Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)
Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
Bimonthly
Environment > Environmental Health
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences, JEHS, is an official journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Health. The mission of the journal is to promote research, policy, education, and practice in the field of environmental health by publishing papers of high scientific quality. Main research and development interests of the journal include but not limited to: exposure sciences, environmental monitoring, environmental epidemiology, toxicology and biomonitoring, risk assessment, environmental engineering, and environmental health policy in both general environments and workplaces. Categories of submission papers are original articles, reviews, brief reports, case reports, special topics, editorials, letters, meeting reports, news and book reviews.
KSCI KCI
Volume 33 Issue 2 Serial No. 95
Exposure Assessment on Sub-Populations of the Local Community following a Hydrofluoric Acid Accident
Kim, Sunshin;Woo, Kuck-Hyeun;Yoon, Seong-Yong;Lim, Hyun-Sul;Kim, Geun-Bae;Yu, Seung-Do;Cho, Yong-Sung;Lee, Seokyong;Lee, Hyunsu;Yang, Wonho 1
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2015.41.1.1 PDF KSCI
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to propose an indirect exposure assessment method using a questionnaire survey at a time when direct exposure assessment would be impossible after a chemical accident. Methods: About two weeks after an accident, a questionnaire survey was performed with 1,264 persons from the local community. Variables related to exposure were extracted from the survey contents, weighted and then graded for comparison with subjective symptoms in order to evaluate the extent of exposure. Survey items suitable for reflecting the previous exposure level during the accident were extracted, weighted and divided into quartile ranges. Subjective symptoms showed an increasing tendency with higher exposure level when compared with final exposure level (p<0.01). Results: For the relationship between the final exposure grade and subjective symptoms, as the exposure grade was increasing the rates complaining of symptom also showed an increasing tendency. However, when adjusted for demographic characteristics, there was a tendency for the eye irritation symptom to appear higher in women, and respiratory organ irritation appeared higher in smokers. Conclusions: When the problem of recall bias is considered, this study may not have completely unraveled exposure and the characteristics of the participants can affect subjective symptoms. Nevertheless, the exposure rating method of using a questionnaire showed a significant relationship with symptom level. It can be deemed that assessment of past exposure may be successfully evaluated by questionnaire in cases such as chemical accidents.
Impact of the Smoke-free Law on Secondhand Smoke in Computer Game Rooms
Guak, Sooyoung;Lee, Kiyoung;Kim, Sungreol;Kim, Sungcheon;Yang, Wonho;Ha, Kwonchul 11
https://doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2015.41.1.11 PDF KSCI
Objectives: This study assessed the impact of the smoke-free law on secondhand smoke exposure in computer game rooms by measuring concentrations of particulate matter smaller than $2.5{\mu}m$($PM_{2.5}$). Methods: Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 56 (during the smoke-free guidance period) and 118 computer game rooms (after the law went into effect) in four cities (Seoul, Cheonan, Daegu and Kunsan) in Korea. The number of smokers in the computer game rooms was also counted every five minutes. Results: Although a smoking ban had been implemented nationally, smoking was observed in 47% of the computer game rooms. Smoking density decreased from 1.62 persons per $100m^3$ during the guidance period to 0.32 persons per $100m^3$ after the smoke-free law. There is no statistically significant difference of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the smoking ban. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was two times higher than the US NAAQS of $35{\mu}g/m^3$. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers was two times higher than the outdoor concentration. Conclusion: The smoke-free law in computer game rooms was complied with, even after the guidance period, in Korea. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentration after smoke-free law implementation was high due to this non-compliance. High $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers might be due to smoking booths. The complete prohibition of smoking in computer game rooms should be implemented to protect patrons from secondhand smoke exposure.
Pre-validation of Colony Forming Efficiency Assay for Assessing the Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterials
Jo, Eunhye;Lee, Jaewoo;Park, Sun-Young;Kim, Pilje;Choi, Kyunghee;Eom, Igchun 17
Objectives: The cytotoxcities of Au, Ag, SWCNT, $SiO_2$, and ZnO nanomaterials were evaluated in order to assess their potential toxicological effects in in vitro cell models using colony forming efficiency (CFE) assay. Methods: The CFE assay of the test materials was carried out on Hep G2 cells. The size distribution of nanomaterials was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Changes in cell viability after treatment with a toxicant will result in a decreased number of colonies formed in comparison to solvent. Results: The TEM images show that all the particles except SWCNT and ZnO can be considered approximately spherical. The gold and $SiO_2$ nanoparticles show no response (no toxicity) in concentration response experiments. A statistically significant toxic effect was found in Hep G2 cells treated with Ag, SWCNT and ZnO nanomaterials. Conclusion: In this study, we considered CFE assay to be a promising test for screening studies for cytotoxicity with physicochemical analysis.
