Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Study on Clinical Significance of High Signal Intensity by Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Mild Steel/Arc Welders (Clinical Significance of High Signal Intensity by Brain MRI in Welders): Young Seoub Hong, Jung Il Kim, Kap Yeol Jung, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):415-429. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.415

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to evaluate manganese exposure marker and the clinical significance of high signal intensity observed on brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in mild steel/arc welders.
METHODS
Brain MRI, blood and urinary manganese concentration measurements, physical and neurologic examinations, questionnaire and biochemistry were performed on 53 mild steel/arc welders(exposed group) and 112 non-manganese handling productive workers(control group). We calculated the pallidal index, the ratio of signal intensity of globus pallidus to subcortical frontal white-matter on sagittal 71-weighted MRI. And we studied the relationships between the pallidal index and other measurements.
RESULTS
In 35(66.3%) exposed workers, high signal intensity were observed on the globus pallidus. Blood and urinary manganese levels were higher in exported group than control group. Pallidal index were significantly correlated with working duration, blood manganese level, urinary manganese level and positive rates of clinical symptoms and signs.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggests that high signal intensity finding on brain MRI may be considered as useful tool for the evaluation of workers who have manganese exposure.

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Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Meat-processing Workers: Jong Min Lee, Soo Keun Kim, Jong Min Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):407-414. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.407

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and status of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in meat-processing workers and to assess the usefulness of diagnostic criteria using symptoms, physical findings and electrodiagnostic bests.
METHODS
The subjects were 34 female workers with average age of 43.1 +/-8.5 years and clinical studios including history taking for symtoms, physical examination and electrodiagnostic bests were conducted.
RESULTS
Using a case definition of positive symptoms and electrodiagnostic abnormalities, 8 workers were diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and the prevalence was 23.5%. 5 workers(14.7%) had symptoms but no electrodiagnostic abnormalities and 2 workers (5.9%) had only electrodiagnostic abnormalitites. 19 workers(55.9%) had no symptoms and no electrodiagnostic abnormalities. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome between high repetitive work group and low repetitive work group among the workers. Age and daily working hours wart related to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome at 0.10 significant level(p-value=0.10).
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of symptoms and night symptoms or symptoms and physical findings is a useful diagnostic criteria for screening of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome when electrodiagnostic test or a trained physician for physical examination are not available in that sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.63, 0.85, 0.56 and 0.88, respectively.

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Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data
Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence and Related Characteristics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Orchardists in the Gyeongsangnam-do Region
Ho-Yeon Jung, Min Sik Kong, Seung Hun Lee, Chang Han Lee, Min-Kyun Oh, Eun Shin Lee, Heesuk Shin, Chul Ho Yoon
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2016; 40(5): 902. CrossRef
Evaluation of Nerve Conduction Study Result in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before and after operation in eastern area of Jeonnam
Choong-Won Seo, Chul-Seung Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2012; 13(11): 5305. CrossRef

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Micronuclei in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes of Chromate Workers: Jung Ho Rah, Young Whan Kim, Jae Wook Choi, Hae Joon Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):393-406. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.393

Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

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Prevalence on Dermatologic, Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Hairdressers: Dong Mug Kang, Jong Tae Lee, Min Suk Kang, Sung Hee Park, Sang Hwa Urm, Sung Jun Kim, Kui Won Jeong, Hae Suk Shon, Bong Jin Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):385-392. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.385

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Present study was conducted to evaluate work-related symptom prevalence among hairdressers.
METHODS
Exposed group comprised 184 employee employed 73 hair salons in 6 districts of Pusan city, and non-exposed grouts comprised 119 people living recent apartments. A trained interviewer interviewed them with organized questionnaire which included dermatologic, respiratory and musculo-skeletal symptoms.
RESULTS
Prevalence of hand eczema wart 28.3 % in exposed group, and 5.9 % in non-exposed group. Adjusted odds ratio for age and atopy history was 4.30(2.34-7.93). Prevalence of respiratory symptom(coughing) in exported group was 22.1%, and 9.4% for non-exposed group. Adjusted odds ratio for coughing which was adjusted for age, smoking and atopy history was 2.76(1.32-5.78). Prevalences of musculo-skeletal symptoms among exposed group were neck(59.9%) shoulder(76.6%), upper back(41.2%), lower back (72.2%), arm and elbow(31.3%), wrist(44.2%), finger(35.0%), leg(71.1%). Adjusted Odds Ratios for musculo-skeletal symptoms which wag adjusted for age were neck 2.13(1.29-3.51), shoulder 2.52 (1.50-4.24), upper back 1.71(1.01~2.88), lower back 1.78(1.06~2.99), arm and elbow 3.10(1.62~5.94), wrists 2.09(1.23~3.57), finger 4.83(2.41~ 9.68), leg 3.46(2.07~5.79).
CONCLUSIONS
These results chow that employees in hair salon are likely to have high risk for work-related dermatologic, respiratory and musculo-skeletal symptoms and diseases. Hence, prevention methods from those work-related diseases are required to be developed. Also, the scope of occupational and environmental medicine should be expanded to service area including hairdressers.

