Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Incidence rates of injury, musculoskeletal, skin, pulmonary and chronic diseases among construction workers by classification of occupations in South Korea: a 1,027 subject-based cohort of the Korean Construction Worker’s Cohort (KCWC): Seungho Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim, Youngki Kim, Dongmug Kang, Seung Chan Kim, Se-Yeong Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e26. Published online July 24, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e26

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Background

The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in incidence rates of targeted diseases by classification of occupations among construction workers in Korea.

Methods

In a subject-based cohort of the Korean Construction Worker’s Cohort, we surveyed a total of 1,027 construction workers. As occupational exposure, the classification of occupations was developed using two axes: construction business and job type. To analyze disease incidence, we linked survey data with National Health Insurance Service data. Eleven target disease categories with high prevalence or estimated work-relatedness among construction workers were evaluated in our study. The average incidence rates were calculated as cases per 1,000 person-years (PY).

Results

Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes had the highest incidence rate of 344.08 per 1,000 PY, followed by disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue for 208.64 and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for 197.87 in our cohort. We especially found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in construction painters, civil engineering welders, and civil engineering frame mold carpenters, asthma in construction painters, landscape, and construction water proofers, interstitial lung diseases in construction water proofers.

Conclusions

This is the first study to systematically classify complex construction occupations in order to analyze occupational diseases in Korean construction workers. There were differences in disease incidences among construction workers based on the classification of occupations. It is necessary to develop customized occupational safety and health policies for high-risk occupations for each disease in the construction industry.

한국 건설업 종사자의 손상, 근골격계 질환, 피부, 호흡기 및 만성질환의 건설 직종에 따른 발생률: 한국 건설업 종사자 코호트(KCWC) 의 1027명 대상자 기반 세부 코호트 분석
목적
본 연구의 목적은 한국 건설업 종사자에 있어 주요 질환의 건설 직종별 발생률 차이를 알아보는 것이다.
방법
한국 건설업 종사자 코호트(KCWC)의 대상자 기반 세부 코호트로 총 1,027명의 건설업 종사자가 1:1면접설문조사를 통해 입적되었다. 직업적 노출요인으로 직종은 크게 건설산업환경과 직무 두 가지 축으로 분류되었다: 직업적 노출(설문조사) 자료와 국민건강보험공단 청구 맞춤형 자료를 연계하여 질환의 평균 발생률을 분석하였다. 주요 질환은 건설업 종사자에서 유병률이 높거나 업무 관련성이 있을 것으로 추정되는 11개의 대상 질환을 평가하였다. 질환별 평균 발생률은 1,000인년당 발병 사례수(명)으로 계산하였다.
결과
손상, 중독 및 외인에 의한 특정 기타 결과가 1,000인년당 344.08명으로 가장 높은 발생률을 보였고, 그 다음으로 근골격계 및 결체조직의 질환이 1,000인년당 208.64명, 피부 및 피하조직 질환이 1,000인녕당 197.87명 순으로 높았다. 특히, 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환이 건축 도장공, 토목 용접공, 토목 형틀목공에서 타 직종에 비해 상대적으로 높은 발생률을 보였고, 천식은 건축 도장공, 조경, 건축 방수공에서, 간질성 폐질환은 건축 방수공에서 상대적으로 높은 발생률을 보였다.
결론
본 연구는 한국 건설업 종사자의 주요 직업성 질환 및 호발 질환 등을 복잡한 건설산업의 직종을 체계적으로 분류하여 분석한 최초의 연구로 연구진들은 건설업 종사자의 질환별 발생률에 있어 직종별 차이를 확인하였다. 건설 산업에서 각 질환별 고위험 직종별로 맞춤형 산업안전보건정책 개발이 필요하다.

