• Title/Summary/Keyword: safety and health at work

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Stem Cells and Cell-Cell Communication in the Understanding of the Role of Diet and Nutrients in Human Diseases

  • Trosko James E.
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.1-14
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    • 2007
  • The term, "food safety", has traditionally been viewed as a practical science aimed at assuring the prevention acute illnesses caused by biological microorganisms, and only to a minor extent, chronic diseases cause by chronic low level exposures to natural and synthetic chemicals or pollutants. "food safety" meant to prevent microbiological agents/toxins in/on foods, due to contamination any where from "farm to Fork", from causing acute health effects, especially to the young, immune-compromised, genetically-predisposed and elderly. However, today a broader view must also include the fact that diet, perse (nutrients, vitamins/minerals, calories), as well as low level toxins and pollutant or supplemented synthetic chemicals, can alter gene expressions of stem/progenitor/terminally-differentiated cells, leading to chronic inflammation and other mal-functions that could lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, atherogenesis and possibly reproductive and neurological disorders. Understanding of the mechanisms by which natural or synthetic chemical toxins/toxicants, in/on food, interact with the pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases, should lead to a "systems" approach to "food safety". Clearly, the interactions of diet/food with the genetic background, gender, and developmental state of the individual, together with (a) interactions of other endogenous/exogenous chemicals/drugs; (b) the specific biology of the cells being affected; (c) the mechanisms by which the presence or absence of toxins/toxicants and nutrients work to cause toxicities; and (d) how those mechanisms affect the pathogenesis of acute and/or chronic diseases, must be integrated into a "system" approach. Mechanisms of how toxins/toxicants cause cellular toxicities, such as mutagenesis; cytotoxicity and altered gene expression, must take into account (a) irreversible or reversal changes caused by these toxins or toxicants; (b)concepts of thresholds or no-thresholds of action; and (c) concepts of differential effects on stem cells, progenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells in different organs. This brief Commentary tries to illustrate this complex interaction between what is on/in foods with one disease, namely cancer. Since the understanding of cancer, while still incomplete, can shed light on the multiple ways that toxins/toxicants, as well as dietary modulation of nutrients/vitamins/metals/ calories, can either enhance or reduce the risk to cancer. In particular, diets that alter the embryo-fetal micro-environment might dramatically alter disease formation later in life. In effect "food safety" can not be assessed without understanding how food could be 'toxic', or how that mechanism of toxicity interacts with the pathogenesis of any disease.

The Study on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and it's Related Factors in Radio-Technologists (방사선사의 근골격계 증상과 유해 요인에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Hyang-Seob;Han, Man-Seok
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.239-247
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    • 2008
  • In order to study the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of radio-technologists employed at metropolitan general hospitals and the factors that influence such occurrence, standardized questionnaire by NIOSH that was modified and supplemented to be suitable for conditions in Korea was used. Answers collected from 143 radio-technologists in two weeks from June 13, 2007 were analyzed and the results are as follows. Factor that influence symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by area were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis and the results found that in the neck area, risk increased as the burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.94) and burdening work category 9(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=4.72) increased. In the shoulder region, risk increased as burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.36), burdening work category 7(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.90), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.76) increased. In the arm/hand/wrist regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=6.91), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.76) increased. In the lower back region, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.06), and burdening work category 8 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=8.14) increased. In the leg/knees/foot regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.63), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=2.96) increased. Conclusively, in factors that influence musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in radio-technologists, influence of subjective health conditions, total work experience, experience in current division, and burdening work category 2, 7, 8, and 9 (Korea ministry of labor) were most significant. Therefore, for preventive management, in addition to ergonomic and educational intervention for correcting improper posture during work, efforts for break time adjustment and stress reduction is needed, and encouragement and support for regular exercise is needed.

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Study on Surveying and Improving of Risk Assessment System for Asbestos Abatement (석면 해체 및 제거 작업의 안전성평가 제도에 대한 설문조사 및 개선 방안에 관한 연구)

