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Ji Ho Lee 27 Articles
Speech-in-Noise Test results of compensation claimants for noise induced hearing loss in Korean male workers: Words-in-Noise Test (WIN) and quick-Hearing-in-Noise Test (HINT)
Ji Soo Kim, Joong Keun Kwon, Nam Jeong Kim, Ji Ho Lee
Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e11.   Published online April 20, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e11
AbstractAbstract PDFPubReaderePub
Background

Pure-tone audiometry is used as a gold standard for hearing measurement. However, since communication in the work environment occurs in noise, it might be difficult to evaluate the actual communication ability accurately based on pure-tone audiometry only. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate speech intelligibility in noisy environments by using Speech-in-Noise Tests and to check its relationship with pure-tone audiometry.

Methods

From January 2017 to September 2018, for 362 workers who visited a university hospital for the purpose of compensating for noise-induced hearing loss, several tests were conducted: pure-tone audiometry, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination score, and Speech-in-Noise Tests (Words-in-Noise Test [WIN] and quick-Hearing-in-Noise Test [quick-HINT]). The subjects were classified into serviceable hearing group and non-serviceable hearing group based on 40 dB hearing level (HL) pure-tone average. In both groups, we conducted age-adjusted partial correlation analysis in order to find out the relationship between pure-tone threshold, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination score and WIN and quick-HINT respectively.

Results

In non-serviceable hearing group, all results of partial correlation analysis were statistically significant. However, in serviceable hearing group, there were many results which showed little or no significant relationship between pure-tone threshold and Speech-in-Noise Tests (WIN and quick-HINT).

Conclusions

The relationship between Speech-in-Noise Tests and the pure-tone thresholds were different by the hearing impairment levels; in mild to moderate hearing loss workers, there was little or no relationship; in severe cases, the relationship was significant. It is not enough to predict the speech intelligibility of hearing-impaired persons, especially in mild to moderate level, with pure-tone audiometry only. Therefore, it would be recommended to conduct Speech-in-Noise Test.


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  • Cochlear Implantation after Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: Initial Hearing Improvement and Longevity of Hearing Restoration
    Kurtis Young, Maeher R. Grewal, Rodney C. Diaz, Arthur W. Wu, Mia E. Miller
    Otology & Neurotology.2023; 44(3): 201.     CrossRef
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The Characteristics of Tinnitus and Hearing Threshold: In Workers with Noise Induced Hearing Loss from a Hospital Setting
Nam Jeong Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Chang Sun Sim, Choong Ryeol Lee, Young Joo Kwon, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):431-440.   Published online December 31, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.431
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to define the relationship between the characteristics of tinnitus and hearing threshold (puretone and speech) in workers with noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
METHODS
A total of 189 cases(378 ears) from workers with compensation claims for NIHL during 2004-2009 were investigated. Various factors, including age, work carriers, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, noise exposure level of worksite hearing threshold, speech discrimination score, pitch match, and loudness of tinnitus were analyzed.
RESULTS
The average hearing threshold of all subject was 44.2 dBHL, puretone audiometry thresholds in subjects with tinnitus were lower than the non-tinnitus group (except at 8000 Hz). Using speech audiometry, the tinnitus group showed a lower speech recognition threshold and speech discrimination score. The tinnitus group also had an average tinnitus frequency of 4195.2 Hz, loudness of 73.6 dB, and tinnitus sensation average of 6.0 dBSL. These frequencies of tinnitus were in the lowest puretone audiometry frequencies. Tinnitus loudness had a strong relationship with puretone and speech audiometry thresholds.
CONCLUSIONS
In cases beyond moderate hearing loss, the tinnitus group had a better puretone (except 8000 Hz) and speech hearing status, and most comfortable loudness (MCL) level. In addition, puretone and speech audiometry thresholds increase with tinnitus loudness.

Citations

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  • The Relationship Between Tinnitus Frequency and Speech Discrimination in Patients With Hearing Loss
    Joo Hyung Oh, Taehun Lim, Joon Bum Joo, Ju Eun Cho, Pona Park, Jong Yang Kim
    Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.2023; 66(3): 156.     CrossRef
  • Efficiency Improvement of the Hearing Test Procedure Using Linear Regression
    Heonzoo Lee, Sejin Kim, Rayoung Park, Sungsu Lee, Hyong-Ho Cho, Yonggwan Won
    Journal of Digital Contents Society.2022; 23(12): 2489.     CrossRef
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The General Characteristics and Results of the Cold Provocation Test in the Risk Group of HAVS
Jae Kook Yoon, Chang Sun Sim, Myoung Soon Oh, Joo Hyun Sung, Ji Ho Lee, Choong Ryeol Lee, Yangho Kim, Cheol In Yoo, Hun Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(3):207-216.   Published online September 30, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.3.207
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
The cold provocation test for diagnosing the vascular component in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is likely to be accepted as an objective test, and a few studies have been performed. However, controversy has continued regarding the diagnostic performance of this method. Although objective methods such as plethysmography and laser doppler flowmetry have been studied, they have not received as much attention as other diagnostic methods. Therefore, our study aim was to spread the awareness of HAVS by reporting the results of the cold provocation test in a hand-transmitted vibration exposure group.
METHODS
The study subjects were 549 workers who had been exposed to hand-transmitted vibrations and reported symptoms in their hands. While the subject immersed both their hands in 10degrees C water for 10 minutes, the skin temperature of 10 fingers was recorded from pre-immersion time to 20 minute postimmersion including 10 minutes immersion time. The recovery rates were calculated from the recorded skin temperatures. The 'decreased recovery rate' criteria were less than 30% at 5 minutes post-immersion and 60% at 10 minute post-immersion.
RESULTS
Of the subjects, 69.1% and 30.9% had more severe symptoms in the right and left hands, respectively. The mean finger skin temperature of the right hand after cold-water immersion for 10 minutes was approximately 10degrees C, which increased gradually with time, but they did not reach the baseline temperature at 20 minutes post-immersion. The deviations of the skin temperature in the subjects were higher in the recovery phase than in the baseline and cold immersion phase. The 3rd finger of both hands showed the lowest 5-minute recovery rate among the fingers examined, and the left 4th finger and right 3rd finger showed the lowest 10-minute recovery rate. Of the subjects, 37.6% and 10.4% of subjects showed a lower recovery rate at 5 and 10 minutes in at least one finger, respectively, while 10.2% showed a lower recovery rate at both 5 and 10 minutes simultaneously in at least one finger.
CONCLUSIONS
The larger deviations in the recovery phase than in the other phases indicated that interindividual differences are more prominent in the recovery phase. There might be no benefit in observing the finger skin temperature for an additional 10 minutes after 10 minutes post-immersion. Overall, approximately 10% of the subjects in the HAVS risk group had HAVS.

