Radioactive waste generated during nuclear power plant decommissioning is classified as radioactive waste before the concentration is identified, but more than 90% of the amount generated is at a level that can be by clearance. However, due to a problem in the analysis procedure, the analysis is not carried out at the place of on-site but is transported to an external institution to identify concentration, which implies a problem of human error because 100% manual. As a way to solve this problem, research is underway to develop a mobile radioactive waste nuclide analysis facility. The mobile radionuclide analysis facility consists of a preparation room, a sample storage room, a measurement room, a pretreatment room, and a waste storage room, and is connected to an external ventilation facility. In addition, since the automation module is built-in from the sample pre-threatening step to the separation step, safety can be improved and rapid analysis can be performed by being located in the decommissioning site. As an initial study for the introduction of a mobile nuclide analysis facility, Visiplan, a preliminary external exposure evaluation code, was used to derive the analysis workload by a single process and evaluate the exposure dose of workers. Based on this, as a follow-up study, the amount of analysis work according to the continuous process and the exposure dose of workers were evaluated. As a result of the evaluation, the Regulatory dose limit was satisfied, and in future studies, internal and external exposure doses were evaluated in consideration of the route of movement, and it is intended to be used as basic data in the field introduction process.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which accounts for approximately 90% of oral cancers, has a high rate of local recurrence and a poor prognosis despite improvements in treatment. Exosomes released from OSCC cells promote cell proliferation and metastasis. Although it is clear that the biogenesis of exosomes is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, the gene expression pattern of ESCRT, depending on the cell type, remains elusive. The exosomal release from the human OSCC cell lines, HSC-3 and HSC-4, and their corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell lines, HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR, was assessed by western blot and flow cytometry. The levels of ESCRT machinery proteins, including Hrs, Tsg101, and Alix, and whole-cell ubiquitination were evaluated by western blot. We observed that the basal level of exosomal release was higher in HSC-3/GR and HSC-4/GR cells than in HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells, respectively. Long-term gefitinib exposure of each cell line and its corresponding gefitinib-resistant sub-cell line differentially induced the expression of the ESCRT machinery. Furthermore, whole-cell ubiquitination and autophagic flux were shown to be increased in gefitinib-treated HSC-3 and HSC-4 cells. Our data indicate that the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery genes are differentially regulated by the characteristics of cells, such as intracellular energy metabolism. Therefore, the expression patterns of the ESCRT machinery should be considered as a key factor to improve the treatment strategy for OSCC.

Vulnerable populations in healthcare facilities are more sensitive to exposure to indoor air pollutants, and therefore are more affected by such pollutants than the general population. This was the underlying reason why studies of indoor air pollutant concentration distribution and health risk assessment have been conducted targeting facilities, such as daycare centers, medical facilities, elderly care facilities, and postnatal care centers. However, previous studies have mainly focused on daycare and medical facilities for their research, and relatively speaking, studies conducted on the other venues are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to present the current status of indoor air quality and perform a health risk assessment in regard to Formaldehyde exposure at postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities. Here, the study focused on facilities that had undergone pollution level inspections from January 2017 to December 2021. A total of 81 postnatal care centers and 48 elderly care facilities were selected as the subject of the study. Then, the study utilized concentrations of five elements (CO2, HCHO, PM10, PM2.5, TBC) to determine the status of indoor air quality of both postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities. For health risk assessment, HCHO concentration was used. The investigation demonstrated that the yearly average concentration of the five elements stood within the indoor air quality maintenance standards, and the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 in the two types of facilities was distributed as high as about 70%. In addition, the study showed that HCHO and TBC demonstrated a positive correlation when the relationship between indoor temperature and humidity with the five elements was examined. The health risk assessment showed that the cancer risk level of postnatal care center users stood below 10-6, below the level that is perceived as an acceptable risk. The cancer risk of workers from both postnatal care centers and elderly care facilities and elderly care facility users exceeded the acceptable risk level of 10-6, but was shown to be below 10-4, the maximum acceptable risk.