Determinant Factors for Blood VOCs Exposures in College Students
Choi, Jeong Mi;Kim, Min Su;Shin, Won Ho;Moon, Chan-Seok 24
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify determine factors for blood VOCs levels in college students. Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from healthy 29 male and 25 female volunteers. The samples were analyzed with solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results: Blood concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-,p-xylene, o-xylene were higher in smoking group than in non-smoking group. Geometric means of smoking group and non-smoking group were 0.45 and $0.36{\mu}g/L$ in benzene, 0.82 and $0.47{\mu}g/L$ in toluene, 0.44 and $0.41{\mu}g/L$ in ethylbenzene, 0.49 and $0.39{\mu}g/L$ in m-,p-xylene and 0.47 and $0.43{\mu}g/L$ in o-xylene, respectively. Gender, alcohol drinking, coffee, commuting time (30 minutes) by a car and adjacency between home and road were not associated with increasing blood VOCs concentrations of college students. Conclusion: Smoking habit was significantly associated with blood concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-,m-,p-xylene in college students.
Monitoring of Heavy Metal Contents in Commercial Herbal Medicines in Korea: Cultivated Herbal Medicines in the Seoul and Daegu Areas
Jang, Seol;Lee, Ah-Reum;Lee, A-Eong;Choi, Go-Ya;Kim, Ho-Kyoung 30
Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal contents in commercial herbal medicines in Korea. Methods: Monitoring of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury was carried out on 116 samples of eleven types of herbal medicines. Among the total samples, 71 samples were domestic and 45 were imported. The samples were digested using the microwave method. The heavy metal contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and a mercury analyzer. ICP-AES was used to analyze lead, arsenic cadmium. Mercury was analyzed by the amalgamation method. Results: The mean values of the heavy metal contents in the herbal medicines were Pb 0.64mg/kg, As 0.26mg/kg, Cd 0.07mg/kg and Hg 0.004mg/kg. Of the total samples, one violated the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) regulatory guidance on heavy metals in herbal medicines. Lead was detected at more than 5mg/kg in one sample. The measured values of arsenic, cadmium and mercury in the herbal medicines showed levels lower than the recommended levels for herbal medicines in MFDS regulatory guidance. In the comparison of domestic samples with imported herbal medicines, it was found that one domestic sample surpassed the maximum residue limits for lead. Conclusion: These results will be used to establish the regulation and control of heavy metal contents in herbal medicines. In addition, continuous monitoring is needed to ensure confidence in and the safety of these herbal medicines.
Study on Oxytetracycline Resistant Bacteria in the Surface Water Environment
Kim, Young Jin;Kim, Jong Oh 40
Objectives: This study aims to understand the concentration, diversity, and antibiotic characteristics of oxytetracycline resistant bacteria present in a surface water environment. Methods: Water sampling was performed in Cheongmi Stream in Gyeonggi-do, Korea in February and August 2014. Water samples collected from two sites were plated in triplicate on tryptic soy agar plates with 30 mg/L of oxytetracycline. Oxytetracycline resistant bacteria were selected from surface water in Cheongmi Stream and were subjected to 16S rDNA analysis for oxytetracycline resistant species determination. Identified resistant strains were tested for resistance to various antibiotics. Results: Results from this study indicate that the dominant resistant organisms in this aquatic environment are from family Acinetobacter and family Aeromonas. As to culturable heterotrophic bacteria, Oxytetracycline resistant bacteria were present 0.45-0.93% during winter and 0.08-0.38% during summer. Most oxytetracycline resistant bacteria exhibited resistance to more than ten of the antibiotics studied. The diversity of oxytetracycline resistant bacteria in winter was higher than in summer. Conclusion: Most of these resistant bacteria are Gram negative and are closely related to pathogenic species. These results suggest that increasing multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria in the surface water environment has a close relation to the reckless use of antibiotics in livestock.
Source Tracking of PCDD/Fs in Ambient Air Using Pine Needles
Chun, Man-Young;Kim, Jeong-Soo;Koh, Doh-Yun 49
Objectives: Pine needles were used as a passive air sampler (PAS) of atmospheric persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This study was performed to investigate concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) deposited on pine needles near a waste incinerator and PCDD/Fs source contributions using principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: Two-year-old pine needles were sampled at 11 points with respect to distance and wind direction from the incinerator. PCDD/Fs deposited on pine needles were analyzed with HRGC/HRMS. The source contribution of PCA was calculated with SPSS. Results: The average concentration of PCDD/Fs deposited on pine needle was 0.79 (0.27-1.76) pg TEQ/g dry, PCDDs with 0.24 (0.01-0.95) pg TEQ/g dry and PCDFs with 0.56 (0.27-0.82) pg TEQ/g dry, respectively. The average concentration fraction of PCDDs was 29.7%, that of PCDFs was 70.3%, and PCDFs were more prevalent than PCDDs. The contributions of PCDD/Fs sources were estimated as incineration at 58.3% and automobiles at 28.4%. However, a relation and regulation between PCDD/Fs concentrations deposited on pine needles and distance from incinerator or wind direction was not shown. Conclusion: It was concluded that atmospheric PCDD/Fs concentrations near an industrial complex with a waste incinerator were affected by multiple sources. However, PCDD/Fs concentrations were lower than in other inland cities with the exception of background area.