• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2012

There are currently various domestic high-rise construction projects underway. Such projects may maximize the economic impact, and yield other benefits, however, there is also a possibility of fire, terrorism, and other disasters that one may not even imagine. This study of high-rise structures' damage reduction measures the fire-fighting ability of the fire fighters at the scene of an indoor emergency upon entry. In order to identify the practical limitations, the fire fighter entered from the 1st floor to reach the top 54th floor. 1.Time required to reach the top floor without the respirator 2.Time required as well as pressure consumption to reach the top floor with the respirator equipped was measured; based on the results, performable range of operations during a fire fighting activity were presented.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2017

Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) potentially causes adverse health effects (e.g. respiratory symptoms, lung cancer). Due to a lack of data on Elemental Carbon (EC) exposure levels in underground copper ore mining (unlike other underground mining industries such as non-metallic and coal mining), this case study aims to provide individual miners' EC exposure levels, and information on their work practices including use of personal protective equipment. EC measurement was carried out during different work activities (i.e. drilling, driving a loader, plant fitting, plant operation, driving a Specialized Mining Vehicle (SMV)) as per NIOSH Method 5040. The copper miners were working 10 h/day and 5 days/week. This study found that the most significant exposures to EC were reported from driving a loader (range $0.02-0.42mg/m^3$). Even though there were control systems (i.e. water tanks and DPM filters) on the diesel vehicles, around 49.5% of the results were over the adjusted recommendable exposure limit ($0.078mg/m^3$). This was probably due to: (1) driver's frequently getting in and out of the diesel vehicles and opening the windows of the diesel vehicles, and (2) inappropriate maintenance of the diesel vehicles and the DPM control systems. The use of the P2 type respirator provided was less than 19.2%. However, there was no significant difference between the day shift results and the night shift results. In order to prevent or minimize exposure to EC in the copper ore mine, it is recommended that the miners are educated in the need to wear the appropriate respirator provided during their work shifts, and to maintain the diesel engine and emission control systems on a regular basis. Consideration should be given to a specific examination of the diesel vehicles' air-conditioning filters and the air ventilation system to control excessive airborne contaminants in the underground copper mine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.2 s.74
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• pp.138-142
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• 2006

Occupational asthma is commonly known to be induced by isocyanate exposure. Spray painters generally use isocyanates for 2-pack spray painting to coat wooden panel surfaces in the furniture industry in South Australia. Due to a lack of actual exposure data, this study conducted environmental and dermal/ocular monitoring from a company in the furniture industry. According to this study, there was no significant airborne contamination, due to the use of high volume low pressure (HVLP) spray guns, low concentration of hardener in paint solutions and appropriate respirator like full face-air line respirator. There was no significant HDI detection in the general work area around the spray booths. Owing to the use of disposable nitrile gloves during the spray painting, no significant dermal exposure was found. According to color monitoring, there was a possible dermal exposure from surfaces in the workplace, unless either protective gloves were worn or appropriate working practices like clean-up process and storage in a secure places. No eye contamination was detected from the spray painters. No significant exposure levels from inhalational, dermal, ocular were found. The area of most concern was work practices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.521-530
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• 2021

Objectives: This was to examine and explore the elements of Size Korea 6th 3D head anthropometric database and to provide basic information for the selection of respirators in Korea. Methods: This was a pilot study for the first year of work in a two-year-project initiated at KOSHA in 2021. 3D head dimensions data were obtained from the Size Korea Center managing the Size Korea 6th 3D national anthropometry survey databases. The 3D head dimensions data, including 45 dimensions, were used in line with ISO standards (e.g., ISO/TS 16976-2) for examinations, comparisons, statistical analyses, etc. Results: A total of 3,088 subjects were finally determined in this study. The main features were: Male subjects were 52.5%; the highest age group was 15-29 at 36.7%; unhealthy weight group based on BMI was 31.7%; and survey area was the capital region. For the 6th 3D head dimensions data with 45 items, the means and standard deviations for 'Face length' were 115.9±7.5 cm for males and 107.3±6.9 cm for females respectively while those for 'Face width' item were not available since there was no such item in the data. Numerous findings were discussed accordingly. Conclusions: This study showed that there were likely requirements for improvements in the 6th 3D head anthropometric data as follows: Standardization of Korean and English terms; addition of head dimensions items missed in the Size Korea survey; and reliability of generalizability for subjects, suggesting that the study results can be used for further studies or improvement of respirator selection in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.292-301
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• 2021

Objectives: Wearing medical masks has been recommended since the declaration of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) as a pandemic disease. Certified medical masks are evaluated according to filtration efficiency and facial inhalation resistance. However, some people use non-certified common masks. This study aimed to evaluate various non-certified commercial masks based on the certification criteria for medical masks. Methods: Twenty mask products (three anti-droplet, three disposable dental, eight fashion, three cotton, and three children's masks) were selected. For performance evaluation, filtration efficiency and facial inhalation resistance tests were conducted. The evaluation method followed the certification method for KF-certified masks of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the N95 respirator of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Results: None of the 20 masks met the KF94 certification standard set by the MFDS. Four and three masks respectively met the KF80 certification standard and the N95 standard of NIOSH. Filtration efficiency was significantly higher in three-layer masks than in single layer masks. Pleated-type masks had higher filtration efficiency than cone-type masks. There was no correlation between the structure of masks and facial inhalation resistance. Conclusion: While no masks complied with the KF94 certification standard, a few masks met the KF80 and the N95 certification standards of NIOSH. Although some people wear non-certified commercial masks, protection from aerosols is not guaranteed by such masks. Evaluation of the protection efficiency of non-certified mask against microbiological infection is needed for the prevention of infectious disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1254-1258
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• 1997

