No abstract available.
Aminolevulinic Acid*

In order to study the exposure level of silica dust and the effects of silica dust on ventilatory function, respirable dust samples were collected by personal air samplers using NIOSH method 0500 from the selected foundry operations, and ventilatory function tests were performed on 209 male foundry workers and 239 male control subjects. Ventilatory indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC) , one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 to FVC(FEV1 %), maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximal expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75 % of expired FVC (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirogram and maximal expiratory flow-volume curve which were simultaneously measured by Vitalography in standing position. The results were as follows : 1. The average quartz concentrations of respirable dust were the highest in melting operation (0.079 mg/m3) and followed by molding operation (0.051 mg/m3), finishing operation (0.041 mg/m3) and coremaking operation (0.023 mg/m3) in the descending order. 2. No significant differences for mean values of all ventilatory indices expressed as percent of predicted value were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers In foundry workers and control subjects. 3. Mean values of all ventilatory indices except FVC of foundry workers were significantly lower than those of control subjects. 4. Mean values of FEV1 %, MMF, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75 expressed as percent of predicted value tended to decrease with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 5. In foundry workers, proportions of workers with low MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 were markedly higher than those with other indices, and were significantly increased with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 6. In foundry workers, 2 workers(1.0 %) were diagnosed as silicosis and the profusion of radiographic opacities were category 1/0 and q type. With the above considerations in mind, it suggested that increasing exposure of silica dust be associated with progressive deterioration in ventilatory function of an obstructive nature and that MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 be more sensitive indices in the detection of the early obstructive changes of air flow of workers exposed to silica dust.
Dust* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Freezing ; Fungi ; Humans ; Male ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Quartz ; Silicon Dioxide* ; Silicosis ; Vital Capacity

No abstract available.

We present two cases of cerebral paragonimiasis in a 23-year-old Korean army soldier and in a 18-year-old Korean girl, respectively. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical, laboratory and x-ray findings, and was confirmed by the histopathological examination of the excised cyst. P.W. skin test showed positive reaction, whereas C.S. test negative. X-ray study on skull revealed multiple globulated round cystic formations in occipital region. Two months after surgical removal of cysts, visual field were not improved. Pertinent literatures are reviewed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blindness* ; Choroid* ; Coloboma* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemianopsia* ; Heredity ; Humans ; Iris* ; Membranes ; Military Personnel ; Optic Nerve* ; Paragonimiasis* ; Skin Tests ; Skull ; Visual Fields ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To determine the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and understand the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in nurses and radiological technologists wearing a lead apron for radiation protection. METHOD: The study subjects were 192 nurses and radiological technologists who work at the cardiac catheterization room or angioroom in the department of radiology. A self-recording questionnaire was used to investigate the general characteristics, occupational characteristics, characteristics related to wearing a lead apron, and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). RESULTS: Complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms by NOISH were 51.0% in the upper /lower back, 49.0% in the shoulder, and 47.9% in the leg/knee/ankle. From multiple logistic regression analysis, musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulder were influenced by two-piece type apron and long time wearing an apron, symptoms of upper/lower back by long time wearing an apron, sex, higher average working hours per a day and short resting time, symptoms of leg/knee/ankle by long time wearing an apron, working career at the present department (cardiac catheterization room or angioroom) and short resting time. CONCLUSION: The complaint rates of the musculoskeletal symptoms were affected by the characteristics of wearing a lead apron for radiation protection such as wearing time and apron type. Therefore, it is suggested that the workers who are wearing an apron need the proper wearingtime and resting time, and suitable apron type and size for the body.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Logistic Models ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Questionnaires ; Radiation Protection* ; Shoulder

