Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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Radiation-related occupational cancer and its recognition criteria in South Korea: Songwon Seo, Dalnim Lee, Ki Moon Seong, Sunhoo Park, Soo-Geun Kim, Jong-Uk Won, Young Woo Jin; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:9. Published online February 2, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0219-y

Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen, and is listed as one carcinogenic agent of occupational cancer. Given the increase in the number of workers exposed to radiation, as well as the increase in concern regarding occupational cancer, the number of radiation-related occupational cancer claims is expected to increase. Unlike exposure assessment of other carcinogenic agents in the workplace, such as asbestos and benzene, radiation exposure is usually assessed on an individual basis with personal dosimeters, which makes it feasible to assess whether a worker’s cancer occurrence is associated with their individual exposure. However, given the absence of a threshold dose for cancer initiation, it remains difficult to identify radiation exposure as the root cause of occupational cancer. Moreover, the association between cancer and radiation exposure in the workplace has not been clearly established due to a lack of scientific evidence. Therefore, criteria for the recognition of radiation-related occupational cancer should be carefully reviewed and updated with new scientific evidence and social consensus. The current criteria in Korea are valid in terms of eligible radiogenic cancer sites, adequate latent period, assessment of radiation exposure, and probability of causation. However, reducing uncertainty with respect to the determination of causation between exposure and cancer and developing more specific criteria that considers mixed exposure to radiation and other carcinogenic agents remains an important open question.

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Predictive DNA damage signaling for low‑dose ionizing radiation
Jeong-In Park, Seung-Youn Jung, Kyung-Hee Song, Dong-Hyeon Lee, Jiyeon Ahn, Sang-Gu Hwang, In-Su Jung, Dae-Seog Lim, Jie-Young Song
International Journal of Molecular Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Fuzzy-Based Bioengineering System for Predicting and Diagnosing Diseases of the Nervous System Triggered by the Interaction of Industrial Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
Nikolay Aleexevich Korenevskiy, Riad Taha Al-Kasasbeh, Evgenia A. Krikunova, Sofia N. Rodionova, Ashraf Shaqdan, Osama M. Al-Habahbeh, Sergey Filist, Mahdi Salman Alshamasin, Mohammad S. Khrisat, Maksim Ilyash
Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering.2024; 52(5): 1. CrossRef
INTENSITY OF OXIDATIVE PROCESSES IN BLOOD AND LEVEL OF APOPTOSIS IN BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN RADIOLOGISTS/X-RAY TECHNOLOGIES EXPOSED TO SMALL DOSES OF IONIZING RADIATION
O. A. Glavin, E. A. Domina, V. S. Ivankova, V. M. Mikhailenko, L. I. Makovetska, T. V. Khrulenko, M. O. Druzhyna
Проблеми радіаційної медицини та радіобіології = Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.2023; 28: 191. CrossRef
Dose-Response Effects of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation on Blood Parameters in Industrial Irradiation Workers
Jia-jia Guo, Ning Liu, Zheng Ma, Zi-jun Gong, Yue-lang Liang, Qi Cheng, Xin-guang Zhong, Zhen-jiang Yao
Dose-Response.2022; 20(2): 155932582211056. CrossRef
Assessment of risks for breast cancer in a flight attendant exposed to night shift work and cosmic ionizing radiation: a case report
Dong Joon Park, Sungkyun Park, Seong Won Ma, Hoekyeong Seo, Sang Gil Lee, Kyung-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Problem of the Relationship of the Developed Oncological Disease with Radiation in Conditions of Production
I. Galstyan, V. Nugis, F. Torubarov, B. Kukhta, M. Konchalovsky, A. Kretov, A. Bushmanov
Medical Radiology and radiation safety.2021; 65(6): 76. CrossRef
Effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation on changing platelets: a prospective cohort study
Ning Liu, Yang Peng, Xinguang Zhong, Zheng Ma, Suiping He, Ying Li, Wencui Zhang, Zijun Gong, Zhenjiang Yao
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Demographic and onco-epidemiological situation in radioactive contaminated territory of Zhytomyr Oblast
L. O. Herasymchuk, G. M. Martenyuk, R. A. Valerko, M. M. Kravchuk
Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems.2019; 10(1): 32. CrossRef
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
DNA damage response in workers exposed to low-dose ionising radiation
Simona Gaetani, Federica Monaco, Massimo Bracci, Veronica Ciarapica, Giulia Impollonia, Matteo Valentino, Marco Tomasetti, Lory Santarelli, Monica Amati
Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018; 75(10): 724. CrossRef

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Original Article

Reliability of a Questionnaire in an Epidemiological Study for Nuclear Power Plants Workers in Korea: Han Na Kim, Meeseon Jeong, Eun Sook Park, Su Jin Suh, Young Woo Jin; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(2):122-128. Published online June 30, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.2.122

