Ex) Article Title, Author, Keywords
Ex) Article Title, Author, Keywords
Original Article |
2023-04-30
2023-04-30
0
4066
567
Jaemin Woo1 , Dongjun Kim1
, Jihun Shin1*
, Gihong Min1
, Chaekwan Lee2
, Wonho Yang1
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.2.78
Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces.
Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments.
Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO2-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace.
Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected.
Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.
Original Article |
2023-04-30
2023-04-30
2
3827
680
Ji-Yun Jung1 , Hye-Won Lee2
, Si-Hyun Park1
, Jeong-Il Lee3
, Dan-Ki Yoon1
, Cheol-Min Lee4*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.2.108
Background: When particles are absorbed into the human body, they penetrate deep into the lungs and interact with the tissues of the body. Heavy metals in PM2.5 can cause various diseases. The main source of PM2.5 emissions in South Korea’s atmosphere has been surveyed to be places of business.
Objectives: The concentration of heavy metals in PM2.5 near the Ulsan Industrial Complex was measured and a health risk assessment was performed for residents near the industrial complex for exposure to heavy metals in PM2.5.
Methods: Concentrations of heavy metals in PM2.5 were measured at four measurement sites (Ulsan, Mipo, Onsan, Maegok) near the industrial complexes. Heavy metals were analyzed according to the Air Pollution Monitoring Network Installation and Operation Guidelines presented by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Among them, only five substances (Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Cr6+) were targeted. The risk assessment was conducted on inhalation exposure for five age groups, and the excess cancer risk and hazard quotient were calculated.
Results: In the risk assessment of exposure to heavy metals in PM2.5, As, Cd, and Cr6+ exceeded the risk tolerance standard of 10–6 for carcinogenic hazards. The highest hazard levels were observed in Onsan and Mipo industrial complexes. In the case of non-carcinogenic hazards, Mn was identified as exceeding the hazard tolerance of 1, and it showed the highest hazard in the Ulsan Industrial Complex.
Conclusions: This study presented a detailed health risk from exposure to heavy metals in PM2.5 by industrial complexes located in Ulsan among five age groups. It is expected to be utilized as the basis for preparing damage control and industrial emission reduction measures against PM2.5 exposure at the Ulsan Industrial Complex.
Invited article / Review |
2023-02-28
2023-02-28
2
3458
1921
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.1.1
Low-dose radiation exposure has received considerable attention because it reflects the general public’s type and level of exposure. Still, controversy remains due to the relatively unclear results and uncertainty in risk estimation compared to high-dose radiation. However, recent epidemiological studies report direct evidence of health effects for various types of low-dose radiation exposure. In particular, international nuclear workers’ studies, CT exposure studies, and children’s cancer studies on natural radiation showed significantly increased cancer risk among the study populations despite their low-dose radiation exposure. These studies showed similar results even when the cumulative radiation dose was limited to an exposure group of less than 100 mGy, demonstrating that the observed excess risk was not affected by high exposure. A linear dose-response relationship between radiation exposure and cancer incidence has been observed, even at the low-dose interval. These recent epidemiological studies include relatively large populations, and findings are broadly consistent with previous studies on Japanese atomic bomb survivors. However, the health effects of low-dose radiation are assumed to be small compared to the risks that may arise from other lifestyle factors; therefore, the benefits of radiation use should be considered at the individual level through a balanced interpretation. Further low-dose radiation studies are essential to accurately determining the benefits and risks of radiation.
Original Article |
2023-04-30
2023-04-30
4
2803
834
Hye-Jeong Sin1 , Se-Young Choung2,3
, Sora Kang4
, Hung-Taeck Kwon4
, Bae-Hwan Kim1*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.2.99
Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is at the root of serious social problems such as hangovers, liver dysfunction, and alcoholism.
Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the hangover ameliorating effect of fermented rice extract and a combination of yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) (improved new ingredients) in an ethanol-induced rat study.
Methods: The concentrations of alcohol, acetaldehyde, and malondialdehye in serum were evaluated to assess the anti-alcohol and anti-aldehyde hangover effect in two experiments, one with fermented rice extract) and a second with yeast-fermented powder and lysate, using animal studies.
Results: Experiment 2 with yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing ALDH showed similar and higher activity, respectively, in reducing ethanol and acetaldehyde concentration compared with Experiment 1 with fermented rice extract. Experiment 2 also significantly reduced malondialdehyde, a type of lipid peroxide. The ALDH-related compound (ARC) lysate showed better hangover relief effect than ARC powder.
Conclusions: These results indicate that ALDH-related compounds exhibit a hangover relief effect, and fermented lysate is considered to be a better candidate for hangover relief.
