Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

Environmental health survey for children residing near mining areas in South Gobi, Mongolia: Ulziikhishig Surenbaatar, Byoung-gwon Kim, Jeong-Wook Seo, Hyoun-Ju Lim, Jung-Yeon Kwon, Min-Kyung Kang, Enkhjargal Altangerel, Tsogtbaatar Byambaa, Suvd Batbaatar, Oyunchimeg Myagmardorj, Chul-Woo Lee, Young-Seoub Hong; Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e10. Published online March 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e10

Background

We evaluated the level and factors of heavy metal exposure to children residing in the Togttsetsii, Khanbogd, and Bayandalai soums of South Gobi province, Mongolia.

Methods

A total of 118 children aged 9–12 years were surveyed, and the level of heavy metal exposure in their bodies was investigated. Exposure was investigated by measuring concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury in the blood; mercury concentration in the hair; and total arsenic in the urine.

Results

Blood cadmium concentration had geometric averages of 0.16 µg/L in the children from Bayandalai, 0.15 µg/L Tsogttsetsii, and 0.16 µg/L Khanbogd. Blood lead concentration showed a relatively higher geometric average of 7.42 µg/dL in the children from Bayandalai compared to 4.78 µg/dL and 5.15 µg/dL in those from Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd, respectively. While blood mercury concentration was the highest in the children from Bayandalai, with a value of 0.38 µg/L, those from Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd had similar concentrations of 0.29 µg/L and 0.29 µg/L, respectively. Hair mercury concentration was the highest in the children from Bayandalai, with a value of 78 µg/g, a particularly significant difference, with a concentration of 0.50 µg/g in those from Khanbogd. Urine arsenic concentration was the highest in the children from Khanbogd, with a value of 36.93 µg/L; it was 26.11 µg/L in those from Bayandalai and 23.89 µg/L in those from Tsogttsetsii.

Conclusions

The high blood lead concentration of children in Bayandalai was judged to be due to other factors in addition to mine exposure; the reason why blood and hair mercury concentration was higher in children from Bayandalai may have been due to exposure to many small-scale gold mines in the area. In the case of Khanbogd, it was estimated that the high arsenic level in urine was caused by the effect of mines.

Citations

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The impacts of mining on soil pollution with metal(loid)s in resource-rich Mongolia
Václav Pecina, David Juřička, Josef Hedbávný, Martin Klimánek, Jindřich Kynický, Martin Brtnický, Renata Komendová
Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
The Association Between Blood Lead Levels and Coronary Artery Calcium Score Determined by Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
Eunyoung Park, Suwhan Kim, Seunghyeon Cho, Hyeonjun Kim, Inho Jung, Jai-Dong Moon, Won-Ju Park
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Blood Lead Monitoring in a Former Mining Area in Euskirchen, Germany—Volunteers across the Entire Population
Jens Bertram, Christian Ramolla, André Esser, Thomas Schettgen, Nina Fohn, Thomas Kraus
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(10): 6083. CrossRef

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Research Article

Association between use of humidifier disinfectant and allergic rhinitis in Korean children: a cross-sectional study based on the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC): Tae Hwan Koh, Jong-Tae Park, Daeil Kwon, Kyeongmin Kwak; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e9. Published online February 17, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e9

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background

Rhinitis was the most frequently diagnosed disorder among users of humidifier disinfectants (HDs). The aim of our study was to investigate on the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and HD uses.

Methods

Our study used the data from the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children; a total of 1,540 participants were enrolled. The χ² test and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to debunk the association between AR and HD uses.

Results

In our analysis, odds ratios (ORs) of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly when simply the response of whether HDs were used in the past was considered. When the brands of HD were considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR were found to be increased significantly for those who have used polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate/oligo(2-[2-ethoxy]-ethoxyethyl)guanidinium-containing HDs (model 3: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.95). However, once duration of usage was additionally considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly only for those who have used chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone-containing HDs for more than or equal to 3 months (model 3: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17–3.69). Further, past use of HD was associated with significantly increased ORs of AR diagnosed before 2013 (model 3: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02–1.79).

Conclusions

Results of our study suggest that past uses of HDs may be associated with an increased risk of AR.

