Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Sang Hwan Han

15 Articles

Risk Assessment for Cardiovascular Diseases in Male Workers: Comparing KOSHA Guidelines and the Framingham Risk Score System: In Yong Um, Won Jun Choi, Deul Lee, Jae Seok Oh, Min Kee Yi, Jong Wan Yoon, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):365-374. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.365

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by Framingham risk score (FRS) who classified as "healthy group" by Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agent (KOSHA)' s cardiovascular risk assessment.
METHODS
The subjects of this study were 1,781 male workers in a large steel company. Health status was obtained periodically through medical examinations and questionnaires. We assessed cardiovascular risk using KOSHA guidelines and calculated the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using the Framingham risk score for those categorized to the "healthy group" by KOSHA guideline. A closer examination of cardiovascular risk factors was performed in 62 subjects paradoxically placed in the "healthy group" by KOSHA guidelines and the "high-risk group" by FRS.
RESULTS
Among the "healthy group" by KOSHA's cardiovascular risk assessment, 230(15.8%) subjects had more than 3 CVD risk factors and 62(4.2%) subjects were high risk group (more than 20%) in 10-years risk of CVD by Framingham risk score. Modifiable risk factors included cigarette smoking (96.8%), high serum total cholesterol (82.3%), high serum triglyceride (66.1%), insufficient physical activity (66.1%), and obesity (58.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Among subjects with normal blood pressure, it seems that KOSHA guidelines underestimate CVD risk, identified by the Framingham risk score. For the effective prevention and management of CVD, modifiable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, dyslipidemia, and obesity, need to be constructively controlled.

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Comparing Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency and National Health Insurance Service’s cardio-cerebrovascular diseases risk-assessment tools using data from one hospital’s health checkups
Yunrae Cho, Dong Geon Kim, Byung-Chan Park, Seonhee Yang, Sang Kyu Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparison of risk-assessment tools for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) in male shipyard workers: a cross-sectional study
Jea Chul Ha, Jun Seok Son, Young Ouk Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Chan Woo Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Jun Ho Lee, Young Hoo Shin, Hyun Woo Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Cardiovascular Disease According to Job Type and Life Style
Wan-Young Yoon
Journal of Digital Convergence.2016; 14(2): 501. CrossRef
The Assessment of Framingham Risk Score and 10 Year CHD Risk according to Application of LDL Cholesterol or Total Cholesterol
Se Young Kwon, Young Ak Na
Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science.2016; 48(2): 54. CrossRef
10-Year Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Among Male Workers in Small-Sized Industries
Kyongok Park, Seon Young Hwang
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.2015; 30(3): 267. CrossRef

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Area-Based Occupational Disease Surveillance in Incheon, Korea: Results of an 11-year Data Survey: Jeong Hoon Kim, Shin Goo Park, Jong Han Leem, Jong Uk Won, Sang Hwan Han, Soo Young Chung, Sang Hoon Kim, Hwan Cheol Kim, Yun Chul Hong, Cheol Woo Kim, Chang Hwan Kim, Dong Hyun Kim, Dong Hoon Lee, Seung Jun Lee, Young Joong Kang, Woo Seok Kwak, Jeongbae Rhie; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(3):183-199. Published online September 30, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.3.183

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, area-based occupational disease surveillance in Incheon was used to collect data on occupational diseases. The long-term data was used to estimate the scale of disease, to analyze disease characteristics, and to achieve surveillance in order to determine development tasks.
METHODS
For a period of 11 years, occupation-related disease surveillance was performed on an annual basis for employees of Incheon industries. All cases of occupational disease were reported by means of the Incheon Occupational Disease Information Network (IODIN) web site, downloaded, and analyzed, subsequently.
RESULTS
Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2008, 1577 cases of occupational disease were reported. Of these, there were 1043(66.1%) cases of occupational musculoskeletal disorders, 172(10.9%) cases of occupational asthma, 162(10.3%) cases of occupational dermatoses, 135(8.6%) cases of occupationally-related cancers, 30(1.9%) cases of pneumoconiosis, 27(1.7%) cases of toxic hepatitis, and 8(0.5%) cases of occupational neuronal disease.
CONCLUSION
In the Incheon area, small and medium industries comprise 99% of business. The composition of the industry by category, in Incheon, is similar to the country on the whole. In actually, the data on occupational diseases in Korea are almost workers' compensation data. Thus, the survey of occupational disease based in Incheon, Korea, can serve as an estimate of the trends and size of the occupational disease throughout the entire country.