We attempted to provide an overview of the laws and current state of the 3D printing industry in South Korea and around the world, using the annual industry surveys and the Wohler report. Additionally, we reviewed articles relating to the potential exposure to hazards associated with 3D printing using metal materials. In South Korea, there were 406 3D printing-related businesses, employing 2,365 workers, and the market size was estimated at 455.9 billion won in 2021. Globally, the average growth rate of the 3D printing industry market over the past 10 years was 27.4%, and the market size was estimated at $11.8 billion in 2019. The United States had the highest cumulative installation ratio of industrial 3D printers, followed by China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. A total of 6,168 patents related to 3D printing were registered in the US between 2010 and 2019. Harmful factors during metal 3D printing was mainly evaluated in the powder bed fusion and direct energy deposition printing types, and there is a case of material extrusion type with metal additive filaments. The number, mass, size distribution, and chemical composition of particles were mainly evaluated. Particle concentration increases during the opening of the chamber or post-processing. However, operating the 3D printer in a ventilated chamber can reduce particle concentration to the background level. In order to have a safe and healthy environment for 3D printing, it is necessary to accumulate and apply knowledge through various studies.

Background: Several factors contribute to shoulder pain, including abnormal neck posture, repeated use of the upper limbs, work involving raising the upper limbs above the head, and the effects of vibration. However, previous study has reported that constant vibration exposure could impact improvement of the stability on joints related with muscle recruitment and activation. For this difference reason, we need to verify for the complex study of relationship with repetitive upper limb movements, poor head posture, and constant vibration exposure. Objects: Our study was made to investigate the influence of vibration exposure on the shoulder muscle activity during forward-head and over-head tasks with isometric shoulder flexion. Methods: In a total of 22 healthy subjects, surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from shoulder muscles (upper/lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and lumbar erector spinae) on tasks (neutral-head task [NHT], forward-head task [FHT], and over-head task [OHT]) with and without vibration exposure. Results: In all tasks, the EMG data of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior significantly increased with vibration exposure (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the EMG data of the lumbar erector spinae significantly increased with vibration exposure in the NHT and FHT (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that continuous vibration exposure during the use of hand-held tools in the tasks could be associated with harmful effects in the workplace. Lastly, we clinically need to examine the guidelines regarding the optimal posture and vibration exposure.

High-temperature oxidation of a Ni-based superalloy was analyzed with samples taken from gas turbine blades, where the samples were heat-treated and thermally exposed. The effect of Cr/Ti/Al elements in the alloy on high temperature oxidation was investigated using an optical microscope, SEM/EDS, and TEM. A high-Cr/high-Ti oxide layer was formed on the blade surface under the heat-treated state considered to be the initial stage of high-temperature oxidation. In addition, a PFZ (γ’ precipitate free zone) accompanied by Cr carbide of Cr23C6 and high Cr-Co phase as a kind of TCP precipitation was formed under the surface layer. Pits of several μm depth containing high-Al content oxide was observed at the boundary between the oxide layer and PFZ. However, high temperature oxidation formed on the thermally exposed blade surface consisted of the following steps: ① Ti-oxide formation in the center of the oxide layer, ② Cr-oxide formation surrounding the inner oxide layer, and ③ Al-oxide formation in the pits directly under the Cr oxide layer. It is estimated that the Cr content of Ni-based superalloys improves the oxidation resistance of the alloy by forming dense oxide layer, but produced the σ or μ phase of TCP precipitation with the high-Cr component resulting in material brittleness.

PURPOSES : When fire event occurs in tunnel the reinforced concrete is exposed to very high temperature at a very short time period. This study investigates the tensile behavior of steel rebar that experienced high temperature. METHODS : The steel rebar was exposed to 200, 400, 600, and 800℃ following the ISO 834 temperature-time fire curve. Hightemperature- exposed steel rebars were tested using the UTM for their yielding and tensile strengths, and elongation rate. RESULTS : Up to an exposure temperature of 600℃, the tensile properties of the rebar did not vary considerably. However, at 800℃ (which corresponds to a temperature rise time of approximately 22 min), the rebar lost its yielding and tensile strength by approximately 27 and 13%, respectively, compared to the control specimen. Further, the elongation rate increased after exposure to 600℃. The above fundamental tensile test results can be a good reference for future guidelines in the repair manual for tunnels after severe fire events. CONCLUSIONS : When steel rebar experiences high temperatures of 800℃, the yield strength of the rebar reduces approximately 27%. This strength reduction can cause severe structural damage to tunnels that use reinforced concrete as the primary structural elements.

