This study aimed at investigating the gene expression profile in basal ganglia of hexa-valence chromium exposed rat based on cDNA array analysis. For cDNA array, Sprague-Dawley male rats (300 ± 25 g) were administrated with 15 mg/kg B.W/day of potassium dichromate by gavage (0.3 ml) dissolved in saline for 10 days (n=5). For dose-related gene expression analysis, rats were administrated with 0, 1, 5 mg/kg B.W/day of potassium dichromate for 10 days. Control rats were administrated with equal volume of saline (n=5). For cDNA array analysis, RNA samples were extracted from brain tissue and reverse-transcribed in the presence of [α³²P]-dATP. Membrane sets of the Atlas array II and Toxicology array kits were hybridized with cDNA probe sets. RT-PCR and Northern blot hybridization methods were employed for validation and assessment of the dose-related gene expression profile, respectively. Among the 2352 cDNAs, 43 genes showed significant (>two-fold) changes in expression. 22 genes were up-regulated and 21 genes were down-regulated in the 15 mg/kg B.W/day hexa-valence chromium treated group than control. According to the Northern blot hybridization analysis, heat shock protein 47, neurodegeneration associated protein 1 and pituitary specific growth factor 1a genes were up-regulated, but Gamma-aminobutyl-acid a1 subunit, neuroligin2, brain calcium-transporting plasma membrane type ATPase genes were down-regulated even in the low-dose of hexa-valence chromium exposed group (1 mg/kg B.W/day) than control. Genes that detected in this study may be closely related to the hexa-valence chromium-induced neurotoxicity in the rat basal ganglia and addition study of these genes can give some more useful information about the neuro-toxic mechanism by hexa-valence chromium.

When radiation is irradiated onto biological tissue, the occurrence of biological change has been already demonstrated and the change of blood composition and chromosome abnormality could be suggested as the representative biological markers which can identify the disturbance caused by radiation exposure. Recently, radiation treatment is performed for the treatment of cancer. Since the protection of blood within normal tissue is very important, the development of radioprotective has been made continuously to protect normal tissues. Squalene is a very important precursor in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. It is the hydrocarbon contained in the liver of deep sea sharks and in olive oils, and large quantity of it is contained in skin, abdominal fat tissue, subcutaneous fat tissue, lymphatic gland, pancreas and in heart muscle. Because of 6 double bonds in SQ, it could easily bind with oxygen ions to have the hazardous oxygen removal capacity along with the effects of scar treatment, blood vessel expansion, inhibitory action of arteriosclerosis, and has been reported to have the effects on myocardial infarction and liver disease, treatment for burn. It has been reported to have active effect of fibroblast. Therefore, the current study was conducted to know the change of total protein, albumin, total cholesterol and glucose in serum after the injection of whole body radiation of SQ in mouse.

Mould growth can deteriorate indoor air quality in buildings. To alleviate the problems in the built environment, accurate understanding of the risk factors associated for mould infestation is required. This study aims to evaluate current status of mould growth problems in residential buildings in Korea. Both the physical characteristics of buildings and the behaviour of occupants have been studied as risk factors. In this study, a questionnaire survey has been conducted randomly on a national basis. A total of 314 completed questionnaires were collected and processed for statistical analysis. The relationship between mould growth and activity factors was analyzed. As a result, about 30% of residential buildings in Korea reported mould problems. However, the types of residential buildings did not show a statistically significant difference in the ratio of mould problems.

To research indoor air pollution in the training rooms of technical high school, the temperature, air current, humidity, CO₂, CO, O₃ were measured by Indoor Climate System(ICS 500, Casella, UK) at each classroom, scientific laboratory, electricity training room, electronic equipment training room and welding training room. The change of air pollution concentration and its correlation were additionally compared and analyzed. At closed small space such as classroom, scientific laboratory, electronic equipment training room and electricity training room, the CO₂ concentration was obtained to the 2,030ppm(max.), which is higher than notified and recommended standard value(1,000ppm) by Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Environment, Korea. At welding training room where is larger and more ventilated than general classroom, CO concentration was measured to the 3.6ppm, which is higher than average 1ppm measured at other training rooms. The concentration of O₃ is not yet regulated from the standards of underground air quality, but at welding training room it was measured as 0.11ppm(max.) that is higher than 0.01ppm measured at other training rooms. The higher value of temperature, air current, radiant temperature and CO₂ concentration was shown at scientific laboratory, electricity training room and electronic equipment training room where are closed and same with the scale of classroom. And the higher concentration of CO₂, CO and O₃ was shown at welding training room which was opened larger classroom. The indoor air pollution by CO₂, CO and O₃ may directly affect on the training room where many students work at a small space, and they should be controlled appropriately. Each experimental formulas were made for the estimation of CO₂, CO and O₃ concentration depending on some kinds of variables at each training room. It is found that indirect ventilation system with a filter will be needed for regular and constant ventilation and the ventilation system should be applied to protect and make clean and comfortable environment of training rooms at technical high school.

The objective of this study was to estimate distribution of hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds at diverse indoor areas in school. The indoor air samples were collected at 19 school in three different areas of southern Korea region from September to October 2009. The concentrations of PM-10 and formaldehyde in all sampling sites were below indoor air quality guideline of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The CO₂ level and TBC (total bacteria count) were higher than the guideline for 4 sites and 12 sites, respectively. The concentration of TVOC for 23 sites exceeded the guideline. Also, TVOC level of metropolitan sampling sites were somewhat higher than small and medium-size city sampling sites. The concentration of indoor air pollutants affected by various conditions such as season, region, and indoor/outdoor environment. This study result shows that concentration of several pollutants such as CO₂, TBC, and TVOC were higher than the guideline for some sampling sites. Therefore, it is necessary to manage indoor air quality and establish effective emission reduction strategies regard for characteristics of each school.