Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

Cogeneration plant and environmental allergic diseases: is it really an eco-friendly energy source?: Jinyoung Moon; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e38. Published online December 2, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e38

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Background

Combined heat and power generation (CHP generation, also called ‘cogeneration’) is attracting public attention for its high thermal efficiency, without considering possible adverse environmental health effects.This study investigated the potential role of cogeneration plants in inducing 3 environmental diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.

Methods

From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017, the towns (dongs) of South Korea in which a cogeneration plant started operation were selected as study sites. For comparison, a matched control dong with the most similar Gross Regional Domestic Product for each case dong was selected. The numbers of outpatient visits, inpatient admissions, and emergency visits provided by the National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHISS) were analyzed using an interrupted time-series design. For air pollutants, the concentrations of 5 air pollutants from the AIRKOREA dataset were used.

Results

A total of 6 cogeneration plants in 6 case dongs started operation during the study period. For overall case dongs, the pre-CHP trend was 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.038–1.042), and the post-CHP trend was 1.248 (95% CI: 1.244–1.253). The intercept change due to the CHP plant was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.137–1.162). For overall control dongs, the pre-CHP trend was 1.133 (95% CI: 1.132–1.135), and the post-CHP trend was 1.065 (95% CI: 1.06–1.069). The intercept change due to the CHP plant was 0.888 (95% CI: 0.878–0.899). Only for CO and NO₂, the relative risk (RR) for overall case dongs was statistically significantly increased, and the RR for the overall control dongs was statistically insignificant.

Conclusions

Possible hazardous emissions, like CO and NO_2, from cogeneration plants could induce environmental diseases in nearby community populations. The emissions from cogeneration plants should be investigated regularly by a governmental agency, and the long-term health outcomes of nearby community residents should be investigated.

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Elaheh Safaei Kouchaksaraei, Ali Khosravani Semnani, Kody M. Powell, Kerry E. Kelly
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Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
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Research Article

Relationship between residence characteristics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in housewives: second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014): Hyung-Gue Park, Na-Young Ha, Dae Hwan Kim, Jeong-Ho Kim, Chae-Kwan Lee, Kunhyung Kim, Ji Young Ryu; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:23. Published online April 18, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0236-x

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Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced by incomplete combustion have negative effects on human health due to their carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. Indoor sources of PAHs include tobacco smoke, heating sources, and cooking. This study evaluated the relationship between human PAH exposure and residence characteristics.

Method

This study was based on the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014). Non-smoking housewives were included in the analyses (n = 1269). The concentrations of urinary PAH metabolites (2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene) were adjusted by urine creatinine level. The geometric mean concentrations of urinary PAH metabolites by residential factors were examined. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between residential variables and PAH exposures.

Results

The adjusted geometric mean concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene were significantly higher in the group residing within 100 m of a major road (p < 0.05) than in those residing > 100 m from a major road. In logistic regression analyses, the odds ratio (OR) for exceeding the third quartile of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration was significantly higher in the group using coal or wood fuel for residential heating than in the group using gas (OR = 2.745, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.295–5.819). The detached house group had a significantly higher OR for 1-hydroxyphenanthrene compared with the apartment group (OR = 1.515, 95% CI = 1.023–2.243).

Conclusion

Our study shows the evidence of associations between some urinary PAH metabolite levels (1-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1-hydroxypyrene) and residence characteristics. Additional studies are needed to clarify these associations.

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Annals of Work Exposures and Health.2020; 64(4): 445. CrossRef

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Research Article

Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat: Jungsun Park, Yangho Kim, Inbo Oh; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:30. Published online June 29, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0183-y

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Background

The objectives of the present study are to: (i) evaluate the effect of environmental and metabolic heat on heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers; and (ii) evaluate the effect of personal factors, including heat acclimation, on the risk of heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers.

Methods

We identified 47 cases of illnesses from exposure to environmental heat in outdoor workers in Korea from 2010 to 2014, based on review of workers’ compensation data. We also obtained the information on location, time, and work environment of each heat-related illness.

Results

Our major results are that 29 cases (61.7%) occurred during a heat wave. Forty five cases (95.7%) occurred when the maximum estimated WBGT (WBGTmax) was equal to or greater than the case specific threshold value which was determined by acclimatization and metabolic rate. Twenty two cases (46.8%) were not acclimated to the heat. Thirty-seven cases (78.7%) occurred after tropical night (temperature above 25 °C), during which many people may find it hard to sleep.

Conclusion

Personal risk factors such as heat acclimation as well as environmental factors and high metabolic rate during work are the major determinants of heat-related illnesses.

