• Advances in environmental research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.175-189
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• 2020

Municipal solid waste disposal is considered as one of the most important risks for environmental contamination which necessitates the development of strategies to reduce destructive consequences on the ecosystem as related especially to heavy metal accumulation. This study investigates heavy metal (i.e., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) accumulation in the Tonekabon region, NW of Iran that is related to city waste disposal and evaluates the environmental impact in the Caspian Sea coastal region. For this purpose, after performing field studies and collecting 50 soil specimens from 5 sites of the study area, geochemical tests (i.e., inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence) were conducted on the soil specimens collected from the 5 sites (named as Sites A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5) and the results were used to estimate the pollution indices (i.e., geo-accumulation index, normalized enrichment factor, contamination factor, and pollution load index). The obtained indices were utilized to assess the eco-toxicological risk level in the landfill site which indicated that the city has been severely contaminated by Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. These levels have been developed along the stream towards the nearshore areas indicating uptake of soil degradation. The heavy metal contamination was classified to range from unpolluted to highly polluted, which indicated serious heavy metal pollution in the study area as related to municipal solid waste disposal in Tonekabon.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2011

Objectives: Studies examining healthcare workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs have focused on the drug preparation or drug administration areas. However, such an approach has probably underestimated the overall exposure risk as the drugs need to be delivered to the facility, transported internally and then disposed. The objective of this study is to determine whether drug contamination occurs throughout a facility and, simultaneously, to identify those job categories that are potentially exposed. Methods: This was a multi-site study based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Interviews were conducted to determine the departments where the drugs travel. Subsequent site observations were performed to ascertain those surfaces which frequently came into contact with antineoplastic drugs and to determine the job categories which are likely to contact these surfaces. Wipe samples were collected to quantify surface contamination. Results: Surface contamination was found in all six stages of the hospital medication system. Job categories consistently found to be at risk of exposure were nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy receivers. Up to 11 job categories per site may be at risk of exposure at some point during the hospital medication system. Conclusion: We found drug contamination on select surfaces at every stage of the medication system, which indicates the existence of an exposure potential throughout the facility. Our results suggest that a broader range of workers are potentially exposed than has been previously examined. These results will allow us to develop a more inclusive exposure assessment encompassing all healthcare workers that are at risk throughout the hospital medication system.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2013

Strawberries are among the leading ready-to-eat agricultural products that have superior taste and nutrition. Thus, consumer concerns about the safety of eating strawberries are growing. To evaluate the contamination levels of strawberries according to their cultivation methods (nutriculture, pesticide-free culture and organic farming) and parts [fruit (flesh), stalk (pedunle) and leaf (calyx)], 1,020 parts of strawberry samples were collected at 12 farms in Nonsan-si and quantitatively or qualitatively examined for the indicators of food safety and food poisoning bacteria. The total aerobic bacteria count in the whole samples was 2.3~6.8 ${\log}_{10}$ CFU/g, and coliform bacteria were detected in 14.2% of the whole samples with a contamination level range of 2.1~4.5 log CFU/g. E. coli were detected in 0.9% of the whole samples with a contamination level range of 2.1~2.8 log CFU/g. The analysis of the bacterial levels according to the cultivation methods showed that the total aerobic bacteria and coliform counts were higher in the strawberries that were grown via organic farming than in those that were grown via nutriculture and pesticide-free culture. However, the E. coli counts of the strawberries that were grown via organic farming and via pesticide-free culture were similar and differed from that of the strawberries that were grown via nutriculture. The analysis of the contamination levels according to the parts of the strawberries showed that the total aerobic bacteria, coliform and E. coli counts of the fruits, stalks and leaves of the strawberries did not significantly differ. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in two organically grown strawberries, but Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected in the whole samples. These results show that the bacterial contamination levels of the strawberries differed based on their cultivation methods. Thus, a suitable method of reducing the bacterial contamination levels of strawberries according to their farming methods is needed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen fluoride is one of the 97 accident preparedness substances regulated by the Ministry of Environment (Republic of Korea) and chemical accidents should be managed centrally due to continual occurrence. Especially, hydrogen fluoride has a characteristic of rapid diffusion and very toxic when leaking into the environment. Therefore, it is important to predict the impact range quickly and to evaluate the residual contamination immediately to minimize the human and environmental damages. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to estimate the accident impact range, the off-site consequence analysis (OCA) was performed to the worst and alternative scenarios. Also, in order to evaluate the residual contamination of hydrogen fluoride in crop, the samples in accident site were collected from 15-divided regions (East direction from accident sites based on the main wind direction), and the concentration was measured by fluoride ($F^-$) ion-selective electrode potentiometer (ISE). As a result of the OCA, the affected distance by the worst scenario was estimated to be >10 km from the accident site and the range by the alternative scenario was estimated to be about 1.9 km. The residual contamination of hydrogen fluoride was highest in the samples near the site of the accident (E-1, 276.82 mg/kg) and tended to decrease as it moved eastward. Meanwhile, the concentrations from SE and NE (4.96~28.98 mg/kg) tended to be lower than the samples near the accident site. As a result, the concentration of hydrogen fluoride was reduced to a low concentration within 2 km from the accident site (<5 mg/kg), and the actual damage range was estimated to be around 2.2 km. Therefore, it is suggested that the results are similar to those of alternative accident scenarios calculated by OCA (about 1.9 km). CONCLUSION: It is difficult to estimate the chemical accident-affecting range/region by the OCA evaluation, because it is not possible to input all physicochemical parameters. However simultaneous measurement of the residual contamination in the environment will be very helpful in determining the diffusion range of actual chemical accident.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.861-867
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• 2011

