Clusters of Pneumoconiosis among Residents Near Cement Factories.
- Author:
Jong Han LEEM
1
;
Jae Hwa CHO
;
Eui Cheol LEE
;
Jeong Hoon KIM
;
Dong Hoon LEE
;
Seung Jun LEE
;
Ji Young LEE
;
Hwan Cheol KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Korea. ekeeper@inha.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cement dust;
Pneumoconiosis;
Non-occupational
- MeSH:
Calcium Carbonate;
Demography;
Dust;
Environmental Exposure;
Humans;
Korea;
Mining;
Occupational Exposure;
Physical Examination;
Pneumoconiosis;
Questionnaires;
Thorax
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2010;22(2):140-145
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated case clusters of pneumoconiosis among residents near cement factories in Young_Wol, Korea. METHODS: There were 1,396 residents of a total 3,418 residents surveyed for this study. Informations on demographics, health-related behaviors (smoking and drinking), past medical history, and clinical symptoms were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. All study participants underwent a physical examination, including chest X-ray, and physicians' interview. Chest CT (computerized tomography) was taken if there was abnormal finding on chest X-ray and physicians' interview. RESULTS: We detected 5 cases of pneumoconiosis. 2 cases were related to occupational exposure to dust, such as underground mining and the breaking up of concrete. However, 3 cases were not related to occupational or environmental exposure, except that persons were living near cement factories and limestone mines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the long-term exposure of cement dust among residents near cement factories and mines may lead to the development of pneumoconiosis.
