Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Chang Hee Lee

12 Articles

Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Urine Cotinine Levels by Occupation in the Busan, Ulsan, Kyeongnam Provinces: So Ryong Lee, Soo Jin Jeong, Chun Hui Suh, Chae Kwan Lee, Chang Hee Lee, Byung Chul Son, Dae Hwan Kim, Jeong Ho Kim, Jong Tae Lee, Jin Heon Lee, Moon Young Hwang, Choong Hee Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(1):42-52. Published online March 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.1.42

OBJECTIVES
Exposure to second-hand smoke varied by smoking rate in the workplace and no-smoking policies. The purpose of this study was to estimate the status of second-hand smoke exposure by occupation through urine cotinine analysis in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyeongnam provinces.
METHODS
Data was obtained from the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea as 'The 2008 Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in Human Body'. We selected 629 non-smokers who lived in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam provinces. General and occupational characteristics were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Urine cotinine concentrations were analyzed by a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test, Student t-test and ANOVA.
RESULTS
The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) of urine cotinine concentration was 17.11 (2.74) ng/ml. The urine cotinine concentration of the middle school graduate group (18.47 (2.86) ng/ml) was higher than the college graduate group (15.64 (2.60) ng/ml, p=0.212). Also, the cotinine concentration of current drinkers (18.98 (2.47) ng/ml) was higher than non-drinkers (16.15 (2.88) ng/ml, p=0.054). The proportion who smelled smoke was higher in workers (38.5%) than in non-workers (29.7%, p=0.02). Therefore, urine cotinine concentration was higher in workers (17.29 (2.66) ng/ml) than in non-workers (16.97 (2.81) ng/ml) but not at a statistically significant amount (p=0.826). In addition, cotinine concentration between the group who smelled smoke (20.45 (2.42) ng/ml) and the group who did not smelled smoke (15.53 (2.78) ng/ml) was significantly different (p=0.016) in workers but not in non-workers (17.08 (2.42) ng/ml vs 16.92 (2.98) ng/ml, p=0.942). According to the National Center for Health Statistics occupational categories in the US and the Korea Standard Classification of Occupations, the urine cotinine concentration of white collar workers such as technical workers and administrators, professional specialists, and managers was higher (18.01 (2.55) ng/ml) than that of blue collar workers such as plant and machine operators and assemblers, elementary occupations, and craft and related trades workers (15.36 (3.48) ng/ml).
CONCLUSIONS
The workplace is an important contributor to second-hand smoke exposure in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces. Unlike in advanced countries, where anti-smoking policies have been implemented, urine cotinine concentration in people in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces was higher in the white collar group than in the blue collar group. This result might be due to a higher indoor second-hand smoking rate of workplaces in these areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate the correlation between regional characteristics of industries, anti-smoking policies in the workplace, smoking rates and urine cotinine concentrations of workers.

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Differences in Oral Health and Generalized Anxiety Disorder According to Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Public Places
Yu-Rin Kim, Kyeung-Ae Jang
Behavioral Sciences.2023; 13(6): 455. CrossRef
Evaluation of Serum Cotinine Cut-Off to Distinguish Smokers From Nonsmokers in the Korean Population
Kiwoong Ko, Min-Jung Kwon, Song-Hyun Yang, Chul-Jin Moon, Eun Hee Lee, Hee-Yeon Woo, Hyosoon Park
Annals of Laboratory Medicine.2016; 36(5): 427. CrossRef
Decline in non-smoking workers’ urine cotinine levels after increased smoking regulation in Korea
Ju-Hyoung Park, Chae-Kwan Lee, Se-Yeong Kim, Chunhui Suh, Kun-Hyung Kim, Jeong-Ho Kim, Byung-Chul Son, Jong-Tae Lee, Seung-Do Yu, Wookhee Choi, Hosub Im
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef

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Cognition and Practice on Medical Information Protection of Iudustrial Health Care Manager of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: Soo Jin Jeong, Min Kim, Chae Kwan Lee, Chang Hee Lee, Byung Chul Son, Dae Hwan Kim, Jeong Ho Kim, Jong Tae Lee, Goo Rak Chang, Ki Hun Hong, Chun Hui Suh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(1):53-63. Published online March 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.1.53

