Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Volume 9 (4); December 1997

Original Articles

Reliability of questionnaire for evaluating ergonomic exposure in occupational epidemiological studies: M N Ha, D M Paek, S H Cho, D H Kang, H J Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):659-670. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.659

Although occupational musculoskeletal diseases are one of the most prevalent occupational diseases and cost billions of money, limited number of studies were conducted to develop the valid and reliable measure for ergonomic factors, the most important risk factors of these diseases. This study was conducted to develop a questionnaire for ergonomic factors and to evaluate the reliability of the developed questionnaire among foundry workers in Korea. A questionnaire for ergonomic factors was developed on the basis of the results of previously conducted studies and information obtained from a site visit of the worksite. The developed questionnaire was administered to 51 foundry workers at an interval of two weeks. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cohen's Kappa, weighted Kappa, spearman's correlation coefficient and category distinguishability in the raw scale and dichotomized scale. The questionnaire items showing high Cohen's kappa include 'walking (0.79)', 'sitting(0.66)' 'raised elbow(0.65)', 'rotated elbow(0.64)', 'lifting(0.66)', 'push & pull(0.66)' and the items of low Cohen's kappa include 'one leg(0.31)', 'wrist lateral deviation(0.22)', 'palm padding(0.14)', 'pinch grip(0.15)'. It seems that the types of work, difficulty of recognition about the posture or movement, and understanding the questionnaire items affect the reliability coefficiencies.

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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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Relationship Between Mineral Fiber-Induced Pulmonary Tissue Reaction and MIP-2: Kyoung Ah Kim, Young Lim, Dong Won Lee, Heung Nam Kim, Hwang Sin Chang, Ji Hong Kim, Hwa Suck Suh, Chung Yill Park, Im Goung Yun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):650-658. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.650

Abstract PDF: The pulmonary recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells, in particular, neutrophils is thought to contribute to lung injury resulting from dust exposure. MIP-2 (macrophage inflammatory protein-2) which is a member of C-X-C chemokine plays a key role in neutrophil recruitment to sites of tissue injury. Especially, mineral fiber induced pulmonary response is as a model for the neutrophil recruitment. Therefore, we evaluated the distribution of MIP-2 expression in lung tissue of mineral fiber exposed rat using immunohistochemical study and the relationship between degree of inflammation of lower respiratory tract and MIP-2 expression. Total cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in mineral fiber-exposed group were markedly increased compared with each control group even not in ceramic fiber group. Number of neutrophil in BAL fluid in mineral fiber-exposed group were markedly increased compared with each control group until 4th week but except ceramic fiber group. In chrysotile group, number of neutrophil in BAL fluid were markedly increased compared with control group at 8th week. Lung tissue instilled with all kinds of mineral fibers showed remarkable developments of bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and small multiple granulomas but not for ceramic fiber group. In chrysotile group, multiple granuloma and inflammatory change were more profuse response compared with other groups. MIP-2 was predominently expresses in epithelial cells of bronchioles and bronchus and was express also found in macrophages with lung section at 1 week after fiber instillation. Small amount of epithelial cell associated MIP-2 was present in chrysotile at 8 week group. But MIP-2 was not seen in epithelial cells and macrophages in the lung tissue instilled with crocidolite, ceramic fiber and glass fiber at 8 weeks. Our finding suggest that MIP-2 is predominantly expressed in bronchial epithelial cells of lung from mineral fiber-exposed rat and correlated with inflammatory cell, especially neutrophil, recruitment and tissue reaction. And we documented that MIP-2 expression and neutrophil recruitment in man-made vitreous fiber-exposed rat, especially glass fiber, less than chrysotile.

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Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis by Silica, Asbestos and Man-Made Mineral Fibers: Young Lim, Kyoung Ah Kim, Heung Nam Kim, Dong Won Lee, Won Seop Cho, Im Goung Yun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):641-649. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.641