Citations

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Exposures to humidifier disinfectant and various health conditions in Korean based on personal exposure assessment data of claimants for compensation
Myeongjin Hong, Min Jae Ju, Jeonggyo Yoon, Wonyoung Lee, Seula Lee, Eun-kyung Jo, Seo-Youn Choi, Wonho Yang, Yoon-Hyeong Choi
BMC Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Allergic rhinitis (pollinosis) and hygiene: learn from yesterday, live with COVID-19, hope for prevention
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Ji-Hun Song, Joonho Ahn, Min Young Park, Jaeyoung Park, Yu Min Lee, Jun-Pyo Myong, Jung-Wan Koo, Jongin Lee
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Risk factors and protective factors in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis
Yoon Hong Chun, Minji Kim, Hyo-Bin Kim, Yeong-Ho Rha, Yang Park, Yong Mean Park, Myongsoon Sung, Youn Ho Shin, Hye Yung Yum, Kyung Suk Lee, Yong Ju Lee, Hye Mi Jee, Bong Seok Choi, Sun Hee Choi, Hyun Hee Kim
Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease.2022; 10(2): 73. CrossRef
Need for individual-based evaluation to determine the association between humidifier disinfectants and health injuries
Hyeong-Cheol Kim, Hyunil Kim, Eun-Chan Mun, Yesung Lee, Soyoung Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparison study of dermal cell toxicity and zebrafish brain toxicity by humidifier sterilizer chemicals (PHMG, PGH, CMIT/MIT)
Kyung-Hyun Cho, Jae-Ryong Kim
Environmental Biology Research.2020; 38(2): 271. CrossRef
Trends in prevalence of allergic diseases in Korean children: how and why?
Kyung Suk Lee
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2020; 63(7): 263. CrossRef

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Research Article

Mothers’ Working Hours and Children’s Obesity: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008–2010: Goeun Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:28-28. Published online October 25, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-28

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Objectives

The aim of this study is to find the association between mothers’ working hours and obesity of their children according to children’s age and gender.

Methods

This study used data from the second and third year of KNHANES IV and the first year in KNHANES V (2008–2010). We calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by using survey logistic regression to assess association of mother’s working hours with overweight or obesity of her children. The model was adjusted with household income, mothers’ education and obesity and mothers’ job characteristics.

Results

13–18 aged boys whose mothers worked under 40 hours per week were higher risk for obesity and overweight (including obesity) than 13–18 aged boys whose mothers worked 40–48 hours. 6–12 aged girls whose mothers worked 49–60 hours per week were more overweight (including obesity) than girls whose mothers worked 40–48 hours per week. 13–18 aged girls whose mothers worked over 60 hours were more overweight (including obesity) than the reference.

Conclusion

This study showed that girls’ obesity was associated with mothers’ long working hours. Long working hours can influence health of workers’ family.

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Ayse Meydanlioglu, Arzu Akcan, Selma Oncel, Derya Adibelli, Ecem Cicek Gumus, Sureyya Sarvan, Ilkay Kavla
Archives de Pédiatrie.2022; 29(1): 30. CrossRef
The Association Between Long Working Hours of Parents and Dyslipidemia in Their Children
Joonho Ahn, Dong-Wook Lee, Mo-Yeol Kang, Jun-Pyo Myong, Mi Hae Chung, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jongin Lee
Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Maternal working hours and smoking and drinking in adolescent children: based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI and VII
Tae-Hwi Park, Yong-Duk Ahn, Jeong-Bae Rhie
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Dietary intake and nutritional status of Korean children and adolescents: a review of national survey data
Minji Kang, So Yoon Choi, Minyoung Jung
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2021; 64(9): 443. CrossRef
Are Mothers’ Working Hours Associated with General and Abdominal Obesity in Children and Adolescents? The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2012)
Juyeong Kim, Eun-Cheol Park, Young Choi, Sohee Park
Maternal and Child Health Journal.2018; 22(4): 474. CrossRef
Association between socioeconomic status and obesity among 12-year-old Malaysian adolescents
Aryati Ahmad, Nurzaime Zulaily, Mohd Razif Shahril, Engku Fadzli Hasan Syed Abdullah, Amran Ahmed, Madhavi Bhargava
PLOS ONE.2018; 13(7): e0200577. CrossRef
The impact of occupation according to income on depressive symptoms in South Korean individuals: Findings from the Korean Welfare Panel Study
Woorim Kim, Eun-Cheol Park, Tae-Hoon Lee, Yeong Jun Ju, Jaeyong Shin, Sang Gyu Lee
International Journal of Social Psychiatry.2016; 62(3): 227. CrossRef
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김정은, Do, Young Kyung
Studies on Korean Youth.2016; 27(1): 125. CrossRef

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Review

Systematic Review of the Effects of Asbestos Exposure on the Risk of Cancer between Children and Adults: Dongmug Kang, Min-Seung Myung, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Eun Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:10-10. Published online July 8, 2013; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-10

