Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Jeong Sun Yang

6 Articles

Analysis of Claimed Cases as an Occupational Disease at Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 1992 to 1999: Seong Kyu Kang, Kyoo Sang Kim, Yangho Kim, Jung Keun Choi, Yeon Soon Ahn, Yeong Woo Jin, Byong Soon Choi, Jeong Sun Yang, Euna Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Yong Hue Choi, Dae Seong Kim, Jung Sun Park, Ho Keun Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(2):292-301. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.2.292

OBJECTIVES
Pneumoconisis and noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) have been reported as main occupational diseases by the Special Health Examination. The Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance has reported various work-related diseases, however, these two diseases occupied almost a half of compensated cases. Therefore, it was not well known about the status of occupational diseases other than pneumoconiosis, NIHL, and cardiocerebrovascular accident(CVA). This study was conducted to analyze claimed cases as an occupational disease, that was requested to the Korea Industrial Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA).
METHODS
The local office of the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWC) has asked the KOSHA for confirmation of claimed cases as an occupational disease. We analyzed 379 cases requested from KLWC, the Ministry of Labor, employers, unions and occupational health agencies from 1992 to 1999.
RESULTS
Male was 80. 7 % of the requested cases. Their mean age was 42 years old and 75. 5 % of them were more than 35 years old. The requested cases were increased rapidly from 25 cases in 1992 to 108 cases in 1999 and the accept rate was 50. 7 %. The majority of requested cases were respiratory diseases(22.4 %), cancers(18.5 %), Neuropsychiatric problems (14. 5 %), and musculoskeletal problems (13. 5 %). The accept rate was high in reproductive, respiratory, musculoskeletal and digestive disorders and low in neuropsychiatric, renal and otologic problems and occupational cancers. 73. 6 % of them were caused by chemical agents, especially 28. 5 % were by organic solvents. 67 % of them were clinically confirmed at university hospitals. A half of the cases were from KyongIn area, even the request came from the whole country.
CONCLUSIONS
A claim was common in workers whose age was over 35 years old and exposure history was over 10 years. The respiratory diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders were still main problems in occupational health and occupational cancers was increasing even though its accept rate was not high yet.

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Gastric and rectal cancers in workers exposed to asbestos: a case series
Byeong Ju Choi, Saerom Lee, Iu Jin Lee, Soon Woo Park, Sanggil Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Systemic sclerosis due to crystalline silica exposure among jewelry workers in Korea: two case reports
Jae Yoon Kim, Sang Yoon Do, Young Hoon Moon, Chul Gab Lee, Yun Sung Kim, Byung Soon Choi, Eun-A Kim, Han Soo Song
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Characteristics and Influencing Factors on Recuperators with Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Kyoo-Sang Kim, Hee-Gyeong Jeon, Day-Sung Kim
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(5): 671. CrossRef
Work-related Cerebro-Cardiovascular Diseases in Korea
Dae-Seong Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S105. 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 Lymphohematopoietic Cancer in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Won Jin Lee, Mia Son, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S99. CrossRef
Occupational exposure to benzene in South Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Mi-Young Lee, Tae-Kyun Kim, Jeong-Oh Lee, Yeon Soon Ahn
Chemico-Biological Interactions.2005; 153-154: 65. CrossRef

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Analysis of Korean Analytical Quality Assurance Program for the Special Health Examination from 1995 to 1999: Seong Kyu Kang, Jeong Sun Yang, Mi Young Lee, In Jeong Park, Ho Keun Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):139-147. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.139

