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A Study of Psychosocial Stress of Residents Near Asbestos Mines
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Young Sik Shin, Yong Jin Lee, Jung Oh Ham, Eun Chul Jang, Chan Ho Park, Min Sung Kang, Seung Kwon Park
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):375-383. Published online December 31, 2012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.375
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 Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to identify the level of psychosocial stress of residents near asbestos mines, and to investigate the relationship between psychosocial stress and asbestos exposure history as well as, asbestos exposure awareness.
METHODS
The survey was conducted in 297 individuals, by one-on-one interviews with a standard questionnaire including demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and awareness of asbestos exposure. The levels of psychosocial stress were measured through the Psychosocial Wellbeing Index-Short Form(PWI-SF). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using psychosocial stress as a dependent variable. Demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and asbestos exposure awareness were examined as independent variable.
RESULTS
The average PWI-SF score was 17.5 +/- 8.0, with 40 people (13.5%) in the high-risk stress group (PWI-SF 27 points or more). The group having an asbestos-related occupational history had a 2.53 times higher proportion of psychosocial stress (95% CI: 1.03~6.21). The group recognizing asbestos exposure had an even higher proportion of high psychosocial stress group (4.84 times, 95% CI: 1.41~16.55).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of psychosocial stress is significantly higher in residents near asbestos mines having an asbestos-related occupational history who recognize their frequent asbestos exposure. Therefore, mental health is affected by the awareness of environmental asbestos exposure as well as an occupational exposure to asbestos.
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The Prevalence of Asbestos Related Pleural Plaque among Residents Living Near Asbestos Mines in Korea
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Yong Jin Lee, Chan Ho Park, Yong Bae Kim, Eun Chul Jang, Seung Hwan Kim, Young Sik Shin, Jeung Sook Kim
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(1):1-10. Published online March 31, 2012
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.1.1
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Abstract
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- OBJECTIVES
The investigation of the prevalence of pleural diseases in regards to those living within 1 km of 14 asbestos mines in Chungnam province.
METHODS
We enrolled 4,057 residents (male: 1,887, female: 2,170) living within 1km of asbestos mines in Chungcheong province. They received checkups from Soonchunhyang Environmental Health Center for asbestos related diseases between March 2009 and December 2009. Chest X-rays were taken from all subjects and read by two experts according to International Labor Organization guidelines. Those subjects suspected of asbestos related lesions were further checked with HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography). The determination was done by two experts after reviewing the resulting data.
RESULTS
The 4,057 exposed residents underwent the checkup, 859 of whom further underwent the HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography) check. The prevalence of pleural plaque was found to be 11.3% (29.2% non-occupational, 8.0% occupational) from the chest X-rays. The HRCT(high-resolution computed tomography) results revealed that 227 subjects (26.4%) out of the 859 positive subjects (110 (18.8%) non-occupational, 117 (42.9%) occupational) showed evidence of pleural plaque. The statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of pleural plaque increased with increases in age, residence time, and occupational family exposure to asbestos (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
We recommend better control of asbestos in the soil and mines. We also recommend that all affected residents living near asbestos mines receive medical checkups as mandated by the asbestos health damage relief policy.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Incidence of Cancer and Asbestos-Related Diseases among Residents Living near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using National Health Insurance Database
Kyeongmin Kwak, Kyung Ehi Zoh, Domyung Paek
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(3): 875. CrossRef - Exposure Assessment and Asbestosis Pulmonum among Inhabitants near Abandoned Asbestos Mines Using Deposited Dust
Hoki Ahn, Wonho Yang, Young Hwangbo, Yong Jin Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2015; 41(6): 369. CrossRef
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