on the body. The effects of microplastics on the marine ecosystems and humans could be identified in more detail if standard testing methods are developed, microplastics in the form of fibers and fragments rather than spheres are tested, and additives and POPs are analyzed. These investigations will allow us to identify the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and humans in more detail.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.12-25
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• 2010

This study was carried out to evaluate the bioavailabilities and the digestibilities of oligopeptide chelated (peptide-Ca), anchovy bone (anchovy-Ca) and methionine hydroxyl analogue (MHA-Ca) calcium compared to those of calcium carbonate in rats. In exp1, $CaCO_3$, were added to the basal diet at level of 0, 30 and 60% calcium of the AIN-93G diet. In test groups, peptide-Ca, anchovy-Ca and MHA-Ca, were added to the basal diet to provide calcium at the level of 40% of AIN-93G. In exp1, the bioavailabilities were evaluated from the regression equation of the ratios of theological/ actual calcium intakes of each dietary treatment. In exp2, urine and feces was to evaluate the true- and apparent digestibility and apparent retention. In exp1, Ca-60% group had higher bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone breaking strength (BBS) than those of the other standard groups. The bone weight and ash content of the peptide-Ca and anchovy-Ca groups were significantly higher than those of the MHA-Ca. Bone calcium content were not significantly different from the test group. The bioavailability of the MHA-Ca group was shown higher BMD (71%), BS (38%) and BBS (27%) compared to another control group. But the regression coefficient for BMD, BS and BBS were lower compare with that of bone ash and BMC. In exp2, the true- and apparent digestibility of test groups were shown to over 90%. Peptide-Ca was not significantly different from other test group, but digestibility and retention were higher compare to other test groups. In conclusion, peptide-Ca, anchovy-Ca and MHA-Ca improved Ca bioavailability in the rats. The compounds were higher Ca digestibility compared with those of $CaCO_3$. It is assumed that difference of digestibility for test groups may be correlated to the bioavailability of test groups in BMD, BMC, BS, BBS and bone ash respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2015

To investigate the distributions of BVOCs (Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds) from mountain near mega city and their role in forest atmospheric, BVOCs and their oxidized species were measured at a 41 m tower in Mt. Taehwa during May, June and August 2013. A proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) was used to quantify isoprene and monoterpenes. In conjunction with BVOCs, $O_3$, meteorological parameters, PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and LAI (Leaf Area Index) were measured. The average concentrations of isoprene and monoterpenes were 0.71 ppbv and 0.17 ppbv, respectively. BVOCs showed higher concentrations in the early summer (June) compared to the late summer (August). Isoprene started increasing at 2 PM and reached the maximum concentration around 5 PM. In contrast, monoterpenes concentrations began to increase 4 PM and stayed high at night. The $O_3$ maximum was generally found at 3 PM and remained high until 5 PM or later, which was concurrent with the enhancement of $O_3$. The concentrations of BVOCs were higher below canopy (18 m) than above canopy, which indicated these species were produced by trees. At night, monoterpenes concentrations were negatively correlated with these of $O_3$ below canopy. Using MEGAN (Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature), the emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes were estimated at 1.1 ton/year and 0.9 ton/year, respectively at Mt. Taehwa.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.13 no.1 s.28
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• pp.9-20
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• 2007

PAHs(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are widespread contaminants in the marine environment. They are of mainly anthropogenic origin from urban runoff, oil spill and combustion of fossil fuels. Some PAHs are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic to aquatic organism The contamination of PAHs in the coastal environments has not been well known yet in Korea. This study was carried out to survey the contamination of PAHs in sediments around Gwangyang bay. The Yeosu petrochemical industrial complex, POSCO(Pohang steel company) and Gwangyang container harbor are located around the bay. PAHs in sediment samples were extracted in soxhlet extractor and were identified and quantified by GC-MS(Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) TOC(Total Organic carbon) and textural parameters in sediment samples were also analyzed 13 species of PAHs were detected at all of the surface sediments. Total PAHs concentrations in the surface sediments ranged from 171.40 to $1013.54{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt.. In most of the surface sediments, Naphthalene was the highest in the range of 14.08 to $691.39{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt. and Anthracene was the lowest in the range of 0.49 to $22.66{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt.. The correlation coefficients between individual PAHs and Total PAHs in the surface sediments were relatively higher in the low molecular compounds such as Naphthalene and Phenanthrene. In the relationship of the P/A(Phenanthrene/Anthracene) ratio and F/P(Fluoranthene/Pyrene) ratio, P/A ratio was generally above 10 and F/P ratio was shown to be above 1 in all sediment samples. These data indicate that PAHs in sediments around Gwangyang bay seem to be of both pyrolytic and petrogenic origin. Total PAHs in the surface sediments were correlated with TOC and textural parameters. The values of PAHs in the surface and core sediments were lower than the biological effect guidelines.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2017

