Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Min Choi

7 Articles

Association between organizational justice and depressive symptoms among securities company workers: HyunSuk Lee, KangHyun Um, YoungSu Ju, Sukkoun Lee, Min Choi, Domyung Paek, Seong-Sik Cho; Ann Occup Environ Med 2019;31:e7. Published online June 5, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2019.31.e7

Background

The organizational justice model can evaluate job stressor from decision-making process, attitude of managerial or senior staff toward their junior workers, and unfair resource distribution. Stress from organizational injustice could be harmful to workers' mental health. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between organizational justice and depressive symptoms in a securities company.

Methods

To estimate organizational justice, a translated Moorman's organizational justice evaluation questionnaire (Korean) was employed. Cronbach's α coefficient was estimated to assess the internal consistency of the translated questionnaire. To assess depressive symptoms, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was used. The link between the sub-concepts of the organizational justice model and depressive symptoms was assessed utilizing multiple logistic regression models.

Results

The risk of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among workers with higher levels of all subcategory of organizational injustice. In the full adjusted model odds ratio (OR) of higher level of procedural injustice 2.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58–4.90), OR of the higher level of relational injustice 4.25 (95% CI, 2.66–6.78), OR of higher level of distributional injustice 4.53 (95% CI, 2.63–7.83) respectively. Cronbach's α coefficient of the Korean version was 0.93 for procedural justice, 0.93 for relational justice, and 0.95 for distributive justice.

Conclusions

A higher level of organizational injustice was linked to higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among workers in a company of financial industry.

Citations

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Organizational Justice and Health: Reviewing Two Decades of Studies
Laura Cachón-Alonso, Marko Elovainio, Richard Crisp
Journal of Theoretical Social Psychology.2022; 2022: 1. CrossRef
Effects of procedural justice on prospective antidepressant medication prescription: a longitudinal study on Swedish workers
Viktor Persson, Constanze Eib, Claudia Bernhard-Oettel, Constanze Leineweber
BMC Public Health.2020;[Epub] CrossRef

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Overview of occupational cancer in painters in Korea: Jun-Pyo Myong, Younmo Cho, Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:10. Published online February 6, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0222-3

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Comprehensive consideration is necessary for setting guidelines to evaluate evidence of occupational cancer in painters due to work-related exposure to carcinogens in paint (a phenomenon termed herein as “work-relatedness”). The aim of the present research is to perform a comprehensive review and to suggest criteria for the provision of compensation for occupational neoplasm among painters in Korea. In order to perform a comprehensive review, this study assessed and evaluated scientific reports of carcinogenicities from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), as well as reviewed the existing literature about occupational exposure among painters in Korea and the epidemiologic investigations of claimed cases of cancer among painters in Korea. The IARC declares that occupational exposures in commercial painting are classified as Group 1 carcinogens for lung cancer and bladder cancer among painters. The epidemiologic studies show consistent causal relationships between occupational exposure in painters and cancers such as lung cancer [meta relative risk: 1.34 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23-1.41)] and bladder cancer [meta relative risk: 1.24 (95% CIs: 1.16-1.33)]. In reviewing occupational cancer risks for commercial painters, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) confirms occupational cancer risks for lung and bladder cancer among commercial painters. According to the IIAC, however, the elevated cancer risks reported in existing literature are not doubled in either lung or bladder cancer in commercial painters relative to the risks of these cancers in the general population. Based on our review of existing Korean articles on the topic, painters are exposed to potential carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, hexavalent chrome, crystalized silica, asbestos, and other agents, and relative levels are estimated within commercial painting processes. However, the cancer risks of occupational exposure to Group 1 carcinogens for lung and bladder cancer in painters per se are not fully assessed in existing Korean articles. Total work duration, potential carcinogens in paint, mixed exposure to paints across various industries such as construction and shipbuilding, exposure periods, latent periods, and other factors should be considered on an individual basis in investigating the work-relatedness of certain types of cancer in commercial painters.

