Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Case Report

High lead exposure in two leaded bronze ingot foundry workers: Yoojun Song, Chunhui Suh, Shin-Ae Kim, Nami Kim, Sung-Min Kim, Seong-Wook Jeong, Se-Yeong Kim, Kun-Hyung Kim, Jeong-Ho Kim, Byung-Chul Son, Chae-Kwan Lee, Jong-Tae Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:38. Published online December 1, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0038-8

Background

Awareness about lead poisoning in South Korea has increased; however, occupational exposures occurring in small-scale businesses have not been thoroughly investigated. We report two cases of high lead exposure in a leaded bronze ingot foundry.

Case presentation

Two employees, a 54-year-old primary operator and a 46-year-old assistant, at a small-scale metalworking company who had been employed for 18 years and 1 month, respectively, showed elevated blood lead levels (61.1 μg/dL and 51.7 μg/dL, respectively) at an occupational health checkup. Neither worker complained of abnormal symptoms nor signs related to lead poisoning. Health assessment follow-ups were conducted and biological exposure indices of lead were calculated every four weeks. After the initial follow-up assessment, both workers were relocated from the foundry process to the metalworking process. In addition, a localized exhaust system was installed after the second follow-up.

Conclusions

Foundry workers in a small-scale businesses might be at high risk of lead exposure because these businesses might be vulnerable to poor industrial hygiene. Therefore, regular occupational health checkups are required.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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Kyung Wook Kang, Won-Ju Park
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2017; 32(10): 1713. CrossRef
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Won-Ju Park, Suk-Ho Lee, Se-Ho Lee, Hye-Sik Yoon, Jai-Dong Moon
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2016; 31(4): 497. CrossRef

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Research Article

Effectiveness of a Comprehensive Stress Management Program to Reduce Work-Related Stress in a Medium-Sized Enterprise: Shin-Ae Kim, Chunhui Suh, Mi-Hee Park, Kunhyung Kim, Chae-Kwan Lee, Byung-Chul Son, Jeong-Ho Kim, Jong-Tae Lee, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Kabsoon Kang, Hyunjin Jung; Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:4-4. Published online February 13, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-26-4

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive workplace stress management program consisting of participatory action-oriented training (PAOT) and individual management.

Methods

A comprehensive workplace stress management program was conducted in a medium-sized enterprise. The baseline survey was conducted in September 2011, using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) and Worker’s Stress Response Inventory (WSRI). After implementing both organizational and individual level interventions, the follow up evaluation was conducted in November 2011.

Results

Most of the workers participated in the organizational level PAOT and made Team-based improvement plans. Based on the stress survey, 24 workers were interviewed by a researcher. After the organizational and individual level interventions, there was a reduction of several adverse psychosocial factors and stress responses. In the case of blue-collar workers, psychosocial factors such as the physical environment, job demands, organizational system, lack of rewards, and occupational climate were significantly improved; in the case of white-collar workers, the occupational climate was improved.

Conclusions

In light of these results, we concluded that the comprehensive stress management program was effective in reducing work-related stress in a short-term period. A persistent long-term follow up is necessary to determine whether the observed effects are maintained over time. Both team-based improvement activities and individual interviews have to be sustainable and complementary to each other under the long-term plan.

Citations

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193 View
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15 Crossref

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