Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Volume 18 (4); December 2006

Case Report

A case of Peripheral Neuropathy After High Electrical Injury: Jun Seok Son, Chang Ho Chae, Young Wook Kim, Keong Bum Min, Cheol Ho Yi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):345-351. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.345

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
With increasing industrial development, opportunities are growing to contact electricity in the workplace or home. Therefore, the risk of electrical accident has been increased gradually. In general, electrical injuries involve the extremities and result in amputation or severe disability of limbs. Delayed spinal cord injury and peripheral neuropathies following electrical accidents are extremely rare.
CASE
REPORT: A 32-year-old man with 10 years working experience at a CRT-monitor manufacturer with repetitive exposures to high voltage current visited our hosipital. He complained of left leg weakness and atrophy, and intermittent pain. The symptoms were progressive. Other symptoms occurred such as nocturia, hesitancy, and weak urinary stream. We examined the patient and conducted EMG, L-spine MRI, neurometer test, isokinetic strength test, and physical examination. The results showed neural injuries due to anterior horn lesions or compression of the left femoral nerve pathway, with a consequent diagnosis of neurogenic bladder.

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Case Report

A Case of Argyria from Silver in Cellular Phone Case Manufacture: Ki Hong Tak, Seok Hwan Yoon, Mi Young Lee, Dong Hoon Shin, In Sung Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):339-344. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.339

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Skin contact with, and the breathing in of air containing silver compounds can occur in the workplace. Occupational exposure to silver and its compounds is mainly via airborne dust, metal fumes, and mists of solutions containing silver compounds. Argyria results from increased serum silver levels and the deposition of silver-containing particles in the dermis and mucous membranes. The author reports a patient with generalized argyria, who worked on the manufacture of cellular phone cases.
CASE
REPORT: The patient was a 30 year-old male, with extensive blue-gray discoloration of the whole body, especially sun-exposed area, of 3 years duration. He had been exposed to silver in the processing of EMI for the past 4 years and gaskets for 1 year. EMI is the process by which the internal electromagnetic wave in cellular phone cases are shielded, and gaskets play an important role in shielding the electric clashes between electronic circuits, as well as increasing the durability of cellular phone cases to impact. EMI had been processed manually but this was changed to automatic spraying by robots in 2003. On physical examination, the patient had diffuse blue-gray discoloration of the skin, which was most prominent in the sun-exposed areas of his face, neck and V of the chest. Histopathological examination of a punch biopsy specimen from the posterior neck revealed fine, minute, round, and brown-black granules deposited in the basement membrane zone surrounding the eccrine glands. The laboratory findings were positive for hepatitis B antigen, with a serum silver concentration of 150.3 ppb. From this evidence, he was diagnosed with argyria due to silver exposure.
DISCUSSION
The author reports a case of occupational systemic argyria due to inhalation exposure of silver compounds.

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Original Article

Relationship between Community Social Support and Psychosocial Distress in Workers: Hwa Young Lim, Hyeong Su Kim, Young Hwan Choi, Soung Hoon Chang, Kun Sei Lee, Kyunghee Jung Choi, Won Ki Oh, Jae Wook Choi, Chun Hwa Jeoung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):327-338. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.327

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between community-based social support and psychosocial distress in workers.
METHODS
The study subjects were 596 workers recruited from 11 companies in Chungju city. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, job stress, work-based social support, community-based social support and level of psychosocial distress.
RESULTS
Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that workers with no chronic disease, exercise and sufficient sleep had a higher score of psychosocial distress than those with chronic disease, no exercise, and not enough sleep. Coworker's work-based social support and community-based social support were negatively associated with psychosocial distress. The R square value of total independent variables on psychosocial distress was 0.409, and that of community-based social support on psychosocial distress was 0.052.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that community-based social support served as a protective factor against psychosocial distress in some workers. We recommend the establishment of a worksite stress reduction program in occupational level as well as community-based social support.

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Original Article

Acute Toxicity of Administered Bisphenol A Di Glycidyl Ether in Male Sprague Dawley Rats: Jae un Im, Yun jung Yang, Tae jin Lee, Yeon pyo Hong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):318-326. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.318

