Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Hwan Chul Kim

3 Articles

A case of peripheral polyneuropathy occurring in a small enterprise processing mobile phone cases: Joo Youn Shin, Jong Han Leem, Yong Kyu Kim, Shin Goo Park, Jee Na Lee, Hwan Chul Kim, Chang Hwan Kim, Kyong Up Cho, Mi Jang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(2):138-143. Published online June 30, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.2.138

OBJECTIVES
We report a case of n-hexane-induced occupational peripheral polyneuropathy. The patient had been cleaning mobile phone cases using n-hexane for 3 years without proper protection in the workplace.
Method
: Physical examinations, detailed history taking, laboratory studies and electrophysiological study were done. The n-hexane concentration in the ambient air of the workplace was analysed.
RESULTS
The findings of the electrophysiological study revealed that the worker's neurologic symptoms were due to peripheral polyneuropathy. The average n-hexane concentration in the ambient air sampled at the workplace for 59 minutes was 1411.24ppm, from which the 8 hour time-weighted-average(TWA) was estimated as 882ppm. Because other alternative causes for peripheral polyneuropathy were ruled out by laboratory findings and detailed history taking, this TWA level strongly suggested that the disease was caused by n-hexane exposure.
Conclusion
: Although the neuro-toxicity of n-hexane is relatively well known, many problems have been identified in the management of this toxic material in terms of preventing toxic diseases in the workplace. We expect that this case will help in the planning of health management strategies for using n-hexane in the workplace.

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Changes of 30 years in the recognized occupational diseases of Korea: Lessons from the system change perspective
Kyung Ehi Zoh, Mijin Park, Domyung Paek
Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health.2020; 75(3): 127. CrossRef
Study on the Chemical Management - 2. Comparison of Classification and Health Index of Chemicals Regulated by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of the Employment and Labor
Sunju Kim, Chungsik Yoon, Seunghon Ham, Jihoon Park, Songha Kim, Yuna Kim, Jieun Lee, Sangah Lee, Donguk Park, Kwonseob Lee, Kwonchul Ha
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(1): 58. 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
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

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The Clinical Importance of an Increase in Serum Gamma-glutamyltransferase Concentration: Joo Youn Shin, Yong Kyu Kim, Shin Goo Park, Jee Na Lee, Hwan Chul Kim, Jong Han Leem, Yun Chul Hong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(1):1-9. Published online March 31, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.1.1

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Incresed gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) concentration has mainly been used as a biologic marker of alcohol drinking and liver diseases. However, some recent reports have suggested that serum GGT concentration may be an early biomarker of oxidative stress and associated with chronic diseases like hypertension, DM, hyperlipidemia, CHD, stroke etc. In this study, we analysed the factors associated with increased serum GGT level and evaluated the clinical application of serum GGT in predicting the risk of chronic diseases.
METHODS
The data were collected from 15,546 periodic health examinations, 9,660 males and 5,886 females, done at one university hospital from 2001 to 2003. We analysed self-questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory data. Statistical analyses(t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis) were done by SPSS for windows 10.0.
RESULTS
Mean serum GGT levels were quite different according to age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol drinking (all P-value < 0.001), but were not different by regular vitamin intake or not (P-value=0.117). There was significant correlation between serum GGT level and the variables (of age, BMI, blood pressure, Hb, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, AST and ALT) (all P-value < 0.001). In sex-specific multiple regression analysis, increased serum GGT level was significantly associated with age, alcohol drinking, smoking, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and ALT in males (all P-value < 0.001), and with age, alcohol drinking, smoking, Hb, blood pressure, total cholesterol and ALT in females (all P-value < 0.05). In sex-specific logistic regression analysis, increased serum GGT level was significantly associated with risk of 'clinical abnormalities'. This risk increased about 13-fold in males and 4.6-fold in females for serum GGT level over the third quatile, compared with under the first quartile.
CONCLUSIONS
Serum GGT level is increased not only by alcohol drinking or liver diseases, but also by many other factors associated with chronic diseases and behavioral factors. Thus many factors should be considered in evaluating an increase in GGT level, even when within the upper normal range. Serum GGT level may be a predictor for the early development of chronic diseases.

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The Association of Central Obesity with Type 2 Diabetes among Koreans according to the Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Level: Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study
Ji-Yeon Shin, Jun-Hyun Hwang, Jin-Young Jeong, Sung-Hi Kim, Jai-Dong Moon, Sang-Chul Roh, Young-Wook Kim, Yangho Kim, Jong-Han Leem, Young-Su Ju, Young-Seoub Hong, Eun-Hee Ha, Yong-Hwan Lee, Duk-Hee Lee, Dong-Hyun Kim
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2009; 42(6): 386. CrossRef

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Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis Like Erythema Multiforme Induced by Bolivian Rosewood: Joo Youn Shin, Yun Chul Hong, Jong Han Leem, Shin Goo Park, Jee Na Lee, Hwan Chul Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(2):220-226. Published online June 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.2.220

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BACKGROUND
Woods are capable of causing allergic or irritant contact dermatitis which typically occurs on exposed areas. Because Bolivian rosewood exclusively contains the strong sensitizer R-3,4-dimethoxydalbergione, an increasing number of cases of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis has been reported.
CASE
REPORT: A 49-year-old, male, wood worker, who handled a variety of woods, developed allergic contact dermatitis. A patch test confirmed a positive reaction to one of the exotic woods, Bolivian rosewood. Allergens found in Bolivian rosewood caused this patient's dermatitis, which cleared when he avoided this wood.
CONCLUSION
Exotic woods such as Bolivian rosewood can induce occupational contact dermatitis. Measures to lower the incidence of work-related dermatitis are needed in the workplace. Especially, when cutting or sanding woods, workers should wear proper personal protection.

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Occupational Skin Diseases in Korea
Yeon-Soon Ahn, Min-Gi Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S46. CrossRef

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