A Study on Health Hazards to Employees near Main Streets

Dalwoong Choi 한국독성학회 2012 Toxicological Research Vol.28 No.3

In order to evaluate the physical and psychological health effects from automobile air pollution, 99 employees who worked near a main street were given a general health questionnaire, and the prevalence of their subjective complaints was measured. The collected data were classified according to gender, sleep time, degree of regular exercise, self-consciousness of symptoms, length of employment, work time, rest time, and smoking status. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The scores related to health complaints regarding physical and psychological items were higher in females than in males. THI scores were higher for the < 4 hour sleep time group. The health complaint scores for physical items were higher in the regular exercise group, whereas most scores for mental items were higher in the irregular exercise groups. The health complaints scores for physical and psychological items were higher in the unhealthy symptom group than in other groups. Those employees who had worked for > 4 years showed significantly higher rates of complaints regarding the eyes and skin. THI scores were higher for the < 6 hour working time group. The smoking group showed higher scores regarding health complaints related to physical items. The THI scores of the respiratory organs, mouth, anus, and digestive organs were significantly higher for the smoking group than for the non-smoking group. In summary, this study shows that the health complaint scores regarding physical and psychological symptoms tended to be higher among the unhealthy group, the less sleep time group, the less work time group, smokers, and females. These results can be used to improve the psychosomatic health status and working environments of employees who work near a main street.

A Study on Hazard Assessment of Employees in New Buildings

Dalwoong Choi 한국독성학회 2012 Toxicological Research Vol.28 No.3

In order to evaluate the physical and psychological health effects of air pollutants from new building materials, 100 employees who worked in new buildings were given a general health questionnaire, and the prevalence of their subjective complaints was measured. The collected data were classified according to age, gender, smoking status, profession, working time, sleep time, life style, and length of employment. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The THI lie scale scores were significantly higher among the older respondents. Compared to males, females showed a significantly higher level in the depression itemas well asa tendency toward high ratios of physical and psychological complaints. The smoking group showed higher scores regarding health complaints related to most physical and psychological items. Smokers showed significantly increased respiratory organ complaints compared to nonsmokers. Those with a profession showed significantly higher level of nervousness. The group of those working 7 to 10 hours group showed higher rates of complaints in the multiple subjective symptoms and mouth/anus items than the group working less than 2 hours. Those living an irregular life showed a tendency toward higher rates of complaints for most physical and psychological subjective factors. Those who were satisfied with their environments showed significantly lower scores in the mouth/anus, impulsiveness, mental irritability, depression, and nervousness items. In summary, this study shows that the health complaint scores regarding physical and psychological symptoms tended to be higher among the unsatisfied group, the irregular life group, the group who worked long hours, the elderly, smokers, and females. These results can be used to improve the psychosomatic health status and working environments of employees working in new buildings.

Dimethyl sulfoxide가 포름알데히드와 유기용제류에 의한 세포 성장 억제에 미치는 영향

최달웅(DalWoong Choi) 고려대학교 보건과학연구소 2006 보건과학논집 Vol.32 No.1

  Dimethyl sulfoxide has been shown to have toxicity interaction with many organic solvents. Dimethyl sulfoxide was shown to enhance toxicity of solvents, while some other studies demonstrated reduction of solvent toxicity by dimethyl sulfoxide. Form-aldehyde is a toxic and irritant indoor air pollutant found at relatively high concentrations in new house, schools and offices in developed countries. Exposure to formaldehyde elicits a variety of allergic signs and symptoms and irritates human cell. We are highly exposed to formaldehyde in living environment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide and formaldehyde or organic solvents on the cell growth. Cell growth was measured after 24h treatment with formaldehyde or organic solvents such as toluene, ethylbenzene, isopropyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, pyridine, glycerine. The cell growth was not inhibited after exposure of isopropyl alcohol(100 mM), pyridine(100 mM) or glycerine(100 mM). Treatment of formaldehyde(100 mM), toluene(100 mM), ethylbenzene(100 mM) and carbon tetrachloride(100 mM) strongly inhibited the cell growth. However, treatment of 10mM toluene, 10 mM ethylbenzene and 10mM carbon tetrachloride showed no effects on cell growth. The most potent inhibition of cell growth was observed after exposure to formaldehyde. Even 1 mM formaldehyde strongly inhibited cell growth. The cell growth was also measured after 24 h co-exposure of dimethyl sulfoxide and formaldehyde or organic solvents. Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide did not modify the cell proliferation pattern induced by organic solvents. Any antagonistic or additive effect of dimethyl sulfoxide was not observed. These results show that organic solvents induce inhibition of cell growth with different potency. These study can give valuable information about toxicity interaction of dimethyl sulfoxide and formaldehyde or organic solvents.