Citations

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Work Performance Among Workers without Disabilities after Industrial Accidents: A Longitudinal Study
Chong Min Hong
The Open Public Health Journal.2024;[Epub] CrossRef

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Case Report

Occupational asthma related to indoor air pollution in a worker at an indoor air gun shooting range: a case report: Kwang Min Lee, Seungho Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim, Seung-eun Lee, Youngki Kim, Dongmug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e13. Published online June 19, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e13

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Background

Indoor air pollution can cause and exacerbate asthma. We report a previously undescribed case of occupational asthma related to indoor air pollution in a worker at an indoor air gun shooting range and highlight the potential risk of developing occupational asthma in this environment.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old man presented with dyspnea, cough, and sputum and was diagnosed with asthma complicated by pneumonia. Objective evidence of asthma was obtained by performing a methacholine bronchial provocation test. It was suspected that the patient had occupational asthma, which began one month after changing jobs to work within the indoor air gun shooting range. The highest peak expiratory flow (PEF) diurnal variability on working days was 15%, but the highest variation was 24%, with 4 days out of 4 weeks having a variation of over 20% related to workplace exposure. Conversely, the diurnal variability on the rest days was 7%, and no day showed a variation exceeding 20%. The difference in the average PEF between working and rest days was 52 L/min. PEF deterioration during working days and improvement on rest days were noted.

Conclusions

The results obtained from the in-depth analysis of the PEF were adequate to diagnose the patient with occupational asthma. Exposure to indoor air pollution and lead and the patient’s atopy and allergic rhinitis may have contributed to the development of occupational asthma.

실내 공기총 사격장 근로자의 실내공기오염관련 직업성 천식 증례보고
a배경: 실내공기오염은 천식을 유발하고 악화시킬 수 있다. 본 연구는 실내 공기총 사격장에서 일하는 근로자의 실내 공기 오염과 관련된 이전에 기술되지 않은 직업성 천식 사례를 보고하고, 이러한 환경에서 직업성 천식 발병의 잠재적 위험을 강조한다.
증례
31세 남자가 호흡곤란, 기침, 가래 증상이 나타나 내원하였고, 폐렴이 동반된 천식으로 진단되었다. 천식의 객관적인 증거는 메타콜린 기관지유발검사를 시행하여 획득하였다. 환자는 실내공기총 사격장에서 근무하기 위해 이직한지 한달만에 직업성 천식을 앓고 있는 것으로 의심되었다. 근무일의 최고호기유량(PEF) 주간 변동성은 15%였지만, 가장 높은 변동성은 24%였으며, 4주 중 4일은 작업장 노출과 관련하여 20% 이상의 변동성을 보였다. 반대로 쉬는 날의 일교차는 7%로 20%를 넘는 날은 없었다. 근무일과 휴식일 사이의 평균 최고호기유량(PEF) 차이는 52 L/min이었다. 근무일 동안 PEF 악화 및 휴식일의 개선이 주목되었다.
결론
최고호기유량(PEF)의 심층분석결과는 직업성 천식 환자를 진단하기에 적합하였다. 실내공기오염과 납 노출, 환자의 아토피와 알레르기성 비염이 직업성 천식 발병에 기여했을 가능성이 있다.

Citations

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Recent developments in occupational asthma
Claudia Blouin, Catherine Lemière
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine.2024; 30(3): 281. CrossRef
Occupational agents-mediated asthma: From the perspective of autophagy
Xiu He, Dengxiang Yao, Xiaoli Yuan, Jiaqi Ban, Yuxuan Gou, Mingdan You
Science of The Total Environment.2024; 952: 175880. CrossRef

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Original Article

Relationship between of working hours, weekend work, and shift work and work-family conflicts among Korean manufacturers: Yohan Lee, SooYoung Lee, Yoon-Ji Kim, Youngki Kim, Se-Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e20. Published online August 8, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e20

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Background

In the manufacturing industry, work-family conflict (WFC) is related to working hour characteristics. Earlier studies on the relationship between working hour characteristics and WFC in the manufacturing industry have been limited to some regions in Korea. No study has addressed the data on a national scale. Thus, this study investigated the impact of weekly working hours, weekend work, and shift work on WFC using national-scale data.

