Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Hae Kwan Cheong

15 Articles

A Case of Intermediate Syndrome of Organophosphate Poisoning after Dermal Exposure: Geun Ryang Bae, Hae Kwan Cheong, Hyun Sul Lim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(3):329-335. Published online September 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.3.329

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Organophosphate poisoning is one of the most common toxicologic emergencies in Korea. Acute organophosphate poisoning and delayed polyneuropathy by ingestion are well published. There have been several reports about intermediate syndrome in organophosphate poisoning by ingestion but few about intermediate syndrome via dermal route.
CASE
REPORT: We observed a 59-years-old male who had weakness of proximal limb muscles and respiratory muscles 2 days after dermal exposure by unidentified pesticide. The paralytic symptoms lasted up to 20 days but the delayed polyneuropathy did not develop. The patient needed mechanical ventilatory support for 2 weeks and had completely recovered from IMS 6 weeks later. Electrophysiological study was characterized by an axonal polyneuropathy pattern on the proximal limb muscles. Serum acetylcholinesterase level was below half of normal level. Clinical manifestations and electrophysiological study support the clinical diagnosis of intermediate syndrome.
CONCLUSION
Intermediate syndrome is commonly developed by ingestion of organophosphate but, as in this case, dermal absorption can also lead to intermediate syndrome. More detailed history taking and close observation is needed for about 3 or more days after intoxication because of the risk of respiratory failure.

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Risk Factors Related to Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Shipyard Workers: Byung Chan Park, Hae Kwan Cheong, Soo keun Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(4):373-387. Published online December 31, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.4.373

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers.
METHODS
A questionnaire survey was performed on 2,140 shipyard workers in a shipyard in Ulsan city. The questionnaire consisted of questions on the general characteristics, the health behavior, work type and duration, physical burden, job control, type of instruments used, posture, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Definition of musculoskeletal disorders was based on either NIOSH criteria and Kim's criteria.
RESULTS
Positive rate of musculoskeletal disorders in any one part of the body was 77.2% by NIOSH criteria and 60.7% by Kim's criteria. Positive rate of the symptoms increased in workers with longer work hours, with a severe physical burden, and without any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with increased musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden is closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, duration of work, and job control; showing a good dose-response relationship.
CONCLUSION
Inadequate posture and physical burden were the most significant factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers in this study. Therefore, it will be necessary to make efforts to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to a specific job, instrument, physical burden, and posture. Workers should be educated on the types and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, how to improve the ergonomic occupational environment and to set up preventive measures against the risk factors during work.

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Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms and Its Related Factors among Male Workers in Manufacturing Industries
Seung-Hyun Lee, Young-Chae Cho
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(10): 6627. CrossRef
Risk factors of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in male cameramen
Jung ho Kim, Byung seong Suh, Soo Geun Kim, Won sool Kim, You il Shon, Hee seung Son
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Korean Police Personnel
Hak Young Rhee, Jae Hwan Cho, Jong Min Seok, Taek Sang Cho, Woo Jin Jeon, Jin Gu Lee, Sung Kyu Kim
Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health.2015; 70(4): 177. CrossRef
Factors Affecting the Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Korean Police Officers
Taek-Sang Cho, Woo-Jin Jeon, Jin-Gu Lee, Jong-Min Seok, Jae-Hwan Cho
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2014; 26(6): 925. CrossRef
Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms and Related Factors among Male Workers in Small-scale Manufacturing Industries
Seung-Hyun Lee, Ju-Yeon Lee, Young-Chae Cho
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(9): 4025. CrossRef
Ergonomic Research Trends in the Shipbuilding Industry: Present and the Future
Yu-Chang Kim
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(1): 131. CrossRef
Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Its Related Factors among Male Workers in a Nonferrous Manufacturing Industry
Yeon-Ok Jeong, Young-Chae Cho
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(8): 3552. CrossRef
Survey of the Musculoskeletal Disorders of Riot Police and Conscripted Policeman in Radiologic Examination
Jae-Hwan Cho, Maeng-Jin Kang, Jong-Min Seok, Sung-Joon Jeun, Youn-Shik Lim, Jae-Kyo Jeong, Hyeon-Ju Kim, Myeong-Shik Ju, Kyung-Rae Dong, Cheol-Soo Park, Jin Lee, Hae-Kag Lee
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2011; 5(6): 315. CrossRef
Characteristics of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea and Their Work-relatedness Evaluation
Kun Hyung Kim, Kyoo Sang Kim, Day Sung Kim, Sun Je Jang, Ki Hun Hong, Seung-Won Yoo
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S77. CrossRef
Risk Factors of Work-related Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Male Shipyard Workers: Structural Equation Model Analysis
Byung-Chan Park, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Eun-A Kim, Soo Geun Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2010; 1(2): 124. CrossRef

