Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Se Won Oh

3 Articles

A Study on the Association between Blood Lead Levels and Habitual Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Koreans with No Occupational Lead Exposure: Ji Ung Park, Se Won Oh, Seung Hyun Kim, Yang Hyun Kim, Ryoung Jin Park, Jai Dong Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):165-173. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.165

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to estimate the normal blood lead (PbB) levels in a group of Korean subjects and to evaluate the association between PbB levels and habitual tobacco and alcohol use.
METHODS
We recruited 532 adults (320 males and 212 females) with no history of occupational exposure to lead, as study subjects.
RESULTS
PbB levels ranged between 0.43 microgram/dl and 9.45 microgram/dl. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in men was 3.19 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in women: 2.66 microgram/dl (P=0.017). Geometric mean PbBs were not significantly different between urban and rural patients. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in smokers was 3.31 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in nonsmokers: 2.64 microgram/dl (P=0.035). The adjusted geometric mean PbB in drinkers was 3.10 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in non-drinkers: 2.75 microgram/dl (P=0.049).
CONCLUSIONS
The PbB levels of some Korean adults seem to be comparable to those seen in foreign countries. Our results suggest that tobacco and alcohol cessation will be helpful in decreasing the harmful effect of lead.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Prenatal Exposure to Lead and Chromium is Associated with IL-13 Levels in Umbilical Cord Blood and Severity of Atopic Dermatitis: COCOA Study
Jihyun Kim, Seonwoo Kim, Sook-young Woo, Jin-Yong Chung, Young-Seoub Hong, Se-Young Oh, Suk-Joo Choi, Soo-Young Oh, Kyung Won Kim, Youn Ho Shin, Hye-Sung Won, Kyung-Ju Lee, Soo Hyun Kim, Ja Young Kwon, Si Hyeon Lee, Soo-Jong Hong, Kangmo Ahn
Immune Network.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Level of Blood Lead and Urine Cotinine of Residents by Area
Yu-Jin Oh, Hyoung-Wook Kim, Yun-Jae Kim, Yoon-Deok Han, Sung-Hyeon Jung, Jong-Dae Lee, Bong-Ki Jang, Jin-Heon Lee, Bu-Soon Son
Journal of Environmental Science International.2019; 28(3): 329. CrossRef
Association of Blood Pressure with Blood Lead and Cadmium Levels in Korean Adolescents: Analysis of Data from the 2010–2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Jaeouk Ahn, Nam-Soo Kim, Byung-Kook Lee, Jungsun Park, Yangho Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
The association between cadmium and lead exposure and blood pressure among workers of a smelting industry: a cross-sectional study
Hyun Chan An, Joo Hyun Sung, Jiho Lee, Chang Sun Sim, Sang Hoon Kim, Yangho Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Health Effect and Blood Lead Concentration among Residents in Gwangyang and Yeosu
Heejin Park, Myung-Kyu Park, Tack-Shin Kang, Geun-Bae Kim, Jong-Wha Lee, Bong-Ki Jang, Bu-Soon Son
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2016; 42(3): 205. CrossRef
