Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Comparison of Radiological Methods for the Study and Diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis: Simple Radiography and Computed Tomography: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):390-424. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.390

The classification for pneumoconiosis which was developed by International Labour Office(ILO) on the basis of Radiological findings of simple chest radiography has been widely used for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. But many problems have been revealed during the pneumoconiosis study using this classification. Those problems come from simple radiography itself or classification systems. Among those, inter-reader and intra-reader variability are the severest problems, even though many efforts have been devoted to lessen the variability. With introduction of computed tomography (conventional CT and HRCT), we are learning many new aspects about the occupational lung diseases, especially pneumoconiosis. So the studies for pneumoconiosis using tomography are reviewed, focusing on silicosis, coalworkers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. But in our country, the studies of that kind are very scant. It is necessary to study and diagnose pneumoconiosis by CT, because that is the need of workers and the responsibility of physicians working in the field of occupational medicine. CT is superior to simple radiography in early detection, determination of severity, and follow-up of pneumoconiosis. But simple radiography is and should be the main method for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Although, because of radiation hazard, cost, time, and geographical availability, the method can not and should not be used on the routine basis, we have to consider the use of CT, if possible and if necessary. Before using CT widely, we should develop the standardized criteria regarding to scanning methods and reading criteria. If not, the same problems as those of simple radiography will be occurred, and then there will be no progress in occupational medicine and workers' health.

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The First Report on Evaluating the Thoracic Radiology of the Medical Institutions for Pneumoconiosis in Korea
Won-Jeong Lee, Jai Soung Park, Sung Jin Kim, Kyung-Sun Ko, Sang-Deok Chu, So Young Park, Byung-Soon Choi
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2010; 63(5): 431. CrossRef

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Environmental Monitoring of Occupational Exposure to Solvent Mixtures by Simultaneous Determination Using Gaschromatography: J T Lee, D W Moon, H Lee, M S Kwak, D W Kim, K T Pai, C U Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):375-389. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.375

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Environmental monitoring by measuring the air, concentration of solvent mixtures should be the most useful method in the exposure assessment. But the solvent mixtures in air can be difficult to measure. In order to improve the method for air measurements of solvents, the author developed a simultaneous determination method for mixtures of 23 solvents using gaschromatography. And also for the purpose of assessing occupational exposure to solvent mixtures, the author applied this method to measure the air concentrations of solvent mixtures in industrial setting. The best condition of this method was 35degrees C-150degrees C for column temperature, 250degrees C for detector and injector temperature with capillary OV-1 column at 0.2 kg/cm2 if inlet pressure. And The recovery rates were 90% and over for 16 organic solvents including toluene and 70% and less for 4 organic solvents including ethanol. In raw materials (adhesives, diluents) of 3 industrial settings (paint manufacturing industry, chemical products industry & fishing products industry), the major components was aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, o-, m-, p-xylene), and the number of detected items among 23 solvents were 4-16. The C(n)/N(n)-value (2.02) at one unit of adhesives developing department in chemical products industry exceeded permissible exposure limit (1), and C(n)/N(n)-values demonstrated a remarkable range (C(n)/N(n)-values were 0.04-2.02 for charcoal tube and 0.02-0.68 for passive sampler).

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Overview of occupational cancer in painters in Korea
Jun-Pyo Myong, Younmo Cho, Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Neuroendocrine Effects in Occupational Solvents Exposure: Chae Un Lee, Jong Tae Lee, Ui Wha Chung, Hae Suk Sohn, Deog Hwan Moon, Jin Ho Chun, Jung Hak Kang, Chang Hee Lee, Hwi Dong Kim, Jong Ham Kim, Kui Oak Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):362-374. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.362

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Long term occupational exposure to solvent mixtures may cause adverse effects to the central nervous system with neurobehavioral symptoms. And some organic solvents have been suggested to cause impairment of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic activity and neurochemical mechanisms controlling pituitary secretion. For the purpose of assessing neuroendocrine effects in occupational solvents exposure, hormonal study settings (shoes-manufacturing industry & fishing products industry) and compared with nonexposed controls (33men, 85women). Male workers exposed to solvent mixtures had significantly lower plasma level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) than nonexposed male controls. While female workers exposed to solvent mixtures had significantly lower plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) than nonexposed female controls. The results of significant decrease in plasma concentrations of pituitary hormones (FSH, GH, and TSH) in workers exposed solvent mixtures indicate that occupational exposure to solvent mixtures may induce neuroendocrine effects through an effect on hypothalamic pituitary axis.

