Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Byung Yeol Chun

7 Articles

Incidence of Dimethylacetamide Induced Toxic Liver Injury among Workers in a Synthetic Fiber Manufacturing Company: Yong Seok Jang, Seong Yong Yoon, Seong Yong Jo, Tae Sung Choi, Jay Young Yoo, Kuck Hyun Woo, Bong Goo Ha, Sang Jae Jung, Byung Yeol Chun, Jin Seok Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):246-254. Published online September 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.246

OBJECTIVES
The main goal of this study was to find the incidence of the dimethylacetamide (DMAc) induced toxic liver injury among workers who were exposed to DMAc for about 5 years in a synthetic fiber factory.
METHODS
In our investigation, total 1,021 workers had been exposed to DMAc from 1st February, 2000 to 30th June, 2004. Among them, 24 workers who had initial abnormal hepatic enzyme level or was viral hepatitis B carrier were excluded. Finally, 997 DMAc exposed workers were followed up for their incidence of toxic liver injury. To find out DMAc induced toxic liver injury case, we carried out regular examinations including liver enzyme tests such as AST and ALT.
RESULTS
We followed up 997 workers and among them 72 cases coincided with our case definition. Incidence density method was 6.05 per 100 person-year. and, a cumulative incidence by life table method was 0.0965 within a year. The incidence of the DMAc-induced toxic liver injury peaked at 4 to 5 in weeks after employment. There was no toxic liver injury case within second week after exposure to DMAc. Five new cases developed in 2th to 3th week, 25 cases in 4th to 5th week, 14 cases in 6th to 7th week, 12 cases in 8th to 9th week, 5 cases in 10th to 11th week, 4 cases in 12th to 13th week, 4 cases in 14th to 15th week, 1 case in 16th to 17th week, 1 case in 30th to 31th week, and there was one case in 48th to 49th week.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence rate of toxic liver injury was considerably high during the 1st year after a worker is placed. So it is needed to take careful monitoring of hepatic enzyme level for newly exposed worker.

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A review of life table applications and an introduction of its application method
Kyoungjin Shin, Boseung Choi
Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society.2013; 24(6): 1159. CrossRef
Occupational Hepatic Disorders in Korea
Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Tae Woo Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S36. CrossRef
Current status of liver diseases in Korea: Toxic and alcoholic liver diseases
Kyung-Ah Kim
The Korean Journal of Hepatology.2009; 15(Suppl 6): S29. CrossRef

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Blood Lead Levels in Umbilical Cord and Neonatal Neurobehavioral Status: Jung Are Kim, Seong Ah Kim, Chae Yong Lee, Sang Jae Jung, Byung Yeol Chun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(1):58-69. Published online March 31, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.1.58

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relation between umbilical cord blood lead level lower than 10 microgram/dl and neonatal neurobehavioral performance.
METHODS
Umbilical cord blood lead level, as an indicator for prenatal exposure to lead, and Brazelton neonatal behavioral assessment scale (NBAS), as an indicator for effect, were determined in 86 neonates in Gumi, Kyungpook, Korea. The blood levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Development was assessed by NBAS at birth in 86 neonates and at 1 month in 55 neonates.
RESULTS
The mean cord blood lead levels of the 86 and 55 neonates were 3.90 +/- 0.71 microgram/dl (range 2.24 - 5.39 microgram/dl) and 3.88 +/- 0.70 microgram/dl (range 2.24~5.03 microgram/dl), respectively. We used the median value of 4 microgram/dl to divide into low- and high- lead level groups. There was a significant difference in the peak of excitement at birth, and in the animate visual, inanimate visual, inanimate auditory, activity level, peak of excitement, and liability of states at one month, between the two groups. For cluster scores, motor system and state organization scores showed significant differences between the two groups. For adjusting the potential confounding effect of intial difference, differences of the scores between the two groups at one month were analysed with ANCOVA. The results of ANCOVA showed the significant difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that prenatal low-level lead exposure, even lower than 10 microgram/dl, might affect the neonatal neurobehavioral development.

