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Epidemiologic Characteristics of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome through Occupational Disease Surveillance System in Busan, Ulsan, Kyungnam Province.

Young hee CHOI ; Cheol In YOO ; Ji Ho LEE ; Choong Ryeol LEE ; Hun LEE ; Young Wook KIM ; Chang Ho CHAE ; Sang Baek KOH ; Euna KIM ; Lu Jin LEE ; Yang ho KIM

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2003;15(3):261-268.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) due to occupational exposure of hand transmitted vibration and to identify the occupations and industries where such exposures arises, and the main sources of exposure. METHODS: In April 2001 the Busan, Ulsan, and Kyung-Nam Province occupational disease surveillance system was established to measure the incidence and prevalence of work-related HAVS and other occupational diseases in these Korean provinces. Occupational physicians of nine hospitals in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyung-nam Province were involved in this project between April 2001 and November 2002. Physicians collected information through questionnaires and interviews. Information gathered included age, occupation, types of vibration tools used and presence of subjective symptoms such as vibration-induced white finger (VWF), numbness and tingling. RESULTS: A total 192 cases were reported with 188 males and 4 females. The shipbuilding industry was the most common type of industry and grinders were the most common source of exposure. Symptoms of neurological disorder were more common than those of vascular disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that exposure to hand transmitted vibration is common and that HAVS is one of the most common occupational diseases in Korea. However, the range and extent of hand transmitted vibration and the overall prevalence of HAVS in Korea is still unknown. More extensive research on this syndrome in order to priorite necessary preventive measures is required.
Busan* ; Female ; Fingers ; Gyeongsangnam-do* ; Hand ; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Nervous System Diseases ; Occupational Diseases* ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Ulsan* ; Vibration

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Investigation of Occupational Dermatological Problem with Additives in Polypropylene Manufacturing Process.

Seung Ho JEON ; Kyong Min LEE ; Kan Woo YOON ; Do Myung PAEK ; Jong Yeop YOO ; Hee Chul EUN

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2003;15(3):252-260.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the causative agents for the dermatological problems associated with the polypropylene manufacturing process. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 44 male workers involved in the polypropylene manufacturing process. Twenty-seven of them had been exposed to additives, and the remaining 17 had not. Among the 27 exposed, 10 had been exposed previously, and 17 are currently being exposed through their duties. Patch test were performed with three different concentrations, 0.1%, 1% and 10% of 10 different additives that was diluted with Vaseline. RESULTS: 18 subjects (41%) had positive reactions to the patch tests. Exposed group had a higher reaction rate (51.9%) than the control group (23.5%). When the positive reactions were further classified, 7, 6 and 5 were compatible with probably irritant, probably allergic, and multiple hypersensitivity reactions respectively. The most frequent reactions were from Ultranox-626 followed by Millad 3988, Armoslip-E and Songstab Sc-100. CONCLUSIONS: When considering the significantly higher probability of an allergic reaction rate among the currently exposed group compared to non- or previously-exposed groups, the nature of dermatological problems in a polypropylene plant is probably allergic. Ultranox-626, Millad3988, Armoslip-E and Songstab Sc-100 were the main causatives agents found in the process.
Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Irritants ; Male ; Patch Tests ; Petrolatum ; Plants ; Polypropylenes*

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Effects of Selenium on Apoptosis Induced by Methyl Mercury Chloride in RAW 264.7 Cells.