Association of Blood Pressure with Exposure to Lead and Cadmium: Analysis of Data from the 2008–2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Byung-Kook Lee, Jaeouk Ahn, Nam-Soo Kim, Chan Boo Lee, Jungsun Park, Yangho Kim
Biological Trace Element Research.2016; 174(1): 40. CrossRef
A Case of Lead Poisoning with Drug-induced Liver Injury after Ingestion of Herbal Medicine
Gi Jung Jeon, Jongha Park, Min Sung Kim, Jong Won Yu, Jae Hyun Park, Min Sik Kim
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology.2015; 65(6): 375. CrossRef
Probit analysis of comparative assays on toxicities of lead chloride and lead acetate to in vitro cultured human umbilical cord blood lymphocytes
Rajashree Patnaik, Rabindra N. Padhy
Interdisciplinary Toxicology.2015; 8(1): 35. CrossRef
Association of among alcohol consumption and blood vitamin D and lead concentrations: Based on 2010-2012 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey
Ho-Ki An, Jae-Yong Park, Hee-Jung Yoon
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(1): 498. CrossRef
Blood lead concentration and related factors in Korea from the 2008 National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the Human Body
Seong Wook Jeong, Chae Kwan Lee, Chun Hui Suh, Kun Hyung Kim, Byung Chul Son, Jeong Ho Kim, Jong Tae Lee, Soo Woong Lee, Yeong Beom Park, Jong Wha Lee, Seung-Do Yu, Chan Seok Moon, Dae Hwan Kim, Sang Yoon Lee
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.2014; 217(8): 871. CrossRef
Environmental Exposure to Lead (Pb) and Variations in Its Susceptibility
Jina Kim, Youngeun Lee, Mihi Yang
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C.2014; 32(2): 159. CrossRef
Blood cadmium, mercury, and lead and metabolic syndrome in South Korea: 2005–2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Byung‐Kook Lee, Yangho Kim
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2013; 56(6): 682. CrossRef
Monitoring Study on Exposure Levels of Environmental Pollutants in Residents of a Non-Industrial Area, Korea
Dae-Seon Kim, Seung Chul Ahn, Jung Min Ryu, Seung Do Yu
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2012; 38(6): 482. CrossRef
Associations of blood lead, cadmium, and mercury with estimated glomerular filtration rate in the Korean general population: Analysis of 2008–2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data
Yangho Kim, Byung-Kook Lee
Environmental Research.2012; 118: 124. CrossRef
National estimates of blood lead, cadmium, and mercury levels in the Korean general adult population
Nam-Soo Kim, Byung-Kook Lee
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.2011; 84(1): 53. CrossRef
Blood Lead Concentration and Hypertension in Korean Adults Aged 40 and Over According to KNHANES IV (2008)
Sun-Young Kim, Duk-Hee Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2011; 37(6): 418. CrossRef
A Study of Working Environment for Automotive Painting in Auto Repair Shops and Workers' Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Sang-Hyo Sim, Chun-Hwa Jeoung, Jin-Suk Lim, Hyung-Gu Lee, Yoon-Shin Kim
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2009; 35(3): 153. CrossRef

