• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 2014

Objectives: Purpose of this study was to evaluate the noise level exposures at the different cannonball type and locations in the tank gun drill ranges. Methods: We visited the tank gun drill ranges and measured with a sound level meter(3M Quest SoundPro$^{TM}$) with the value of Peak(dB(A)). Results: The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 166.3 dB(A) at the site of loading solider. The highest peak value of impulse noise level by size of cannonball averaged 165.9 dB(A) at the 120 mm size cannonball of the tank. This result was significantly different from the other size of cannonballs such as 7.62 mm, 90 mm, and 105 mm(p < 0.001). Among the four types of soldier site on the tank, average noise levels of loading soldier, 156.6 dB(A), were higher than the other three types of soldier site (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirmed that there were needed for a proper control to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at the tank gun drill ranges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-265
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate noise level exposures at different locations such as the left and right ears of the shooter, control room, waiting soldier location and drill ground. For this study, we visited two military rifle ranges and took measurements with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro TM) at five different locations with values of Peak (dB(A)) and Max (dB(A)). The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 150.4 dB(A), ranging from 149.6 to 150.5 dB(A) at both the left and right ear sides. This result was significantly different between both left and right ear side locations and at other locations such as the control room, waiting soldier location, and drill ground (P < 0.001). Frequency of impulse noise exposure level showed that the left ear of shooter had the highest frequency (20 times) at over 150 dB(A). This study confirmed that there is a need for proper controls to reduce the amount of impulse noise exposure at military rifle ranges.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

Background: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. Results: The $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and $651.7{\mu}g/m^3$, while $PM_{10}$ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and $818.1{\mu}g/m^3$. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of $50{\mu}g/m^3$ and $25{\mu}g/m^3$ for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.354-359
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate exposure levels to K2 rifle noise at a military rifle range among soldiers in training, the left and right ears of shooters, and control managers in the day and night times. Methods: For this study, we visited military rifle ranges and measured the noise of a K2 rifle with a sound level meter (3M Quest SoundPro$^{TM}$) at four different locations with values of Peak (dB(A)) and Max (dB(A)). Results: The highest peak value of impulse noise level averaged 150.4 dB(A), ranging from 149.7 to 150.5 dB(A) at the left-ear side. Impulse noise levels in the daytime were also recorded as higher than during the night. This result was significantly different between daytime and nighttime locations, such as soldier training, right ear of shooter, and control manager (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed that there is a need for proper management of impulse noise at military rifle ranges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify PM₁₀ mass concentration levels and conduct peak identification during five tasks in agricultural works. Methods: We investigated five agricultural tasks in 12 farms, which were harvesting, plowing, sowing, planting, and decapitation. All samples were measured by using the portable aerosol spectrometer(PAS 1.108) and the aerosol monitor(SidePak AM520). The collected data were compared with the national PM₁₀ concentrations. They were calculated to descriptive statistics, independent t-test, or ANOVA, and the peak identification on time series graph. Results: The ten investigated farms showed no significant difference with the national PM₁₀ concentrations, but the two greenhouses(AM, 143.31, 85.16 ㎍/m³) showed significant difference(p<0.05). As a result of the peak identification, the harvesting tasks showed repeated peak occurrence with the background concentration level of about 50 ㎍/m³. For plowing and sowing tasks, the peak occurred intermittently when the working was conducted near the sampling sites. Among the five tasks, the arithmetic mean of the harvesting task was 138.84±294.71 ㎍/m³, which was significantly higher than the other tasks(p<0.05). In addition, the case of using a tractor was higher than the case of not using the tractor(p<0.05), and the driver's seat showed the highest concentration(AM, 95.81 ㎍/m³). Conclusions: Works in greenhouses might have exposure to PM₁₀, while outdoor works is similar to general atmospheric PM₁₀ concentration levels. However, there is a possibility of intermittent exposure to high concentrations of PM₁₀ depending on the characteristics of agricultural tasks.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 1977

