Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Nasal Septum Perforation of Welders: Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Ryu, Ji Ho Lee, Jeong Hak Kang, Seong Kyu Kang, Jung Sun Yang, Yong Cheol Shin; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):404-411. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.404

Six cases of nasal septum perforation were found among welders during periodic physical checkup in 1997. Considering the size, shape and margin, the perforations were assumed to have been occurred several years before of which the diameter were 8~15 mm. To investigate the cause of perforation, we reviewed the past history of preemployment, the results of annual working environment survey and the material safety data sheets of welding rods and steels with which they have dealt, and analyzed the concentration of several metals of welding fume and the concentration of blood and urinary chromium. In the result, we presupposed that the nasal septum perforations of welders were due to chronic exposure to low level hexavalent chromium and/or nickel, and report these cases with literatures review.

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Changes of Glycoconjugate Expression in Nasal Respiratory Mucosa of Rats Exposed to Welding Fumes
Gil Nam Jeong, Un Bock Jo, Il Je Yu
Inhalation Toxicology.2007; 19(12): 987. CrossRef
Effects of repeated welding fumes exposure on the histological structure and mucins of nasal respiratory mucosa in rats
Gil Nam Jeong, Gi Jin Jo, Un Bock Jo, Il Je Yu
Toxicology Letters.2006; 167(1): 19. CrossRef

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Polyneuropathy by Occupational Exposure to Acrylamide: Hae Kwan Cheong, Yong Wook Kwon, Kyung Yun Uh, Byung Joon Kim, Jeong Sun Yang, Cheol Jung, Youngwoo Jin, Mi Young Lee, Seong Kyu Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):388-403. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.388

Abstract PDF

Authors report a first Korean case of polyneuropathy in an acrylamide producing factory together with an environmental and epidemiologic survey for the ten workers of the same workplace and 46 workers in the production and manufacturing acrylamide in Ulsan, Korea. The case is 30 years old man who worked in the prcduction of the acrylamide for two years. In August, 1997, he had a weakness of the lower extremity with loss of body weight of 15 Kg which progressed to paresthesia of the limbs, the loss of vibration sense, difficulty in walking, speech disturbance, dysuria, constipation, difficulty in erection and swallowing difficulty. Neurologic examination showed a complete loss of vibration and position sense, and loss of deep tendon reflex in all the limbs. There was a contact dermatitis-like skin lesion on the feet. Electrodiagnostic test showed a generalized polyneuropathy of moderate degree involving motor and sensory component of peripheral and cranial nerves. After 8 months' cessation from exposure and supportive care, his symptoms were completely resolved, but abnormality in electrodiagnostic test and vibrotactile perception threshold still persisted, although much improved than before. There were 11 workers in the same workplace of the case, producing acrylamide by microorganism as a catalyst. Environmental monitoring of the workplace revealed air-borne concentration of the acrylamide to be from 0.05 to 0.23 mg/m(3) by personal sampling and from 7.65 to 11.65 mg/m(3) by area sampling during filter exchanging process, which far exceeds TLV-TWA of 0.03 mg/m(3). However acrylamide was not detected from the plasma of the workers. Symptom questionnaire showed a markedly higher complain of neurologic symptoms, compared to the workers of the other acrylamide producing companies. Electrodiagnostic test showed a several workers are in the lower normal range without definite abnormality. Vibrotactile perception threshold by Vibratron II showed a significantly increased threshold in the workers of the same workplace compared to the other acrylamide workers and significantly decreased test score of color vision compared to normal controls. After improvement of the production process and strict wearing of the protective device, most workers reported the improvement of clinical symptoms, but vibrotactile perception threshold was not improved. These result suggests the need for the effective environmental monitoring together with a periodic biological monitoring. Development of effective screening test is urgently needed to control and assess the skin absorption of acrylamide.

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Dermal and neural toxicity caused by acrylamide exposure in two Korean grouting workers: a case report
Heeyun Kim, Sang Gil Lee, Jeongbae Rhie
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] 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
Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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Factors Associated with Patients' Willingness of Return-to-Work in Industrial Accident Hospitals: Duck Ki Go, Song Hee Yoo, Jaesuk Song, Jong Uk Won, Jaehoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):379-387. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.379

Abstract PDF

The purpose of this study is to identify the various factors associated with the patients' return-to-work. For conducting the study, 511 samples are selected from nine industrial accident hospitals. Questionnaire are patient's general characteristics. injury characteristics and job characteristics. These results can be summarized as follows. When industrial accident patients get older, have family members to be supported, are hospitalized for less than six months, have accidents caused by their mistakes, have worked in the construction and manufacturing industry, have worked a company with more than 300 workers, and have worked for six months~ two years or over two years, they tend to express stronger willingness of return-to-work. In face with the current drastic increase of economic loss from industrial accidents, it is required to be dealt with these factors in planning and managing the health care of industrial accident patients.