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Bisphenol A Di Glycidyl Ether (BADGE) is the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins, which are manufactured by co-reacting bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. The authors investigated the acute toxicity of BADGE.
METHODS
BADGE was administered by a gavage to 8 week old SPF Sprague Dawley rats in a single dose of 0 (negative control), 0.37 (Diethylstilbesterol, DES), 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg/day of BADGE. Each treatment group contained 7 rats. The general status and weight of the rats were observed for 14 days. The rats were anesthetized by ether at 14 days, and the changes in morphology, organ weight, sperm count and motility, and hormone level were measured.
RESULTS
All the rats treated with BADGE had diarrhea on the 1st day. The rats administered BADGE at 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg/day showed a soiled perineal region and soft stools with diarrhea until the 3rd day. The 8000 mg/kg/day BADGE rats had diarrhea for two days followed by emaciation, soiled fur, a soiled perineal region, staining around the mouth and were moribund for three to eight days. No weight gain was observed after the 1st day in the 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg/day BADGE rats and after the 7th day in all the treatment groups compared with the control groups. Some treatment groups were observed to have a decrease in the weight of the heart (BADGE 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg/day), liver (BADGE 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 mg/kg/day) and prostate (BADGE 4000 mg/kg/day) compared with control group. The weight of the liver was significantly lower in all treatment groups compared with the control group. The relative weight of the liver (BADGE 1000 and 4000 mg/kg/day) was significant lower than the control. No pathological changes were observed in the brain, liver, thyroid, heart, spleen, kidney, lung and prostate. The number of spermatid in the seminiferous tubule in the testes was lower in all treatment groups than the control. The sperm motility tended to decrease with increasing concentration but the sperm count was similar in all treatment groups. The plasma Estrogen and testosterone level were similar in the control and treatment groups.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that BADGE induces general, hepatic and reproductive toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day.

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Distribution of serum bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and its metabolite in Korean adult men and its association with reproductive hormone levels
Sang-il Kim, Yun-jung Yang, Yeon-pyo Hong, Soon-Chul Myung, Sae-Chul Kim
Molecular & Cellular Toxicology.2015; 11(1): 71. CrossRef
Acute Testis Toxicity of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Yun-jung Yang, Shin-young Lee, Kyung-yong Kim, Yeon-pyo Hong
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2010; 43(2): 131. CrossRef

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Original Article

Human Factors Involved in Traffic Accidents and Unsafe Driving Behaviors of Taxi Drivers: Kan woo Youn, Sang yun Lee, Sang hyuk Yim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):307-317. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.307

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the driving habits of taxi drivers, in order to examine the characteristics of human factors causing traffic accidents and unsafe driving behavior and to determine any relevancy among them.
METHOD
Taxi drivers (N=335) answered a questionnaire investigating various measures of human factors, unsafe driving behaviors, and number of traffic accident experiences in the previous year. In factor analysis, the characteristics of human factors were classified into 5 common factors: job, mental health, age, health habit and sleep factor. A contextual mediated model was proposed to distinguish the distal (5 common factors) and proximal (unsafe driving behaviors) factors in predicting traffic accident involvement by hierarchical multiple regression.
RESULT
In hierarchical multiple regression, job factor(beta: 0.122), sleep factor (beta: 0.114) and unsafe driving behaviors (beta: 0.018) yielded a direct effect on the rate of traffic accidents. Mental health factor beta: 6.429), job factor (beta: 1.319) and health habit factor(beta: 1.177) yielded a indirect effect on the rate of traffic accidents by unsafe driving behaviors.
CONCLUSION
Various human factors co-related by the unique characteristics that exist in the taxi service industry have significant effects on the rate of traffic accidents mediated by unsafe driving behaviors. Therefore a proper countermeasure against these factors should be established in order to effectively reduce the rate of taxi accidents.

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Man-Soo Lee
Journal of the Korea Safety Management and Science.2013; 15(4): 131. CrossRef

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Original Article

Effect of Cumulative Blood Lead and Cumulative Blood ZPP as Lead Body Burden on Renal Lead Biomarkers: Gang Ho Yoon, Nam Soo Kim, Jin Ho Kim, Hwa Sung Kim, Byung Kook Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):298-306. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.298

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possibility of cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP as surrogates of lead body burden and to investigate their association with renal function as an index of lead body burden.
METHODS
The study subjects comprised 678 lead workers with past blood lead and blood ZPP data from their employment. Cumulative blood and ZPP were calculated by accumulating the every year mean value of both indices from the new employment since 1983. To assess the cumulative data of lead workers who started their lead work before 1983, the years before 1983 were simulated with the first available data from 1983. Study variables for lead body burden were tibia bone lead and DMSA chelatable lead, whereas those for current lead biomarkers were blood lead and blood ZPP. BUN and serum creatinine were selected as clinical renal biomarkers, while NAG (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) and RBP (Retinol binding protein) were selected as early renal biomarkers.
RESULTS
The association between cumulative blood lead and blood ZPP with tibia bone lead was statistically significant with determinant coefficients (r(2)) of 0.72 and 0.567, respectively, and their relationships were better explained by the curvilinear regression model. In multiple regression analysis of current lead biomarkers on the renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), blood lead was associated only with log-transformed NAG, whereas blood ZPP was associated with 3 other renal biomarkers. On the other hand, in multiple regression analysis of biomarkers of lead body burden on renal biomarkers after controlling for possible confounders (age, sex, job duration, smoking and drinking status), cumulative blood ZPP and tibia bone lead were associated with all 4 renal function biomarkers, whereas cumulative blood lead and DMSA chelatable lead were associated with 3 renal biomarkers except BUN.
CONCLUSION
Cumulative blood and ZPP were demonstrated to be good surrogates of lead burden. Furthermore, the cumulative blood ZPP was confirmed to have a better association than the cumulative blood lead.