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Relationship between Occupational Stress and Depression in Hairdressers
Mi-Jeung Ahn, Sun-Ju Park
Asian Journal of Beauty and Cosmetology.2020; 18(4): 643. CrossRef
A study on the relationship between stress and fatigue and the musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by Korean radiation workers
Jin Lee, Hae-Kag Lee, Jae-Hwan Cho
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2015; 27(2): 427. CrossRef
Aanalysis on the working environment and health·safety awareness of beauty workers
Myung-Won Joo, Sung-Nam Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2015; 16(3): 1725. CrossRef
Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Korean Radiation Workers
Jae-Hwan Cho, Moo-Seong Cho, Jae-Ouk Ahn
Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health.2015; 70(3): 160. CrossRef
Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Korean Broadcast Actors
Moon-Hee Park, Ham-Gyum Kim, Jae-Hwan Cho
Annals of Global Health.2015; 81(4): 475. CrossRef
The Effect of Work Characteristics on Dermatologic Symptoms in Hairdressers
Pil Kyun Jung, June-Hee Lee, Ji Hye Baek, Jungho Hwang, Jong-Uk Won, Inah Kim, Jaehoon Roh
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
Survey of the musculoskeletal disorders of radiological technologists
Jin Lee, Jae-Hwan Cho
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology.2012; 6(1): 53. CrossRef
Ergonomic risk factors for the wrists of hairdressers
Hsieh-Ching Chen, Cha-Mei Chang, Yung-Ping Liu, Chih-Yong Chen
Applied Ergonomics.2010; 41(1): 98. CrossRef

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Comparison of Epidemiologic Characteristics of Pneumoconiosis in Manufacturing and Mining Industries in Korea: Jung Hee Jang, Hyeon Woo Yim, Won Chul Lee, Kwang Ho Meng; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):373-384. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.373

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was planned to compare the epidemiological features such as radiological and clinical features between coal worker's pneumoconiosis and manufacturing pneumoconiosis in connection with their age and dust exposure duration.
METHODS
For the study, detailed examination records of those workers who had been confirmed to have pneumoconiosis in coal mining and manufacturing industries by the Ministry of Labour during two year period of 1991 and 1992. Total number of study subjects was 895 pneumoconiosis cases; 504 from coal mining and 391 from manufacturing industries. Information variables for the data analysis were sex, age, dust exposure duration, work position as the independent variables and radiological pneumoconiosis category, pulmonary function test results and pulmonary tuberculosis complication status as the dependent study variables.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in distribution of radiological categories of both pneumoconiosis groups. The proportion of suspicious and category 1 pneumoconiosis was higher in manufacturing pneumoconiosis group than in coal mine pneumoconiosis group whereas category 2 and large opacity pneumoconiosis was higher in coal mine pneumoconiosis group than in manufacturing pneumoconiosis group. Major ventilatory indices such as FVC and FEV1 were significantly lower in coal mine pneumoconiosis group than in manufacturing pneumoconiosis group even after other variables such as age and smoking history were statistically adjusted for. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that some selected outcome variables such as radiological category of pneumoconiosis, ventilatory impairment, and pulmonary tuberculosis complication rate were significantly different between coal mine pneumoconiosis and manufacturing pneumoconiosis.

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Distribution of Asymmetrical Hearing Loss Among the Workers participated in Noise-specific Health Examination: Youngjun Kwon, Kyungrae Kim, Soo Jin Lee, Jaechul Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):361-372. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.361

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
Noise-induced hearing lose(NIHL) is characterized by bilaterally symmetrical hearing loss, but some screening audiometries of employees who were exposed noise showed asymmetry. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate distribution of asymmetrical hearing loss and factors influencing asymmetries.
METHODS
Study subjects were 294 male employees who have participated in 1st and 2nd noise-specific health examination.
RESULTS
The interaural threshold difference of 20 dB or more at 4,000 Hz was classified as asymmetry. Among 294 NIHL employees. 19% had left asymmetric hearing loss. 22% had right asymmetric hearing loss. and overall asymmetry were 41%. Prevalence of asymmetry at 4,000 Hz significantly more decreased in middle(80~84 dB (A)) and high-level noise exposure groups(> or =85 dB(A)) than low-level exposure group and significantly increased as greater hearing threshold level in the worse ear. Prevalence of left asymmetry at 4,000 Hz significantly increased as greater hearing threshold level in the worse ear than right asymmetry. The interaural difference was significantly greater in the left asymmetry.
CONCLUSIONS
Noise exposure produced asymmetric hearing loss(interaural asymmetry was 20 dB and more in 41% of case) and left ear was more susceptible to noise demage than right ear.

