• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.416-420
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• 2012

The increasing use of recycling products results in the need for assessing the risk to human health. In this study heavy metals's contents of playground flooring were compared with rubber powder which is row material. And it is reviewed characteristics of heavy metals's exposure from absorption of skin, checking amount of dermal uptake for each heavy metal. Despite its high content, Zn had a very low migration rate with 0.1 $mg/cm^2$. This indicates that Zn is not easily released by surface contact. However, the contents of Fe and Al in flooring were 12 times higher than that of Zn and Fe, and Al showed migration rate 5 times higher than that of Zn. This implies that Fe and Al were derived from pigment in flooring. The measurement of dermal exposure to heavy metals at 6 playgrounds found higher level of exposure in Ba than in other heavy metals. It is assumed that despite high content of Zn, Ba had a higher exposure rate because five times as much Ba as Zn was darmal absorptionactor ($AF_{darmal}$).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.646-654
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• 2020

Objectives: Users of parks or children's play facilities have pointed to pets' bowel movements as the most serious problem when using them. In prior studies, a very low detection rate of parasites (eggs) in sand flooring materials has been found. Even though feces have been identified, no parasites (eggs) have been detected. Method: A standard solution of nitrate nitrogen was used to verify the reliability of a new nitrogen analysis method. The linearity, precision, and accuracy of the nitrate nitrogen analysis method were verified. Using this method, the pollution distribution of the sand flooring material and the degree of pollution at each point were investigated. Results: As a result of the verification of the nitrogen analysis method, the linearity was found to be good at r2=0.999 when distilled water is mixed in a standard substance solution. The standard substance additive solution r2=0.968 was found to be good. Precision represented 0.01 to 0.06% RSD for peak height. The recovery rate was 92.4 to 104.0 percent, indicating high accuracy. According to the same method of analysis, the flooring material sand at a general amusement facility with the largest number of concealed spaces was nitrate nitrogen 6.1 times higher than at the entrance of the playground. Also, in a comparison between clean sand and sandy flooring, the average nitrogen concentration of the sand flooring material was 24.4-167 times higher than pure sand. Conclusions: As such, no parasites (eggs) were detected at all points under investigation, but the sand flooring was exposed to animal fecal contamination. Therefore, the management of nitrogenous components should allow accurate identification of animal fecal contamination so that the timing of sand replacement can be managed hygienically and safely.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.855-875
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to suggest a guideline for outdoor play settings in child care centers. From March to July, 2005, data were collected from 223 directors at child care centers through a structured questionnaire, field measurement survey and non-participatory observation in seventeen child care centers in Seoul and Daejeon. The statistical methods for analysing data were frequency, percentage, mean, $X^2$ and F-test. The results showed as follows: 1)the existing outdoor playground area in child care centers should be expanded more than $4\;m^2$ per child. 2) Outdoor play facilities should be equipped with two structured play sets, a play facility for unstructured play and an adventure facility to make child's various activities possible and to promote child development. 3)flooring materials for outdoor playground should be required to use more than three kinds such as solid coverings (cf. asphalt, standard concrete), wood, lawn, soil or sands. 4)to let children enjoy various activities, outdoor playground area should be composed of various play facilities like indoor play gyms and should be independent but have good connections between play facilities depending on characteristics of play activities. 5)Play spaces of outdoor playground should be composed of physical play space, unstructured and dramatized play space, rest space, space for nature and adventure space. In addition, appropriate play equipments should be provided in respective play space.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.206-221
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• 2012

Hazardous chemicals can be released from artificial turf used in some school playgrounds. To distinguish between Health risk assessment (HRA) exposure scenarios for this study, the ratio of elementary, middle and high schools was considered before final selection. Considering exposure pathways (inhalational, oral and dermal), media and materials were examined, targeting hazardous chemicals released from artificial turf playground-related products. Upon evaluation, the quantity of infill chips was shown to exceed the domestic product content standard (90 mg/kg) at eight (16%) out of 50 schools. PAHs were shown to exceed standards (10 mg/kg) at two (4%) out of the 50 schools. The excess cancer risk (ECR) of carcinogens was shown to be $1{\times}10^{-6}$ in most users for the worst exposure scenario. In children with pica, who represented the most extreme exposure group, the ECR was expected to be as high as $1{\times}10^{-4}$, showing the low risk level of carcinogens. The hazard index (HI) for individual chemicals was shown to be low, at around 0.1 or less, except for children with pica, according to the mean exposure scenario of artificial turf playground exposure. However, the HI was shown to exceed 1.0 in children with pica. Therefore, no direct health risk was found in using artificial turf playgrounds and urethane flooring tracks for the mean exposure scenario, except in children with pica.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.246-254
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• 2013

This study is purposed to verify the safety of the floor of the children's playground using polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving. The critical fall height, walking suitability, long term physical fatigue expectation and slipperiness were tested. Polyolefin foam wastes in thickness of 30mm, 50mm and 70mm were prepared with paving the rubber paving materials in 12mm and 15mm thickness respectively. The test on the critical fall height was carried out according to KS G 5758:2009. The floor hardness test equipment (O-Y HMA) was used for the test on hardness of the floor from a viewpoint of walking suitability and fatigue. A portable slipperiness tester (ONO PPSM) was used for slipperiness test. It was revealed from the test that the floor made of the polyolefin foam waste and rubber paving were considerably safe from a viewpoint of impact absorption. With regards to the hardness of the floor, it was shown the excellent performance in the aspects of walking and fatigue for male. But it was not suitable with walking on the shoes(middle heels) for female. And they will be very fatigue if they were in a long time walking or standing. As far as the slipperiness is concerned, it was shown that it was comparatively safe for the ordinary motions even though the surface was wet.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.269-278
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• 2023

The pollution status of heavy metals in the soils of children's playground was investigated for a sustainable soil environment in urban parks of Seoul. As sampling sites, 281 locations were selected from a 7 districts in the Seoul city. The overall mean concentrations of the heavy metals (Cd 0.21 mg/kg, Cu 5.97 mg/kg, As 2.40 mg/kg, Pb 7.55 mg/kg, Zn 34.08 mg/kg, Ni 4.22 mg/kg, Hg 0.02 mg/kg and Cr6+ not detected.) in the soils of the palygrounds were lower than the worrisome level in criteria for area 1 in Korea soil environment conservation act. In addition, when the soil pollution grade (SPC) was evaluated as an average value, it was found to be less than 100, the first grade, at all points in the seven autonomous districts, indicating thatthe soil was in good soil condition. However, when evaluated as the maximum value, some of the five districts showed values of 100 or more. Therefore, it was found that continuous management and interest of the local government, which is the management body of children's playgrounds, is necessary for a safe soil environment.