Browsing by Author "Lung S.C.C."

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    Children’s exposures to boron and biocides from slime products in Asian regions
    (2022-01-01) Lim M.; Guak S.; Cheong N.Y.; Song Y.C.; Ho K.F.; Nakai S.; Lung S.C.C.; Tantrakarnapa K.; Lee K.; Mahidol University
    Background: Chemical exposure from slime toys can cause potential health effects. Although slime toys are popular in Asia, the regulation of boron, chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT), and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) in these toys has been implemented only in Korea. Objective: In this study, we investigated boron migration levels and CMIT and MIT concentrations in 127 slime products from Asian cities and estimated children’s exposure to boron and the biocides in Korea. Methods: Slime boron migration levels were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), according to Part 3 of the European Standard on the safety of toys (EN 71-3:2013). CMIT and MIT concentrations were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Exposure doses of boron, CMIT, and MIT were calculated using the exposure pattern of children slime users in Korea. Results: Average boron migration levels of the slime products in Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Yokohama were 691.9, 851.1, 806.6, 509.0, and 956.2 mg/kg, respectively. Of the 127 slime products tested, 70.1% exceeded the EU boron migration limit of 300 mg/kg for toys made with sticky material. Boron migration levels in slime products in Korea did not differ significantly by manufacturing date, although the Korean boron regulations were enacted in January 2019. CMIT and MIT were detected from 51.2% and 36.2% of all products, respectively, and tended to be detected simultaneously. Exposure doses of boron, CMIT, and MIT were highest among infants. Significance: Oral exposure was the most important for boron exposure. It is necessary to manage boron level in slime products and minimize exposure from hand to mouth action in infants.
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    Comparative analysis of PM2.5 levels in various microenvironments associated with common cooking practices in selected Asian countries
    (2024-01-01) Kim Oanh N.T.; Huy L.N.; Maneepatra W.; Winijkul E.; Giandomenico A.; Tantrakarnapa K.; Co H.X.; Cuong D.M.; Tsou M.C.M.; Hien T.T.; Chi N.D.T.; Ngan T.A.; Lung S.C.C.; Kim Oanh N.T.; Mahidol University
    Effects of real-life cooking activities on PM2.5 in different urban microenvironments of crowded and large metropolitan areas in Asia were comprehensively analyzed. The assessment was done based on monitoring data obtained for commercial cooking in a university campus in Thailand, restaurants in Taiwan, street food vendors, and residential cooking in Vietnam. Online instruments used for PM2.5 monitoring were priori calibrated against the reference equipment. The influence of cooking activities on indoor and outdoor PM2.5 levels was evaluated considering ventilation conditions and the type of fuel-cookstove of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), charcoal, rice straw pellets (RSP), and honeycomb coal briquettes (HCB). Higher levels of PM2.5 were observed during intensive cooking periods than in non-cooking periods. Cooking with solid fuel (RSP, charcoal, and HCB) induced higher exposure levels of PM2.5 than LPG. The fuel stoking practice, size and design of stoves (with or without hood/exhaust fan), and type of food being cooked (steaming or meat grilling) were important factors affecting the PM2.5 levels. Other important factors especially affecting indoor PM2.5 levels included ventilation, outdoor emissions (traffic, nearby cooking activities), indoor sources (number of customers), and incense burning. The ambient pollution in the surroundings of the microenvironments may contribute significantly to measured PM2.5 levels, especially for the locations close to busy roads or in areas with heavy traffic. Further studies are required to assess the impact of exposure to cooking-induced PM2.5 emissions on human health to provide scientific evidence to foster clean cooking practices.
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    Research Priorities of Applying Low-Cost PM2.5 Sensors in Southeast Asian Countries
    (2022-02-01) Lung S.C.C.; Hien T.T.; Cambaliza M.O.L.; Hlaing O.M.T.; Oanh N.T.K.; Latif M.T.; Lestari P.; Salam A.; Lee S.Y.; Wang W.C.V.; Tsou M.C.M.; Cong-Thanh T.; Cruz M.T.; Tantrakarnapa K.; Othman M.; Roy S.; Dang T.N.; Agustian D.; Mahidol University
    The low-cost and easy-to-use nature of rapidly developed PM2.5 sensors provide an opportunity to bring breakthroughs in PM2.5 research to resource-limited countries in Southeast Asia (SEA). This review provides an evaluation of the currently available literature and identifies research priorities in applying low-cost sensors (LCS) in PM2.5 environmental and health research in SEA. The research priority is an outcome of a series of participatory workshops under the umbrella of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project-Monsoon Asia and Oceania Networking Group (IGAC-MANGO). A literature review and research prioritization are conducted with a transdisciplinary perspective of providing useful scientific evidence in assisting authorities in formulating targeted strategies to reduce severe PM2.5 pollution and health risks in this region. The PM2.5 research gaps that could be filled by LCS application are identified in five categories: Source evaluation, especially for the distinctive sources in the SEA countries; hot spot investigation; peak exposure assessment; exposure-health evaluation on acute health impacts; and short-term standards. The affordability of LCS, methodology transferability, international collaboration, and stakeholder engagement are keys to success in such transdisciplinary PM2.5 research. Unique contributions to the international science community and challenges with LCS application in PM2.5 research in SEA are also discussed.