Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Kwang Wook Ko

2 Articles

Seasonal Variations of the Urinary N-Methylformamide Concentration among Workers at a Synthetic Leather Factory: Kwang Young Lee, Joo Hyun Byeon, Hae Rhan Song, Jin Ha Kim, Kwang Wook Ko, Yong Hwan Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(2):162-172. Published online June 30, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.2.162

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to identify seasonal variations of urinary concentrations of N-methylformamide (NMF) among workers employed at a synthetic leather factory.
METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 16 male and 6 female workers who were involved in the direct treatment of dimethylformamide (DMF) in a synthetic leather factory. By using health examination data and the results of air measurements and biologic monitoring conducted in February and July, 2001, we identified seasonal variations of the DMF concentrations in the air and NMF concentrations in urine.
RESULTS
1) In winter and summer, average temperatures at the working sites were 3.2 degrees C and 26.5 degrees C, respectively and average humidities were 35.4 % and 84.5 %, respectively. 2) Airborne DMF concentrations were not significantly different between summer (13.78 ppm) and winter (11.55 ppm). 3) NMF concentrations in urine were found to be significantly higher in summer (96.09 mg/g creatinine) than in winter (31.23 mg/g creatinine) (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The seasonal difference in the urinary excretion values of NMF may be due to increased dermal absorption of DMF with the higher ambient temperature and humidity in summer and the increased area of exposed skin.

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Risk assessment of N,N-dimethylformamide on residents living near synthetic leather factories
Qingyu Zhang, Chanke Huang, Yumei Wei, Qi Zhu, Weili Tian, Cui Wang
Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2014; 21(5): 3534. CrossRef
Assessment of correlation between markers of ambient monitoring and biological monitoring of dimethylformamide for workers in synthetic leather manufacturing factories in Korea
Yang In Hwang, Mi-Young Lee, Yun Kyung Chung, Eun A Kim
Analytical Science and Technology.2013; 26(5): 315. CrossRef
Clinical Outcomes of Occupational Exposure to N,N-Dimethylformamide: Perspectives from Experimental Toxicology
Tae Hyun Kim, Sang Geon Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2011; 2(2): 97. CrossRef

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Acquried Dyschromatopsia in Women Workers in Shoe Manufacturing Who were Exposed to Organic Solvents: Joo Hyun Byun, Kwang Young Lee, Young Kee Kim, Kwang Wook Ko, Yong Hwan Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(3):232-241. Published online September 30, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.3.232

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between color vision defects and occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents in women workers who were engaged in the shoe manufacturing industry.
METHODS
A total of 173 women workers were involved in this study, 85 of whom were exposed to mixed organic solvents and were defined as the exposed group, and 88 workers comprised the non-exposed control group. The patients were questioned as to their drinking history, the year in which they were exposed and whether they had eye symptoms of blurred vision, eye fatigue, and eye irritation. The exposed workers in the shoe manufacturing factory were engaged in 3 work areas which were pasting, trimming, and cleaning. Their Color vision was assessed using the Hahn's double 15 hue test under standard illumination and their current and cumulative exposure levels were measured.
RESULTS
The prevalence of color vision defect was 21.2% in the exposed group and 8.0% in the control group, and the blue-yellow defect was found to be 5.9 % in the exposed group. The logistic regression for the acquired dyschromatopsia and color confusion index showed that there were no variables that had significant relationships. Eye symptoms were more frequently developed in the exposed group.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a possibility of developing color vision defects when workers are exposed to mixed organic solvents. However, the results of the color confusion index showed that there was no significant relationship to the cumulative exposure level, because of the low exposure level and high occupational turn over rate of the workers. Because the workers in the present study were exposed to low level solvents it will be necessary to study workers exposed to higher levels of organic solvents.

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Association between Exposure to Organic Solvents and Symptom of Headache and Eyestrain among Laundry Workers: Analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey Data
Hyun-Sun Jeong, Kyoung-Mu Lee
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2023; 49(6): 372. CrossRef
Impaired colour vision in workers exposed to organic solvents: A systematic review
A.M. Betancur-Sánchez, E.M. Vásquez-Trespalacios, C. Sardi-Correa
Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (English Edition).2017; 92(1): 12. CrossRef
Discromatopsias y exposición a solventes orgánicos: una revisión sistemática
A.M. Betancur-Sánchez, E.M. Vásquez-Trespalacios, C. Sardi-Correa
Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología.2017; 92(1): 12. CrossRef
Color vision impairments among shipyard workers exposed to mixed organic solvents, especially xylene
Eun-Hee Lee, Domyung Paek, Young Lim Kho, Kyungho Choi, Hong Jae Chae
Neurotoxicology and Teratology.2013; 37: 39. CrossRef
Usefulness of Color Vision Test for Early Detection of Neurological Damages by Neurotoxic Substances
Eun-Hee Lee, Kyungho Choi, Hong Jae Chae, Domyung Paek
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2008; 41(6): 397. CrossRef

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