Decommissioning of nuclear power plants generates a large amount of radioactive waste in a short period. Moreover, Radioactive waste has various forms including a large volumes of metal, concrete, and solid waste. The disposal of decommissioning waste using 200 L drums is inefficient in terms of economics, work efficiency, and radiation safety. Therefore, The Korea Radioactive Waste Agency is developing large containers for the packaging, transportation, and disposal of decommissioning waste. Assessing disposability considering the characteristics of the radioactive waste and facility, convenience of operation, and safety of workers is necessary. In this study, the exposure dose rate of workers during the disposal of new containers was evaluated using Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport code. Six normal and four abnormal scenarios were derived for the assessment of the dose rate in a near surface disposal facility operation. The results showed that the calculated dose rates in all normal scenarios were lower than the direct exposure dose limitation of workers in the safety analysis report. In abnormal scenarios, the work hours with dose rates below 20 mSv·y−1 were calculated. The results of this study will be useful in establishing the optimal radiation work conditions.

Despite concerns about the significant toxicity of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at environmental concentrations, effects of CuPT on benthic organisms have received little attention. Here, we analyzed the detrimental effects of CuPT at sublethal concentrations (1/50, 1/20, and 1/10 of the 96 h-LC50 value) for 14 days in the marine polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis. Reduced burrowing activity and significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity in response to relatively high concentrations of CuPT were identified as CuPT-triggered cholinergic inhibition. The lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde levels were dosedependently increased, whereas intracellular glutathione was depleted by relatively high concentrations. In the CuPT-treated polychaete, significant fluctuations in the enzymatic activities of the antioxidant defense system (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase) were observed with significantly modulated glutathione S-transferase activity. These results indicate that even sublethal levels of CuPT would have detrimental effects on the health status of the marine polychaete.

Although monitoring of radon has been extensively implemented throughout South Korea, the risk assessment has been mainly limited to indoor environments such as schools, workplaces, and multi-use facilities, and evaluations have normally been performed separately. In this study, the differences in radon exposure according to two groups (< 1 and 1-6 years old) were evaluated considering various indoor and outdoor environments, timeactivity patterns, variations in radon concentrations, and dwelling type (single detached and apartment house) using Monte-Carlo simulation. The distribution and representative values of radon concentration by micro-environments were confirmed through the Anders-Darling test, and a uniform distribution was applied in case of uncertainty. The effective dose ranged from 1.81 ± 1.19 to 2.81 ± 3.02mSv/y. Comparing the levels recommended by EPA, WHO, and ICRP with the value of the 95th percentile of this study, it was found that the results for those dwelling in detached houses exceeded recommended levels. Infants that spend a lot of time in homes with relatively high levels of concentration of radon are assessed to be somewhat more vulnerable to radon exposure.

본 연구는 양식산 참돔과 넙치를 Cochlodinium polykrikoides 적조에 노출시켜 노출 시간에 따 른 생존율, 호흡수, 혈중 스트레스 지표 및 조직학적 변화를 비교 조사하였다. 대조구는 자연해 수를 사용하였고, 실험구는 C. polykrikoides 밀도를 5,500±200 cells/ml로 설정하였다. 그 결과, 참돔은 적조 노출 1시간 이내, 넙치는 적조 노출 5시간 이내 전량 폐사하였다. 생리학적 반응 을 분석한 결과, 참돔은 적조 노출 후 혈중 Glucose 농도가 감소하였으며, 혈중 GOT 및 GPT 농도는 증가하였고, 혈중 SOD 농도는 감소하고, CAT 및 GPx 농도는 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 넙치는 적조 노출 후 혈중 Cortisol 및 GOT, GPT 농도가 증가하였고, 혈중 Glucose 농도는 적조 노출 1시간째 증가한 이후 감소하였으며, 혈중 SOD, CAT, GPx 농도는 노출 1시간째 감소한 이후 증가하였다. 조직학적 분석 결과, 참돔과 넙치의 아가미에 구조적인 손상이 발생하였다. 결론적으로 5,500 cells/ml 밀도의 C. polykrikoides 적조 노출은 양식산 참돔과 넙치에게 산화 적 스트레스로 작용하여 체내 항산화 방어 기작을 활성화하고, 간과 아가미의 손상을 발생시 키는 것으로 나타났다.