Methods

This study was based on the fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey of 5,432 manufacturers. WFC consists of 5 variables; WFC1 “kept worrying about work”; WFC2 “felt too tired after work”; WFC3 “work prevented time for family”; WFC4 “difficult to concentrate on work”; WFC5 “family responsibilities prevented time for work”. As WFC refers to the inter-role conflict between the need for paid work and family work, WFC has been measured in two directions, work to family conflict (WTFC: WFC1, 2, 3) and family to work conflict (FTWC: WFC4, 5). With these WFC variables, we conducted multiple logistic analyses to study how working hours, weekend work, and shift work impact WFC.

Results

Korean manufacturers’ prolonged working hours increased all aspects of WFCs. Odds ratios (ORs) of WFCs based on working hours (reference of under 40 hours) of 41–52, 53–60, over 61 were 1.247, 1.611, 2.279 (WFC1); 1.111, 2.561, 6.442 (WFC2); 1.219, 3.495, 8.327 (WFC3); 1.076, 2.019, 2.656 (WFC4); and 1.166, 1.592, 1.946 (WFC5), respectively. Shift-work in the WFC2 model showed a significantly higher OR of 1.390. Weekend work ‘only on Saturday’ had significant ORs with WFC2 (1.323) and WFC3 (1.552).

Conclusions

An increase in working hours leads to the spending of less time attending to problems between work and family, causing both WTFC and FTWC to increase. As weekends, evenings, and nighttime are considered to be family-friendly to people, working on weekends and shift-work were highly correlated to WTFC.

한국 제조업 노동자에서 근무시간, 주말근무 및 교대근무와 일-가정 양립의 관계
목적
현대 사회에서는 야간 근무를 포함하여 다양한 업무를 수행하는 교대 근무자가 증가하고 있다. 교대 근무는 장기적으로 근로자의 건강에 악영향을 미칠 수 있지만 교대 근무와 우울증의 관계에 대한 연구 결과는 일관성이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 PHQ-9로 예측한 우울증에 걸릴 위험이 높은 국내 야간 및 교대 근무 근로자 수가 주간 근로자보다 많은지 여부를 확인하고자 한다.
방법
본 연구는 제 6 차 및 제 7 차 국민 건강 영양 조사 자료 중 2014, 2016년 및 2018년의 자료를 바탕으로 진행되었다. 근무 일정은 주간 근무와 야간 및 교대근무로 구분 하였다. 이 연구는 우울증에 걸릴 위험이 있는 근로자를 결정하기 위해 자가 보고 우울증 선별 검사 인 PHQ-9를 사용하였다. SPSS 23.0을 이용하여 통계 분석을 수행하였고 통계적 방법으로는 기술 통계, 카이 제곱 분석, 로지스틱 회귀 분석을 사용 하였다.
결과
연령, 교육 수준, 주당 근무 시간 및 수입으로 보정 후 분석하였을 때, 야간 및 교대 근무 근로자에서 우울증 위험군에 해당하는 경우가 유의하게 더 높았으며(odds ratio [OR] = 1.407 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.937–2.113)), 이는 여성에서도 마찬가지로 나타났다(odds ratio [OR] = 1.564 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.176–2.081)).
결론
본 연구를 통해 야간 및 교대근무 근로자에서 PHQ-9 점수가 10점 이상인 우울증 위험군에 해당하는 경우가 유의하게 높음을 확인할 수 있었다. 현재 한국의 정신 병력과 증상의 유병률을 고려할 때 야간 근로자에게 현실적인 도움을 제공 할 수 있는 방법에 대한 추가 논의와 함께 추가 연구가 필요하다.