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Repeated measures study of the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and mental health in subway workers
Yun-Sik CHO, Jae-Bum PARK, Soojeong KIM, Kyungjong LEE
Industrial Health.2019; 57(6): 721. CrossRef
Work-Related Asthma in Korea - Findings from the Korea Work-Related Asthma Surveillance (KOWAS) program, 2004-2009
Soon-Chan Kwon, Jaechul Song, Yong-kyu Kim, Geoffrey M. Calvert
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research.2015; 7(1): 51. CrossRef

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A Case of Silicosis and Pneumothorax in a Workplace Producing Dental Porcerlain: Youngjoong Kang, Won Jun Choi, Sang Yun Lee, Jong Wan Yun, Hyung Sik Kim, Jong Uk Won, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(1):58-63. Published online March 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.1.58

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Silicosis is more likely to occur in people working in the mining industry. However, workers suffering from silicosis have recently been reported frequently in other areas. We present a case of silicosis occuring in a 43-year-old man who had worked for 20 years in a workplace producing dental porcelain.
CASE
The man was admitted to the emergency room with acute chest pain caused by pneumothorax. Chest X-ray indicated numerous small opacities spread over the whole lung field and a large opacity in the right middle lung field. According to ILO classification, the shape of the small opacities was t/s, the profusion rate was 2/3 and the large opacity was classified into the B category. Following this diagnosis of silicosis, the patient's medical history and work exposure history were examined. According to his medical history, he had undergone closed thoracostomy in 2006 because he had suffered pneumothorax twice (in 2005 and 2006) and his smoking history was 7 pack years. In particular, he had been exposed to silica dust for 20 years in his workplace.
CONCLUSION
Despite the absence of any specific risk factor that caused pneumothorax, the patient suffered this condition three times. All clinical results and the progress of his physical symptoms, including radiologic findings from chest X-ray and computed tomography, clearly supported the diagnosis of silicosis. Except for exposure to silica dust in the workplace, no other risk factors causing silicosis were found. Therefore, he was finally diagnosed as having silicosis caused by exposure to silica dust in the workplace and followed by pneumothorax.

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Validity of NIOSH- and Nordic-style Questionnaires in the Screening and Surveillance of Neck and Upper Extremity Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Won Jun Choi, Nak Jung Sung, Young Joong Kang, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):205-214. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.205

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to compare the validity of two questionnaires (NIOSH- and Nordic-style) which are used for the screening and surveillance of neck and upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders. To evaluate the validity, clinical examination was used as the reference.
METHODS
Two types of questionnaire were filled out by 208 workers from three different plants in Incheon, Korea. Workers underwent clinical examination by three occupational physicians. The presence of a symptom or sign in at least one body region was regarded as positive in both results of questionnaire and case definition using clinical examination. Validity was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and agreement (Kappa coefficient). For the Nordic-style questionnaire, the sum of the symptom scores was used to yield the ROC curve.
RESULTS
The results of the NIOSH-style questionnaire were sensitivity 59.5%, specificity 68.0%, positive predictive value 68.0%, negative predictive value 59.5%, and Kappa coefficient 0.27(95% confidence interval [CI]=0.14~0.40). The results of the Nordic-style questionnaire were sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 68.0%, positive predictive value 72.6%, negative predictive value 69.5%, and Kappa coefficient 0.42 (95% CI=0.30~0.54). For the Nordic-style questionnaire, sensitivity was 72.1% and specificity was 70.1% based on the sum of the symptom scores > or =2.
CONCLUSIONS
Both questionnaires demonstrated appropriate validity for the screening and surveillance of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The selection of questionnaire may depend on the purpose of investigation and characteristics of the work place.