Abstract PDF

Exposure to various particles and fibers can result in lung inflammation that may progress to fibrosis, even lung cancer for which there is no effective clinical treatment now. The mechanism involved in pulmonary injury has not been well defined ; however, most current evidence implicates a central role for alveolar macrophages (AM) in this process. Also apoptosis or programmed cell death is regarded as a mechanism which is related with the pulmonary fibrosis. We propose that the cytotoxic potential of various particles may be evaluated by measuring lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from particle co-cultured supernatant and theses particles may induce the characteristics of apoptosis, DNA ladder. We analyzed rat AM culture media which was incubated for 3 days with the same concentration (10 ug/ml) of silica(Si), chrysotile(Ch), crocidolite(Cr), ceramic fiber(CF), rock wool(RW) and glass wool (GW). And each particles (50ug/cm(2)) was incubated with A549 (pneumocyte in tracheal epithelium) cell lines for 24 hours to confirm the DNA ladder. Additionally, silica induced apoptosis in vivo was confirmed by electromicroscopic observation. The results were as follows; 1. Silica, asbestos and man-made mineral fibers (MMMF) co-cultured with AM showed the increase of LDH significantly with the time interval of 24, 48, 72 hours except for ceramic fiber in 48 and 72 hours and crocidolite in 72 hours. 2. Silica, asbestos and man-made mineral fibers (CF, GF) showed the characteristics of apoptosis, DNA ladder, which was induced by incubating A549 cell with each particles for 24 hours in vitro 3. Apoptotic alveolar macrophage was observed the findings of zeiosis (membrane blebbing), condensation of nuclear chromosome and many vacuoles in cytoplasm, electomicroscopically.

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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
The Effects of Air-borne Particulate Matters on the Alveolar Macrophages for the TNF-α and IL-1β Secretion
Tian Zhu Li, Soo-Jin Lee, Se-Jong Park, Byung-Joon Chang, Jong-Hwan Lee, Kil-Soo Kim, Myoung-Heon Lee, Nong-Hoon Choe
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2006; 60(5): 554. CrossRef

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A Study on Risk Factors of Grain Dust-Induced Occupational Asthma in Grain Feedmill Workers: Kyoo Sang Kim, Euna Kim, Se Wi Lee, Hae Sim Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):628-640. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.628

Abstract PDF

This study was carried out to manifest risk factors related grain dust induced asthma, especially allergic and immunologic factors. Six grain workers first diagnosed as grain dust induced asthma by specific antigen bronchial asthma challenge test (cases) and 37 grain workers showed negative finding (controls) in the same firm were selected. Questionnaire survey for respiratory symptoms, interview, physical examination, PFT, methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness, specific challenge tests and skin prick test for four grains (grain, corn, rye and seed dust) were conducted. To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to grain dust, we detected serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies by ELISA in 43 employees. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the group having no respiratory symptoms, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with respiratory symptoms was 3.04 (95% CI 0.32-28.80). 2. Compared with the group having no ventilatory impairment, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with ventilatory impairment was 0.54 (95% CI 0.06-5.21). 3. Compared with the group showed negative skin test for general respirable antigen, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with atopy was 8.02 (95% CI 0.42-153.25). 4. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific allergic skin test, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 5.88 (95% CI 0.63-55.38). 5. In immunologic test, compared with the group not increased total IgE(<160 IU/ml), odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with increased group (> or = 160 IU/ml) was 4.78 (95% CI 0.50-44.57). 6. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific IgE antibody, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 2.63 (95% CI 0.43-16.16). 7. Compared with the group showed normal finding on nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperresponsiveness, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 76.82(95% CI 3.37 - 1566.34). Statistically significant odds ratio were fecund for specific skin test with grain, total IgE and nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperreponsiveness.

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Ventilation Operating Standard for Improving Internal Environment in Pig House Grafting Working Conditions Using CFD
Byung-Wook Oh, Hyo-Jae Seo, Il-Hwan Seo
AgriEngineering.2023; 5(3): 1378. CrossRef
The Status and Influencing Factors of Respiratory System Diseases in Korean Farmers with Disease
Hyeongyeong Lee, Kyungsu Kim, Dongphil Choi, Lockwhan Jo, Hyocher Kim, Wounjong Choi
The Korean Journal of Community Living Science.2020; 31(4): 779. CrossRef
Work-related Injuries and Diseases of Farmers in Korea
Kwan LEE, Hyun-Sul LIM
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH.2008; 46(5): 424. CrossRef

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Factors affecting Reading Agreement of Pneumoconiotic Findings: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):614-627. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.614

