Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Byung Soon Choi

15 Articles

Systemic sclerosis due to crystalline silica exposure among jewelry workers in Korea: two case reports: Jae Yoon Kim, Sang Yoon Do, Young Hoon Moon, Chul Gab Lee, Yun Sung Kim, Byung Soon Choi, Eun-A Kim, Han Soo Song; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:18. Published online June 19, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0176-x

Background

Occupational exposure to crystalline silica is a potential risk factor for various systemic autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis. The etiology of systemic sclerosis is not conclusively known, but there are epidemiological studies that show the relationship between exposure to crystalline silica and risk of systemic sclerosis. Here we report, for the first time, two cases of crystalline silica-related systemic sclerosis in patients who worked in crystal processing in the jewelry-manufacturing field.

Case presentation

Case 1 is a 57-year-old man who had worked mainly in crystal processing for multiple jewelry-processing companies for 17 years, since the age of 15 years. He contracted tuberculosis at the age of 25 years and showed Raynaud’s phenomenon of both the hands and feet at age 32 years. Digital cyanosis and sclerosis developed at approximately age 41 years. The patient was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis at age 48 years.

Case 2 is a 52-year-old man who worked in crystal processing for various jewelry-processing companies for 7 years, since the age of 23 years. He first showed signs of cyanosis in the third and fourth digits of both hands at age 32 years, was diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome at age 37 years, and was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis at age 38 years.

Crystal processing is a detailed process that involves slabbing and trimming the selected amethyst and quartz crystals, which requires close proximity of the worker’s face with the target area. In the 1980s and 1990s, the working hours were 12 h per day, and the working environment involved 15 workers crowded into a small, 70-m² space with poor ventilation.

Conclusion

Two workers who processed crystals with a maximum crystalline silica content of 56.66% developed systemic sclerosis. Considering the epidemiological and experimental evidence, exposure to crystalline silica dust was an important risk factor for systemic sclerosis. An active intervention is necessary to reduce exposure in similar exposure groups in the field of jewelry processing.

Citations

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Systemic Sclerosis in Males—Deciphering the Enigma of Erasmus Syndrome
Reena K. Sharma, Mudita Gupta
Indian Journal of Dermatology.2024; 69(1): 48. CrossRef
Silikose und systemische Sklerose bei einem Steinmetz
Ulrike Brückner, Elisabeth Bonifer, Joachim Schneider
Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie.2023; 73(5): 247. CrossRef
A Pathological Study of Acute Pulmonary Toxicity Induced by Inhaled Kanto Loam Powder
Yoshimi Kobayashi, Akinori Shimada, Takehito Morita, Kenichiro Inoue, Hirohisa Takano
International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2018; 19(2): 416. CrossRef
Erasmus syndrome: systemic sclerosis and silicosis co‐occurrence
Zühre Sarı Sürmelİ, Nurdan Oruçoğlu
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.2018; 21(6): 1326. CrossRef

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A Case of Occupational Asthma in a Plastic Injection Process Worker: Jong Suk Lee, Hyun Seok Kwak, Byung Soon Choi, So Young Park; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:25-25. Published online October 22, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-25

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Objectives

We report a case of death due to asthma attack in a plastic injection process worker with a history of asthma.

Methods

To assess task relevance, personal history including occupational history and medical records were reviewed. Samples of the substances utilized in the injection process were collected by visiting the patient’s workplace. The work environment with the actual process was reproduced in the laboratory, and the released substances were evaluated.

Results

The medical records confirmed that the patient’s conventional asthma was in remission. The analysis of the resins discharged from the injection process simulation revealed styrene, which causes occupational asthma, and benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, and octadecyl ester. Even though it was not the case in the present study, various harmful substances capable of inducing asthma such as formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetic acid are released during resin processing.

Conclusion

A worker was likely to occur occupational asthma as a result of the exposure to the harmful substances generated during the plastic injection process.