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Association between Musculoskeletal Pain and Bone Turnover Markers in Long-Term Pb-Exposed Workers
Ravibabu Kalahasthi, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Tapu Barman
Journal of Research in Health Sciences.2021; 21(3): e00522. CrossRef
Risk factors of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in male cameramen
Jung ho Kim, Byung seong Suh, Soo Geun Kim, Won sool Kim, You il Shon, Hee seung Son
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Analysis of Risk Factors for Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Radiological Technologists
Taehyung Kim, Hyolyun Roh
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2014; 26(9): 1423. CrossRef
Risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in university hospital nurses
Eunkwang Ryu, Byeongjin Ye, Youngil Yi, Jungwon Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Dairy Farmers in Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Ji-Hyuk Park, Hyun-Sul Lim, Kwan Lee
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(3): 205. CrossRef

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Importance of job demands, career development, role pressure, and economic-issue-related job stress as risk factors for work related musculoskeletal disorders in electronics assembly line workers: Sang Hwan Han, Soo Hun Cho, Ji Young Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(3):269-280. Published online September 30, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.3.269

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the association of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders with job demand-control and effort-reward related job stress.
METHODS
Questionnaires concerning symptoms, psychosocial factors and work conditions were completed by 436 workers from a refrigerator assembly line, mobile phone assembly line, and an office, musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremities were defined by the frequency, duration, and intensity of symptoms. A walk-through survey was performed to evaluate various physical work factors. Data were analyzed with the use of logistic regression.
RESULTS
A total of 382 workers completed the survey, for whom neck and shoulder symptoms were the most frequently reported, followed by finger and wrist, and then elbow symptoms. Both awkward working posture and forceful exertion were associated with an increase in shoulder/neck and finger/wrist symptoms. In addition, job stress factors such as monotony, low job clarity, low job control, low promotion prospect, economic issues, and retirement pressures were associated with increased neck/shoulder, elbow, and finger/wrist conditions. Women were more likely to report symptoms, and the association between musculoskeletal conditions and job stress factors was stronger in female assembly line workers and office workers than in male assembly line workers.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremities are associated with not only physical work factors but also job stress factors. In particular, economic issues and career development factors are important influences on workers in Korea.

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Development and validation of a tool for the comprehensive risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders (CRAMUD) among employees of a steel industry
Saeid Yazdanirad, Gholamhossein Pourtaghi, Mehdi Raei, Mohammad Ghasemi
Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science.2023; 24(3): 335. CrossRef
Job Stress at the Shipbuilding Industry
Kwan-Suk Lee, Da-Yeh Chung
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(1): 177. CrossRef
A Case Study on Job Stress Prevention in Shipbuilding Industry
Chang-Ho Bae, Yu-Chang Kim
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(1): 197. CrossRef
Gender-related Factors Associated with Upper Extremity Function in Workers
Kyoo Sang Kim, Min Gi Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2010; 1(2): 158. CrossRef

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Local occupational disease surveillance system in Korea: Current status and issues: Jong Han Leem, Seong Sil Chang, Seong Ah Kim, Jai Dong Moon, Chang Ho Chae, Yun Chul Hong, Soo Young Kim, Jin Seok Kim, Young Wook Kim, Sang Hwan Han, Hae Sook Lee, Jong Uk Won, Dong Bin Song, Eun Hee Ha, Seong Kyu Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(2):101-115. Published online June 30, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.2.101

Abstract PDF

No abstract available.

