Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Jung Oh Ham

3 Articles

A Study of Psychosocial Stress of Residents Near Asbestos Mines: Young Sik Shin, Yong Jin Lee, Jung Oh Ham, Eun Chul Jang, Chan Ho Park, Min Sung Kang, Seung Kwon Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):375-383. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.375

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to identify the level of psychosocial stress of residents near asbestos mines, and to investigate the relationship between psychosocial stress and asbestos exposure history as well as, asbestos exposure awareness.
METHODS
The survey was conducted in 297 individuals, by one-on-one interviews with a standard questionnaire including demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and awareness of asbestos exposure. The levels of psychosocial stress were measured through the Psychosocial Wellbeing Index-Short Form(PWI-SF). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using psychosocial stress as a dependent variable. Demographic characteristics, health status, asbestos exposure history, and asbestos exposure awareness were examined as independent variable.
RESULTS
The average PWI-SF score was 17.5 +/- 8.0, with 40 people (13.5%) in the high-risk stress group (PWI-SF 27 points or more). The group having an asbestos-related occupational history had a 2.53 times higher proportion of psychosocial stress (95% CI: 1.03~6.21). The group recognizing asbestos exposure had an even higher proportion of high psychosocial stress group (4.84 times, 95% CI: 1.41~16.55).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of psychosocial stress is significantly higher in residents near asbestos mines having an asbestos-related occupational history who recognize their frequent asbestos exposure. Therefore, mental health is affected by the awareness of environmental asbestos exposure as well as an occupational exposure to asbestos.

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A Case of Toxic Hepatitis in a Worker Exposed to a Cleansing Agent Mainly Composed of Methylene Chloride: Bong Goo Ha, Jin Seok Kim, Jay Young Yu, Kuck Hyun Woo, Jung Oh Ham, Seong Yong Yoon, Yong Seok Jang, Sang Je Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(2):210-219. Published online June 30, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.2.210

OBJECTIVES
To report a case of toxic hepatitis in a worker exposed to a cleansing agent mainly composed of methylene chloride.
METHODS
A 27-year-old female worker who had worked in an inspection and packing position of semiconductor parts in a factory using methylene chloride as a metal cleansing solvent was hospitalized due to fever, chill and generalized aches. We evaluated her with blood tests, abdominal ultrasonographic scan and abdominal CT scan and also took her occupational history.
RESULTS
The patient showed acute hepatitis in blood and radiologic tests after admission. The serologic tests for viral hepatitis A, B, C and autoimmune hepatitis were negative. She had no history of significant alcohol use, recent medication or drug allergy. After admission, her symptoms were improved and liver enzyme levels(AST and ALT) were markedly reduced. She returned to her workplace after discharge. Thereafter, however, her previous symptoms were recurred and she was hospitalized again 2 days after returning to her workplace. After this second admission, she showed acute hepatitis in blood tests and her symptoms were improved and liver enzyme levels were markedly reduced with the same pattern as those of the first admission. On the 11th day of the second admission, liver enzyme levels were normalized and she was discharged from hospital.
CONCLUSIONS
We presume that this patient`s liver injury was related to the methylene chloride presence at her workplace due to her clinical symptoms, blood tests, radiologic tests and occupational history.

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Death Due to Acrylic Adhesive (Dichloromethane): A Case Report
Ho Bong Hyun, Jo Youn Park, Hyeong Sin Park, Jeong Hyun Hong, Myung Guon Ko, Hyun Wook Kang, Hyoung Soo Lim
Korean Journal of Legal Medicine.2022; 46(4): 133. CrossRef
A case report of toxic hepatitis caused by chloroform in automotive parts manufacturer coating process
Jong Hyun Hwang, Jung Il Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Occupational Hepatic Disorders in Korea
Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Tae Woo Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S36. CrossRef

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Ocular, Respiratory and Skin Symptoms Among Solderers Employed in Printed Circuit Board Assembly Units: Jay Young Yu, Kuck Hyeun Woo, Jin Seok Kim, Jung Oh Ham, Tae Sung Choi, Bong Goo Ha, Sang Je Jung, Shin Goo Park, Il Ryong Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(4):423-435. Published online December 31, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.4.423

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of ocular, respiratory and skin symptoms among solderers and to investigate the relationship between symptom prevalence and exposure intensity.
METHODS
We analyzed 126 eligible participants out of a population of 146 male solderers who completed the symptom questionnaires. Fourteen symptoms including 'itchy and red eyes', 'itchy or prickly nose', 'sneezing', 'rhinorrhea', 'blocked nose', 'pricklythroat', 'foreign body sensation in throat', 'sudden bouts of coughing', 'exertional breathlessness ', 'wheezing', 'sputum production', 'itchy face or hands', 'acneiform eruptions on the face'and 'red spots on the face or hands'were contained. Blood lead levels of all the 126 participants were tested and the participants'own assessments of the health risk of soldering were collected.
RESULTS
Of the 14 investigated symptoms, 'sudden bouts of coughing'was significantly more prevalent in solderers who worked 4 hours or more a day than those who worked less than 4 hours a day, as for the other symptoms, there were no significant differences in the preva1ences related to daily soldering hours. 2.8% of the solderers considered the risk of flux exposure to be serious. The mean blood lead level was 6.05 microgram/dL (maximum 15.50 microgram /dL).
CONCLUSIONS
Soldering may increase the risk of respiratory symptoms. Further investigations on the hazards of soldering processes are warranted and solderers should be educated on these hazards.

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Skin Disease Among Staff in a Large Korean Nursing Home.
DEREK RICHARD SMITH, JAE-WOOK CHOI, DONG-SOO YU, MYUNG KI, CHUN-HWA OH, ZENTARO YAMAGATA
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine.2002; 198(3): 175. CrossRef

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