• Title/Summary/Keyword: safety & health

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Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Commercial Environment-Friendly Agricultural Products Distributed Using LC-MS/MS in Seoul Metropolitan Area (LC-MS/MS를 이용한 수도권에 유통되는 친환경 농산물의 잔류농약 모니터링 및 안전성 평가)

  • Kim, Jong-Yul;Jung, Youmin;Oh, Hanseul;Kang, Sung-Tae
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.306-320
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    • 2015
  • This survey was carried out in 2014 to estimate the pesticide residue levels in commercial environment-friendly agricultural products in Seoul metropolitan area. Pesticide residues in 27 commodities were examined and analyzed using LC-MS/MS, which can simultaneously detect up to 85 pesticides. A total of 441 samples were collected and analyzed. Among the detected samples, the residue levels in 1.2% of organic agricultural products and 2.2% of pesticide-free agricultural products exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs); hence, 1.8% of the total samples exceeded the MRLs. The safety of the detected pesticides was assessed by monitoring the acceptable daily intake level (ADI) and acceptable dietary exposure (ADE) to the pesticides via consumption of the commodities. ADI and ADE are found to be 0.07728-9.46530% and 0.00141-0.17210%, respectively, which means that the residual pesticides in the environmental-friendly agricultural products in Korea are below the safe limit and therefore, pose no potential public health risks.

Safety Assessment of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Products of Korea (우리 나라에서 생산된 농산물의 중금속 안전성 평가)

  • Kim, Min-Kyeong;Kim, Won-Il;Jung, Goo-Bok;Yun, Sun-Gang
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.169-174
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    • 2001
  • This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the heavy metal contents of agricultural products in Korea and to compare with relevant international criteria such as the Average Daily Intake(ADI) and the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake(PTWI) proposed by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on additives and contaminant. Contents of heavy metal in cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were in the range of $0.010{\sim}0.073$ for Cd, $0.40{\sim}6.45$ for Cu, $0.083{\sim}0.698$ for Pb, $2.45{\sim}16.30$ for Zn, $0.171{\sim}1.378$ for Ni, $0.023{\sim}0.233$ for Cr and $0.026{\sim}0.070$ mg/kg(F.W.) for As. Heavy metal contents of cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were with natural content levels proposed by FAO/WHO and were similar to value monitored in other countries. Also, average intake of heavy metal from agricultural products was lower than the ADI and PTWI by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on Additives and Contaminants. Therefore, none of the cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits evaluated showed accumulation of such heavy metal high enough to cause health problems to human.

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Developmental Toxicity of Alkylphenols in Amphibians: A Review (알킬페놀류 화합물의 양서류 발생독성: 종설)

  • Park, Chan-Jin;Ahn, Hae-Sun;Ahn, Hyo-Min;Gye, Myung-Chan
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.44 no.2
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    • pp.103-112
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    • 2011
  • Aquatic contamination by organic pollutants has been a suspected reason for rapid decrease of amphibian populations whose embryonic and larval stages are in an aquatic environment. Amphibian embryos can be a useful model to study the ecoctoxicologial impacts of aquatic pollutants. The obtained toxicological data are useful references for the management of aquatic pollutants in public health because amphibia share many developmental events with terrestrial vertebrates including humans. Safety guidelines for the toxicological effects of aquatic contaminants of chemicals identified as hazardous should be addressed at multiple endpoints. Alkylphenols have been widely-used in agricultural, industrial, and household activities; they contaminate and can persist in aquatic environments. Exposure to alkylphenols results in endocrine disruption in aquatic animals. In this review, we summarize the developmental toxicities of alkylphenols in amphibian embryos and larva according to the exposure route, chemical concentration, duration of exposure, and affected developmental stage together with mechanisms of toxicity and typical patterns of developmental abnormality. The merits of amphibian embryos as a toxicity test model for mid- to long-term exposure to aquatic pollutants are discussed proposed.

Analysis of Shelter Service Areas According to Walking Speed Using Network Analysis (네트워크 분석을 이용한 보행속도에 따른 대피소 서비스 영역 분석)

  • Park, Jae Kook;Kim, Dong Moon
    • Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.37-44
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    • 2012
  • There are approximately 25,724 shelters to which people can be quickly evacuated for safety in case of emergency across the nation, and Seoul has about 3,870 shelters. Those nationwide shelters are located at a point within a five-minute radius for quick evacuation. Seoul's shelter capacity can hold 285% of its population. The problem is, however, that there is no knowing how many shelters are reachable within five minutes when considering walking speed according to individual differences in age, height, health state, and physical condition. In addition, available service areas become different according to the spatial allocation and distribution of shelters with possible vulnerable points. This study thus defined the pedestrian walking speed at 1m/s, 1.3m/s, and 2m/s by reviewing previous studies and conducted network analysis of the Location Allocation Model with the designated shelters and road networks in Seoul. The results identified the shelter service and vulnerable areas in each administrative district of Seoul according to walking speeds. It was analyzed that the vulnerable areas in which the elderly could not reach a shelter were more than twice as big as those of adult men and women with a fast walking speed.