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: The accuracy of analytical results of blood and urine heavy metals came out to the main issue on occupational health from late eighties. The discrepancy of the results for same samples from different laboratories made the diagnosis for occupational diseases be unreliable. Therefore, a quality control program for analysis of samples taken from workplace had been introduced in Korea since 1992. This study aims to show the quality control program f'or analysis of blood and urine samples and its proficient rates from 1992 to 1999 and to know how they have been being used in occupational health.
METHODS
The quality control program runs twice a year with mandatory items of blood lead and urine hippuvic acid and voluntary items of blood cadmium and manganese and urine mandellic acid and methyl hippuric acid. Participant laboratories are receiving three levels for each items and two out of three samples have to be qualified for being a proficient laboratory for the item. The acceptable range of blood lead and urine hippuric acid is +/-15% and that of the others is within 3 SD(standard deviation) from the reference values.
RESULTS
The proficient rates of blood lead and urine hippuric acid was 89%, 90%, repectively, however those of the other voluntary items have been from 51% to 62%. The proficient rates of urine mercury and urine N-methylformamide(NMF), which are introduced since 1999, were very poor. Urine hippuric acid and blood lead were analyzed frequently for the purpose of biological monitoring conducting by special health examination organizations. Urine and blood manganese and urine metabolites of trichloroethylene, urine phenol, methylhippuric acid and cadmium were followed.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the quality control program for biological monitoring has dramatically improve the ability of analysing blood and urine samples and eventually contributes to diagnose occupational diseases and to prevent occupational poisoning. However, some biological monitoring data, such as urine manganese, mercury and NMF, have been still reported from laboratories that were not accepted as a proficient laboratory.

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External Quality Assessment Scheme for Biological Monitoring of Occupational Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Mi-Young Lee, Jeong Sun Yang, Seong-Kyu Kang
Safety and Health at Work.2011; 2(3): 229. CrossRef

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Factors Associated with Psychoneurobehavjral Outcomes in Workers Exposed to Manganese: Kyoo Sang Kim, Yangho Kim, Youngwoo Jin, Euna Kim, Jeong Sun Yang, Kwi Ryun Kwon, Jae Woo Kim, Jaehoon Roh, Young Hahn Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):213-228. Published online June 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.213

Abstract PDF

The risk posed to human health by environmental manganese (Mn) exposure is unknown. The purpose of this study is to establish if subclinical effects related to Mn exposure and examine the factors influencing psychoneurobehaviral outcomes of Mn exposed workers. This study involved 121 male workers of welding, alloy furnace, and manufacturing of welding stick. Study investigations include: a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, job and exposure history and medical symptoms and conditions, monitoring workplace air for personal exposure to respirable and inhalable manganese, analysis of blood and urine samples. psychoneurobehaviral test(neurobehaviral core test battery (NCTB), signal change on magnetic resonance imaging (MRJ) scans, minimental state and neurological examination). The main results of this study were as follows: 1. Preliminary results showed that, with increasing manganese exposure, neurobehaviral performance was poorer and signal change on MRI scans increased. 2. The results of examination revealed significant relations on psychoneurobehaviral out-comes (neurobehaviral performance, signal change on MRI scans, and neurological features). 3. In multiple regression, age and educational status as demographic variables and exposure level were significantly related to 4neurobehaviral test. Also exposure level and serum Mn concentrations were positively relatel to signal change on MRI scans and neurological features affected by Mn on the brain (signal change). 4. Psychoneurobehaviral outcomes from Mn exposure were related to neurobehaviral performance, signal change on MRJ scans, neurological features and profile of mood states (POMS), and influnced positively with age, alcohol and smoking history, and duration of Mn exposure, negatively with educational status. Serum Mn concentrations in combination with brain MRI scans, and perhaps a battery of neurobehaviral tests, appear to be the best way to monitor excessive exposure to Mn. These results are consistent with our knowledge on Mn action on the brain and are similar to the type of neurobehaviral dysfunction. They suggest that there may be age, educational status, and life style (alcohol and drinking history) differences with chronic environmental exposure. These findings suggest further evaluation, particularly on relationships between Mn exposure, aging, and susceptibility factors.

