• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.10
• /
• pp.2221-2229
• /
• 2020

After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) accident, level 3 probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) has emerged as an important task in order to assess the risk level of the multi-unit NPPs in a single nuclear site. Accurate calculation of the radionuclide concentrations and exposure doses to the public is required if a nuclear site has multi-unit NPPs and large number of people live near NPPs. So, there has been a great need to develop a new method or procedure for the fast and accurate offsite consequence calculation for the multi-unit NPP accident analysis. Since the multi-unit level 3 PSA is being currently performed assuming that all the NPPs are located at the same position such as a center of mass (COM) or base NPP position, radionuclide concentrations or exposure doses near NPPs can be drastically distorted depending on the locations, multi-unit NPP alignment, and the wind direction. In order to overcome this disadvantage of the COM method, the idea of a new multiple location (ML) method was proposed and implemented into a new tool MURCC (multi-unit radiological consequence calculator). Furthermore, the MURCC code was further improved for the multi-unit level 3 PSA that has the arbitrary number of multi-unit NPPs. The objectives of this study are to (1) qualitatively and quantitatively compare COM and ML methods, and (2) demonstrate the strength and efficiency of the ML method. The strength of the ML method was demonstrated by the applications to the multi-unit long-term station blackout (LTSBO) accidents at the four-unit Vogtle NPPs. Thus, it is strongly recommended that this ML method be employed for the offsite consequence analysis of the multi-unit NPP accidents.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.33-48
• /
• 2017

An optimum disposal plan of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) should be established to ensure long-term disposal safety at the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste (LILW) disposal facility in Gyeongju. In this study, an optimum disposal system was suggested and preliminary post-closure safety assessment was performed. The DSRSs disposal system was composed of a rock cavern and near surface disposal facilities at the Gyeongju LILW disposal facility. The assessment was conducted using GoldSim program, and probabilistic assessment and sensitivity analysis were implemented to evaluate the uncertainties in the input parameters of natural barriers. Deterministic and probabilistic calculations indicated that the maximum dose was below the regulatory limits ($0.1mSvyr^{-1}$ for the normal scenario, $1mSvyr^{-1}$ for the well scenario). It was concluded that the DSRSs disposal system would maintain environmental safety over a long-time. Moreover, the partition coefficient of Np in host rock, Darcy velocity in host rock, and density of the host rock were the most sensitive parameters in predicting exposure dose in the safety assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.321-333
• /
• 2022

In this study, the concentration and distribution characteristics of BTEX (benzene toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) emitted from Daesan Petrochemical Industrial Complex were examined to determine their potential hazards to local residents. Residents living nearby the complex areas may be exposed to the chemicals through various media (air, water, and soil), especially by air. This study evaluated human health risks by inhalation using both deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment approaches. As a result of the deterministic risk assessment, the non-cancer risk was much lower than the regulation limit of hazard index (HI 1.0) for all the points. However, in case of cancer risk evaluation, it was found that the risk of excess cancer for benzene at point A located in the industrial complex was 2.28×10^-6, which slightly exceeded the standard regulatory limit of 1.0×10^-6. In addition, the probabilistic risk assessment revealed that the percentile exceeding the standard of 1.0×10^-6was found to be 45.3%. The sensitivity analysis showed that exposure time (ET) had the greatest impact on the results. Based on the risk assessment study, it implied that ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene had little adverse effects on potential human exposure, but benzene often exceeded the cancer risk standard (1.0×10^-6). Further studies on extensive VOCs monitoring are needed to evaluate the potential risks of industrial complex areas.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 2012