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Carpal Tunnel Configuration Measured by Ultrasonography as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Motor Part Manufacturing Workers: Duck Soo Kim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Hyun Sul Lim, Yong Wook Kwon, Jong Min Lee, Dae Hyun Cho, Dae Seob Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(3):213-226. Published online September 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.3.213

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to evaluate individual susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel configuration in workers doing repetitive work.
METHODS
The study subjects consisted of 24 male and 11 female workers in a soundproof material manufacturing company in Gyeongju. We conducted a self-reported questionnaire survey, a physical examination and an electrodiagnostic study (EDS) in April 2000. After the examination, jobs were rearranged for workers with CTS. A follow up physical examination, EDS, and measurement of the carpal tunnel by ultrasonography was done six months later.
RESULTS
Of those studied, prevalence of CTS was 63.6/100 persons among women and 29.2/100 persons among men. Mean depth and width of wrist was shorter in those with CTS compareal to the controls (p<0.05). The risk of CTS was higher in workers whose carpal tunnel ratio (displacement/width) was 0.17 or higher (OR 7.13, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-43.1), and in workers whose carpal tunnel area was less than 300 mm2 (OR 8.00, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-68.5). Carpal tunnel depth and depth/width ratio had a positive correlation with motor latency of the median nerve and median-ulnar sensory latency difference (p<0.05), whereas the carpal tunnel width, displacement/depth ratio, and area (width X displacement) had a negative correlation with median nerve latencies after adjusting for gender. Workers who showed an improvement in the clinical stage of CTS after job rearrangement had a significantly lower carpal tunnel displacement/width ratio and displacement/depth ratio. They also had smaller upper carpal tunnel area ( width X displacement) and larger upper carpal tunnel area [(depth-displacement) X width] than the controls (p< 0.05 ).
CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel is a good predictor of susceptibility and prognosis of CTS in workers doing repetivive work.

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The Health Effect of Hand Arm Transmitted Vibration
Jung-Wan Koo
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(4): 303. CrossRef
Changes in the Thickness of Median Nerves Due to Excessive Use of Smartphones
Yeon-Seop Lee, Hoe-Song Yang, Chan-Joo Jeong, Young-Dae Yoo, Gwang-Yun Jeong, Jin-Seon Moon, Min-Kung Kang, Seong-Woo Hong
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2012; 24(12): 1259. CrossRef

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Quantitative Assessment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Noninvasive Evaluation of Bone Marrow Cellularity in Workers with Long-term Exposure to Solvents: Hae Kwan Cheong, Dae Seob Choi, Keon Uk Park, Hwan Jung Yun, Jung Ran Kim, Kyung Im Ha, Seoung Oh Yang, Yang Ho Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(2):183-198. Published online June 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.2.183