  • Chang, Jaepil;Rho, Youngman;Jung, Kihyo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.205-212
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs and improvement measures of the risk assessment system through a survey of asbestos abatement companies. Methods: This study prepared a questionnaire that includes improvement measures for the risk assessment system(six questions) and the necessity of a risk assessment system for asbestos abatement(one question). The questionnaire was sent to 2,170 asbestos abatement companies and returned by 83 companies(return rate = 3.8%). We conducted frequency analysis, ANOVA, and Chi-squared testing at the 5% significance level. Results: This study analyzed the survey results and identified six main opinions on the risk assessment system and improvement measures. First, giving an advantage to companies with a high grade(S and A grades) in public bidding and/or qualification screening showed a similar preference(agree: 50.6%, disagree: 49.4%). Second, 57.6% of the respondents wanted to allow air showers along with water showers for low risk asbestos work. However, 23.2% of the respondents asserted that only a water shower should be allowed since there is no scientific evidence supporting the removal of asbestos by air shower. Third, in order to prevent missing the enrollment of workers, simply submitting a change report should be allowed when any worker is changed (40.0%). Fourth, 43% of the respondents answered that they did not know how to calculate the proper number of negative pressure units. The reasons given were a lack of guidelines or standards(38.9%), inconvenience (36.1%), and absence of education(25%). Fifth, the respondents who were favorable toward the necessity of a risk assessment system gave higher scores compared to unfavorable respondents on the necessity of the management of workers' work history(favorable respondent = 3.96 out of 5, unfavorable respondent = 2.68) and the necessity of professional training for workers(favorable respondent = 3.71, unfavorable respondent = 2.56). Finally, the respondents favorable toward a risk assessment system showed higher scores on the awareness of calculating the proper number of negative pressure units(4.79) compared to unfavorable respondents(3.3). Conclusions: The opinions of asbestos abatement companies identified through the survey in this study can be usefully utilized as fundamental information to improve the risk assessment system.

Proposals to Revise the Occupational Exposure Limits for Aluminum in Korea (국내 크롬 및 그 화합물의 노출실태 및 노출기준 개정 제안)

  • Seung Won Kim;Young Gyu Phee;Yong-Joon Baek;Taejin Chung;Jeong-Hee Han
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.166-178
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    • 2024
  • Objectives: The 12 occupational exposure limits(OELs) for chromium and its compounds in Korea were set by applying the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). However, this is significantly different from the TLVs after the existing TLVs were integrated and withdrawn in 2018, so it is necessary to review the revision. Methods: Various documents related to chromium OELs were reviewed, including the ACGIH TLV Documentations for chromium and its compounds. A field survey was conducted targeting workplaces handling chromium and its compounds. Based on this, a revised OELs were proposed and a socio-economic evaluation was conducted. Results: The OELs for chromium compounds in Korea was first enacted in 2002, and in 2007, the OELs for chromium (hexavalent) compounds (insoluble) was lowered from 0.05 mg/m3 to 0.01 mg/m3. In 2008, the OELs for strontium chromate was newly established as 0.0005 mg/m3, and in 2018, the OELs for calcium chromate was newly established as 0.001 mg/m3. Total chromium and hexavalent chromium were measured for each of 6 samples at 2 welding sites, 4 plating sites, and 2 spray coating sites. When omparing the average of the results measured by ICP, a total chromium analysis method, and the analysis results by IC, a hexavalent chromium analysis method, only workplace 4 was the same, and total chromium was evaluated more, and total chromium was evaluated at 0.0004 to 0.0027 mg/m3. And hexavalent chromium was evaluated as non-detection ~ 0.0014 mg/m3. Amendment ①: The exposure standard for hexavalent chromium is not divided into water soluble, insoluble, chromium ore processing, and other hexavalent chromium compounds, and is integrated into 0.01 mg/m3, which is the level of chromium (hexavalent) compound (insoluble)., OELs for chromium (metal) and chromium (trivalent) compounds are integrated into chromium (trivalent) compounds, and the exposure level is maintained. Amendment ②: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.005 mg/m3, which is the OELs of OSHA, and there is a grace period of 4 years. Amendment ③: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.0002 mg/m3, which is the exposure standard of ACGIH, and there is a grace period of 5 years. Conclusions: Amendment ①: The change in the OELs is insignificant, so the cost required is small, and the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so there is no problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ②: In all scenarios except chromium 6(insoluble), the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so it is thought that there will be no major problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ③: Since the benefit/cost ratio is less than 1 in all scenarios, it is thought that the total social benefit that can be obtained when applying the amendment is not large.