Citations

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  • Technetium-99m hand perfusion scintigraphy (Raynaud’s scan) as a method of verification in hand arm vibration syndrome: a review
    Taewoong Ha, Hyeoncheol Oh, Jungwon Kim
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Trend of Human Vibration Research in Korea
    Hee-Sok Park
    Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(4): 293.     CrossRef
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Two Case of Erythroleukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome in a Non-Destructive Inspector
Myoung Soon Oh, Jae Kook Yoon, Hyun Soo Kim, Hawk Kim, Jin Kyung Lee, Ji Ho Lee, Yang Ho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(4):471-479.   Published online December 31, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.4.471
AbstractAbstract PDF
BACKGROUND
Ionizing radiation is a group 1 carcinogen according to the IARC(International Agency for Research on Cancer) classification. With the development of the radiation related industry, the number of radiation exposed workers has been increasing. There have been several reports on AML(Acute Myeloid Leukemia) on exposure to ionizing radiation; however, there are no reports of occupational malignant lymphohematopoietic disease related to non-destructive inspection.
CASE
REPORT 1: A 35-years-old male, who had worked for 10 years in non-destructive inspection, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. He worked 8 hours a day, for three weeks per months, where he was exposed to 192Ir and 60Co radiation sources. Because he had not worn a film badge for monitoring his radiation exposure dose, the accurate exposure dose was not reported. The estimate exposure dose calculated via a chromosomal study was 1.20 Gy, which exceed the dose limits of Korean radiation dose standards, which are 50 and 100 mSv annually and quinquennially respectively.
CASE
REPORT 2: A 26-years-old male, who had worked for 2.5 years in the same company was also diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome.
CONCLUSION
Non-destructive inspection is the main source of ionizing radiation in the workplace, which could be the cause of malignant lymphohematopoietic diseases. Therefore, more practical plans and guidelines are needed to prevent non-destructive inspectors from workplace radiation exposure.

Citations

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  • Assessment of working environment and personal dosimeter-wearing compliance of industrial radiographers based on chromosome aberration frequencies
    Younghyun Lee, Songwon Seo, Young Woo Jin, Seongjae Jang
    Journal of Radiological Protection.2020; 40(1): 151.     CrossRef
  • Probability of causation for occupational cancer after exposure to ionizing radiation
    Eun-A Kim, Eujin Lee, Seong-Kyu Kang, Meeseon Jeong
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Acute radiation syndrome in a non-destructive testing worker: a case report
    Ji-Sung Ahn, Jai-Dong Moon, Wonyang Kang, Hyeong-Min Lim, Seunghyeon Cho, Dae-Young Lim, Won-Ju Park
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Consecutive results of blood cell count and retrospective biodosimetry: useful tools of health protection regulation for radiation workers
    Seongjae Jang, Jin Kyung Lee, Minsu Cho, Su San Yang, Seung Hyun Kim, Wan Tae Kim
    Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016; 73(10): 694.     CrossRef
  • Retrospective biodosimetry using translocation frequency in a stable cell of occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation
    Min Su Cho, Jin Kyung Lee, Keum Seok Bae, Eun-Ae Han, Seong Jae Jang, Wi-Ho Ha, Seung-Sook Lee, Joan Francesc Barquinero, Wan Tae Kim
    Journal of Radiation Research.2015; 56(4): 709.     CrossRef
  • Exposure Assessment and Management of Ionizing Radiation
    Eun-Kyo Chung, Kab-Bae Kim, Se-Wook Song
    Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(1): 27.     CrossRef
  • Physical Agents and Occupational Disease Compensation: Noise, Vibration, Radiation, and Other Physical Agents
    Jiho Lee, Jungwon Kim
    Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S72.     CrossRef
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Effect of Hand Transmitted Vibration on the Auditory System
Jae Kook Yoon, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(1):18-30.   Published online March 31, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.1.18
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study was undertaken to estimate the effect of hand transmitted vibration exposure for long time period on the auditory system in shipyard grinder workers.
METHODS
From 2006 to 2009, the study was carried out on 87 grinder workers for hand transmitted vibration exposure group, with 81 welders who were served as the control group. All subjects were male; at baseline, none of the participants had ear disease or diabetes mellitus. Auditory threshold at different frequencies ranged from 0.25 kHz to 8 kHz for both ear was recorded; the following were also collected from the subjects: age, exposure duration, noise exposure level of investigation year, total cholesterol, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and smoking history.
RESULTS
In comparison of two groups, mean of age, exposure duration, noise level, total cholesterol, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, smoking rate were not significantly different between the groups. Auditory thresholds of 0.25, 0.5 kHz frequencies in both ear, 1 kHz frequency in right ear, and 8 kHz frequency in left ear were higher in hand-transmitted vibration exposure group than that in the control group at a statistically significant level. After stratification by age 50 years, there were no significant differences between the two groups in less than 50-years old age group, but auditory threshold of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 8 kHz frequency were significantly different between the two groups in above 50-years old age group. The differences between two groups ranged from 0.4 dB(HL) to 6.7 dB(HL). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hand transmitted vibration exposure was significant only in 0.25, 0.5 kHz frequency and the regression coefficients of vibration exposure ranged from 3.826 to 5.028 in those frequencies.
CONCLUSIONS
The differences of hearing threshold between two groups only in the 50-years old group were possibly owing to changed peripheral vascular system with autonomic nervous system, and significances only in low frequencies such as 0.25, 0.5 kHz probably mean that hand vibration exposure have been transmitted to auditory organ over long term. Collectively, older people can be more susceptible to hearing loss in the presence of hand transmitted vibration exposure and auditory threshold at low frequency may be more affected by the hand transmitted vibration exposure than high frequency.