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This research aimed to know the actual condition and problems of medical information protection at a workplace with the target of industrial health care managers of small and medium-sized enterprises.
METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was given to industrial health-care managers of 216 enterprises from March 15 to May 17, 2010. The questionnaire was produced by referring to the Act on Personal Information Protection of Public Institutions, etc. This research evaluated agreement of cognition and practice according to 10 items of medical information protection using kappa and cross-analysis of significant factors between cognition and practice of medical information protection and general characteristics.
RESULTS
Cognition about medical information protection appeared to be 85.4-97.1% and its practice appeared to be 44.1-95.3%, so practice was lower than cognition. In addition, the agreement of cognition and practice appeared significantly low (kappa 0.082-0.387). The practice of medical information protection tended to be lower when the managers were older and held a higher job title. Health examination results were being delivered only to workers except for an employer (94.2%), but there were many industrial health-care managers who felt discomfort about their work in group occupational health-care systems (58.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
The practice of protecting medical information by industrial health-care managers was clearly lower than the cognition. Therefore, introduction of educational programs about personal information protection and provision of an independent place for group occupational health care service is urgent. In addition, in order to use the health examination results conveniently in group occupational health services, an institutional complement is necessary.

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Information Security in Nursing
Jiwon Kang, GyeongAe Seomun
Advances in Nursing Science.2021; 44(1): 16. CrossRef
Factors Influencing Acceptance of Personal Health Record Apps for Workplace Health Promotion: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study
Hyun Sang Park, Kwang Il Kim, Jae Young Soh, Young Ho Hyun, Sae Kyun Jang, Sol Lee, Ga Young Hwang, Hwa Sun Kim
JMIR mHealth and uHealth.2020; 8(6): e16723. CrossRef
Perception and Performance about Patients' Medical Information Protection in Allied Health College Students
Seon Young Choi, Do Yeon Lim, Il Sun Ko, In Oh Moon
The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2016; 22(1): 83. CrossRef
Influencing factors on health education performance of nurse in health promoting hospitals
Jinsook Lee, Sohi Kwon
Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society.2015; 26(2): 455. CrossRef
A Study on Protecting Patients' Privacy of Obstetric and Gynecologic Nurses
Miok Kim
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2012; 18(4): 268. CrossRef

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The Actual Implementing Status of the Preplacement Medical Examination after the Annulment of the Preemployment Medical Examination: Chunhui Suh, Jong Tae Lee, Dae Hwan Kim, Byung Chul Son, Chang Hee Lee, Hui Dong Kim, Jin Hong Ahn; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):174-181. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.174

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We investigated the status of the preplacement medical examination after the revision of the industrial safety and health law on Oct. 7, 2005 by the Ministry of Labor.
METHODS
Preplacement medical certificates of 6,507 recruits issued by two hospitals in Busan, Kyeongnam Province from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2006 were reviewed. Telephone interviews were performed to the recruits with disease and self-reported questionnaires were administrated to health and safety personnel from May 1 to Sep. 30, 2007.
RESULTS
Interviews were conducted with 185(56.1%) recruits with disease, 51(27.4%) of whom were rejected for employment due to the preplacement medical certificate. The questionnaire survey for the health and safety personnel revealed that 39(22.9%) personnel were unaware of the annulment of the preemployment medical examination. Eighty(48.8%) of the health and safety personnel answered that they performed a preplacement medical examination after employment, and 63(37.3%) made a practical application of the workers' placement. The recruits with chronic conditions were refused employment: 20 (11.8%) due to hypertension, 21(12.4%) diabetes mellitus and 22(13.0%) hyperlipidemia. The recruits with work-related diseases were also refused employments: 76(44.4%) due to lumbar spine abnormality and 75(43.8%) hearing loss.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the annulment of the pre-employment medical examination, a preplacement medical examination was often used to discriminate among healthy and diseased recruits. Employers must respect the law for the point of time of the preplacement medical examination and the payment of cost. The government should publicize the revision of the objectives of the law. We suggest that health professionals elucidate the job fitness through the development of the assessment tools and maintain the confidentiality of recruits.