In order to understand the extent of contamination of the sediments on the Mankyoung and Dongjin Rivers flowing into the Saemangeum Reservoir, the concentrations of ignition loss (IL), COD, total nitrogen (T-N), total phosphorus (T-P), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn) were measured. The average concentrations of IL, COD, and T-P were 2.40 (${\pm}2.18$)%, 2.97 (${\pm}3.06$) mg/g sediment, 0.370 (${\pm}0.351$) mg/g sediment, respectively, showing the extent of contamination is not serious. However, the concentrations of these parameters in the samples taken in year 2009 were higher than those in year 2008, indicating the contamination of sediments goes on gradually. The concentrations of T-N were in the range of 0.59~13.11 mg/g sediment with variation of locations and seasons. It was determined that the T-N contamination is serious when the concentrations were compared with the dredging guidelines of sediments in the Korean freshwaters, indicating the countermeasures are required to maintain the water quality of the Saemangeum Reservoir. The concentrations of heavy metals except chromium did not exceed the worrisome level of soil contamination stipulated by the Soil Environment Conservation Act of Korea. The high concentration of chromium to be concerned in some samples from the upstream of Mankyoung River requires source analysis and countermeasure to control the contamination.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2004

Rice plants were exposed to $I_2$ vapor for 80 min at different growth stages in an exposure box to investigate the parameters concerning direct plant contamination. Deposition velocity $(m\;s^{-1})$ of the $I_2$ vapor for the straws was in the range of $1.4{\times}10^{-5}-1.3{\times}10^{-4}$ depending on the exposure time, being comparatively low during the earlier part of the plant growth. Ear deposition velocity was in the range of $2.5{\times}10^{-5}-6.7{\times}10^{-5}$. Whole-plant deposition velocity was in the range of $1.4{\times}10^{-5}-1.8{\times}10^{-4}$ with the highest from the exposure performed on Aug. 18 (7 d after the start of heading). The time-dependent variation generally decreased when the deposition velocity was normalized to the biomass density No noteworthy tendency in the deposition velocity was observed with regard to the temperature, sunlight and humidity. Translocation factor for the hulled seeds was $3.3{\times}10^{-5}-4.7{\times}10^{-4}$ with the highest from the Aug. 23 exposure. It was found that a leaf deposition even before the ear emergence resulted in a considerable seed translocation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 2011