Citations

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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
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Effects of Workplace Noise and Hearing Protective Devices on Worker's Speech Intelligibility
Hyoung Ouk Park, Chang Sun Sim, Joong Keun Kwon, Kyoo Sang Kim, Young Joo Kwon, Nam Jeong Kim, Min Suk Seo, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(2):154-165.   Published online June 30, 2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.2.154
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of intelligible speech in workers wearing hearing protective devices and the differences in background noise type.
METHODS
A total 82 shipyard company employees and normal hearing volunteers were recruited as subjects from a company in Ulsan: subjects were classified to the hearing-impaired group or to the control group according to hearing status. They were tested pure tone and speech audiometry in varying test environments including signal-to-noise ratio and background noise type in a headphone and in a free field environment.
RESULTS
For both groups, the attenuation of hearing protective devices was greater at high frequencies. For the hearing-impaired group, speech discrimination scores differences between the unprotected and the protected ear were not significant between background noise type, when speech was presented at 65 dBA. However speech intelligibility in white noise background was lower than in the other background noise types when speech was presented at 75 dBA.
CONCLUSIONS
Workers' speech intelligibility increased with an increasing signal-to-noise ratio. Speech intelligibility was also dependent on background noise type. Workers and their colleagues were trained to pronounce words more loudly and more clearly when they wearing hearing protective devices or other communication methods that do not use sound signal should be considered.

Citations

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  • Effects of Hearing Protection Methods and Noise Directions on Bone-Conduction Sensitivity
    Woojae Han
    THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF KOREA.2013; 32(5): 423.     CrossRef
  • An experimental study on the improving noise characteristic of hydraulic power unit
    Gi Chun Lee, Yong Bum Lee
    Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Engineering.2013; 37(6): 638.     CrossRef
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The Impact of Weight Changes on Metabolic Syndrome over a Time period of 8 years in Korean Male Workers
Tae Heum Chung, Moon Chan Kim, Ji Ho Lee, Chung Hun Choi, Chang Sup Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(1):20-28.   Published online March 31, 2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.1.20
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
Cardiovascular diseases are common causes of diseases and death for workers. With the increasing prevalence of obesity, the social costs for obesity related diseases are a growing burden in Korea. We aimed to investigate the impact of weight change on metabolic syndrome and its components in Korean male workers.
METHODS
We analyzed the data from 2,785 male workers obtained during health checkups in 2000 and in 2008. The subjects were classified into 5 groups as Loss (< or = -3.0 kg), Stable (-2.9 to 2.9 kg), Mild gain (3.0 to 5.9 kg), Moderate gain (6.0 to 8.9 kg), and Severe gain (> or = 9.0 kg) group according to the amount of weight change between the 2 health checkups. The mean values of metabolic syndrome components were compared across the 5 weight change groups by ANCOVA. After classifying subjects into 2 groups according to the normality of their body weight at baseline, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome and its components each weight-change group were computed by multiple logistic regression analyses, using the Stable group as the reference.
RESULTS
There was a strong linear relationship between weight gain and a worsening of the components of metabolic syndrome in 2008 (p<0.001). In normal body weight group, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome significantly increased in the Mild, Moderate, and Severe gain groups (OR 1.83, 2.82, and 7.56, respectively), and increased with weight gain (p<0.001). In subjects who were obese, the odds ratios for metabolic syndrome significantly increased if their amount of weight gain placed them in the Mild or Moderate gain groups(OR 1.75 and 3.97), increased with the increase of weight gain (p<0.001), and decreased in the Loss group(OR 0.51, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.85).
CONCLUSIONS
Weight gain in male workers was positively associated with metabolic syndrome through worsening of metabolic syndrome components. On the other hand, weight loss in obese male workers had a protective effect against metabolic syndrome through the improvement of the components of metabolic syndrome.

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  • Associations between the Practice of Health Behaviors and Awareness of Metabolic Syndrome among Adults (19-64 years) in the Gwangju-Jeonnam Area: 2010 Community Health Survey
    In Ae Chun, So Yeon Ryu, Hyeon Hui Park, Jong Park, Mi Ah Han, Seong Woo Choi
    Journal of agricultural medicine and community health.2013; 38(4): 217.     CrossRef
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Early Objectified Detection Method of Sensorineural Component in Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
Jae Kuk Yoon, Hun Lee, Nari Choy, Suk Hwan Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Ji Ho Lee, Cheol In Yoo
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(2):143-153.   Published online June 30, 2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.2.143
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
In order to determine find out the best methods for a more objective detection of neurologic abnormality in early hand arm vibration syndrome(HAVS), early with analyzing the validity of each of the detection methods was analyzed. We evaluated the relationships between the sensorineural stage of Stockholm-revised vibration syndrome classification and the results of several tests.
METHODS
497 workers were investigated for symptom, exposure duration, the types of tools used, and medical history from January 2000 to December 2007. Pain sense threshold, vibrotactile threshold, hand grasp force, finger grasp force, and a finger tapping frequency test were performed by the workers.
RESULTS
The grinder(67.3%) was the most commonly used tool and the mean exposure duration was 14.8 years. Although the pain sense and vibrotactile threshold level tended to increase according to sensorineural stage of the Stockholm classification, there was statistically significant difference in the vibrotactile threshold of 125, 250 Hz (p=0.006~0.038) but not in the pain sense threshold. Hand and finger grasp force tended to decrease according to the sensorineural stage of Stockholm classification and there was statistically significant difference(p=0.041,<0.001, 0.034) only on the right hand side. The tapping frequency also generally decreased according to the sensorineural stage of the Stockholm classification and there was statistically significant difference (p=0.002~0.019) only on the left hand side.
CONCLUSIONS
Although there is no single standardized method that can objectively diagnose the sensorineural component of early HAVS early, the combination of subjective symptoms, the sensorineural stage of Stockholm classification, the pain and vibrotactile threshold test, the hand and finger grasp force, and the finger agility (tapping) test can objectively detect sensorineural component of HAVS early.

Citations

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  • Application of cold intolerance symptom severity questionnaire among vibration-exposed workers as a screening tool for the early detection of hand-arm vibration syndrome: a cross-sectional study
    A Ram Kim, Dae Yun Kim, Ji Soo Kim, Heun Lee, Joo Hyun Sung, Cheolin Yoo
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Trend of Human Vibration Research in Korea
    Hee-Sok Park
    Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(4): 293.     CrossRef
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The Impact of Noise Expose on the Hearing Threshold Extended High Frequency
Nam Jeong Kim, Joong Keun Kwon, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(2):81-92.   Published online June 30, 2008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.2.81
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
To determine how extended high frequency is affected by noise exposure and other factors that maybe have adverse effects.
METHODS
Pure tone audiometry for usual frequencies (250-8000 Hz) and extended high frequencies (1000-16000 Hz) was conducted for 331 workers at a manufacturing company from 2004 to 2005. History of noise exposure, military service, tinnitus, alcohol drinking, smoking, ear diseases, and noisy hobbies were taken by interview. T-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression was conducted according to the frequency to evaluate the factors that could affect extended high frequency hearing.
RESULTS
The noise-exposed group had significantly poorer hearing than the noise-unexposed in the frequency range 2000-16000 Hz. The hearing deteriorated with increasing age through all the frequencies. High frequency hearing of 14000 Hz was significantly worse in the noise-exposed group in their 30s. Noise exposure during military service had a bad effect on hearing, especially for the noise-unexposed group. Tinnitus was associated with poorer hearing in both noise-exposed and noise-unexposed groups. Workers with noisy hobbies exhibited better hearing in the noise-unexposed group, contrary to our expectation. Extended high-frequency hearing was affected by aging, ear protection, and noisy hobbies. In extended high frequency, 14000 Hz was especially related with noise exposure history.
CONCLUSIONS
Extended high frequency, especially 14000 Hz, could be used as an indicator of noiseinduced hearing loss and should be considered as a screening test for workers in noisy environments.