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the reliability of a questionnaire from an epidemiological study for nuclear power plants workers in Korea.
METHODS
Among a total of 8,832 nuclear power plants workers who participated in the questionnaire survey, we selected 646 workers who repeatedly submitted the self-reported questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire for the categorical items was measured using kappa statistics and percentages of exact agreement, false disagreement and positive disagreement. Significance was evaluated for the continuous items by paired t-tests and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs).
RESULTS
The questionnaire was observed to be highly reliable for the smoking history (kappa=0.85), which is known as an important confounding factor in assessing the cancer risk among radiation workers. Education level as a surrogate for the socio-economic status also appeared to be highly reliable with a kappa=0.89 and 95.09% of exact agreement. The history of alcohol drinking, medical exams and diseases showed more than moderately good agreement between the first and second responses (kappa>0.4). The self-reported values for physical measurements, the smoking period and smoking amount, and the period of alcohol drinking were highly correlated between the two responses (ICC>0.7).
CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire from an epidemiological study for nuclear power plants workers in Korea was found to be reliable for most items. To estimate the cancer or noncancer risk for nuclear power plants workers, we need to use the national database for incidence of diseases or death from diseases and the exposure history, and the medical records as well as the data collected from this study.

Citations

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Reliability and Validity of a Nationwide Survey (the Korean Radiation Workers Study)
Dalnim Lee, Wan Young Lim, Soojin Park, Young Woo Jin, Won Jin Lee, Sunhoo Park, Songwon Seo
Safety and Health at Work.2021; 12(4): 445. CrossRef
The monetary value of the man-mSv for Korean NPP radiation workers assessed by the radiation aversion factor
B.-i. Lee, D.-h. Suh, S.-i. Kim, M.-s. Jeong, Y.-k. Lim
Radiation Protection Dosimetry.2012; 150(4): 516. CrossRef

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Original Article

Low-dose Gamma-irradiation Effect on Early Stage Development and Lifespan in Various Strains of Drosophila melanogaster: Jin Woo Lee, Ki Moon Seong, Cha Soon Kim, Seon Young Nam, Kwang Hee Yang, Young Woo Jin; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):225-232. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.225

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Although ionizing radiation is recognized as being harmful to humans, debate continues regarding the effects of low doses of ionizing radiation. Some studies have reported that low doses of ionizing radiation have a bio-positive effect, namely hormesis, and many researchers have attempted to find concrete and scientific evidence to prove this. To determine whether the discrepancy in effects of low doses of ionizing radiation arises from genetic differences, a study with a multicellular organism system such as fruit flies is needed.
METHODS
After irradiation at a low-dose rate of gamma radiation with chronic (0.2 Gy) and acute (0.2, 0.75 and 4 Gy), the pupa rate, eclosion rate and life span were examined with various wild type strains of Drosophila melanogaster such as W1118, Oregon-R, and Canton-S.
RESULTS
The life span of Oregon-R exposed to both acute and chronic, low-dose radiation (0.2 Gy) was increased. Although there was some difference in the longevity between the acute and chronic radiation rate, no other differences were found. In Canton-S, only acute dose (0.75 Gy) increased the life span, but it did not in W1118.
CONCLUSIONS
Although there were some differences between wild type fruit fly strains in longevity, the low doses of ionizing radiation extended the life span of D. melanogaster. Further studies need to be carried out to explain the difference according to dose and dose rate of radiation in the tested strains.

Citations

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Low doses of radiation can enhance insect lifespans
Edward J. Calabrese
Biogerontology.2013; 14(4): 365. CrossRef
Genome-wide analysis of low-dose irradiated male Drosophila melanogaster with extended longevity
Ki Moon Seong, Cha Soon Kim, Sun-Won Seo, Ha Yeon Jeon, Byung-Sub Lee, Seon Young Nam, Kwang Hee Yang, Ji-Young Kim, Chong Soon Kim, Kyung-Jin Min, Young-Woo Jin
Biogerontology.2011; 12(2): 93. CrossRef

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Original Article

Use of Screening Dose to Evaluate the Work-relatedness of Cancers Occurring among Korean Radiation Workers: Meeseon Jeong, Young Woo Jin, Hyun Sul Lim, Chong Soon Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(3):196-203. Published online September 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.3.196

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To propose a screening dose based on the probability of causation (PC) to simplify the evaluation procedure for the work-relatedness of the cancers occurring among Korean radiation workers.
METHODS
Under the PC uncertainty distribution, the screening dose was defined in which the maximum PC is equivalent to 50% for single exposure to radiation, after which the values were calculated according to three significance levels: 90%, 95%, and 99%. By using the screening doses for each cancer, we also predicted the number of compensations for the occupational cancers among the current Korean radiation workers to determine a reasonable criterion for the significance level.
RESULTS
If the cumulative dose received by a radiation worker with cancer is less than the screening dose, then PC can not be greater than 50%, i.e., the case can not be awarded as an occupational disease. The numbers of compensation cases for a future decade were predicted to be 3-5, 4-6, and 6-10 at the significance levels of 90%, 95%, and 99%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The procedure to evaluate the occupational disease was greatly simplified by using the screening dose for evaluation. A criterion of 95% was recommended as the PC upper limit following consideration for the results of the predicted cases for compensation and the economic circumstances in Korea.