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Original Article

Relationship between Workplace Physical and Chemical Hazard Exposures and Mental Health Problems in Korea: Kee Ock Joh, Tae Jun Park, Jae Il Oh, Do Myung Paek, Jung Sun Park, Sung Il Cho; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(3):287-297. Published online September 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.3.287

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Mental health and work efficiency are adversely affected by exposure to physical and chemical hazards in the workplace. This study is the first large scale evaluation of the relationship between physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace in relation to the mental health of Korean workers.
METHODS
A national survey of a random sample of workers (n=10,043) was conducted between June and September 2006 in Korea. Physical and chemical hazards in the workplace were considered if exposure occurred over more than a quarter of the time spent at work. Mental health problems were defined as work-related depression, anxiety or insomnia. We analyzed whether physical and chemical hazards were independent risk factors for work-related mental health problems by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, gender, employment type, education, occupation, duty schedule, work hours, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
RESULTS
The mean age of surveyed workers was 42 years and 58% were male. A total of 7.8% of workers had work-related mental health problems. Exposure to high temperature, mist, fumes, dust, chemicals, and radiation were associated with an increased risk of work-related mental health problems.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reaffirmed that physical and chemical hazard exposure in the workplace significantly elevates the risk of work-related mental health problems.

Citations

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Association between physical hazardous agent exposure and mental health in the Korean working population: the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey
Daeil Kwon, Kyeongmin Kwak, Kiook Baek, Youngchan Chi, Sewhan Na, Jong-Tae Park
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Use of Frequency Analysis of Exposure of Hazards by Occupations: Findings from the Third and Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey
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Soonchunhyang Medical Science.2019; 25(1): 37. CrossRef
Factors Associated with Depression among Workers by Socio-economic Factors, Health Behaviors, and Characteristics of Work Environment
Hyunkyung Lee, Minsung Sohn, Mankyu Choi
Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2013; 30(5): 125. CrossRef

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Original Article

The effect of Smoking and Residential environment on Urinary 2-naphthol: Jee Na Lee, Jong Han Leem, Shin Goo Park, Joo Yeun Shin, Kwan Hee Lee, Yun Chul Hong, Hun Kim, Chul Ho Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(1):82-91. Published online March 31, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.1.82

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the association of urinary 2-naphthol level and air pollution caused by exposure to smoking, traffic and residential factors.
METHODS
The study subjects consisted of 300 university students in Incheon. The questionnaires concerning subject characteristics, smoking amount, traffic, distance between housing and main road, heating and cooking fuel including urinary cotinine levels were checked.
RESULTS
There was not any significant association between urinary 2-naphthol level and age, sex, body mass index, distance from mainroad, traffic, heating and cooking fuel. The urinary 2-naphthol level was higher in smokers or high urinary cotinine level group(p=0.0001)than in nonsmokers or low urinary cotinine group. After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index in the basic model, the 2-naphthol level was also higher in the smokers or high urinary cotinine level group, too(p<0.0005). The model included both traffic and residential variables and it had a good fitness as compared to other models.
CONCLUSIONS
It has been known that as one of PAH metabolites, urinary 2-naphthol is a respiration-selective biological marker. We showed that tabacco smoking has a much stronger effects on urinary 2-naphthol levels than when subjects were exposed to air pollution, such as traffic, and other residential factors at the same time.

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Case Report

A Case of Heat Stroke in an Aluminium Utensil Plant: Soon Woo Park, You Lee Cho, Dong Ho Oh, Jung Yon Choe, Hae Ri Jun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):293-303. Published online June 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.293

Abstract PDF

An 18-year-old man suffered heat stroke after continuous working for 26 hours on his first day in an aluminium utensil plant in August 1998. His job was to put a pressed aluminium utensil on the conveyer before the process of spray painting. The ranges of temperature and relative humidity measured at the local weather-station during the patient' s working period were 23.6-30.2 degrees C, 49-87 % respectively. On arrival the patient was comatose and suffered generalized seizure three times. His rectal temperature was 41.2 degrees C . blood pressure was 90/60 mmHg, pulse was 148 beats/minute and respiratory rate was 28 times/minute. The serum level of AST was 421 IU/L. ALT was 205 IU/L, LDH was 1,160 IU/L. myoglobin was higher than 500 ng/mL. OK was higher than 2,000 IU/L. He recovered consciousness 7th day of admission and discharged after 2 months but cerebellar dysarthria was remained. The patient felt himself several prodromal symptoms of heat stroke and he showed awkward behavior considered to be drowsiness, but the patient and his co-workers neglected them. This case report shows that heat stroke can be occurred in a condition that ambient temperature, humidity, and working load are not extreme. A thorough health education and management concerned with guidelines on salt and water intake, detection of early symptoms of heat-related illness, prompt body cooling and rapid transportation to a hospital is necessary.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat
Jungsun Park, Yangho Kim, Inbo Oh
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] 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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