• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.6_spc
• /
• pp.729-735
• /
• 2016

According to the survey for working environment of the cashiers in highway tollbooths, workers replied that noise was the most harmful substances next to air pollutant in the tollbooth. Researches on the noise levels exposed to cashiers in the highway tollbooth scarcely have been performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to acquire baseline data to prevent health impairments of the cashiers by evaluating noise level exposed to them. Noise dosimeters were used for monitoring workers' noise exposure level in the tollbooths at 8 different highway tollgates. The noise levels of tollbooths did not exceed noise exposure limit of the ministry of labor, 90 dB(A). The average TWA inside of the tollbooths was 55.4 dB(A) and the average TWA outside of tollbooths was 58.3 dB(A). The average TWA outside of tollbooths was slightly higher than that of inside of tollbooths. However, the significance probability(p-value) was 0.255 which means statistically not significant. The noise levels inside and outside of tollbooth were statistically significant to both mean traffic volume per day and traffic volume of passenger car.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.261-266
• /
• 2014

Environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been implicated in cancer development and progression. However, the effects of PAHs on carcinogenesis are still poorly understood. Here, we characterized a mouse cancer cell line BNL 1ME A. 7R.1 (1MEA) derived by transformation of non-tumorigenic liver cell line BNL CL.2 (BNL) using 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), a carcinogenic PAH. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to determine the expression level of mRNA and proteins, respectively. To determine functionality, cell motility was assessed in vitro using a transwell migration assay. Both mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin were significantly decreased in 1MEA cells in comparison with BNL cells. While the expression levels of mesenchymal markers and related transcription factors were enhanced in 1MEA cells, which could lead to increase in cell motility. Indeed, we found that 7-day exposure of BNL cells to 3-MC reduced the level of the adhesion molecule and epithelial marker E-cadherin and increased reciprocally the level of the mesenchymal marker vimentin in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be activated during premalignant transformation induced by 3-MC. A mechanism study to elucidate the relation between 3-MC exposure and EMT is underway in our laboratory.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate defects in Zelkova serrata trees using an ultrasonic tomograph (PICUS) and suggest a management plan to maintain it as a natural and cultural resource. In previous study, health information of 16 protected trees were obtained by surveying the following categories; tree appearance, crown, bark, root exposure, water and nutrition, deterioration, pest, vitality, ground status, and pollutant. The average score of health was 16.5 in 16 trees, which means that general monitor is needed for management. In this study, the evaluation result of tree's inside defects using an ultrasonic tomograph showed that 43.8% of decay rate has been found in 16 trees. In fact, some trees look to be good even though they actually have a defects causing broken by natural disaster such as strong wind. Therefore, it is urgent to put some support to the trees and come up with a protective plan. The results of this study would be useful as basic data in developing a guideline for the efficient conservation and management of big and old trees.

• 보존과학연구
• /
• s.31
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2010

Cultural heritages are damaged by surrounding several environmental factors. Main factors are temperature, humidity, light, atmosphere and indoor pollutant, organism, etc. Therefore, to prevent damage of cultural heritage from such environmental factor, conservation environment monitoring becomes more important. Indicator is one of the simple method for environment monitoring. It can be used without expensive and complex equipments. However, it should be performed scientific examination for application to cultural heritage. In this study, some Temperature Indicators were chosen and reliability assessment was carried out for application to cultural heritage. Brightness($L^*$) is selected for reliability assessment factor. As a result of lab test, Temperature Indicators were not influenced greatly in humidity change. When they were exposed to setting temperature, the color was changed in setting temperature area and ${\pm}2^{\circ}C$ part of setting temperature. Especially brightness value was high in setting temperature area. Also, Temperature Indicators were stabilized after about 16 minutes when were exposed to temperature difference of $10^{\circ}C$ and when temperature difference with exposure environment is smaller, stabilization time shortened. Therefore, it is a possible to confirm that selected Temperature Indicator is reliable product through measurement of color difference value and naked eye observation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2007

The global environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate, despite of enhanced international environmental regulation. Many studies have been performed to reduce toxic pollutants. Recently, plant-based phytoremediation technology for moving toxic contaminants from soil and water has been receiving large attention. Arsenic-contaminated soil is one of the major pollutant sources for drinking water. Pteris erotica has been known as a hyper-accumulator of arsenic from soils. In this study, we investigated the effect of arsenic absorption on sap flow inside xylem vessels of Pteris. The synchrotron X-ray micro-imaging technique was employed to monitor the refilling process of water containing arsenic inside the xylem vessels of Pteris's leaves and stems non-invasively. The captured phase-contrast X-ray images show both anatomy of internal structure and transport of water inside Pteris. The exposure of Pteris to arsenic solution was found to increase largely the water raise speed in xylem vessels. The present results would provide important information needed for understanding the mechanisms of accumulation and transportation of toxic materials in plants.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.32-39
• /
• 2013