Citations

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The work-relatedness at a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a radiation oncologist
Bong Hyun Kim, Young-Jun Kwon, Young-Su Ju, Bong Kyu Kim, Hyun Seok Lee, Sang-gil Lee, Yun Kyung Chung
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
A case of chronic myeloid leukemia in a diagnostic radiographer
Chulyong Park, Sungyeul Choi, Dohyung Kim, Jaechan Park, Saerom Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[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
Health Disorders Caused by Physical Factors among Health Care Workers - Focusing on Ionizing Radiation -
Hyun-Sul Lim
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2010; 53(6): 483. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in 40-59 year-old male workers: Yun Kyun Chang, Hyun Ju Seo, Young Woo Jin, Mi Seon Joeng, Suk Hee Sung, Doo Yong Park, Chong Soon Kim, Soo Geun Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):130-137. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.130

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteopenia and osteoporosis in 40-59 year-old male workers working at nuclear power plants.
METHODS
Bone density, body composition, and anthropometry data were analyzed for 2,073 subjects were carried out from March 2004 to July, 2004. Educational level, smoking status, drinking status and frequency of physical activity were investigated by self-reported questionnaires through internet to identify lifestyles related to bone mass density. Bone mass density was measured by EXE-3000 of Osteosys Co. and body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio by Inbody 3.0 of Biospace Co.
RESULTS
The prevalence of ostepeniaosteopenia and osteoporosis was 22.8% and 3.0%, respectively. According to multinominal multinomial logistic regression analysis, age, smoking status (current smoker and former smoker), low body mass index (< 25 kg/m2), and frequency of physical activity were significantly associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis wasseemed high for the, when it was inferred from subjects' age compared to the results of previous studies. The This study results suggeststhat it is necessary for 40-59 year-old male workers to stop smoking, and exercise regularly in order to prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis.

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Gender Differences and Socioeconomic Factors Related to Osteoporosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Nationally Representative Data
Jin-Won Noh, Hyunchun Park, Minji Kim, Young Dae Kwon
Journal of Women's Health.2018; 27(2): 196. CrossRef
Factors related to Osteopenia in Community People
Sung Hey Kim, Young Hee Lee
Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2015; 29(2): 177. CrossRef
Lifestyles and Factors Influencing the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) among Employees in a Community
Kyung-Shin Paek
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2013; 24(2): 236. CrossRef
The Relationship between Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition, Life Styles of Female College Students
Jong-Hyun Lee, Bo-Kyung Lee, Young-Soon Kim
The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition.2011; 24(4): 786. CrossRef
A Study on the Level of Awareness and Self-Efficacy of Osteoporosis in Young Women
Euysoon Choi, Ju Young Lee
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2010; 16(2): 204. CrossRef
A Multicenter Prospective Study of the Risk Factors Affecting Bone Mineral Density in Korean Patients with Prostate Cancer
Seung Il Jung, Sun-Ouck Kim, Taek Won Kang, Dong Deuk Kwon, Jong Yeon Park, Jun Cheon, Hyun Moo Lee, Sung Joon Hong, Han Yong Choi, Soo Bang Ryu
Korean Journal of Urology.2009; 50(4): 327. CrossRef

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Original Article

Daytime Sleepiness and Fatigue in Male Adults in relation to Shift Work: Kyung Hyun Son, Soo Geun Kim, Young Woo Jin, Sung Hyo Kim, Soon Young Kim, Yoo Soon Bang, Sun Seog Kweon, Min Ho Shin, Seul Ki Jeong, Hae Sung Nam; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(3):199-207. Published online September 30, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.3.199

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to examine daytime sleepiness-related factors, including sleeping patterns and daytime activities, in shift and non-shift workers.
METHODS
One hundred and twenty two shift workers, and two hundred and fifty four non-shift workers, were selected and identified in terms of their general characteristics, such as age, tenure, educational level, marital status and religion. Screening questionnaires were composed of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for evaluation of daytime sleepiness, the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS) for fatigue, and the Korean version of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for sleeping patterns.
RESULTS
The shift worker group reported significantly higher rates of sleep disturbance and higher fatigue scores compared with the non-shift workers (all p<0.01). The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was higher in the shift workers (19.7%) than the non-shift workers (10.6%) (p<0.05). The significant daytime sleepiness-related factors were found to be shift work, tenure and difficulties in falling back to sleep once woken (p<0.05). Shift work was proved to be an important factor in workers aged less than 40 years (p<0.05). However, this association was not evident in workers aged 40 years and over.
CONCLUSIONS
The shift workers showed a significantly higher prevalence of daytime sleepiness compared with the non-shift workers. The present study suggests a need for the implementation of sleeping and fatigue management programs for shift workers in order to improve working efficiency and control safety accidents during shift work.