활성산소와 휘발성유기화합물류에 대한 노출이 세포 증식에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구

김영환(YoungWhan Kim),최달웅(DalWoong Choi) 고려대학교 보건과학연구소 2006 보건과학논집 Vol.32 No.1

  Oxidative stress is easily induced by volatile organic compounds. The adverse health effects of a number of environment pollutions are related to the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Induction of antioxidant defensive system in the response to an oxidative attack is an essential element of the organism to survive. Oxidative stress includes formation of hydrogen peroxide. Volatile organic compounds are constituents of numerous industrial and commercial products such as solvents, paints and unleaded gasoline. Their high toxic potential and liposolubility make these compounds important health hazards. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of reactive oxygen species and volatile organic compounds on the cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was measured after 24h treatment with volatile organic compounds such as benzene, xylene, chloroform, propanol, hexane or tetrachloroethylene. The cell proliferation was not modified after exposure of benzene(100 mM), propanol(100 mM) or hexane (100 mM). Treatment of xylene(100 mM), chloroform(100 mM) and tetrachloro-ethylene(100 mM) strongly inhibited the cell proliferation. However, treatment of 10 mM xylene, 10mM chloroform and 10mM tetrachloroethylene showed no effects on cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was also measured after 24 h co-exposure of volatile organic compounds and hydrogen peroxide. Addition of hydrogen peroxide did not modify the cell proliferation pattern induced by volatile organic compounds. Any additive effect of hydrogen peroxide was not observed. These results show that volatile organic compounds induce inhibition of cell proliferation with different potency. Future studies will concentrate on the mechanism of the chemical interaction.

용기에서의 중금속 용출 변화에 대한 연구

이경희(KyungHee Lee),최달웅(DalWoong Choi) 고려대학교 보건과학연구소 2007 보건과학논집 Vol.33 No.1

For safety of processed food such as canned food, we need studies about heavy metal pollution that can be caused by the processed container as well as content of the heavy metals in the food itself. Although there are many studies about the content of heavy metals in food, those about heavy metal elution from a container are few. Here what is important is not only the elution during the distribution and preservation period of the processed food but also that during the food keeping period after opening. The metal corrosion can be promoted after opening more than in a closed canned status. Thus this study conducted an experiment about heavy metal elution of a can container when kept after opening. First of all, oil of canned tuna was collected after 3 weeks from opening. It was pretreated in a microwave and diluted in a proper concentration to measure a degree of heavy metal elution with ICP-MS, including content changes of major heavy metals such as aluminium(Al), chromium(Cr), nickel(Ni), copper(Cu), Zinc(Zn), Arsenic(As), selenium (Se), cadmium(Cd) and lead(Pb). There was no difference of content before and after opening for Al, Se and Pb. Ni and Cr were increased a little bit but had no statistically significance due to a big standard deviation. Heavy metal contents of Cu, Zn, As and Cd were reduced by opening but without a statistical significance. The 3-week period could not cause elution of heavy metal from can container in a statistically significant level. Ni and Cr had a possibility of elution in an insignificant level. Therefore a future study can find elution in a significant level by lengthening the opening period or increasing the number of samples. Also, food pollutants as well as heavy metal elution of agricultural and fishery canned food can be a good topic for future studies. Finally, possible research topics include mechanism about increase of decrease of heavy metal contents by long-term keeping after opening.

포름알데히드 위해성 저감에 관한 연구

김영환(YoungWhan Kim),최달웅(DalWoong Choi) 고려대학교 보건과학연구소 2005 보건과학논집 Vol.31 No.2

  Mutiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a disease of complex etiology involving the central nervous system (CNS), respiratory and skin disorder. MCS symptoms reported by occupants of new or renewal buildings, termed the sick building syndrome (SBS) include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache, nervousness and respiratory distress. Form??aldehyde (HCHO) is a toxic and irritant indoor air pollutant found at relatively high concentrations in new house, schools and offices in developed countries. Exposure to HCHO elicits a variety of allergic signs and symptoms and irritates the upper respiratory tract. According to the guidelines for indoor air environment proposed by World Health Organi??zation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan, the average level of HCHO in homes should be less than 0.08 ppm. However, the level of HCHO exceeds 0.08 ppm in many new or recently renewal buildings. The prevention and counterplan of the HCHO"s harm??fulness should be deal with urgently. Therefore, we explored the ability of charcoal to absorb and remove HCHO gas emitted from closed environments. Constant HCHO concentrations were maintained in artificial chamber for 2 days. The concentration of HCHO in the chamber was measured using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine cartridge. Charcoal effectively eliminated HCHO in the chamber and decreased HCHO-induced toxicity in mice. This effect of charcoal persisted for 2 days. Present study suggests that charcoal can be used to prevent MCS.

