• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2011

Occupational exposure to silicon carbide dust of manufacturing industries has seldom been evaluated in Korea. Accordingly, we evaluated various silicon carbide dust concentrations in the breathing zone of workers between May 2010 and July 2010. To compare silicon carbide dust concentrations, three dust samplers including the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler, 37mm cassette sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler were used. A total of 5 manufacturing industries producing abrasive and refractory materials using silicon carbide were investigated. The geometric mean concentrations were 2.04, 0.97, and $0.48mg/m^3$ in inhalable, total and respirable silicon carbide dust, respectively. The geometric mean concentrations of silicon carbide in abrasive material manufacturing industries were slightly higher than that of refractory manufacturing industries, and finishing operations were higher than that of other operations. It was found that the results of exposure assessment in airborne dust at manufacturing industries using silicon carbide in Korea showed exceeding rate to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value ($3mg/m^3$) was 10% in respirable dust samples. Therefore, with the consideration of the close relationship between smaller dust size and the occurrence of occupational respiratory diseases, it is suggested to promulgate the new occupational exposure limit for respirable silicon carbide dust.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1996

This study was performed to estimate total dust concentrations and particle size distribution of wood dust in the furniture and sawmill industries. To compare total wood dust concentrations, two samplers recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used. Concentration data were analyzed by paired-t tests using the SAS program and two parameters of the particle size distributions were determined by histogram. The results were as follows: 1. Particle size distributions showed a unimodal pattern in cutting and a bimodal in sanding operations. Mass median aerodynamic diameters(MMAD) were $17.35{\mu}m$ in cutting, and $1.39{\mu}m$ for small mode and $18.89{\mu}m$ for large mode in sanding operations. The proportions of particle size larger than $9.8{\mu}m$ estimated by the impactor were 61.16 % in cutting and 62.33 % in sanding operations, respectively. 2. The average personal total dust concentrations measured by IPM sampler were $17.12mg/m^3$ (GSD=1.45) from indoor samples, $2.97mg/m^3$(GSD=1.90) from outdoor samples in cutting, and $8.01mg/m^3$(GSD=1.58) from sanding operation. And those of by 37 mm closed-face cassette were $9.12mg/m^3$(GSD=1.46), $1.06mg/m^3$(GSD=1.99) from cutting, and $3.32mg/m^3$(GSD=2.16) from sanding operations. 3. The average area total dust concentrations measured by IPM sampler were $1.88mg/m^3$(GSD=2.04) from indoor cutting, $4.76mg/m^3$(GSD=2.83) from indoor sanding operations. And those of by 37mm closed-face cassette were $0.49mg/m^3$(GSD=2.34) from cutting, and $1.32mg/m^3$(GSD=3.03) from sanding operations. 4. The ratio of personal total dust concentrations measured by 37 mm closed-face cassette to those by IPM sampler were 35.7 %, 53.3 % from cutting, and 41.4 % from sanding operations. 5. The ratio of area total dust concentrations measured by 37 mm closed-face cassette to those by IPM sampler were 26.1 % from cutting, and 27.7 % from sanding operations. 6. A statistically significant difference of total dust concentrations between the 37 mm closed-face cassette and the IPM sampler was found.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.386-392
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• 2009