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To develop a quantitative and noninvasive method of bone marrow cellularity evaluation in solvent-exposed painters.
METHODS
Six painters (mean age 46.5 years, 5 males and one female) with hypocellular marrow, and 132 controls were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A full examination of the peripheral blood and a bone marrow biopsy was done on each patient. Signal intensities were measured at the vertebral bodies from T12 to S1 on both the T1- and the T2-weighted image (T1WI and T2WI). Signal indices were calculated by dividing the signal indices of the vertebral bodies by that of the paraspinal muscle and the subcutaneous fat in the same view.
RESULTS
The Bone marrow cellularities of the cases painters were between 20.3% and 33.6%. Signal indices based on the muscle at T1WI were greater in the cases of the painters compared to those of the controls (p<0.05, p<0.01). Signal indices based on the muscle at T1WI were significantly higher in older women compared with men (p< 0.05 ) . After adjusting for age and gender, the signal index of cases at S1 based on muscle of T1WI was higher than that of the controls by 0.364. Five of the six cases had a muscle signal index at S1 of T1WI higher than the mean + 1 standard deviation for the same age group and gender.
CONCLUSIONS
MR signal indices are influenced by constitutional factors such as fat content, bone density, and the presence of other pathology. However, after adequate adjustment, it can be used as a useful indicator of bone marrow cellularity in a high-risk population.

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Wrist Ratio as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Duck Soo Kim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Yong Wook Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(3):242-252. Published online September 30, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.3.242

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the risk factors of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and the impact of the wrist ratio on the prevalence of CTS in workers on repetitive work over a long term.
METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 45 male and 16 female workers in a company that produces soundproof material in Gyeongju. We conducted a physical examination, a self-reported questionnaire survey and a nerve conduction study. CTS cases were defined as those subjects that had a positive finding in both the nerve conduction study and the physical examination done by a doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine.
RESULTS
Prevalence of CTS among the study subjects was 26.2/100 persons. The prevalence of CTS was positively associated with increasing age (p<0.01, using the chi-square test for trend) and female gender (OR=6.98, 95% CI=1.66-31.0), but was negatively associated with the educational level (p<0.01 by the chi-square for trend). Workers in the production area had a higher prevalence of CTS compared to those in the clerical area (OR=10.8 in the frame manufacturing process, OR=32.2 in the vacuum molding process). Patients with CTS had a narrower mean wrist width and a shorter mean hand and palm length, compared to those that had no disease (p<0.01 by the Student's t-test). The number of subjects who had a wrist ratio of 0.74 or more was significantly higher in cases of CTS (OR=4.0, 95% CI=1.01-16.3). However, a multiple logistic regression analysis showed only that the type of work was a significant variable after adjusting for the other variables.
CONCLUSIONS
The wrist ratio, a surrogate of carpal tunnel configuration, can represent individual susceptibility to CTS. However this study shows that the use of the wrist ratio for predicting CTS risk is not adequate. The development of a new carpal tunnel configuration index based on more direct measurements of the tunnel shape will provide a better predictor of individual susceptibility to CTS.

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Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data
Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
A comparison of carpal tunnel syndrome between digital and paper textbook users in elementary schools
GyeongAe Seomun, Sung-Bom Pyun, Jung-Ah Lee, Eun-Jung Kim, Wonjung Noh
Work.2016; 53(4): 909. CrossRef
Factors Influencing on Fatigue in Operating Room Nurses
Eun-Seon Lee, In-Sook Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2012; 21(3): 229. CrossRef

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Evaluation of Early Neurologic Abnormalities on the Workers Exposed to Acrylamide: Seong Soon Kim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Yong Wook Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(3):367-383. Published online September 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.3.367