Citations

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Children’s health affected by parent’s behavioral characteristics: a review
Sung Eun Kim, Jongin Lee
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2024; 67(5): 232. CrossRef
The Predictive Effect of Protection Motivation Theory Structures on the Protective Behaviors of Painting Workers: An Analysis of Threat Appraisal and Coping Appraisal Processes
Mohsen Rezaeian, Mostafa Nasirzadeh, Mahmood Mahbobirad, Hassan Ahmadinia, Mahdi Abdolkarimi, Alireza Taheri Fard
Journal of Human Environment and Health Promotion.2023; 9(3): 151. CrossRef
MGMT in glial carcinogenesis. Roles from prevention to treatment
İlhan Elmaci, Meric A. Altinoz, Eylem Burcu Kahraman Ozlu, Ramazan Sari, Ozlem Er, Cumhur Gokhan Ekmekci, Burcu Turkgenc, Alp Ozpinar, Emily Hacker, Aysel Ozpinar
European Journal of Cancer Prevention.2022; 31(6): 568. CrossRef
Lung cancer and occupational exposure: hospital-based case-control study
Christiane Brey, Dario Consonni, Leila Maria Mansano Sarquis, Fernanda Moura D’Almeida Miranda
Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Câncer de pulmão e exposição ocupacional: estudo caso-controle de base hospitalar
Christiane Brey, Dario Consonni, Leila Maria Mansano Sarquis, Fernanda Moura D’Almeida Miranda
Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Efectos adversos por el uso de sustancias químicas en la salud de los trabajadores de la industria de la construcción. Artículo de revisión
Solaindy Andrea Zapata-Alvarez, Dayanis Bautista-Avila, Carla Patricia Laguna-Acosta, Pier Paolo Rojas-Valderrama, Yessica Alejandra Rincón-Rojas, Fabiola Contreras-Pacheco
Revista Investigación en Salud Universidad de Boyacá.2021; 8(2): 147. CrossRef
Silica and asbestos exposure at work and the risk of bladder cancer in Canadian men: a population-based case-control study
Lidija Latifovic, Paul J. Villeneuve, Marie-Élise Parent, Linda Kachuri, Shelley A. Harris
BMC Cancer.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Establishment and operation of a cooperative program to identify work-related acute myeloid leukemia in a general hospital
Jiyoun Jung, Hye-ran Choi, Byung-Sik Cho, Silvia Park, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mo-Yeol Kang, Hee-Je Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef

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The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model: Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:21. Published online August 28, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0070-3

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Objectives

We aimed to ascertain the relationship between several factors and successful return to work using a structural equation model.

Methods

We used original data from the Panel Study of Worker’s Compensation Insurance, and defined four latent variables as occupational, individual, supportive, and successful return to work. Each latent variable was defined by its observed variables, including age, workplace size, and quality of the medical services. A theoretical model in which all latent variables had a relationship was suggested. After examining the model, we modified some pathways that were not significant or did not fit, and selected a final structural equation model that had the highest goodness of fit.

Results

All three latent variables (occupational, individual, and supportive) showed statistically significant relationships with successful return to work. The occupational and supportive factors had relationships with each other, but there was no relationship between individual and the other factors. Nearly all observed variables had significance with their latent variables. The correlation coefficients from the latent variables to successful return to work were statistically significant and the indices for goodness of fit were satisfactory. In particular, four observed variables—handicap level, duration of convalescence, working duration, and support from the company—showed construct validities with high correlation coefficients.

Conclusions

All factors that we examined are related to successful return to work. We should focus on the supportive factor the most because its variables are modifiable to promote a return to work by those injured in their workplace.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Children’s health affected by parent’s behavioral characteristics: a review
Sung Eun Kim, Jongin Lee
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2024; 67(5): 232. CrossRef
Effect of professional certification on employees’ return-to-work rate after occupational injuries in Korea: focusing on vulnerable groups
Suk Won Bae
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
The inhabitants’ dual interest preferences and their impact on pro-environmental behavior in China
Hongdou Lei, Imran Khan, Shiping Li
Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2020; 27(11): 12308. CrossRef
Sex Differences in Factors Associated with General Life Satisfaction among Occupationally Injured Workers in Korea: A Panel Analysis of the 2013–2017 Panel Study of Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Jin-Won Noh, Kyoung-Beom Kim, Jooyoung Cheon, Yejin Lee, Young Dae Kwon
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(22): 4397. CrossRef
Changes in Income after an Industrial Accident According to Industry and Return-to-Work Status
Suk Won Bae, Sarah Soyeon Oh, Wha Me Park, Jaehoon Roh, Jong-Uk Won
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(14): 2603. CrossRef