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Education in plastics manufacturing: Aluminum mold making and injection molding
Robert Kelley Bradley
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education.2022; 50(3): 726. CrossRef
Plastic toys and child care articles as a source of children exposure to phthalates and other plasticisers in Saudi Arabia
Mohammed D. Y. Oteef, Mustafa S. Elhassan
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry.2022; 102(16): 4316. CrossRef
Non‐malignant respiratory disease among workers in the rubber manufacturing industry: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Nirmala Thapa, Suzanne E. Tomasi, Jean M. Cox‐Ganser, Randall J. Nett
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2019; 62(5): 367. CrossRef
Respiratory exposure with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene particle in appliance company workers
H. Saeedabadi, A. Nikpey
The Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences .2018; 22(1): 41. CrossRef
Exposures during industrial 3-D printing and post-processing tasks
Sonette Du Preez, Alyson Johnson, Ryan F. LeBouf, Stephanus J.L. Linde, Aleksandr B. Stefaniak, Johan Du Plessis
Rapid Prototyping Journal.2018; 24(5): 865. CrossRef
Non‐malignant respiratory disease among workers in industries using styrene—A review of the evidence
Randall J. Nett, Jean M. Cox‐Ganser, Ann F. Hubbs, Avima M. Ruder, Kristin J. Cummings, Yuh‐Chin T. Huang, Kathleen Kreiss
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2017; 60(2): 163. CrossRef
Characterization of chemical contaminants generated by a desktop fused deposition modeling 3-dimensional Printer
Aleksandr B. Stefaniak, Ryan F. LeBouf, Jinghai Yi, Jason Ham, Timothy Nurkewicz, Diane E. Schwegler-Berry, Bean T. Chen, J. Raymond Wells, Matthew G. Duling, Robert B. Lawrence, Stephen B. Martin, Alyson R. Johnson, M. Abbas Virji
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2017; 14(7): 540. CrossRef
Effects of high occupational physical activity, aging, and exercise on heart rate variability among male workers
Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Jongeun Kim, Yongsik Hwang, Byungmann Cho, Taekjong Hong, Byungmok Sung, Yonghwan Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef

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Characteristics of Occupational Lung Cancer from 1999 to 2005: Jung Wook Lim, So Young Park, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(3):230-239. Published online September 30, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.3.230

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of occupational lung cancer.
METHODS
We analyzed the characteristics of 53 occupational lung cancer cases among 128 lung cancer cases applied for industrial accident compensation insurance benefits and referred for the decision of work-relatedness between 1999 and 2005. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test on 128 lung cancer cases.
RESULTS
The age of diagnosis, smoking history, and cell type of lung cancer cases were not significantly different between 53 cases of occupational lung cancer and 75 cases of non-occupational lung cancer (p>.05). Here is a list of occupational lung cancer case numbers associated with certain carcinogens were: 33(62.3%) cases with asbestos, 23(43.4%) cases with polycyclic aromatic hydro carbon (PAH), 17 cases(32.1%) with chromium VI (Oxidation state), 14 cases(26.4%) with crystalline silica, 12 cases (22.6%) with nickel compounds, 2 cases(3.8%) with radon daughters, and 1 case(1.9%) with arsenic. Eighteen cases(34.0%) of occupational lung cancer had exposures to a single carcinogen, and 35 cases (66.0%) had exposures to more than 2 carcinogens. Job types associated with occupational lung cancer cases were: 16 cases(30.2%) with maintenance, 13 cases(24.5%) with welding; 6 cases(11.3%) with grinding; 4 cases(7.5%) with foundry; 3 cases(5.7%) with driving, casting, and painting' and 14 cases (26.4%) with 'other'.
CONCLUSIONS
This study identified the characteristics of occupational lung cancer through the analysis of the age of diagnosis, smoking history, cell type, job, and carcinogen. There is no difference between occupational lung cancer and non-occupational lung cancer except exposure to the carcinogens. these results indicate that past exposure to occupational carcinogens remains an important determinant of occupational lung cancer occurrence.

