Hydrogen sulfide poisoning is frequently encountered in the workplace. Two workers lost their consciousness in an underground tank at a factory producing paper. The tank contained liquid mixture of used paper, sodium oxygenate chloride(NaOC1), and sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate(NaSO3 5H90). A worker(worker A; 36-year-old man) entered tank to remove sludge. When worker A lost his consciousness, worker B entered the tank to rescue worker A, however he lost consciousness inside the tank. We discuss in detail the clinical features of this condition. Hydrogen sulfide poisonings have occurred in industries involving petroleum refining, the manufacture of heavy water, tanning of hides, vulcanization of rubber, and the manufacture of rayon. And it is necessary to stress the health education for workers and managers in these industries.
Adult ; Consciousness ; Deuterium Oxide ; Health Education ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide* ; Hydrogen* ; Oxygen ; Petroleum ; Poisoning* ; Rescue Work ; Rubber ; Sewage ; Sodium ; Tanning ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of occupationally related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among workers employed in services and manufacturing industries analysing the sensitivity and specificity of clinical symptoms and signs. Three surveys were made for this study. The first survey was done for 1,447 workers employed by 25 companies. The jobs of the employees were repetitive works at VDT and assembly lines. Therefore, employees could be divided to two groups, doing repetitive works and non repetitive works. The second survey was made for 189 workers who were randomly selected from 517 workers complained some symptoms at their hands and wrists. We examined their symptoms and carried out neurological examinations for CTS (Tinel's sign, Phalen's sign, pin prick test, carpal compressive test, toniquet compression test). The third survey was made for nerve conduction study (NCS) for 57 workers who had shown positive signs for CTS. The main results of this study were as follows: 1. From the first survey, we have found that there were significant statistical differences in getting uncomfortable neuromuscular symptoms by sex, job type, total working hours during a week, duration of current work, and kinds of work. Odds ratio in male vs female, repetitive vs non repetitive, service vs manufacturing companies, total working hours during a week, and duration of current work were 1.867(95% CI=1.467-2.377), 1.680 (95% CI=1.121-2.279), 1.663(95% CI=1.213-2.279), 1.016(95% CI=1.006-1.027) and 1.283 (95% CI=1.097-1.501) respectively. 2. From the second survey, we have found that 46 peoples (25.0%) were positive for one or more than one signs in neurological examinations of NIOSH criteria. Positive findings from neurological examinations were high among workers of low level of education (p-value=0.008), manufacturing jobs (p-value=0.00), long hours a week (p-value=0.028), and long duration of current work (p-value=0.00). 3. From the third survey, we diagnosed 35 peoples (61.4%) had CTS by NCS. They had abnormally delayed latent period or velocity in median nerve conduction velocity.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Education ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Neural Conduction ; Neurologic Examination ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Wrist

This study was carried out to manifest risk factors related grain dust induced asthma, especially allergic and immunologic factors. Six grain workers first diagnosed as grain dust induced asthma by specific antigen bronchial asthma challenge test (cases) and 37 grain workers showed negative finding (controls) in the same firm were selected. Questionnaire survey for respiratory symptoms, interview, physical examination, PFT, methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness, specific challenge tests and skin prick test for four grains (grain, corn, rye and seed dust) were conducted. To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to grain dust, we detected serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies by ELISA in 43 employees. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the group having no respiratory symptoms, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with respiratory symptoms was 3.04 (95% CI 0.32-28.80). 2. Compared with the group having no ventilatory impairment, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with ventilatory impairment was 0.54 (95% CI 0.06-5.21). 3. Compared with the group showed negative skin test for general respirable antigen, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with atopy was 8.02 (95% CI 0.42-153.25). 4. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific allergic skin test, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 5.88 (95% CI 0.63-55.38). 5. In immunologic test, compared with the group not increased total IgE(<160 IU/ml), odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with increased group (> or = 160 IU/ml) was 4.78 (95% CI 0.50-44.57). 6. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific IgE antibody, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 2.63 (95% CI 0.43-16.16). 7. Compared with the group showed normal finding on nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperresponsiveness, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 76.82(95% CI 3.37 - 1566.34). Statistically significant odds ratio were fecund for specific skin test with grain, total IgE and nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperreponsiveness.
Antibodies ; Asthma ; Asthma, Occupational* ; Cereals* ; Dust ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunologic Factors ; Immunologic Tests ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Physical Examination ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Secale cereale ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Zea mays

This study was carried out to manifest risk factors related grain dust induced asthma, especially allergic and immunologic factors. Six grain workers first diagnosed as grain dust induced asthma by specific antigen bronchial asthma challenge test (cases) and 37 grain workers showed negative finding (controls) in the same firm were selected. Questionnaire survey for respiratory symptoms, interview, physical examination, PFT, methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness, specific challenge tests and skin prick test for four grains (grain, corn, rye and seed dust) were conducted. To evaluate the role of specific antibodies to grain dust, we detected serum specific IgE and IgG antibodies by ELISA in 43 employees. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Compared with the group having no respiratory symptoms, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with respiratory symptoms was 3.04 (95% CI 0.32-28.80). 2. Compared with the group having no ventilatory impairment, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with ventilatory impairment was 0.54 (95% CI 0.06-5.21). 3. Compared with the group showed negative skin test for general respirable antigen, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with atopy was 8.02 (95% CI 0.42-153.25). 4. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific allergic skin test, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 5.88 (95% CI 0.63-55.38). 5. In immunologic test, compared with the group not increased total IgE(<160 IU/ml), odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with increased group (> or = 160 IU/ml) was 4.78 (95% CI 0.50-44.57). 6. Compared with the group showed negative finding on specific IgE antibody, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 2.63 (95% CI 0.43-16.16). 7. Compared with the group showed normal finding on nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperresponsiveness, odds ratio of grain dust induced asthma with positive finding was 76.82(95% CI 3.37 - 1566.34). Statistically significant odds ratio were fecund for specific skin test with grain, total IgE and nonspecific (methacholine) bronchial hyperreponsiveness.
Antibodies ; Asthma ; Asthma, Occupational* ; Cereals* ; Dust ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunologic Factors ; Immunologic Tests ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Physical Examination ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Secale cereale ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Zea mays

