Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The Prevalence of Asbestos Exposure-induced Pleural Thickening on Chest Radiograph in Repairing Shipyard Workers: Byeong Jin Ye, Jung Il Kim, Hyun Jae Lee, Ki Nam Kim, Ki Nam Lee, Kap Yeol Jung, Joon Youn Kim, Sung Ho Yun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(1):9-14. Published online March 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.1.9

OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the prevalence of asbestos exposure-induced pleural thickening on chest radiograph in repairing shipyard workers.
METHODS
A total of 2,114 incumbent and retired workers in a shipyard underwent chest radiograph, questionnaire study, interview, and physical exam from 2005 to 2007. Finally, 1,702 workers were selected and classified into two groups according to asbestos exposure: exposure and non-exposure groups. The characteristics in the exposure group were investigated.
RESULTS
The prevalence of pleural thickening on chest radiograph was 5.2 % and 3.1 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). In those aged 50 years or above, the prevalence was 17.6 % and 8.7 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence was 16.5 % and 30.2 % and the odds ratio was 2.34 (95% CI; 1.15-4.77) and 2.95 (95%CI; 1.08-8.07) in the workers with an exposure duration of 20-29 years and more than 30 years, respectively. The prevalence was higher when considering tuberculosis history.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence was increased with increasing exposure duration was more than 20 years. The authors therefore suggest that this group should be followed up periodically by special program and that a longitudinal study with repairing shipyard workers as the cohort should be undertaken.

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Environmental health centers for asbestos and their health impact surveys and activities
Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Yong-Jin Lee, Hyun-Hee Lee, Chang-yeol Lee, Seong-Jae Moon, Min-Sung Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
Health Effects of Environmental Asbestos Exposure
Dong-Mug Kang
Korean Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2009; 35(2): 71. CrossRef

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Imaging Findings among Retired Workers Who Were Long-term Exposed to Asbestos : Lung and Pleural Diseases Prevalence on Chest Radiograph and HRCT: Ki Nam Kim, Jung Il Kim, Ki Nam Lee, Kap Yeol Jung, Joon Youn Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):87-93. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.87

Abstract PDF

PURPOSE
To determine imaging findings among retired workers who were long-term exposed to asbestos. Lung and pleural diseases prevalence were studied on chest radiograph and HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen workers who were long-term exposedto asbestos occupationally in shipyards were examined by chest radiographs (PA and lateral view) and HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography).
RESULTS
In 12 of 18 subjects (66.7%), asbestos-related pleural abnormalities were evident in diaphragmatic, lateral chest wall and costophrenic angle of the pleura on chest radiographs. The thickness of pleural plaques at the lateral chest wall varied. Diffuse pleural thickening was evident in 2 workers. Parenchymal abnormalities were not found on chest radiographs. On HRCT, pleural thickening wasobserved in 16 of 18 subjects (88.9%), in the areas of juxtavertebral, diaphragmatic, anterior, lateral, mediastinal and fissural pleura. Curvilinear subpleural lines representing early parenchymal asbestosis were found in the lower posterior lung in three of 18 subjects (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
In long term asbestos-exposed workers, the asbestos-related pleural disease was 66.7% on chest radiographs and 88.9% on HRCT. The authors suggest that this group should be followed up periodically

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Compensation and Diagnosis of Asbestos Related Disease
Soo-Geun Kim
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2009; 30(5): 335. CrossRef

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Radiodermatitis from Occupational Exposure to 192Ir: Kea Jeung Kim, Jae Hak Yoo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(1):128-135. Published online February 28, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.1.128

Abstract PDF

Portable gamma radiography for nondestructive testing with 192Ir is commonly used in various industrial fields to defect possible internal defects of metals in pipelines, tanks, bridges, ships and so forth in Korea. Compared to the numerous researches about biologic effects and potential risks of radiation, only a Jew papers were reported about radiodermatitis from occupational exposure to 192Ir. In this study, we investigated six patients with occupational radiodermatitis with developed during portable gamma radiography for nondestructive testing with 192Ir. All six patients had developed radiodermatitis on their hands and fingers. They noticed painful swelling, erythema, and bullae on their fingers or palms 1 to 2weeks after exposure. Three patients suffered from chronic fibrosis and recurrent ulcerations. We also discussed about the working situation of our patients and reviewed the literatures about the radiodermatitis from occupational exposure to 192Ir. In conclusion, we think ionizing radiation, though it is a useful tool in industry, must be carried out in accordance with radiation protection rules and regulations.

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Acute radiation syndrome in a non-destructive testing worker: a case report
Ji-Sung Ahn, Jai-Dong Moon, Wonyang Kang, Hyeong-Min Lim, Seunghyeon Cho, Dae-Young Lim, Won-Ju Park
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Ionizing Radiation-induced Diseases in Korea
Young-Woo Jin, Meeseon Jeong, Kieun Moon, Min-Heui Jo, Seong-Kyu Kang
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S70. CrossRef

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Comparison of Radiological Methods for the Study and Diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis: Simple Radiography and Computed Tomography: Byung Soon Choi; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1995;7(2):390-424. Published online October 31, 1995; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1995.7.2.390

Abstract PDF

The classification for pneumoconiosis which was developed by International Labour Office(ILO) on the basis of Radiological findings of simple chest radiography has been widely used for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. But many problems have been revealed during the pneumoconiosis study using this classification. Those problems come from simple radiography itself or classification systems. Among those, inter-reader and intra-reader variability are the severest problems, even though many efforts have been devoted to lessen the variability. With introduction of computed tomography (conventional CT and HRCT), we are learning many new aspects about the occupational lung diseases, especially pneumoconiosis. So the studies for pneumoconiosis using tomography are reviewed, focusing on silicosis, coalworkers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. But in our country, the studies of that kind are very scant. It is necessary to study and diagnose pneumoconiosis by CT, because that is the need of workers and the responsibility of physicians working in the field of occupational medicine. CT is superior to simple radiography in early detection, determination of severity, and follow-up of pneumoconiosis. But simple radiography is and should be the main method for the study and diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. Although, because of radiation hazard, cost, time, and geographical availability, the method can not and should not be used on the routine basis, we have to consider the use of CT, if possible and if necessary. Before using CT widely, we should develop the standardized criteria regarding to scanning methods and reading criteria. If not, the same problems as those of simple radiography will be occurred, and then there will be no progress in occupational medicine and workers' health.

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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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