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Min-Seok Go, Jei-Pil Wang
Resources Recycling.2022; 31(4): 49. CrossRef
Overview of occupational cancer in painters in Korea
Jun-Pyo Myong, Younmo Cho, Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Radiologic Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer
Yoon Kyung Kim, Jeung Sook Kim, Yookyung Kim
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2015; 73(6): 347. CrossRef
Compensation for Occupational Cancer
Inah Kim, Eun-A Kim, Jae Young Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S40. CrossRef
Occupational Cancers with Chemical Exposure and their Prevention in Korea: A Literature Review
Kyung-Taek Rim
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2013; 14(6): 3379. CrossRef

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A Case of Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome in a Synthetic Resin Manufacture Factory: So Young Park, Jong Seong Lee, Boo Wook Kim, Joung Oh Lee, Kyu Chul Park, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):372-378. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.372

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), which represents between 5% and 18% of new-onset, work-related asthma, remains underreported in spite of increasing reports of occupational asthma cases through occupational asthma surveillance in Korea. We report a 61-year-old male who developed RADS after exposure to a high level of toxic gases from a workplace accident.
CASE
The patient who had worked for 21 years at a PVC manufacture factory and had retained good health until Aug 22, 2007, when he was exposed to PVC (polyvinyl chloride), DEHP (Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate), dibutyl tin maleate and epoxidized soybean oil gases from a heated mixer. Within several minutes of exposure, he developed coughing, rhinorrhea, dyspnea and wheezing. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) showed an FVC of 3.81 L(82% of predicted), FEV1 of 1.63 L/s (50% of predicted), FEV1/FVC% of 43 %, and FEV1 of 1.80 L/s that increased by 170 ml and 10.4% in response to bronchodilator. After 7 months of treatment with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators, repeat PFTs showed an FVC of 6.56 L(143.5% of predicted), FEV1 of 3.21 L(99.3% of predicted), and FEV1/FVC% of 48.9%. A methacholine challenge test was negative at a concentration of 25 mg/ml.
CONCLUSION
RADS occurred due to exposure to raw material vapors or their thermal decomposition products.

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A Study on the N-methylformamide Excretion Rate of Workers at Synthetic Leather Factories in Korea: Ki Woong Kim, Byung Soon Choi, Seong Kyu Kang, Young Hahn Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(1):106-112. Published online March 31, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.1.106

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to examine the excretion rate of dimethylformamide (DMF) from the workers exposed to DMF. The study was done at two synthetic leather factories located in Kyeonggi-do from the period of May 2 to 30, 1996. N-methyl- formamide (NMF) concentrations in urine were measured and compared by the three exposure level of DMF in air. The mean concentration of the Low (dry and winder part). Moderate (rinsing part) and High (mixing and coating part) exposure group were 3.99+/-3.54. 10.19 +/-5.69 and 32.10+/-7.87 mg/m3 during workshift of 8 hours, respectively. The mean concentration of urinary N-methylforinamide (NMF) were 2.13+/-2.58, 11.16+/-4.98 and 26.24 +/-7.35 mg/g creatinine, respectively. The concentration of NMIF in urine could reach to maximum in 3 hours and was reduced nearly to zero in about 18 hours after exposure to DMF.

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Hepatotoxicity in Rats Treated with Dimethylformamide or Toluene or Both
Ki-Woong Kim, Yong Hyun Chung
Toxicological Research.2013; 29(3): 187. CrossRef
Assessment of correlation between markers of ambient monitoring and biological monitoring of dimethylformamide for workers in synthetic leather manufacturing factories in Korea
Yang In Hwang, Mi-Young Lee, Yun Kyung Chung, Eun A Kim
Analytical Science and Technology.2013; 26(5): 315. CrossRef
Clinical Outcomes of Occupational Exposure to N,N-Dimethylformamide: Perspectives from Experimental Toxicology
Tae Hyun Kim, Sang Geon Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2011; 2(2): 97. CrossRef

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Factors affecting Reading Agreement of Pneumoconiotic Findings: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):614-627. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.614