Field Validation of a Sampling and Analytical Method Developed for Preventing Airborne Hexavalent Chromium Collected on PVC Filter from Reduction (PVC 여과지에서의 환원 방지를 위해 개발된 공기중 6가 크롬 측정방법의 현장 평가)

  • 신용철;백남원
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.109-116
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new sampling and analytical method for the determination of airborne hexavalent chromium, Cr(Ⅵ), in a field plating operation. The procedures of this new method (Shin & Paik's Method) are as the following: Airborne hexavalent chromium is collected on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filter according to the National Institute iota Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7600, and the filler sample is placed in a screw-capped vial and soaked with 2% NaOH/3% Na₂CO₃ solution immediately after sampling. The Cr(Ⅵ) sample is analyzed by ion chromatography/visible spectrophotometry (IC/VS) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 218.6. The airborne Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations measured by this method were compared with those determined by three reference methods: One (NIOSH/EPA Method) consisted of sampling airborne Cr(Ⅵ) on PVC filters and storing the sample filters in strew-capped vials according to the NIOSH method, and analyzing Cr(Ⅵ) in samples using IC/VS according to the EPA method. The second method (Impinger Method/NaHCO₃) consisted of absorbing airborne Cr(Ⅵ) into 0.02 M NaHCO₃ solution in midget impinger, and analyzing the Cr(Ⅵ) in samples using IC/VS. The third method was the OSHA Method ID-215. Using these four different methods, lour replicates of air samples were collected at an electroplating process and analyzed simultaneously. Two-way ANOVA and paired t-test were used to test difference among values determined by the methods. There was no significant difference and a strong correlation (r²:0.99) between Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations measured by the Shin & Paik's Method and an impinger method (p>0.05). However, Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations determined by Shin & Paik's Method were significant1y different from those by the NIOSH/EPA Method (p<0.05) or the OSHA method (p<0.05). The Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations of Shin & Paik's Method were significantly higher than those of the NIOSH/EPA Method or the OSHA method. This result indicated that the Shin & Paik's Method may prevent Cr(Ⅵ) losses caused by reduction and give more reliable results of airborne Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations in work environments.

The Effect of Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of Patient Safety Culture on Fall Prevention Activities in Mental Hospital Nurses (정신병원 간호사의 낙상에 대한 지식, 태도, 환자안전문화인식이 낙상예방활동에 미치는 영향)

  • Chang, Koung-Oh;Lee, Tea-Jin;Jung, Min-Young
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.20 no.5
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    • pp.372-383
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the efforts of Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of Patient Safety Culture on Fall Prevention Activities in Mental Hospital Nurses. This study is a descriptive research study of 153 nurses working in Busan and Gyeongnam mental health hospitals, the data were collected from April 4 to December 31, 2018. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS/win 24.0 program, which included t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. As a result, The attitude toward falls differed depending on subject's license or qualifications, the higher the education level. The higher the level of perceptions of patient safety culture, and the higher the work experience, the more prevention activities toward falls. The higher the perception of patient safety culture, the higher the attitude toward falls. The higher the prevention activities toward falls, the higher the attitude of falls and the perceptions of safety culture. As a result of multiple regression analysis of factors affecting Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of Patient Safety Culture on Fall Prevention Activities were 12.5%. Therefore, in order to promote fall prevention activities of mental hospital nurses, the knowledge needs to be expanded through continuous education. Education programs should be developed and provided to change attitudes toward falls. and At the hospital organization level, a wide range of support is required, including changes in the overall human and institutional environment for safety.

Field Validation of an IC/Visible Spectrophotometry Method for the Determination of Cr(VI) in Mist (미스트중 6가 크롬 측정을 위한 IC/Visible Spectrophotometry 방법 (Shin & Paik′s Method)의 현장 평가)

  • 신용철;백남원;김상우;김선자;이유미
    • Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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    • 2002.04a
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    • pp.40.1-43
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new sampling and analytical method for the determination of hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI) in mist from field plating operation. The Procedures of this new method (Shin & Paik's Method) are as the following: Airborne hexavalent chromium is collected on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filter according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7600, and the filter sample is placed in a screw-capped vial and soaked with 2% NaOH/3% Na₂CO₃ solution immediately after sampling. The Cr(VI) sample is analyzed by ion chromatography/visible spectrophotometry (IC/VS) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 218.6. The airborne Cr(VI) concentrations measured by this method were compared with those determined by three reference methods: One (NIOSH/EPA Method) consisted of sampling airborne Cr(VI) on PVC filters and storing the sample filters in screw-capped vials according to the NIOSH method, and analyzing Cr(VI) in samples using IC/VS according to the EPA method. The second method (Impinger Method/NaHCO₃) consisted of absorbing airborne Cr(VI) into 0.02 MN/sub a/Hco₃ solution in midget impinger, and analyzing the Cr(VI) in samples using IC/VS. The third method was the OSHA Method Id-215. Using these four different methods, four replicates of air samples were collected at an electroplating process and analyzed simultaneously. Two-way ANOVA and Paired t-test were used to test difference among values determined by the methods. There was no significant difference and a strong correlation (r/sup 2/=0.99) between Cr(VI) concentrations measured by the shin & Paik's Method and an impinger method (p>0.05). However, Cr(VI) concentrations determined by Shin & Paik's Method were Significantly different form those by the NIOSH/EPA Method (p<0.05) or the OSHA method (p<0.05). The Cr(VI) concentrations of Shin & Paik's Method were Significantly higher than those of the NIOSH/EPA Method or the OSHA method. We concluded that the Shin & Paik's Method could prevent Cr(VI) losses caused by reduction and give more reliable results of airborne Cr(VI) concentrations in work environments.