Citations

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Association between long working hours and the development of suicidal ideation among female workers: An 8-year population-based study using the Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women & Family (2012–2020)
Seong-Uk Baek, Yu-Min Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon
Psychiatry Research.2024; 333: 115731. CrossRef
Food Manufacturing Workers and Structural Causality among Work Environment, Work–Family Conflict, Musculoskeletal Pain, Sleep-Related Problems, and Burnout
Jun Won Kim, Byung Yong Jeong
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Seong-Uk Baek, Yu-Min Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon
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Seong-Uk Baek, Won-Tae Lee, Min-Seok Kim, Myeong-Hun Lim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.2023; 77(6): 355. CrossRef
Working hours and the onset of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms: A 10-year nationwide longitudinal study in South Korea (2012–2022)
Seong-Uk Baek, Min-Seok Kim, Myeong-Hun Lim, Taeyeon Kim, Jong-Uk Won, Jin-Ha Yoon
Psychiatry Research.2023; 326: 115344. CrossRef
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Seong-Uk Baek, Jong-Uk Won, Jin-Ha Yoon
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Sang Moon Choi, Chan Woo Kim, Hyoung Ouk Park, Yong Tae Park
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Journal of Korean Medical Science.2023;[Epub] CrossRef

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Erratum

Erratum: Asbestos exposure and autoantibody titers: Eunsoo Lee, Youngki Kim, Se Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e5. Published online February 5, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e5

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Research Articles

Asbestos exposure and autoantibody titers: Eunsoo Lee, Youngki Kim, Se Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e32. Published online September 1, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e32

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Background

Asbestos is a well-known hazardous substance that causes occupational and environmental diseases including asbestosis (lung fibrosis). Silica exposure which causes silicosis (another type of lung fibrosis) has long been linked to the development of autoimmune diseases; however, there are few studies on the relationship between asbestos exposure and autoimmune diseases.

Methods

A total of 54 individuals who had worked in a former asbestos textile factory underwent autoantibody-related blood tests, chest X-ray imaging, and pulmonary function tests. Based on the job exposure matrix (JEM), the estimated asbestos exposure concentrations were determined, and the presence of asbestosis was determined by chest radiography.

Results

Scleroderma (Scl-70) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies were significantly lowered in the pleural plaque present group than in the absent group. Additionally, Scl-70, RNP, and Sjögren's syndrome type B (SS-B) antibodies were significantly lowered in the asbestosis present group. When stratifying variables with or without asbestosis, Scl-70, Smith, SS-B, and RNP antibodies decreased in female, crocidolite handling group, and higher estimated asbestos exposure level group.

Conclusions

Contrary to our expectations that autoantibody titers would be higher in groups with high asbestos exposure or in the asbestosis group, those with asbestosis showed lower titers. But as our research has some methodological limitations, the lowered titer of autoimmune antibody in our asbestos exposed subjects could not be simply interpreted as a lowered risk of autoimmune diseases. So careful interpreting should be taken when examine autoantibodies to screening or diagnose autoimmune diseases in people with asbestos exposure. In addition, it is necessary to establish relevance of asbestosis and autoantibodies through further studies of larger scale and higher confidence levels.

Citations

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Amphibole asbestos as an environmental trigger for systemic autoimmune diseases
Jean C. Pfau, Brett McLaurin, Brenda J. Buck, Frederick W. Miller
Autoimmunity Reviews.2024; 23(7-8): 103603. CrossRef

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Distribution of working position among workers with varicose veins based on the National Health Insurance and National Employment Insurance data: Saemi Jung, Youngki Kim, Dongmug Kang, Se Yeong Kim, Inah Kim, Eun Mi Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2020;32:e21. Published online July 1, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2020.32.e21

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Background

This study aimed to determine the effect of specific working postures on the development of varicose veins (VV). By using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI) data, we analyzed the general characteristic and difference in proportions of VV cases according to occupational working posture.

Methods

From the NEI and NHI data, participant demographics, such as gender, age, body mass index, and number of workers in specific occupations or industries were obtained. We classified the 240 occupations into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) occupations and subdivided them into standing, sitting, and walking groups according to the dominant working posture.