Abstract PDF

To find the factors affecting reading agreement of pneumoconiotic findings of simple chest P-A films and to develop the definite quality assurance (Q.A) program for the reading of pneumoconiosis, I gathered the reading reports of the previously developed forty four chest films from nationwide thirty nine radiologists and compared those with the findings decided by the stepwise panel readings of the highly qualified eight radiologists. The reading agreement of profusion by complete or short classification was higher in the radiologists with sufficient reading experiences of pneumoconiosis during residency training. It was also higher in the radiologists with reference to ILO standard films or those working in the agencies for pneumoconiosis within one category of profusion by complete classification. Other factors were not related with the reading agreement of profusion. In small opacity and pleural thickening, there were not any consistent and meaningful findings between the reading agreement and radiologists' characteristics. From the above results, it is necessary to develop the Q.A program to improve the reading agreement of pneumoconiotic findings, especially small opacity and pleural lesions.

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The First Report on Evaluating the Thoracic Radiology of the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis in Korea
Won-Jeong Lee, Jai Soung Park, Sung Jin Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko, Sang-Deok Chu, So Young Park, Byung-Soon Choi
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2010; 63(5): 431. CrossRef

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Reading Agreement of Pneumoconiosis on Simple Chest Films: Byung Soon Choi, Jung Gi Im, Ho Keun Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(3):411-429. Published online October 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.3.411

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

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Cumulative Trauma Disorders among Telephone Directory Assistance Operators: Hae Kwan Cheong, Byung Soon Choi, Ji Yong Kim, Sun Hee Yu, Hyun Sul Lim, Yong Min Kim, Kyung Yun Uh, Yong Wook Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(1):140-155. Published online February 28, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.1.140

Abstract PDF

To evaluate the prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in relation to ergonomic evaluation of their work, 260 female directory assistance operators employed in three branch facilities of the nation-wide telecommunication company. Ergonomic evaluation of the work status was done by two industrial hygienists through inspection. Workers were surveyed with standardized self-administered questionnaire and examined by family physicians and an orthopaedician for cumulative trauma disorders. Laboratory examination of serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), creatinine phosphokinase(CPK), aldolase and rheumatoid factor was done and X-ray of cervical spine and both shoulders was taken from all subjects and nerve conduction velocity test was done on 57 subjects with suspected nerve entrapment cases. Cumulative trauma disorders were categorized into 3 category according to work-relatedness of the disorders. On ergonomic evaluation of the working posture and work environment, improvement of work posture revealed inappropriate postures and devices. Mean age of the subjects were 39 years old and more than 80% graduated high school or above. Ninety-eight percent of the workers employed in the company for more than 15 years and 74.6% of the workers worked at the VDT job for more than 4 years. Mean daily work hours was 8.0 hours per day and mean break hours was 90.5 minutes per day with mean extra work hours of 10.7 hours per month. Mean daily calls were 1128.6 calls in maximum and 864.8 calls in minimum. On laboratory examination, 13 (5.0%) workers had abnormal AST, 53(20.4%) had abnormal CPK, and 1 (0.4%) had abnormal aldolase level. On x-ray examination of cervical spine, 111 (42.7%) had loss of or reversed normal cervical lordosis, 10(3.8%) had narrowing of intervertebral space. Nerve conduction velocity test was abnormal in 11 (19.2%) among 57 workers. Among disorders categorized as work-related, 131 (50.4%) were diagnosed to have fatigue myalgia of levator scapulae, 108 (41.5%) had cervical strain or sprain, 47 (18.1%) had fatigue arthralgia of phalangeal joints, and 47 (18.1%) had probable carpal tunnel syndrome, in 10 (3.8%) of those diagnosis was confirmed electrophysiologically. Age, seniority, work duration at present job, workload nor location of facilities were associated with the prevalence of symptoms nor specific diagnoses on simple statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression, which deems to be due to highly selected and homogeneous characteristics of the study subjects. Above results shows that cumulative trauma disorders are very prevalent among directory assistance operators and elaborate effort is needed to reduce the cumulative trauma disorders among the operators.