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Management System of Occupational Diseases in Korea: Statistics, Report and Monitoring System
Kyung Yong Rhee, Seong Weon Choe
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S119. CrossRef

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Development of a Baseline Checklist for CTD Risk Assessment: Donghyun Park, Sang Hwan Han, Dong Bin Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(2):251-266. Published online May 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.2.251

Abstract PDF: Today, CTDs (Cumulative Trauma Disorders) are one of major hazards in the US and European Industries disrupting work schedules, productivity and increasing workers compensation costs. The increase in injuries and their associated costs has led companies to form committees and implement programs to address this problem. Therefore, it is important that quantitative analysis tools help identify and assess industrial tasks that pose risk to workers. However, the process of quantifying risk in upper limb tasks is still in its infancy stage and calls for better measurement techniques are not going unheard. As the first work of quantification, baseline CTD checklist for risk assessment was developed in this study. It was mainly based on previous literature regarding CTDs. The checklist was unique in that its expected user was industrial hygienist who did not have much ergonomic background and in that it was targeted to Korean workers in various types of industries. As the first application of the checklist, some jobs in two industries (VDT, heavy Industry) were evaluated, and compared with the medical data. Eighteen out of thirty items in the checklist was univariately significant (p<0.05) on the results of medical examinations. The correlation between medical data and total risk score from the checklist was 0.62. The feasibility of its use by an industrial hygienist was also checked by comparing with the results by an ergonomist. Their correlation (on the basis of Kendall's tau-b) in terms of total risk score was 0.74. The checklist in this study shows reasonably good performance for the first trial. Further research will have to include continuous refinement and validation for many more industries and many more jobs.

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Quality Assessment of Group Occupational Health Service for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Korea: Sunmean Kim, Soo Hun Cho, Chang Yup Kim, Eun Hee Ha, Yun Chul Hong, Ho Jang Kwon, Mi Na Ha, Sang Hwan Han, Young Su Ju; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(1):71-82. Published online February 28, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.1.71

Abstract PDF

Group occupational health service programme started in 1990 is one of the measures to cope with limited human and financial resources in occupational health. The programme has expanded rapidly to include 52 institutions, private as well as public, all over the country. In spite of its potential impact on health of employees and practice of occupational health in small and medium sized industries, comprehensive evaluation in terms of quality has not been tried. This study has aims to develop the criteria to assess the quality of newly developed group occupational health service programme, and to investigate the quality of institutions, and finally to develop policies for the quality improvement. 1) Criteria development : By defining occupational health services, in particular for small and medium sized industries, as one of the primary health care, followings are included as core elements of qualitative occupational health programme ; accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness, technical quality, intersectoral collaboration, emphasis on preventive services, community participation, and adequacy. Again each element is divided into five major components of national health system infrastructure developed by the World Health Organization ; development of health resources, organized arrangement of resources, delivery of health care, economic support, and management. In turn, each component is categorized into three aspects of quality assessment, structure, process and outcome. Expert panel selected several criteria for each category to evaluate the programme. Criteria were modified according to each group of interviewees, to produce two sets of questionnaire, one for chief operating officer and another for nurses in the institutions, and the chief operating officer and workers in the workplace. 2) Subject : Of all 52 institutions, 25 voluntarily participated in the survey. At individual institution, chief operating officer and practicing nurses were interviewed in depth. After intensive education for interviewees, every interview was performed with standardized guideline and questionnaire. The quality of the 'Group occupational health service programme' was found to be lower than expected. Especially In continuity, comprehensiveness, technical quality, community participation and adequacy, lower quality in structural aspect was commonly identified throughout all the institutions. Quality in terms of accessibility and continuity highly varied among institutions. To improve quality of the programme, more comprehensive and systematic programme such as accreditation has to be introduced. In addition, human resources, governmental fund and information systems for individual workers are to be developed. As a long range plan, integration of occupational health services into the national health systems and pooling of financial resources and planned allocation should be considered.