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  • Stress of Noise on Dental Technician
    Ju Hee Lee
    Journal of Korean Acedemy of Dental Technology.2014; 36(2): 111.     CrossRef
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A Case of Raynaud's Phenomenon of both Feet in a Rock Drill Operator with Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome
Nari Choy, Chang Sun Sim, Jae Kuk Yoon, Suk Hwan Kim, Hyoung Ook Park, Ji Ho Lee, Cheol In Yoo
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(2):119-126.   Published online June 30, 2008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.2.119
AbstractAbstract PDF
BACKGROUND
There have been many studies on hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) for almost a century. The Stockholm Workshop scale has been accepted as a useful tool in diagnosing HAVS. Although they are not standard tests for diagnosis, cold provocation test and plethysmography of the fingers are commonly used as objective measurements to confirm the vascular component of HAVS. However, there are only a handful of case reports and studies worldwide on Raynaud's phenomenon in the toes. We report the case of a patient with HAVS who developed Raynaud's phenomenon in the toes after the vibration exposure had ceased. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this entity in Korea.
CASE
REPORT: A 58-year-old male, who had been diagnosed with HAVS in 2003, first noticed white toes in the summer of 2006 after immersing his feet in cold water. He had been working as a rock drill operator since 1976 for almost 30 years and had symptoms on his fingers since 1992. He underwent the cold provocation test, photoplethysmography, Nerve conduction velocity, and basic laboratory tests to rule out other causes of secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. To describe the severity of his feet, it could be classified as vascular stage 2 and sensorineural stage 1 if we were to apply the Stockholm Workshop scale.
CONCLUSIONS
The patient showed vibration-induced white toes, and we would like to share the results of objective findings related to his condition. When diagnosing HAVS, symptoms of the feet should be assessed by the occupational and environmental medicine physicians. Further studies are needed to standardize test methods to diagnose "vibration-induced white toes."

Citations

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  • Raynaud’s phenomenon in the feet of Arctic open-pit miners
    Albin Stjernbrandt, Hans Pettersson, Per Vihlborg, Anje Christina Höper, Anna Aminoff, Jens Wahlström, Tohr Nilsson
    International Journal of Circumpolar Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Body physiological responses of city bus drivers subjected to noise and vibration exposure in working environment
    Ramin Rahmani, Mohsen Aliabadi, Rostam Golmohammadi, Mohammad Babamiri, Maryam Farhadian
    Heliyon.2022; 8(8): e10329.     CrossRef
  • The Health Effect of Hand Arm Transmitted Vibration
    Jung-Wan Koo
    Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(4): 303.     CrossRef
  • Examination of Vibration Characteristics, and Reported Musculoskeletal Discomfort for Workers Exposed to Vibration via the Feet
    Mallorie Leduc, Tammy Eger, Alison Godwin, James P. Dickey, Ron House
    Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control.2011; 30(3): 197.     CrossRef
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Comparison of the Standard Threshold Shift Criteria for Evaluating Hearing Conservation Programs
Chang Sun Sim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yu Jung Kim, Na Ri Choy, Choong Ryeol Lee, Hun Lee, Jong Pil Jung, Ok Hyun Kim, Yo Weon Lee, Seung Rim Yang, Sung Soo Oh, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):179-188.   Published online September 30, 2006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.179
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
Workers from a factory was selected to compare 8 standard threshold shift criteria with the Korean diagnostic criteria of noise-induced hearing loss for this cohort study.
METHODS
From 1990 to 1999, 491 workers at a manufacturing company with complete record of the hearing test covering the range of 0.5~6 kHz for 10 consecutive years were finally selected. Eight standard threshold shift criteria (15 dB once, NIOSH (1972), 10 dB average 3~4 kHz, OSHA STS, AAOHNS, 15 dB twice, 15 dB 1~4 kHz, OSHA STS twice) along with the Korean standard for diagnosing the noise-induced hearing loss (the average hearing threshold at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz) were compared to calculate the degree of the threshold shift and the minimum time required to detect the change.
RESULTS
Those workers showing at least one positive shift in the 'once'criteria of NIOSH (1972) were 92.5%; the 'average'criteria of 10 dB average 3~4 kHz were 35.8%; 'twice'criteria of 15 dB twice were 44.4%. The duration from the baseline to the year showing the first positive shift was from 3.2 +/- 3.1 years (NIOSH, 1972) to 6.0 +/- 2.1 years (OSHA STS twice). The percentage of true positive shift ranging from 20.4% (AAO-HNS) to 69.8% (NIOSH, 1972). There were 10 (2%) which met the Korean diagnostic criteria of noise-induced hearing loss.
CONCLUSIONS
Currently the concept of hearing threshold shift in diagnosing the hearing loss was adopted in Korea thus in this study we determined the validity and the effect of the various hearing threshold shift criteria and showed that NIOSH (1972) criteria was the best of all. In the future, hearing data from various manufacturing workers should be compared to thoroughly evaluate the threshold shift criteria and to establish adequate standard for Korean workers.

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Effect Assessment of Worksite-based, Post-examination, Health Care Management System
Kang Jin Lee, Young Hee Choi, Cha Jae Oh, Hoo Rak Lee, Hyoung June Im, Moon Young Hwang, Byung Mann Cho, Ji Ho Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(1):1-14.   Published online March 31, 2006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.1.1
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to develop a worksite-based, post-examination, health care management system for continuous and systematic management of workers with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal LFT detected by periodic health examination and to assess the effectiveness such a system as an intervention study.
METHODS
Study subjects were selected from workers with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal LFT according to the selection criteria. The intervention group, but not the control group, received medical treatment of disease, follow up examination, and health education which consisted of information about the disease and the importance of life-style modification through periodic interview using the resources of occupational health service center in the worksite. To assess the effectiveness of this system, we compared follow up examination data from the intervention group with periodic examination data from the worksite control group.
RESULTS
In the intervention group a significant reduction trend was recorded for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, postprandial 2 hour glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, AST, ALT, and gamma-GTP, and a rising trend for HDL-cholesterol. Significant group differences ware recorded for fasting blood sugar, postprandial 2 hour glucose, total cholesterol, AST, and ALT.
CONCLUSIONS
The worksite-based, post-examination, health care management system was effective for the continuous and systematic management of workers who had abnormal findings detected by periodic health examination.

