Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Dynamics of pre-shift and post-shift lung function parameters among wood workers in Ghana: John Ekman, Philip Quartey, Abdala Mumuni Ussif, Niklas Ricklund, Daniel Lawer Egbenya, Gideon Akuamoah Wiafe, Korantema Mawuena Tsegah, Akua Karikari, Håkan Löfstedt, Francis Tanam Djankpa; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e39. Published online September 12, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e39

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Background
Diseases affecting the lungs and airways contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The problem in low- and middle-income countries appears to be exacerbated by a shift in global manufacturing base to these countries and inadequate enforcement of environmental and safety standards. In Ghana, the potential adverse effects on respiratory function associated with occupational wood dust exposure have not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods
Sixty-four male sawmill workers and 64 non-woodworkers participated in this study. The concentration of wood dust exposure, prevalence and likelihood of association of respiratory symptoms with wood dust exposure and changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in association with wood dust exposure were determined from dust concentration measurements, symptoms questionnaire and lung function test parameters.
Results
Sawmill workers were exposed to inhalable dust concentration of 3.09 ± 0.04 mg/m³ but did not use respirators and engaged in personal grooming habits that are known to increase dust inhalation. The sawmill operators also showed higher prevalence and likelihoods of association with respiratory symptoms, a significant cross-shift decline in some PFT parameters and a shift towards a restrictive pattern of lung dysfunction by end of daily shift. The before-shift PFT parameters of woodworkers were comparable to those of non-woodworkers, indicating a lack of chronic effects of wood dust exposure.
Conclusions
Wood dust exposure at the study site was associated with acute respiratory symptoms and acute changes in some PFT parameters. This calls for institution and enforcement of workplace and environmental safety policies to minimise exposure at sawmill operating sites, and ultimately, decrease the burden of respiratory diseases.

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Original Article

Lung Function in Workers at Small Foundries: Se Yeong Kim, Jung Il Kim, Ji Hyeon Jung, Suk Hwan Choi, Kap Yeol Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(3):317-323. Published online September 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.3.317

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated lung function in workers exposed to dusts, fumes and noxious gases at small foundries.
METHODS
Lung function was measured in 148 male workers from 12 small foundries and 202 unexposed male workers. Pulmonary function tests performed included: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percent of FEV1/FVC (FEV1/FVC%), maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow at 25, 50, and 75% of expired FVC (FEF25, 50, 75).
RESULTS
Mean values of all ventilatory indices except FEF25 of foundry workers were significantly lower than those of controls. Specifically, following stratification by smoking habits, all ventilatory indices except FEF25 of foundry workers were significantly lower than those of controls who smoked; however, there were no significant differences observed in any ventilatory indices between nonsmoking exposed workers and controls. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated work duration as a significant predictor of a decrease in FVC%.
CONCLUSIONS
This research indicates that combined occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and gases in small foundries is associated with a reduction in lung function. Smoking may also contribute to respiratory abnormalities. These results suggested that foundry workers should be required to undergo periodic lung function tests and-in addition to not smoking, efficient use of personal protection equipment while at work is recommended.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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
Pulmonary function decline in firefighters and non-firefighters in South Korea
Ju-Hwan Choi, Jae-Hong Shin, Mi-Young Lee, In-Sung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef

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Original Article

Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Symptoms of Municipal Fire Officers in Busan.: Sung Hoon Kim, Jung Won Kim, Jong Eun Kim, Byung Chul Son, Jeong Ho Kim, Chang Hee Lee, Sang Hwan Jang, Chae Kwan Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):103-111. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.103

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between respiratory disorders and fire exposure by investigating and analyzing the lung function and respiratory symptoms of firefighters.
METHODS
The health effects of firefighting on respiratory function were investigated in 699 male fire officers in 4 fire departments in Busan by recording respiratory symptoms and measuring lung function. The data were analysed according to fire exposure and smoking habits.
RESULTS
Mean spirometric data showed significantly decreased levels in the fire-exposed group (FVC, -0.20 L; FVC%, -4.2%; FEV(1) -0.21 L; FEV(1)%, -5.1%; FEF25%, -0.13 L/SEE p<0.05). After stratification by smoking habits, FVC and FEV(1) showed a significant difference between groups. The prevalence of spirometric abnormality was greater for the fire-exposed group than for the non-exposed group. Significantly higher prevalences of nasal stiffness (16.7% vs. 10.9%), sore throat (17.7% vs.14.2%) and chest tightness (6.5% vs. 2.5%) were recorded in firefighters compared to controls (p<0.05). However, after stratification by smoking habits, the 3 symptoms were showed only marginal differences in the smoking group.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that fire-exposed firefighters generally suffer a decline of lung function and a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. These results suggest that the exposure to routine firefighting activity is associated with adverse health effects to the respiratory system.