Original Article |
2023-10-31
2023-10-31
1
1892
992
Gihong Min1 , Jihun Shin1*
, Dongjun Kim1
, Jaemin Woo1
, Kyeonghwa Sung2
, Mansu Cho1
, Wonho Yang1*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.5.262
Background: Exposure levels for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have increased due to human activities. They are known to be a public health concern.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the exposure levels to heavy metals in the blood and urine of South Korean adults and to present the contribution rate of exposure pathways using an exposure algorithm for men aged 19~64, women aged 19~64, and all seniors aged 65 or older.
Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 (2018~2020). A total of 2,646 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. The contribution rate was calculated by applying three exposure algorithms for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure.
Results: Factors that commonly affect heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine were gender and age. The main influencing factors for Pb and Cd were education level and smoking status, while frequency of fish consumption and of alcohol consumption were indicated to be the main influencing factors for mercury. The contribution rates of lead and cadmium from food ingestion were 78.03~79.62% and 88.39~92.89%, respectively. Additionally, the highest contribution for mercury was accounted for by food at 81.69~85.77%. As a result of the risk assessment, cadmium was found to pose a potential health risk a with total cancer risk (TCR) of more than 1×10–6.
Conclusions: The KoNEHS could be an important study for determining the level of exposure to heavy metals and their influencing factors. Integrated exposure to heavy metals could assess the main exposure pathways, and this methodology could be applied to exposure management of heavy metals.
Invited article / Review |
2023-10-31
2023-10-31
1
1570
931
Jung-Yeon Kwon1 , Young-Seoub Hong1,2*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.5.237
Background: Arsenic is a metalloid of public health significance due to its unique material properties and toxicity and the widespread pollution in the environment. Arsenic exists as inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic with distinct chemical properties. Its toxicity varies depending on the properties.
Objectives: Although the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been identified, the various diseases that occur after acute and chronic exposure to arsenic are not yet clearly known.
Methods: Research on the effects of chronic exposure to arsenic on human health was searched and the results were summarized.
Results: It has been found that cancer occurs due to exposure to high concentrations of arsenic in areas with elevated exposure to arsenic, but research results have recently been presented on health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. Cancers have also been identified to be related to inorganic arsenic, including skin cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. Significant relationships with neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus have been suggested as well.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is necessary to evaluate the health impact on residents around abandoned metal mines and industrial complexes in South Korea.
Original Article |
2023-04-30
2023-04-30
0
1521
635
Mi Sun Kim* , Su Un Kim
, Sam Ju Jung
, Young Eun Kim
, Min Jung Kim
, Myung Sook Lee
, In Sook Hwang
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.2.66
Background: Along with the increase in consumer interest in and consumption of tattoo products, the controversy over harmful heavy metals associated with the use of tattoo cosmetics is also increasing. Therefore, investigation of hazardous metals in these tattoo products is needed.
Objectives: This study was performed to provide useful data for establishing reasonable standards to securely manage tattoo cosmetics, tattoo stickers, and tattoo inks distributed in the market.
Methods: Thirteen kinds of hazardous metal contents (Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Se, Ba, Zn, Sn, and Hg) were analyzed for 23 tattoo cosmetics, ten tattoo stickers, and 16 tattoo inks. Hg was measured through the combustion-gold amalgamation method, and other hazardous metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acidic decomposition using a microwave apparatus.
Results: The detected ranges of Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Ni, and Hg in tattoo cosmetics were 0.07~1.18, 0.06~0.41, ND~0.07, 0.01~3.44, 0.12~2.75, and ND~0.01 μg/g, respectively. All of the hazardous metals detected were below the recommended maximum standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The mean amount of Pb detected in tattoo stickers for children was 0.24 μg/kg and Cd was not detected, meaning both metals met the recommended criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in all measured metals between children’s tattoo stickers and adults’ tattoo stickers. In the results of the study on the hazardous metal content of tattoo inks, four products (25%) for Pb, one product (6%) for As, 13 products (81%) for Ni, four products (25%) for Cu, and five products (31%) for Zn exceeded the recommended standards approved by the government. The highest predicted exposure amount for hazardous metals exceeding the recommended level of tattoo inks in a single tattooing was 5.69 μg/kg for Ni, 8.51 μg/kg for Zn, 0.44 μg/kg for Pb, 8.07 μg/kg for Cu, 0.44 μg/kg for As, and 71.36 μg/kg for Ba.
Conclusions: It is necessary to prepare criteria for content limitation for the management of Co, Cr, Ba and Se tattoo cosmetics, and tattoo inks require thorough quality control.
Original Article |
2023-02-28
2023-02-28
0
1439
828
Jiwon Choi , Jongseo Park
, Myungwon Seo
, Young-Min Lee
, Sunmi Kim*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.1.11
Background: The need to develop alternative chemicals is increasing worldwide due to the strengthening of global chemical regulations and consumer safety awareness in the marketplace.
Objectives: We aimed to review domestic and foreign technology trends for exploring alternative candidate algorithms that can be used to develop safer alternatives to strengthen global market competitiveness and protect public health in the future.
