• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.271-276
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• 2014

Silica nano-powder (SNP) is an inorganic material able to provide high-performance in various fields because of its multiple functions. Methods used to synthesize high purity SNP, include crushing silica minerals, vapor reaction of silica chloride, and a sol-gel process using TEOS and sodium silicate solution. The sol-gel process is the cheapest method for synthesis of SNP, and was used in this study. First, we investigated the shape and the size of the silica-powder particles in relation to the variation of HCl and sodium silicate concentrations. After drying, the shape of nano-silica powder differed in relation to variations in the HCl concentration. As the pH of the solution increased, so did the density of crosslinking. Initially, there was NaCl in the SNP. To increase its purity, we adopted a washing process that included centrifugation and filtration. After washing, the last of the NaCl was removed using DI water, leaving only amorphous silica powder. The purity of nano-silica powder synthesized using sodium silicate was over 99.6%.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.123-133
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• 1995

Lately our environments have been destroyed by such new things as synthetic detergent. How to use detergent at home can be a decisive factor for decreasing water pollution because living sewage by using detergent at home is the main cause of water pollution. We consumers, therefore, should understand the relation between the chemical ingredients of detergent and water pollution and should choose detergent always taking the kinds of detergent, its washing pewer into consideration. We should also contribute to the protection of out environment by keeping the standard of using amount attached to the products.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2010

The odor problem in the livestock is increasing by 7% annually. Most importantly, the livestock odor problem in swinery accounts for the maximum ratio (54%). In this study, we reviewed the possibility of deodorizing swinery using an odor reduction device that can be used with the water washing system. First, the study confirmed that the solubility of odor gas, which was hydrogen sulfide, was very low regardless of the contact time with solvent, but the solubility of methyl mercaptan was found to increase along with the increase in time. The solubility of other odor gases, such as dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and ammonia, was considerably high. Consequently, it is considered that if the odor reduction device for the water washing system deodorization is used in a swinery, the time during which the exhaust gas is in contact with usable water must be extended, or solvent quantity must be expanded. However, it is predicted that although hydrogen sulfide is easily generated in the anaerobic condition, it is difficult to expect high odor reduction efficiency because this gas has low solubility in water, especially in case it is used in the deodorization of the water washing system. The result of the solubility experiment using the bench-scale device practically manufactured represented the higher odor reduction ratio than expected. This result was possible because the removal efficiency of dust particles could be reached up to 93%. Therefore, it is judged that also the odor gas absorbed on dust particles could be removed by removal of dust. Consequently, it is expected that the higher order reduction ratio will be possible by structural improvement for increasing contact with water and odor gas.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.46
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• pp.288.1-288.12
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• 2018

Background: Diarrheal and intestinal infectious disease caused by inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not only a great concern in developing countries but also a problem in low-income populations and rural areas in developed countries. In this study, we assessed the exposure to inadequate WASH in Korea and estimated the burden of disease attributable to inadequate WASH. Methods: We used observational data on water supply, drinking water, sewage treatment rate, and hand washing to assess inadequate WASH conditions in Korea, and estimated the level of exposure in the entire population. The disease burden was estimated by applying the cause of death data from death registry and the morbidity data from the national health insurance to the population attributable fraction (PAF) for the disease caused by inappropriate WASH. Results: In 2013, 1.4% of the population were exposed to inadequate drinking water, and 1.0% were living in areas where sewerage was not connected. The frequency of handwashing with soap after contact with excreta was 23.5%. The PAF due to inadequate WASH as a cluster of risk factors was 0.353 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.275-0.417), among which over 90% were attributable to hand hygiene factors that were significantly worse than those in American and European high-income countries. Conclusion: The level of hand hygiene in Korea has yet to be improved to the extent that it shows a significant difference compared to other high-income countries. Therefore, improving the current situation in Korea requires a continuous hand washing campaign and a program aimed at all people. In addition, continuous policy intervention for improvement of sewage treatment facilities in rural areas is required, and water quality control monitoring should be continuously carried out.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.281-290
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: As the demand for strawberries increases, people are paying attention to food safety in strawberry, especially pesticide residues. To remove the pesticides from strawberry, various washing and processing technique in households are additionally required. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strawberries were washed with water, detergent, alcohol, and ultrasonication and processed to strawberry jam. The mean reduction efficiency according to the washing solvent and method was found to be higher in the order of detergent (42.5%) > alcohol (41.7%) > water (41.3%) > ultrasoniation with alcohol (40.2%) > ultrasoniation with water (38.6%) > ultrasoniation with detergent (36.9%), but there was no significant difference among the treatments. The residue levels of pesticides during processing to jam decreased by 11.9-94.4% for etoxazole, fluopyram, procymidone, spiromesifen, and prochloraz, while the other pesticides were concentrated by boiling, or rather increased by 11.8-40.2%. However, when the residue levels were converted to residual amounts in consideration of the change in weight after processing, the residual amounts of the tested pesticides were reduced by 59.8-98.4% during processing. The processing factor (PF) were different for each pesticide, but PFs were < 1 for all washing solvents and methods, and 0.06-1.40 when processed into jam. CONCLUSION: To ensure the consumption of pesticide-free strawberry, the most efficient washing method is to immerse the strawberry in fresh water for few minutes, followed by rinsing them under running water.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.8-19
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• 2008

