• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2002

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important public health problem throughout the world. Many important questions remain to be addressed in assessing exposure to these compounds. Because they are ubiquitous and highly volatile, special techniques must be applied in the analytical determination of VOCs. Personal exposure measurements are needed to evaluate the relationship between microenvironmental concentrations and actual exposures. It is also important to investigate exposure frequency, duration, and intensity, as well as personal exposure characteristics. In addition to air monitoring, biological monitoring may contribute significantly to risk assessment by allowing estimation of absorbed doses, rather than just the external exposure concentrations, which are evaluated by environmental and personal monitoring. This study was conducted to establish the analytic procedure of VOCs in air, blood, urine and exhaled breath and to evaluate the relationships among these environmental media. The subjects of this study were selected because they are occupationally exposed to high levels of VOCs. Environmental, personal, blood, urine and exhalation samples were collected. Purge ＆ trap, thermal desorber, gas chromatography and mass selective detector were used to analyze the collected samples. Analytical procedures were validated with the“break through test”, 'quot;recovery test for storage and transportation”,“method detection limit test”and“inter-laboratory QA/QC study”. Assessment of halogenated compounds indicted that they were significantly correlated to each other (p value < 0.01). In a similar manner, aromatic compounds were also correlated, except in urine sample. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationships between personal exposures and environmental concentrations. These relationships for aromatic and halogenated are as follows: Halogen $s_{personal}$ = 3.875+0.068Halogen $s_{environmet}$, ($R^2$= .930) Aromatic $s_{personal}$ = 34217.757-31.266Aromatic $s_{environmet}$, ($R^2$= .821) Multiple regression was used to evaluate the relationship between exposures and various exposure deter-minants including, gender, duration of employment, and smoking history. The results of the regression model-ins for halogens in blood and aromatics in urine are as follows: Halogen $s_{blood}$ = 8.181+0.246Halogen $s_{personal}$+3.975Gender ($R^2$= .925), Aromatic $s_{urine}$ = 249.565+0.135Aromatic $s_{personal}$ -5.651 D.S ($R^2$ = .735), In conclusion, we have established analytic procedures for VOC measurement in biological and environmental samples and have presented data demonstrating relationships between VOCs levels in biological media and environmental samples. Abbreviation GC/MS, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer; VOCs, Volatile Organic Compounds; OVM, Organic Vapor Monitor; TO, Toxic Organicsapor Monitor; TO, Toxic Organics.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2002

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important public health issue in Korea and many important questions remain to be addressed with respect to assessing exposure to these compounds. Because they are ubiquitous and highly volatile, special techniques must be applied in their analytic determination Valid Personal exposure assessment methods are needed to evaluate exposure frequency, duration and intensity, as well as their relationship to personal exposure characteristics. Biological monitoring is also important since it may contribute significantly in risk assessment by allowing the estimation of effective absorbed doses. This study was on ducted to establish the environmental measurement, personal dosimetry and biological monitoring methods for VOCs. These methods are needed to compare blood, urinary and exhalation breath VOC levels and to provide tools for risk assessment of VOC exposure. Passive monitors (badge type) and a active samplers (trap) for the VOCs collection were used for air sampling. Methods development included determining the minimum detectable amounts of VOCs in each media, as well as evaluating collection methods and developing analytical procedures. Method reliability was assessed by determining breakthrough volumes and comparing results between laboratories and with other methods. A total capacity of trap used in this study was 60ι. Although variable by compound, the average breakthrough was 20％. Also, there was no loss of compounds in trap even if keep for 45 day in -7$0^{\circ}C$. The recovery of active and passive methods was 69％ ~ 126％ and method detection limit was 0.24 $\mu\textrm{g}$/trap and 0.07 $\mu\textrm{g}$/badge. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between active and passive methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 1991

