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.

Citations

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Regional impacts on air quality and health of changing a manufacturing facility’s grid-boiler to a combined heat and power system
Elaheh Safaei Kouchaksaraei, Ali Khosravani Semnani, Kody M. Powell, Kerry E. Kelly
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association.2023; 73(10): 760. CrossRef
Risk perceptions of a population living near a municipal waste incinerator and associated factors with the prevalence of environmental disease
Dong Hyun Kim, Chae Kwan Lee, Jeong Ho Kim, Byung Chul Son, Chunhui Suh, Kunhyung Kim, Byeong Jin Ye
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Assessing the Impact of Emissions of Severodonetsk Cogeneration Plant on the Health of the Urban Population
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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

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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
Koichi Yoshida
Nihon Shoni Arerugi Gakkaishi. The Japanese Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology.2023; 37(1): 18. CrossRef
Health Effects Associated With Humidifier Disinfectant Use: A Systematic Review for Exploration
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
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Kyung Suk Lee
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Research Article

Association between green areas and allergic disease in Korean adults: a cross-sectional study: Hyun-Jin Kim, Jin-young Min, Hye-Jin Kim, Kyoung-bok Min; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e5. Published online January 22, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e5

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Background

Although many epidemiological studies have reported the inverse associations between greenness and health outcomes, inconsistent associations in allergic diseases remain an issue. We aimed to identify associations between greenness and allergic diseases among Korean adults.

Methods

In total, 219,298 adults from the 2009 Korea Community Health Survey were included in this study. Individuals' allergy-related conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, were evaluated. To identify the amount of green areas (m²) per capita in each administrative region, we used the 2009 data for green areas from the Korean Statistical Information Service.

Results

The risk for atopic dermatitis in the highest quartile of green areas was significantly lower compared with that of the lowest quartile. Physician's diagnosis and current treatment of odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 0.82 (0.73–0.91) and 0.77 (0.64–0.92), respectively. Similarly, the association results for allergic rhinitis showed that the highest level of green areas was significantly associated with a decreased risk of allergic rhinitis in full-adjustment model quartiles. Physician's diagnosis and current treatment of OR (95% CI) were 0.94 (0.89–0.99) and 0.91 (0.82–1.00), respectively.

Conclusions

We observed inverse associations of green areas with atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis in Korean adults.

Citations

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Association of Soda Drinks and Fast Food with Allergic Diseases in Korean Adolescents: A Nationwide Representative Study
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Greenness and its composition and configuration in association with allergic rhinitis in preschool children
Han Chen, Xia Meng, Yongfu Yu, Jin Sun, Zhiping Niu, Jing Wei, Ling Zhang, Chan Lu, Wei Yu, Tingting Wang, Xiaohong Zheng, Dan Norbäck, Magnus Svartengren, Xin Zhang, Zhuohui Zhao
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Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.2023; 151(3): 656. CrossRef
Greenness and chronic respiratory health issues: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mingcheng Tang, Wei Liu, Haifang Li, Fengyi Li
Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Association between exposure to greenness and atopic march in children and adults—A systematic review and meta-analysis
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Case Report

A Case of Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Suspected to be Caused by Exposure to Ethyl Cyanoacrylate: Soon Woo Jang, Ki Chul Nam, Hyung Joon Jhun, Byoung Gwon Kim, Jong Tae Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(3):283-288. Published online September 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.3.283

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Ethyl cyanoacrylate is used as a component of adhesives used in the industrial, domestic, and medical fields. It is known to cause mucosal irritation, contact dermatitis and respiratory discomfort. However, reports of combined occupational asthma and rhinitis are rare, especially in Korea. We report a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.
CASE
REPORT: A 36-year-old woman presented with rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea and chest discomfort after exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive at an assembly area of a plastic products manufacturing company. Nasal endoscopy revealed watery rhinorrhea and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, which were compatible with rhinitis. The methacholine provocation test showed a positive result. Daily variability of peak expiratory flow increased on work days, but decreased during non-work days. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as a combination of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.
CONCLUSION
There needs to be increased awareness regarding occupational asth-ma and rhinitis caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.

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Original Article

Prevalence of Allergic Diseases of Workers Exposed to Phthalic Anhydride: Hyun Sul Lim, Soo Keun Kim, Ki Sik Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(4):493-504. Published online December 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.4.493

Abstract PDF: Phthalic anhydride (PA) is widely used in the production of alkyd and unsaturated polyester resins. It has been reported that some workers exposed to PA have developed dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma. The authors intended to investigate the prevalence of PA induced allergic diseases and to develop preventive measures of occupational diseases. Forty-five male workers from PA production and handling were selected as an exposure group. Forty-four male workers not handling PA at the same factory were chosen as a reference group. A symptom questionnaire, doctor's examination, eosinophil count, serum-total IgE and PA-specific IgE were done on the subjects. There were no significant differences in age, educational level, tenure or smoking habits between groups. Most clinical symptoms were significantly more frequent among the exposure group than the reference group: sneezing(62.2 %), rhinorrhea(57.8 %), nasal stuffiness(53.3 %), coughing(44.4 %) and nasal itching(35.6 %) were the major symptoms among the exposure group (p<0.01, p<0.05). There were no significant differences in eosinophil count and serum-total IgE between groups but the mean level in PA-specific IgE, in the exposure group, was statistically significantly higher than the reference group (p<0.01). Abnormal rates of eosinophil count, serum-total IgE and PA-specific IgE were not significantly different from each other. The prevalence rate was 68.9 % (31 cases) for allergic rhinitis in the exposure group, statistically significantly higher than the reference group (p<0.01). The prevalence rate was 6.7 %(3 cases) for bronchial asthma and contact dermatitis in the exposure group, not more statistically significant than the reference group. In the exposure group, the prevalence rate for age, educational level, tenure, smoking habits and use of protective devices are not statistically significant. In PA-specific IgE, sensitivity is 10.8 %, specificity is 100.0 %, positive predictability is 100.0 % and negative predictability is 61.2 % when criteria point is 3.5 KU/l or above. As a result, it was recognized that the exposure group had a high prevalence of PA induced allergic rhinitis. Also, in diagnosis of PA induced allergic diseases, medical histories and specific symptoms were the most important where as eosinophil count, serum total IgE are the only indirect informations. PA-specific IgE has been needed to evaluate the meanings more.

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