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The roles of doctors, nurses, and industrial hygienists in the healthcare management services in Korea: a comparison of the opinions of specialized health management institutions and entrusted enterprises
Bo-Young Jang, Dong-Mug Kang, Young-Ki Kim, Se-Young Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Relationship between occupational injuries and the provision of safety and health information: data from the 4th Korean working conditions survey
Ju-il Seo, Gab-Sik Shin, Min Gi Kim, Young-Sun Min
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Practice status of specialized agencies for occupational health management of small- to medium-size enterprises and the factors improving their performance: a cross-sectional survey study
Saerom Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Eun-A Kim, Huisu Eom, Bowha Choi, Young Joong Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Validation of Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Workplace Health Promotion
Seung Hee Ho, Young Moon Chae
American Journal of Health Promotion.2015; 29(6): 402. CrossRef

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Cumulative Trauma Disorders Among Shipyard Workers and Application of Baseline Checklist for Risk Assessment: Sang Hwan Han, Nam Jong Paik, Donghyun Park, Ki Eon Jang, Myung Hag Lee, Jong Tae Park, Dae Sung Kim, Yeon Sook Lee, Kyung Ja Paik, Young Soo Shin, Dong Bin Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):579-588. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.579

Abstract PDF

Cumulative trauma disorders were surveyed in a cross-sectional study of 100 male ship yard workers and 43 male office workers. And baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders was applicated in a ship making process. Cases of cumulative trauma disorders were defined using physical examinations and electronic diagnostic methods. Data on demographics, individual factors (medical condition), work organization and psychosocial aspects of work were obtained by questionnaire. Association between the above factors and cumulative trauma disorders were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. 29(29 %) participants of male shipyard workers and 4(9.2 %) study subjects of male office workers met our case definitions for cumulative trauma disorders. The myofascial pain syndrome of neck muscles(12 % of participants) and carpal tunnel syndrome(5 % of participants) were the major two medical conditions in shipyard workers. The odds of male shipyard workers for cumulative trauma disorders to male office workers was 3.15 after adjustment of age(95 % C.I. :2.25-5.44). And the variables such as duration of present job, HIVD condition, and surges in workload were associated at least one of the cumulative trauma disorders in the final models (p<0.05) . This study indicates that work related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are relatively common among shipyard workers, and shows that the psychosocial factors is not likely to be related to the occur rences of these disorders in heavy workers. Also we developed baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders. The checklist was unique in that its expected users were industrial hygienists and occupational healthing nurses who did not have much ergonomic background and in that it was targeted to Korean workers in various types. As the first application of the checklist, shipyard workers were evaluated.

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Medical Managements of Musculoskeletal Diseases in Shipbuilding Industry
Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(1): 157. CrossRef
Symptom Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Effects of Prior Acute Injury among Aging Male Steelworkers
Won‐Jun Choi, Young‐Joong Kang, Ji‐Young Kim, Sang‐Hwan Han
Journal of Occupational Health.2009; 51(3): 273. CrossRef

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Discriminating Function of Preemployment Medical Examination and Necessity of Changing over to Preplacement Medical Examination in Korea: Sang Hwan Han, Sung Chul Chung, Myung Hag Lee, Dong Bin Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(1):170-177. Published online February 28, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.1.170

Abstract PDF

In Korea, every worker should undergo a preemployment medical examination according to Law for Occupational Safety and Health. But evaluation of it has not been previously carried out. Thus a telephone survey of 213 establishments of Inchon area for evaluation of preemployment medical examination in Korea was conducted. One hundred and fourteen companies(46.5% of all the subjects) were examined medically on preemployment, 47 establishments(41.2% of this study subjects) reevaluated workers by each establishment's medical criteria, and only less than half of diseased workers(DM 38.6% ; hypertension 42.1%, HBV carrier 28.0 % ; active pulmonary tuberculosis 7.9 %; back pain 12.3 %, and noise induced hearing loss 18.4 %) were employed. Employee's fees for preemployment medical examination were covered by 53.5 % of all the subjects. From our survey, it is clear that preemployment medical examination plays discriminating role on the employment of workers based on health status. We thus proposed to change over from preemployment medical examination to preplacement examination based on the evaluation of essential job functions and reasonable accommodation.