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Risk Assessment for Non-Cancer Effects of Volatile Organic Compounds in Children's Products
Jungkon Kim, Jung-Kwan Seo, Taksoo Kim, Gun-Ho Park
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2014; 40(3): 178. CrossRef

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Biological Monitorings of Workers Exposed to Toluene diisocyanate: Yeon Soon Ahn, Jae Hoon Roh, Chi Nyon Kim, Yun Jung Park, Sang Hyuk Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):354-361. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.354

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Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is widely used in the production of flexible polyurethane foams, as well as in the formulation of polyurethane paints and coatings. The commercial material is generally a mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI, the predominant mix being 80% 2,4 and 20% 2,6-TDI. The 2,4-isomer is considerably more reactive than the 2,6-TDI at ambient temperatures due to steric factors involving the positions of the isocyanate groups relative to the ring methyl group. Because of this difference in the reactivities of the isomers, it seemed probable that there might be an increase in the amount of 2,6-TDI offgased relative to the 2,4-isomer. Therfore a relative enrichment of the 2,6-TDI has been found in industrial atmospheres. Toluene diamines, which are metabolites of TDI, in urine have a linear relation with exposure to TDI, so that urianry TDA could be used as a biological index of the exposure to TDI. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of TDI isomer in industrial atmospheres and to propose proper biological monitoring methods by identifying the relationships between the environmental TDI exposure and concentration of TDA in urine. Concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI in air were 4.38microgram/m3 and 25.43microgram/m3, respectively. The Threshold Limited Value of 40microgram/m3 was exceeded for the 2,6-TDI in about 46.8% (22samples) of the samples, while the 2,4-TDI was not at all exceeded. The ratio between 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI varied in air samples in the range, of 2.4%:97.6%-51.0%:49.0%. There was an enrichment of 2,6-TDI in air relative to the 2,4-TDL Concentrations of 2,4-TDA and 2,6-TDA in urine were 1.31microgram/g creatinine and 4.16microgram/g creatinine, respectively. The ratio between 2, 4-TDA and 2,6-TDA varied in urine samples in the range of 1.4%:98.6%-99.9%:0.1%. There was an enrichment of 2,6-TDA in urine relative to the 2,4-TDA. No relation between the concerations of TDA isomer in urine and concerations of TDI isomer in air was found. Above results of this study, workers were more exposed to the 2,6-TDI relative to the 2,4-TDI in industrial atmospheres. Therefore, the establishment of TLV for 2,6-TDI should be considered. Also, the further studies on biological monitorigs of workers exposed to TDI should be continued.

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Biological Monitoring of Workers Exposed to Diisocyanates using Urinary Diamines
Jong Seong Lee, Boowook Kim, Jungah Shin, JinEe Baek, Jae Hoon Shin, Ji-hye Kim
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2016; 26(2): 178. CrossRef

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Benzidine Exposure Among Benzidine-based Dye Manufacturing Workers: Jae Hoon Roh, Yeon Soon Ahn, Kyoo Sang Kim, Chi Nyon Kim, Hyun Soo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):347-353. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.347

Abstract PDF

To evaluate,the differences of benzidine exposure patterns of the workers in two benzidine-based dye manufacturing factories, the concentration of benzidine: in. air, blood, and urine were measured. The air levels of benzidine dihydrochloride and benzidine-based dye were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector. Blood samples were collected at 3 hours after exposure and urine samples were collected at the end of shift. Blood and urine samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector. The level of benzidine in reaction process (input, diazotization, and coupling); was 0.381+/-7950 g/m3. The blood benzidine was deteced in 25 workers among 38 in reaction process and their mean levels were 0.0153?0376 ng/mg Hb. The urinary benzidine was detected for 11 workers among 38 workers in the reaction process. The level of benzidine-based dye in drying and packing process was 52.1748+/-4.4111g/m3. The blood benzidine was deteced in 6 workers among 38 in drying and packing process and their mean levels was 0.0062+/-0274 ng/mg Hb. The urinary benzidine was detected for 1 worker among 38 workers exposed to benzidine-based dye. The blood and urinary benzidine were detected in workers exposed to benzidine-based dye. Such results suggested that some part of benzidine-based dye was metaboized to benzidine. Therefore, some regulations for manufacturing and use of the benzidine-based dye are needed to prevent its hazards in industries.

