Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Gap Soo Lee

7 Articles

A Study on Liver Function Indices in Male Lead Workers: Young Hwangbo, Yong Bae Kim, Gap Soo Lee, Sung Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(3):270-279. Published online September 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.3.270

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of lead on the liver function indices in male lead workers.
METHODS
The study comprised of 274 lead workers and 113 non-lead workers who were confirmed not to have HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface Antigen). Blood lead (PbB), blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALAU) were selected as parameters for monitoring exposure to lead while aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GTP) were chosen as parameters for monitoring liver function. Demographic information, such as age, smoking and drinking histories were collected. The duration of work for the lead workers, and their BMI(body mass index), were also obtained.
RESULTS
After adjusting for possible confounders {age, BMI, work duration, smoking (pack-year) and drinking (bottles of Soju consumed per week)}, blood lead was observed to be a significant variable from the logistic regression analysis of the abnormalities of SGOT( >35 IU/L), with an odds ratio of 1.04 (95 % CI, 1.008-1.066). The amount of alcohol drunk (odds ratio 1.28: 95 % CI, 1.054-1.549) and BMI (odds ratio 1.24: 95 % CI, 1.075-1.421) were also significant variables. From the multiple linear regression analyses, blood lead was significantly, and positively, associated with SGOT (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that exposure to lead may have an effect on SGOT in male lead workers.

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Effect of Pork Consumption on Renal and Hematochemical Indices in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Unclean Environments
Chan-Kyu Han, Jeong-Hae Rho, Bog-Hieu Lee
Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources.2008; 28(1): 91. CrossRef

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Associations between Lead Exposure and Dose and Protein Kinase C Activation in Erythrocytes Among Lead Workers: Kyu Yoon Hwang, Young Hwangbo, Hyun Cheol Ahn, Yong Bae Kim, Gap Soo Lee, Sung Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(4):369-375. Published online December 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.4.369

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Protein kinase C(PKC), a calcium and phospholipid dependent enzyme, is activated by lead in vitro at picomolar concentrations. However, the effect of lead on PKC has never been studied in a human population. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether lead exposure was associated with PKC mediated-phosphorylation in erythrocytes among lead workers.
METHODS
Two hundred and twelve lead workers were studied. To determine the levels of phosphorylation in vivo, an in vitro back phosphorylation technique was used by adding PKC and gamma-32P to preparations of erythrocyte membranes. We measured back phosphorylations of erythrocyte membrane proteins, spectrin, and 52 kDa and 48 kDa, as an indirect measure of PKC activation in vivo.
RESULTS
The mean(SD) age and exposure duration was 39.1(10.0) years and 8.1(6.5) years, respectively. Tibial lead ranged from 0.8 to 290.8 microgram Pb/g bone mineral with a mean(SD) of 34.4(35.2) microgram Pb/g bone mineral. The means(SD) of back phosphorylation levels of the three proteins were 540.7(304.1), 198.6(78.2), and 247.7(83.3) photostimulated luminescence units(PSL), respectively, by phosphoimager. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, tibial lead and exposure duration were significantly and inversely associated with back phosphorylation levels. One unit of increase in tibial lead(1 microgram Pb/g bone mineral) is associated with a decline in spectrin, band 4.9 52 kDa, and band 4.9 48 kDa back phosphorylation levels by 1.4(P<0.05), 0.34(P<0.05), and 0.47(P<0.01), respectively. However, there were no associations between the back phosphorylation levels and either blood lead or ZPP levels.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the PKC activity in erythrocytes is increased by chronic lead exposure and that erythrocyte membrane protein phosphorylation may be a biomarker of lead exposure.

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The Effect of ALAD Polymorphism on the Relationship of Blood and Bone Lead with Hematologic Biomarkers in Lead Exposed Workers: Hwa Sung Kim, Sung Soo Lee, Yong Bae Kim, Young Hwangbo, Gap Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Bong Ki Jang, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(1):75-86. Published online March 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.1.75