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  • The Change Analysis about Health Behavior and Examination Result of Periodical Medical Examiner
    Tae-Yong Lee, Dal-Sik Yoon
    Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2014; 15(2): 923.     CrossRef
  • The Effect of Metabolic syndrome Management Program Applying Participatory Action-Oriented Training Principle
    Seong-Yong Yoon, Kuck-Hyeun Woo, Hwa-Sung Kim, Yong-Bae Kim, Jin-Seok Kim, Seong-Yong Jo, Sung-Soo Lee
    Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2014; 31(5): 81.     CrossRef
  • The Effects of Hypertension Self-help Program on Hypertension-related Knowledge, Self-efficacy, Self-management Compliance and Physiological Parameters in Workers
    Mi-Young Gi, Young-Hae Park
    Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2012; 21(1): 1.     CrossRef
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Sleep Patterns and Morning Heart Rate Variability Among Daytime Workers in Korea
Chang Ho sohn, Min Sook Kim, Hyunjoo Kim, Soo Young Kim, Ji Ho Lee, Hyung Joon Jhun, Jong Min Woo
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):208-215.   Published online September 30, 2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.208
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to evaluate the sleep patterns in a population of Korean labor workers and to assess the activity of the autonomic nervous system in relation to sleep habits.
METHODS
A sampler of 1238 daytime workers (male 911, female 327) completed questionnaires on sleep habits and their short term heart rate variability(HRV) was also examined. We used the SA-2000 (medi-core) instrument for 5 minutes for each participant in the morning and performed basic physical examinations including height, weight, and blood pressure.
RESULTS
Bed time and wake up time were negatively correlated with age, while the frequencies of waking up through the night and in the early morning showed positive correlation with age. We found that bed time and wake up time during weekdays, sleep latency during weekdays, frequency of waking up through the night, and the degree of sleepiness all varied significantly according to the average nightly amount of sleep within the last week. There was a positive correlation between wake up time at weekdays with mean heart rate. However, the other variables of sleep habits and pattern did not show significant correlation with HRV.
CONCLUSION
Among Korean daytime workers, sleep phases become advanced with aging. In spite of the aging processes, general sleep health seems to be maintained among the healthy worker group. However, short-term HRV was not useful parameter to measure the alternation of autonomic nervous system resulting from the difference of sleep habits and pattern.

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  • Effect of Healing Beats Program on Stress, Heart Rate and Sleep Quality of Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    Eun-Jeong Hong
    Asian Oncology Nursing.2024; 24(1): 32.     CrossRef
  • Factors related with quality on sleep of daytime workers
    Bu-il Kim, Seong-yong Yoon, Jin-seok Kim, Kuck-Hyeun Woo, Seong-yong Cho, Ho Lee, Jong-min An
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Temperament and Character Traits, Heart Rate Variability and Occupational Stress in New Nursing Employees
    Min Soo Ko, Yong Lee Jang, Jin Sook Choi, Hyun Bo Shim, Hee Jung Nam, Mee Suk Wang, In Deok Lee, Hae Woo Lee
    Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.2016; 55(3): 271.     CrossRef
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A case of Acute Arsine Poisoning with Hemolytic Anemia and Acute Renal Failure
Kyoungsook Jeong, Ji Ho Lee, Chang Sun Sim, Jong Soo Lee, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Yangho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):238-248.   Published online September 30, 2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.238
AbstractAbstract PDF
BACKGROUND
There has been no reported case of arsine poisoning in Korea so far. This article presents the first reported case of arsine poisoning with hemolytic anemia accompanied by acute renal failure. Initially we suspected an infectious agent to be the cause of this case but later discovered that it was arsine poisoning suffered while working at a zinc-smelting industry in the process of recovering the cadmium by-product. We report this case and discuss the arsine poisoning.
CASE
REPORT: A 27-year-old man employed at a zinc-smelting industry was exposed to arsine while working in the process to recover the cadmium by-product.On the 4th day at work, he had to redissolve defected by-product into a pot and began to experience febrile sensation, diarrhea, upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice, and anorexia.After he was admitted to a hospital, the laboratory results showed hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure and elevated concentration of arsenic. He was thus diagnosed as suffering from arsine-poisoning and underwent hem dialysisand supportive therapy.He recovered from the poisoning after51 days and was discharged from the hospital.
DISCUSSION
When workers dealing with arsenic-containing material present with hematuria, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dyspnea followed by hemolysis with acute renal failure, arsine poisoning must be suspected and diagnosis followed by treatment must commence immediately. If any future cases occur, blood and urine samples should be kept in storage so any necessary analysis can be processed later.

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Evaluation of Ototoxicity by Mixed Organic Solvents Using the Upper Limit of Hearing
Ji Ho Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Choong Ryeol Lee, Hun Lee, Young Hee Choi, Nam Jung Kim, Yangho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(4):391-400.   Published online December 31, 2004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.4.391
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the ototoxicity by mixed organic solvents on workers'hearing using the upper limit of hearing(ULH).
METHODS
Seven hundred ninety-seven male workers in the ship building industry who were evaluated by interview with an upper limit of hearing from August 2000 to July 2002 were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to exposure profile and job: officers, field supporters, and painters. To assess the ototoxicity of mixed organic solvent exposure on hearing, with regard to confounders, the general liner model was used.
RESULTS
After controlling for the possible confounders, such as age, career, noise exposure level, tinnitus, alcohol intake, and smoking, the estimated mean for ULH of the painter group was higher than that of the officer and the field supporter groups. These differences of mean ULH were at the borderline of statistically significance(p=0.069).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that a relatively lower level of mixed organic solvent chronically affected the hearing organ or auditory pathway. ULH seems to be a useful method for early detection of the ototoxicity of organic solvents.