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Participation inequality in the National General Health Examination based on enterprise size
Young Joong Kang, Jong Heun Park, Huisu Eom, Bohwa Choi, Seyoung Lee, Ji-Won Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Employment Discrimination Against Schizophrenia
Mary V. Seeman
Psychiatric Quarterly.2009; 80(1): 9. CrossRef

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Noise-Induced Temporary Threshold Shift and its Recovery in Industry: Soo Hun Cho, Mi Na Ha, Sang Hwan Han, Young Soo Joo, Ju Hon Sung, Jong Won Kang, Dork Ro Yun, Bong Bin Song, Myung Hag Lee, Seon Tae Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(2):320-329. Published online September 30, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.2.320

Abstract PDF: To determine the recovery time from noise-induced temporary threshold shift (TTS), a prospective field study was conducted at three worksites where workers are known to be exposed high level of noise. Subjects were selected according to answers on a questionnaire which inquired about otological history and previous noise exposure, including avocational, military and occupational exposures. After excluding employees with past otologic problems, recent exposure to high level noise, and under medications, total 92 employees participated in the study. Among 92 participants, complete consecutive audiometric examinations were carried out at 0~2 hours, 5~7 hours, 14~16 hours after worktime noise exposure on 26 participants wearing hearing protectors and 22 participants wearing no protective devices. The difference between the hearing level 0~2 hours after noise exposure and 5~7 hours is statistically significant by paired t-test(p<0.01). The median recovery times calculated from the data of 22 participants wearing no protective hearing devices are 15.6 hours at 4000 Hz, and 7.7 hours, 10.3 hours, 8.4 hours at 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 8000 Hz respectively. These data suggest that when measuring the pure tone audiometry for noise exposed workers, at least 16 hours noise-free interval is required.

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The Development of Systemic Health Management Program in the Small Scale Industry using Organic Solvents: Application of Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB): Soo Hun Cho, Sang Hwan Han, Mi Na Ha, Dork Ro Yun, Ho Jang Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):258-268. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.258

Abstract PDF: It is known that there appear some nonspecific and delicate changes in neuropsychiatric aspect on the workers when they are exposed for a long period to low concentrated organic solvents in the work places. Therefore, it give rise to the necessity of developing a program for the health supervisor stationed in the work place to supervise these neurobehavioral health affection. In addition to the questionnaire posed to the workers exposed to organic solvents, the study team conducted NCTB(Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery) respectively on an exposed group and a non-exposed group to organic solvents. The study team compared the results and decided whether or not to apply the results to the evaluation program of health affection. The study team divided 132 workers in 6 car repairing factories and 2 textile printing factories into exposed group and non-exposed group, pairing them off into 66 research objects according to their age, sex, and job. Neurobehavioral test was conducted on 6 items, except the POMS test, of NCTB developed by the World Health 0rganization (WHO) . The study team conducted examinations of working environment on the exposed and non-exposed groups of each work place. The analysis of the collected materials for examinations were conducted with GC-MS. The concentration of the mix-ture in the air, relative to their respective threshold limit values (TLV) was calculated according to the formula of the ACGIH and the Korean threshold limits. The results indicated that for two of eight factories samples the recommended concentration limits for mixtures was exceeded. Of the six tests, the'digit span forward','digit span backward'and'digit symbol' produced conspicuous statistical differences between the two groups (p<0.1) as a result of compairing the test values by means of paired t-test. The results of respective analysis of the car repairing factories and textile printing factories revealed that the textile printing factories had greater differences between the exposed and the non-exposed than in the car repairing factories. It is presumably because the textile printing workers are continuously exposed to the organic solvents during working hours, whereas the car repairing workers are exposed only when they are doing painting works. The NCTB is assessed very useful in examining the neurobehavioral health affection under the exposure to organic solvents, and, therefore, the study team expects that the NCTB will play an important part in the course of developing a health program for the workers exposed to organic solvents.