Probabilistic ecological risk assessment (PERA) for deriving ecological protective concentration (EPC) was previously suggested in USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Netherland. This study suggested the EPC of cadmium (Cd) based on the PERA to be suitable to Korean aquatic ecosystem. First, we collected reliable ecotoxicity data from reliable data without restriction and reliable data with restrictions. Next, we sorted the ecotoxicity data based on the site-specific locations, exposure duration, and water hardness. To correct toxicity by the water hardness, EU's hardness corrected algorithm was used with slope factor 0.89 and a benchmark of water hardness 100. EPC was calculated according to statistical extrapolation method (SEM), statistical extrapolation $method_{Acute\;to\;chronic\;ratio}$ ($SEM_{ACR}$), and assessment factor method (AFM). As a result, aquatic toxicity data of Cd were collected from 43 acute toxicity data (4 Actinopterygill, 29 Branchiopoda, 1 Polychaeta, 2 Bryozoa, 6 Chlorophyceae, 1 Chanophyceae) and 40 chronic toxicity data (2 Actinopterygill, 23 Branchiopoda, 9 Chlorophyceae, 6 Macrophytes). Because toxicity data of Cd belongs to 4 classes in taxonomical classification, acute and chronic EPC (11.07 ${\mu}g/l$ and 0.034 ${\mu}g/l$, respectively) was calculated according to SEM technique. These values were included in the range of international EPCs. This study would be useful to establish the ecological standard for the protection of aquatic ecosystem in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2013

A probabilistic exposure assessment was performed on the monitoring data of pesticides were assessed in agricultural products in Gyeonggi-do from 2006 to 2010. Chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, dicofol, endosulfan, EPN, ethoprophos, fenitrothion, methidathion, phenthoate and tebupirimfos were assessed. For this assessment, we used Monte Carlo simulation software and the distribution of concentration and intake were assumed to lognormal distribution by inputting mean and standard deviation. The hazard index (HI, %ADI) of average value and the $95^{th}$ percentile based on a probabilistic method were usually lower than those by a deterministic one. For the whole population, when non-detects data were assigned 0 mg/kg, HI of the average value and the $95^{th}$ percentile showed 0.05~0.70% and 0.11~1.94%, respectively. When nondetects data were assigned 0.005 mg/kg, HI of the average value and the $95^{th}$ percentile were 0.41~4.42% and 0.98~13.81%. For only consumers, when non-detects data were assigned 0 mg/kg, HI of the average value and the $95^{th}$ percentile were 1.24~10.16% and 3.72~33.81%, respectively. When non-detects data were assigned 0.005 mg/kg, HI of the average value and the $95^{th}$ percentile were 3.43~18.26% and 9.45~54.99%, respectively. Methidathion had highest values when both of 0 and 0.005 were assigned to non-detecs data for consumers only. This study showed that agricultural products in Gyeonggi-do were safe because they had less than 100 of HI (%ADI) based on probabilistic exposure assessment.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2003

Probabilistic exposure assessment has been recognized as an important tool in microbial risk assessment, because of obtained the desired results to characterize of variability and uncertainty associated with the microbial hazards. In addition, it will be provided much more actuality information than the point-estimate approaches. In this study, we present methodology using mathematical probability distribution in exposure assessment and estimating of contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes in meat and meat products as a case study. The result of estimation contaminatin level was mean ($50^{th}$ percentile) -4.08 Log CFU/g minimum ($5^{th}$ percentile) -4.88 Log CFU/g, maximum ($95^{th}$ percentile) -3.56 Log CFU/g.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2014