The physicochemical properties of soils having high uranium content, located around Duckpyungri in Korea, were investigated and the lab scale soil washing experiments to remove uranium from the soil were preformed with several washing solutions and on various washing conditions. SPLP (Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure), TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure), and SEP (Sequential Extraction Procedure) for the soil were conducted and the uranium concentration of the extracted solution in SPLP was higher than Drinking Water Limit of USEPA (30 ${\mu}g$/L), suggesting that the continuous dissolution of uranium from soil by the weak acid rain may generate the environmental pollution around the research area. For the soil washing experiments, the uranium removal efficiency of pH 1 solution for S2 soil was about 80 %, but dramatically decreased as pH of solution was > 2, suggesting that strong acidic solutions are available to remove uranium from the soil. For solutions with 0.1M of HCl and 0.05 M of ${H_2}{SO_4}$, their removal efficiencies at 1 : 1 of soil vs. washing solution ratio were higher than 70%, but the removal efficiencies of acetic acid, and EDTA were below 30%. At 1 : 3 of soil vs. solution, the uranium removal efficiencies of 0.1M HCl, 0.05 M ${H_2}{SO_4}$, and 0.5M citric acid solution increased to 88%, 100%, and 61% respectively. On appropriate washing conditions for S2 soil such as 1 : 3 ratio for the soil vs. solution ratio, 30 minute for washing time, and 2 times continuous washing, TOC (Total Organic Contents) and CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) for S2 soil were measured before/after soil washing and their XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) results were also compared to investigate the change of soil properties after soil washing. TOC and CEC decreased by 55% and 66%, compared to those initial values of S2 soil, suggesting that the soil reclaimant may need to improve the washed soils for the cultivated plants. Results of XRF and XRD showed that the structural change of soil after soil washing was insignificant and the washed soil will be partially used for the further purpose.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the bactericidal activity of electrolyzed water (EW) against coliform bacteria on Undaria pinnatifida (UP). The UP was washed with 15% EW, tap water (TW), and distilled water in the following order: 15% EW for 5 and 10 min (1st to 3rd washing process), TW for 1 min, and distilled water for 10 min (3rd to 5th washing process). The washing processes using 15% EW and distilled water occurred a total of 6 times. The number of viable cells, coliform bacteria, and molds in the untreated sample were in the range of 10¹ to 10³ CFU/g. In the case of the UP with 15% EW for 5 min sample, the viable cell counts were reduced by 1-2 log cycles as compared with the untreated sample. The coliform bacteria were not detected except after the 1st EW washing process. Mold counts were not detected in all treatments. In the UP with 15% EW for 10 min sample, the viable cells, coliform bacteria, and mold counts were not detected. In color, there were no significant differences among samples. In sensory evaluation, the UP treated with 15% EW for 10 min (first washing process) got higher scores for color, aroma, and taste than others. These results suggest that the treatment of 15% EW for 10 min is the most effective way to reduce coliform bacteria of the UP.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2008