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of ALAD polymorphism on the relationship of blood and bone lead with hematologic biomarkers in lead exposed workers, 450 lead exposed workers and 85 non-lead exposed workers were selected.
METHODS
Blood lead and tibia bone lead were selected as parameters of lead exposure and blood ZPP, urinary ALA (ALAU), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) were chosen as parameters of hematologic effect of lead exposure. Genotype of each subject was assayed and expressed as ALAD1 and ALAD2. Demographic information such as sex, age and personal habit of smoking and drinking were collected. Job duration of lead exposed workers was also obtained.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of the variant allele, ALAD2 in lead exposed workers was 9.6 %(43 out of 450 lead workers) which was not differed from control workers (9.4 % : 8 out of 85). The means of tibial lead and blood ZPP in lead workers with ALAD2 were lower than those of lead workers with ALAD1, but the differences were not statistically significant. After adjusting for possible confounders (sex, job duration, BMI, drinking and smoking status) only blood lead and bone lead contributed negatively to the level of hemoglobin with statistical significance without any contribution of ALAD genotype. On the other hand, no significant effect of blood lead, bone lead and ALAD genotype were observed on the level of hematocrit after controlling possible confounder. ALAD genotype in the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and bone lead with log transformed urinary ALA (LogALAU) after adjusting for possible confounders showed significant main and interaction effect on LogALAU simultaneously, which resulted lower LogALAU in lead exposed workers of ALAD2 than ALAD1. It was also observed only main effect of ALAD gene type on blood ZPP after adjusting possible confounder resulting lower ZPP in lead workers of ALAD2 than ALAD1.
CONCLUSIONS
With above results, it was found that ALAD polymorphism did not affect on the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit, but ALAD polymorphism made significant effect on the association of blood and bone lead with urinary ALA and blood ZPP. The lower urinary ALA and blood ZPP in ALAD2 lead workers suggested that ALAD2 genotype may be supportive for the protective effect of lead.

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The Relationship between Psychosocial Distress and Lead Exposure Indices in Lead Workers: Yong Bae Kim, Hyun Cheol Ahn, Young Hwangbo, Gap Soo Lee, Kyu Yoon Hwang, Sung Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):128-138. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.128

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to assess psychosocial distress of lead workers and to examine the relationship between lead exposure indices and psychosocial distress.
METHODS
The study design was cross-sectional and research subjects were 234 lead workers in primary smelting industry. General characteristics, job characteristics and social support were obtained by self-administered questionnaire and history taking. Psychosocial distress was measured using PWI(Psychosocial Well-being Index), a 45-item self-administered instrument. Blood lead(PbB), zinc protoporphyrin(ZPP), -aminolevulinic acid in urine(ALAU) were selected as indicators of lead exposure.
RESULTS
There was significant difference in PWI according to lead exposure level and job characteristics. The results of correlation analysis showed that PWI was significantly correlated with PbB(r=0.203, P=0.002).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results supported the association between lead exposure and psychosocial distress. The inclusion of psychosocial distress measurement as a special health examination for lead workers was highly recommended for the effective health management.

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Occupational Lead Exposure of Storage Battery Industry Workers in Korea: Pil Kyu Kang, Yong Bae Kim, Ik Soo Ahn, Jong Kyu Lee, Ku Seok Han, Hwa Sung Kim, Kyu Yoon Hwang, Gap Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(4):438-449. Published online December 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.4.438

Abstract PDF

In order to investigate the level of lead absorption of lead workers and to evaluate the effect of blood lead on blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and prevalence of lead related symptoms, 1,782 lead workers(male: 1,506, female: 276) from 8 storage battery industries were studied. Selected variables as indices of lead exposure were blood lead, blood ZPP, and hemoglobin (HB). Fifteen questionnaires of lead related symptoms were provided to all lead workers and filled up by themselves and confirmed by medical doctors. Personal variables such as age, work duration, smoking and drinking habits were also collected. The results were follows : 1. While the mean blood lead of lead workers of all lead companies was 31.0+/-3.0 ug/100ml (male: 31.5+/-2.9 ug/100ml, female: 27.9+/-3.3 ug/100m1), the mean blood ZPP of all lead workers was 66.7+/-4.1 ug/100ml (male: 59.6+/-3.3, female: 105.3+/-3.0 ug/100ml). The mean hemoglobin of male lead workers was 15.7+/-.3 gm/100ml and that of female lead workers was 13.0+/-.3 gm/100ml. 2. The percentage of lead workers whose blood lead was over 60.0 ug/100m1 and 40.0-59.9 ug/100ml was 2.81 % and 19.08 %, respectively. On the other hand, the percentage of lead workers whose blood ZPP was over 150 ug/100ml and 100-149 ug/100ml was 5.89 % and 8.31 %, respectively. 3. The slopes of simple linear regression of blood lead (independent variable) and blood ZPP in female lead workers was significantly steeper than that of male lead workers. The slope of storage battery industries with better working condition in terms of low air concentration of lead were less steeper than those with poor working condition with high mean air concentration of lead. 4. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, using overall symptom prevalence as a dependent variables, blood lead, blood ZPP, hemoglobin, age, work duration, drinking and smoking habits as independent variables, indicated that only drinking habit and age were significantly contributed to the dependent variable.