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A Study on the Relationship between Firefighters Disease and Health Status
Ho-Jung Kang, Sung-Ho Byun, Chul-Hwan Mun, Yu-Jung Choi, Jae-Wook Choi
Fire Science and Engineering.2020; 34(5): 86. CrossRef
Related factors for preserving firefighter's pulmonary function
Seonggyu Kim, Ye-eun Jeon, Hyeseung Ryu, Mi-Young Lee, Insung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Effects of Environmental Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function Level of Residents in Korean Industrial Complexes
Eunju Hong, Seokwon Lee, Geun-Bae Kim, Tae-Jong Kim, Hyoung-Wook Kim, Kyoungho Lee, Bu-Soon Son
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(5): 834. CrossRef
Psychological Factors Influence the Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Their Effect on Quality of Life among Firefighters in South Korea
Seung-Ho Jang, Han-Seung Ryu, Suck-Chei Choi, Sang-Yeol Lee
Psychiatry Investigation.2017; 14(4): 434. CrossRef
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
Muscuoloskeletal Disorders of Korean Fire Fighters: Applicants for Public Worker's Compensation from 2011 to 2013
Jangwhon Yoon
Fire Science and Engineering.2016; 30(3): 133. CrossRef
Knowledge, Awareness and Health Risk Concerns on Occupational Exposure to Radiation among Firefighters in Korea
Hyeongyeong Lee, Hyeongwan Yoon, Jeongim Park
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 516. CrossRef
Pulmonary function decline in firefighters and non-firefighters in South Korea
Ju-Hwan Choi, Jae-Hong Shin, Mi-Young Lee, In-Sung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
An Ergonomic Analysis for Heavy Manual Material Handling Jobs by Fire Fighters
Su-Jung Im, Jong-Tae Park, Seo-Yeon Choi, Dong-Hyun Park
Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Science and Engineering.2013; 27(3): 85. CrossRef
Health Hazards in Firefighters
Kyoo Sang Kim
Hanyang Medical Reviews.2010; 30(4): 296. CrossRef
Occupational Health and Fitness for Work of Firefighters
Inah Kim, Jaechul Sung
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2008; 51(12): 1078. CrossRef

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Original Article

Effects of Welding Fume on Ventilatory Function: Tae In Moon, Jung Wan Koo, Chee Kyung Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(3):383-391. Published online December 31, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.3.383

Abstract PDF: In order to study the effects of welding fume on ventilatory function, forced expiratory spirogram was performed on 563 male workers exposed to welding fume in motor vehicles industry and 589 male control workers. Ventilatory indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), the ratio of one-second forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (FEV(1)%= FEV(1)/FVC) and maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF) were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirogram which were measured by Vitalograph in standing position. The results were as follows: 1. Mean values of FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)%, and MMF expressed as percent of the predicted were significantly lower in exposure group than in control group. 2. No significant differences for mean ventilatory indices were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers both in exposure group and control group. However, mean MMF of welders tended to reduce in smokers (77.4 %) than in nonsmokers (82.4 %). 3. In exposure group mean FEV(1) was significantly lower in more than 20 years than those of control group. However, mean MMF, FEV(1)% were significantly reduced with increasing exposure duration compared to control group, indicating 90.8 %; and 62.2 % of the predicted in more than 20 years group. 4. In exposure group workers with obstructive ventilatory impairment (7.5 %) was markedly higher than that with restrictive ventilatory impairment (2.0 %). 5. In exposure group the proportion of workers with low ventilatory indices was' the highest in MMF (26.8 %), and followed by FEV(1)(11.9 %), FEV(1)%(7.6 %) and FVC (2.1 %) in descending order. Workers with low MMF and PEV^% were significantly increased with increasing exposure duration compared to control group, indicating 64.3 % and 32.1 % in above 20 years group. With the above considerations in mind it suggested that the exposure to welding fume be associated with reduced pulmonary function and obstructive ventilratory impairment, increasing exposure duration be associated with reduced pulmonary function, and MMF be the most sensitive index in the evaluation of venfcilatory impairments of workers exposed to welding fume.