Koo-ni Firing Range in Maehyang-ri consisted of a firing range around 'Nong-sum' and a land-based firing range in the nearby coastal area. From 1951, when the US Air Force began field firing, residents of Maehyang-ri suffered damage to health, environment, life and property due to 54 years of field firing and noise. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the environmental damage, property loss, and health impairment by reviewing literature and related lawsuits. Environmental damage, the destruction of coastal fisheries and wetlands, would be a result of heavy metal contamination of soil. Fishing restrictions and the confiscation of farmlands caused financial hardship. Errant bombings led to the loss of life and property, including buildings and livestock. As a result, residents repeatedly sued the Republic of Korea for damages. The court decided partially in favor of the plaintiffs. Finally, Koo-ni firing range was closed down in 2005. Through the literature review, it is presumed that the noise caused hearing problems, hypertension, and mental illness. Since earlier studies were confined to a small fragment of the damage, additional studies focused on chronic health hazards are needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.324-331
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• 2012

Bacteriological examination of spring water in Jeju City was conducted. A total of 21 spring water samples were collected from January to April, 2010. During the study period, the range of temperature was 0.6 to $15.4^{\circ}C$, and the results of the analyses showed that hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) for spring water were 0.43 to 7.9. Salinity levels for the samples averaged from 3.0 to 1.64%, and levels of water-dissolved oxygen were 1.85 to 6.06 mg/l. The range of total coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water were <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Furthermore, the range of geometric means of total coliforms was 9.9-151.6 MPN/100 ml, while the range of fecal coliforms in spring water samples at 21 stations located in the designated spring water area was <1.8->1,600 MPN/100 ml. Finally, the range of geometric mean of fecal coliforms was 3.1-151.6 MPN/100 ml. The level of microbial contamination was examined in 21 samples for indications of bacterial contamination such as heterotrophic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella spp. were frequently detected in the spring water. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and S. aureus were detected in the range of $0-0.5{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, $0-0.1{\times}10^1$, and $0-0.3{\times}10^1$ CFU/ml, respectively, while E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in the examined spring water samples.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.115.2-115.2
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• 2003

3-Monochloro-1, 2-propanediol(3-MCPD) was analyzed in soy sauce products commercially available in Korea. A total of 24 samples were collected and 3-MCPD was determined by GC/MS. Sources of 24 samples were classified by manufacturing methods as naturally brewed(NB), acid hydrolyzed(AH) and mixed(M=NB+AH) soy sauces. 3-MCPD was not detected in NB soy sauce products (＜ 0.01 ppm, mg/kg) whereas AH and M soy sauce products showed a wide range of 3-MCPD contamination(0.01~2.038ppm). (omitted)

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.59-71
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• 2014

We investigated soil contamination depending on the land use by examining the contamination levels and distribution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the national soil. Total PAHs (the sum of 16 PAH concentrations) and carcinogenic PAHs (the sum of seven carcinogenic PAH concentrations) were $8.50{\sim}3,437.16{\mu}g/kg$ and $2.94{\sim}2,136.96{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The concentration of benzo(a)pyrene, one of the contaminants regulated by the soil quality standard in the nation, was $ND{\sim}924.73{\mu}g/kg$. Its maximum value of $924.73{\mu}g/kg$ was detected in railroad (Region 3) and is approximately 13% of the standard value for Region 3 (i.e., 7 mg/kg). We also investigated the characteristics of contamination sources of PAHs in soil of the upland, forests, roads, and railroads, examining the fraction distribution of PAHs concentration by the number of benzene rings against the total PAHs concentration. The results demonstrate that the mean fraction of 4~6-ring PAHs against total PAHs concentration in soil was in the range of 51.8~80.7% with relative abundance of high-molecular PAHs, showing that the origin of contamination is under the category of combustion sources. When the molecular indices (Flu/(Flu/Pyr), Ant/(Ant+Phe), InP/(InP+BP), and BaA/(BaA+Chr)) were applied, they were also categorized as petroleum-based combustion sources. The individual PAH concentrations in soil by the land use were grouped into Regions 1, 2, and 3, which are statistically treated and are the parts of the national category system of soil quality standard. As a result, the concentration level of 16 PAHs was $0.02{\sim}2.63{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 1, $0.05{\sim}4.26{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 2, and $2.36{\sim}178.27{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 3. The concentration level of 6 carcinogenic PAHs was 14.2~320.4% against that of benzo(a)pyrene in Region 3 and sites of recycling waste sleepers. Considering that there were similarities among PAHs in terms of structures and toxicities, it would be recommended to review other types of carcinogenic PAHs together with benzo(a)pyrene when developing the soil quality standards in the nation.