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Impacts of Return-to-Work Type and Period on Job Retention in Workers with Occupational Injuries and Diseases
Inchul Jeong, Jae Bum Park, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won, Jaehoon Roh
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Normative Data of Grip and Pinch Strength for Screening of Cumulative Trauma Disorders: Chung Yill Park, Hyeon Woo Yim, Jung Wan Koo, Byoung Yong Ahn, Young Mann Baag, Kang Sook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):362-378. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.362

Abstract PDF

Executing detailed examination for cumulative trauma disorders(CTD) for all the workers with repetitive operators is not desirable considering the cost-effectiveness. Screening test with subjective symptoms, physical examination and hand strength test to detect the proper subject for secondary detailed examination is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine normal values for grip and pinch(tip, lateral and palmar) strength to be used as a screening tool for CTD. Total of 1,018 healthy subjects without related past occupational or medical history were examined with Jamar dynamometer and pinch gage. Each hand was checked twice in a posture recommended by American Society of Hand Therapists, and higher value was accepted. The results were as follows, 1. The mean grip strength of right hand in right-handed man was 47.7 kg, and 27.2 kg in woman. The mean tip pinch strength of right hand in right-handed man was 6.2 kg, and 3.9 kg in woman. The mean lateral pinch strength was 9.0 kg in man, and 5.5 kg in woman. And the mean palmar pinch strength was 9.3 kg in man, and 6.9 kg in woman. There was no significant differences in dominant hand power according to the right or the left hand dominances. 2. Selecting 10 percentile value for screening criteria for CTD, 10 percentile value of trip strength was 38 kg in man and 20 kg in woman. And that of tip pinch strength was 4 kg in man and 2 kg in woman, lateral pinch strength was 6 kg and 4 kg each, palmar pinch strength was 6 kg and 5 kg each. 3. Grip and all three pinch strengths of man showed positive correlation with age, height and weight, but in the cases of woman, only grip strength showed positive correlation with height and weight. 4. In cases of right-handed persons, dominant hand showed higher grip strength compared to the contralateral hand in 70.9% of males, and 72.9% of females. And the mean differences of bilateral grip strength was 2.7 kg(5.2%) in male, and 1.7 kg(5.7%) in female. But in the cases of left-handed persons, dominant hand did not show the significant difference in strength compared to the contralateral hand.

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Comparison of Task Performance, Hand Power, and Dexterity with and without a Cock-up Splint
Moonyoung Chang, Nam-Hae Jung
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2013; 25(11): 1429. CrossRef

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The Ergonomic Evaluation of Low Back Pain of the Manual Lifting Workers: Ji Yong Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):343-361. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.343

Abstract PDF

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the manufacturing welding metal company. The questionnaire survey was performed on 361 workers to investigate the status of low back pain(LBP), and 101 lifting jobs were ergonomically analyzed to evaluate the relationship between LBP and the exposure. Questionnaire survey was performed repeatedly for reliability test and the information in the questionnaire was compared to the absence record for validity test. There were significant differences in tenure and job titles between groups with LBP and without LBP, but not in general characteristics such as age, tenure, marriage status, blood pressure and liver function test. One hundred and one lifting jobs were analyzed by the physiological, psychophysical and biomechanical ergonomic methods. In logistic regression analysis, the lumbar disc compression force and the lifting frequency were the risk factors of the LBP. As the weight load over the action limit was the risk factor in the group of sudden LBP onset, so were the vertebral disc compression force and lifting frequency in the group of insidious LBP onset. Therefore the author concluded that ergonomic analysis may be a useful preventive tool of the LBP. Further prospective epidemiological study will be needed to identify the risk factors of LBP by the ergonomic method.

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Musculoskeletal disorders among staff in South Korea’s largest nursing home
Derek Richard Smith, Jae-wook Choi, Myung Ki, Jae-young Kim, Zentaro Yamagata
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2003; 8(1): 23. CrossRef

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Short-term Effects of Air Pollution on Hospital Visits for Respiratory Diseases in Seoul: Jong Han Leem, Jong Tae Lee, Dong Gi Kim, Dong Chun Shin, Jae Hoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):333-342. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.333