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Relationship of Biological Indices of Manganese with Pallidal Index on MRI in Liver Cirrhotics
Younghee Choi, Neung Hwa Park, Jung Woo Shin, Hyo Kyung Kim, Sung Ryul Kim, Tae Heum Jeong, Ji Kang Park, Hun Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Choong Ryeol Lee, Ji Ho Lee, Yangho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(2):129-138.   Published online June 30, 2004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.2.129
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to clarify which biological manganese exposure indices reflect the pallidal signal intensities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in liver cirrhotics.
METHODS
We examined whole blood, plasma, RBC and urinary manganese concentrations, as well as, brain MRI in 22 cirrhotic patients and 10 healthy controls. From MRI scans we calculated the signal intensity of the globus pallidus using the pallidal index (PI), the ratio of the globus pallidus to subcortical frontal white-matter signal intensity in axial T1-weighted MRI planes multiplied by 100. In addition, we studied the relationships between PI and other measurements.
RESULTS
The high signal intensity in the globus pallidus on T1-weighted MRI was observed in 18 (81.8%) patients. There was a significant correlation between whole blood and RBC manganese concentration, and PI on MRI. According to multiple linear regression, whole blood and RBC manganese concentration reflected PI on MRI better the other indices did.
CONCLUSIONS
Whole blood and RBC manganese concentrations could be useful as biological manganese exposure indices that reflect PI on MRI.

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Occupational disease surveillance system in Busan, Ulsan, Kyung-Nam area
Jung Il Kim, Byung Gwan Kim, Jung Won Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Cheol Ho Yi, Dongmug Kang, Ji Hong Kim, Jin Ha Kim, Young Wook Kim, Young Ha Lee, Ji Ho Lee, Younghee Choi, Jung Ho Kim, Hyung Ryul Yun, Cheol In Yoo, Baek Geun Jeong, Tae Won Jang, Yun Gyu Kim, Dong Young Yun, Jin Uk Kang, Jong Eun Kim, Jin Hong Ahn, Dong Joon Lee, Joon Ho Jang, Kwang Young Lee, Hyu Ran Song, Yong Hwan Lee, Byung Man Cho, Hong Ryul Choi, Sang Baek Koh, Euna Kim, Yu Jin Lee, Young Seoub Hong, Kap Yeol Jung, Jung Man Kim, Joon Youn Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(1):1-12.   Published online March 31, 2004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.1.1
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVE: Occupational medicine specialists in the Busan, Ulsan and Kyung-Nam areas established an area-based occupational disease surveillance system and used this system to collected case information for the purpose of preventing occupational diseases METHODS: 11 hospitals participated in this system. The authors selected five main diseases, which were hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD), occupational asthma, occupational skin disease and occupational lung cancer and established their case definitions. All cases were reported on the web, and real time analysis was conducted.
RESULTS
Between Apri1 2001 and April 2003, 192 cases of HAVS, 118 cases of WRMSD, 33 cases of occupational asthma, 17 cases of occupational skin disease and 17 cases of occupational lung cancer (for a total of 377 cases of these five main diseases) were reported. Most of the HAVS cases came from shipbuilding, and 172 of them (92.7 %) were associated with grinding. Of the four main types of WRMSD, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was the most prevalent with 46 cases and shipbuilding was also the main industry involved (83.9 %). The ergonomic risk factors involved mainly associated with the hand. In 19 (57.6 %) and 4 (12.1 %) cases of occupational asthma, the agents included isocyanate and welding fume, respectively. 64.7 % of the cases of occupational skin diseases were contact dermatitis, and organic solvents and welding fume were the main agents involved. The causative agents of occupational lung cancer included Cr, welding fume, PAH, Ni, etc. 10 (58.8 %) of the cases were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma and 5 (29.4 %) as adenoma.
CONCLUSION
This result showed that an area-based occupational disease surveillance system might provide an effective method of evaluating the prevalence of such diseases, however the Busan, Ulsan and Kyung-Nam provinces are too large to be treated as individual areas. Therefore, the authors suggest that each province should establish its own surveillance system.

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  • Work-relatedness of lung cancer by smoking and histologic type in Korea
    Young-Il Lee, Sang-Gil Lee, Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Han Leem, Hwan-Cheol Kim
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • 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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Mental Disorders and Fitness for Work in Korea
Choong Ryeol Lee, Yang ho Kim, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Hun Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(3):224-236.   Published online September 30, 2003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.3.224
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the actual state of people with mental disorders in Korea, in order to present an alternative proposal for their work fitness and vocational rehabilitation.
METHODS
The authors conducted this study through a review of statistics on the prevalence of mental disorder, labor laws, and the literatures related with work fitness and vocational rehabilitation of people with mental disorders.
RESULTS
According to recent surveys, about 3 million people in Korea are likely to have mental disorders which could lead to discrimination in social life and dishonor in occupational career, either in the present or near future. Therefore, evaluation of work fitness and vocational rehabilitation for persons with mental disorders are important. At present, work fitness for psychiatric patients is evaluated without suitable guidelines regarding the kinds and severity of mental disorders that impede work capacity. Furthermore, mental disorder-specific fitness for work is not under consideration.
CONCLUSION
It is true that most psychiatric patients have some limitation in performing their job. However, judging from the results of some research, proper displacement, apprehension of co-workers, and adjusted workplace could help them complete their tasks properly despite their troublesome psychiatric symptomatology. The government must help all citizens to do their best in their social life, and show a deep interest in the employment of all disabled people including those with psychiatric disorders. Above all we have to change our attitudes and preconceptions against people with mental disorders. Some labor laws, which presently impede employment of people with psychiatric disorders, need to be revised in their favor. Future work capacity evaluation should be done on the basis of ability to function in the workplace rather than symptomatology.

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  • The Relations among Attitude, Competency, and Appropriateness of Work on Student Suicide in Health Teachers
    Jae Soon Yoo, Dallong Han, Chul-Gyu Kim
    The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education.2016; 22(4): 473.     CrossRef
  • The Stigma of Mental Illness in Korea
    Jong-Ik Park, Mina Jeon
    Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.2016; 55(4): 299.     CrossRef
  • Employment Discrimination Against Schizophrenia
    Mary V. Seeman
    Psychiatric Quarterly.2009; 80(1): 9.     CrossRef
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Epidemiologic Characteristics of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome through Occupational Disease Surveillance System in Busan, Ulsan, Kyungnam Province
Young hee Choi, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Choong Ryeol Lee, Hun Lee, Young Wook Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Sang Baek Koh, Euna Kim, Lu Jin Lee, Yang ho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(3):261-268.   Published online September 30, 2003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.3.261
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) due to occupational exposure of hand transmitted vibration and to identify the occupations and industries where such exposures arises, and the main sources of exposure.
METHODS
In April 2001 the Busan, Ulsan, and Kyung-Nam Province occupational disease surveillance system was established to measure the incidence and prevalence of work-related HAVS and other occupational diseases in these Korean provinces. Occupational physicians of nine hospitals in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyung-nam Province were involved in this project between April 2001 and November 2002. Physicians collected information through questionnaires and interviews. Information gathered included age, occupation, types of vibration tools used and presence of subjective symptoms such as vibration-induced white finger (VWF), numbness and tingling.
RESULTS
A total 192 cases were reported with 188 males and 4 females. The shipbuilding industry was the most common type of industry and grinders were the most common source of exposure. Symptoms of neurological disorder were more common than those of vascular disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors concluded that exposure to hand transmitted vibration is common and that HAVS is one of the most common occupational diseases in Korea. However, the range and extent of hand transmitted vibration and the overall prevalence of HAVS in Korea is still unknown. More extensive research on this syndrome in order to priorite necessary preventive measures is required.