본 실험은 붕어(Crucian carp, Carassius carassius)(무게 39.7±3.1 g, 전장 14.8±0.5 cm)의 수인 성 니켈 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 및 160 mg Ni2+/l 농도로 96시간 급성 노출을 실시하였다. 수인성 니 켈에 노출된 붕어의 반수치사농도(LC50)는 117.69 mg Ni2+/l으로 나타났다. 혈액학적 성상에서 RBC count는 수인성 니켈 96시간 급성 노출 중 48시간에서 유의적으로 증가한 반면, 96시간에 서 유의적 감소가 나타났다. MCV와 MCH는 96시간에서 80 mg Ni2+/l 농도에서 유의적으로 증 가했다. Calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, AST, ALT 및 ALP 와 같은 혈장 성분은 수인성 니켈 노출에 의해 유의적 변화가 나타났다. 이 연구의 결과는 수인성 니켈 노출 에 따른 붕어의 생존율, 혈액학적 성상 및 혈장 성분의 변화를 확인하고 이는 수인성 니켈의 독성에 의한 것으로 판단했다.

작물 생육 진단에 있어서 군락 엽면적과 군락 피복은 주한 요소 이다. 최근에는 이러한 측정을 디지털 카메라를 활용하여 RGB 식생지수로 작물 생육을 측정하고 있다. 본 연구는 밀 재배 기간 카메라의 노출 값을 다르게 설정하여 RGB 컬러 식생 지수와 군락 엽면적지수 및 군락피복에 대해 평가하였다. 군락 엽면적, 군락 피복 및 디지털 영상 측정은 출수 16일전부터 출수 후 25일까지 하였다. 일출 후 30분 이내에 촬영하였다. 노출 값은 셔터 속도를3 수준(1/60s, 1/340s, 1/640s)으로 하였다. RGB 컬러 식생지수 분석은 파이썬으로 하였다. 실제 군락 엽면적과 군락 피복간에는 정의 상관관계(r2 =0.94)를 보였다. 군락 피복 이미지의 ExG, GLI, NGRDI, ExG-ExR, MExG, TGI, MNGRD 및 MExG-CIVE는 군락 엽면적 지수와 및 군락 피복과는 정의 상관관계를 보였다. 그러나 CIVE와 ExR은 부의 상관관계를 보였다. 본 연구 결과 1/640s 가 1/60s와 1/320s에 비하여 노출이 높게 설정된 것으로 보였다. 또한, 토양과 녹색 영역을 분리하는데 있어서 너무 어린 시기 보다는 출수 전이 가장 잘 분리되었다. 따라서 야외에서의 다양한 광 조건에서는 과도한 노출보다는 광 간섭을 줄이는 기술과 함께 작물의 생육 시기와 기상환경을 고려하여 노출 값이 설정되어야 할 것이다.