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Perception of and attitude toward ethical issues among Korean occupational physicians
Junghye Choi, Chunhui Suh, Jong-Tae Lee, Segyeong Lee, Chae-Kwan Lee, Gyeong-Jin Lee, Taekjoong Kim, Byung-Chul Son, Jeong-Ho Kim, Kunhyung Kim, Dae Hwan Kim, Ji Young Ryu
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
The effect of university students' approach to health information on improvement of health behavior
Seung-Dae Kim, Myung-gwan Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(5): 3268. CrossRef

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Lifestyle and Work related Factors Associated with Serum PFOA among Workers at Manufacturing Companies: Sang Hwan Jang, Chae Kwan Lee, Dae Hwan Kim, Kwon Bok Kim, Jin Hong Ahn, Hwi Dong Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Jeong Ho Kim, Jong Tae Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):233-244. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.233

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to determine serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations and to investigate the relationship of lifestyle, health status and work-related factors among workers at manufacturing companies with possible occupational exposure to PFOA.
METHODS
The study subjects were 315 workers (male 203, female 112) of manufacturing companies with possible exposure to PFOA from August to December, 2007. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle and work-related factors. Serum PFOA concentrations were analyzed by LCMS/ MS, and liver function and total cholesterol were also tested.
RESULTS
Serum PFOA concentrations ranged from 1.0 to 40.9 ng/mL (mean 8.0 ng/mL). Serum PFOA concentrations increased with age. Male workers had higher PFOA concentration than female workers (male 9.0 ng/mL; female 6.3 ng/mL). According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, factors significantly associated with PFOA concentration were male, being older, higher total cholesterol, and lower body mass index. Adjusted for age and gender by logistic regression, dyeing and finishing textiles had significantly higher odds ratio (OR) of 6.16, and moulding patterns, moulds and industrial patterns (OR=4.84), sections for ships (OR=3.87), and plastics synthetic leather (OR=10.05) had marginally significantly high odds ratios.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated the factors affecting serum PFOA concentration of workers at manufacturing companies. Further study is needed to ensure the effect of occupational exposure on serum PFOA concentration.

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The relationships between sixteen perfluorinated compound concentrations in blood serum and food, and other parameters, in the general population of South Korea with proportionate stratified sampling method
Hee-Young Kim, Seung-Kyu Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Yong-Sik Hwang, Jeong-Eun Oh
Science of The Total Environment.2014; 470-471: 1390. CrossRef
Concentration of PFOA and PFOS in Whole Blood and Factors Controlling Their Exposure Among Koreans
Chun-Hui Suh, Chae-Kwan Lee, So-Ryong Lee, Mi-Hee Park, Jong-Tae Lee, Byung-Chul Son, Jeong-Ho Kim, Kun-Hyung Kim
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2012; 38(2): 105. CrossRef

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Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Symptoms of Municipal Fire Officers in Busan.: Sung Hoon Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jong Eun Kim, Byung Chul Son, Jeong Ho Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Sang Hwan Jang, Chae Kwan Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):103-111. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.103

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between respiratory disorders and fire exposure by investigating and analyzing the lung function and respiratory symptoms of firefighters.
METHODS
The health effects of firefighting on respiratory function were investigated in 699 male fire officers in 4 fire departments in Busan by recording respiratory symptoms and measuring lung function. The data were analysed according to fire exposure and smoking habits.
RESULTS
Mean spirometric data showed significantly decreased levels in the fire-exposed group (FVC, -0.20 L; FVC%, -4.2%; FEV(1) -0.21 L; FEV(1)%, -5.1%; FEF25%, -0.13 L/SEE p<0.05). After stratification by smoking habits, FVC and FEV(1) showed a significant difference between groups. The prevalence of spirometric abnormality was greater for the fire-exposed group than for the non-exposed group. Significantly higher prevalences of nasal stiffness (16.7% vs. 10.9%), sore throat (17.7% vs.14.2%) and chest tightness (6.5% vs. 2.5%) were recorded in firefighters compared to controls (p<0.05). However, after stratification by smoking habits, the 3 symptoms were showed only marginal differences in the smoking group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that fire-exposed firefighters generally suffer a decline of lung function and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. These results suggest that the exposure to routine firefighting activity is associated with adverse health effects to the respiratory system.