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Development of Coalworkers' Pneumoconiosis in Korea: Risk Factors and Incidence Density: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(1):137-152. Published online February 29, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.1.137

Abstract PDF

Pneumoconiosis, especially Coal-workers' Pneumoconi6sis(GWP), is the principal occupation-related disease in Korea because of the large number of affected workers. Coal mines and miners have been reduced abruptly during recent 8 years, but coal mining should be kept in Korea. Recently, pneumoconiotic workers are increasing in manufacturing industry. It is necessary to know the characteristics of CWP to prevent the development of CWP and manage employed or retired pneumoconiotic workers. Furthermore, it is also necessary to study CWP to protect workers from pneumoconiosis in manufacturing industry. Of the total of 6,452 workers who were diagnosed as CWP initially during the 20 years from 1973 to 1992, X-ray category was as follows: category 1(35.2%), category 2(23.1%), suspicious (0/1 category, 13.4%), category 3(5.7%), large opacity (3.5%), unknown by. complete classification (19.1%). The patients' cardiopulmonary disability was as follows: no disability 79.3%, slight 14.2%, mild 4.1%, moderate 1.9%, severe 0.5%. The patients' X-ray category and disability were not related with the initially exposed age or job position, but their severity was positively related with the exposed duration that was adjusted by the initially exposed age. Also, the patients' X-ray category and disability had positive relationship each other. The cumulative exposure dose of silica/was more important than that'of respirable dust in the. development of large opacity CWP. The annual incidence density of CWP was 73.2 persons in 1982 and 75.8 persons in 1986per 10,000 person years. Afterthen it has been gradually decreasing and was in the range of 20-30 persons in the period of 1989-1992.

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The clinical value of F-18 FDG PET/CT in differentiating malignant from benign lesions in pneumoconiosis patients
Eun Kyoung Choi, Hye Lim Park, Ie Ryung Yoo, Seung Joon Kim, Young Kyoon Kim
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Kwan Lee, Hyun-Sul Lim, Min-Gi Kim, Young-Sun Min, Young-Hyun Lee, Sung-Woo Kim, Hye-Sook Choi, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Joon Sakong, Seung-do Yu, Geun-Bae Kim, Mi-Ra Yoon
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(3): 355. CrossRef
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Byung-Soon Choi, So Young Park, Joung Oh Lee
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S13. CrossRef
The Clinical Significance of Bronchial Anthracofibrosis Associated with Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis
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Comparison of Radiological Methods for the Study and Diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis: Simple Radiography and Computed Tomography: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):390-424. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.390

Abstract PDF

The classification for pneumoconiosis which was developed by International Labour Office(ILO) on the basis of Radiological findings of simple chest radiography has been widely used for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. But many problems have been revealed during the pneumoconiosis study using this classification. Those problems come from simple radiography itself or classification systems. Among those, inter-reader and intra-reader variability are the severest problems, even though many efforts have been devoted to lessen the variability. With introduction of computed tomography (conventional CT and HRCT), we are learning many new aspects about the occupational lung diseases, especially pneumoconiosis. So the studies for pneumoconiosis using tomography are reviewed, focusing on silicosis, coalworkers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. But in our country, the studies of that kind are very scant. It is necessary to study and diagnose pneumoconiosis by CT, because that is the need of workers and the responsibility of physicians working in the field of occupational medicine. CT is superior to simple radiography in early detection, determination of severity, and follow-up of pneumoconiosis. But simple radiography is and should be the main method for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Although, because of radiation hazard, cost, time, and geographical availability, the method can not and should not be used on the routine basis, we have to consider the use of CT, if possible and if necessary. Before using CT widely, we should develop the standardized criteria regarding to scanning methods and reading criteria. If not, the same problems as those of simple radiography will be occurred, and then there will be no progress in occupational medicine and workers' health.