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Acrylamide is a neurotoxin inducing central-peripheral distal axonopathy. The authors evaluated several neurologic tests to screen the early effect of occupational acrylamide exposure.
METHODS
Fifty-two males working either in the production of acrylamide monomer or in the handling of acrylamide in Ulsan, Korea, were selected and subcategorized into the high-exposure group (n=10, mean age of 30. 4 years) and the low-exposure group (n=42, mean age of 28.9 years). Twenty-three males (mean age 29.4 years) from medical professionals and students were chosen as a non-exposed reference group. Symptom questionnaire, neurologic examination, electrodiagnostic test, vibrotactile threshold test, and Lanthony desaturated 15 panel test (LD-15D) were done.
RESULTS
The high-exposure group showed more number of specific symptoms on questionnaire and more abnormal two point discrimination test. High-exposure group showed a significant difference in the median motor conduction velocity, peroneal nerve motor latency, sensory amplitude of median nerve action potential, and sensory latency of sural nerve. The vibrotactile threshold of the high-exposure group was significantly higher in both hands and feet than that of the low-exposure group and the reference group. Average color confusion index on the LD-15D was significantly higher in the high-exposure group (median 22.7, range 0-135.7) than in the reference group (median 2.4, range 0-33.2).
CONCLUSIONS
The symptom questionnaire, vibrotactile threshold test, and color discrimination test are sensitive in detection of the early acrylamide-induced neuropathy, and the combination of these tests would further facilitate the effectiveness of the screening.

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Usefulness of Color Vision Test for Early Detection of Neurological Damages by Neurotoxic Substances
Eun-Hee Lee, Kyungho Choi, Hong Jae Chae, Domyung Paek
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2008; 41(6): 397. CrossRef

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Polyneuropathy by Occupational Exposure to Acrylamide: Hae Kwan Cheong, Yong Wook Kwon, Kyung Yun Uh, Byung Joon Kim, Jeong Sun Yang, Cheol Jung, Youngwoo Jin, Mi Young Lee, Seong Kyu Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):388-403. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.388

Abstract PDF

Authors report a first Korean case of polyneuropathy in an acrylamide producing factory together with an environmental and epidemiologic survey for the ten workers of the same workplace and 46 workers in the production and manufacturing acrylamide in Ulsan, Korea. The case is 30 years old man who worked in the prcduction of the acrylamide for two years. In August, 1997, he had a weakness of the lower extremity with loss of body weight of 15 Kg which progressed to paresthesia of the limbs, the loss of vibration sense, difficulty in walking, speech disturbance, dysuria, constipation, difficulty in erection and swallowing difficulty. Neurologic examination showed a complete loss of vibration and position sense, and loss of deep tendon reflex in all the limbs. There was a contact dermatitis-like skin lesion on the feet. Electrodiagnostic test showed a generalized polyneuropathy of moderate degree involving motor and sensory component of peripheral and cranial nerves. After 8 months' cessation from exposure and supportive care, his symptoms were completely resolved, but abnormality in electrodiagnostic test and vibrotactile perception threshold still persisted, although much improved than before. There were 11 workers in the same workplace of the case, producing acrylamide by microorganism as a catalyst. Environmental monitoring of the workplace revealed air-borne concentration of the acrylamide to be from 0.05 to 0.23 mg/m(3) by personal sampling and from 7.65 to 11.65 mg/m(3) by area sampling during filter exchanging process, which far exceeds TLV-TWA of 0.03 mg/m(3). However acrylamide was not detected from the plasma of the workers. Symptom questionnaire showed a markedly higher complain of neurologic symptoms, compared to the workers of the other acrylamide producing companies. Electrodiagnostic test showed a several workers are in the lower normal range without definite abnormality. Vibrotactile perception threshold by Vibratron II showed a significantly increased threshold in the workers of the same workplace compared to the other acrylamide workers and significantly decreased test score of color vision compared to normal controls. After improvement of the production process and strict wearing of the protective device, most workers reported the improvement of clinical symptoms, but vibrotactile perception threshold was not improved. These result suggests the need for the effective environmental monitoring together with a periodic biological monitoring. Development of effective screening test is urgently needed to control and assess the skin absorption of acrylamide.