Keun Snag KWON ; Dai Ha KOH ; Jung Ho YOUM ; Wook Hee YOON

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2003;15(3):237-251.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of selenium against the methyl mercury chloride (MeHgCl) induced cell apoptosis. METHODS: The effect of selenium on the MeHgCl induced cell apoptosis was observed in mouse macrophage-derived RAW 264.7 cells, in vitro. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). RESULTS: MeHgCl exerted a dose dependent cytotoxicity, as demonstrated by the MTT assay, an assay dependent, in part, on mitochondrial function. Concurrent exposure to selenium provided complete protective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by MeHgCl. Pretreatment with selenium increased the protective effects of subsquent administrations of selenium in conjunction with MeHgCl, but pretreatment of selenium alone did not provide protection against MeHgCl when given alone. Selenium administered after exposure to MeHgCl did not repair the existing MeHgCl induced cytotoxicity.Furthermore, the apoptosis induced by MeHgCl was revealed by the DNA fragmentation, using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase Biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, alterations to the nuclear morphology, by nuclei staining, and the plasma membrane lipid organization, as shown by cell flow cytometry. The apoptosis induced by MeHgCl was prevented by the concurrent exposure to selenium, or pretreatment with selenium, prior to the administration of selenium in conjunction with MeHgCl. However, no inhibittion of the MeHgCl induced apoptosis was observed with selenium pretreatment prior to exposure to MeHgCl alone, or with the administration of selenium after exposure to MeHgCl. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the coexistence of selenium and MeHgCl are essential for the protective effects of selenium against the MeHgCl-induced apoptosis, and the cytotoxicity, in RAW 264.7 cells, and may involve selenium-MeHgCl binding.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Membrane ; DNA Fragmentation ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Flow Cytometry ; Mice ; Selenium*

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Mental Disorders and Fitness for Work in Korea.

Choong Ryeol LEE ; Yang ho KIM ; Cheol In YOO ; Ji Ho LEE ; Hun LEE

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2003;15(3):224-236.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the actual state of people with mental disorders in Korea, in order to present an alternative proposal for their work fitness and vocational rehabilitation. METHODS: The authors conducted this study through a review of statistics on the prevalence of mental disorder, labor laws, and the literatures related with work fitness and vocational rehabilitation of people with mental disorders. RESULTS: According to recent surveys, about 3 million people in Korea are likely to have mental disorders which could lead to discrimination in social life and dishonor in occupational career, either in the present or near future. Therefore, evaluation of work fitness and vocational rehabilitation for persons with mental disorders are important. At present, work fitness for psychiatric patients is evaluated without suitable guidelines regarding the kinds and severity of mental disorders that impede work capacity. Furthermore, mental disorder-specific fitness for work is not under consideration. CONCLUSION: It is true that most psychiatric patients have some limitation in performing their job. However, judging from the results of some research, proper displacement, apprehension of co-workers, and adjusted workplace could help them complete their tasks properly despite their troublesome psychiatric symptomatology. The government must help all citizens to do their best in their social life, and show a deep interest in the employment of all disabled people including those with psychiatric disorders. Above all we have to change our attitudes and preconceptions against people with mental disorders. Some labor laws, which presently impede employment of people with psychiatric disorders, need to be revised in their favor. Future work capacity evaluation should be done on the basis of ability to function in the workplace rather than symptomatology.
Discrimination (Psychology) ; Employment ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Mental Disorders* ; Prevalence ; Rehabilitation, Vocational ; Work Capacity Evaluation

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The occupational hazards of interns & residents during training.

Hye Ran SONG ; Jin Ha KIM ; Joo Hyun BYEON ; Kaung Young LEE ; Duck Hi LEE ; Ho Chan KIM

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2003;15(3):213-223.

OBJECTS: Residents are exposed to various hazards and harassed by sleep deficiency due to overwork. This study was performed to outline the health condition of residents and develop the ways of improving it. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to 881 army doctors who enrolled at the Korea Third Military Academy and The Armed Force Health Service School in 2000 with the exception of medical doctors who joined the armed service without going through intern and resident periods , dental and oriental medical doctors. 784 (89.0%) of the 881 questionnaires were returned of which 704 cases (79.9%). This should actually be 89.0% were regarded for analyses as being reliable data. RESULTS: More than 20% of residents were exposed to radiation, laser, disinfectants, anesthetic gas, and anticancer drugs during their training periods with preventive measures for each of these hazards taken in about 10% of the cases of the lesser hazards but in about 35% for the hazards from radiation and laser. 91.1% of residents had experience of needlestick injuries during their training periods with over 36.3% being exposed to patients with infection during that time. The cases contracting HBV and HCV diseases due to pricking are 2.3 and 0.6% respectively. The average number of night duties per month during a one-year resident's period was about 19. The average sleeping time on duty during a one-year residents was less than 4 hours .28.4% of respondents were not satisfied with their occupation, 96.5% felt tired from overwork and 69.5% wanted to change their occupation to another that would pay the same salary. CONCLUSION: Residents are exposed to harmful physical , chemical and biological factors, but the preventive care seldom undertaken. In addition, their overwork brings about lack of sleep which causes them problems when giving medical treatment to patients during their training periods. Despite the resident's interest in an occupation as a doctor, many intend to select other occupations if they can receive the same salary. According to the above results, preventative systems and measures should be prepared with environmental improvements for residents, and proper rewards for their overwork should be accomplished.
Arm ; Biological Factors ; Data Collection ; Disinfectants ; Health Services ; Humans ; Korea ; Military Personnel ; Needlestick Injuries ; Occupations ; Questionnaires ; Reward ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits

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Development of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Several Volatile Organic Compounds.

Jae Yeon JANG ; Kyung Jong LEE ; Ho Keun CHUNG

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.1997;9(2):357-377.

Recently physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PB-PK) model has important role in industrial and environmental health. One of problem in application of PB-PK models is that they have uncertainties that is due to different input parameters according to authors. In order to develope a PB-PK model that hag good validity, the effect of several input parameters on simulation results was studies. Chemicals studied were perchloroethylene, toluene and styrene. Simulation of alveolar concentration, blood concentration and urinary metabolites was performed for three solvents, respectively. Input parameters discusses were physiological parameters, metabolic parameters and partition coefficient of chemicals. By comparing simulation results according to several pairs of parameters with experimental data, input parameters that showed best fit were decided.
Environmental Health ; Solvents ; Styrene ; Tetrachloroethylene ; Toluene ; Volatile Organic Compounds*

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Biomarkers of Susceptibility in Bladder Carcinogenesis.

Sue Kyung PARK ; Hae Won JUNG ; Dae Hee KANG ; Keun Young YOO ; Soo Hun CHO

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.1997;9(2):341-356.

Owing to the development of molecular biological techniques to identify new biomarkers of bladder cancer, the information obtained from the studios in which newly developed biomarkers are applied potentially useful in screening of general population, diagnosis of patients, predicting biological behavior and prognosis, and exposure assessments. Despite of rapid development there are a few review about the biomarkers in bladder cancer from which grogs summary of results as well as their optimal function can be considered. This study was carried out in biomarkers of bladder cancer by reviewing the literature to assess the usefulness and stapes of researches for biomarkers of bladder cancer on high risk groups, general population and patients. The biomarkers of bladder cancer were classified by Weinstein's model of carcinogenesis, simple classification of exposure-discase in classical epidemiology, classification by conception of exposure-disease continuum on molecular epidemiology, and application of biomarkers. Two biomarkers, N-acetylation enzyme and Glutathion S-transferase, which had been studied extensively in molecular epidemiology were selected and reviewed. Although the generalization, prediction and diagnosis of bladder cancer based on a single biomarker give rise to trouble due to intravariation of bladder tumor and heterogeneity of biomarkers variation, searching for more specific tumor markers may accurately lead better prediction of prognosis and better estimation of treatment response. The usefulness of both N-acetylation enzyme and glutathion 5-transferase in high-risk groups who have exposes to carcinogen may be more valuable. However more informations are neede in order to apply these biomarkers in clinical practices in further studies.
Biological Markers* ; Carcinogenesis* ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Fertilization ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Population Characteristics ; Prognosis ; Stapes ; Tumor Markers, Biological ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

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ALDH2 Genetic Polymorphism and Urinary Hippuric Acid Concentration in Toluene Exposed Workers.

Oh Choon KWON ; Ree JOO ; Jung Jeung LEE ; Chang Yoon KIM ; Jong Hak CHUNG ; Seong Yong KIM

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.1997;9(2):332-340.