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Children are considerably more susceptible to enviro006Emental hazards than adults. This study was conducted to investigate whether the first asbestos exposure in childhood increases the risk of asbestos-related cancer including mesothelioma and lung cancer. MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, and Google Scholar were searched to find relevant studies published up to July 2012. Six studies reported the relationship between age, including age during childhood, at the first asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Among them, 4 indicated that people exposed to asbestos in childhood have a higher risk of mesothelioma than those exposed in adulthood. Meanwhile, the other 2 studies showed that asbestos exposure later in life increases the risk of mesothelioma. The results of the 2 studies including non-occupational early childhood exposure report conflicting results. There were 3 studies regarding the relationship between age at first asbestos exposure and lung cancer. However, none of them reported an association between age at first asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer. All studies have limitations including small numbers of subjects, the validity of the standardized mortality ratio, and different age categories at first asbestos exposure. There are only a few studies on the harmful effects of asbestos in children in the literature. Therefore, the effect of asbestos exposure during childhood remains unclear and requires further study.

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Cleaner Waste Systems.2023; 4: 100085. CrossRef
Cancer Incidence and Risk of Multiple Cancers after Environmental Asbestos Exposure in Childhood—A Long-Term Register-Based Cohort Study
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 19(1): 268. CrossRef
Risk assessment of asbestos containing materials in a deteriorated dwelling area using four different methods
Yuan-Long Zhang, Hwi-Seok Byeon, Won-Hwa Hong, Gi-Wook Cha, Yoon-Ha Lee, Young-Chan Kim
Journal of Hazardous Materials.2021; 410: 124645. CrossRef
Measurement of asbestos emissions associated with demolition of abandoned residential dwellings
Richard L. Neitzel, Stephanie K. Sayler, Avery H. Demond, Hannah d'Arcy, David H. Garabrant, Alfred Franzblau
Science of The Total Environment.2020; 722: 137891. CrossRef
Environmental asbestos exposure in childhood and risk of mesothelioma later in life: a long-term follow-up register-based cohort study
Sofie Bünemann Dalsgaard, Else Toft Würtz, Johnni Hansen, Oluf Dimitri Røe, Øyvind Omland
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Are children more vulnerable to mesothelioma than adults? A comparison of mesothelioma risk among children and adults exposed non-occupationally to blue asbestos at Wittenoom
Alison Reid, Peter Franklin, Geoffrey Berry, Susan Peters, Nita Sodhi-Berry, Fraser Brims, Arthur William Musk, Nicholas H de Klerk
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Emilie Lévêque, Aude Lacourt, Danièle Luce, Marie-Pierre Sylvestre, Pascal Guénel, Isabelle Stücker, Karen Leffondré
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Original Article

Effects of Aircraft Noise on Children's Mental Health: Data from the Health Survey of Inhabitants in the Vicinity of Gunsan Airport: Kyeong Yeol Yu, Jae Beom Park, Kyoung Bok Min, Chan Lee, Hyun Gwon Kil, Yu Rim Jung, Kyung Jong Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(4):298-306. Published online December 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.4.298

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children's mental health problems such as depression and personality.
METHODS
We obtained data from the health examinations of school children in the vicinity of Gunsan airport. This survey was conducted in the rural area, Gunsan during 2009. The study population included 195 children attending 4th to 6th grade from 6 elementary schools near the airport. Based on 60 Weighted Equivalent Continuous Perceived Noise Level (WECPNL) measures of aircraft noise, participants were divided into 2 groups; the exposure group consisted of 106 children from 4 schools, and the reference group included 89 children from the 2 schools in Gunsan. All children completed questions on general characteristics, the Korean Children's Depression Inventory (KCDI) for depression, and the Korea Human Nature Inspection (KHNI) for personality.
RESULTS
Children in the exposure group were at higher risk of depression (5.62, 95% CI 1.12~28.25), and personality changes (2.08, 95% CI 1.07~4.05) than those of the reference group. In particular, children's diligence, cooperation, and concentration, subgroups of personality measure, were affected significantly and negatively, by aircraft noise level.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that exposure to aircraft noise at school is associated with mental health problems in children. Requirements should be implemented to manage aircraft noise of its affect on children's health.