Postpneumonectomy syndrome is a disease entity which arises after right pneumonectomy in left aortic arch and left pneumoncectomy in right aortic arch. This syndrome have a feature of severe mediastinal deviation and rotation, and induces severe respirator insufficiency This syndrome is rare, but should be considered when pneumonectomized patient complaints who have severe dyspnea. In Samsung medical center, We report a sucessfully treated patient with postpneumonectomy syndrome, who had experienced right pneumonectomy at 1 years ago.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.325-338
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• 1993

This study was conducted to evaluate the methods used in nursing procedures for infection control. Skilled nursing procedures are related to prevention of hospital infection. The sample consisted of 301 nurses’ response to the questionnaire. Data were collected from Feb. to March, 1993 from 35 hospitals located in five major cities. The findings of the study are as follows : 1) Rotatively unsafe nursing procedures were reported for preperation of IV therapy, change of IV site and aseptic dressing on IV site, hand wash-ing and use of paper towels, use of sterile urine bottle with indwelling urinary catheter, management of dressing cart, disinfection of transfer forcep, ambu respirator, laryngoscope, humidifier and handling of incubator. 2) Relatively safe nursing procedures were reported for management of suction tube, marking for contaminated materials and waste collection. The rate of participation in education programs for infection control by the nurses was higher than in other research results. 3) Further study on procedures for IV site in-fusion and care of dressing cart are recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 1996

The adsorption characteristics of active carbon used as a cartridge filler of organic vapor respirator were examined by humidity, particle size, challenge concentration and specific surface area. As a result, the 1% breakthrough time of Carbon Tetrachloride($CCl_4$) was decreased with increase of relative humidity, challenge concentration and particle size (0.6～2.0mm) of active carbon. The adsorbed amount of $CCl_4$ was about 1. 1mg/$m^2$ at RH 40% and 0. 5mg/$m^2$ at RH 80% . However in the case of prehumidified active carbon, humidity did not affected to 1% breakthrough time up to RH 40%.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.528-535
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• 2014

Objectives: This study compares the differences of fit factors before and after training on the N95 mask. The results will be utilized to suggest the need of providing effective training on respirator use. Methods: A total of 49 study subjects were tested, comprised of nurses from a general hospital and undergraduate nursing students from a medical school. Anthropometric measurements of face length and face width were compared with the NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) panel. Fit factors(FF) were measured with TSI Portacount Pro+8038 before and after on-site training regarding the proper use of respirators. The FF pass/fail criterion was set at 100. Results: Two subjects(4.1 %) passed the fit test before training on use of the N95. However, 36(73.5%) of the 49 passed the test after training. Overall the FF(GM(GSD)) was 13.4(3.2) before training, but improved to 106.6(2.1) after training, which was statistically significant. These findings suggest the efficacy of educational intervention, and the performance of the direct on-site training proved to be better than that of the traditional educational methods. Conclusions: This study showed the effect of on-site training of the N95 respirator among health care workers(HCW). Therefore, providing effective training on the use of N95 for HCWs before their work assignments will greatly reduce exposure to harmful agents. It is recommended that fit testing be mandated to check for adequate protection being provided by the given respirators.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.301-310
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of work intensity on fit factor and affective quality of the dustproof Background: Among the victims who suffer pneumoconiosis due to the inhalation of toxic substances or the lack of oxygen during the work, the proportion of the victims is larger than the other causes. Wearing a respirator may prevent pneumoconiosis, but it can be hazardous to workers because of the leakage through filters, cartridges, exhaust valves, broken parts, and face-to-face contact. Despite leakage through the contact area between the mask and the face has various causes such as the wearer's activity, sweat accumulation, facial shape, etc., There is a lack of relevant research and regulation compared to developed countries that have already institutionalized the law 30 years ago and give the right to sell through a test Method: The work intensity was adjusted by walking or running at 6km/h and 11km/h on the treadmill, and tasks were defined with reference to the test procedure and the exercise sequence applied in the face leakage test of the dustproof mask. And fit factor was measured objectively using 'Respirator Fit Tester 8038' which measures fit factor calculated by dividing the number of dust present outside the mask by inside the mask. In addition, affective quality was classified by the ease of use, ease of breathing, and ease of wearing, and was measured using the 5-point likert scale questionnaire. Results: There was a significant difference in fit factor, ease of breathing, and wearing convenience according to work intensity and no significant difference in ease of use(${\alpha}=0.01$). And when the work intensity was high, fit factor, ease of breathing, and wearing convenience were all lower than when the work intensity was low. Conclusion: In Korea, it is necessary to consider consideration of the work intensity when testing the leakage rate of the face part for safety certification of the respiratory protective equipment, When developing a mask, it should be possible to maintain high adhesion even under intense, active situation and high temperature conditions by selecting materials, improving the wearing style, and expanding the adjustable range.