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A work-relatedness assessment in epidemiological case investigation of occupational cancers: II. Practice: an upper urinary tract cancer in a dyer
Kihun Kim, Hyeoncheol Oh, Jungwon Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef

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A Study on the Status of Preemployment Health Examination: Hae Kwan Cheong, Hyun Sul Lim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):332-346. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.332

Abstract PDF: Preemployment health examination, stipulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, plays an important role in workers' health management. Recently, employers are getting more aware of the importance of screening recruits before employment to decrease the development of occupational disorders and work loss due to health problems. Accordingly, additional test items are being included and selection criteria for preemployment health examination is getting more strict. However, studies and. data on preemployment health examination are scarce until now. Authors reviewed preemployment health certificates of 3,261 recruits issued by a university hospital in Pohang from January 3 to December 31, 1993, analyzed regulations on preemployment health examination of 16 companies in the Pohang area, and surveyed 80 health and safety personnel with questionnaire to evaluate the present status of preemployment health examination. Of 3,261 recruits 125 (3.8 %) failed to recruit. Main causes of. failure were chronic liver disease, tuberculosis of undetermined activity. The regulations of 16 companies on preemployment health examination were reviewed. Most companies adopted additional test items in addition to basic test items listed on the Regulation; test of physical strength, pulmonary function test, pure tone audiometer (2000 Hz and 4000 Hz in addition to 1000 Hz), exercise provocation test, urine erythrocyte and urobilinogen, complete blood count, stool examination, VDRL, arid sputum examination for acid fast bacilli In most companies, obesity, hearing disturbance, color vision disturbance was included in the selection criteria. Hepatitis B carrier was not accepted in 4 companies, accepted conditionally in 2, and accepted in 5 companies. Of 80 health and safety personnel of companies in the Pohang area, 56 (70. 0 %) perceived preemployment health examination as a tool for selection of recruits and 14(17.5%) as a procedure for job fitting. Most of them were against the acceptance of recruits with hepatitis B carrier, lumbar spine deformity, and hearing disturbance. In conclusion, preemployment health examination is performed mainly for the purpose of selection of healthier employee, but test items and selection creteria is not seem to be adequate. Authors suggest that further studies are needed to select the test items for specific job, and application of selection criteria be restricted only to some specified jobs. Consecutive filling of preemployment health examination to the periodic health examination was also suggested.

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A Study on the Cervicobrachial Syndrome among the Microwave-oven Assemblers (II): A Review on the Findings of the Examinations: Jong Park, Yang Ok Kim, So Yeon Ryu, Sang Ho Ha, Byung Gwon Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):320-331. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.320

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To find the severity and the type of the cervicobrachial syndrome, through physical examinations and laboratory tests were made toward 137 patients complaining the cervicobrachial syndrome (CBS) through the health interview among 313 workers occupied in a microwave-oven assembling factory from December 1993 to February 1994.
Results
were as follows. 1. The prevalence of spontaneous pain was 94.9%, while 78.1% suffered from muscle tenderness, 63.5% suffered from muscle induration and 62.0% showed kinesalgia. 54.7% of patients showed positive cervical X-ray findings and 28.5% showed positive Morley test. 2. The muscle induration was associated with the total duration of the job among female workers. 3. The severity of neck tenderness was negatively correlated with the strength of the grip at both hands, positively correlated with the duration of overtime in male and the severity of the wrist tenderness was negatively correlated with the height in female. 4. X-ray findings, muscle induration, Morley test results, muscle tenderness on the neck and muscle tenderness on the shoulder were associated with subjective symptoms of the workers.5. The muscle tenderness was associated with the number of the complaints at upper extremities among the sufferings in daily life significantly and the electromyogram (EMG) finding was associated with; the number of the complaints: about neuropsychological system among the sufferings in daily life significantly. In conclusion, the results of the physical examination were related with the subjective symptoms of the cervicobrachial syndrome. The muscle induration, the muscle tenderness, cervical X-ray findings and the Morley test results were more useful for the diagnosis of CBS. More efforts to objectify the subjective symptoms were asked.