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Tinea Pedis in Workers of Shipbuilding Industry
Ho Seok Suh, Cheol In Yoo, Choong Ryeol Lee, Ji Ho Lee, Yangho Kim, Won Sin Lee, Jee Ho Choi, Kyung Jeh Sung, Jai Kyoung Koh, Kee Chan Moon
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(4):408-417.   Published online December 31, 2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.4.408
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
Recently,tinea pedis has been reported to be a type of occupational dermatoses because of its high prevalence in specific working conditions.Although there is no doubt that the environment surrounding work places, the usual habits of workers etc are intimately related to this skin conditions, there is some controversy as to whether or not this condition is a real occupational illness and what is the exact cause of the high prevalence of this illness is. In this study, the prevalence of tinea pedis in workers from the shipbuilding industry was investigated andthe risk factors of this disease were evaluated. This study also aimed to verify whether or not tinea pedis is one of the occupational diseases.
METHODS
The results of interviews, questionnaires and clinical findings from 1,419 workers who visited the occupational health center for an annual routine check for their health state were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among the 1,419 workers, 778 workers (54.8%)had tinea pedis. By simple logistic regression analysis,the prevalence of tinea pedis was found to be affected by some variables, including the job category, the types of work,the kinds of footwear, whether or not they were using communal baths in the work places, and a family history of tinea pedis.In contrast, by multiple logistic regression analysis,only utilization of the communal baths in the work places and a family history of tinea pedis turned out to be statistically significant risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the major factors contributing to the high prevalence of tinea pedis are the use of communal baths in the workplace and a positive family history. However, the wearing of safety shoes was not statistically significant. Therefore, tinea pedis could not be confirmed to be an occupational disease. On the basis of these results, a solution to the environmental hygiene of communal baths and the personal hygiene of individuals needs to be improved in order to prevent tinea pedis.

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Evaluation of Finger Skin Temperature by Cold Provocation Test for Diagnosis of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Choong Ryeol Lee, Hun Lee, Young Hee Choi, Yang Ho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(2):124-133.   Published online June 30, 2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.2.124
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
Various objective tests have been widely used worldwide for diagnosing the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Among these, the cold provocation test has been frequently used to confirm the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon. This study was carried out in order to evaluate finger skin temperature by cold provocation test(10 degrees C for 10 minute) for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome METHODS: Fifty-eight workers who had been exposed to local vibration were examined. Information concerning age, occupation, types of vibration tools used, presence of subjective symptoms such as vibration induced white finger(VWF), and numbness and tingling were collected. The subjects were classified into three groups according to their symptoms(Vascular, Neural, and No symptom group). In order to examine the applicability of the cold provocation test using water at 10 degrees C for 10 minute, we compared finger skin temperature between the groups.
RESULTS
The mean value of the finger skin temperature at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after cold provocation as well as the recovery rate in the vascular group were significantly lower than that seen in the other groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of finger skin temperature by cold provocation test is very useful method for the diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome. The test results will assist in confirming the diagnosis of the hand-arm vibration syndrome.

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  • The Health Effects of Whole Body Vibration
    Soo-Jin Lee, Soo-Yong Roh
    Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(4): 297.     CrossRef
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Hematological Changes and Immunological Function in Children Living Near the Petrochemical Estate in Ulsan
Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Hun Lee, Yang Ho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(2):127-140.   Published online June 30, 2001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.2.127
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the hematological changes and the immunological function of children living near the petrochemical estate in Ulsan.
METHODS
The study subjects comprised of 238 children who consisted of 143 children living near the petrochemical estate and 95 children living in a suburban area. We conducted the hematological examination 3 times, in April, July and October. Also we evaluated the immunological function of some children in July. To confirm differences between schools repeated measures ANOVA of generalized linear model was done controlling age and sex as covariates.
RESULTS
The blood cell counts of children showed differences between schools in accordance with the survey month. The total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts of children living in a suburban area decreased in July and increased in October again, but those of some children living near the petrochemical estate did not changed distinctly. The RBC counts of children living in a suburban area decreased in July and increased in October again, but those of some children living near the petrochemical estate decreased as time passed. The changes of the amount of hemoglobin of all study subjects were similar with those of RBC. The platelet counts of all study subjects decreased in July and increased in October again. In the generalized linear model, school was a significant independent variable for the total WBC, RBC, and platelet counts, and sex was a significant independent variable for the RBC counts. Age was a significant independent variable for the lymphocyte and platelet counts. P values of all blood cell were statistically significant in interaction variable between the survey month and school, and those of the total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were statistically significant in interaction variable between the survey month and age. The immunological function showed no significant difference between study groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The total WBC and RBC counts which would be easily affected by volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the atmosphere showed differences between schools in accordance with the survey month. This suggests that the amounts of exposure to VOCs are different among each school children in different months. To ascertain the hematological changes by VOCs, an additional study evaluating the concentrations of atmosphere of VOCs and biological monitoring of some VOCs is needed.