An Analysis of Accreditation Preparation Process and Costs in Hospitals (의료기관들의 인증평가 준비와 비용지출에 대한 실태분석)

  • Kim, Minji;Jung, Yumin;Kim, Kyungsook;Lee, Sunhee
    • Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.45-55
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    • 2015
  • While the influence of healthcare accreditation system to the quality improvement of hospitals has more increased, regarding the preparation costs for healthcare accreditation, it has never been empirically studied about the costs that are actually invested by hospitals. This study is going to determine the difficulties in the preparation process of accreditation and details of accreditation preparation costs for hospitals that participated in the healthcare accreditation system and acquired accreditation. The survey was performed in a self-reported form from February 28 to March 21 2014 for 189 acute hospitals accredited as a hospital from 2011 to February 2014. Of all questionaries of survey participants, 98 were recovered; the response rate was 51.9%. A total of 40 questionnaires were used except for 58 containing insincere answers. Main findings are followings: Firstly, findings showed that advanced general hospitals spent the most statistically significantly highest in terms of equipments and total costs among cost items for accreditation preparation. When accreditation preparation costs items were classified according to classification of hospitals, advanced general hospitals spent the most statistically significantly highest in the equipments and total costs. Also in terms of regional, Gyeonggi, Incheon regions were found to spend statistically significantly higher costs in the equipments costs. Secondly, as a result of the survey in the distribution of the total accreditation preparation costs, advanced general hospitals have disbursed the most out of all. However, the result in hospitals does not show significant difference to the expense of advanced general hospitals and that especially other regional hospitals spent higher costs. As such, all hospitals are under a heavy burden of higher costs on accreditation preparation, especially hospitals. The build-up of infrastructures by hospitals through an accreditation system consequently led to a higher initial investment; if the accreditation system is effective in improving the quality of health care and patient safety, appropriate responses are needed. In other words, financial support for investment costs needs to be given to allow hospitals to actively participate in the accreditation system.

Analysis and Suggestion of Environment-friendly Interior Finishing Materials for Aged Apartment Remodeling (노후 공동주택 리모델링의 친환경 실내 마감재료 분석 및 제안)

  • Kim, Ki-Hyun;Kim, Kyung-Rai
    • Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.118-126
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    • 2007
  • Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development (ESSD)" is a key word in recent years. The construction industry, have put a great influence on ergonomic and sustainable environment. Recently, "green building certifications", such as Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and eco-friendly material regulation have been established. With this regard, new construction and aged-housing remodeling projects are required to meet these certification criteria. Apartment residents have great concern on eco-product, since many cases are reported that Sick Building Syndrome is caused by toxic substance from building materials. Aged-housing remodeling construction has a unique characteristic in that the residents are already determined prior to construction execution. Therefore, the analysis of resident's need for building materials in aged-housing remodeling is relatively easy compared to new building construction. As such, it is very important to analyze their preferences for eco-friendly materials prior to project execution. The purpose of this study is to find the needs of residents and priority of their needs. Based on their needs and priority, this paper provides a new strategy in using environment-friendly materials and maximizing their satisfaction level when aged housing remodeling is constructed. In addition, this paper provide new criteria in selecting new developed environmental materials in remodeling projects for the purpose of improving the safety and health level in construction industry.

A Study on Current Status of Detection Technology and Establishment of National Detection Regime against Nuclear/Radiological Terrorism (핵테러/방사능테러 탐지 기술 현황 및 국내 탐지체계 구축 방안에 관한 연구)

  • Kwak, Sung-Woo;Jang, Sung-Soon;Lee, Joung-Hoon;Yoo, Ho-Sik
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.115-120
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    • 2009
  • Since 1990s, some events - detection of a dirty bomb in a Russian nation park in 1995, 9/11 terrorist attack to WTC in 2001, discovery of Al-Qaeda's experimentation to build a dirty bomb in 2003 etc - have showed that nuclear or radiological terrorism relating to radioactive materials (hereinafter "radioactive materials" is referred to as "nuclear material, nuclear spent fuel and radioactive source") is not incredible but serious and credible threat. Thus, to respond to the new threat, the international community has not only strengthened security and physical protection of radioactive materials but also established prevention of and response to illicit trafficking of radioactive materials. In this regard, our government has enacted or revised the national regulatory framework with a view to improving security of radioactive materials and joined the international convention or agreement to meet this international trend. For the purpose of prevention of nuclear/radiological terrorism, this paper reviews physical characteristics of nuclear material and existing detection instruments used for prevention of illicit trafficking. Finally, national detection regime against nuclear/radiological terrorism based on paths of the smuggled radioactive materials to terrorist's target building/area, national topography and road networks, and defence-in-depth concept is suggested in this paper. This study should contribute to protect people's health, safety and environment from nuclear/radiological terrorism.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Hazard Assessment of Shellfish due to Oil Spill Accidents (유류 유출 사고 해역에 서식하는 패류의 다환방향족탄화수소(PAHs) 위해도 평가)