This study was undertaken to compare the performance of three dust samplers for collecting cotton dust fibers. For this study, three dust samplers including Vertical Elutriator (VE), Total Dust Method (TDM) using 37 mm cassette, and the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler were selected. A total of 6 cotton mills and 4 towel factories were investigated. When measured by VE, the GM for cotton dust was 0.19 $mg/m^3$ which was less than the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) 0.2 $mg/m^3$. But when measured by TDM and IOM at the same locations, the GMs were 0.37 and 0.63 $mg/m^3$, respectively. In Korea, most industrial hygienists have used the TDM for cotton dust measurements and the results were compared with either the TLV for cotton dust or the PNOC (particulates not otherwise classified) of 10 $mg/m^3$ for making decisions. The results of this study clearly showed that past cotton dust measurements and decisions made with such results were not correct. It needs to be noticed the related contents by using VE if it applies to the exposure limit, 0.2 $mg/m^3$, and needs to be revised the exposure limit by IOM. Also, if TDM is used, it requires to be studied and suggested to the new OEL.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.166-173
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cobalt concentrations in airborne inhalable, total and respirable dust from manufacturing industries using cobalt. Methods: To compare cobalt concentrations, three types of dust samplers(a 37mm closed cassette sampler, Institute of Occupational Medicine(IOM) sampler, and Aluminum cyclone sampler) were used. The analysis of cobalt concentrations was conducted using AAs based on the NIOSH 7300 method. Results: The geometric mean of cobalt concentration in total dust was $1.47{\mu}g/m^3$, and the rate of excess of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit(KOEL) was 10.0%. The geometric mean concentrations of cobalt in super alloy manufacturing industries were higher than those in plating industries, and molding operations showed higher exposure levels to cobalt than did other operations. Conclusions: The rate of cobalt concentration in inhalable dust from super alloy manufacturing industries exceeding the Workplace Exposure Limit(WEL) as recommended by the Health & Safety Executive(HSE) was 7.1%, which means proper work environmental management is required through wet work environments. Given that molding operations had higher cobalt concentrations, it is necessary to apply measures such as local exhaust for reducing airborne dust in cobalt manufacture industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 1993

The author selected 77 dust emissing processes from 71 types of industries which placed in Sasang Industrial Complex in Pusan. The level of total dust was measured as areal concentration and personal exposure concentration by low volume air sampler and personal air sampler, respectively. Collected samples were classified into 5 groups (chemicals and rubber product, metal product, sawmills and wood, foundries and others). Respirable particulate and total dust of areal and personal exposure were analyzed. The results were as follows; 1. All of the respirable dust concentration and total dust of areal and personal concentration were log-normally distributed. 2. Geometric mean of respirable particulate of personal exposure concentration measured $0.55mg/m^3$ in the first group, $0.86mg/m^3$ in the second group, $0.39mg/m^3$ in the third group, $0.81mg/m^3$ in the forth group and $0.52mg/m^3$ in the fifith group. The exceed rates over TLV (thehold limit values) of total dust were 31.3% in the first group, 31.3% in the second group, 70% in the third group, 80% in the forth group and 13.3% in the fifth group. 3. There were singnificant difference between areal and personal exposure concentration and personal exposure concentration was higher than that of area. 4. In the case of high ratio of respirable particulate to total dust, pneumoconiosis incidence was high even though the workshop was opened and emissing dust concentration was low. These findings suggest that it is desirable to measure respirable particulate in environmental assessment of dust emissing workshops.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 1996