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Dermal and neural toxicity caused by acrylamide exposure in two Korean grouting workers: a case report
Heeyun Kim, Sang Gil Lee, Jeongbae Rhie
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Occupational Neurologic Disorders in Korea
Yangho Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yong-Hun Yun, Myoung-Soon Oh
Journal of Clinical Neurology.2010; 6(2): 64. CrossRef
Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef
Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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Relationship between the Serum CPK and the Shoulder Muscle Disorder in VDT Workers: Soo Keun Kim, Hae Kwan Cheong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(2):172-179. Published online May 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.2.172

Abstract PDF: VDT workers are often exposed to static load in the shoulder stabilizing muscle due to repetitive work over long periods. Many investigations were reported the relationships between static load due to repetitive work and regional muscle disorder. However, diagnostic approach to work-related muscle disorder is difficult due to the absence of objective diagnostic tools. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the serum CPK (creatine phosphokinase) concentrations and the shoulder muscle disorders. Results are as follow. 1. Mean serum CPK in total VDT workers was 67.6+/-28.4 IU/l and workers with abnormal serum CPK were 35 (21.5%). 2. Comparison between cases and controls did not show significant difference in the serum CPK level and the distribution of abnormal findings. 3. Sensitivity and specificity of the CPK test was 23.0% and 82.0%, respectively. Above results, in accordance with literatures, show that while serum CPK measure menu can be useful for the diagnosis of acute muscle injury, it does not adequately reflect the muscle disorders developed by the repetitive work of low tension over long time, such as VDT works.

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Three Cases of High Signal Intensity by Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in CO2 arc Welders: Young Seoub Hong, Myung Ah Lim, Yong Hee Lee, Hae Kwan Cheong, Ji Yong Kim, Hyun Sul Lim, Jung Jeung Lee, Kong Joon Sa, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(2):290-298. Published online May 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.2.290

Abstract PDF

We experienced three cases of high signal intensity observed by Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in CO2 arc welders of steel-frame manufacturing industry. Case 1 was a 35 years old man who has been an CO2 arc welder for 10 years, admitted a sudden onset of tonic clonic seizure. He complained fever, chilling and myalgia since 3 days before admission. On admission, in the test of manganese exposure indices, manganese concentrations of blood, urine and scalp hair were 5.17 microgram/dL, 22.00 microgram/l and 31.25 ppm respectively. Case 2 was a 35 years old man who has been an CO2 arc welder for 20 years. On admission, He complained fatigue, numbness and weakness of extremities, and decrease of libido. In the test of manganese exposure indices, manganese concentrations of blood, urine and scalp hair were 6.34 microgram/dL, 14.62 microgram/l and 57.87 ppm respectively. In neurologic examination, Palmo-mentis reflex and Myerson sign were observed. Case 3 was a 33 years old man who has been an CO2 arc welder for 16 years. On admission, He complainer loss of appetite, numbness of extremities, fatigue and decrease of attention. In the test of manganese exposure indices, manganese concentrations of blood, urine and scalp hair were 5.14 microgram/dL, 13.79 microgram/l and 50.08 ppm respectively. In neurologic examination, Myerson sign was observed. In brain magnetic resonance imaging, T1WI showed symmetrical high signal intensity in basal ganglia and midbrain of three cases. Authors argued that they were developed by manganese exposure, and we considered that follow up study would be necessary.

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A Study on the Total, Particle Size-Selective Mass Concentration of Airborne Manganese, and Blood Manganese Concentration of Welders in a Shipbuilding Yard
Jong Su Park, Pan Gyi Kim, Jee Yeon Jeong
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 472. CrossRef
Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef
Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef

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Cumulative Trauma Disorders among Telephone Directory Assistance Operators: Hae Kwan Cheong, Byung Soon Choi, Ji Yong Kim, Sun Hee Yu, Hyun Sul Lim, Yong Min Kim, Kyung Yun Uh, Yong Wook Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(1):140-155. Published online February 28, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.1.140