The present investigation studied the welding fumes produced during the arc welding process at a shipyard. The air at the shipyard was sampled (between February and May, 1990) to determine the total welding fume concentration, its heavy metal content and the concentrations of different sized particles of the welding fumes. The results were as follows : 1. Forty-four out of 50 samples showed welding fume concentrations which exceeding the threshold limit value of $5mg/m^3$. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration was $9.73mg/m^3$ ($2.14-24.86mg/m^3$), and the nighest level was found at the dock assembly shop ($12.0mg/m^3$). 2. The welding fume concentration measured with personal air sampler was 4.2 times greater than that measured with area sampler. 3. Of the heavy metals analyzed, Fe was found to be the most concentrated at $1.29mg/m^3$ ; it constitued 13.3% of the total welding fume concentration. 4. Of the different sized particles that make up the welding fumes, there was a tendency for the smaller particles to be more concentrated. Particles that measured $7{\mu}$ or less in diameter constituted 85.8% of the total welding fume concentration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2001

Passive samplers have been used for personal, indoor, and outdoor air monitoring of VOCs at ppb concentrations in community and office environments. The path length of modified passive sampler was shortened, so it was intended to increase an uptake rate. The performance of the modified 3M 3500 organic vapor monitor(OVM) as a tool for assessing exposures to toxic air pollutants in nonoccupational community environments was evaluated using combined controlled test atmospheres of six selected target volatile organic compounds(VOCs): benzene, methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE), chloroform, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene, and toluene. The experiments were conducted by exposing the dosimeters to concentrations of $50{\sim}100{\mu}g/m^3$ on six face velocity(0.00, 0.02, 0.06, 0.12, 0.20, 0.30 m/sec) for 24 hours. If the uptake rate was increased, that means that we could use the passive sampler more effectively. The uptake rates were increased linearly according to reduce the path length. Although the diffusion path length was shortened, the change of uptake rate was within ${\pm}25%$ of theoretical value, indicating that the modified passive sampler(TM) can be effectively used over the range of concentrations and environmental conditions tested with a 24-h sampling period if the face velocities were over 0.12 m/s for 6 components of VOCs. But when the face velocities were less than 0.12 m/s, uptake rates were reduced more than expected values. So, the passive sampler with the shortened path length should be used at indoor or outdoor environment where the face velocity should be over about 0.10 m/s. If the path length was shortened more, the uptake rate was more effected by starvation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2001

This article describes identification and quantification of benzene in the casting process. Air samples around the casting process were taken by using personal air sampler attached charcoal tube and desorbed by carbon disulfide. The identification and quantitative analysis of benzene have been performed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Calibration range of standard solutions for benzene was prepared in range from 0.1 to 2 times of TLVs concentrations($1.4{\sim}28{\mu}g/1m{\ell}$ CS2) and the limit of detection was $0.11{\pm}0.002{\mu}g/1m{\ell}$ CS2. Benzene detected in airborne was ranged in 4.0ppb~104.7ppb.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.369-375
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• 2011

Objectives: Exposure to hazardous chemicals during pregnancy may result incritical reproductive health outcomes. Indoor residential levels are significant component of personal exposure. The collection of residential exposure data has been hampered by the cost and participant burden of health studies of indoor air pollution. This study utilized a participant-based approach to collect volatile organic compounds concentration from homes. Methods: Four hundred thirteen women were recruited from three major hospitals in Seoul and Gyeongi Provence and 411 agreed to participate. A passive sampler (OVM 3500, 3M, USA) with instructions were given to the participants, as well as a questionnaire. They were asked to deploy the sampler in their homes for three to five days and return them viapre-stamped envelope. Results: Three hundred forty six participants returned the sampler. Among the returned samplers, three hundred samplers satisfied our monitoring quality criteria. The success rate of the monitoring method was 73%. The geometric mean of TVOC level was 429(2) ${\mu}g/m^3$. The TVOC guideline of 500 ${\mu}g/m^3$ was exceeded in 38% of the houses. The residential VOC levels were significantly associated with remodeling of the house. Conclusions: The results suggested that a participant-based sampling approach may be a feasible and costeffective alternative to exposure assessment involving home visits by a field technician.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.65-73
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• 1993

