Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Volume 12 (4); December 2000

Original Articles

Two Cases of Neuropathy by Methyl Bromide Intoxication during Fumigation: Tae Hyuk Park, Jung Il Kim, Ji Eun Son, Jong Kuk Kim, Hyung Soo Kim, Kap Yeol Jung, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):547-553. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.547

OBJECTIVES
To report two cases of neuropathy due to methyl bromide intoxication.
METHODS
Workers, engaged in the fumigating process, complained fatigue, general weakness, ataxia, and hypersomnia. We evaluated them with blood tests, neurophysiologic studies and MRI and investigated their occupational history.
RESULTS
Increased signal intensities were found in the medulla oblongata and paraver mian of cerebellum in MRI and after 11 days, high signal intensities were reduced in the following MRI. In the other case, polyneuropathy and rlght lower brainstem lesion were observed In the NCV and BAEP studies.
CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that worker's symptoms were related to methyl bromide exposure in the fumigation. It is necessary that we should evaluate present condition of fumigating process and prepare appropriate methods to protect workers engaged in the fumigation.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A Case of Optic Neuropathy Associated with Methyl Bromide Intoxication
Hyun Uk Shin, Jong Kuk Kim, Byeol A Yoon, Won Yeol Ryu
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society.2016; 57(12): 1987. CrossRef
Compensation for Occupational Diseases by Chemical Agents in Korea
Soon-Chan Kwon, Soo-Yong Roh, Ji-Hoon Lee, Eun-A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2014; 29(Suppl): S78. 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 Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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Impact of Solvent Exposure on the Occupational Hearing Loss: Ji Ho Lee, Young Ju Go, Hun Lee, Jung Hak Kang, Cheol In Yoo, Choong Ryeol Lee, Yang Ho Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):537-546. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.537

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was to evaluate the impacts of simultaneous exposure to noise and mixed solvents on workers'hearing threshold level (HTL) over five-year period.
METHODS
The study was conducted by interview and annual audiometric test on workers in ship building industry from 1994 to 1998. The cases(workers who exposed to noise and mixed solvent simultaneously) were 43 male workers and controls (workers who exposed to nolle) were selected by matching method with regard to age, sex, carrier, and noise exposure level. To assess the impacts of solvent exposure on hearing threshold level, with considering other factors, general liner model was used.
RESULTS
1. The audiogram of all subjects showed typical sensorineural hearing loss pattern. The mean HTLe were increased at high frequency (4000HB and 8000Hz) for study period. 2. The HTLs of cases were more increased than those of controls at high frequencies (4000Hz and 8000Hz), but there was not statlstical significance. 3. The impact of age on the HTL was statistically significant at 250Hz and 500Hz (p(0.05), and the impact of noise on the HTL was statistically significant at 250Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz (p(0.05), but the impact solvent exposure on the HTL was not significant. 4. The changes in HTLs of cases were higher than those of controls at high frequency, there were not statistical significance at 4000Hz, but only at 8000Hz (p=0.087). 5. Statistical analysis of the general linear model implicated that the changes in HTL was impacted by noise exposure bevel significantly (p=0.031) and Impacted by solvent exposure weakly (p=0.087) at 8000Hz.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that workers who simultaneously exposed to noise and mixed solvent were at risk for more affected HTL than those exposed to noise exposure only, but we could not find definitive evidence. Further detailed studies must be made in large number of workers.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Occupational Hearing Loss in Korea
Kyoo Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S62. CrossRef

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Assessing Muscle Tensions During VDT Works with Surface Electromyography: Sang Hyuk Yim, Hee Sok Park, Hyun Wook Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):524-536. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.524

