Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Case Report

Seven Cases of Respiratory Symptoms Caused by Acute Ozone Exposure from an Electronics Company: Yong Jun Kwon, Kuck Hyun Woo, Jin Seok Kim, Seong Yong Yoon, In Ung Song, Jay Young Yu, Seong Yong Cho; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012;24(4):449-459. Published online December 31, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2012.24.4.449

BACKGROUND
Ozone is a colorless, pungent, and highly reactive gas. It can cause headaches, burning eyes, irritation to the respiratory passages, and dyspnea. This article describes cases of respiratory difficulty associated with acute ozone exposure from an electronics company that manufactures touchscreen.
CASE
REPORT: Seven young female workers visited the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, complaining of cough, dyspnea, and chest discomfort that started within two days at work processing a touchscreen with ozone (0.103 ppm ozone detected in the their workplace). Other; symptoms observed included rhinorrhea, headaches, and dizziness. There was a temporary improvement in symptoms upon taking a day off, but their symptoms deteriorated upon continuing work again-suggesting the ozone exposure in their work environment was responsible for their symptoms. The results of pulmonary function and blood laboratory tests were normal; however, laryngoscopy and nasal endoscopy identified three cases of inflammation on laryngeal, intranasal, or vocal cord regions.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the levels of ozone detected in the workplace and clinical symptoms presented, we conclude that the respiratory symptoms in these cases were caused by excessive ozone exposures.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A Study of Ozone Variations in a Semiconductor Fabrication Facility and Office Related to the Ozone Concentration in the Outdoor Air
Ji-Eun Lee, Myung-Koo Jung, Kwang-Min Choi
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2016; 26(2): 188. CrossRef

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Original Article

Pulmonary Function Changes of Ozone Exposed Workers in a Film Manufacturing Company: Yoomi Chae, Hyunjoo Kim, Sangchul Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(3):215-222. Published online September 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.3.215

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the pulmonary function changes of ozone exposure in Corona and Slitter workers exposed to an ozone level ranging from 0.022~0.061 ppm.
METHODS
Forty-two subjects were exposed for 8hrs to ozone every day. We perfomed pulmonary function testing immediately before and after work and self-administered, portable peak flow meter measurements were self-conducted by the workers over a 5-day (Monday to Friday) period.
RESULTS
Ozone concentrations in the workplace ranging from 0.050~0.061 ppm at Corona and 0.022~0.023 ppm at Slitter in 2006. A small decrement in forced-vital capacity were observed among Corona workers from 93.9% to 91.3% (p=0.012) and also in employment duration below ten years. We found no significant differences in before and after FVC and FEV1 among Slitter workers. All daily (Monday to Friday) peak expiratory flow rates declined in magnitude after two days of ozone exposure, compared with first day exposure.
CONCLUSION
We concluded that daily ozone exposure in the workplace slightly decreased pulmonary function and that PEFR variability is greatest on the 2nd day of ozone exposure.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A Study of Ozone Variations in a Semiconductor Fabrication Facility and Office Related to the Ozone Concentration in the Outdoor Air
Ji-Eun Lee, Myung-Koo Jung, Kwang-Min Choi
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2016; 26(2): 188. CrossRef

73 View
0 Download
1 Crossref

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