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the biological lead exposure indices and air lead concentrations measured by personal air samplers. The 72 occupationally lead exposed workers were observed and the bioiogical lead Exposure indices chosen for this study were blood lead(PbB), urine lead(PbU), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid in urine(ALAU), $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (ALAD), coproporphyrin in urine(CPU) and hemoglobin(Hb). The workers were divided into four groups by air lead concentrations: Group I; under $0.05mg/m^3$, Group II; $0.05-0.10mg/m^3$, Group III; $0.10-0.15mg/m^3$ and Group IV; and over $0.15mg/m^3$. For evaluation the relationship between the biological lead exposure indices and air lead concentrations was used as correlation coefficients. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In Group I, II, III and IV, the mean value of PbB were $25.45{\pm}1.84{\mu}g/dl,\;27.87{\pm}3.53{\mu}g/dl,\;31.21{\pm}1.76{\mu}g/dl\;and\;47.02{\pm}13.96{\mu}g/dl$. Between Group IV and other groups showed statistically significant difference(p<0.05). 2. There was an increasing tendency of PbB, PbU, ALAU and ZPP according to the increase the mean air lead concentration, while ALAD has decreasing tendency. CPU and Hb did not show any constant tendency. 3. Correlation coefficients between PbB, PbU, ZPP, ALAU, ALAD, CPU, Hb and air lead concentration were 0.95, 0.83, 0.89, 0.72, -0.83, 0.51 and -0.45 respectively, and regression coefficient between PbB(Y) and PbA(X) was Y=126.8746X+16.9996(p<0.01).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.328-337
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• 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.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2003

Asbestos is composed of long thin fibers approximately diameter $0.02\mu\textrm{m}$ and flexibility, strength, electrical, thermal conditions. The most common asbestos are : Chrysotile(white), Crocidolite(Blue), Amosite(Brown). Asbestos was first introduced in the Korea in 1960 and installation of these products continue through the late 1970's and even the early 1980's. Bu-pyung basement stores in Korea were surveyed from September 25 to October 26, 2001. The purpose of this research was to evaluate worker-exposure to asbestos, comparing to the standards and to research notice of inhabitants about asbestos. Fifteen personal samples and six areas were collected using Gillian Air Sampler. Result of this research were as follows. 1. The most of asbestos exposure concentrations keeps to the criterion(OSHA(Occupational Safety and Health Adminisoation), NIOSH) but forty three percent of the Six samples exceeded the EPA (Environmental protection Agency) of 0.01 fibers/cc. 2. All of places compliced to the standards but there is no "Safe level" of asbestos exposure to the people. Especially people who are expose more frequently over a long time are more at risk.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.315-325
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• 2013

The possibility of acute hepatotoxicity caused by dimethylformamide (DMF) requires regular monitoring of the workers who are using DMF to prevent the occupational disease. The authors performed ambient and biological monitoring of workers involved in synthetic leather manufacturing processes using DMF to assess the correlation between the markers of ambient and biological monitoring of DMF. The authors monitored 142 workers occupationally exposed to DMF from 19 workshops in the synthetic leather and ink manufacturing industries located in northern region of Gyeonggi-do. The subjects answered questionnaire on work procedure and use of personal protective equipment to be classified by exposure type. DMF in air samples collected using personal air samplers, diffusive and active sampler, was analysed using gas chromatograph-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) with DB-FFAP column (length 30 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 ${\mu}m$). Urinary N-methylformamide (NMF) was analysed using gas chromatograph-mass selective detector (GC-MSD) at selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode with DB-624 column (length 60 m, i.d. 0.25 mm, film thickness 1.40 ${\mu}m$). Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of the ambient DMF was $6.85{\pm}3.43$ ppm, and GM and GSD of urinary NMF was $42.3{\pm}2.7$ mg/L. The ratio of subjects with DMF level over 10 ppm was 44%, and those with urinary NMF over 15 mg/L was 87%. NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air was $4.61{\pm}2.57$ mg/L/ppm and $9.50{\pm}2.41$ mg/L/ppm, respectively, with or without respirator. There was seasonal differences of NMF in urine adjusted by DMF in air, $7.63{\pm}2.74$ mg/L/ppm in summer and $4.53{\pm}2.29$ mg/L/ppm in winter. The urinary NMF concentration which corresponds to 10 ppm of ambient DMF was 52.7 mg/L (r=0.650, n=128). Considering the difference of the route of exposure which resulted from the compliance of wearing personal protective equipment, the estimated contribution of respiratory and dermal exposure route for DMF was 48.5% vs. 51.5%.