Abstract PDF

OBJECTS: Thls study was designed to assess muscle tensions while working at a YDT workstation with surface electromyography (SEMG).
METHODS
Variables texted were desk height, monitor positon on the desk, distance from edge of the desk to the keyboard. Eleven female volunteers working in the tele-com munication company were seated at an ergonomically adjusted workstation. They were assigned to a task of typing for 5 minutes and were given a 10 minutes resting with hands in their lap. For the initial experiment, the desk height was fixed to standard desk height(65.0 cm) recommended by ANSI and latter adjusted to a higher desk height (72.8 cm) for this study such that the subjects experienced slight elevation of shoulders. The monitor position initially at the center on the desk and latter left site of the desk (45o from monitorneck axles). The keyboard was positioned to an optimal distance (15 cm from the desk edge) and an abnormal distance (30 cm). Five muscle groups (paraspinal muscles, upper trapezium muscle, supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, and rhomboid muscle) were selected for the study. The data of SEMG were analyzed by 2x2x2xs mixed factorial design.
RESULTS
The results were as follows: 1. SEMG activity recorded from the paraspinal muscles were significantly higher when the angle of the monitor adjusted to 45 degree from the center of the desk.. 2. SEMG activity recorded from the upper trapezius/supraspinatus/infraspinatus muscles were significantly higher when the hight of the desk was elevated from the recommended height.3. SEMG activity from the rhomboid muscle showed no significantiy difference in all test conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of thls study confirm that the helght of a VDT workstation and the angle of the monitor are risk factors of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Also SEMG would be useful for measuring muscle activities during workstation assessment.

Citations

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Effects of the Computer Desk Level on the Musculoskeletal Discomfort of Neck and Upper Extremities and EMG Activities in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries
Bo-Ra Kang, Jin-Gang Her, Ju-Sang Lee, Tae-Sung Ko, Young-Youl You
Occupational Therapy International.2019; 2019: 1. CrossRef
The Effects of Sitting Posture on Cervical Flexion Angle and Pain during Smart Phone Use in Young Adults
Hye-Lim Chun, Kyung-Hun Kim, Bo-Ram Choi
The Journal of Korean Academy of Physical Therapy Science.2017; 24(3): 56. CrossRef
Effect of Treatment Table Height on Shoulder Muscles during Ultrasound Therapy Work
Chung Yoo Kim, In Bae Kim, Jong Ho Kang, Eun Kyung Kim
Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2014; 26(10): 1615. CrossRef
The Study of Muscle Fatigue and Risks of Musculoskeletal System Disorders from Text Inputting on a Smartphone
Kyung Ko, Hee-Soo Kim, Ji-Hea Woo
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(3): 273. CrossRef
Effect of Neck Position on Muscle Fatigue during Shaker Exercise
Eun-Jung Park, Jung-Wan Koo
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(6): 541. CrossRef

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The Prediction Model of the Number of Industrial Injured Persons Using Data Mining: Kwan Hyung Yi, Ho Keun Chung, Jung Sun Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):515-523. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.515

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study is to see the transition and pattern of the industrial iureal worker, and to develop the prediction model.
METHODS
The data of the study are based on the samples from data-warehouse of Occupational Safety & Health Research Institute and are summed monthly from Jan 1986 to Dec 1999. This study data used data mart and Meta data from DW in KOSHA. The prediction model of the injured worker in Industry is designed by using a winters time series method after data preparing (i. e. sample, explore, modify) from DW.
RESULTS
Thls predicted model obtained Winters-method multiplicative in exponential smoothing among applied all models, after the tlme series (total 163 months). It showed that the prediction power was 95.5 %.
CONCLUSIONS
In the process of exploring the data, totally the rate of industrial injureal workers reduced, and in the yearly circulation, in February and September the number is the lowest but in June, July, October and November the higher. The number of monthly average injureal workers is 8709 (95 % confidence interval 8277, 9140). From the developed prediction model, since Aug 1999 the industrial injureal worker reduced rapidly in Dec 1999 and first period of 2000. But In second period of 2000 the number of the injured workers is increasing. To conclude, as the total economic situation is becoming better in 2000 than In 1999, its is supposed that the injured workers will increase more than the predictive injured workers because of the increase of production rate and labor force.