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Several studies have reported the associations between airborne particles and/or ozone and respiratory diseases. This study examined whether such an association could be seen in Seoul, one of the greatest city in Korea. We compiled daily records of hospital visits in Seoul from November 1, 1995 to October 31, 1996. The daily averages of ozone and particle matter whose diameter is 10 micrometer or less(PM10) from all monitoring stations were computed. Daily respiratory hospital visits were regressed on temperature, humidity, day of weak indicators, seasonal variation indicators, and air pollution. Each pollutant was first examined individually and then two pollutant models were fitted.
RESULTS
: Both PM10 and Ozone were associated with increased risk of respiratory hospital visits. The relative risk of respiratory hospital visits for 50 microgram/m3 increase in PM10(lagged 2 days) was 1.11(95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.18). The PM10 associations was insensitive to alternative methods of control for weather, including exclusion of extreme temperature days and control for temperature on another day. The ozone results were more sensitive to the approach for weather control. The relative risk of respiratory hospital visits for 0.01 ppm increase in O3 was 1.08(95% confidence interval 1.00-1.17). The magnitude of the PM10 effect in Seoul, where SO2 was essential present, was similar to that reported in the Europe and United states. In conclusion, The consistency of investigations of the health effects of air pollution suggest that attention should be paid to the control of air pollution.

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Status of Ambient PM2.5 Pollution in the Seoul Megacity (2020)
Jung-Hoon Uhm, Eun-Han Kwon, Young-Jun Kim, Ji-Hye Seong, Hyeji Ju, Jun-Hyuk Ahn, Il-Sang Bae, Yong-Suk Choi, Seog-Ju Cho, Yong-Seung Shin
Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
PM2.5 Source Apportionment Analysis to Investigate Contributions of the Major Source Areas in the Southeastern Region of South Korea
Hyeji Ju, Changhan Bae, Byeong-Uk Kim, Hyun Cheol Kim, Chul Yoo, Soontae Kim
Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment.2018; 34(4): 517. CrossRef
Particulate Matter from Asian Dust Storms Induces the Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokine in A549 Epithelial Cells
Jung Ho Kim, Hyo Keun Jeon, Mi Kyeong Kim, Sun Yong Kyung, Chang Hyeok An, Sang Pyo Lee, Jung Woong Park, Sung Hwan Jeong
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2006; 60(6): 663. CrossRef
Effects of Particulate Matter (PM10) on The Pulmonary Function of Middle-School Children
Jeong Hee Kim, Dea Hyun Lim, Ja Kyoung Kim, Su Jin Jeong, Byong Kwan Son
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2005; 20(1): 42. CrossRef

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A Study on Comparison of the Metabolites Related with Working Methods and Immunity of the Toluene diisocyanate-Exposed Workers: Su Ill Lee, Byung Man Cho, In Kyung Hwang, Cheol Ho Lee, Jung Rae Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):320-332. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.320

Abstract PDF

Following recent advanced industrialization. the amount of polyurethane to use as thermal insulating materials, upholstery mattresses and packing materials in automotive and furniture industry is increasing world-widely, and the number of polyurethane-producing worker will be increased. Because the numerous organic solvents are used in polyurethane-producing factory, the workers in this work site is exposed to many organic solvents. Of the organic solvents. Toluene Diisocyanate(TDI) has many hazardous effects to human. The effects of TDI on human are the irritation to respiratory mucosa and gastrointestinal symptoms. Conjunctival irritation, dermal inflammation (redness, pain, vesicular formation) and gastrointestinal symptom(nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) are reported just after short-term exposure of TDI. TDI is known to give rise to bronchial asthma, as the immune disorder. And because of strongly volatile characteristics of TDI, it is suggested as a more injurious material to human health, especially human immune system, than other organic solvents. Bronchial asthma inducing mechanism of TDI is not clearly known, but on the analogy of TDI-induced symptoms and recent studies, early-onset asthma is type I hypersensitivity reaction mediated by immunoglobulin E(IgE), and late-onset asthma is maybe type III hypersensitivity reaction by circulating IgG. And we know that the complicated human immune function is likely to move in such that mechanisms, there are not studies on immune indices evaluating the bronchial asthma-related immune function. The evaluation of change patterns of humoral immunity including IgE and IgG and cellular immunity including T-helper cell, T-suppressor cell and T-cytotoxic cell will be helpful to evaluate exposure degrees and prognosis in TDI-exposed workers. Because TDA(toluene diamine) as a biological exposure index of TDI becomes the focus of interest, we know that a study on the correlation between urinary TDA and air TDI and immunological indices will make a contribution to biological effect monitoring indicies. We examined human immunity indicators such as WBC. %Lymph (percentile of Lymphocyte in WBC). %T-cell(percentile of T-lymphocyte in total lymphocyte). CD4, CD8, C3, C4, IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE in peripheral blood to evaluate the health hazard of the TDI-exposed workers. And we examined TDA to evaluate correlation between exposure and effect. Total 90 subjects was selected, 45 workers who worked in the polyurethane-producing factories as an exposed group, and 45 cases who were office workers(10 cases), other blue collors(27 cases), and medical college students(8 cases) as a control group. And the results were as follows ; 1. The logarithm of IgE -Log10(IgE)+/-SD- in peripheral blood of a exposed group was significantly higher than a control group, 2 22+/-.62 in case group compared with 1.98+/-.53 in control group.(p<0.05) 2. IgA and IgM in the polyurethane-producing workers were 261.02+/-3.12 mg/dl, 151.97+/-9.64 mg/dl, respectively, and 292.77+/-00.45, 179.17+/-00.78 in control group. IgA and IgM was slightly lower in polyurethane-producing group than control (p>0.05). 3. WBC, %Lymph, %T-cell, C3, C4, CD4, CD8, CD4/CDB ratio and IgG in case group were 6,391.1 ea/ml, 37.53%, 59.54%, 76.68 mg/dl, 30.54 mg/dl, 0.76x10(9) ea/L, 0.63x10(9) ea/L, 1.39, and 1606.29 mg/dl, respectively, and 6,974.7 ea/ml, 35.12%, 59.64%, 71.95 mg/dl, 33.94 mg/dl, 0.80x109 ea/L, 0.61x10(9) ea/L, 1.39, and 1581.51 mg/dl in control group. There was no statistical sinificance between two groups. (p>0.05) 4. In the comparison of each other companies, average of individual urinary TDA in polyurethane paint manufacturing companies is higher than that of polyurethane sponge foaming companies. And, the concentration of 2,6-TDA which is a metabolite of well-vaporized 2,6-TDI is higher than that of 2,4-TDA in the polyurethane sponge foaming companies. But, the concentration of 2,4-TDA which is a metabolite of illvaporized but well skin-absorbed 2,4-TDI is higher in polyurethane paint manufactures. 5. There were no statistical significance in the correlations between individual urinary TDA and immunologic indices.