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Wearable oxygen saturation measurement platform for worker safety management (작업자의 안전관리를 위한 웨어러블 산소포화도 측정 플랫폼)

  • Lee, Yun Ju;Song, Chai Jong;Yoo, Sun Kook
    • Smart Media Journal
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    • v.11 no.9
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    • pp.30-38
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    • 2022
  • It is important to grasp biometric data in real time for prompt action in the event of a safety accident at a work site where the risk of safety accidents exists. Among them, blood oxygen saturation is the most important factor in maintaining human life, so real-time oxygen saturation measurement and monitoring is necessary according to the situation as a preemptive response for worker safety management. By receiving real-time bio-signals from workers wearing health and life-risk protective clothing, and sharing and analyzing the worker's risk status in an external system, it is possible to diagnose the worker's current condition and efficiently respond to emergencies that may occur to the worker. In this paper, we propose a wearable oxygen saturation measurement platform technology that can monitor the risk of harmful gases and oxygen saturation of the wearer in real time and ensure the wearer's activity and safety in order to cope with emergency situations at the scene of an accident. If we overcome the limitations identified through the results of the proposed system later and apply improved biodata such as motion correction to the platform, we expect that it will be usable not only in hazardous gas environments, but also in hospitals and homes for emergency patients.

Demand for Priorities for Preventing Occupational Diseases among Farmers (농업인들의 업무상질환 예방을 위한 우선순위에 대한 요구도)

  • Ae-Rim Seo;Ji-Youn Kim;Bokyoung Kim;Gyeong-Ye Lee;Kyungsu Kim;Ki-Soo Park
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.48 no.4
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    • pp.239-250
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    • 2023
  • Objective: This study was a preliminary study for the prevention programs for farmers' occupational diseases. It selected the priorities recognized by farmers, such as occupational diseases, and also identifies the effectiveness and feasibility of prevention programs among diseases recognized by farmers. Therefore, we plan to use it as basis data for future farmer safety and health programs. Method: The subjects of the study were farmers living in the region, selected through a snowball recruitment method, and a total of 671 people were targeted. The priority selection method was the Basic Priority Rating System (BPRS) method, and among the occupational diseases, programs to prevent musculoskeletal diseases, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and pesticide poisoning were surveyed on the effectiveness and feasibility of farmers. Results: Among occupational diseases, the highest priority was musculo-skeletal disease, followed by respiratory disease and pesticide poisoning. Among the programs for musculoskeletal disease, 'use of agricultural work convenience equipment and auxiliary tools' had the highest perceived effectiveness and feasibility. Among the five programs for pesticide poisoning, 'equipment of protective equipment such as pesticide protective clothing/glove' had the highest effectiveness at 67.4%, and 'compliance with pesticide use instructions' had the highest level of feasibility at 64.3%. Among the four programs to prevent respiratory diseases, 'wearing a dust mask or gas mask' was the highest at 65.5% in terms of both effectiveness and feasibility. Conclusion: When carrying out safety and health programs for farmers, the priorities recognized by farmers should be taken into consideration, and the program contents should also be developed taking into account the size of effect and feasibility recognized by farmers.

An Efficient On-the-fly Repairing System of Order Violation Errors for Health Management of Airborne Software (항공기 소프트웨어의 건전성 관리를 위해서 순서 위배 오류를 자율 수리하는 효율적인 시스템)

  • Kim, Tae-Hyung;Choi, Eu-Teum;Jun, Yong-Kee
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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    • v.48 no.10
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    • pp.821-829
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    • 2020
  • Health management system of airborne software repairs runtime errors to provide safety and to reduce cost of maintenance. It is critical to on-the-fly repair order violation errors, because it is difficult to identify them at the development phase. Previous work, called Repairing Atomicity Violations (Repairing-AV) diagnoses order violations for each access event by comparing execution order of accesses. As a result, Repairing-AV has time overhead that is proportional to the number of access events to shared variable. This paper presents a tool called On-the-fly Repairing System (ORS) that can repair order violations of object methods containing access events. The ORS diagnoses order violations by using correct order of object methods, and treats them by stalling its thread where the error is about to occur. Experimentation with five synthetic programs shows that ORS is more efficient than Repairing-AV when the number of access events is greater than sixty.