Citations

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Occupational accident prediction modeling and analysis using SHAP
Hyung-Rok Oh, Ae-Lin Son, ZoonKy Lee
Journal of Digital Contents Society.2021; 22(7): 1115. CrossRef
Prediction of Daily Patient Numbers for a Regional Emergency Medical Center using Time Series Analysis
Hye Jin Kam, Jin Ok Sung, Rae Woong Park
Healthcare Informatics Research.2010; 16(3): 158. CrossRef

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Factors Associated with Stress Symptoms In Korean Dental Laboratory Technicians: Ji Hwan Kim, Won Chul Lee, Kang Sook Lee, Chul Lee, Ki Nam Jin; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):501-514. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.501

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the factors associated with symptoms from job stress among Korean dental laboratory technicians.
METHODS
We collected the data of 786 technicians for life-style, job stressor, social support, self-esteem, personality, and various dimension of stress symptoms included roomatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and hostility by self-administerd questionnaire. Global severity index of dental technician (GSID) was calculated by total sum of sub-dimension.
RESULTS
We used 80 percentile as a cut-off point, and got the 81.5 % of sensitivity, 86.1 % of specificity by receiver operating characteristic curve. The odds ratios of various factors in high group of GSID compared with low group were 1,49(95 % Cl 1.00-2.00) for smoker, 1,53 (1.06-2.21) for unhealthy group, 6,69 (4.74-9.44) for work overload, 8.34(5.82-11.97) for work demand, 9.89 (6.76-74.94) for work process, 8.27 (5.80-11,79) for work environment, 5.82 (4.04-8.39) for interpersonal relationship, 8.34 (5.82-11.97) for occupational conflict, 5.70 (4.04-8.04) for labor remuneration, 7.58 (5.37-10.71) for role conflict, but 0.39 (0.27-0.57) for social support, 0.41 (0.29-0.60) for self-esteem. By multiple logistic regression, factors were significantly associated with GSID were age, working area, role overload, work demand, work procedure, physical environment, occupational conflict, role conflict, social support, personality traits.
CONCLUSIONS
Factors associated with symptoms from stress were role overload, work demand, work procedure, occupational conflict, interpersonal relationship, labor remuneration and role conflict in Korean dental laboratory technicians. It is suggested that health promotion program to reduce job stress and to enforce social support and self-esteem should be developed.

Citations

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Retirement and old age preparation of dental technicians -Targeting the metropolitan area dental technicians-
Su-Min Cho, Hae-Chan Lee, Jong-Kwon Jung, Dong-Hyeon Yu, Jong-Sun Lee, Jung-Soo Lee, Eun-Jeong Bae, Ji-Hwan Kim
Journal of Korean Acedemy of Dental Technology.2016; 38(4): 315. CrossRef
Assessment of Job Stressors for Dental Technicians in Ulsan City
Young-Ho Hong, Hae-Kyoung Kim, Hae-Young Hwang, Sang-Jun Choi
Journal of Korean Acedemy of Dental Technology.2012; 34(4): 403. CrossRef

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Evaluation of Reliability of Traditional and Computerized Neurobehavioral Tests: Joon Sakong, Jong Hak Chung, Man Joong Jeon, Mal Suk Shin; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):494-500. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.494

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Thls study was conducted to select more reliable neurobehavioral tests that are compatible with the characteristlcs of Korean workers and their health management system.
METHODS
To compare the reliability of neurobehavioral tests, test and retest of five computerized and five traditional neurobehavioral tests administered to 85 medical school students and 35 hospital workers. The computerized tests include Simple reaction time, Addition, Symbol digit, Digit span, and Finger tapping speed, while the traditional tests include the trenton visual retention test, Digit symbol, Digit span, Pursuit aiming, and Pegboard.
RESULTS
Computerized Addition was found to have the highest test-retest reliability (0.90) of and followed by Finger tapping speed (nondominant hand, 0.89, dominant hand, 0.85), Symbol digit(0.82), and Digit span(0.74). Only two traditional tests, Digit symbol(0.86), and Pursuit aiming(0.72), showed test-retest reliability coefficient greater than 0.70.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the computerized Additions, Symbol digit, Fingel tapping speed, and traditional Digit symbol are more satisfactory for our purposes. These results may allow a reasonable selection of the most appropriate tests for periodical evaluation of central nervous system of workers exposed to neurotoxic substances in Korea.