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Original Article

Lung Function Test for Workers and its Quality Control Program: Jung Keun Choi, Mi A Son, Hyun Kyung Kim, Domyung Paek, Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):187-200. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.187

Abstract PDF: Lung function test can be influenced by technical as well as biological variables, and the quality control of test has been stressed as an important part of lung function test program. This study was done to survey the current status of lung function test program in workers' health examination, and examine the variablity of test results when quality control is not achieved. Forty nine Workers' Health Examination Institutes and 7 Pneumoconiosis Referal Centers were surveyed for their current lung function tests, types of spirometers, and performance of technicians. To examine the effect of quality control program of lung function tests on the variablity of test results, 118 miners were tested under a quality control guideline and the results were compared to those obtained ignoring 4 major areas of the guideline-spirometer calibration, minimum number of tests per session, suitable prediction equations, and selection process of final results for each tested subjects. Among surveyed Institutes and Centers, only 38%(20/53) are performing any calibration of spirometers, and most of those calibrations are done automatically by the machine. All the surveyed Institutes and Centers obtain acceptable test no more than 2 times. The background of technicians include office workers and nurse aids without an adequate training in pulmonary physiology, and the testing posture and formats vary among Institutes and Centers. When the types of pulmonary dysfunction under the definition of the Ministry of Labor were compared between those obtained with and without quality control guidelines, spirometer calibration affected the test results in 6(5.1%) out of 118 subjects. The change in the minimum number of adequate tests from 1 to 3 and more brought changes in 19(16.1%) subjects. The test results of 9(7.6%) subjects differed between two different prediction equations, and the results of 7(5.9%) subjects differed between two different selection process of final results. The current practice of lung function tests of workers needs quality control programs, and the results of this study indicate that the first remedy should be to bring the minimum number of acceptable test to more than 3.

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Original Article

Normal Predictive Values of FVC and FEV1 for Healthy Korean Male Workers: Domyung Paek, Jung Keun Choi, Byung Soon Choi, Kyou Chull Chung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1994;6(2):175-186. Published online September 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1994.6.2.175

Abstract PDF

Lung Function test results can be influenced by race, socioeconomic status, and physical fitness. The choice of the most appropriate predictive equations should be based upon these considerations as well as age, sex, and body size. About 70% of Korean males smoke, and non-smokers can be a selective group in Korea. In this study, lung function test results of 683 healthy Korean male workers were analyzed to get the predictive equations of Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second(FEV(1)), and FEV(1)/FVC (FEV(1)%). The age of studied workers ranged from 18to 60, and most of those finished high school or less. Healthy smokers without any respiratory symptoms or disease history were included in the study, while the effect of smoking on the test results were examined in the analysis. FVC, FEV(1), and FEV(1)% were regressed against age, height, weight and smoking status or smoking amount. Age and height explained FVC and FVC(1) most efficiently and the contribution of other variables were not significant. Whereas, smoking was significantly associated with a decrease in FEV(1)% even among healthy un-symptomatic workers. For FEV(1)%, age, height, and smoking amount were significant variables, constituting the most efficient prediction model. The lower limit of normal for percent predicted values was calculated from lower 95 percentile as well as 95% confidence interval. When the results of this study was compared to those from studies of white Caucasians, the predicted FVC and FEV(1) were lower for the given age and height but the differences were less than 10%. The slopes of regression equation for height and age were, however, not significantly different when the social backgrounds of the studied subjects were similar.

Citations

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Factors Associated With Obstructive Pattern Spirometry In Shipyard Workers
Jahyun Kim, Young Wook Kim, Chang Ho Chae, Jun Seok Son, Chan Woo Kim, Jun Ho Lee, Hyung Wook Park, Byung Mann Cho
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2015; 25(4): 525. CrossRef
Reference Values for the Pulmonary Function of Korean Adults Using the Data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (2007-2009)
Sang-Yong Eom, Heon Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2013; 28(3): 424. CrossRef
Changes of Pulmonary Disability Grades according to the Spirometry Reference Equations
Joung Oh Lee, Byung-Soon Choi
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.2010; 69(2): 108. CrossRef

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