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Impact of Solvent Exposure on the Occupational Hearing Loss
Ji Ho Lee, Young Ju Go, Hun Lee, Jung Hak Kang, Cheol In Yoo, Choong Ryeol Lee, Yang Ho Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):537-546.   Published online December 31, 2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.537
AbstractAbstract PDF
OBJECTIVES
This study was to evaluate the impacts of simultaneous exposure to noise and mixed solvents on workers'hearing threshold level (HTL) over five-year period.
METHODS
The study was conducted by interview and annual audiometric test on workers in ship building industry from 1994 to 1998. The cases(workers who exposed to noise and mixed solvent simultaneously) were 43 male workers and controls (workers who exposed to nolle) were selected by matching method with regard to age, sex, carrier, and noise exposure level. To assess the impacts of solvent exposure on hearing threshold level, with considering other factors, general liner model was used.
RESULTS
1. The audiogram of all subjects showed typical sensorineural hearing loss pattern. The mean HTLe were increased at high frequency (4000HB and 8000Hz) for study period. 2. The HTLs of cases were more increased than those of controls at high frequencies (4000Hz and 8000Hz), but there was not statlstical significance. 3. The impact of age on the HTL was statistically significant at 250Hz and 500Hz (p(0.05), and the impact of noise on the HTL was statistically significant at 250Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz (p(0.05), but the impact solvent exposure on the HTL was not significant. 4. The changes in HTLs of cases were higher than those of controls at high frequency, there were not statistical significance at 4000Hz, but only at 8000Hz (p=0.087). 5. Statistical analysis of the general linear model implicated that the changes in HTL was impacted by noise exposure bevel significantly (p=0.031) and Impacted by solvent exposure weakly (p=0.087) at 8000Hz.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that workers who simultaneously exposed to noise and mixed solvent were at risk for more affected HTL than those exposed to noise exposure only, but we could not find definitive evidence. Further detailed studies must be made in large number of workers.

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  • Occupational Hearing Loss in Korea
    Kyoo Sang Kim
    Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S62.     CrossRef
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The Effect of Noise Exposure and Age on the Changes of Group Mean Hearing Threshold Level: Annual Follow-up Studies for Seven Years
Ji Ho Lee, Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Seung Rim Yaang, Ok Hyun Kim, Byung Mann Cho, Su Ill Lee, Don Kyoun Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):137-152.   Published online June 30, 1999
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.137
AbstractAbstract PDF
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of noise exposure and age on the changes of group mean hearing threshold level(HTL) over 7-year period. For this purpose, consecutive annual audiometric tests were performed from 1991 to 1997. among 718 male employees of a metal product manufacturing factory. The subjects were divided four groups as follows according to noise level category(NLC). NLC-I officer, exposed noise level was under 60 dB(A) of time weighted average(TWA) NLC-JI technical assistant or engineer, they exposed to workplace noise occasionally NLC-IJJ worker, exposed noise level was below 85 dB(A) of TWA. wore hearing protection device(earmuff or earplug) NLC-IV worker, exposed noise level was over 85 dB(A) of TWA, wore hearing protection device(earmuff and earplug). The results were as follows 1. The improvement of group mean HTL was continued until the fifth year, showing the peak at the third year. The magnitudes of this learning effect were 1.5 - 4.6 dB. 2. The mean HTL of each age group tended to increase after the third year and the tendency was more prominent at 4000 Hz. 3. In noise exposed group(NLC-II, III, and IV), mean HTL increased from the third year after decreasing, meanwhile, in noise free group(NLC-I). it was few changed for the entire period. Among the noise exposure group, the mean HTL of NLC-IV was lower than that of NLC-III and NLC-IV. 4. After learning effect, the mean increase of HTL in noise free group(NLC-I) was 0.4-1.7 dB that suggests aging effect, and that in noise exposure group(NLC-ll, III, and IV) was 0.9 -4.1 dB that suggests noise effect. 5. Statistical analysis of the general linear model implicated that the effect of age was statistically significant at 500, 3000, 4000 and 6000Hz. and the effect of noise exposure was statistically significant at all frequencies except 6000Hz. However, the age * noise interaction was not significant at all frequencies. From these results, it was concluded that the effect of age and noise exposure seems to affect the mean HTL independently and these two factors contribute to an additive effect for the mean HTL change. Furthermore, more concerns should be needed for hearing conservation of low level exposures without any specific protection.

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  • For 5-years the Longitudinal Study on the Effect of Noise Exposure and Aging to the Changes of Hearing Threshold Level
    Chang Ho Chae, Ja Hyun Kim, Jun Seok Son
    Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 573.     CrossRef
  • Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hearing Loss Using the Korean Working Conditions Survey
    Kyoo Sang Kim, Oh Jun Kwon
    Korean Journal of Audiology.2012; 16(2): 54.     CrossRef
  • Cohort study for the effect of chronic noise exposure on blood pressure among male workers in Busan, Korea
    Ji Ho Lee, Weechang Kang, Seung Rim Yaang, Nari Choy, Choong Ryeol Lee
    American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2009; 52(6): 509.     CrossRef
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Nasal Septum Perforation of Welders
Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Ryu, Ji Ho Lee, Jeong Hak Kang, Seong Kyu Kang, Jung Sun Yang, Yong Cheol Shin
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):404-411.   Published online August 31, 1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.404
AbstractAbstract PDF
Six cases of nasal septum perforation were found among welders during periodic physical checkup in 1997. Considering the size, shape and margin, the perforations were assumed to have been occurred several years before of which the diameter were 8~15 mm. To investigate the cause of perforation, we reviewed the past history of preemployment, the results of annual working environment survey and the material safety data sheets of welding rods and steels with which they have dealt, and analyzed the concentration of several metals of welding fume and the concentration of blood and urinary chromium. In the result, we presupposed that the nasal septum perforations of welders were due to chronic exposure to low level hexavalent chromium and/or nickel, and report these cases with literatures review.

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  • Changes of Glycoconjugate Expression in Nasal Respiratory Mucosa of Rats Exposed to Welding Fumes
    Gil Nam Jeong, Un Bock Jo, Il Je Yu
    Inhalation Toxicology.2007; 19(12): 987.     CrossRef
  • Effects of repeated welding fumes exposure on the histological structure and mucins of nasal respiratory mucosa in rats
    Gil Nam Jeong, Gi Jin Jo, Un Bock Jo, Il Je Yu
    Toxicology Letters.2006; 167(1): 19.     CrossRef
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Assessment of chronic renal dysfunction in workers of shoe factories by use of urinary N-acetyl-?D-glucosaminidase activitiy
Don Kyun Kim, Su Ill Lee, Bung Mann Cho, Ji Ho Lee, Hoo Rak Lee, Jong Ook Park
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1993;5(1):114-127.   Published online February 28, 1993
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1993.5.1.114
AbstractAbstract PDF
No abstract available.

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Alterations of immune response in workers occupationally exposed tolead
Cheol In Ryu, Byung Mann Cho, Ji Ho Lee, In Kyung Hwang, Su Il Lee, Don Kyoun Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1991;3(2):135-144.   Published online November 30, 1991
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1991.3.2.135
AbstractAbstract PDF
No abstract available.

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