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Ho-Jung Kang, Sung-Ho Byun, Chul-Hwan Mun, Yu-Jung Choi, Jae-Wook Choi
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Related factors for preserving firefighter's pulmonary function
Seonggyu Kim, Ye-eun Jeon, Hyeseung Ryu, Mi-Young Lee, Insung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Effects of Environmental Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function Level of Residents in Korean Industrial Complexes
Eunju Hong, Seokwon Lee, Geun-Bae Kim, Tae-Jong Kim, Hyoung-Wook Kim, Kyoungho Lee, Bu-Soon Son
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(5): 834. CrossRef
Psychological Factors Influence the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Their Effect on Quality of Life among Firefighters in South Korea
Seung-Ho Jang, Han-Seung Ryu, Suck-Chei Choi, Sang-Yeol Lee
Psychiatry Investigation.2017; 14(4): 434. CrossRef
Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure and its Pulmonary Function Effects
Yong-Jin Lee, Da-Hye Kim, Soo-Hwan Kim, Jeong-Soo Kim, Dong-Chun Shin, Young-Wook Lim
Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment.2016; 32(5): 457. CrossRef
Muscuoloskeletal Disorders of Korean Fire Fighters: Applicants for Public Worker's Compensation from 2011 to 2013
Jangwhon Yoon
Fire Science and Engineering.2016; 30(3): 133. CrossRef
Knowledge, Awareness and Health Risk Concerns on Occupational Exposure to Radiation among Firefighters in Korea
Hyeongyeong Lee, Hyeongwan Yoon, Jeongim Park
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 516. CrossRef
Pulmonary function decline in firefighters and non-firefighters in South Korea
Ju-Hwan Choi, Jae-Hong Shin, Mi-Young Lee, In-Sung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
An Ergonomic Analysis for Heavy Manual Material Handling Jobs by Fire Fighters
Su-Jung Im, Jong-Tae Park, Seo-Yeon Choi, Dong-Hyun Park
Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Science and Engineering.2013; 27(3): 85. CrossRef
Health Hazards in Firefighters
Kyoo Sang Kim
Hanyang Medical Reviews.2010; 30(4): 296. CrossRef
Occupational Health and Fitness for Work of Firefighters
Inah Kim, Jaechul Sung
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2008; 51(12): 1078. CrossRef

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Gene Expression Analysis in Basal Ganglia of Manganese-Exposed Rat Based on cDNA Array: Chae Kwan Lee, Noh Sung Min, Deog Hwan Moon, Jeong Ho Kim, Byung Chul Son, Dae Hwan Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Hwi Dong Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jong Eun Kim, Jin Hong Ahn, Chae Un Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(4):352-364. Published online December 31, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.4.352

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the gene expression profile in basal ganglia of manganese-exposed rats based on cDNA array analysis.
METHODS
For cDNA array, 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats (250+/-25 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 25 mg/kg B.W./day of MnCl2 (0.3 ml) for 10 days. For dose-related gene expression analysis, rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/kg B.W/day of MnCl2 for 10 days. Control rats were injected with an equal volume of saline. RNA samples were extracted from brain tissue and reversetranscribed in the presence of [alpha32P]-dATP. Membrane sets of the Atlas Rat 1.2 array II and Toxicology array 1.2 kit (Clontech, Palo Alto, CA) were hybridized with cDNA probe sets. Northern blot hybridization method was employed to assess the dose-related gene expression.
RESULTS
Fifty-two genes showed significant changes in expression of more than two-fold. Twentyeight were up-regulated and 24 were down-regulated in the manganese-exposed group compared to the control. Among the 52 genes, 28 genes including nuclear factor I-X1 (NF1-X1), neuroligin 2 and 3, mitochondrial stress-70 protein (MTHSP70), neurodegeneration-associated protein 1 (Neurodap1), multidrug resistance protein (MDR), and endoplasmic reticulum stress protein 72 (ERP72), were reported for the first time related to the manganese-induced neurotoxic-metabolism in the rat basal ganglia. According to the dose-related gene expression analyses, MTHSP70, Neurodap1 and ERP72 genes were up-regulated compared to the control even in the group exposed to low manganese dose (0.2 mg/kg B.W./day).
CONCLUSIONS
Twenty-eight genes detected for the first time in this study were closely related to the manganese-induced neurotoxic-metabolism in the rat basal ganglia and further study of these genes can give some more useful information about the manganese metabolism.