Abstract PDF

To find the factors affecting reading agreement of pneumoconiotic findings of simple chest P-A films and to develop the definite quality assurance (Q.A) program for the reading of pneumoconiosis, I gathered the reading reports of the previously developed forty four chest films from nationwide thirty nine radiologists and compared those with the findings decided by the stepwise panel readings of the highly qualified eight radiologists. The reading agreement of profusion by complete or short classification was higher in the radiologists with sufficient reading experiences of pneumoconiosis during residency training. It was also higher in the radiologists with reference to ILO standard films or those working in the agencies for pneumoconiosis within one category of profusion by complete classification. Other factors were not related with the reading agreement of profusion. In small opacity and pleural thickening, there were not any consistent and meaningful findings between the reading agreement and radiologists' characteristics. From the above results, it is necessary to develop the Q.A program to improve the reading agreement of pneumoconiotic findings, especially small opacity and pleural lesions.

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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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Induction of Hepatic Microsomal Cytochrome P450 by Styrene in Rat: Ki Woong Kim, Sung Keun Chang, Hyo Seok Joung, Jun Yeon Lee, Young Hahn Moon, Sang Shin Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):604-613. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.604

Abstract PDF

The effects of styrene on the induction of cytochrome P-450s (P450), (P4501A1/2, P4502B1/2 and P4502El) and activities of other related enzymes were investigated in the male Sprague Dawley rats which were treated with styrene 500 (S1), 1,000 (S2) 1,500 (S3) mg/kg in olive oil intraperitoneally once a day for two days and sacrificed for the preparation of liver microsomes after 24 hrs. 1. The contents of total protein and P450 in the microsomes derived from the styrene treated groups were slightly higher than those from the control group except those from the 53 group (1,500 mg styrene/kg body weight) . The decreases in microsomal protein contents was prominent in the S3 (p<0.05), but the P450 contents was increased significantly in the S2 (p<0.05). 2. The activities of NADPH-P450 and NADH b5 reductase in hepatic microsomes derived from the treated groups were significantly increased in the treated groups(p<0.05). 3. The activities of PROD were also prominently increased with the treatment of styrene except in 53 group, but the activity of EROD was decreased by styrene treatment. The activities of pNPH in the styrene treated groups were higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). 5. Western blotting with monoclonal antibodies against P4502B1/2 isozymes showed the presence of P4502B1/2 in hepatic microsomes from the rats treated with styrene, and the increase in the densities of immunoblots were corelated with the dosages of styrene. The blot densities against P4501A1/2 and P4502El were slightly increased in the styrene treated groups compared with the control group. These results suggested that styrene could primarily induce P4502B1/2 as major and P4501A1/2 and P4502El in minor forms for the metabolism of styrene in rats.

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Hepatotoxicity in Rats Treated with Dimethylformamide or Toluene or Both
Ki-Woong Kim, Yong Hyun Chung
Toxicological Research.2013; 29(3): 187. CrossRef

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Pneumoconiosis with Workers of Manufacturing Industry in Incheon: Yeon Soon Ahn, Kyoo Sang Kim, Ho Keun Chung, Il Soon Whang, Jaehoon Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):589-603. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.589