Results

The number of VV patients per 100,000 individuals increased with age, with a higher number of women than men and a higher number of patients in the BC than WC groups. For the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest in the standing group, followed by the walking and sitting groups, but there was no significant difference between standing and walking groups in man. For the WC group, the standing group had a higher proportion of VV cases than the sitting group, but there was no significant difference between the standing and sitting group in man. In the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among medical and welfare-related elementary workers, bakers and cookie makers, automobile assemblers, cleaning and guarding-related elemental workers, and nurses and dental hygienists. In the WC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among food/lodging/tourism/entertainment/sports-related managers, environment/cleaning/protective services-related managers, finance and insurance clerks, accounting book-keeping clerks, and social welfare and counseling professionals.

Conclusions

This study was performed to determine the characteristics of VV with different working posture among Korean workers. It is expected to be the basis of further studies on occupational musculoskeletal diseases.

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Sergio GIANESINI, Emidia VAGNONI, Caterina CAVICCHI, Yung-Wei CHI, Anselmo PAGANI, Mirko TESSARI, Paolo ZAMBONI, Erica MENEGATTI
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Occupational morbidity and occupational injury in the food industry
V. Yu. Kontareva, S. N. Belik
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Martha Ofelia Correa Posada, Laura Maria Contreras Correa, John Fernando García Vélez
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Gender differences and site-specific incident risks of musculoskeletal disorders among 224 506 workers in the food and beverage service industry in Taiwan: A 15-year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Chiung-Yu Peng, Hui-Min Hsieh, Meng-Yun Li, Lih-Jiun Liaw, Chao-Ling Wang, Chih-Hong Pan, Ming-Tsang Wu
Journal of Occupational Health.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

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Comparison of facet joint degeneration in firefighters and hospital office workers: Dong Hyun Kim, Yon Soo An, Hyung Doo Kim, Kyoung Sook Jeong, Yeon-Soon Ahn, Kun-Hyung Kim, Youngki Kim, Han-Soo Song, Chul-Gab Lee, Young-Jun Kwon, Jin-Ha Yoon; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:24. Published online June 24, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0180-1

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Background

There are few published studies on the relationship between occupational lumbar load and facet joint degeneration (FJD). This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of physical lumbar load on FJD by comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of firefighters (FFs) and hospital office workers (HOWs).

Methods

We randomly sampled 341 male FFs and 80 male HOWs by age stratification. A questionnaire and clinical examination, including MRI of the lumbar spine (T12-S1), were conducted. FJD was diagnosed and graded by using the classification of Pathria et al., and reclassified into two groups as follows: no FJD (grade 0) and FJD (grades 1, 2, and 3). The prevalence of FJD was analyzed according to occupational group.

Results

The prevalence of FJD ranged from 31% (L1–L2) to 75% (L4–L5) in the FFs, and from 18% (L1–L2) to 69% (L4–L5) in the HOWs. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and frequency of physical exercise, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for FJD in the FFs were significantly higher than those in the HOWs at all lumbar spinal levels, except for L3–L4 (L1–L2: OR, 2.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.317–5.310; L2–L3: OR, 2.285; 95% CI, 1.304–4.006; L4–L5: OR, 1.918; 95% CI, 1.037–3.544; L5–S1: OR, 1.811; 95% CI, 1.031–3.181).

Conclusion

This study shows that FFs exhibit a greater likelihood of having FJD than HOWs after controlling for other risk factors of FJD. This suggests that the physical occupational demands of FFs affect their risk of developing FJD.

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Effects of high occupational physical activity, aging, and exercise on heart rate variability among male workers: Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Jongeun Kim, Yongsik Hwang, Byungmann Cho, Taekjong Hong, Byungmok Sung, Yonghwan Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:22. Published online September 25, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0073-0

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Objectives

Effects of aging and leisure time physical activity (LPA) might influence the effect of occupational physical activity (OPA) on risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was conducted to determine whether OPA affects CVD after controlling the effects of LPA and other risk factors for CVD such as job stress.

Methods

Participants were 131 male Korean manual workers. Tests for heart rate variability (HRV) were conducted for five minutes in the morning at work. We defined OPA as the combined concept of relative heart rate ratio (RHR), evaluated using a heart rate monitor.