Cut Kimchi cabbages ($3{\times}3cm$) were dipped in the egg shell solution (0.5% egg shell calcium/0.5% citric acid solution) and stored in the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film bag at $4^{\circ}C$ for 2 weeks. Using this cut Kimchi cabbage, kimchi was prepared and their physicochemical qualities were investigated. Moreover, their sensory qualities were compared with Kimchi prepared with normal Kimchi cabbages. Egg shell calcium pretreatment (ET) showed the lower weight loss of cabbages than non-treatment (NT), and soluble solid compounds were decreased in all samples. Titratable acidity showed no statistical difference. After making a kimchi using cut Kimchi cabbages stored for 2 weeks no statistical differences in soluble solids and titratable acidities of kimchi stored for 7 days were shown. As a result of sensory test, preference of color was decreased and salted condition of control was the most significantly decreased. Pickled seafood odor of kimchi showed statistical difference, compared with the control. Crispness decreased in all samples. On the other hand, salty flavor and pickled seafood flavor were increased, fresh cabbage flavor, bitter flavor and carbonic flavor were decreased. Overall sensory quality of cut Kimchi cabbage (ETK) didn't show significant difference compare with kimchi prepared with normal cabbage (CON). It is possible to make kimchi with approvable sensory quality using cut Kimchi cabbage treated with egg shell calcium.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.647-657
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics of vinegars containing jaceosidin and eupatilin using Artemisia argyi H. ethanol extract (AEE). 10% malt extract (ME) and water extract of Artemisia argyi H. (AWE) were also prepared for vinegar production. Three kinds of materials were mixed in the same amount to prepare vinegar as follows; CO (ME, water, 18% edible ethanol), SE (ME, water, and AEE), SW (ME, AWE, and 18% edible ethanol) and SM (ME, AWE, AEE). All samples were fermented by Acetobacter pasteurianus A8 at $30^{\circ}C$ for 25 days and analyzed at 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. The pH decreased significantly during the fermentation. pH was lower in SE and SM than CO and SW. The acidity increased significantly during the fermentation, and was highest in SM (4.44%) at 25 days of fermentation. The concentration of acetic acid was higher than other organic acids for all vinegars. Jaceosidin and eupatilin were not detected in both CO and SW, but both were detected in the SE and SM. At 25 days of fermentation, jaceosidin and eupatilin concentrations in SE and SM were 6.49-6.88 mg/kg and 2.23-2.24 mg/kg, respectively. From these results, we confirmed that production of vinegar containing jaceosidin, eupatilin and phenolic compounds can be prepared by using Artemisia argyi H. edible ethanol extract.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2012

This study was performed to prevent the health damage of environmental contaminants in Industrial Complex Area. And, this study aimed to identify the concentration levels and distribution characteristics of environmental contaminants and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at soil in Industrial Complex Area and control area. The concentration of the soil pollution standard such as the heavy metals in the soil, VOCs, PAHs, and PCB were measured and analyzed using the soil specimens in the Industrial Complex Area and control area. Soil specimens from the Industrial Complex Area (the direct exposure area) and the control area were surveyed. Songdo-dong, Haedo-dong and Jechul-dong, which are in the direct exposure area and near the emission source, showed relatively high concentrations of contaminant materials when compared with Jangki-myeon, which is far off and in the control area. The concentration of zinc was 20.8-58.9% of the level of concern (300 mg/kg) in the 1st region, which is a relatively high concentration. The concentration of fluoride was under the standard in every region, but it was about 74% of the level of concern (400 mg/kg) in the 1st region. It is recommended that controlling fluoride emissions is necessary. Levels of organic phosphate, phenol, and VOCs like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were under the detection limit of the analysis instruments. The concentration of TPH was high in Songdo-dong. The concentration of contaminants in Jechul-dong was high. In addition, it was observed that the level of soil contamination changed depending on the distance from the emission source. The concentration of PAH compounds in the soil was 18.71-1744.59 ng/g, and the concentration of six potential cancer-causing PAH materials was 6.54-695.94 ng/g. The highest concentration was in Songdo-dong. The PAH concentration in the direct exposure area near the complex was relatively high compared to the indirect exposure area.