A case of multiple myeloma in a poultry worker.
10.1186/s40557-014-0035-y
- Author:
Pil Kyun JUNG
1
;
Inah KIM
;
Inhyo PARK
;
Chinyon KIM
;
Eun A KIM
;
Jaehoon ROH
Author Information
1. Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. inahkim@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Poultry;
Hematologic neoplasm;
Multiple myeloma;
Formaldehyde;
Pesticides;
Solvents
- MeSH:
Agrochemicals;
Biopsy;
Bone Marrow;
Formaldehyde;
Hazardous Substances;
Hematologic Neoplasms;
Humans;
Korea;
Livestock;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Multiple Myeloma*;
Occupational Exposure;
Pesticides;
Poultry*;
Rare Diseases;
Solvents;
Threshold Limit Values
- From:Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2014;26(1):35-35
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Livestock breeders including poultry workers are exposed to various agricultural chemicals including pesticides and/or organic solvents. Multiple myeloma is a rare disease in Korea, and few reports have investigated the influence of occupational exposures on multiple myeloma occurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old male poultry farm worker presented with bone pain and generalized weakness. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, and he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The patient had worked in a poultry farm for 16 years and was exposed to various pesticides and organic solvents such as formaldehyde without any proper personal protective equipment. Results of the work reenactment revealed that the concentration of formaldehyde (17.53 ppm) greatly exceeded the time-weighted average (0.5 ppm) and short-term exposure limit (1.0 ppm) suggested in the Korean Industrial Safety and Health Act. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests that poultry workers may be exposed to high levels of various hazardous chemicals including pesticides and/or organic solvents. Numerous previous studies have suggested an association between multiple myeloma and exposure to agricultural chemicals; thus, multiple myeloma in this patient might have resulted from the prolonged, high exposure to these chemicals.