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Effects of Cadmium on Placental Function and Reproduction in Rats: Jin Hong Ahn, Kwang Soo Ko, Chae Kwan Lee, Deog Hwan Moon, Byung Chul Son, Dae Hwan Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Hwi Dong Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jong Eun Kim, Jin Ho Chun, Chae Un Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(3):236-249. Published online September 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.3.236

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the toxic effects of cadmium on placental function and reproduction in rats. For this study, the mRNA levels of the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene family, placental trophoblast cell frequemcy and reproductive data were analyzed.
METHODS
Pregnant F344 Fisher rats (200 g+/-23 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/kg B.W/day of cadmium (CdCl2) dissolved in saline from days 7-11 or 16-20 of pregnancy, and were sacrificed at days 11 or 20, respectively. The mRNA levels were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The hormone concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and the frequemcy of the placental trophoblast cells was observed by histochemical study. Reproductive data were surveyed at day 20 of the pregnancy and after the births. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1).
RESULTS
The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH gene family were reduced dose dependently by cadmium. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and -b isotype genes were also reduced by cadmium. The hormone concentration of PL-Iv and -II was decreased by cadmium. During the second half of pregnancy (days 11-21), a high dose of cadmium exposure significantly reduced the frequency of spongiotrophoblast and trophoblast giant cells that secrete the PRL-GH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of cadmium exposure induced the apoptosis of spon-giotrophoblast cells in the junctional zone of the placenta. Reproductive data such as placental and infant weight, number of live fetuses were decreased, and number of resorptions and dead fetuses, post-implantation loss were increased significantly in the cadmium exposed group compared with the control.
CONCLUSIONS
Cadmium disrupts the functions of the placenta and these effects leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

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Effects of Toluene on the Expression of Placental PRL-GH Family Genes and Reproduction in the Rat: Byong Soo Choe, Chae Kwan Lee, Deog Hwan Moon, Byung Chul Son, Dae Hwan Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Hwi Dong Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jong Eun Kim, Chae Un Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(3):262-275. Published online September 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.3.262

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the toxic effects of toluene on the placental functions and reproductionin the rat. In this study, the expression of placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) and Pit-1 genes, the frequency of placental trophoblast cells, and the reproductive data were analyzed.
METHODS
The pregnancy of the Sprague-Dawley rats (250+/-25 g) was determined by verifying the presence of the copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear and the day on which this was observed was defined as pregnancy day 0. The pregnant rats were divided into three groups. The control group was intraperitoneally (ip) injected with sesame oil, and the other two groups were given either 150 or 750 mg/kg BW/day of toluene resuspended in sesame oil during pregnancy days 7-11 and 16-20. The rats from the three experimental groups were sacrificed on pregnancy days 11 and 20, respectively. The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH, Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The hormonal concentration was analyzed by Radioimmunoassay. The frequency of the placental trophoblast cells was determined by means of a histochemical study. Reproductive data, such as the placenta and infnat weight, pregnancy period and litter size were surveyed at pregnancy day 20 and after birth. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the SAS program (version 8.1).
RESULTS
The mRNA levels of the PRL-GH family genes were reduced in a linear fashion by exposure to toluene. The mRNA levels of the Pit-1a and b isotype genes, which induce the expression of the PRL-GH family genes, were also reduced by exposure to toluene. The placental lactogen Iv and II concentrations in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were also decreased by exposure to toluene. During the last stage of gestation, exposure to a high dose of toluene reduced the frequency of the spongiotrophoblast cells that secrete the PRL-GH hormones. Reproductive data such as the placenta and infant weight, and litter size were reduced, and the pregnancy period was extended in the toluene exposed group as compared with the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Toluene disrupts the PRL-GH hormone metabolism in the rat placenta and this leads to reproductive disorder.