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Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea Provoked by Workers’ Collective Compensation Claims against Work Intensification
Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Young-Il Lee, Sangbaek Koh, Inah Kim, Hoonkoo Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
Risk Factors of Work-related Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Male Shipyard Workers: Structural Equation Model Analysis
Byung-Chan Park, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Eun-A Kim, Soo Geun Kim
Safety and Health at Work.2010; 1(2): 124. CrossRef

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A Study on the Cervicobrachial Syndrome among the Microwave-oven Assemblers (I): A Review on the Symptoms Investigated by the Questionnaire: Yang Ok Kim, Jong Park, So Yeon Ryu; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):306-319. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.306

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To find the characteristics of the subjective symptoms and its related factors among the patients with the cervicobrachial syndrome, an interview survey was made toward 137 patients complaining the symptoms in cervicobrachial area out of 313 workers occupied in a microwave-oven assembling factory from December 1993 to February 1994.
Results
were as follows : 1. The patients were classified by the severity of the syndrome as 6 persons (4.4%) at grade I (the mildest grade), 48 persons (35.0%) at grade II, 47 persons (34.4%) at grade III-1, 11 persons (8.0%) at grade III-2 and 25 persons (18.2%) at grade IV. 2. Only 3.6% of the total patients under the study felt the main symptoms of the cervicobrachial syndrome 36 months before this study, and then the number of patients increased gradually, but the incidence of the syndrome increased suddenly from 25.1% to 74.9% since the factory had elevated the height of the belt conveyer-worktables from 75.0cm to 87.7 cm 13 months before the study. 3. Although the higher percentage of the female workers felt the subjective symptoms including the pain at the neck and shoulder, the discomfort or pain at the back and the discomfort or pain at the wrist or the finger than male workers significantly (p<0.05). The male workers, however, showed more abnormal X-ray findings than the female workers significantly (p<0.05). 4. Between the prevalence of the cervicbbrachial syndrome and the number of actual workers occupied at the factory during last-24 months, a negative correlation (r=-0.508~r=-0.665) was observed. 5. The measured workplace environment of the studied factory (average temperature: 13.3 degrees C, average noise: 78.8 dB, average illumination: 241.4 Lux) was the poorer condition than the recommended level (17degrees C or more, lower than 75 dB and 400 Lux or more). 6. Neither items to check the cervicobrachial syndrome during the entrance and health maintenance examinations nor early treatment program for the syndrome were found, at the factory. In conclusion, the primary cause of the cervicobrachial syndrome of the workers were considered due to their repeated monotonous motions on the neck, the shoulder, the arms and the hands for a long duration (2-3 years) with the uncomfortable working posture under the uncomfortable workplace environments, and the condition got aggravated due to the inappropriated health management program for its secondary prevention.

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Effects of the Health Support Network Project on Musculoskeletal Disorders of Females
Deok-Ju Kim, Hee-Jung Han, Yeong-Ae Yang
The Korean Journal of Health Service Management.2015; 9(1): 169. CrossRef
A Study on Effects of the Convergence of musculoskeletal disorders Women with Disabilities on Quality of life in Jeon-nam Area
Je-Ho Min, Hee-Jeong Han
Journal of Digital Convergence.2015; 13(9): 497. CrossRef
Health Status and Affecting Factors related to Job among Korean Women Employees
Eun-Young Hong, Sang-Dol Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(9): 4107. 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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A Study on the Correlation of Ambient Toluene and Xylene with Biological Monitoring Index: Soung Hoon Chang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):295-305. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.295

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In order to study the correlation of ambient toluene and xylene exposure with their biological monitoring indices, we measured the concentration of toluene and xylene in the workplace. We also measured their biological monitoring indices of workers from August to November in 1994. The exposed group consisted of 103 male workers and the non-exposed group consisted of 34 male workers. The ambient concentration of toluene was 44.7 +/-55.4 ppm and that of xylene was 2.35+/-2.15 ppm. The urinary concentration of hippuric acid in exposed group was 1.72+/-1.53 g/g creatinine and that of non-exposed group was 0.34+/-0.28 g/g creatinine. The difference was statistically significant between two groups (p<.0.001). The urinary concentration of o-cresol in exposed group was 692.9+/-710.8 ug/g creatinine and that of non-exposed group was 184.7+/-167.6 microgram/g creatinine. The difference was also statistically significant between two groups (p<0.001). The urinary concentration of methylhippuric acid which was compensated with urinary creatinine in I exposed group was 62. 7+/-104.6 mg/g creatinine and that of non-exposed group was 64.0+91.5 mg/g creatinine. However the difference was not statistically significant between two groups (p>0.05). When compensated with urinary creatinine, the correlation coefficient of ambient toluene with urinary hippuric acid and ocresol were 0.63(p=0.0001) and 0.65(p=0.0001), respectively. When compensated with urinary specific gravity, the correlation coefficient of ambient toluene with hippuric acid and ocresol were 0.525 (p=0.0001) and 0.547 (p=0. 0001), respectively. The compensation method using urinary creatinine provided a higher correlation coefficient. We could not find any statistically significant differences between the duration of work and other variables (urinary hippuric acid, o-cresol and methylhippuric acid). In order to monitor biological indices of toluene-exposed workers, we suggest the measurement of urinary hippuric acid rather than o-cresol. As the compensation method, we suggest to use urinary creatinine rather than urinary specific gravity.