Results

Whereas high OPA was not related to any HRV items in the younger age group, high OPA was associated with an increased number of low-value cases among all HRV items in older workers. Exercise had beneficial effects only in the younger group. After controlling for exercise and other risk factors, the odds ratios of the root-mean square of the difference of successive normal R-R intervals (rMSSD) and high frequency band power (HF) among the older age and high OPA group compared with the younger age and low OPA group were 64.0 and 18.5, respectively. Social support and shift work were independent risk factors in HRV.

Conclusions

OPA in aging workers increases CVD risks. This study provides support for the need for protection of aging workers from physical work overload, and indicates the need for further study of optimal limits of OPA.

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Review

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korea Provoked by Workers’ Collective Compensation Claims against Work Intensification: Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Young-Il Lee, Sangbaek Koh, Inah Kim, Hoonkoo Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:19-19. Published online July 29, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-26-19

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This article presents the process of workers’ problems with work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), the introduction of risk assessments (RA) for their prevention, and the consequences of this process in Korea. In 1997, economic crisis caused a rapid increase of massive layoffs, worker dispatch system introduction, job insecurity, and use of irregular workers resulting in work intensification. Work intensification increased WMSDs, which created massive workers’ compensation collective claims. Workers argued for the reduction of work intensity. The RAs introduced as a consequence of the workers’ struggle is unique in the world. Whereas these RAs were expected to play a pivotal role in WMSDs prevention, they dis not due to workers’ lack of engagement after the compensation struggle. In fact, changes in the compensation judgment system and criteria have resulted in lower compensation approval rates leading to lower workers’ compensation claims. The Korean experience provides insight into WMSDs causes in a globalized world. In such a the globalized world, work intensification as the result of work flexibility could be an international trend.

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Original Articles

Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Asbestos Related Chest Radiograph Abnormalities of Former Asbestos Textile Factory Workers: Hyunsook Bae, Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Jongeun Kim, Yunseong Kim, Kun Il Kim, Kunhyung Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(4):331-344. Published online December 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.4.331

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asbestos-related chest radiograph abnormalities and abnormal pulmonary function tests among former asbestos textile factory workers and to reveal the related factors of these abnormal findings.
METHODS
There were 119 persons former asbestos textile industry workers registered in the health management pocketbook. Of 97 retired asbestos workers living in Busan, Yangsan and Gimhae, 63(64.9%) retired asbestos workers were enrolled into this study. The researchers administered questionnaires, and performed chest radiographys, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) on participants. The survey was conducted during July, 2009.
RESULTS
Among former workers the number of lung fibrosis, pleural plaque, pleural calcification, and pleural thickening was 13(20.6%), 6(9.5%), 3(4.8%), and 1(1.6%) in chest radiography, respectively. Asbestos-related disorders and abnormal pulmonary function test groups had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Participants with crocidolite exposure or long latency period had higher asbestos-related x-ray findings or abnormal PFT findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Former asbestos textile workers had a high rate of asbestos-related disorders. Workers with crocidolite exposure or having had a longer latency period had more asbestos-related disorders. Because gradual increase of asbestos related disorders among high asbestos exposure group is expected, sustained, and intensive management is needed for these former workers.

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Asbestos exposure and autoantibody titers
Eunsoo Lee, Youngki Kim, Se Yeong Kim, Dongmug Kang
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Ovarian cancer in a former asbestos textile factory worker: a case report
Sunwook Park, Jaechan Park, Eunsoo Lee, Huisu Eom, Mu Young Shin, Jungwon Kim, Dongmug Kang, Sanggil Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
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

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Chronic and Acute Effects of Work-related Factors on Heart Rate Variability: Minjeong Son, Youngki Kim, Sangbum Ye, Jihyun Kim, Dongmug Kang, Jangseong Ham, Yonghwan Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):314-325. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.314