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The Relationship between Cold-Exposure and Hypertension: Tae Won Jang, Yoon Gyu Kim, Dong Young Yoon, Chang Hee Lee, Young Seoub Hong, Hae Rim Shin, Kab Yeul Jung, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(4):376-384. Published online December 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.4.376

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to suggest preventive methods for hypertension in cold-exposed workers.
METHODS
In 11 refrigeration industries, 68 workers working in refrigerated areas more than one time per day were selected as the exposed group, and 68 workers not exposed to cold were selected as the control group. We interviewed the subjects with a questionnaire covering occupational history, and conducted clinical and laboratory tests including measurements of blood pressure and core temperature.
RESULTS
The systolic blood pressure in the exposed group(130.0+/-13.3 mmHg) was significantly higher than that recorded in the control group(118.3+/-12.1 mmHg), as was the diastolic blood pressure in the exposed group(82.7+/-8.5 mmHg) versus the control group(77.4 +/-8.7 mmHg). The core temperature in the exposed group(36.1+/-0 . 7degrees C) was significantly lower than that experienced in the control group(36.4+/-0 . 5degrees C). In logistic regression analysis, age, cold exposure severity and milk intake were significant variables, with odds ratios of 5.204(95 % CI 1.440~18.812), 2.674(95 % CI 1.080~6.618), and 0.364(95 % CI 0.141~0.942), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that cold-exposed workers have higher a higher risk of hypertension, and that their core temperature is lower. Risk factors affecting hypertension of cold-exposed workers include age, cold exposure severity and milk intake. For the prevention of hypertension, cold-exposed workers should minimize cold-exposure time as much as possible.

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Comparison of Changes in Physiological and Perceptual Indices of Cold Stress under Normal Clothing and Thermal Insulation Clothing among Automotive Service Workers in Isfahan
Fatemeh Naghdi, Zohreh Mohebian, Habibollah Dehghan
International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

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A Case of Lung Injury due to Acute Exposure to Oxides of Nitrogen: Jeong Ho Kim, Dae Hwan Kim, Byung Chul Son, Chang Hee Lee, Jung Won Kim, Doeg Hwan Moon, Chae Un Lee, Joo In Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(2):302-309. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.2.302

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Lung injuries due to exposure to nitrogen oxides can occur in various process in industry. We experienced a case of chemical pneumonitis induced by accidental inhalation of nitrogen oxides emitted from the bath in an acid dipping operation.
CASE
Dyspnea, cough and blood-tinged sputum production, cyanosis, and tachypnea occurred after exposure to oxides of nitrogen. There were bilateral diffuse ground glass opacities in simple chest radiography and high resolutional computed tomography, hypoxemia in arterial blood gas analysis, mixed ventilation defect and reduced diffusion capacity in spirometry. As an oxygen and supportive therapy, after hospitalization, was given, the patient recovered completely from the lung injury on the 8th day after admission. There was no evidence of delayed onset of bronchiolitis obliterance or pulmonary edema in a follow-up for about 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Acid dip operation require more efficient hooding and exhausting system for the prevention of lung injuries caused by inhalation of nitrogen oxides. Also health education for worker need.