  • Kim, Poong-Ho;Kim, Min-Jeong;Jo, Mi-Ra;Lee, Doo-Seog;Song, Ki-Cheol;Byun, Han-Seok;Cho, Kee-Chae;Park, Kwang-Jae;Jun, Je-Cheon;Yoon, Ho-Dong
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.43 no.3
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    • pp.211-216
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    • 2010
  • On 7 December 2007, about 12,547 kL of crude oil spilled from the Hong Kong registered tanker Hebei Spirit along the west coast of the Republic of Korea, including Taean-gun, Chungcheongnamdo Province. This study evaluated the safety of seafood collected from the coastal area polluted by the crude oil. The range of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (${\sum}PAHs$) at 22 stations was 3.9-37.1 ng/g. The concentration of ${\sum}PAHs$ was higher in oysters, Crassoatrea gias, than that in short-necked clams, Ruditapes philippinarum. Benzo(a)pyrene, a highly toxic PAH, ranged from 0.07-1.47 ng/g, which did not exceed the European Union regulatory limit for benzo(a)pyrene. The toxicity equivalent of benzo(a)pyrene in oysters and short-necked clams was 0.49-1.70 and 0.09-1.01 ng/g, respectively. The estimated life time cancer risk was very low, i.e., $1.31{\times}10^{-8}$ for the oysters and $6.9{\times}10^{-9}$ for the short-necked clams. The body burden of PAHs in bivalves originated mostly from petroleum contamination, but the levels was not sufficiently high to harm human health.

Comparison of Quality Characteristics of Korean Cabbage Kimchi Added with Germinated Brown Rice Extracts and Korean Cabbage Kimchi on the Market (발아현미 추출물 첨가 배추김치와 시판배추김치의 품질특성 비교)

  • Woo, Seung-Mi;Wool, Sang-Chul;Jeong, Yong-Jin
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.13 no.6
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    • pp.789-795
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    • 2006
  • This study was designed to investigate quality characteristics of Korean cabbage kimchi added with germinated brown rice extracts (GBRC; (A) and CBREP; (B)) and Korean cabbage kimchi on the market mom the result pH and total acidity were shown to be similar in all samples. In the case of Korean cabbage kimchi added with (A) and (B), content of total sugar and reducing sugar were higher than those of Korean cabbage kimchi on the market. Color values (L, b) were shown to be similar in all samples in which a value was lower than that of Korean cabbage kimchi on the market. The amounts of total amino acid and free amino acid of Korean cabbage kimchi added (A) and (B) were higher than those of Korean cabbage kimchi on the market. But the amount of $\gammma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in main functional components of germinated brown rice was shown to be low. Total phenol content and other antioxidant and anticoagulant activities of Korean cabbage kimchi fortified with (A) and (B) were higher than those of Korean cabbage kimchi on the market. In conclusion, Korean cabbage kimchi added with (A) and (B) were shown to be similar in fermentation tendency compared to Korean cabbage kimchi on the market and, the functional properties could be enhanced by the addition of (A) and (B).

Secure biometric information delivery scheme of implantable device using code-division multiplexing method (코드 분할 다중화 방식을 이용한 체내삽입장치의 안전한 생체 정보 전달 기법)

  • Jeong, Yoon-Su
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.235-241
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    • 2016
  • Among recent issues emerging in the areas related to the society, health has received the most attention. In this paper, for a patient unable to do self-care because of worsened diseases, a biological information transfer method is proposed by which the disease information can be securely managed, by attaching an implantable device into the body. Our method object of the invention is to prevent a third party from illegally intercepting and interfering with the biological information attached to the insertion device in the body. In the proposed technique to improve the safety of the patient between the hospital and physician by assigning each code to the biometric information of the patient in order to prevent a third party tapping and interfering. In addition, our method is assigned a code necessary for encoding in advance to confirm the biological information between the patient and the hospital (doctor) in a manner dividing the bio-information code. In particular, the proposed technique makes a third party unable to illegally tap or interfere in, by previously generating a code used for encoding so that it can be stored in the database of the hospital, which not only decreased hospital care time to 6.9%, but also increased work efficiency rate up to 12.7%.