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Change of Visual Function and Lacrimation Among Male Near-Work Inspectors in a TV Manufacturing Plant: Seong Ah Kim, Byung Yeol Chun, Sang Woo Kim, Sang Jae Jung, Gwang Ja Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(4):436-448. Published online December 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.4.436

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this field-based longitudinal study was to investigate the effects of near-work on lacrimation and visual function, particularly refractive power.
METHODS
Our study tracked sixty five male workers for about three years by means of ophthalmologic examinations and questionnaires, to collect data including eye symptoms and subjective work environmental factors. Ophthalmic examinations included visual acuity, Shirmer I test, and autorefractometry. In the first year, the inclusion criteria were ages less than 40 years, no history of ophthalmic diseases, emmetropia(-1.0 RESULTS
Over a period of 32 months, spherical equivalents were decreased as much as 0.18D(diopter) for LE(left eye) and 0.18D for RE(right eye). Lacrimation by Shirmer's I test during 20 months were decreased as much as 6.57 mm/5min for LE, and 6.40 mm/5min for RE. Although more myopic-changed workers demonstrated young age(<30 years) and short work duration(<2 years), there was no significance to this correlation. Additionaly, subjective work environmental factors such as poor illumination, noise, uncomfortable air and daily use of VDT and/or TV were shown to have no significant effect. However, as for eye discomfort, which was reconstructed from several dry eye symptoms, the daily use of VDT and/or TV was a significant variable. According to a logistic regression analysis concerning the effects of refractive power, lacrimation, work duration, poor illumination, and daily use of VDT and/or TV on eye discomfort, only daily use of VDT and/or TV greater than 4 hours displayed OR of 10.5.
CONCLUSIONS
Myopic changes due to near work were not observed, however lacrimal function was changed in workers. These results suggest that we should consider various factors such as lacrimation, tear film and refraction as well as visual acuity in order to establish an eye care program among near-work performing employees.

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An automatic defect-inspection method for optical isolators using image analysis
Tian Qiu, Zhiquan Lin, Chen Jung Tsai, Chi Shing Wong, Xin Zhang, Shuaiqi Liu, Honglong Ning
at - Automatisierungstechnik.2022; 70(7): 662. CrossRef
Relationship between occupational injuries and the provision of safety and health information: data from the 4th Korean working conditions survey
Ju-il Seo, Gab-Sik Shin, Min Gi Kim, Young-Sun Min
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Incidence of Abnormal Liver Function and Risk Factors in Male Employees: Young Ae Ha, Kyeong Dong Chung, Byung Yeol Chun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):59-69. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.59

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to estimate the incidence of abnormal liver function and risk factors in male employees of an industry in Ulsan City.
METHODS
Five hundreds and seventy nine male employees were selected as the study cohort and 533(92.1%) of them were followed after one year. The blood sample was collected to test for AST, ALT, gamma-GTP, total-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and a self-administered questionnaire on life style was done. General characteristics(age, marital status, educational level), job department, exposure status for organic solvents, life style(alcohol, smoking, exercise, diet), past history of liver disease, family history of liver disease, drug intake, HBsAg, blood glucose, total-cholesterol were considered as risk factors. The result of liver function test after 1 year follow-up was treated as dependent variable. The operational definition of abnormal liver function was as follows; those who had abnormal liver functions in the two repeated tests with one month interval.
RESULTS
The annual incidence of abnormal liver function was 9.6 per 100 and age-standardized incidence was 9.5. BMI, alcohol, past history of liver disease, and meat intake were significantly related to the incidence(p<0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, BMI(RR=2.70, 95% CI=1.41-5.16) and alcohol(RR=1.98, 95% CI=1.08-3.60) were proved as the significant variables. By stratified analysis considering changing pattern of alcohol and BMI, the relative risk of the BMI normal-normal and alcohol intake high-high group was 2.24(95% CI=1.09-4.62) and that of the BMI obese-obese and alcohol intake high-high group was 5.66(95% CI=2.69-11.88) compared with that of BMI normal-normal and alcohol intake low-low group.
CONCLUSIONS
The age-standardized annual incidence of abnormal liver function was 9.5 per 100 in male employees. Thus, an active effort for reducing alcohol intake and controlling BMI should be done to reduce the incidence.

