• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2012

In this study, we configured a system which ranks hazardous chemicals to determine their management priorities based on experts' opinions and the existing CRS (chemical ranking and scoring). Aggregate exposure of food, health functional food, oriental/herbal medicine and cosmetics have been taken into account to determine management priority. In this study, 25 hazardous chemicals were selected, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic, etc. These 25 materials were ranked according to their 1) risk (exposure or hazard) indexes, 2) exposure source-based weight, and 3) public interests, which were also formed based on the existing priority ranking system. Cadmium was scored the highest (178.5) and bisphenol A the lowest (56.8). Ten materials -- cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, tar, acrylamide, benzopyrene, aluminium, benzene, and PAHs -- scored higher than 100. Eight materials -- aflatoxin, manganese, phthalate, chromium, nitrate/nitrite, ethylcarbamate, formaldehyde, and copper -- recorded scores in the range from 70 to 100. Also evaluated as potential risks were 7 materials; sulfur dioxide, ochratoxin, dioxins, PCBs, fumonisin, methyl mercury, and bisphenol A, and these materials were scored above 50. Then we compared risk index and correlation coefficient of total scores to confirm the validity of the total scores; we analyzed correlation coefficient of parameter and indicator. We discovered that the total score and weight, which has incorporated public interests, were high and statistically significant. In conclusion, the result of this study contributes to strengthening risk assessment and risk management of hazardous chemicals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable dietary questionnaire to assess human exposure to food-borne hazards. Eleven food-borne hazards were chosen as a priority control list through a literature review and advisory committees. The 11 food-borne hazards were phthalate, aflatoxin, bisphenol A, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and acrylamide. The characteristics, exposure level, and paths of these hazards were reviewed, and questionnaire items were identified to assess human exposure from the literature. A questionnaire was developed for each selected food based on its characteristics. Based on the items in the individual questionnaires, a comprehensive questionnaire, which contained demographic characteristics, job information, socioeconomic factors, health related lifestyles, and dietary behaviors, was developed. A 99-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess food-borne hazard exposure was also developed. The FFQ included frequency of food intake during the previous year, container type for purchasing and storing food, and cooking method. The questionnaire developed in this study could be applied to assess dietary factors during an exposure assessment of food-borne hazards in a large population. A validation study for the questionnaire is needed before applying it to surveys.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2005

This study was conducted to find suitable methods for screening organic resources useful for compost. Twenty-seven industrial and domestic sludges were collected from various cities and industrial areas. Contents of organic matters in the sludges were in the range of 79.3-98.0%, and the contents were much higher than the regulation level (60%) for raw materials of compost. Contents of total nitrogen were in the range of 0.8-2.6%. Contents of Fe and Al were very high. Content of HEM was highest in textile sludge ($257mg\;kg^{-1}$) and the contents in the others were in the range of $12.6-90.3mg\;kg^{-1}$. Content of PAHs was lowest in food sludge ($739.1{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ and pulp-mill sludge had the highest PAHs content ($3461.8{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$). $Microtox^{(R)}$ $EC_{50}$ values were higher in the sludges which were classified as a possible material in composting after analysis and investigation. Lettuce root elongation and $EC_{50}$ values were relatively lower in pulp-mill sludge, sewage sludge 3 (Large city), food sludge and leather sludge. Therefore, mineral nutrients, heavy metals, organic compounds (HEM, PAHs, PCBs), and bioassay ($Microtox^{(R)}$ $EC_{50}$, Relative root elongation test) are recommended to be included in the screening system of raw material of compost in addition to the current regulation with organic matter and 8 heavy metals.