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Effects of the Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons or Toluene on Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance Level in Elementary School Children and the Elderly in a Rural Area
Dae-Seon Kim, Chul-Ho Lee, Sang-Yong Eom, Tackshin Kang, Yong-Dae Kim, Heon Kim
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2008; 41(1): 61. CrossRef

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Health Care Utilization and Its Determinants of Workers with Non-occupational Diseases: Chang Hyun Han, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):282-294. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.282

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to analyse medical facilities utilization based on predisposing factors, enabling factors and need factors, and effect of these factors on medieal facilities utilization, by applying Anderson's medical care service behavioral model as the most well known medical demand model to 163 available for interview among 246 workers who, as the result of health examination in 1994, were evaluated as the non occupational diseases. The results of this study were summarized as follows. Among variables of predisposing factors, knowledge for disease showed significant relations with the medical utilization, other variables of predisposing factors, such as sex, age, marital status, educational level, number of family members, type of occupation, attitude toward the disease, were not related with the medical utilization. The medical utilization was not related with variables of enabling factors. Among variables of need factors, medical advice of health personnel was significant variable for medical utilization. With multiple logistic regression analysis, the significant variables haying an effect on the medical facllities utilization were the type of occupation and knowledge for the disease among predisposing factors, ana seriousness for the disease and medical advice of health personnel among need factors. In case of the production job, the medical facilitles utilization was higher for the persons with more knowledge for disease and experience of medical treatment guidance. The number of non-occupational diseases detected, but untreated person was 76 (46.6%) of total subjects, mainly because the non-occupational diseases seemed to be a slight disease (55.3%). On consideration of above findings, health education for workers and adequate medical advice by health personnel would be needed for health management of workers with non occupational diseases.

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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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A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Mass Screening for Diabetes Mellitus: Kyung Eun Lee, Byung Yeol Chun, Sin Kam, Jae Yong Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):269-281. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.269

Abstract PDF: To evaluate the efficiency of the diabetes mellitus screening program, the records of screening examinations for general workers and official workers at a general hospital in Taegu city were analysed. Six alternatives of the diabetes mellitus screening program were compared in terms of cost-effectiveness. The screening program I which was already used in the examination for general workers, screening program II for official workers, alternative program (A) which was the same method as screening program I without urine sugar test for the second examination in a hospital, a1ternative program (B) with the test for fasting blood sugar (FBS) in a worksite, alternative program (C) with the test for postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) in a worksite, alternative program (D) with the first test for FBS and the second test for PPBS of negatives for FBS test in a worksite, alternative program (E) with the first test for PPBS and the second test for FBS of negatives for PPBS test, and alternative program (F) with the test for urine sugar in a worksite. To compare the cost-effectiveness between alternatives, the cost (Won) per positive detected for diabetes mellitus (cost-effectiveness ratio) was calculated. The cost per positive detected was 37,767 Won for screening program I, 50,441 for screening program II, 37,433 for alternative program (A) , 27,645 for alternative program (B), and if it was assumed that the positive rate for negatives of FBS would be 2.0 %, 28,541 for alternative program (C) , 35,458 for alternative program (D) , 38,488 for alternative program (E) . However, that for alternative program (F) was varied with the positive predictive value (PPV) of urine sugar test for diabetes. The cost per positive detected was lowest(18,689 Won) when PPV was 93 %, whereas, highest (88,106) when PPV was 20 %. The critical value of PPV was 64 %. The alternative program (F) was most efficient when PPV was 64% or more. Considering the prevalence for diabetes mellitus, PPV for urine suger test, and feasibility of screening examination, alternative program (B) will be proved as the most efficient screening program. In conclusion, either program (B) or program (F) will be the most efficient method for screening a large population depending on the positive predictive value of fasting urine suger test.