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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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A Study of Protective Effect of Selenium Against Cytotoxicity of Methylmercury Chloride: Dai Ha Koh, Jung Ho Youm, Young Sang Koh, Sun Hwan Joh, Tak Soon Oh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):310-319. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.310

Abstract PDF: The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the cytotoxical influence of mercurial compounds and the protective effect of selenium against mercurial compounds. The effects of mercury compounds and selenium on the syntheses of nitrite(NO2-) and ATP were observed in the cell cultures of EMT-6 cells and peritoneal macrophages from Balb/c mouse. The viabilities of EMT-6 cells and peritoneal macrophages at the end of culture were significantly decreased in dose-dependent manner by methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl) added into the media. NO2- and ATP syntheses of the cells were dose-dependently inhibited by CH3HgCl. Simultaneous addition of the equimolar dose of selenium completely prevented mercury-induced inhibitions of NO2- and ATP syntheses, which were observed in both of EMT-6 cells and peritoneal macrophages. But these effects of selenium were not appeared in the new medium containing mercurials only which were removed the selenium after the pretreatment of selenium for 6 hours. These results suggest that protective effect of selenium against mercurial compounds was archived by the formation of a complex consisting of Se-Hg or Se-Hg-protein. Though its mechanism was not clear, the protective role of selemium against the mercury toxicity would be exhibited in the immunological system.

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Neurobehavioral Tests in Workers Exposed to Ethylene Oxide: Kang Won Park, Young Gi Kim, Ju Hyun Byun, Jin Ha Kim, Young Hawn Lee, Kang Ryune Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(3):301-309. Published online August 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.3.301

Abstract PDF: Ethylene oxide is widely used to sterilize heat-sensitive materials in hospital. Previous reports for neurotoxic effects of ethylene oxide have been described in animals and humans. To assess the exposure level and neurobehavioral effect of ethylene oxide, a cross-sectional study was performed to 27 nurses from central supply unit at hospital, exposed to ethylene oxide and 32 nurses as reference. Ethylene oxide was collected with using a personal air sampler and analyzed by gas chromatography for the determination of exposure level, and five items among Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) of World Health Organization, including Digit Span, Benton visual retention. Santa Ana dexterity, Digit Symbol and Simple reaction time, were administered to the exposed and reference group. The mean exposure level was 0.63 ppm in the exposed group and six subjects were exposed above the level of 1 ppm, which is currently regulated by the Korean Ministry of Labor. The results of neurobehavioral test in the exposed group showed significantly poorer performances in Digit Span forward and backward, Benton visual retention and Simple reaction time, comparing with the reference group. When the exposure level was divided into below and above the level of 1 ppm, there were significant differences in performance on Benton visual retentions, Digit Symbol and Simple reaction time. Also, Digit Span forward and backward showed significantly poorer performances below the level of 1 ppm, compared with reference group. Simple reaction time was still significantly delayed by the exposure level after controlling the confounding factors with multiple regression analysis. The results suggest that the periodic measurement of ethylene oxide in hospital and health care program is needed.

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