Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Pock Soo Kang

5 Articles

Blood Pb, Urine Cd and Health Assessment of Residents in the Vicinity of Abandoned Mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do: Jong Hak Chung, Pock Soo Kang, Chang Yoon Kim, Kyung Soo Lee, Tae Yoon Hwang, Gyu Tae Kim, Jong Seo Park, Si Young Park, Dae Seop Kim, Ou Taek Lim, Joon Sakong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):225-237. Published online September 30, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.225

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this health assessment is to evaluate the health risks that may result from exposure to abandoned mine tailings in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1930's until 1970.
METHODS
The soil, stream water, and drinking water in and around three abandoned mine areas, Soochul, Gumjang, Darock, and three control areas located in Gyeongsangbuk-do were analyzed for level of Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg. Potential chronic health effects were evaluated by interview and medical examination.
RESULTS
Some soil and stream samples exceeded the Korean standard for soil contamination in farmland and the Korean standard of water contamination in streams respectively. Blood lead (5.37 microgram/dl) and urine cadmium (2.79 microgram/g Cr) levels of the residents in the vicinity of the abandoned mine sites were significantly higher than of the residents in the control areas (blood lead, 4.34 microgram/dl; urine cadmium, 1.62 microgram/g Cr). There were no significant differences between the mining and control areas in terms of blood pressure, Hb, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, fasting blood sugar, and the prevalence of potential chronic diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the assessment suggested that the three abandoned mine sites do not pose an apparent health risk to nearby residents. Nevertheless, the elevated blood lead and urine cadmium levels in the residents of the abandoned mine site suggested that it might be an important source of heavy metals contamination. Therefore, a nationwide evaluation program is needed to assess the potential health risks of residents living in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites.

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Bioaccumulation of Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in a Mining Area and Its Associated Health Effects
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Association between levels of exposure to heavy metals and renal function indicators of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas
Jung-Yeon Kwon, Seungho Lee, Ulziikhishig Surenbaatar, Hyoun-Ju Lim, Byoung-Gwon Kim, Sang-Yong Eom, Yong Min Cho, Woo Jin Kim, Byeng-Chul Yu, Kwan Lee, Young-Seoub Hong
Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Association of Blood Heavy Metal Levels and Renal Function in Korean Adults
Yoonjin Park, Su-Jung Lee
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(11): 6646. CrossRef
Potential of biochar for clean-up of heavy metal contaminated soil and water
Adaobi Onmonya Yvonne, Galadima Adamu Sadiq, Sadiq Maryam
African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.2022; 16(4): 146. CrossRef
A review on heavy metal and metalloid contamination of vegetables: addressing the global safe food security concern
Sweta, Bhaskar Singh
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry.2022; : 1. CrossRef
Exposure factors of cadmium for residents in an abandoned metal mine area in Korea
Seung Chul Ahn, Jun Young Chang, Jung Sub Lee, Hwa Yon Yu, A-Ra Jung, Jee-Young Kim, Jong-Woo Choi, Young-Seoub Hong, Seung Do Yu, Kyounghee Choi
Environmental Geochemistry and Health.2017; 39(5): 1059. CrossRef
Time trend of cadmium intake in Korea
Chan-Seok Moon, Hye-Ran Yang, Haruo Nakatsuka, Masayuki Ikeda
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2016; 21(3): 118. CrossRef
Measuring the Environmental Burden of Disease in South Korea: A Population-Based Study
Seok-Jun Yoon, Hyeong-Su Kim, Jongsik Ha, Eun-Jung Kim
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2015; 12(7): 7938. CrossRef
Blood Cadmium Concentration of Residents Living near Abandoned Metal Mines in Korea
Young-Seoub Hong, Byung-Kook Lee, Jung-Duck Park, Joon Sakong, Jae-Wook Choi, Jai-Dong Moon, Dae-Seon Kim, Byoung-Gwon Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(5): 633. CrossRef
Association of arsenic levels in soil and water with urinary arsenic concentration of residents in the vicinity of closed metal mines
YongMin Cho, SungChul Seo, Seung-Hyun Choi, SeungKil Lee, KyungHee Kim, Hae-Joon Kim, Jae-Wook Choi
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2013; 216(3): 255. CrossRef
Relationship between Urine Cadmium and Bone Mineral Density of Residents Around Abandoned Metal Mines
Kyung-Sick Jung, Nam-Soo Kim, Seung-Chul Ahn, Byung-Kook Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2012; 38(4): 323. CrossRef
The association of heavy metals in blood, fish consumption frequency, and risk of cardiovascular diseases among Korean adults: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2010)
Ji-Ye Shin, Ji-Myung Kim, Yuri Kim
Korean Journal of Nutrition.2012; 45(4): 347. CrossRef
Blood lead levels of residents living around 350 abandoned metal mines in Korea
Nam-Soo Kim, Joon Sakong, Jae-Wook Choi, Young-Seoub Hong, Jai-Dong Moon, Byung-Kook Lee
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.2012; 184(7): 4139. CrossRef
The Effect of Exposure Factors on the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Residents Near Abandoned Metal Mines
Sanghoo Kim, Yong-Min Cho, Seung-Hyun Choi, Hae-Joon Kim, Jaewook Choi
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2011; 44(1): 41. CrossRef
Lessons of Goseong Abandoned Metal Mine Accident
Ho-Jang Kwon
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(5): 335. CrossRef
Relationship between Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Soil with the Blood and Urine of Residents around Abandoned Metal Mines
Bong-Ki Jang, Sang-Il Park, Nam-Soo Kim, Kyung-Sick Jung, Byung-Kook Lee, Jong-Wha Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(5): 348. CrossRef
Blood Lead Level in Populations Resident in Some Abandoned Mine Area
Sun-Ho Song, Sang-Yong Eom, Yong-Dae Kim, Heon Kim, Jang-Soo Hong
Journal of Environmental Science International.2010; 19(4): 527. CrossRef
Investigation on Health Effects of an Abandoned Metal Mine
Soyeon Kim, Ho-Jang Kwon, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Kyungho Choi, Jae-Yeon Jang, Woo-Chul Jeong, Dae-Seon Kim, Seungdo Yu, Young-Wook Kim, Kwang-Young Lee, Seoung-Oh Yang, Ik Jae Jhung, Won-Ho Yang, Yun-Chul Hong
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2008; 23(3): 452. CrossRef

