Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Eun Chul Jang

6 Articles

A Study of Psychosocial Stress of Residents Near Asbestos Mines: Young Sik Shin, Yong Jin Lee, Jung Oh Ham, Eun Chul Jang, Chan Ho Park, Min Sung Kang, Seung Kwon Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):375-383. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.375

Abstract PDF: 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: Yong Jin Lee, Chan Ho Park, Yong Bae Kim, Eun Chul Jang, Seung Hwan Kim, Young Sik Shin, Jeung Sook Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(1):1-10. Published online March 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.1.1

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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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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Acquired Dyschromatopsia among Workers Exposed to Acetone and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA): Seung Hwan Kim, Kwang Mo Hwang, Eun Chul Jang, Chan Yun Kim, Shin Goo Park, Eun Hee Lee, Jae Hoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(4):463-470. Published online December 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.4.463

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between exposure to acetone and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and the acquisition dyschromatopsia.
METHODS
A study was performed on exposure group of 116 people exposed to and a group of 36 people not exposed to organic solvents were selected and examined. Their smoking and alcohol habits, symptoms, and exposure history were surveyed through questionnaires and interviews. Then dyschromatopsia was evaluated with the Lanthony D-15 d test in a room with standardized intensity of illumination.
RESULTS
The statistical prevalence of dyschromatopsia was significantly higher in the exposed group (30.2%) compared to that found in the control group (19.4%). Out of the 116 subjects in the exposed group, 30 people had acquired dyschromatopsia (25.86%). The variables affecting the color confusion index, such as age, exposure, and the duration of exposure, were statistically significant variables.
CONCLUSIONS
He prevalence of dyschromatopsia was found to be not significantly higher in the group with exposure to organic solvents compared to that found in the control group. In addition, a statistically significant correlation was found between exposure to organic solvents and the color confusion index.

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Usefulness of High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) in the Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases: Hyun Jae Lee, Ji Eun Son, Young Seoub Hong, Young Ill Lee, Byung Jin Yeah, Chang Hun You, Kap Yeol Jung, Sang Hoon Kim, Hyoung June Im, Eun Chul Jang, Jung Man Kim, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):112-122. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.112

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to improve the medical surveillance program of workers exposed to asbestos by examining the usefulness of High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) in the diagnosis of asbestos-related lung disease.
METHODS
The study subjects comprised 162 workers in a ship-repairing yard, 68 of whom had been directly exposed to asbestos and 94 indirectly exposed. The 'Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) asbestos standard, medical surveillance program' and HRCT were conducted to analyze the aspects of the asbestos-related lung disease. The OSHA asbestos standard, medical surveillance program consists of simple chest x-ray, spirometry and medical questionnaire.
RESULTS
Seventeen (10.5%) of the 162 subjects, 10 (14.7%) directly exposed and 7 (7.4%) indirectly exposed, revealed asbestos-related lung disease on HRCT. The sensitivity and specificity of simple chest x-ray for asbestos-related lung disease were 70.6% and 98.6%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 85.7% and 96.6% respectively, as compared with HRCT. HRCT was an effective diagnostic tool especially to detect early asbestos-related lung disease. The study results indicated a relative significant association between the results of spirometry and HRCT. The variables significantly associated with asbestos-related lung disease on HRCT were work duration, smoking history (pack-years), past history of respiratory disease, cough and dyspnea.
CONCLUSIONS
In the diagnosis of asbestos-related lung disease, HRCT should be considered not only for workers with positive findings on simple chest x-ray, but also workers with specific findings on spirometry, occupational history, smoking history, and past history of respiratory disease, or with respiratory symptoms such as cough and dyspnea.

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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

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Factors Associated With the Personal Protective Equipments(PPEs) Wearing of Workers in Small Scale Industries: Yong Kyu Kim, Hyun Joo Kim, Soo Jin Lee, Eun Chul Jang, Sang Cheol Rho, Jae Chul Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(3):315-325. Published online September 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.3.315

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in small scale industries.
METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, the data were obtained from self-administered questionnaires, a special health examination and the industrial hygiene records. The study included 230 workers in small-scale industries (the print industry and automobile repair shops), which were provided with a subsidiary occupational health program funded by government in 1998. The authors used the Precede-Proceed model.
RESULTS
Among the subjects who were recommended to wear a PPE, 32.7% (35/107) wore the gas/vapor respirators, 43.9 % (101/230) wore the particulate respirators, and 44.3 % (102/230) wore hearing aids. Among them, 64.3 % (148/230) wore one of the above PPE. The wearing of PPE wearing was associated with knowledge (OR=2.34), the value of prevention (OR=3.46), social support (OR=2.78), the type of task (OR=2.18-4.47), and income level (OR=7.64).
CONCLUSIONS
In small scale industries, the proportion workers wearing PPE was low. To increase this proportion, the reinforcing, enabling, and environmental factors as well as the predisposing factors need to be modified.

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Occupational Inhalation Health Risk Assessment of TCE Exposure in the Korean Manufacturing Industry
Sueji Seo, Saemi Shin, Sanghoon Byeon
Applied Sciences.2024; 14(13): 5510. CrossRef
A Study on the Status of Management for Personal Protective Equipments & Fume Hoods in University Research Laboratories
In-Kyu Park, Sa-Woo Lee, Jong-Hyeon Jung, Young Gyu Phee
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2014; 24(2): 229. CrossRef
Change of Stages and Related Factors for Wearing of Hearing Protection Device among Noisy Workplace-workers
Young Mi Kim, Ihn Sook Jeong
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2010; 40(5): 736. CrossRef

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The Prevalence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders of Upper Extremities Among Watch Assembly Workers in some Small-scaled Industr: Eun Chul Jang, Hyun Ju Kim, Young Jun Kwon, Si Bog Park, Soo Jin Lee, Jae Cheol Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):457-472. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.457

Abstract PDF

Objectives
The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders of upper extremities mons watch assembly workers in small-scaled industry was studied.
Methods
In 83 workers at five watch assembly factories, symptoms and psychosocial questionnaire, ergonomic Interview, physical examination were conducted.
Results
Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2% and neck 34.9%, wrist/hand 31.3%, shoulder 30.1%, elbow/arm 18.0% by anatomical site. Prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8%. Most common disease was myofascial pain syndrome (31.3%). The other diseases were De Quervain disease (9.6%), tenosynovitis/tendinitis at wrist/hand (9.6%), bicipital tendinitis(6.0%), fat. epicondylitis(4.8%), meIn. epicondylitis(2.4%), and cervical disc disease(2.4%). As result of ergonomic interview, repetitiveness was 79(98.8%). There were no differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders for age, sex, marital status, duration of work In the study, The significant factors of cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress in the study. The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in high strain group was hlgher (68.4%) than other three groups. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders in assembly task was higher (70.0%, 64.0%) than other two tasks.
Conclusions
Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2%, prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8% in watch assembly workers. In this study, factor related to self-reported symptoms was occupational task and factors relaxed to cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress. This results suggest that differences of ergonomics and environment in occupational task cause differences of prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulatlve trauma disorders.

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Associations between Job Stress and Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Street Sanitation Workers
Hye-Jin Kim, Kyung-Ja June, Gyeyoung Shin, Jina Choo
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2013; 24(3): 314. CrossRef
Relationship between occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms of upper extremities among dental hygienists
So-Young Lee, Hyo-Jin Ko, Byeng-Chul Yu
Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene.2012; 12(5): 897. CrossRef

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