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Occupational Lead Exposure from Indoor Firing Ranges in Korea
Won-Ju Park, Suk-Ho Lee, Se-Ho Lee, Hye-Sik Yoon, Jai-Dong Moon
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2016; 31(4): 497. CrossRef
Blood lead levels of Korean lead workers in 2003–2011
Ji-Hye Kim, Eun-A Kim, Dong-Hee Koh, Kiwhan Byun, Hyang-Woo Ryu, Sang-Gil Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef

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Some Renal Function Indices in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Lead: Je Sung Nam, Yong Bae Kim, Hyun Cheol Ahn, Hwa Sung Kim, Gap Soo Lee, Kyu Yoon Hwang, Sung Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(2):139-148. Published online May 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.2.139

Abstract PDF

The influence of lead exposure on renal function was studied. Three hundred forty two male lead exposed workers who worked in 3 storage battery factories, 5 secondary smelting factories and 3 litharge making factories, and 60 male control workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were chosen for this study. Blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP) and delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (DALA) were selected as indicators of lead exposure. As indicators of renal function blood urea nitrogen(BUN) , serum creatinine(S-Cr), serum uric acid (S-UA), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase in urine (NAG) and urine protein (U-TP) were selected. While the mean values of lead exposure indicators of lead workers were significantly different from non-exposed ones, the mean values of renal function indicators of exposed except S-UA were significantly different from non-exposed. The frequency of workers whose value of renal function indicators were over the nor mal criteria (BUN>20 mg/dl ; S-Cr>1.2 mg/dl ; S-UA>7.0 mg/dl ; NAG>8.0 U/liter; U-TP>8.0 mg/dl) by the level of lead absorption in terms of PbB, ZPP and DALA were calculated. Age adjusted odds ratio of over the normal value of BUN and NAG were statistically significant by the level of ZPP and that of BUN only showed the dose-dependant relationship. But the frequency of over the normal criteria of renal function indicators were not increased by the level of PbB and DALA. On stepwise multiple regression using renal function indicators as a dependent variable and each lead exposure indicator and age as independent variables, only BUN, NAG and U-TP were contributed by the lead exposure indicators. It was found that only NAG of renal function indices was most reliable indicator who showed dose-response relationship with lead exposure and the measurement of NAG for lead workers whose relatively high exposure is highly recommended.

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Effect of Pork Consumption on Renal and Hematochemical Indices in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Unclean Environments
Chan-Kyu Han, Jeong-Hae Rho, Bog-Hieu Lee
Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources.2008; 28(1): 91. CrossRef

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A Study on the Lead Exposure of Workers in Secondary Smelting and Litharge Making Industries: Je Myung Chae, Gap Soo Lee, Sung Soo Lee, Kyu Dong Ahn, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(1):131-139. Published online February 28, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.1.131

Abstract PDF

Two hundred and six male lead workers (86 lead workers from secondary smelting industries and 120 lead workers from litharge making industries) and 212 office workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were studied to investigate the effect of lead on the health of lead workers in high risk operation to lead. Blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood (ZPP), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU), Hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) were selected as an index of lead exposure. Questionnaires of 15 lead related symptoms were provided to all study subject and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed the symptom answers by interviewing medical doctor. While the mean value of PbB, ZPP and ALAU of lead workers in secondary smelting industries were 62.7+/-14.6 microgram/dl, 103.1+/-60.5 microgram/dl and 7.4+/-10.3 mg/liter, those of lead workers in litharge making industries were 58.8+/-14.1 microgram/dl, 74.2+/-45.2 microgram/dl and 5.3+/- 7.9 mg/liter respectively, and there were statistically significant difference of mean values between two groups. Simple linear regression analysis of PBB on ZPP and ALAU shoved the steeper slope in secondary smelting industries than litharge making industries. Higher symptom prevalence rates of lead exposed group were observed in lead colic related symptom (S4) and neuromuscular symptoms compared with non-exposed workers. The prevalence of neuromuscular symptoms only showed dose-response relationship by the increase of PBB and ZPP. But more statistical significances were observed in neuromuscular symptoms by the increase of PBB than ZPP. On stepwise multiple regression using total symptom score as a dependent variable and PBB, ZPP, ALAU, Hct, Hb, age and work duration as a independent variables only ZPP and age contributed to the lead related symptoms.

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The association between cadmium and lead exposure and blood pressure among workers of a smelting industry: a cross-sectional study
Hyun Chan An, Joo Hyun Sung, Jiho Lee, Chang Sun Sim, Sang Hoon Kim, Yangho Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Blood lead levels of Korean lead workers in 2003–2011
Ji-Hye Kim, Eun-A Kim, Dong-Hee Koh, Kiwhan Byun, Hyang-Woo Ryu, Sang-Gil Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef

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