Noise pollution, both in the environment and in the workplace, has been recognized as a major health hazard -one that can impair not only a person's hearing but also his physical and mental well-being. As industrialization progresses, the prevalence rate of occupational diseases is increasing, especially hearing loss, which has the highest prevalence rate among the occupational diseases. The major cause of noise is the construction of various large industries without any regulation of noise sources. Therefor, we must establish an enactment to control mechanical noise sources. as soon as possible. For the purpose of controlling the noise source, we must have exact data about such things as the sound level, the frequency of the peak sound and the revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) of the machine (a measure of the power of its motor). This study was undertaken in order to define the noise characteristics, the power of the machine's motor, the change of the sound level and the peak sound as the r.p.m. increases, and the permissible exposure time. The sample size of this study was 74 machines at 11 plants in 6 industries. The results are as follows; 1. The breakdown of the types of mechanical noise noted was : 63.6% continuous normal sound, 26.9% intermittent sound, 4.7% continuous repeating sound and 4.6% impulsive sound. 2. With respect to the type of industry, the overall sound level was the highest in the mechanical industry, with $103.8{\pm}2.8dB(A)$, and lowest in the textile industry, with $89.2{\pm}1.43dB(A)$. 3. With respect to the type of machine, the highest sound level was 124 dB(A) caused by Gauzing(II), in the mechanical industry, and the lowest was 76 dB(A) caused by Attachment (Jup Chack) (I) in the timber industry. 4. The shortest permissible exposure time to Gauzing(II) in the mechanical industry was less than 15 minutes. 5. Among 74 machines, 68.2% of the peak sound was situated in the high frequency range (52.7% at 2 KHz, 4.1% at 4 KHz and 1.4% at 8 KHz). 41.8% of the peak sound was in the middle frequency range (4.1% at 250Hz, 14.8% at 500Hz and 22.9% at 1KHz). 6. If one machine had two motors or more, the peak sound was shifted to the low frequency range. 7. As the r.p.m. increased, the overall and peak sound levels were increased without any change of the frequency of the peak sound. 8. Whenever the machines had the same kind and the same r.p.m., the overall and peak sounds were changed by the physicochemical characteristics of the raw materials and the management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.215-229
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• 2023

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2001

Exposure to 2-Bromopropane has been known to cause degeneration of male germ cells. However the mechanism underlying this process is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not the exposure of male Sprague-Dawley rats to 2-BP induces apoptosis in male germ cells. Male rats(N=3 or 4 in each group) were orally administered either with the corn oil vehicle (10 ml/kg body weight) or with 2-BP (3,500 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days. The presence of apoptosis was determined by TUNEL detection in situ and by an increase in DNA fragmentation. A low spontaneous incidence of apoptosis was observed in vehicle control animals, especially in pre-meiotic germ cells of stages I-VI and stages XII-XIV the seminiferous tubules. In 2-BP exposure rats, the incidence of apoptosis markedly increased at 4 h, reached a peak at 8 h (about 7-fold over control), and then decreased rapidly to control level by 48 h after the last administration. Although apoptosis induced by 2-BP occurred in all stages of germ cells, it was most pronounced in spermatogonia and early spermatocytes in stages I-VI and stages XII-XIV. Taken together, our results suggest that apoptosis is involved in the toxicity of testicular germ cells resulting in oligospermia or azoospermia after exposure to 2-BP.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was performed to propose a domestic occupational exposure limit(OEL) following a health hazard assessment, calculation of a non-carcinogenicity reference concentration worker($RfC_{worker}$) value, and examination of international agencies' exposure limits. It also recommends legal management within the Occupational Safety and Health Act for HCFC-123, which caused an acute hepatotoxicity incident. Methods: An acute hepatotoxicity incident due to the fire extinguishing agent HCFC-123 was investigated. Toxicological hazard and health hazard classifications were examined and a non-carcinogenicity $RfC_{worker}$ value was calculated for HCFC-123. An OEL and the necessity of legal management were recommended as well. Results and Conclusions: An OEL for HCFC-123 of 10 ppm($62.5mg/m^3$), which considered the $RfC_{worker}$ value, 5.56 ppm, produced in dose-response assessment and the exposure level of 19.1-20.9 ppm measured as an eight-hour TWA(time-weighted average) in the incident place, is recommended. HCFC-123 is urged to be included as a chemical requiring legal management in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations. In addition, it is recommended that a peak exposure of ACGIH be adopted in the Notice of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1349-1352
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• 2009

We report the results of the surface chemistry of deuterized ethanol exposed Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) surfaces with various amount of $C_2D_5$OD exposures at 190 K. This system was examined with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. In TPD study, $D_2$ was evolved at two different desorption temperature regions accompanying with broad desorption background. The lower temperature feature at around 520 K showed first-order desorption kinetics. The high temperature desorption peak at around 650 K shifted to lower desorption temperature as the exposure of $C_2D_5$OD increased. The Zr(MNV) Auger peak shifted about 2.5 eV from 147 eV to lower electron energy followed by 300 L of $C_2D_5$OD dosing. This implies metallic zirconium was oxidized by deuterized ethanol adsorption. After stepwise annealing of the oxidized Zry-4 sample up to 843 K, the shifted Zr(MNV) peak was gradually shifted back to metallic zirconium peak position. After the sample was heated to 843 K, the oxygen content near the Zry-4 surface was recovered to clean surface level. The concentration of carbon, however, was not recovered by annealing the sample.