• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.247-259
• /
• 2008

The utilization of a variety of hazard chemicals bears risks to human health and ecosystem. The increasing usage of various chemicals indicates the greater emission of those chemicals to water system, and the subsequent deterioration of water quality. Water system is vulnerable to many pollutants, however, there are limitations of managing a range of hazard chemicals based on insufficient legal foundations. Therefore it is needed to select hazard chemicals that can be potentially discharged into water system, and subsequently to classify a wide range of existing chemicals for better management of those chemicals. In this study, the 259 candidate chemicals of concern were selected from the lists of the toxic released inventory chemicals (148), hazard concern candidate chemicals (106), and wastewater effluent standard candidate chemicals (116). We suggested the category 1, 2, 3 and 4 of hazard chemicals potentially discharged into water system. The assessment factors considered for the classification were hazard potential, persistence and emission to water body. This work was conducted as a part of the project entitled 'Development of integrated methodology for evaluation of water environment', and the results were used to develop the monitoring lists of hazard chemicals in four major rivers in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2012

Object: The aim of this study is to suggest a list of priority chemicals for the Hazard & Risk Evaluation of Chemicals (HREC) controlled by the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). Method: Screening assessment was done for 642 chemicals whose exposure threshold limit values were set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). Hazard data were collected from Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency (KOSHA) and/or other toxicity database. Exposure data were obtained from KOSHA internal database. The hazard and exposure scores of chemicals were listed by order of priority in accordance with GHS classification and exposure index data. Result: From the result of screening risk assessment for 642 chemicals, we extracted a list of 13 priority chemicals for HREC performed by the ISHA. A priority list of 27 chemicals which have carcinogen, mutagen and/or reproductive toxicity but not controlled by the ISHA was suggested for additional evaluation as "chemicals for special management".

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.419-429
• /
• 2016

Objectives: According to the new Chemical Control Act from the Korean Ministry of Environment (2014-259), workers handling hazardous chemicals should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). However the act simply states in basic phrases that every worker handling one or more of the 69 listed chemicals should wear PPE and does not consider the unique hazard characteristics of chemicals and work types. The main purpose of this study is to provide basic data to revise the act to suit particular work processes and situations. Methods: The hazard rank of the substances was classified based on hazardous characteristics such as LC50 and vapor pressure using matrix analysis. The workplace exposure risk of the substances was also determined through a matrix analysis based on the previously determined hazard ranks and the demands of manual handling together with the likelihood of accident frequency of the operation combined with the exposure of workers during spill accidents. Results: To meet the demands for developing subsequent guidelines for the risk-based application of PPE in hazardous workplaces, this study sorted the 69 listed chemicals into five hazardous categories based on their LC50 and vapor pressures, and also assigned exposure categories according to exposure vulnerability for various types of work which are frequently performed throughout the life cycle of the chemicals. Conclusion: In the next study, an exposure risk matrix will be produced using the hazard rank of chemicals and workplace exposure risk, and then PPE will be selected to suit the categories of the exposure risk matrix.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.184-191
• /
• 2015

Chemical mutagenicity is a major hazard that is important to workers' health. Despite the use of large amounts of allyl chloride, the available mutagenicity data for this chemical remains controversial. To clarify the mutagenicity of allyl chloride and because a micronucleus (MN) test had not yet been conducted, we screened for MN induction by using male ICR mice bone marrow cells. The test results indicated that this chemical is not mutagenic under the test conditions. In this paper, the regulatory test battery and several assay combinations used to determine the genotoxic potential of chemicals in the workplace have been described. Further application of these assays may prove useful in future development strategies of hazard evaluations of industrial chemicals. This study also should help to improve the testing of this chemical by commonly used mutagenicity testing methods and investigations on the underlying mechanisms and could be applicable for workers' health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.272-281
• /
• 2022

Background: The constant consumption of chemical products owing to expanding industrialization has led to an increase in public interest in chemical substances. As the production and disposal processes for these chemical products cause environmental problems, regional information on the hazard level of chemical substances is required considering their effects on humans and in order to ensure environmental safety. Objectives: This study aimed to identify hazard contribution and spatiotemporal characteristics by region and chemical by calculating a hazard-based result score using pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) data. Methods: This study calculated the chemical discharge and hazard-based result score from the Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) model, analyzed their spatiotemporal patterns, and identified hotspot areas where chemical discharges and high hazard-based scores were concentrated. The amount of chemical discharge and hazard-based risk scores for 250 cities and counties across South Korea were calculated using PRTR data from 2011 to 2018. Results: The chemical discharge (high densities in Incheon, Daegu, and Busan) and hazard-based result scores (high densities in Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do, and some areas of Gyeongsangnam-do Province) showed varying spatial patterns. The chemical discharge (A, B) and hazard-based result score (C, D) hotspots were identified. Additionally, identification of the hazard-based result scores revealed differences in the type of chemicals contributing to the discharge. Ethylbenzene accounted for ≥80% of the discharged chemicals in the discharge hotspots, while chromium accounted for >90% of the discharged chemicals in the hazard-based result score hotspots. Conclusions: The RSEI hazard-based result score is a quantitative indicator that considers the degree of impact on human health as a toxicity-weighted value. It can be used for the management of industries discharging chemical substances as well as local environmental health management.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2020