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Work-related COPD after years of occupational exposure: YounMo Cho, JongIn Lee, Min Choi, WonSeon Choi, Jun-Pyo Myong, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jung-Wan Koo; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:6. Published online February 19, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0056-1

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Background

Cigarette smoking is known as the most important risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, occupational exposure to other substances can result in COPD.

Case report

A 76-year-old man with occupational exposures to mixtures of silica dust, gas, and fumes for 10 years and with a 25 pack-year smoking history was diagnosed with COPD. His computed tomogram scan revealed some hyperinflation with emphysematous change in both upper lobes. In the pulmonary function tests, his post-bronchodilator forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), and FEV₁/FVC% were 2.20 L (67% of the predicted value), 1.12 L (52% of the predicted value), and 51%, respectively, indicating moderate COPD. This case of COPD was confirmed as a work-related disease by the Occupational Lung Disease Research Institute in Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service.

Conclusion

Exposure to various substances such as silica dust, gas, and fumes from furnace and boiler installation was likely the cause of COPD in this patient. Thus, occupational exposure should be considered an important risk factor of COPD.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Occupational and Environmental Exposure Influences the Inflammatory (Pro-and Anti-) Status in Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostate Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
Shailendra Dwivedi, Praveen Sharma, Apul Goel, Sanjay Khattri, Sanjeev Misra, Kamlesh Kumar Pant
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry.2024; 39(2): 241. CrossRef
Association Between COPD Symptoms and Psychological Distress Among Farmers
Prasert Kham-ai, Karen Heaton, Peng Li
Workplace Health & Safety.2023; 71(2): 89. CrossRef
SiO2 prompts host defense against Acinetobacter baumannii infection by mTORC1 activation
Xiaomin Guo, Chaoming Wang, Tao Xu, Lu Yang, Chaohong Liu, Xiaopeng Qi
Science China Life Sciences.2021; 64(6): 982. CrossRef
An initial evaluation of the safety of a disposable oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a short-term pilot study
Kevin J. O’Sullivan, Valerie Power, Barry Linnane, Deirdre McGrath, Hilda Fogarty, Martina Ryan, Rebecca White, Conor Noonan, Eithne Mulloy, Leonard W. O’Sullivan, Colum P. Dunne
BMC Pulmonary Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Work Lung Disease Due to Rice Dust
Ariani Permatasari, Reagen Irwan Kolibu
Jurnal Respirasi.2020; 6(3): 79. CrossRef
IMMUNOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF INFLAMMATORY PROCESS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE OF PROFESSIONAL ETIOLOGY
V. V. Ivchuk, T. Yu. Kopteva, T. A. Kovalchuk
World of Medicine and Biology.2019; 15(70): 082. CrossRef
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Self-Rated Morbidities Among South Asian Migrant Gas Station Workers in Kuwait
Najla Al-ayyadhi, Saeed Akhtar
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.2018; 20(6): 1324. CrossRef
Non-smoking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Attributed to Occupational Exposure to Silica Dust
Kazuo Tsuchiya, Mikio Toyoshima, Yosuke Kamiya, Yutaro Nakamura, Satoshi Baba, Takafumi Suda
Internal Medicine.2017; 56(13): 1701. CrossRef

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Workers’ experiences with compensated sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorder: a qualitative study: Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jinwoo Lee, Hye-Eun Lee, Junsu Byun, Jong Uk Won; Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:33-33. Published online November 4, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0033-0

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Objectives

The most common occupational disease that is compensated by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) in Korea is musculoskeletal disease (MSD). Although complaints about the workers’ compensation system have been raised by injured workers with MSD, studies that examine workers’ experiences with the Korean system are rare. This paper is a qualitative study designed to examine injured workers’ experiences with the workers’ compensation system in Korea. The aim of this study is to explore the drawbacks of the workers’ compensation system and to suggest ways to improve this system.