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Demand of Work-site Health Promotion Program for Employees: Joong Sun Yoo, Seok Beom Kim, Pock Soo Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(2):239-248. Published online September 30, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.2.239

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to identify the demand of work-site health promotion program of employees. A self-administered questionnaire method was uses to collect data from 492 employees from 40 work-sites in Taegu City and Kyungpook Provincial area. The work-site health screening programs conducted for several years were placed low value by employees. The out-door exercise was the most popular heath promotion activity implemented at work-site as a whole. The employees expressed that periodic health check-up, the health counseling, indoor exercise would be implemented as a health promotion program in the future. The male employees regarded that the periodic health check-up program should be established preferentially at work-site. However, the female employees gave priority to fitness program. The health related behavioral patterns slightly influenced the preference of health promotion program. The health screening program for employees should be improved and the health education of nutrition and diet for female employees should be implemented.

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Recognition and Satisfaction of National Oral Examination for Workers in Incheon and Daejeon
Hye-Mi Jang, Soo-Jeong Hwang
Journal of dental hygiene science.2014; 14(4): 516. CrossRef

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Effect of Long-Term Noise Exposure on the Blood Pressure in Factory Workers: Bok Youn Kim, Cheon Tae Kim, Jung Jeung Lee, Hong Chin Park, Chang Yoon Kim, Pock Soo Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(1):43-58. Published online February 29, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.1.43

Abstract PDF

The question of an association between occupational noise exposure and blood pressure has important public health implications. The harmful effects of hypertension are well known and noise is considered the mosts pervasive problem of all occupational exposures in Taegu City, Korea. A cross-sectional study on the effect of long-term noise exposure on blood pressure was done for 276 noise exposed workers (203 male workers, 73 female workers). Long-term noise exposure was measured by cumulative noise exposure level and noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss=(500Hz+2x1,000Hz+2x2,000Hz+4,000Hz)/6 Questionaire was administered to the workers, which includes age, sex, occupational history on the noise exposure, habits on alcohol drinking and smoking, practice of regular exercise, family history of hypertension. Type A behavior, question on stress, height, weight and blood pressure were measured. Serum triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were also measured. Audiometry was done in the closed booth at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, 1,000 and 500Hz in order. Mutiple logistic regression analysis revealed that cumulative noise exposure level(p<0.05), serum triglyceride(p<0.01), age(p<0.01) and family history of hypertension (p<0.05) predict hypertension (systolic blood pressure: 160mmHg or above, or diastolic blood pressure: 95mmHg or above) in male workers. In female workers, serum triglyceride (p<0.01), LDL (p<0.01) and family history of hypertension(p<0.05) were predictors of hypertension (systolic blood pressure: 160mmHg or above, or diastolic blood pressure: 95mmHg or above). As the number of female workers with hypertension was too small, the multiple logistic regression was done according to hypertension criteria of systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90mmHg. Based on this criteria, cumulative noise exposure level (p=0.055) and age (p=0.057) predict hypertension. It is suggested that long-term noise exposure which was calculated by cumulative noise exposure level was a significant predictor of hypertension in noise exposed workers.