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Effect of Chronic exposure to Low-Levels of n-Hexane on Peripheral Nervous System: Hyunju Kim, Young Jae Park, Soo Jin Lee, Jaechul Song, Eun Cheol Jang, Kyung Young Lee, Sanghyo Shim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):350-360. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.350

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The effect of chronic exposure to low levels of n-hexane on peripheral nervous system and the relationship between duration of employment and impairment of peripheral nervous system was studied.
METHODS
In 21 workers at two shoe - maker factories and 21 unexposed controls, measurement of exposure of solvents, symptom Questionnaire, physical examination and electrophysiological study were conducted.
RESULTS
Mean ages of study subjects in the exposed and the unexposed were 39.9 and 40.1 years old. Mean durations of employment were 15.1 and 10.0 years, respectively. Mean concentraions of urinary 2,5-HD were 2.23 mg/kg creatinine, 0.23 mg/kg creatinine, respectively. Mean concentration of solvents in air were 21.1 ppm of n-hexane, 72.2 rpm of toluene and 0.5 ppm of MEK. There were no differences in the prevalence of subjective symptoms and abnormal neurological signs between the exposed and the unexposed. But vibration extinction time(VAT) of the exposed(8.8 second) was shorter than that of the unexposed(11.9 second)(p < 0.05). Mean values of electrophysiological studies(EPS) of the two groups were within normal limit. However, mean conduction velocity of median motor nerve and median F wave(MMNCV and MFCV), mean amplitude of median sensory action potential(MSAP) were decreased in the exposed(p < 0.05). Moreover, the rate of abnormal finding more than one in sensory nerves wart increased in the exposed than those in the unexposed(p,0.05). Correlation coefficients between duration of employment and mean conduction velocity of median sensory nerve (MSNCV) and between duration of employment and MFCV were -0.57 -0.43, respectively(p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that chronic (mean 15 years) low level(mean 23 ppm) exposure to n-hexane cause subclinical impairment of peripheral nervous system. These results also suggest that the longer duration of employment, the shorter values of EPB and VAT.

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Occupational Neurological Disorders in Korea
Eun-A Kim, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S26. CrossRef

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The Toxicologic effect of TAFMAG on RAW 264.7 cell: Hwang Shin Chang, Kyoung Ah Kim, Eun Kyoung Kim, Jin Ku Han, Ji Hong Kim, Hyun Wook Kim, Young Lim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):340-349. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.340

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to evaluate cytotoxicity of TAFMAG, which is a trade name of natural mineral fiber mined and produced in China.
METHODS
The cytotoxicity of TAFMAG was evaluated by measuring iron content, lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte hemolysis, and cytotoxicity in vitro. These results were compared with the data of chrystotile and wollastonite as a positive and negative control, respectively.
RESULTS
There was significant increase of Fenton activity in TAFMAG and chrysotile with dose-response pattern. The iron chelating agent, desferrioxamine, significantly decreased Fenton activity of the particulates except wollastonite. TAFMAG and chrysotile fibers significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration from lipid peroxidation of the red blood cell membrane. In erythrocyte hemolysis test, TAFMAG & chrysotile had stronger effect on erythrocyte hemolysis than wollastonite with the concentration of 1,000g/ml. Furthermore, TAFMAG was more hemolytic than chrysotile with the concentration of 5.000 g/ml. There was a significant cytotoxic effect in TAFMAG and chrysotile on RAW cell compared with wollastonite.
CONCLUSIONS
In vitro study suggested that TAFMAG may have a similar health hazard as usual asbestos.