Abstract PDF

Most of pneumoconiosis found in Korea can be categorized in coal worker's pneumoconiosis. However, in recent years, pneumoconiosis has been frequently found in the workers of manufacturing factories. Accordingly, this study was carried out to investigate relationship of dust exposure history and development and progress of pneumoconiosis. Chest radiographs, history of dust exposure, and other data of 144 workers, who were diagnosed as suspecter pneumoconiosis (0/l) or pneumoconiosis in special health examination center in Incheon from 1986 to 1996, were reviewed. The results were as follows ; 1. According to the type of main exposure, most common type of exposure was foundry dust(93workers, 64.6%), followed by welding fume(16workers, 11.1%), talc dust, lime dust and etc. 2. Among 144 workers, the history of dust exposure was investigated in 86 workers. Mean ages of 86 workers at the present study, initial exposure to the dusts, and at the time of initial diagnosis as having pneumoconiosis were 52.1, 29.1 and 46.5 years, respectively. The mean duration of exposure was 17.3 years. 3. Comparing the type of main exposure with dust exposure history, initially exposed age of welders, foundry workers, workers exposed to coal dust and other dusts were 24.6, 30.7, 28.0 and 28.5 years, respectively. Ages at the time of diagnosis as having pneumoconiosis of welders, foundry workers, coal dust and other dusts were 41.3, 49.3, 46.4 and 44.1 years, respectively. The duration of exposure to main dust of welders, foundry workers, workers exposed to coal dust and other dusts were 16.8, 18.2, 13.3 and 11.6 years, respectively. Therefore initially exposed age was significant difference between the welders and the foundry workers (p<.05). Age which was diagnosed pneumoconiosis was significant difference between the welders, workers exposed to other dusts and the foundry workers (p<.01). And exposure duration of main dust was significant difference between the workers exposed to other dusts and foundry workers (p<.01) 4. Initially diagnosed X-ray category of the workers were category 0/l (76workers, 52.8%), 1/0 (35workers, 24.3%) Therefore, workers' pneumoconiosis of manufacturing factories was mild, relatively. And there was no significant difference between initially diagnosed X-ray category of the workers and dust exposure history. 5. Among 97 workers, who could follow up more than 1 year, 60 workers(61.9%) were not changed, 24 workers (24.7%) were progressed, 13 workers (13.4%) were improved in their initially diagnosed X-ray category. Among 11 welders, initially diagnosed X-ray category of 5 welders(45.5%) were improved and of only 1 welder was progressed. But, among 19 workers exposed to other dusts, 10 (52.6%) workers were progressed and none of them were improved. 6. Among 53 workers, who were Initially diagnosed X-ray category was 0/l, 12 workers (22.6%) were progressed and 5 workers (9.4%) were improved in their initially diagnosed X-ray category. And among 40 workers, who were initially diagnosed X-ray category was 1, 12 workers(30.0%) were progressed and 7 workers(17.5%) were improved. Above results suggest that not a few workers of manufacturing factories have pneumoconiosis and their pneumoconiosis is progressed. Therefore, we have to prepare management plan and to study epidemiologic findings of pneumoconiosis with workers of manufacturing factories.

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Cause-Specific Mortality Due to Malignant and Non-Malignant Disease in Korean Foundry Workers
Jin-Ha Yoon, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Suminori Akiba
PLoS ONE.2014; 9(2): e88264. 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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Cumulative Trauma Disorders Among Shipyard Workers and Application of Baseline Checklist for Risk Assessment: Sang Hwan Han, Nam Jong Paik, Donghyun Park, Ki Eon Jang, Myung Hag Lee, Jong Tae Park, Dae Sung Kim, Yeon Sook Lee, Kyung Ja Paik, Young Soo Shin, Dong Bin Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):579-588. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.579

Abstract PDF

Cumulative trauma disorders were surveyed in a cross-sectional study of 100 male ship yard workers and 43 male office workers. And baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders was applicated in a ship making process. Cases of cumulative trauma disorders were defined using physical examinations and electronic diagnostic methods. Data on demographics, individual factors (medical condition), work organization and psychosocial aspects of work were obtained by questionnaire. Association between the above factors and cumulative trauma disorders were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. 29(29 %) participants of male shipyard workers and 4(9.2 %) study subjects of male office workers met our case definitions for cumulative trauma disorders. The myofascial pain syndrome of neck muscles(12 % of participants) and carpal tunnel syndrome(5 % of participants) were the major two medical conditions in shipyard workers. The odds of male shipyard workers for cumulative trauma disorders to male office workers was 3.15 after adjustment of age(95 % C.I. :2.25-5.44). And the variables such as duration of present job, HIVD condition, and surges in workload were associated at least one of the cumulative trauma disorders in the final models (p<0.05) . This study indicates that work related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are relatively common among shipyard workers, and shows that the psychosocial factors is not likely to be related to the occur rences of these disorders in heavy workers. Also we developed baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders. The checklist was unique in that its expected users were industrial hygienists and occupational healthing nurses who did not have much ergonomic background and in that it was targeted to Korean workers in various types. As the first application of the checklist, shipyard workers were evaluated.