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Sleep and Cognitive Function in Shift Working Police Officers: Focusing on the Night Nap
Yujin Hong, Sangha Lee, Ji-young Lee, Sooyeon Suh
Journal of Sleep Medicine.2020; 17(2): 113. CrossRef
The Impact of Sleep Disorder and Job Stress on Turnover Intention of Shift-Working Nurses
Eun Ok Yang, In Ryung Choi, Seong-Min Kim
Korean Journal of Stress Research.2017; 25(4): 255. CrossRef
Effects of Sleep and Fatigue on Soldiers Health Promoting Behaviors in Korean Army
Eunji Hong, Smi Choi-Kwon
Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2016; 28(1): 106. CrossRef
Association Night-Shift and Long Working-Hours Effects on Subjective Insomnia in Korean Workers: The Third Korean Working Conditions Survey
Chae-Bong Kim, Tae-Young Jung, Seoung-Min Han
The Korean Journal of Health Service Management.2015; 9(1): 41. CrossRef
Concept Analysis of Shift Work Maladaptation Syndrome
Mi-Jeong Yun, Eun-Nam Lee, Youn-Hui Won
Journal of muscle and joint health.2014; 21(2): 135. CrossRef
The association between shift work and hyperuricemia in steelmaking male workers
Jae-Seok Oh, Won-Jun Choi, Min-Kee Lee, Sung-Woo Han, Seung-Ho Song, Jong-Wan Yun, Sang-Hwan Han
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef
Effects of Fatigue on Health Promotion Behavior and Mental Health of Automotive Manufacturing Workers
Kyung-Hee Lee, Kyung-Sook Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2011; 20(2): 143. CrossRef

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Original Article

The Work-Related Cases among Bronchial Asthma Diagnosed at a University Hospital in Incheon: Chang Ho Chae, Seung Won Choi, Youg Hyu Choi, Young Woo Jin, Eun A Kim, Seong Kyu Kang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(2):174-180. Published online June 30, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.2.174

Abstract PDF

Bronchial Asthma could be developed by occupational origin. 4-16% of bronchial asthmas are known to be related to occupational exposure. However, occupational asthma has not been reported from the periodic occupational health examination, but reported through case report from clinicians. The authors analysed hospital records to find out work-related bronchial asthma and their occupational characteristics at a university hospital in Jnchon. All records which were confirmed as bronchial asthma in adult by an allergist from June, 1996 to May, 1998 were selected. Through record reviewing, any suspected work related asthma was selected and the interview was done by phone or at the out-patient clinic. The possible cases were confirmed by additional tests including specific bronchial provocation test. Sixteen(3. 9%) out of 411 bronchial asthma were confirmed as work-related asthma. Eight cases out of 16 worked at furniture industry, three worked at dye manufacturing and two worked at musical instrument manufacturing industry. Others worked at farm and machinary industry. The confirmed asthmogen were toluene diisocyante(8), reactive dye(3), and grain dust(1). None of the cases was detected as work-related asthma in the periodic health examination. Twelve out of sixteen occupational asthma patients discontinued their work. The results suggested that many patients with occupational asthma were not reported and the periodic health examination was not an effective system for detecting the workrelated asthma. Thus, setting up the surveillance system involving allergist or pulmonologist would be important to detect and prevent occupational asthma.

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Clinical Importance of Work-Exacerbated Asthma: Findings From a Prospective Asthma Cohort in a Highly Industrialized City in Korea
Woori Jo, Kwang Won Seo, Hwa Sik Jung, Chui Yong Park, Byung Ju Kang, Hyeon Hui Kang, Seung Won Ra, Yangjin Jegal, Jong Joon Ahn, Soon Eun Park, Moon Sik Jung, Ju Ik Park, Eun Ji Park, Chang Sun Sim, Tae-Bum Kim, Taehoon Lee
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research.2021; 13(2): 256. CrossRef
Work-Related Asthma in Korea - Findings from the Korea Work-Related Asthma Surveillance (KOWAS) program, 2004-2009
Soon-Chan Kwon, Jaechul Song, Yong-kyu Kim, Geoffrey M. Calvert
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research.2015; 7(1): 51. CrossRef
Occupational Asthma in Korea
Sung Soo Oh, Kyoo Sang Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S20. CrossRef
Occupational Diseases in Korea
Seong-Kyu Kang, Eun A Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S4. CrossRef

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