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Original Article

A Model Study on Medical Utilization of Workers with Non-Occupational Diseases : An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior: Chang Hyun Han, Jae Yong Park, Sin Kam, Sung Ah Kim, Ki Soo Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):284-297. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.284

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was carried out to examine the factors influencing the behavioral intention and behavior of workers with non-occupational diseases when utilizing medical facilities, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
METHODS
The first TPB questionnaire was administered to 3,116 subjects during workers'periodic health examinations at one health examination institute, between September and December in 2000. An investigation of the medical facilities utilization was also conducted by administering a second survey to the 354 subjects (11.4%) adjudged to be workers with non-occupational diseases from the results of the health examination.
RESULTS
The medical utilization rate within one month was 41.5%. To investigate the overall relationship between variables, the authors conducted a linear structural equation model analysis, based on the theory of planned behavior. The attitude toward behavior and the subjective norm both positively influenced the behavioral intention (T> or = 2.0). The perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention both positively influenced the behavior (T> or = 2.0) CONCLUSIONS: To improve the medical utilization by workers found to have diseases as a result of their health examination, the implementation of an intervention program will be necessary to increase the behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control, and care givers must pay more attention to eventually converting behavioral intention into actual behaviors.

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Rock-Bum Kim, Ki-Soo Park, Dae-Yong Hong, Cheol-Heon Lee, Jang-Rak Kim
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Original Article

Medical Facilities Utilization According to Health Status Measured by SF-36 in Male Workers: Seong Ah Kim, Ki Soo Park, Mi Kyung Jang, Sin Kam; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):272-283. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.272

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was performed to examine the health status measured by SF-36 and medical facilities utilization according to the health status measured by SF-36 in male workers.
METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire survey was administered to 786 male workers.
RESULTS
In bivariate analysis, physical functioning score was significantly different among the workers according to age, educational level, economic level, and job type. The bodily pain score and general health score were significantly different according to the workers'economic level and job type. The vitality score was significantly different according to the workers'age, educational level, economic level, and job type. The social functioning score was significantly different according to the workers'age, marital status, economic level, and job type. The role limitation emotion score was significantly different according to the workers'age, marital status, and job type. The mental health score was significantly different according to the workers'marital status, economic level, and job type (p<0.05). The SF-36 scores increased with higher workers'self-rated health status (p<0.05). The self-rated current health status of the workers was good when their economic status was high, their previous year health status was good and their SF-36 score was high (p<0.05). The rates of morbidity incidence and medical facilities utilization for 1 year were lower when workers'SF-36 score was high (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In consideration of the above findings, SF-36 is suitable to measure health status and predict the medical utilization.

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Original Article

Comparison of Energy Nutrient and Fat Intake between the Hypertensive and Normotensive Male Workers: Yeon Jung Kim, Soo Geun Kim, Yun Mi Paek, Mi Kyung Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(4):263-271. Published online December 31, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.4.263

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in nutrient intake between normotensive workers and hypertensive workers to obtain basic data for developing a program of effective hypertension care at work.
METHODS
The subjects were 338 male workers. We measured physical data by medical examination and collected lifestyle data by questionnaire survey. Dietary intakes were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. We classified the subjects into normal, prehypertension, and hypertension groups, and compared the results of age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), lifestyles and energy nutrients and lipids intake.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in both weight and BMI between the hypertension group and the other two groups (p<0.05). The smoking levels of the prehypertension group and hypertension group were significantly higher than that of the normal group (p<0.05). The three groups also showed significant differences in drinking amount (p<0.05). There were significant differences in carbohydrate and protein intakes and the ratio of carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
In this study, there was a significant difference in carbohydrate intake between normotensive and hypertensive workers, and the intake of energy nutrients and fatty acids in the prehypertension group and hypertension groups was unbalanced. Therefore, early diagnosis of workers with hypertension and prehypertension is necessary to improve lifestyles particularly food habit.

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