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Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Workers Exposed to 2-Bromopropane: Kyeong Sook Choi, Byung Yeol Chun, Jung Sun Park, Yang Ho Kim, Young Hahn Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(2):301-308. Published online June 30, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.2.301

Abstract PDF

To investigate the impact of 2-bromopropane on neuropsychiatric symptoms, 33 exposed workers and 77 non-exposes workers in electronic company were recruited. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using self-administered questionnaire. Memory disturbance, concentration disturbance, sleep disturbance, understanding disturbance and acute irritation symptom were more frequent in workers exposed to 2-bromopropane. To investigate the association between 2-bromopropane exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms, total symptom scores of exposed workers were compared with those of non-exposed workers. Mean value in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that of non-exposed comparisons. The mean value of total symptom score of smokers in exposed workers was significantly higher than that of smokers in non-exposed workers. In multivariate regression analysis, exposure status was significant predictor for total symptom score after controlling the effects of age, sex, education, smoking status and alcohol intake. Above findings suggest that 2-bromopropane was significantly associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that further research with objective assessments and long follow-up should be done to confirm the results of this study.

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Occupational Psychiatric Disorders in Korea
Kyeong-Sook Choi, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S87. CrossRef

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A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Mass Screening for Diabetes Mellitus: Kyung Eun Lee, Byung Yeol Chun, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):269-281. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.269

Abstract PDF: To evaluate the efficiency of the diabetes mellitus screening program, the records of screening examinations for general workers and official workers at a general hospital in Taegu city were analysed. Six alternatives of the diabetes mellitus screening program were compared in terms of cost-effectiveness. The screening program I which was already used in the examination for general workers, screening program II for official workers, alternative program (A) which was the same method as screening program I without urine sugar test for the second examination in a hospital, a1ternative program (B) with the test for fasting blood sugar (FBS) in a worksite, alternative program (C) with the test for postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) in a worksite, alternative program (D) with the first test for FBS and the second test for PPBS of negatives for FBS test in a worksite, alternative program (E) with the first test for PPBS and the second test for FBS of negatives for PPBS test, and alternative program (F) with the test for urine sugar in a worksite. To compare the cost-effectiveness between alternatives, the cost (Won) per positive detected for diabetes mellitus (cost-effectiveness ratio) was calculated. The cost per positive detected was 37,767 Won for screening program I, 50,441 for screening program II, 37,433 for alternative program (A) , 27,645 for alternative program (B), and if it was assumed that the positive rate for negatives of FBS would be 2.0 %, 28,541 for alternative program (C) , 35,458 for alternative program (D) , 38,488 for alternative program (E) . However, that for alternative program (F) was varied with the positive predictive value (PPV) of urine sugar test for diabetes. The cost per positive detected was lowest(18,689 Won) when PPV was 93 %, whereas, highest (88,106) when PPV was 20 %. The critical value of PPV was 64 %. The alternative program (F) was most efficient when PPV was 64% or more. Considering the prevalence for diabetes mellitus, PPV for urine suger test, and feasibility of screening examination, alternative program (B) will be proved as the most efficient screening program. In conclusion, either program (B) or program (F) will be the most efficient method for screening a large population depending on the positive predictive value of fasting urine suger test.

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The Response Rate of Follow up Examination and Positive Predictive Value of Screening Items of Workers Aged 30 and Over: Kyung Eun Lee, Jae Yong Park, Byung Yeol Chun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(1):13-22. Published online February 28, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.1.13

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

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