이 연구는 한국 유가증권시장 기업을 대상으로 중국 위안/달러 환율변동에 의한 환노출을 추정하고 그 특성을 분석한다. 한국 유가증권시장 기업은 위안/달러 환율이 상승(하락)하면 기업가치가 감소(증가)하는 환위험에 노 출되어 있다. 분석 기업의 위안/달러 환노출은 원/달러 환노출보다 큰 것으로 나타나고 있다. 위안/달러 환율변 동과 한국 달러기준 수출가격 변동의 관계로부터 추정한 마크업 조정 계수는 위안/달러 환노출이 위안/달러 환율 변동에 따른 한국 기업의 수출가격 조정과 관련이 있음을 보여준다. 위안/달러 환노출이 원/달러 환노출보다 크 게 나타나고 있다는 이 연구의 결과는 한국 기업들이 위안/달러 환노출에 보다 많은 관심을 가질 필요가 있음을 시사하고 있다.

n Korea, the decommissioning of nuclear power plants is being prepared, and a large amount of radioactive waste is expected to be generated. In particular, clearance level waste, which accounts for more than 90%, requires prevention of cross-contamination and prompt classification. In this study, the possible exposure route and the derivation of exposure dose for worker exposure management in a movable analysis system that can be analyzed onsite were studied. The movable radionuclide analysis system is divided into a preparatory room, a sample storage room, a radioanalysis room, a laboratory, and a waste storage room. It consists of one radioanalysis worker and one pre-treatment worker, and the main radiation exposure is expected to occur in the movement path in the sample storage room, radioanalysis room, and laboratory. The source term for the exposure evaluation, the annual usage dose presented in the radiation safety report in the movable radionuclide analysis system was used. The input data for the evaluation of the external exposure dose under normal circumstances (exposure situation, working hours, distance, etc.) is referenced at facility specifications. The internal exposure dose evaluation was assumed to be acute exposure (1 hour) assumed as internal pollution due to the drop in liquid sample during the pretreatment work. As an evaluation method, a method using a calculation formula and a method using an evaluation code was performed. For the evaluation of exposure dose using the calculation formula, a preliminary evaluation was performed using the point source method, the point kernel method, and intake and dose conversion factors. In addition, VISIPLAN and IMBA codes were used to evaluate exposure dose using the evaluation code, and the input data were supplemented for evaluation. As a result of the evaluation, the annual exposure dose limit of 20 mSv was satisfied for both normal and non-normal situations. In future research, it is planned to derive the evaluation results by particular scenarios for the detailed movement route and evaluation time according to the work process in the mobile radionuclide analysis.

In accordance with the notification of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), environmental impact assessments around nuclear power plants are conducted annually and the results are disclosed to the public. The effects of direct radiation exposure from nuclear power plants as well as liquid effluents and gaseous effluents are taken into consideration in the evaluation of dose calculation for residents. In the United States, regulatory guidelines on direct radiation exposure are described in Reg. Guide 4.1, and the effects of direct radiation are evaluated through regulatory guidelines in Korea. We are going to review optimal evaluation method by reviewing the direct radiation exposure evaluation method currently being conducted in domestic nuclear power plants and the direct radiation exposure evaluation method in overseas nuclear power plants such as in the United States.

Since radon was detected in mattresses of famous bed furniture brands in 2018, the nuclear safety and security commission (NSSC) announced the radiation safety management act in April 2021 to protect the public health and environment. This act stipulates the safety management of radiation that can be encountered in the natural environment such as the notification of radioactivity concentration of source materials, process by-products, the installation and operation of radioactive monitors. In this study, a model was established to predict radioactive exposure dose from radioactive materials such as radon and uranium detected in consumer products such as bed mattresses, pillows, shower, bracelets and masks in order to identify major radioactive substances that largely affect the exposure dose. A period of seven years from 2014 to 2020 was investigated for the source materials and exposure doses of consumer products containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). We analyzed these using machine learning models such as classification and regression tree (CART), Random Forest and TreeNet. Index development and verification were performed to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. Overall, predictive performance was highest when Random Forest or TreeNet was used for each consumer product. Thoron had a great influence on the internal exposure dose of bedding, clothing and mats. Uranium had a great influence on the internal exposure dose of other consumer products except whetstones. When the number of data is very small or the missing value rate is high, it is difficult to expect accurate predictive performance even with machine learning techniques. If we significantly reduce the missing value rate of data or use the limit of detection value instead of missing values, we can build a model with more accurate predictive performance.