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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
Associations between Airborne Manganese and Blood Manganese in the Korean General Population according to KNHANES 2008-2009
Kyung Sick Jung, Jong Dae Lee, Yong Bae Kim
Journal of Environmental Science International.2013; 22(12): 1589. CrossRef
Neurobehavioral Deficits and Parkinsonism in Occupations with Manganese Exposure: A Review of Methodological Issues in the Epidemiological Literature
Robert M. Park
Safety and Health at Work.2013; 4(3): 123. CrossRef
Olfactory functions at the intersection between environmental exposure to manganese and Parkinsonism
Silvia Zoni, Giulia Bonetti, Roberto Lucchini
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology.2012; 26(2-3): 179. CrossRef
Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef
Exposure-Response Relationship and Risk Assessment for Cognitive Deficits in Early Welding-Induced Manganism
Robert M. Park, Rosemarie M. Bowler, Harry A. Roels
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2009; 51(10): 1125. CrossRef
State-of-the-Science Review: Does Manganese Exposure During Welding Pose a Neurological Risk?
Annette B. Santamaria, Colleen A. Cushing, James M. Antonini, Brent L. Finley, Fionna S. Mowat
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B.2007; 10(6): 417. CrossRef
Issues in neurological risk assessment for occupational exposures: The Bay Bridge welders
Robert M. Park, Rosemarie M. Bowler, Donald E. Eggerth, Emily Diamond, Katie J. Spencer, Donald Smith, Roberto Gwiazda
NeuroToxicology.2006; 27(3): 373. CrossRef
Potential occupational risks for neurodegenerative diseases
Robert M. Park, Paul A. Schulte, Joseph D. Bowman, James T. Walker, Stephen C. Bondy, Michael G. Yost, Jennifer A. Touchstone, Mustafa Dosemeci
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2005; 48(1): 63. 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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Assessment of Cadmium in Blood and Urine of Occupationally Exposed Workers and Renal Dysfunction by Cumulative Exposure Estimate: Seong Kyu Kang, Jeong Sun Yang, Ki Woong Kim, Jae Yeon Jang, Ho Keum Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):101-110. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.101

Abstract PDF

88 workers exposed to cadmium were examined at the 12 factories using or producing cadmium in order to know the present state of cadmium exposure and renal dysfunction in 1992. Cadmium in blood and in urine were measured and compared by the 3 exposure level of cadmium in air. Cadmium in blood of low, moderate and high exposure group were 2.5, 3,8 and 7.6 microgram/L, respectively. Cadmium in urine were 1.8(1.3), 3.8(2,6) and 7.9 microgram/L(6.1 microgram/g creatinine) , resrectively. However, there was no relationship between Urinary cadmium and beta(2)-microglobulin. Cumulative exposure estimate (CEE) was calculated by multiplying the mean ambient cadmium level of the factory and working duration. CEE has a high correlation with cadmium in blood and urine, but no relation to beta(2)-microglobulin. Because working durations were relatively shorter than European workers', the highest CEE was just 300 microgram. year/m(3), which was not enough to induce renal tubular dysfunction. This study, however, suggested the possibility that renal tubular dysfunction caused by cadmium could be happened in Korea in the near future.

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Chronic Cadmium Intoxication and Renal Injury Among Workers of a Small-scale Silver Soldering Company
Won-Jun Choi, Seong-Kyu Kang, Seunghon Ham, Wookyung Chung, Ae Jin Kim, Myunghee Kang
Safety and Health at Work.2020; 11(2): 235. CrossRef

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Styrene in Air and Blood and Mandelic acid in Urine in the Workers exposed to Styrene: Ho Keun Chung, Seong Kyu Kang, Jeong Sun Yang, Ki Woong Kim, Jong Seong Lee, Young Sook Cho, In Jeong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(1):113-121. Published online February 28, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.1.113

Abstract PDF

The concentration of styrene in air and in blood and mandelic acid in urine were checked for the 60 workers with normal liver function, exposed to styrene. Styrene in air were sampled with personal air sampler at least 4 hours and analyzed by gas chromatography. Blood and spot urine were collected at the end of shift with a vacuum tube and a plyethylene bottle and analyzed by has chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Means of air and blood styrene and urine mandelic acid were 8.16 ppm (geometric mean), 0.199 mg/L, and 0.519 g/g creatinine, respectively. The concentration of styrene in air and mandelic acid in urine were high in the FRP factories and low in polymerization factory. Styrene in blood showed large difference by the working process. Styrene in air showed a good correlation with mandelic acid in urine(r=0.6369) and styrene in blood(r=0.6371). The mandelic acid in urine and styrene in blood corresponded to exposure of 50 ppm styrene were 0.890 g/g creatinine and 0.434 mg/L. However, hippuric acid in urine did not show any correlation with styrene in air. Urine mandelic acid excretion expected ratio showed a tendency to decrease according to obesity index and to increase with alcohol consumption.

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Evaluation of the Suitability of Establishing Biological Exposure Indices of Styrene
Ah-rum Choi, Sung-guk Im, Mi-young Lee, Se-Hoon Lee
Safety and Health at Work.2019; 10(1): 103. CrossRef

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