Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine  2010;22(2):140-145

Clusters of Pneumoconiosis among Residents Near Cement Factories.

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

Affiliations

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Keywords

Cement dust; Pneumoconiosis; Non-occupational

Country

Republic 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.