Abstract PDF

To evaluate the prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in relation to ergonomic evaluation of their work, 260 female directory assistance operators employed in three branch facilities of the nation-wide telecommunication company. Ergonomic evaluation of the work status was done by two industrial hygienists through inspection. Workers were surveyed with standardized self-administered questionnaire and examined by family physicians and an orthopaedician for cumulative trauma disorders. Laboratory examination of serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), creatinine phosphokinase(CPK), aldolase and rheumatoid factor was done and X-ray of cervical spine and both shoulders was taken from all subjects and nerve conduction velocity test was done on 57 subjects with suspected nerve entrapment cases. Cumulative trauma disorders were categorized into 3 category according to work-relatedness of the disorders. On ergonomic evaluation of the working posture and work environment, improvement of work posture revealed inappropriate postures and devices. Mean age of the subjects were 39 years old and more than 80% graduated high school or above. Ninety-eight percent of the workers employed in the company for more than 15 years and 74.6% of the workers worked at the VDT job for more than 4 years. Mean daily work hours was 8.0 hours per day and mean break hours was 90.5 minutes per day with mean extra work hours of 10.7 hours per month. Mean daily calls were 1128.6 calls in maximum and 864.8 calls in minimum. On laboratory examination, 13 (5.0%) workers had abnormal AST, 53(20.4%) had abnormal CPK, and 1 (0.4%) had abnormal aldolase level. On x-ray examination of cervical spine, 111 (42.7%) had loss of or reversed normal cervical lordosis, 10(3.8%) had narrowing of intervertebral space. Nerve conduction velocity test was abnormal in 11 (19.2%) among 57 workers. Among disorders categorized as work-related, 131 (50.4%) were diagnosed to have fatigue myalgia of levator scapulae, 108 (41.5%) had cervical strain or sprain, 47 (18.1%) had fatigue arthralgia of phalangeal joints, and 47 (18.1%) had probable carpal tunnel syndrome, in 10 (3.8%) of those diagnosis was confirmed electrophysiologically. Age, seniority, work duration at present job, workload nor location of facilities were associated with the prevalence of symptoms nor specific diagnoses on simple statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression, which deems to be due to highly selected and homogeneous characteristics of the study subjects. Above results shows that cumulative trauma disorders are very prevalent among directory assistance operators and elaborate effort is needed to reduce the cumulative trauma disorders among the operators.

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Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data
Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Its Related Factors among Male Workers in a Nonferrous Manufacturing Industry
Yeon-Ok Jeong, Young-Chae Cho
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(8): 3552. CrossRef
Risk Factors of Work-related Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Male Shipyard Workers: Structural Equation Model Analysis
Byung-Chan Park, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Eun-A Kim, Soo Geun Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2010; 1(2): 124. CrossRef
Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Meat and Fish Processing Plants
Joon Youn Kim, Jung Il Kim, Ji Eun Son, Sung Kuk Yun
Journal of Occupational Health.2004; 46(3): 230. CrossRef

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A Study on the Status of Preemployment Health Examination: Hae Kwan Cheong, Hyun Sul Lim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):332-346. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.332

Abstract PDF: Preemployment health examination, stipulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, plays an important role in workers' health management. Recently, employers are getting more aware of the importance of screening recruits before employment to decrease the development of occupational disorders and work loss due to health problems. Accordingly, additional test items are being included and selection criteria for preemployment health examination is getting more strict. However, studies and. data on preemployment health examination are scarce until now. Authors reviewed preemployment health certificates of 3,261 recruits issued by a university hospital in Pohang from January 3 to December 31, 1993, analyzed regulations on preemployment health examination of 16 companies in the Pohang area, and surveyed 80 health and safety personnel with questionnaire to evaluate the present status of preemployment health examination. Of 3,261 recruits 125 (3.8 %) failed to recruit. Main causes of. failure were chronic liver disease, tuberculosis of undetermined activity. The regulations of 16 companies on preemployment health examination were reviewed. Most companies adopted additional test items in addition to basic test items listed on the Regulation; test of physical strength, pulmonary function test, pure tone audiometer (2000 Hz and 4000 Hz in addition to 1000 Hz), exercise provocation test, urine erythrocyte and urobilinogen, complete blood count, stool examination, VDRL, arid sputum examination for acid fast bacilli In most companies, obesity, hearing disturbance, color vision disturbance was included in the selection criteria. Hepatitis B carrier was not accepted in 4 companies, accepted conditionally in 2, and accepted in 5 companies. Of 80 health and safety personnel of companies in the Pohang area, 56 (70. 0 %) perceived preemployment health examination as a tool for selection of recruits and 14(17.5%) as a procedure for job fitting. Most of them were against the acceptance of recruits with hepatitis B carrier, lumbar spine deformity, and hearing disturbance. In conclusion, preemployment health examination is performed mainly for the purpose of selection of healthier employee, but test items and selection creteria is not seem to be adequate. Authors suggest that further studies are needed to select the test items for specific job, and application of selection criteria be restricted only to some specified jobs. Consecutive filling of preemployment health examination to the periodic health examination was also suggested.