Methods: We searched the current status of research trends, companies related to the development of alternative chemicals in domestic and foreign countries. For this, we referred to research papers and websites by companies and institutes related to such alternatives.
Results: Among the domestic and foreign research trends, more studies in South Korea were focused on predicting molecular-based physicochemical properties and toxicity than were reporting on research exploring alternative candidates. Three web-based databases and six tools were being developed. More studies in other countries predicted information to consider in alternative development than reported on research exploring alternative candidates, and four web-based databases and three tools were being developed. Among the companies related to the development of alternative chemicals, 286 alternatives classified as ‘EVALUATED ALTERNATIVE’ in MARKETPLACE accounted for the most significant proportion in Europe on a continent basis, and the largest number in the United States (US) on a national basis. In South Korea, only significant companies were registered.
Conclusions: In this study, it was found to be necessary to provide public technology support platforms to explore alternative candidates considering various aspects in order to support alternative development. In conclusion, exploring alternative candidate algorithms could contribute to the response to the global trends in the chemical industry and to supporting companies and researchers developing safer alternatives in the future.
Original Article |
2023-02-28
2023-02-28
1
1363
409
Yong Min Cho1,2 , Hohyun Jin3
, Jiyun Kang3
, Chahun Kim3
, Dahee Han1
, Su Hyeon Kim2
, Seohui Han2
, Young-Seoub Hong4
, Ki-Tae Kim3*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.1.48
Background: Few studies have assessed exposure to chemicals in the context of environmental vulnerability with a focus on exposure among populations living in certain geographical areas.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate cadmium exposure levels and kidney damage indices in environmentally and socioeconomically vulnerable populations, with further subgrouping according to economic status.
Methods: Four areas were selected to represent geographical vulnerability (two environmentally vulnerable populations and two socioeconomically vulnerable populations). Among them, population groups with lower socioeconomic status (SES) were separately classified. Urinary cadmium (UCd), beta2-microglobulin (β2-MG), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels were analyzed in samples from 245 residents of these four areas.
Results: Geometric means of concentrations of UCd (0.97~2.02 μg/g creatinine) in all selected populations (N, 245; mean age, 67.8~70.9 years old) were higher than the national reference values (0.39 for adults and 0.78 μg/g creatinine for people in their 60s). Participants with a lower SES had higher UCd and NAG concentrations than did non-low SES participants. In the lower SES group, there was a significant association between UCd and NAG concentrations; however, there was no such correlation in the non-low SES group.
Conclusions: Consistent with the findings of previous studies evaluating chemical exposure and associated health effects in specific populations, the findings of this study suggest that individuals with a low SES may be more vulnerable to exposure and related health effects.
Original Article |
2023-08-31
2023-08-31
1
1216
382
Shin-Young Park1 , Dann-Ki Yoon2
, Hyeok Jang3
, Sung Won Yoon1,3
, Cheol-Min Lee1,3*
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2023.49.4.218
Background: Since 2019, the Ministry of Environment has implemented a seasonal fine dust management system from December to March, targeting high PM2.5 levels with the aim of reducing PM2.5 concentrations and protecting public health. The focus of improving the seasonal management system lies in the atmospheric PM2.5 levels. Considering the primary goal of protecting public health, it is necessary to analyze the policy effects from an exposure perspective rather than a concentration-based approach.
Objectives: This study aims to quantitatively assess the improvement of indoor PM2.5 levels and the health impacts of the seasonal management system by comparing the periods before and during its implementation in residential environments.
Methods: PM2.5 concentrations within residential environments in a metropolitan area were measured using an optical particle counter (IAQ-C7, K-weather, Ltd, Korea) at one-minute intervals during the preimplementation period (November 21~25, 2022) and during the implementation period (December 19~23, 2022). Based on the measured PM2.5 concentrations, a quantitative evaluation of cancer and mortality risks was conducted according to age and gender.
Results: The results of comparing indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations before and during the implementation of the seasonal management system showed a decrease of approximately 56.6% and 47.9%, respectively. Health risk assessments revealed that both the safety-limit-based and safety-target-based Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the threshold of 0.1 for children under 19 years of age, both before and after the implementation. The mortality risk decreased by approximately 47.9% after the implementation, with children aged 0-9 showing the highest mortality risk at 0.9%.
Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed the positive health impacts of the seasonal management system across all age groups, particularly children under 19 who are more vulnerable to fine dust exposure.
pISSN 1738-4087
eISSN 2233-8616
Frequency: Bimonthly
Jaemin Woo1 , Dongjun Kim1
, Jihun Shin1*
, Gihong Min1
, Chaekwan Lee2
, Wonho Yang1
Ji-Yun Jung1 , Hye-Won Lee2
, Si-Hyun Park1
, Jeong-Il Lee3
, Dan-Ki Yoon1
, Cheol-Min Lee4*
Hye-Jeong Sin1 , Se-Young Choung2,3
, Sora Kang4
, Hung-Taeck Kwon4
, Bae-Hwan Kim1*