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Validation of New Derivatization Procedure for the Determination of Hippuric Acid in Urine Using Gas Chromatography: Soo Hun Cho, Yong Hyeon Yim, Sun Min Kim, Ho Jang Kwon, Mi na Ha, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):58-62. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.58

Abstract PDF

Urinary hippuric acid was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. A simple and economical derivatization procedure using excessive methanol in acidic condition was adopted to esterify hippuric acid. Quantitative analysis was performed with two internal standards, heptadecanoic acid and hydrocinnamic acid, to evaluate the derivatization procedure as an analytical method. Using the standard addition method, linear and reproducible calibration curves were obtained for both internal standards. Calibration experiment showed that good quantitative result could also be obtained with the calibration curve obtained without urine matrix. Recovery rates for the urine samples were in the range of 95.6~111.4%. Using hydrocinnamic acid as internal standard, analysis time could be reduced.

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Relationships between airborne exposure and urinary metabolites of nail technicians
Jin Hee Yang, Ji Young Kim, Aeyong Eom, Hee Kyoung Hyoung, Sang Baek Koh
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences.2010; 2(3): 175. CrossRef

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Acute Ulcerative Contact Dermatitis from Ready Mixed Conerete: Soo Hun Cho, Sang Hwan Han; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):191-194. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.191

Abstract PDF

The case was described of a 43 year old male who developed burns of the both shins as a result of handling wet cement. After wet cement was spilled into the rubber boots he was wearing, he experienced painful erythema of both lower legs. Several weeks later, medical examination revealed dirty and granulated ulceration of the both shins. The largest ulcer, about 18 by 10 centimeters, was located on the anterior aspect of left lower leg. We coneluded that this skin problem resulted from the ertreme alkalinity of calcium hydroxide in wet cement, combined with the effects of pressure and occlusion against the skin.

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Adverse health outcomes in residents exposed to cement dust
Kyung Tae Cha, Sung Soo Oh, Jin Ha Yoon, Ki Hyun Lee, Sung Kyung Kim, Bong Suk Cha, Sang Ha Kim, Ae Young Eom, Sang Baek Koh
Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 3(4): 239. CrossRef

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Assessment of Environmental Monitoring Items for Mixed Organic Solvents in Work Place: Soo Hun Cho, Ho Jang Kwon, Mi Na Ha, Sang Hwan Han, Yong Hyeon Yim, Sung Tae Oh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):259-269. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.259

Abstract PDF: Ambient air monitoring(environmental monitoring) and biological monitoring of mixed organic solvents exposure have been used in exposure assessment of these compounds in the work environment. Environmental monitoring is more useful when assessing low level exposure to these compounds. The specific objectives of this study were to measure air organic solvent levels in the work environment, to test the agreement of items measured in this study with items which have been reported to the administrative agency, and finally to evaluate the appropriateness of environmental monitoring items. The study subjects were 13 small companies in which less than 300 employees were working and presumably exposed to mixed organic solvents(e.g. automotive repair and painting, 6; textile dyeing, 2; printing, 2; electronics, etc, 3). Personal air samplings were performed by the flow-lite sampling pump(MSA) and the 600mg charcoal tube with air velocity of 100ml/min for qualitative analysis and 2l/min for quantitative analysis. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(Hewlett-Packard 5890/5970). High levels of toluene, n-hexane, and MIBK were detected in most study companies and low levels of ethylbenzene, xylene, n-butylacetate were also detected. When these measured items were compared with those of reported items, only 6 of 13 companies showed relatively good agreement between them. Two companies failed to report items exceeding the limit value. In conclusion, qualitative analysis of ambient air organic solvents seemed to be as important as quantitative analysis of these compounds and a periodic evaluation of monitoring items reported to the administrative agency should be required.

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