The industrial use of MMMF(man-made mineral fibers), has been increasing, particularly since the banning of most asbestos products. Fibrous minerals can cause health abnormalities currently associated with occupational exposure to glass fiber. This study was conducted to evaluate health risks of glass fiber manufactory workers within the country. we examined questionaries, physical examination including auscultation, chest x-ray, pulmonary function test for 488 male workers, to go through their dermal itching symptoms and respiratory evaluation. we had the results as follows. 1. In 45% of the workers itching had been expressed at their entrance. At that time we was investigating, 18.5% had itching, and most of them complained it when they fall asleep and night. The frequent itching site is waist and groin, upper and lower extremity in order, and it had been expressed mainly during summer and winter. 2. As the results of ventilatory functions test, 6.0% were obstructive type, 1.0% were restrictive type. so, glass fiber exposures should be controlled or elimination by protective devices in the workplace. 3. The means of FVC, FFV1, FFV1% were in normal range. As the comparison of ventilatory functions by age groups, MMF was decreased significantly for the group, 50 years old and more than other groups. And the comparison by the serving periods at glass fiber producing factory, MMF was decreased for the workers had worked for 11-15 years. Therefore, MMF be more sensitive index in the evaluation of ventilatory impairments caused by glass fiber workers.
Asbestos ; Auscultation ; Glass* ; Groin ; Humans ; Korea* ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minerals ; Occupational Exposure ; Physical Examination ; Protective Devices ; Pruritus ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax

Objectives ; This study was conducted to reveal the health effects of aircraft noise on the residents live near the military airport. METHODS: We sampled systematically 87 residents as the high exposed group, 58 residents as the low exposed group according to the geographical distance from the airport. We also sampled 67 residents as the control group lived far from the airport. Noise levels were measured for conform the exposures. Self-administered questionnaires for symptoms, air conduction hearing threshold level, blood pressure blood cholesterol with health examinations, and SCL-90-R were introduced to get the data from the residents. RESULTS: The Ld/n at the area near the airport was 72.4 dB, however that of control area was 67. 7 dB. The value of pure tone average, high pure tone average, and threshold of 4,000 Hz were decreased with exposure level significantly. Linear regression analysis showed that the noise exposure level of the airport was related to the hearing threshold at pure tone average, threshold of 4,000 Hz, and high pure tone average. The systemic and diastolic blood pressure showed dose-response relationship with noise exposure. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in exposed group, but not statistically significant. In linear regression, noise level was related to systolic and diastolic blood pressure with other variables such as age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index), and family history of hypertension. SCL-90-R showed that exposed group had higher score significantly in neurotic and psychologic variable and felt the various somatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that aircraft noise would influence hearing loss at low frequencies as well as 4,000 Hz and higher frequencies, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and psychological response.
Aircraft* ; Airports* ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Linear Models ; Military Personnel ; Noise* ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires

Sequence type (ST) 33 of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strain O91:H14 has been proposed as a potential domestic clone of STEC in Korea because of its high prevalence among human patients with mild diarrhea or asymptomatic carriers. Herein, the clonal diversity of 17 STEC O91:H14 isolates of ST33 during 2003 to 2014 was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, including 14 isolates from human patients and 3 from retail meats. Their virulence characteristics, acid resistance, and antimicrobial susceptibility were also determined. Our results showed that all isolates were clustered mainly into three different pulsotypes and were likely low pathogenic without antimicrobial resistance.
Clone Cells ; Diarrhea ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Korea ; Meat ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Shiga Toxin ; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli ; Virulence

Background: Since the emergence of hypervirulent strains of Clostridioides difficile, the incidence of C. difficile infections (CDI) has increased significantly. Methods: To assess the incidence of CDI in Korea, we conducted a prospective multicentre observational study from October 2020 to October 2021. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of CDI from mass data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from 2008 to 2020. Results: In the prospective study with active surveillance, 30,212 patients had diarrhoea and 907 patients were diagnosed with CDI over 1,288,571 patient-days and 193,264 admissions in 18 participating hospitals during 3 months of study period; the CDI per 10,000 patientdays was 7.04 and the CDI per 1,000 admission was 4.69. The incidence of CDI was higher in general hospitals than in tertiary hospitals: 6.38 per 10,000 patient-days (range: 3.25–12.05) and 4.18 per 1,000 admissions (range: 1.92–8.59) in 11 tertiary hospitals, vs. 9.45 per 10,000 patient-days (range: 5.68–13.90) and 6.73 per 1,000 admissions (range: 3.18–15.85) in seven general hospitals. With regard to HIRA data, the incidence of CDI in all hospitals has been increasing over the 13-year-period: from 0.3 to 1.8 per 10,000 patient-days, 0.3 to 1.6 per 1,000 admissions, and 6.9 to 56.9 per 100,000 population, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of CDI in Korea has been gradually increasing, and its recent value is as high as that in the United State and Europe. CDI is underestimated, particularly in general hospitals in Korea.