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the mental health status of the laid off by comparing the unemployed with the employed. METHODS: A survey questionnaire was used to investigate the mental health status of the laidoff in comparison with that of the employed. The study sample consisted of 247 laid-off people formerly employed in A auto factory and 167 employees working in B auto factory. RESULTS: The proportion exercising regularly was 20.2% for the laid-off and 34.8% for the employed and the proportion having regular meals was 10.9% and 50.6%, respectively. In addition, the frequency and amount of alcohol consumption and smoking of the laid-off were higher than those of the employed. Among the laid-off, 69.4% responded that they spent less time in talking to their spouse, and 65.4% also reported reduced sexual activities with their spouse. Because of unemployment, 41.8% of the laid-off experienced conflicts with their children, and 53.5% also perceived that they were stigmatized and treated badly by their neighbors, friends and relatives. Mean IFR in the laid-off was 22.9, which was much higher than the 15.3 recorded in the employed. The mean PWI-SF was 24.2 for the laid-off and 13.0 for the employed, which indicates the lower psychological health status of the laid-off than that of the employed. Age, annual salary, family relationship, regular exercise, regular diets, possibility to return to work and perception of the future were related to mental health status for the laid-off. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the most important factor influencing mental health status for the laid-off was family relationships. CONCLUSIONS: According to the above results, the mental health of the laid-off is worse than that of the employed. Based on this study, a follow-up study focusing on the mental health status of the reemployed to the same factory, is needed to understand the direct mental health effect on the laid-off.
Alcohol Drinking ; Child ; Diet ; Family Relations ; Friends ; Humans ; Meals ; Mental Health* ; Questionnaires ; Return to Work ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Sexual Behavior ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spouses ; Unemployment

There is no critical factor that can cause typical occupational disease among office workers who have a little chance to exposure to harmful agents like physical factor, chemical factor and biological factor. However they still have possible health risks that cannot be ignored, even if it is neither critical nor dangerous. Over the last two decades, the number of office workers in computer-related fields increased at geometric rates. Ergonomic problems and associated musculoskeletal diseases among office workers were mainly caused by computer use. Also health problems due to indoor air pollution, work overloads and job stress can bring about socio-psychological burden that can cause cardiovascular disease and psychological disorder. To date, almost all studies in occupational medicine were mostly focused on manufacturing workers who were more vulnerable to exposure to harmful environment and workers at special situation. So office worker's health has not been studied thoroughly. Further health studies in office workers who are vulnerable to these diseases should be needed. Also companies need to develop their proper health promotion programs for office workers.
Air Pollution, Indoor ; Biological Factors ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Health Promotion ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Medicine

No abstract available.
Manganese*

This study was conducted to evaluate the degree of stress state and the risk factors related to in 967 white collar workers and 275 blue collar workers buy using Psycosocial Well-being Index. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In the white collar workers and blue collar workers, young age, low education and low income groups had high scores of stress, while in white collar workers, female had high scores of stress but in blue collar workers male had high scores of stress. 2. According to psychosocial well-being index, mild stress state were 73.9% and 53.1%, high risk stress state were 8.9% and 44.4%, and healthy state were 17.2 and 2.6% in white collar and blue collar workers respectively. 3. The total stress score was highly associated with the factors of depression, social performance and self-confidence, general well-being and vitality, and sleeping disturbance and anxiety in order. 4. In reliability test of stress factors, Cronbach's coefficients of depression, social performance and self-confidence, general well-being and vitality, and sleeping disturbance and anxiety were 0.89, 0.81, 0.79, and 0.74 respectively. In conclusion, it suggested that age, sex, marital status, income, education, sleeping time, smoking and exercise habit were associated with stress score, all of above factors should considered to occupational health.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Occupational Health ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

A case of iridocyclitis due to cysticercus cyst in the anterior chamber and exophthalmos due to in the orbit. A case of iridocycleitis due to cysticercus cyst in the anterior chamber of the left eye, bilateral exophthalmos due to in the orbit and generalized multiple cysticercus cyst in the subcutaneous tissue, brain and the internal organs is reported in a twenty one year old Korean male. To watch characteristic heaving and undulatory movements of the live cysticercus cyst in the anterior chamber of the eye is fascinating. Iridocyclitis was improved fairly after subconjunctival injection of hydrocortisone acetate 5mg and with general treatment for iridocyclitis. Regarding to literature, ocular cysticercosis is known as a very rare case in Korea. A brief review of the related literatures is presented.
Anterior Chamber ; Brain ; Cysticercosis ; Cysticercus* ; Exophthalmos ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Iridocyclitis ; Korea ; Male ; Orbit ; Subcutaneous Tissue