This study examined the anti-microbiological effects of chlorine treatment on the surface of fresh fruits, in order to improve microbiological safety in school foodservice operations. Non-peeled fruit(strawberries) and peeled fruit(bananas) were treated with different concentrations of chlorinated water and rinsing numbers, followed by microbiological testing. The fruits were immersed at different concentrations of chlorinated water(0 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm) and durations(3 min and 5 min), and were then rinsed with tap water(one time, two times, or three times). The total viable cell counts of both the strawberries and bananas ranged from $10^3$ CFU/g to $10^4$ CFU/g, and coliform levels ranged from $10^2$ CFU/g to $10^3$ CFU/g. As the chlorine concentration, immersion time, and rinsing number increased, anti-microbiological activity increased. The largest microbial reduction was shown with immersion for 5 min in 100 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings. In the strawberries, this treatment reduced the initial population of total viable cells and coliforms by 3.29 log CFU/g and to an undetectable level, respectively, no total viable cells or coliforms were detected on the banana surface following this treatment. However, after a sterilization treatment with immersion for 5 min in 50 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings, the total viable cell counts and coliform counts of the strawberries and bananas decreased to acceptable levels, based on the microbiological standards for ready-to-eat foods. Overall, it was shown that the sterilization treatment of 50 ppm chlorinated water, soaking for 5 min, and three rinsings provided an effective reduction in surface microbes, and enhanced the microbiological safety of the fruit.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2023

Efforts to employ smart home sensors to monitor the indoor activities of elderly single residents have been made to assess the feasibility of a safe and healthy lifestyle. However, the bathroom remains an area of blind spot. In this study, we have developed and evaluated a new edge computer device that can automatically detect water usage activities in the bathroom and record the activity log on a cloud server. Three kinds of sound as flushing, showering, and washing using wash basin generated during water usage were recorded and cut into 1-second scenes. These sound clips were then converted into a 2-dimensional image using MEL-spectrogram. Sound data augmentation techniques were adopted to obtain better learning effect from smaller number of data sets. These techniques, some of which are applied in time domain and others in frequency domain, increased the number of training data set by 30 times. A deep learning model, called CRNN, combining Convolutional Neural Network and Recurrent Neural Network was employed. The edge device was implemented using Raspberry Pi 4 and was equipped with a condenser microphone and amplifier to run the pre-trained model in real-time. The detected activities were recorded as text-based activity logs on a Firebase server. Performance was evaluated in two bathrooms for the three water usage activities, resulting in an accuracy of 96.1% and 88.2%, and F1 Score of 96.1% and 87.8%, respectively. Most of the classification errors were observed in the water sound from washing. In conclusion, this system demonstrates the potential for use in recording the activities as a lifelog of elderly single residents to a cloud server over the long-term.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.121-131
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• 2004

Removal efficiencies of soil washing and soil improvement processes to remediate farmland soils and stream deposits around Goro abandoned mine were investigated with batch and column experiments. For As-contaminated farm-land soils around Goro mine, batch tests to quantify As extraction rate from contaminated soils and lime treated contaminated soils were performed. The contaminated soil mixed with lime decreased As extraction rate less than one fourth, suggesting that the soil improvement method mixed with lime dramatically decrease As extraction rate. A storage dam will be constructed in the lower part of the main stream connected to Goro abandoned mine and the amount of As extracted from the bottom soils of reservoir could be the main source to contaminate water of reservoir. The decrease of As extraction amount from the bottom in reservoir, caused by the application of the soil improvement method was investigated from the physically simulated column experiment and results showed that As extraction rate decreased to one forty when 1％ lime mixed soil improvement was applied to contaminated soils. For contaminated stream deposits connected Goro mine, the removal efficiency of the soil washing method was investigated with batch experiments. Hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid and distilled water were used as soil washing solution and 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 N of washing solution were applied to extract As. When washing with 0.05 N of hydrochloric acid or citric acid, more than 99.9% of As was removed from stream deposits, suggesting that As contaminated stream deposits around Goro mine be successfully remediated with the soil washing process. Total volumes of contaminated soils and deposits needed for remediation were calculated based on three different reme-diation target concentrations and the operation cost of soil washing for calculated soil volumes was estimated. Results from this research could be directly used to make a comprehensive countermeasure to remediate contaminated area around Goro mine and also many contaminated areas similar to this research area.