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Overview of the Environmental Damage, Property Loss, and Health Impairment of Residents around a US Air Force Firing Range
Hyun-Sul Lim
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(3): 173. 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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A Study on Improvement of Health Care in the Small-Scale Industries: Doohie Kim, Kyung Dong Jung, Jeong Han Park, Pock Soo Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(1):84-92. Published online February 28, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.1.84

Abstract PDF

The purpose of tliLs study was to cvaTuate the actual condnzonK and problems of health manager health record maintenance and general health examinations in small-scale industries which employ 511 to ISO workers. A survey was conducted in 3iS conipanies in which industries health management is dele-gated to a social organization, the Taegu-kyungpook branch of the korean Industrial Health Organization, and companies in which health is managed by Ideal physicians. There was accomplished from March to April 1989 by Questionnaires through the mail, The following are the summarized results. 1. Health Management. The companies with non-vicarious execution of health management by local physicians ranked significantly, lower in frequency of visits, contribution to workers' health, and workers' desire for frequency of visits than the companies with vicarious execution by KIHA. 2. Health Records. The percentage health records on file was higher in the companies with vicarious execution than the other group. But most of the cnotents of the records were not described in great detail. 3. General Health Examination. The necessity of health examinations was recognized by all survey participants, but the reliability of the examinations was one of the major problems. The reporting period for results was significantly longer in the companies with vicarious execution than the others. Improvements were preferentially demanded with respect to the reliability of techiques and examinatio skill, follow-up study for secondary examination, and selection of examination items.

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Effectiveness of workers’ general health examination in Korea by health examination period and compliance: retrospective cohort study using nationwide data
Huisu Eom, Jun-Pyo Myong, Eun-A Kim, Bohwa Choi, Soon Woo Park, Young Joong Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef

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Standard Body Weight in Korean Industrial Workers: Jung Hak Chung, Pock Soo Kang, Seok Bhum Kim, Kong Jun Sa, Jung Kil Rhee, Gu Wung Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1989;1(1):52-60. Published online February 28, 1989; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1989.1.1.52

Abstract PDF: To contribute to promotion of health and preservation of labor power of Korean laborers, the body height and body weight were measured for 10,407 workers (6,201 male, 4,206 female) in the age group of 20-29, engaged in manufactures in the Gumi industrial complex, Gumi city, Kyungpook province. The above data were extracted from the 1985 periodic examination chart for calculation of the mean body weight, mean body height, correlation coefficient and regression equation between weight and height, standard body weight, body mass index(BMI) and distribution of laborers within Garrow's classification of BMI by age and sex group. Mean body height of 20-29 age group was 168.2+/-5.61 cm for male and 155.9+/-5.26 cm for female. Mean body weight of 20-29 age group was 61.4+/-6.56 kg for male and 52.4+/-6.00 kg for female. Correlation coefficient and regression equation of 20-29 age group were +0.541 and Y(Wt)=0.632X(Ht)-44.975 for male and +0.559 and Y(Wt)=0.637X(Ht)-46.898 for female. Standard body weight of 20-29 age group was 53.0kg at 155cm, 59.3kg at 165cm, 65.6kg at 175cm for male and 51.8kg at 155cm, 58.2kg at 165cm, 64.6kg at 175 cm for female. Range of normal body weight of 20-29 age group was 47.5+/-58.5kg at 155cm, 53.8+/-64.8kg at 165cm, 60.1+/-72.1kg at 175cm for male and 46.9+/-56.8kg at 155cm, 53.2+/-63.2kg at 165cm, 59.6+/-69.6 kg at 175 cm for female. Range of obesity of 20-29 age group was 64.1kg and over at 155cm, 70.3kg and over at 165cm, 76.7kg and over at 175cm for male and 61.8kg and over at 155cm, 68.2kg and over at 165cm, 74.5kg and over at 175 cm for female. Body mass index (kg/m2) of 20-29 age group was 21.7+/-1.95 for male and 21.6+/-2.05 for female, 75.9% of male laborers and 71.3% of famale counterparts fall in the desirable range of BMI by Garrow's classification.

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