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the serious risk factors for heart diseases. We evaluated the acute and chronic effects of work-related factors on HRV.
METHODS
The five-minute HRV of 85 male workers from an automobile assembly factory were measured at 9 A.M. (before-work) and at 5 P.M. (after-work). The workplace noise, temperature and physical workload levels were measured as work-related factors. We postulated that the HRV measured at beforework represents the chronic effects and the HRV measured at after-work represents the acute effects of work-related factors. We used generalized linear regression analysis with adjusting for the general characteristics and/or the morning HRV.
RESULTS
The subjects exposed to noise or a hot environment showed increased HRV in the afternoon and decreased HRV in the morning. Machine oil and interpersonal conflict decreased the HRV in the morning, but other chemicals did not show any effect on the HRV. A physical workload decreased the HRV in both the morning and afternoon.
CONCLUSION
The physical and chemical environment, psychosocial stress and a physical workload may affect the autonomic nerve system.

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Jae-Hong Shin, Jung-Youb Lee, Seon-Hee Yang, Mi-Young Lee, In-Sung Chung
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Heart rate variability of students in hospital clinical practice by MBTI character types
Jun-Ho Jung
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The Relationship between Work Ability and Job Stress Factors in Manufacturing Industries: Sangbum Ye, Dongmug Kang, Youngki Kim, Minjeong Son, Jongeun Kim, Somin Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(3):260-271. Published online September 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.260

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the association between work ability and job stress factors in three manufacturing industries.
METHODS
The data were gathered from 705 workers of 3 manufacturing industries, from August 2007 to January 2008. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to access the demographic, socioeconomic and work related characteristics. Work ability and job stress factors were determined using two questionnaires: the work ability index (WAI) of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), respectively.
RESULTS
According to the logistic regression analysis results, WAI was related to job stress factors after adjustment for age, shift work, employment type and exercise. Of the eight subscales, job demand, interpersonal conflict, lack of reward, occupational climate and total score were significantly associated with WAI. In the analysis of each factory, interpersonal conflict, job insecurity and lack of reward were significantly associated with WAI in factory II, and organizational system, lack of reward and total score in factory III, but there was no significant association in factory I.
CONCLUSIONS
Job stress factors were significantly associated with WAI in two of the three manufacturing industries. Further and more detailed study needs to be conducted to reduce the job stress and improve the work ability.

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Jung Won Kim, Seonhee Yang, Insung Chung, Mi-Young Lee
Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine.2019; 36(3): 219. CrossRef

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Dose-Response Relationships between Work-Related Musculoskeletal Neck Symptom and Physical Risk Factors (2 year follow-up study): Jingon Sul, Dongmug Kang, Suill Lee, Youngki Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2007;19(2):145-155. Published online June 30, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2007.19.2.145

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To estimate the association of work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom and occupational risk factors, and to identify the dose-response relationships between work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom and physical condition.
METHODS
Workers from four metal industry companies were enrolled in the study. General characteristics, psyhcosocial and physical risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom were investigated by questionnaire in the baseline study. At the follow-up study 2 years later, the neck symptom was surveyed. Workers who did not complain neck symptom at baseline and complain at follow-up, and workers who did complain neck symptom at baseline and follow-up were defined as case. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of physical risk factors were estimated for these subjects. Additionally, subjects who did not change their work at follow-up were analysed.
RESULTS
Among the cohort of 251, 199 (79.3%) were used in the analysis, of which 71 (35.7%) were classified as cases. The adjusted ORs and the ORs of the subjects who did not change their work were increased with exposure to the following kinds of work: 'repetitive', 'lift', 'push/pull', 'neck/shoulder (overhead/bend)', 'hand/wrist (bend/pinch)', 'trunk (twist/bend)', 'pressure point', and 'incentive work'. Finally, with increasing exposure to 'repetitive', 'lift', 'push/pull', 'awkward postures', 'pressure point', and 'incentive work', the risks of work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom were increased.
CONCLUSIONS
Work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom was increased with increasing exposure time of certain physical risk factors, and a dose-response relationship was observed.

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