Citations

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Performance assessment on the Korean Computerized Neurobehavioral Test using a mobile device and a conventional computer: an experimental study
Young Seok Byun, Sung Kyu Park, Joon Sakong, Man Joong Jeon
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Analyzing Factors Affecting Cognitive Function in the Elderly using Computerized Neurocognitive Tests
Joohee Shim, Seungwan Kang
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2017; 28(2): 107. CrossRef
Effects of computer familiarity and computer type on the performance of Korean computerized neurobehavioral test
Nak Joon Baek, Gun Il Park, Young Seok Byun, Man Joong Jeon, Joon Sakong
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
Neurobehavioral function in children with low blood lead concentrations
Jin-Young Min, Kyoung-Bok Min, Sung-Il Cho, Rokho Kim, Joon Sakong, Domyung Paek
NeuroToxicology.2007; 28(2): 421. CrossRef
Parental effects on children's neurobehavioral function
Kyoung-Bok Min, Jin-Young Min, Domyung Paek, Joon Sakong, Sung-Il Cho
NeuroToxicology.2007; 28(2): 426. CrossRef
Effect of occupational manganese exposure on the central nervous system of welders: 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and MRI findings
Eun A. Kim, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Dae Seob Choi, Joon Sakong, Jae Wook Ryoo, Injeong Park, Dong Mug Kang
NeuroToxicology.2007; 28(2): 276. CrossRef
Cross-Cultural Comparison of Neurobehavioral Performance in Asian Workers
Jong-Hak Chung, Joon Sakong, Pock-Soo Kang, Chang-Yoon Kim, Kyeong-Soo Lee, Man-Joong Jeon, Nak-Jung Sung, Sang-Ho Ahn, Kyu-Chang Won
NeuroToxicology.2003; 24(4-5): 533. CrossRef

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A Study on the Pre-hospital Emergency Care in workplace through the Analysis of Fatal Work-place Injuries: Sang Do Shin, Jeong Youn Kim, Jung Soon Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):483-493. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.483

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to evaluate the problems of pre-hospital Emergency medical care system (EMS) in workplace. We analysed 25 fatal work-place injuries during the recent 4 years and the work-place EMS of 8 enterprises located in Masan-city, Changwon-city and Kuje-island.
METHODS
The safety managers and the members of Dept. of safety in the labor unions were interviewed about the work-place EMS. And we investigated on the injury reports, the work-place medical-room records and the medical records of emergency center for fatal 25 cases.
RESULTS
The enterprises had the at-risk machines and processes, volatile materials and high-altitude working processes. There were duty doctors in only 3 enterprises but a few duty nurses or health-care providers in the others. The time spent for the education to the workers on safety was 24hrs/yr in 3 enterprises in 1998 but less than Bhrs in the others. There were medical service center in all enterprises but the ambulances in three. The time for activation of the ambulance was ranging from 5 minutes to 10 minutes in 6 enterprises, and from 10 minutes to 30 minutes in two. The patient transportation to the emergency center was possible within 30 minutes in all enterprises but there were no equipments for airway maintenance and shock management in all enterprises. The 15 (60%) fatal injuries were occurred at one enterprise. The 64% of casualties had the duration of job-employment more than 10yrs and the 68% were suffered the typical type of work-place injury as descending injuries, collisions and falls. Most of all primary calls for rescue were concentrated on the fire-service agencies. But in 85% of fatal injtories, the tome for the activation of ambulance was more than 10 minutes and no emergency care was taken in the field in 48 percent of casualtles. The transportation time to the emergency center was more than 30 minutes in 50 percent. It toolk from injury to death was less than one hour in the 40 percent of all cases, and from one hour to four in the 50 percent. The causes of death in the 68 percent were the head-and-neck injuries or thoracic injuries.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that there was Insufficiency of the education associated with work-place injury for workers, manpower and facilities, equipments related to the work-place EMS, the problems of the delay in transportation system.