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Medical Managements of Musculoskeletal Diseases in Shipbuilding Industry
Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2012; 31(1): 157. CrossRef
Symptom Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Effects of Prior Acute Injury among Aging Male Steelworkers
Won‐Jun Choi, Young‐Joong Kang, Ji‐Young Kim, Sang‐Hwan Han
Journal of Occupational Health.2009; 51(3): 273. CrossRef

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Comparison of Blood Pre-treatment Methods for Determining Erythrocyte Pyrimidine 5'-Nucleotidase Activity: Byung Hean Kim, Hae Joon Kim, Jae Wook Choi, Eunil Lee, Yong Tae Yum; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):565-578. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.565

Abstract PDF: Sakai's method has been known as the simplest one for determination of erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N) activity using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). However the drawback of the method is that it is difficult to wash the erythrocyte for isolation. To search for the simpler method, we compared Sakai's method with other methods using whole blood treated with heparin and concanavalin A or whole blood treated with EDTA-2K instead of washing the erythrocyte. The mean concentrations of lead in blood samples collected from 44 male and 16 female workers who are healthy without any exposure to lead in their workplace were 4.30 +/- 1.31 microgram /dl (mean +/-standard deviation), which were measured by frameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Erythrocyte P5N activities were measured by 3 methods; Sakai's method(Method I), using whole blood treated with heparin and concanavalin A (Method II), and using whole blood treated with EDTA-2K (Method III). The results were obtained as follows ; 1. The mean of erythrocyte P5N activity by Sakai's method(Method I) were 12.7 +/-2.47 amole uridine/hr/gm of Hb. 2. The mean of erythrocyte P5N activity by the method using heparinized whole blood treated with concanavalin A(Method II) were 13.1 +/-2.41 micromole uridine/hr/gm of Hb. 3. The difference of mean erythrocyte P5N activity between Method I and Method was not significant. 4. The erythrocyte P5N activity by the method using whole blood treated with EDTA-2K (Method III) was significantly different from Method I. We thought that omission of incubation period which was required on Method III using EDTA-2K caused the difference between Method I and Method III. 5. Simple linear regression equation for erythrocyte P5N activity between Method I (Y) and Method II(X) was significant: Y = -0.012 + 0.9724 X. These results suggest that the method using whole blood treated with heparin and concanavalin A is simpler to examine the erythrocyte P5N activity as a biological indicator of lead intoxication than Sakai's method.

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A Study on the Hematologic Changes of Workers Exposed to Mixed Organic Solvents: Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Ryu; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(4):549-564. Published online December 31, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.4.549

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hematological changes of workers exposed to mixed organic solvents and to search the organic solvent that bring out these changes. The study participants were 1,605 workers, consisting 1,088 workers (male 989, female 99) exposed to mixed organic solvents and 517 non-exposed workers (male 431, female 86). The authors analyzed the results of complete blood count and differential count of leukocytes of all the workers and examined all of the material safety data sheets of substances with which they dealt and the results of their working environmental surveys during the last 3 years. The results were as follows: 1. The mean values of complete blood count in workers exposed to mixed organic solvents were lower than that of non-exposed workers in WBC, RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit in cases of male and RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit in cases of female, but the mean value of platelet count in male exposed workers and WBC count in female exposed workers were higher than those of non-exposed workers. 2. The distribution of differential count of leukocytes showed no difference between exposed workers and non-exposed workers. 3. The correlation coefficients between age and duration of employment and WBC showed statistically a positive value and that between age and duration of employment and RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit showed a statistically negative value in cases of male exposed to mixed organic solvents. But in cases of female there was no statistical correlation between them. 4. In cases of male the proportions of workers with subnormal levels of WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet according to the standard of classification were high or than those of non-exposed workers. The proportions of exposed workers were 3.6 %, 18.6 %, 5.3 %, 32.7 % and 1.4 % respectively and those of non-exposes workers were 2.8 %, 10.7 %, 2.1 %, 13.9 % and 0.2 % respectively. 5. In cased of female the proportion of workers with subnormal levels of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit according to the standard of classification were higher than those of non exposed workers. The proportion of exposed workers were 42.4 %, 55.6 % and 41.4 % respectively and those of non-exposed workers were 10.5 %, 11.6 % and 8.1 % respectively. 6. The number of substances with which workers exposed to mixed organic solvents dealt were about 500, and 22 organic solvents such as xylene, toluene, isopropyl alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol and 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate were main components of substances according to the material safety data sheet and working environmental surveys during the last 3 years. The authors suspect 2-ethoxyethanol and 2-ethoxy ethyl acetate of the organic solvents, which bring out the hematological changes of workers exposed to mixed organic solvents. As a result of this study, the authors confirmed the hematological changes of workers exposed to mixed organic solvents and recommend : strict management of working environment, working time and the protective equipments of workers exposed to mixed organic solvents.

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