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The First Report on Evaluating the Thoracic Radiology of the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis in Korea
Won-Jeong Lee, Jai Soung Park, Sung Jin Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko, Sang-Deok Chu, So Young Park, Byung-Soon Choi
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2010; 63(5): 431. CrossRef

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Prevalence of Asbestosis in Korean Asbestos Industry: Do myung Paek, Nam Won Paik, Jung Deun Choi, Mi A Son, Jung Gi Im, Won Jin Lee, Young Hahn Moon, Jung Sun Park, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):46-57. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.46

Abstract PDF

Asbestos industry has been in operation over 60 years in Korea. However, the prevalence of asbestosis has not been yet reported. With rapid turn-over of workers, previous cross-sectional studies of current workers on the job could not find cases with exposures long enough for the development of asbestosis. This study was done to evaluate asbestosis prevalence of those worksites with operation history of more than 20 years. In total, 139 workers from 5 worksites were examined. Asbestos industries covered in the study include 2 asbestos textile, 1 brake lining, and 2 ship repairing worksites. Chest x-ray was taken from all workers and read by two exports familiar with pneumoconiosis classification according to 1980 ILO guidelines. Those with findings compatible with asbestosis were further checked with high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). Pulmonary function tests were done according to ATS guidelines, and occupational and previous medical history was taken through a standardized interview. Air-borne asbestos was measured according to NI0SH method 7400. The air-borno asbestos concentrations ranged from 0.2-1.3 f/cc for asbestos textile, from 0.7~l.0 f/cc for brake lining, and from 6.3-7.8 f/cc during asbestos removal at ship repairing worksite. Of the 139 workers 25 had abnormal chest radiographic findings, and 10 of them had findings compatible with pneumoconiosis. When work history and current asbestos measurements were accounted, 9 workers who had more than 10 years of asbestos exposure history showed chest radiographic findings of pneumoconiosis with Finally, 4 workers showed finding of pulmonary fibrosis and/or pleural thickening at HRCT, and 2 of them had restrictive lung function changes. The study results showed that, among 139 sutjects, there were 4 (3%) definite asbeatosis cases confirmed with HRCT. The prevalence of probable asbestosis was 7% for 10-14 years of exposure, 13% for 15-19 years of exposure, and 23% for 20 or more years of exposure. The prevalence of compensable asbestosis with abnormal lung function was 4-6% for those with 15 or more years of exposure.

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Occupational and Environmental Asbestos Exposure in Korea
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Overview of Asbestos Issues in Korea
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Environment International.1998; 24(3): 293. CrossRef

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Studies on Activities of Xenobiotic Metabolic Enzymes in Rats treated with Trichloroethylene: Ki Woong Kim, Seong Kyu Kang, Byung Soon Choi, Jong Seong Lee, Jong Sung Kim, Young Hahn Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):323-331. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.323

Abstract PDF: Trichloroethylene (TRI) is one of the most widely used organic solvent in many industries. It is used a degreasing agent, extract and dillution solvents. TRI is metabolized by liver microsomal cytochrome P4SO to reactive intermediates, which are considered responsible for its hepatotoxicity. Cytochrome P450 is a key enzyme in the first step of TRI metabolism resulting in chloral hydrate (CH) formation, which is a rate-limiting step in TRI metabolism. This study was perfomed to find out the change of hepatic cytochrome P450 levels and of electron transport system for P-450 dependent reaction. Intraperitoneal injections of TRI were done to the male Sprague Dawley rats(mean body wights,170+/-10g) in corn oil at the dosage of 150,300,600 mg/kg for 2 days. The results of experiments are following : 1. The contents of microsomal protein, cytochrome P450 and b(5) are tended to be decreased with increasing amount of TRI, but not significantly (p>0.05) . 2. The activity of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase is slowly decreased by increasing amount of TRI, but not slgnificantly (p>0.05) . On the other hand, the activity of NADH-b(5) reductase is increased with increasing amount of TRI (p<0.05) 3. The activity of 7-ethoxyresolufin 0-deethylase did not show any critical changes (P>0.05) . This result suggests that the inductive pattern of TRI may not be related to P 450IAl and P450IIB.