Methods

All workers from an automobile parts factory in Anseong, GyeongGi province who were compensated for MSD by IACI from January 2003 to August 2013 were invited to participate. Among these 153 workers, 142 workers completed the study. Semi-structured open-ended interviews and questionnaires were administered by occupational physicians. The responses of 131 workers were analyzed after excluding 11 workers, 7 of whom provided incomplete answers and 4 of whom were compensated by accidental injury. Based on their age, disease, department of employment, and compensation time, 16 of these 131 workers were invited to participate in an individual in-depth interview. In-depth interviews were conducted by one of 3 occupational physicians until the interview contents were saturated.

Results

Injured workers with MSD reported that the workers’ compensation system was intimidating. These workers suffered more emotional distress than physical illness due to the workers’ compensation system. Injured workers reported that they were treated inadequately and remained isolated for most of the recuperation period. The compensation period was terminated without ample guidance or a plan for an appropriate rehabilitation process.

Conclusions

Interventions to alleviate the negative experiences of injured workers, including quality control of the medical care institutions and provisions for mental and psychological care for injured workers, are needed to help injured workers return to work earlier and more healthy.

Citations

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Chairless Chairs for Orthopedic Surgery Purpose – A Literature Review
Gatot Santoso, S. Sugiharto, Abdul Mughni, Muhammad Imam Ammarullah, Athanasius P. Bayuseno, J. Jamari
Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences.2022; 10(F): 146. CrossRef
Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI)
Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model
Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef

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The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians: Kyoung Han Kim, Jong In Lee, Min Choi, Jun Pyo Myong, Yong Sang Park, Tae Won Jang, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):356-364. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.356

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Dental technicians are exposed to various toxic materials in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to assess the pulmonary function of dental technicians and to evaluate the association between work-related factors and pulmonary function of dental technicians.
METHODS
Study subjects were 209 dental technicians in the Korean Dental Technologist Association. A self-report questionnaire including general characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and work-related characteristics was conducted on study subjects, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was done. Study subjects were classified into two groups(normal and abnormal pulmonary function) based on the pulmonary function test (PFT).
RESULTS
43 subjects (20.6%) among 209 subjects had abnormal pulmonary function. After adjusting for general characteristics such as age, sex, past medical history, familial history, and smoking status, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.42(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14~1.83). After adjusting for general and work-related characteristics, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.48(95% CI 1.18~1.92).
CONCLUSIONS
Dental technicians are exposed to hazardous materials, which might lead to abnormal pulmonary function. A long work duration could increase exposure time, thereby increasing the chance for abnormal pulmonary function. Therefore, pulmonary function tests should be carried out periodically in dental technicians to ensure their pulmonary health.

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A Case of Epilepsy and Assessments of Fitness for Work: Kyoung Han Kim, Min Choi, Se Eun Kim, Tae Won Jang, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jung Wan Koo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(3):287-293. Published online September 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.3.287

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Epilepsy affects an individual's ability to work as well as their daily activities. Patients with epilepsy have difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs, and they may not have opportunities to perform adequately. Therefore, evaluation of work-fitness is important for patients with epilepsy. In this report, the authors reviewed a case of epilepsy and discussed aspects of the case for evaluation of work-fitness.
CASE
REPORT: A 43-year-old man with epilepsy visited the hospital for evaluation of work-fitness. His job consisted of forklift driving and crane operation using a remote control. As a seizure attack could threaten worker's safety, we recommended a job change. The employer refused to approve a job change due to the company's circumstances, so we recommended several conditions, including continuous medication, use of protective equipment, restriction of night-shift work, restriction of strenuous exercise, and profound sleep. An epilepsy event occurred during the follow-up period, prompting his company to evaluate his work. There were frequent movements of forklift operations and workers in the workplace, so we recommended restriction of forklift driving and a job change if possible. As a result, the employer changed his job and we recommended "capable of performing work without any conditions".
CONCLUSION
For evaluation of work-fitness in patients with epilepsy, adequate job analysis, assessment of patient's medical conditions, and interviews of coworker and employers should be conducted. It is also important to let the employer make the best decision in terms of the patient's health and coworker's safety.

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