35 View
1 Download
17 Crossref

A Case of Lead Poisoning After Ingestion of Herb Pills: Se Won Oh, Hyung Jai Lee, Hong Jae Chae, Sung Kwan Lee, Jai Dong Moon, Deok Cho; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(3):231-237. Published online September 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.3.231

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
Lead is a common environmental metal and has been used for various purposes for a long time, leading to frequent reports of lead poisoning. The concern about lead poisoning starts has been mostly focused on occupational exposure and is linked to the prevention and management of lead exposure in refining and manufacturing processes. Nowadays, however, there is growing concern about nonoccupational lead exposure by many pollutants. Especially, lead poisoning by herb medicine has commonly been observed in clinics in Southeast Asia and South Korea. This case report contains diagnosis of inpatients who suffered from lead poisoning from a herb medicine, arthritis remedy and who complained of abdominal symptoms and dizziness. The study purpose was to awaken our healthful interest in lead poisoning.
CASE
REPORT: A 53-year-old female patient complaining of abdominal pain, dizziness, and numbness of hand and foot came to our hospital due to the continuation of her anemic finding symptoms while undergoing treatment at a secondary hospital. Her past medical history was unremarkable except she had taken herb pills for about a year which were administered by herb medicine to treat arthritis. Physical examination was unremarkable except for oral ulcer finding. Hemoglobin was 8.5 g/dl, reticulocyte count was 4.10%, bilirubin was 1.3 mg/dl (direct 0.3 mg/dl), and Zinc protoporphyrin 169.12 ug/dl. In urinalysis results, WBC increased to 30~39 /HPF, While AST/ALT, BUN/Cr, PT/aPTT, and nerve conduction velocity were normal. Basophilic stippling was observed through peripheral blood smear. The blood lead level was 80.4 microgram/dl and the urine lead level continued to increase to 541 microgram/l. Analysis of the pills that the patient had been taking showed that they contained 30 mg/g lead. By oral chelation therapy with D-penicillamine four times per day for five days, the patient's hemoglobin increased to 11.8 g/dl, while blood lead level decreased to 39.2 microgram/dl, and urine level to 196 microgram/l. Although the soles of her feet remained cold, but other symptoms and anemia finding were improved considerably. However, after discontinuing D-penicillamine medication, the blood lead level increased to 41.4 microgram/dl again. The further administration of D-penicillamine for five days reduced the blood lead level to 31.5 microgram/dl. At two years after the discontinuance of D-penicillamine, the followup findings were normal; hemoglobin was 13.1 g/dl, hematocrit 39.6%, reticulocyte count 1.22%, blood lead level 13.3 microgram/dl, and urine lead level 9.17 microgram/l.
CONCLUSION
After taking herb medicine pills for one year, the patient was admitted to hospital chiefly complaining of abdominal pain, dizziness, and numbness of the hand and foot. The high blood and urine and lead levels and lead chemical analysis of the herb pills confirmed lead poisoning which was treated with D-penicillamine for five days. The follow-up result after two years indicated normal blood and urine lead levels.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Sources, distribution, bioavailability, toxicity, and risk assessment of heavy metal(loid)s in complementary medicines
Shiv Bolan, Anitha Kunhikrishnan, Balaji Seshadri, Girish Choppala, Ravi Naidu, Nanthi S. Bolan, Yong Sik Ok, Ming Zhang, Chun-Guang Li, Feng Li, Barry Noller, Mary Beth Kirkham
Environment International.2017; 108: 103. CrossRef
A Case of Lead Poisoning with Drug-induced Liver Injury after Ingestion of Herbal Medicine
Gi Jung Jeon, Jongha Park, Min Sung Kim, Jong Won Yu, Jae Hyun Park, Min Sik Kim
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology.2015; 65(6): 375. CrossRef
Adverse Events Associated with Metal Contamination of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Korea: A Clinical Review
Hyunah Kim, Peter J. Hughes, Emily M. Hawes
Yonsei Medical Journal.2014; 55(5): 1177. CrossRef

18 View
0 Download
3 Crossref

A Case of Polyneuropathy Associated with Methyl Bromide Intoxication: Hyung Jae Lee, Se Won Oh, Jong Seong Lee, Hong Jae Chae, Jai Dong Moon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(3):238-243. Published online September 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.3.238

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
The diagnosis and treatment of intoxication induced by methyl bromide depends on the patient's exposure history. In the present case, the patient showed various neurologic symptoms which were helpful to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the concentration of bromide ion in his body. The reduction rate of bromide ion concentration was another important clue to estimate the patient's health state in treatment.
CASE
REPORT: Some neurologic disorders were manifested in a 35-year-old man who had been engaged in a fumigation company for 12 years. Although he had been complaining of abnormal symptoms for 10 days, he had left his work only 3 days before being admitted to our hospital in serious state via the emergency department. Comprehensive clinical evaluations confirmed he was suffering from polyneuropathy, optic neuropathy and cerebellar signs. We diagnosed his condition as methyl bromide intoxication, and ruled out other possible diseases, after taking his occupational history and evaluating the elevation of bromide ion concentration in the sampled blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid. With decreasing bromide ion concentration, his abnormal symptoms improved and he was discharged 22 days after admission without any neurologic sequela.
CONCLUSION
This case report confirmed the usefulness of measuring the concentrations of bromide ion in the diagnosis of methyl bromide intoxication. We therefore suggest that the regular measuring of bromide ion concentration be included in the occupation specified health examination.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Acute Occupational Poisoning in Korea
Hyunjoo Kim, Jia Ryu
The Ewha Medical Journal.2016; 39(4): 99. CrossRef
Compensation for Occupational Neurological and Mental Disorders
Dong-Mug Kang, Inah Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S59. CrossRef
Occupational Neurologic Disorders in Korea
Yangho Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yong-Hun Yun, Myoung-Soon Oh
Journal of Clinical Neurology.2010; 6(2): 64. CrossRef
Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef

22 View
0 Download
4 Crossref

Author index