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Wollastonite toxicity: an update
L. Daniel Maxim, Ron Niebo, Mark J. Utell, E. E. McConnell, Salvatore LaRosa, Alan M. Segrave
Inhalation Toxicology.2014; 26(2): 95. CrossRef

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Effect of Cadmium and Zinc on IL-6 Secretion in a Human Monocytic Cell Line, THP-1: Dong Hoon Shin, Suk Kwon Suh, Seong IL Suh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):332-339. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.332

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to investigate effects of cadmium and zinc on IL-6 secretion using human monocyte in a culture system.
METHODS
We have used frypan blue dye exclusion methods to examine the effect of cytotoxicity of CdCl2, ZnCl2 in THP-1 cells. IL-6 was measured by the ELIBA method in the cell culture supernatants and the expression of IL-6 mRNA was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS
IL-6 production by THP-1 cells were decreased at 0.1 mM cadmium concentration(p < 0.05) and increased as zinc concentration increased. Zinc prevented cadmiuminduced suppression of IL-6. and the addition of a chelating agent, EDTA, restores IL-6 secretion. The expression of IL-6 mRNA decreased at 0.08 mM and 0.1 mM cadmium concentrations.
CONCLUSION
This results suggests that cadmium depressed production and gene expression of IL-6 in stimulates human monocytes, and zinc prevented cadmium-induced suppression of IL-16.

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Prevalence of Tinnitus and Hearing Thresholds of a Non-Noise-Exposed Population with and without Tinnitus: Jung Wan Koo, Won Chul Lee, Hyunwook Kim, Byeong Chul Choi, Min Hwa Oh, Chung Yill Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):323-331. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.323

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
In order to establish prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus and hearing thresholds according to tinnitus, this study was carried out.
METHODS
Nine hundred and thirty two subjects, undergone human dock or general health check-up and been in college, were surveyed to the questionnaire on the general characteristics, past medical histories, life styles, subjective symptoms about hearing, taking ototoxic drugs and were conducted on the hearing thresholds by pure tone audiometry.
RESULTS
Of the total population, 98 reported tinnitus, giving an overall prevalence of 10.5%, prevalence of tinnitus in the subjects with the factors infuencing hearing thresholds were 17.4 %, prevalence without the factors influencing hearing thresholds were 7.5 %. Frequency of tinnitus of the total population was the highest in 'once per several months'(39.6 %) and followed by' once per several days'(29.7 %), 'all day long'(16.5 %) and' several times per day'(14.3 %). Complaint site of tinnitus was 41.8 % in left ear or right ear 39.6 % in both ear and 18.7 % in head. The 13.6% of the total subjects complained sleep disturbance. Hearing thresholds in the subjects without the factors influencing hearing thresholds tended to increase or decrease in 20 and 30 years old according to tinnitus, but those with, tinnitus tended to increase more than chose without tinnitus in 40 and 50 years old.
CONCLUSIONS
Results also provide evidence that reports of tinnitus at the time of annual audiometric testing may be useful in identifying workers at greater risk for developing significant shifts in hearing thresholds. Awareness of the possible occurrence of tinnitus may encourage worker to cooperate more actively in a company hearing conservation programme.

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Autonomic Conditions in Tinnitus and Implications for Korean Medicine
Eun Ji Choi, Younghee Yun, Seungyeon Yoo, Kyu Seok Kim, Jeong-Su Park, Inhwa Choi
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2013; 2013: 1. CrossRef
Roles of Cognitive Characteristics in Tinnitus Patients
So-Young Lee, Ji-Hae Kim, Sung-Hwa Hong, Dong-Soo Lee
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2004; 19(6): 864. CrossRef

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An Evaluation for the Occupational Distribution of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed at a University Hospital: Yong Hyu Choi, Seong Kyu Kang, Chang Ho Chae, Jong Han Leem, Chung Yill Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(3):313-322. Published online September 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.3.313

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The study was carried out to evaluate the work-relatedness and the occupational distribution in 147 carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) cases diagnosed at a university hospital from May 1996 to May 1998.
METHODS
We obtained the information on disease appearance, occupational history including job content and other life style by medical records and telephone interviews.
RESULTS
Of the 147 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, 51 patients(34.7 %) were shown to be work-related. Work-related CTS were most frequent in elementary workers (21 case, 41.2%). The other eases were 15(29.4%) workers in service and shop and market sales, 9(17.6%) workers in craft and related traders, 4(7.8%) workers in skilled agriculture and fishery. Only two workers had claimed to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, but no one has been admitted as an occupational CTS yet.
CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that arrangements of surveillance system for adequate control of occupational CTD is neccessity.

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Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data
Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Significance and prospect of workers health center
Jong-Seo Kim, Dae-Seong Kim, Hee-Jung Gil, Young-Sik Park, Hyeon-Hwa Sin, Jong-Tae Park
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2014; 57(2): 159. CrossRef
I never expected to be a disabled person in another country: the stories of migrant workers with acquired disabilities in Korea
Kyung Mee Kim
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Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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