In order to evaluate the air quality, dry and wet deposition samples were collected by deposit containers during four months in Inchon area. The samples were analyzed for its solid composition and trace elements(Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). The main results are summarized below 1. The amounts of dry and wet deposition in Inchon area were 1.06~3.14 ton/$km^2$/month, and affected by the rainfall and suspended yellow sand. 2. Through the analysis of solid balance, we found that 50% of total solids(TS) was fixed suspend ed solids(FSS), 25% was fixed dissolved solids(FDS), and each of volatile suspended solids(VSS) and volatile dissolved solids(VDS) accounted for 12.5%. 3. The amounts collected by sampler for trace elements were 938 ~ 2,765 $\mu g$ calcium/10days sampler, 0.2 ~ 90.4 $\mu g$ cadmium/10days/sampler, 26 ~ 298 $\mu g$ copper/10days/sampler, 928 ~ 3,939 $\mu g$ iron/10days/sampler, 50 ~ 202 $\mu g$ manganese/10days/sampler, 4 ~ 37 $\mu g$ nickel/10days/sampler, 52 ~ 406 $\mu g$ lead/10days/sampler, and 97 ~ 1,317 $\mu g$ zinc/10days/sampler, respectively. 4. Using the manganese analysis, it was found that 76.1% of TS was from soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the total dust, size-selective dust, and heavy metal concentrations generated inside and outside toll booths on an expressway and to identify the source through analysis of the components of the deposited dust. Methods: A total of 32 samples were collected from eight expressway toll booths. Each total dust sample was collected using a 37 mm PVC filter attached to a personal air sampler. Heavy metal samples were collected according to NIOSH method 7300. The size-selective dust concentrations were identified using a DustMate, and deposited dust was analyzed by WD-XRF and UHR-FE-SEM. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of the total dust inside and outside the toll booths were 337.5 ㎍/㎥ and 342.7 ㎍/㎥, respectively. The overall concentrations of TSP, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM1 were higher on the outside of the toll booths, as the particle size of dust was larger, and higher in the underground passage as the dust size was smaller. The real-time analysis of the dust concentrations of TSP, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM1 revealed to be higher at morning and evening times than other times because of heavy traffic. The element components of deposited dust in the toll booth were related to natural sources rather than artificial sources. Among the chemical components in the deposited dust analyzed by WD-XRF, SiO₂ was the highest. For the elements analyzed by UHR-FE-SEM, C was the highest, followed by O, and Si. Conclusions: In order to reduce the dust concentrations around toll booths on an expressway, it is necessary to periodically clean surrounding areas such as underground passages, and it is also necessary to remove deposited dust inside the toll booth from time to time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess indoor air quality within and around buildings and evaluate the health risks associated with exposure to indoor air pollution. The study compares IAQ standards established by the World Health Organization with those set by South Korea's Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education. Methods: The study utilized an Anderson Sampler and DustTrak^TM II to collect samples of total airborne bacteria and PM in indoor and outdoor environments. Collected samples were analyzed using biological and biochemical methods. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS to examine the correlation between airborne bacteria and PM. Results: The study revealed that the concentration of total airborne bacteria in indoor air generally remained below the Ministry of Environment's standard of 800 CFU/m³, although it surpassed this threshold in certain instances. PM concentrations did not exceed the standards. Indoor fine dust concentration was higher when there were people (P<0.05). There was no difference in total floating bacterial concentrations between indoor and outdoor environments (P=0.184). Finally, there was a correlation between fine dust and airborne bacteria concentrations. Conclusion: The study evaluated the concentrations of total airborne bacteria and PM in indoor air, emphasizing the importance of managing IAQ. Further research in various environments is essential to ensure a healthy indoor environment. The findings underscore the need for ongoing research and management to enhance IAQ and create safer and healthier living environments.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2017

Objective: Bacterial abundance and community compositions have been examined in Asian dust events, clarifying their impacts on public health. This study aims to determine the bacterial community compositions and viable bacteria in Asian dust particles in the Asian dust or non-Asian dust event of March 2016. Methods: The dust samples were collected using the high volume air sampler or high volume cascade impactor, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR, followed by pyrosequencing. Bacterial diversity index, richness estimate and community composition in the particles were analyzed from the sequencing data using Mothur software. Results: The results showed that the diversity and richness during Asian dust events were higher than them in non-Asian dust events. The total bacterial community analysis showed that at the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant of Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events. In addition, the bacterial colony counts were higher during Asian dust event, comparing with non-Asian dust event. Conclusions: This study showed that bacterial community and richness of Asian dust samples was more complex and higher than non-Asian dust samples in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, which could affect public health and environment. Thus, the continuous monitoring of Asian dust could be an alternative for managing airborne bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 1993

Environmental measurements were made in 10 broiler confinement houses in order to characterize dust contaminants. Particles were collected by filters on nine stages Anderson Air Sampler, The obtained results were summarized as follows ; 1. The concentrations of the total suspended particles(TSP) were 7.584 mg/$m_3$~11.589mg/$m_3$ in 10 day old broiler houses and 15.836 mg/$m_3$~22.471 mg/$m_3$ in 30 day old broiler houses. 2. The concentrations of the coarse particles were 4.974 mg/$m_3$~18.981 mg/$m_3$ in 10 broiler confinement houses. Therefore, it was found that the coarse particles contributed to TSP between 65.6% and 85.0%. 3. The dust levels were higher in 30 day old broiler houses with TSP averaging about 19.341 mg/$m_3$ than 9.491 mg/$m_3$ in 10 day old broiler houses. In view of the above results , It was concluded that domestic broiler houses need artificial ventilation system.