This research focused on the effects of heavy metals on the biomonitoring activity of genetically engineered bioluminescent bacteria, Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KG1206. KG1206 was exposed to single or binary mixtures of different heavy metals as well as soils contaminated with heavy metals. In case of single exposure with different inducer pollutant, the toxicity order was as followings : As(III) > Cd, As(V) >> Cu, Cr(VI). The toxic effects of the binary mixtures was compared to the expected effect based on a simple theory of probabilities. The interactive effects were mostly additive, while in few cases antgonistic and synergistic mode of action was observed for some concentration combinations. No considerable correlation was found between the total metal contents in soils and the bioluminescence activity of each sample. However, statistically significant differences (p = 0.0102) were observed between two groups, classified based on arsenite contamination. These results demonstrate the usage of recombinant bioluminescent microorganism in biomonitoring and the complex interactive effects of metals.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.282-287
• /
• 2007

Chloroanilines are aromatic amines used as intermediate products in the synthesis of herbicides, azo-dyes, and pharmaceuticals. 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) is the degradation product of some herbicides (diuron, propanil, and linuron) and of trichlorocarbanilide, a chemical used as an active agent in the cosmetic industry. The compound, however, is considered a potential pollutant due to its toxicity and recalcitrant property to humans and other species. With the increasing necessity for bioremediation, we sought to isolate bacteria that degraded 3,4-DCA. A bacterium capable of growth on 3,4-DCA as the sole carbon source was isolated from seaside sediment using a dilution method with a culture enriched in 3,4-DCA. The isolated strain, YM-7 was identified to be Pseudomonas sp. The isolated strain was also able to degrade other chloroaniline compounds. The isolated strain showed a high level of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity on exposure to 3,4-DCA, suggesting that this enzyme is an important factor in 3,4-DCA degradation. The activity toward 4-methylcatechol was 53.1% that of catechol, while the activity toward 3-methylcatechol, 4-chlorocatechol and 4,5-chlorocatechol was 18.1, 33.1, and 6.9%, respectively.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
• /
• 2006.06a
• /
• pp.95-98
• /
• 2006

Filtration by fibrous filter is one of the Principle methods used for removing pollutant particles in the liquid. Because of the increasing need to protect both human health and valuable devices from exposure to fine particles, filtration has become more important. Filters have been developed with modified surface charge characteristics to capture and adsorb particles by electrokinetic interaction between the filter surface and particles contained in water. The main purposes of this study are to develop and evaluate the performance evaluation of the apparatus for making a positively charged porous filter media and to analyze the surface characteristics of the filter media for capturing negavitely charged contaminants mainly bacteria and virus from water. The experimental apparatus consists of a mixing tank, a vacuum pumping system, a injection nozzle, a roller press and a controller. The filter media is composed of glass fiber(50-750 nm), cellulose($10-20{\mu}m$) and colloidal charge modifier. The characteristics of filter media is analyzed by SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM(Atomic Force Microscopy) and quantified by measuring the zeta potential values.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2021

Environmental pollution is defined as contamination of the earth's environment with materials which interfere with human health, quality of life, or the natural functioning of the ecosystem. Whenever a prolonged and repetitive exposure to environmental stressors exceeds the skin's normal defensive potential, there is a disturbance in the skin barrier function leading to the development of various skin diseases. Major air pollutants which affect the skin are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, cigarette smoke, heavy metals and arsenic. Dermal uptake depends on the deposition of air pollutants on the skin surface, the composition of epidermal lipids, and the diffusion through the epidermis to the blood vessels.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.501-509
• /
• 2013

Formaldehyde (FA) is widely used in industries, and it is an indoor and outdoor pollutant. Exposure to FA may cause inflammation and respiratory oxidative stress. Studies have demonstrated that FA can cause cancer in animal models. During the regeneration process of injured starfish (Asterina pectinifera), several changes have been observed in the expression of cytokines. In particular, higher TGF-${\beta}1$ expression has been detected in arm cut starfish extract after eight days. The current study was designed to elucidate the in-vitro and the in-vivo pharmacological effects of starfish extract on FA exposure. We investigated the protective effects of intact starfish extract and arm cut starfish extract on an IMR-90 cell line and on mouse lung injury in response to FA exposure. In the presence of FA, inhalation of the arm cut starfish extract was associated with more promising cell proliferation, TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ decrement, and $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$ increment. In the experimental group, the pulmonary structure of the arm cut starfish extract-treated group in the presence of FA exposure was similar to the control group, whereas the FA exposure group showed damage to the pulmonary structure. Moreover, the arm cut starfish extracts was more effective than the intact starfish extracts in terms of the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$, and surfactant protein A. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that arm cut starfish extracts are more effective in protecting pulmonary structure and function against FA exposure than intact starfish extracts.