Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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Study on the Chemical Management - 1. Chemical Characteristics and Occupational Exposure Limits under Occupational Safety and Health Act of Korea

화학물질 관리 연구-1. 산업안전보건법상 관리 화학물질의 특성과 노출기준 비교

  • Park, Jihoon (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Ham, Seunghon (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Sunju (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Kwonseob (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Ha, Kwonchul (Department of Biochemistry and Health Science, Changwon National University) ;
  • Park, Donguk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Yoon, Chungsik (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • 박지훈 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 함승헌 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 김선주 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 이권섭 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 하권철 (창원대학교 보건의과학과) ;
  • 박동욱 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 윤충식 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과)
  • Received : 2015.02.01
  • Accepted : 2015.03.18
  • Published : 2015.03.31
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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the physicochemical characteristics, toxicological data with Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) of chemicals under the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) regulated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor of Korea. Methods: Information on chemicals which have OELs on physicochemical characteristics and toxicological data was collected using Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS) from Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) and the Korea Information System for Chemical Safety Management(KISChem) in 2014. Statistical analyses including correlation and simple regression were performed to compare the OELs with chemical characteristics including molecular weight, boiling point, odor threshold, vapor pressure, vapor density, solubility and octanol-water partition coefficient(OWPC) and toxicological data such as median lethal dose($LD_{50}$) and median lethal concentration($LC_{50}$). Results: A total of 656 chemicals have OELs under OSHA in Korea. The numbers of chemicals which have eight-hour time weighted average(TWA) and short term exposure limits(STEL) are 618 and 190, respectively. TWA was significantly correlated with boiling point and STEL was only correlated with vapor pressure among physicochemical characteristics. Solubility and OWPC between "skin" and "no skin" substances which indicate skin penetration were not significantly different. Both $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ were correlated with TWA, while the $LC_{50}$ was not with STEL. As health indicators, health rating and Emergency Response Planning Guidelines(ERPG) rating as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) and American Industrial Hygiene Association(AIHA) were associated with OELs and reflect the chemical hazards. Conclusions: We found relationships between OEL and chemical information including physicochemical characteristics and toxicological data. The study has an important meaning for understanding present regulatory OELs.

Keywords

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