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CYP2E1 Genetic Polymorphism relating to Styrene Metabolism of Korean Workers: Chang Hee Lee, Jin Ho Chun, Jun Han Park, Dong Mug Kang, Dae Hwan Kim, Deog Hwan Moon, Chae Un Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):161-173. Published online June 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.161

Abstract PDF: The goal of this study is to observe the associations between the metabolic phenotype by personal exposure and urinary metabolites and genetic polymorphism of CYP2E1 which is known to be related with styrene metabolism. To complete this study, the author executed a battery of tests on 46 workers who were working at laminating department of fiberglass- reinforced plastics (FRP) industry located in Pusan and Kyungnam area during April to June 1998. Those were - (1) personal exposure assessment with organic vapour monitor and gas chromatography. (2) measurement of urinary metabolites - mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) - with high performance liquid chromatography (HIPLC), (3) CYP2E1 genotying with PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using Dra I and Rsa I, and (4) questionnaire survey for some individual characteristics. Study subjects were composed of 32 men and 14 women, and whose average age was 39.4 years, average tenure was 7.7 years. Each concentration expressed by geometric mean(range) was as follows; air styrene 15.6(3.1-81.0) ppm, urinary MA 187.8(36.8-1007.2) mg/g creatinine, PGA 232.8(46.8-1075.7) mg/g creatinine. Correlation coefficients between air styrene were MA 0.54, PGA 0.37, MA+PGA 0.54 (p < 0.05). The relative frequency of CYP2E1 mutant allele was 45.7%(Dra I 43.5%, lIsa 1 37.0%), and homozygous mutant type (M/M) was not observed. The value of (geometric mean of (air styrene/urinary metabolites)) x 1000 according to genotype was significantly higher in mutant type than wild type (p<0.05), as in case of MA, mutant type 106.4 and wild type 84.4, and in case of MA+PGA, mutant type 84.4 and wild type 55.6. The value of air styeneTLV-TWA/urinary metabolitesBEI was used as a cut-off value of classifying phenotype. That is, the value of air styeneTLV-TWA/urinary MABEI >or= 0.063 and air styreneTLV-TWA/urinary MA+PGABEI >or= 0.048 was classified as poor metabolizer, and, the value of air styreneTLV-TWA/urinary MABEI~ < 0.063 and air styreneThV~A/urinary MA+PGABEI < 0.048 was classified as extensive metabolizer. As the result, the frequency of poor metabolizer was higher in mutant type than wild type with no statistical significance (p > 0.05), as in case of MA, mutant type 66.7% and wild type 48.0%, and in case of MA+PGA, mutant type 81.0% and wild type 56.0%. These results suggests that CYP2E1 mutant allele has a tendency toward the poor metabolizer. This study has several limitations as small sample size, and no considerations on work intensity, alcohol habit, obesity, etc which can affect styrene metabolism. However, this study is of value because this is first study to propose the fundamental data about associations between exposure level, biological monitoring, and CYP2E1 genetic polymorphism in Korean workers dealing with pure styrene. To improve accuracy of the study, that means, to applicate the result of this study on the personal risk assessment of styrene workers, larger sample size and consideration for confounders are needed.

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Neuroendocrine Effects in Occupational Solvents Exposure: Chae Un Lee, Jong Tae Lee, Ui Wha Chung, Hae Suk Sohn, Deog Hwan Moon, Jin Ho Chun, Jung Hak Kang, Chang Hee Lee, Hwi Dong Kim, Jong Ham Kim, Kui Oak Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):362-374. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.362

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Long term occupational exposure to solvent mixtures may cause adverse effects to the central nervous system with neurobehavioral symptoms. And some organic solvents have been suggested to cause impairment of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic activity and neurochemical mechanisms controlling pituitary secretion. For the purpose of assessing neuroendocrine effects in occupational solvents exposure, hormonal study settings (shoes-manufacturing industry & fishing products industry) and compared with nonexposed controls (33men, 85women). Male workers exposed to solvent mixtures had significantly lower plasma level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) than nonexposed male controls. While female workers exposed to solvent mixtures had significantly lower plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) than nonexposed female controls. The results of significant decrease in plasma concentrations of pituitary hormones (FSH, GH, and TSH) in workers exposed solvent mixtures indicate that occupational exposure to solvent mixtures may induce neuroendocrine effects through an effect on hypothalamic pituitary axis.

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Risk Assessment for Non-Cancer Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds in Children's Products
Jungkon Kim, Jung-Kwan Seo, Taksoo Kim, Gun-Ho Park
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2014; 40(3): 178. CrossRef

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