Background: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was developed to enhance chemical classification and hazard communication systems worldwide. However, some of the elements such as building blocks and data sources have the potential to cause "disharmony" to the GHS, particularly in its classification results. It is known that some countries have developed their own lists of classified chemicals in accordance with the GHS to "standardize" the classification results within their respective countries. However, the lists of classified chemicals may not be consistent among these countries. Method: In this study, the lists of classified chemicals developed by the European Union, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand were selected for comparison of classification results for carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Results: The findings show that only 54%, 66%, and 37% of the classification results for each Carcinogen, Mutagen and Reproductive toxicants hazard classes, respectively are the same among the selected countries. This indicates a "moderate" level of consistency among the classified chemicals lists. Conclusion: By using classification results for the carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity hazard classes, this study demonstrates the "disharmony" in the classification results among the selected countries. We believe that the findings of this study deserve the attention of the relevant international bodies.

• Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2018

The use of chemicals to enhance and improve life is a widespread practice worldwide. But alongside the benefits of these products, there is also the potential for adverse effects to people or the environment. Thus, If anyone handles hazardous chemicals, they should adhere to specific criteria for hazardous chemicals. This study used hazard statement(H-code) and precautionary statement(P-code) to set specific criteria for handling chemicals. According to the UN GHS, hazard statement means a statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes. And a precautionary statement is a phrase which describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposures to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product. The study suggests the treatment criteria(Public Notice) of 785 types of hazardous chemicals managed by the Chemical Control Act.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.172-185
• /
• 2009

To help understanding about hazard chemicals occurring newly in food, it has been reviewed characteristics, mechanism, food standards and analytical trend of the hazard chemicals occurring avoidably in food manufacturing process. The new hazard chemicals in food are classified by 4 regarding mechanism such as heat, fermentation, additives and unknowns. The new hazard chemicals by heat process are acrylamide, furan, HCAs and PAHs. By the fermentation, ethylcarbamate and biogenic amines are occurred. According to food additives, 3-MCPD, benzene and nitrosamines can be produced. And the last group is the illegal compounds including anti-impotence drug analogues and anti-obesity drug analogues. To analyze the new hazard chemicals in food, GC or LC with UVD, FLD or MSD are used mainly after sample pretreatment by LLE, SPE or headspace method.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.10 no.1_2
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this research is to estimate a safe environmental level of human exposure to thresholding-acting toxicants in drinking water and recommend the acceptable levels and management plans for maintaining good quality of drinking water' and protecting health hazard. This research has been funded as a national project for three years from 1992 to 1995. This study(the second year, 1993-1994) was conducted to monitor 39 species of noncarcinogenic chemicals such as volatile organic compounds(VOCs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbens(PAHs), pesticides and heavy metals of drinking water at some area in six cities of Korea, and evaluate health risk due to these chemicals through four main steps (hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment and risk characterization) of risk assessment in drinking water. In hazard identification, 39 species of non-carcinogenic chemicals were identified by the US EPA classification system. In the step of exposure assessment, sampling of tap water from the public water supply system had been conducted from 1993 to 1994, and 39 chemicals were analyzed. Inclose-response assessment for non-carcinogens, reference doses(RfD) and lifetime health advisories(HAs) of lifetime acceptable levels were calculated. In risk characterization of detected chemicals, the hazard quotients of noncarcinogens were less than one except those of manganese and iron in D city.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2017

A huge number of chemicals are produced and used in the world, and some of them can have negative effects on the reproductive health of workers. To date, most chemicals and work environments have not been studied for their potential to have damaging effects on the workers' reproductive system. Because of the lack of information, many workers may not be aware that such problems can be related to occupational exposures. Newly industrialized countries such as Republic of Korea have rapidly amassed chemicals and other toxicants that pose health hazards, especially to the reproductive systems of workers. This literature review provides an overview of peer-reviewed literature regarding the teratogenic impact and need for safe handling of chemicals. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Search strategies were narrowed based on author expertise and 100 articles were chosen for detailed analysis. A total of 47 articles met prespecified inclusion criteria. The majority of papers contained studies that were descriptive in nature with respect to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords: "reproductive and heath or hazard and/or workplace or workers or occupations." In the absence of complete information about the safe occupational handling of chemicals in Republic of Korea (other than a material safety data sheet), this review serves as a valuable reference for identifying and remedying potential gaps in relevant regulations. The review also proposes other public health actions including hazard surveillance and primary prevention activities such as reduction, substitution, ventilation, as well as protective equipment.