In this study, we monitored the residues of organophosphate pesticides (OP) in eight fruit vegetables grown in Korea, and assessed risk levels of acute and chronic exposure of OP through the consumption of fruit vegetables. Chlorpyrifos, EPN, methidathion and phosphamidon in eight fruit vegetables were detected in this study. The results of cumulative assessment of national estimated short term intake for acute exposure of OP were due to the following order; eggplant, tomato, squash and cucumber. Total theoretical maximum daily intake calculated at first step of chronic exposure assessment for registered OP in Korea was 76.14%, compared with acceptable daily intake ADI) based on chlorpyrifos. In addition, total national estimated maximum daily intake calculated at second step of chronic exposure assessment was 13.949%, compared with ADI. Third chronic assessment was conducted by probabilistic approach using OP residues detected in eight fruit vegetables and showed that total exposure risk was very low, corresponding to 0.0001% compared to ADI. Based on those finding, the risk of organophosphate pesticides in fruit vegetables was considered quantitatively negligible. In future, further investigation to expand the target should be followed to do more accurate and detailed risk assessment.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the exposure assessment of Korean consumers to edifenphos and tricyclazole in cattle product fed the rice straw, using a probabilistic approach. We used tricyclazole and edifenphos residue data in rice straw reported by National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) for the 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2010 monitoring study and National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) for 2009 monitoring study. The mean exposures of edifenphos and tricyclazole for all of Korean consumers were 0.027% and 0.0006% of ADI and $99%^{th}$ percentile exposures were 0.034% and 0.0007% of ADI respectively. The group of 1~6 years old consumers has the lowest exposure of edifenphos and tricyclazole. The group of 19~29 years old consumers has the highest exposure of edifenphos and tricyclazole.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.247-257
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The Korea Ministry of Environment regulates concentrations of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) through Atmosphere Environmental Standards to protect public health from HAPs. However, simply determining the exceedance of HAP concentrations has several limitations and more comprehensive assessment is required. In addition, integrated risk assessment is needed considering exposure in all microenvironments, including outdoor as well as indoor environments. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in risk by sub-population groups according to time-activity patterns and reported concentrations, as well as the lifetime risk for Koreans. Methods: In this study, we calculated time-weighted average exposure concentrations for benzene and $PM_{10}$ among preschool-age children, students, housewifes, workers, and the elderly using residential time and concentrations for indoor (house, school or workplace, other), outdoor, and transport by the meta-analysis method. The risk assessments were conducted by excess cancer risk and disease death risk using 1,000,000 Monte-Carlo simulations for probabilistic analysis. Results: Preschool-age children, students, housewifes, workers, and the elderly spent 91.9, 86.0, 79.8, 82.2, and 77.3% of their day in their house, workplace, or school, respectively. The more than 99% excess cancer risk for benzene exceed 1.0E-06 in all sub-populations and lifetime. The acute disease death risk for $PM_{10}$ for housewifes and workers for lifetime were 3.35E-04 and 3.18E-04, and chronic disease death risks were 2.84E-03 and 2.70E-03, respectively. Conclusions: The risk of benzene and $PM_{10}$ by sub-population group and for the lifetime of housewifes and workers were assessed. Benzene showed risky results for this study. All disease death risks of $PM_{10}$ were higher than 1.0E-04 and showed different risks by sub-population. This study can be used as a basis for lifetime exposure and risk assessment to benzene and $PM_{10}$.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.113-125
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Although the risk assessments for nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$) and ozone ($O_3$) have been extensively studied, most of the existing risk assessments were limited mainly to indoor environments such as workplaces, schools, and multi-use facilities. Therefore, integrated risk assessment is needed to consider exposure in all microenvironments, including outdoors. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in risk among sub-population groups according to time-activity patterns and reported concentrations, as well as the lifetime risk of Koreans. Methods: In this study, we estimated time-weighted average exposure concentrations of $NO_2$ and $O_3$ for preschool children, students, housewives, workers, and seniors using residential time and indoor concentrations (house, school or workplace, other), outdoors, and transport by meta-analysis method. The risk for $NO_2$ and $O_3$ were assessed by hazard quotient using reference concentrations 30 and 60 ppb, respectively. The risk assessments were conducted through 1,000,000 Monte-Carlo simulations for probabilistic analysis. Results: Preschool children, students, housewives, workers, and seniors spent 91.9, 86.0, 79.8, 82.2, and 77.3% of their day in a house, school, or workplace, respectively. The risk assessment for the lifetime of a housewife and a worker showed that 33.8 and 28.4% of hazard quotients of $NO_2$ exceed 1, respectively, and more than 99% of hazard quotient of $O_3$ were less than 1. Conclusions: The risk of $NO_2$ and $O_3$ by sub-population group and for the lifetime of housewives and workers were assessed. The risk for $NO_2$ was higher than for $O_3$ and showed a different risk by sub-population group. Both $NO_2$ and $O_3$ showed a higher risk for housewives than for workers. This study can be used as a basis for lifetime exposure and risk assessment for $NO_2$ and $O_3$.