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The Effectiveness of Questionnaire Utilized for Screening Noise Induced Hearing Loss: Jae Seok Song, Byoung Soo Choi, Jong Uk Won, Jae Hoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):473-482. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.473

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of the questionnaire.
METHODS
Workers'health examination records, work environment record, and questionnaires of selected industries as samples were analysed using logistic regression analysis and discrimination analysis Results'Cases of bearing impairment (Dl+C) as dependent variables, and age, work duration and level of environmental noise as independent variables were selected for multiple unconditional logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio was 4.04 in hearing difficulty, 2.78 in tlnnitus and 1.08 in age. In the second analysis Noise induced hearing loss is selected as dependent variable. The OR in hearing difficulty was 3.67(95 % C.1. : 1.61 8.61), and was 1.09(95 % C.1. : 1.05-1.14) in age. Conditionnal multlple logistic regression analysis was performed. In hearing impairment as dependent variable, the OR of age was 1.02(95 % C.1. : 1.00-1.04) and other variables were not significant. However, NIHL as dependent, the OR of hearing difficulty was 4.57(95 % C.1. : 1.43-14.67). According to multiple logistic regression adopting each items of questionnaire as dependent variable, the only item of hearing difficulty showed significant difference with hearing ability. The discrimination analysis was performed with the class variable of hearing impairment, and discrimination variables of age, work duration, and environment noise level. The sensitivity of 59 %, and specificity of 88 %, and average error count of 23 % were obtained. When the numbers of items answered in questionnaire were assumed as the parameter of judgement for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), the highest sensitivity and specificity were 33.5% and 49.0% in cases of more than two items answered.
CONCLUSIONS
The development of items that is simple and discriminative mainly consisted of chronic and specific diseases related items is needed. Computerization for newly developed items might be needed to establish effective surveillance system for NIHL in the future.

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The Prevalence of Cumulative Trauma Disorders of Upper Extremities Among Watch Assembly Workers in some Small-scaled Industr: Eun Chul Jang, Hyun Ju Kim, Young Jun Kwon, Si Bog Park, Soo Jin Lee, Jae Cheol Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(4):457-472. Published online December 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.4.457

Abstract PDF

Objectives
The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders of upper extremities mons watch assembly workers in small-scaled industry was studied.
Methods
In 83 workers at five watch assembly factories, symptoms and psychosocial questionnaire, ergonomic Interview, physical examination were conducted.
Results
Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2% and neck 34.9%, wrist/hand 31.3%, shoulder 30.1%, elbow/arm 18.0% by anatomical site. Prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8%. Most common disease was myofascial pain syndrome (31.3%). The other diseases were De Quervain disease (9.6%), tenosynovitis/tendinitis at wrist/hand (9.6%), bicipital tendinitis(6.0%), fat. epicondylitis(4.8%), meIn. epicondylitis(2.4%), and cervical disc disease(2.4%). As result of ergonomic interview, repetitiveness was 79(98.8%). There were no differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders for age, sex, marital status, duration of work In the study, The significant factors of cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress in the study. The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in high strain group was hlgher (68.4%) than other three groups. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders in assembly task was higher (70.0%, 64.0%) than other two tasks.
Conclusions
Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2%, prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8% in watch assembly workers. In this study, factor related to self-reported symptoms was occupational task and factors relaxed to cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress. This results suggest that differences of ergonomics and environment in occupational task cause differences of prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulatlve trauma disorders.

Citations

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Associations between Job Stress and Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Street Sanitation Workers
Hye-Jin Kim, Kyung-Ja June, Gyeyoung Shin, Jina Choo
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2013; 24(3): 314. CrossRef
Relationship between occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms of upper extremities among dental hygienists
So-Young Lee, Hyo-Jin Ko, Byeng-Chul Yu
Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene.2012; 12(5): 897. CrossRef

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