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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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Prevalence of Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease in Teachers: Byung Chan Jeon, Jong Young Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):249-257. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.249

Abstract PDF: This study was conducted to figure out the prevalence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease among teachers. The data used in the analysis were based on 831 questionnaires, filled out by elementary, middle and high school teachers in Taegu, between September 5, 1994 and October, 4 in 1994. The prevalence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease was 1.7% among teachers, 1.2% for definite claudication, 0.5% for atypical claudication, 1.7% for serious illness grade I, and 0% for the walk pain grade II. The prevalence was 1.9% for the male and 1.4% for the female. The prevalence by age group was 1.3% for less than 39, 1.6% for the forties, and 2.9% for the over fifties. The results shows that the prevalence increases as the age. The prevalence was 1.8% for the smoking group, 1.6% for the non-smoking group, 2.0% for the alcohol drinking group, and 1.5% for the non-alcohol drinking group. The prevalence for the lean group based on Body Mass Index(BMI) was 1.3%, 1.8% for the normal group, 2.1% for the obese group, 2.2% for the behavior pattern A, and 1.4% for the behavior pattern B. This study shows that the peripheral arterial disease may be considered as an important health problem among teachers.

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Development of Urine CRM for the quality Control of Heavy Matal Determinations: Chang Joon Park, Kyung Haeng Cho, Jeong Kee Suh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):235-248. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.235

Abstract PDF: Urine certified reference material (CRM) has been developed to help clinical labolatories control analytical accuracy. Two levels of freeze-dried urine were prepared. The low level CRM was made from normal urine and the abnormal level CRM was prepared by spiking the normal urine with As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb. Urine reference materials were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) . Analyte elements were separated from matrix elements by using ion exchange resin and hydride generation. Isotope dilution method was employed to enhance analytical accuracy. Round robin test results are also presented which were carried out with 5 clinical laboratories.

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Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Smelter: Kyoung Ah Kim, Young Lim, Im Goung Yun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):230-234. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.230

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Occupational lung diseases caused by metal oxide are classified as follows, metal fume fever, chemical pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and occupational asthma. Even though it's well known the immunologic mechanism is involved in metal fume fever, the exact cause is unkown yet. Some authors have speculated that metal fume fever is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A smelter exposed to metal oxide fumes was hospitalized with some complaints such as severe cough, dyspnea and fever. Chest radiographs on admission showed ill-defined reticulonodular density especially prominent in the base of the both lower lobe. HRCT of chest was observed diffuse fine granolar and reticular involvement with multiple small honeycomb cystic lesion. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed a lymphocyte predominant alveolitis and TBLB had the finding of noncaseating granuloma infiltrating with giant cells, lymphocytes and macrophages. This is a case of alveolitis caused by metal oxide fume which has the characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in clinical picture and the finding of BAL and TBLB.

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Association of Exposure to Chemicals with Dyspnea among Employed Workers: Analysis of the 3rdKorean Working Conditions Survey
Moon-Young Park, Sung-Ho Hwang, Kimyong Hong, Se-Eun Oh, Kyoung-Mu Lee
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2016; 26(1): 64. CrossRef

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Trace of Occupational History on Lung Cancer Patients: Doo Hie Kim, Ji Yeon Son, Wan Seoup Park, Sung Chul Hong, Jong Young Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):219-229. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.219

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The relationship between occupation and risk of lung cancer was analyzed in hospital based case-control study conducted in Taegu on 168 patients with histologicatly confirmed lung cancer and age group (30-39, 40-49, etc) and sex frequency-matched 168 controls admitted into hospitals for other internal medicine problems. A self administered questionnaire was used to obtain occupation, resident environment, smoking histories and specific agent exposure histoy. The conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio for age group and sex frequency matched, after controlling for smoking status (non smoker, exsmoker, current smoker) Significant association was observed for farmer[odds ratio(OR), 1.84 , 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.16-2.94], briquette stove users(OR, 3.0 , 95% CI, 1.06-8.25), agricultural chemicals users[0R, 2.14 , 95% CI, 1.35-3.37], and welding/fume exposures[0R, 10.56 ;95% CI, 1.07~103.90]. Although there were elevated risks associated with production, home industry, transportation/storage/communication, lodgement/food worker and construction, none were statistically significant.The effect of smoking was showed significantly increased risk for exsmoker [0R, 4.50 ,95% CI, 1.99-10.16] and current smoker [OR, 3.98 , 95% Cl, 1.88-8.45] As results, although smoking is important risk of lung cancer, occupation and resident environment are showing association of lung cancer. So further evaluation is necessary for occupation risk and take preventive measures.

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Occupational Cancers with Chemical Exposure and their Prevention in Korea: A Literature Review
Kyung-Taek Rim
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2013; 14(6): 3379. CrossRef

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