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A Case Report on Glass Fiber-induced Health Hazard due to Car interior Material: Hyun Sul Lim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Ji Yong Kim, Hoe Kyeong Cheong, Yeol Oh Sung, Nam Won Paik; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):439-446. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.439

Abstract PDF: Glass Fiber is manufactured from typical glass-making raw materials, silicon dioxide with various metals and other elements. There are three distinct types of commercial glass fiber products: glass wool, an entangled mass of interlocking fibers; continuous glass filament, a product with a more ordered arrangement of fibers; and special-purpose glass fiber, a small-diameter fiber (less than 3 um) . We report a case of glass fiber-induced health hazard due to continuous glass filament from fiber reinforced plastics (FRF) as car interior material. A 40 years old man complained a sudden onset of severe itching on whole body, especially neck and forearms while driving a new car. He also complained burning of eyes, sore throat and productive cough. We diagnosed the glass fiver-induced skin lesion by placing skin scraping on a slide glass and examining the specimen under a microscope. We found same fibers from the air samples in the car and from the material of the interior surface of the car by the microscopic examination. Therefore we confirmed that the patient's symptoms and signs were induced by glass fiber.

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A Study on the Manganese Exposure and Health Hazards Among Manganese Manufacturing Workers: Ji Yong Kim, Hyun Sul Lim, Hae Kwan Cheong, Nam Won Paik; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(1):98-112. Published online February 28, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.1.98

Abstract PDF

To estimate the manganese (Mn, below) exposure of workers in the ferromanganese manufacture factory and to evaluate its health effects, airborne, blood and urine Mn concentration measurements, questionnaire and other neurologic examinations were performed on 80 Mn-handing productive male workers (exposed group), 47 non-Mn-handling productive male workers (internal control group) and 144 productive male workers in other factory (external control group). The results obtained were as follows; The highest airborne Mn fume concentration among the work process was found at charging (0.42 mg/m3), and ferromanganese crushing process (1.14 mg/m3) was the highest in Mn dust. However all of them were below threshold limit value. Mean Mn concentrations in blood and urine of crushing workers were higher than those of other part workers. Among all of them, workers whose urine Mn concentration were exceed normal reference level (10 microgram/l) were 31 (18.5%). There was statistically significant correlation between airborne and urine Mn concentration (r=0.60), and so between airborne and blood Mn concentration (r=0.49), while there was no statistically significant correlation between blood and urine Mn concentration. Mean Mn concentration in airborne (0.60 mg/m3), urine (6.92 microgram/l) and blood (3.16 microgram/dl) in exposed group were significantly higher than those of control groups (p<0.01). Clinical symptoms such as excessive sweating, hypoesthesia, libido change, anosmia, decreased visual acuity and difficulty in writing showed higher positive rate in exposed group. Positive rate of clinical signs such as eye blinking and masked face in exposed group was higher than external control group. However clinical and laboratory findings such as blood pressure, blood chemistry, grip strength in exposed group were not statistically different from those of control groups. The results suggested that further studies were followed to evaluate the workers whose blood Mn concentration were below normal reference level but urine Mn concentrations above normal reference level, and to establish the questionnaire and the diagnostic tools to detect the Mn poisoning workers early.

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Three cases of occupational asthma induced by urethane paint: Byung Soon Choi, Hae Kwan Cheong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1992;4(2):212-220. Published online October 31, 1992; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1992.4.2.212

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