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Lung Function Test for Workers and its Quality Control Program: Jung Keun Choi, Mi A Son, Hyun Kyung Kim, Domyung Paek, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):187-200. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.187

Abstract PDF: Lung function test can be influenced by technical as well as biological variables, and the quality control of test has been stressed as an important part of lung function test program. This study was done to survey the current status of lung function test program in workers' health examination, and examine the variablity of test results when quality control is not achieved. Forty nine Workers' Health Examination Institutes and 7 Pneumoconiosis Referal Centers were surveyed for their current lung function tests, types of spirometers, and performance of technicians. To examine the effect of quality control program of lung function tests on the variablity of test results, 118 miners were tested under a quality control guideline and the results were compared to those obtained ignoring 4 major areas of the guideline-spirometer calibration, minimum number of tests per session, suitable prediction equations, and selection process of final results for each tested subjects. Among surveyed Institutes and Centers, only 38%(20/53) are performing any calibration of spirometers, and most of those calibrations are done automatically by the machine. All the surveyed Institutes and Centers obtain acceptable test no more than 2 times. The background of technicians include office workers and nurse aids without an adequate training in pulmonary physiology, and the testing posture and formats vary among Institutes and Centers. When the types of pulmonary dysfunction under the definition of the Ministry of Labor were compared between those obtained with and without quality control guidelines, spirometer calibration affected the test results in 6(5.1%) out of 118 subjects. The change in the minimum number of adequate tests from 1 to 3 and more brought changes in 19(16.1%) subjects. The test results of 9(7.6%) subjects differed between two different prediction equations, and the results of 7(5.9%) subjects differed between two different selection process of final results. The current practice of lung function tests of workers needs quality control programs, and the results of this study indicate that the first remedy should be to bring the minimum number of acceptable test to more than 3.

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Normal Predictive Values of FVC and FEV1 for Healthy Korean Male Workers: Domyung Paek, Jung Keun Choi, Byung Soon Choi, Kyou Chull Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):175-186. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.175

Abstract PDF

Lung Function test results can be influenced by race, socioeconomic status, and physical fitness. The choice of the most appropriate predictive equations should be based upon these considerations as well as age, sex, and body size. About 70% of Korean males smoke, and non-smokers can be a selective group in Korea. In this study, lung function test results of 683 healthy Korean male workers were analyzed to get the predictive equations of Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second(FEV(1)), and FEV(1)/FVC (FEV(1)%). The age of studied workers ranged from 18to 60, and most of those finished high school or less. Healthy smokers without any respiratory symptoms or disease history were included in the study, while the effect of smoking on the test results were examined in the analysis. FVC, FEV(1), and FEV(1)% were regressed against age, height, weight and smoking status or smoking amount. Age and height explained FVC and FVC(1) most efficiently and the contribution of other variables were not significant. Whereas, smoking was significantly associated with a decrease in FEV(1)% even among healthy un-symptomatic workers. For FEV(1)%, age, height, and smoking amount were significant variables, constituting the most efficient prediction model. The lower limit of normal for percent predicted values was calculated from lower 95 percentile as well as 95% confidence interval. When the results of this study was compared to those from studies of white Caucasians, the predicted FVC and FEV(1) were lower for the given age and height but the differences were less than 10%. The slopes of regression equation for height and age were, however, not significantly different when the social backgrounds of the studied subjects were similar.

Citations

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Factors Associated With Obstructive Pattern Spirometry In Shipyard Workers
Jahyun Kim, Young Wook Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Jun Seok Son, Chan Woo Kim, Jun Ho Lee, Hyung Wook Park, Byung Mann Cho
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 525. CrossRef
Reference Values for the Pulmonary Function of Korean Adults Using the Data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (2007-2009)
Sang-Yong Eom, Heon Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2013; 28(3): 424. CrossRef
Changes of Pulmonary Disability Grades according to the Spirometry Reference Equations
Joung Oh Lee, Byung-Soon Choi
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2010; 69(2): 108. CrossRef

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Three cases of occupational asthma induced by urethane paint: Byung Soon Choi, Hae Kwan Cheong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1992;4(2):212-220. Published online October 31, 1992; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1992.4.2.212

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

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