지역별 식물 추출물의 중금속 및 미네랄 함량에 대한 연구

이성동(SungDong Lee),홍순선(SoonSun Hong),최달웅(DalWoong Choi) 고려대학교 보건과학연구소 2005 보건과학논집 Vol.31 No.2

  Metals differ from other toxic substances because they are not destroyed. Metals redistribute continually in the environment by both physical and biological system. Their redistribution in environments can produce potential toxic effect on human body, plants and animals. Heavy metals can be absorbed and concentrated in plants and animals. They can easily incor??porate into food. The plants are highly exposed to heavy metals and minerals because they are always in contact with water, air and soil. The heavy metal contents in herb can be increased by environmental contam??ination. Many metal contamination from environment cause is originated from natural source and human by-product. This study was performed to determine the heavy metal and mineral (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, chromium, cooper, selenium, zinc, iron, manganese, aluminium) contents in herbal extracts at different areas. The concentrations of 11 heavy metals from 21 different areas were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Lead, arsenic, aluminium contents of 2 different area samples were higher than 19 other area samples. Generally, herbal extract samples from some specified area have higher values than samples from other areas in many heavy metal contents. This result is considered to be due to exposure to environmental contaminations.

Recent advance in brown adipose physiology and its therapeutic potential

Lee, Yun-Hee,Jung, Young-Suk,Choi, Dalwoong Nature Publishing Group 2014 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.46 No.2

<P>Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a specialized thermoregulatory organ that has a critical role in the regulation of energy metabolism. Specifically, energy expenditure can be enhanced by the activation of BAT function and the induction of a BAT-like catabolic phenotype in white adipose tissue (WAT). Since the recent recognition of metabolically active BAT in adult humans, BAT has been extensively studied as one of the most promising targets identified for treating obesity and its related disorders. In this review, we summarize information on the developmental origin of BAT and the progenitors of brown adipocytes in WAT. We explore the transcriptional control of brown adipocyte differentiation during classical BAT development and in WAT browning. We also discuss the neuronal control of BAT activity and summarize the recently identified non-canonical stimulators of BAT that can act independently of β-adrenergic stimulation. Finally, we review new findings on the beneficial effects of BAT activation and development with respect to improving metabolic profiles. We highlight the therapeutic potential of BAT and its future prospects, including pharmacological intervention and cell-based therapies designed to enhance BAT activity and development.</P>

단안 주시하 체위 변화에 따른 안구회선

전재연,허달웅,장혜란,Jae Yeon Jun M,D,Dalwoong Huh,M,D,Hae Ran Chang,M,D 대한안과학회 2005 대한안과학회지 Vol.46 No.1

Purpose: To determine whether cyclotorsion occurs when a patient moves from the seating to supine position fixating with one eye. Methods: The axis of astigmatism was measured with the handheld automated refractometer (Retinomax K-plus, Nikon, Japan) in 33 eyes having more than -1.0D cylinder in seated and supine positions under monocular fixation. Results: There was a cyclotorsional deviation in 30 eyes (90.90%). Excyclotorsion was shown in 22 eyes (66.67%) and incyclotorsion in 8 (24.24%). Seventeen eyes (51.50%) had a torsional deviation less than 4 degrees, 5 eyes (15.15%) from 5 to 6 degrees, 7 eyes (21.21%) from 7 to 14 degrees and one eye greater than 15 degrees. Conclusions: Positionally induced cyclotorsion occurs under fixation with one eye simulating refractive surgery. Surgeons should therefore make an effort to align the wavefront measurement to the ablation onto the cornea.

Development of an analytical method for trivalent chromium in drinking water

Seong Yu Song,Dae Kwan Sung,Hyung Soo Kim,Seung Ha Lee,Dalwoong Choi 한국생활과학회 2016 한국생활과학회 학술대회 Vol.2016 No.11