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Influence of noise exposure on cardiocerebrovascular disease in Korea
Myoungjin Oh, Kwangsoo Shin, Kyungah Kim, Jungwoo Shin
Science of The Total Environment.2019; 651: 1867. CrossRef
Effects of APU Noise on Employees on the Ramp
Sung-Jae Park
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2016; 17(7): 720. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Effects of Particulate Matter on Respiratory Function of Schoolchildren in Jeju: A Panel Study: Jae Yong Moon, Su Young Kim, Kwang Sik Park, Ho Kim, Chung Won Kang, Hyun Seung Park, Soo Hun Cho, Yun Chul Hong; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(3):218-224. Published online September 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.3.218

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in respiratory function associated with daily changes in particulate pollution.
METHODS
A total of 105 healthy schoolchildren of fourth and fifth grade elementary school age performed peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) during 2 periods (May 14~June 15, Oct 22~Nov 23). We monitored concomitant ambient particulate matter (PM) levels during the periods.
RESULTS
An elevation PM(10) level of 1 microgram/m) led to decreases in PEFR of 0.20 L/min. A 1 microgram/m3 elevation of PM(2.5) led to a decrease of 0.36 L/min in PEFR. In addition, 1 day lag was associated with PM(10) levels and PEFR changes, and PM(2.5) showed the same result. The metal levels determined at PM(10) and PM(2.5) were found to be associated with decreased respiratory function.
CONCLUSIONS
An association between respiratory function and particulate pollution was observed when particulate pollutant levels were lower than the yearly average National Ambient Air Quality Standard in the Korea(50 microgram/m3).

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Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure and its Pulmonary Function Effects
Yong-Jin Lee, Da-Hye Kim, Soo-Hwan Kim, Jeong-Soo Kim, Dong-Chun Shin, Young-Wook Lim
Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment.2016; 32(5): 457. CrossRef

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Original Article

Hematological Changes and Immunological Function in Children Living Near the Petrochemical Estate in Ulsan: Choong Ryeol Lee, Cheol In Yoo, Ji Ho Lee, Hun Lee, Yang Ho Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001;13(2):127-140. Published online June 30, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.2.127

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the hematological changes and the immunological function of children living near the petrochemical estate in Ulsan.
METHODS
The study subjects comprised of 238 children who consisted of 143 children living near the petrochemical estate and 95 children living in a suburban area. We conducted the hematological examination 3 times, in April, July and October. Also we evaluated the immunological function of some children in July. To confirm differences between schools repeated measures ANOVA of generalized linear model was done controlling age and sex as covariates.
RESULTS
The blood cell counts of children showed differences between schools in accordance with the survey month. The total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts of children living in a suburban area decreased in July and increased in October again, but those of some children living near the petrochemical estate did not changed distinctly. The RBC counts of children living in a suburban area decreased in July and increased in October again, but those of some children living near the petrochemical estate decreased as time passed. The changes of the amount of hemoglobin of all study subjects were similar with those of RBC. The platelet counts of all study subjects decreased in July and increased in October again. In the generalized linear model, school was a significant independent variable for the total WBC, RBC, and platelet counts, and sex was a significant independent variable for the RBC counts. Age was a significant independent variable for the lymphocyte and platelet counts. P values of all blood cell were statistically significant in interaction variable between the survey month and school, and those of the total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were statistically significant in interaction variable between the survey month and age. The immunological function showed no significant difference between study groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The total WBC and RBC counts which would be easily affected by volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the atmosphere showed differences between schools in accordance with the survey month. This suggests that the amounts of exposure to VOCs are different among each school children in different months. To ascertain the hematological changes by VOCs, an additional study evaluating the concentrations of atmosphere of VOCs and biological monitoring of some VOCs is needed.

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Original Article

Blood Lead Levels in Children: Yong Hwan Lee, Duk Hee Lee, Jin Ha Kim, In Geun Park, Tae Young Han, She Han Jang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(1):82-87. Published online February 28, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.1.82

Abstract PDF

The authors conducted this study to evaluate some differences in blood lead levels between inner-city and suburban children and obtain the basic data of the reference value of the blood lead concentrations in children. The subjects were composed of 102 children residing in inner-city and 86 children in suburban. Their age range were 6 to 8 years old and the obtained results were as follow; 1. The arithmetic means of the blood lead level in male and fenlale, male, and female children were 7.24, 7,40, 7.08 microgram/100ml, and geometric means were 6.92, 7.08, 6.76 microgram/100ml, respectively. 2. The children residing in inner-city had the higher blood lead levels both male and female than suburban children with statistical signficance (p < 0.05) 3. Seventeen percent of the total subjects had lead cencentrations ( 5 microgram/100ml, and 5.88% of inner-city children and 30.23 % of suburban children had this lead values. But in > or = 10 microgram/100ml group, the inner-city children (20.39 %) were more distributed than suburban chilren(2.33 %) , and 12.33 % of total subjects had this lead values.

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Effects of CO/CO2/NO on elemental lead adsorption on carbonaceous surfaces
Zhengyang Gao, Weijie Yang
Journal of Molecular Modeling.2016;[Epub] CrossRef

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