In this study we evaluated the effects of the genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase2 (ALDH2) on toluene metabolism and determined biological exposure indices (BEIs) for toluene by the genotypes of ALDH2. The study subject were 77 men workers who are handling toluene in a video tape manufacturing factory and a textile company. Through the face-to-face interview, the information about smoking and drinking behavior wag obtained. For determination of ALDH2 poly morphism, 5 ml of venous blood sample was obtained from each subject after informed consent. DNA was extracted from the buffy coat and ALDH2 genotyping were performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The genotype of ALDH2 was classified into the homozygous genotype of normal ALDH2 (NN), and the heterozygous genotype of normal and inactive ALDH2 (ND), and homozygous genotype of an inactive ALDH2(DD). The concentration of hippuric acid (HA), the main metabolite of toluene, was determined in urine specimens collected at the end of shift, corrected with creatinine (HA/C), and compared with BEI for toluene, which is 2.5 g/g creatinine. The personal exposure level of toluene were monitored, using personal air sampler and analyzed by gas chromatography. The frequencies of the three genotypes in this study subjects were, NN : 45 (58.4%), ND : 26 (33.8%) and DD : 6 (7.8%), and frequencies of the genotypes in the middle or heavy toluene exposure workers were not significantly different from those in the mild toluene exposure workers. The frequencies of the DD type of ALDH2 was lower among alcohol drinkers than among non-drinkers. The urinary HA concentration of DD group was significantly lower than that of the NN or ND group, which suggests that the HA formation from toluene decreased in DD group. Regression lines were used to estimate the BEIs of the NN, ND, and DD groups. NN : y = 0.0085x + 0.23, r = 0.90 ND : y = 0.0074x + 0.21, r = 0.85 DD : y = 0.0041x + 0.82, r = 0.83 The three regression lines revealed that the estimated urinary HA concentration of NN, ND, and DD groups at 377 mg/m3 toluene(TLV-TWA) exposure were 3.43, 3.00, and 2.37 g/g creatinine, respectively. The HA concentration of the NN, and ND group were higher than that of the ACGIH BEI (2.5 g/g creatinine) ; however, the HA level of DD group was lower than the BEI. These results suggests that the ACGIH BEI is not adequate to estimate the toluene exposure of the NN, ND and DD groups at the same time. Based upon those results, a new BEI for ALDH2 deficient workers may be necessary.
Chromatography, Gas ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Drinking Behavior ; Genotype ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Male ; Metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Textiles ; Toluene*

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Effect of Cadmium on Cytokine Gene Expression in a Human Monocytic Cell Line, THP-1.

Mi Jung KANG ; Seon Hee YANG ; In Sung CHUNG ; Dong Hoon SHIN ; Kwan Kyu PARK ; Suk Kwon SUH

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.1997;9(2):320-331.

Cadmium, a potent toxic metal, poses a serious environmental threat but the mechanism of its toxicity remains unclear. Also, cadmium is a known immunotoxic agent in animal studies and induces pathophysiological effects by modulating components of immune system. Cytokines are being increasingly recognized as essential mediators of normal and pathologic immune response. Cells of mononuclear phagocytic system are strategically located at portals of entry in humans and therefore may be particularly at risk for cadmium exposure through contaminated air, food, and drinking water. In the present study, we investigated the effect of cadmium cytotoxicity for the monocyte and expression of cytokine gene in the control and cadmium treated human monocytic cell lines using RT-PCR method. The results showed that cadmium inhibited cell proliferation at 0.1mM cadmium treated cells for 24 hours. The TNF-alpha mRNA was expressed in both control and cadmium treated cells but not IL-6 and IL-1 beta The mRNA levels of TNF-alpha were examined during 24 hours culture period, at different time points. The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA increased in both 0.01mM and 0.1mM cadmium treated cells, but did not show dose-response relationship. According to cadmium treated duration, expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was more decreases in 24 hours than 6 hours. The decreased levels of mRNA of TNF-alpha that cadmium suppresses iris production at the transcription level.
Animals ; Cadmium* ; Cell Line* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; Drinking Water ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Immune System ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Iris ; Monocytes ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

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The Stress Level According to the Working Status in the Migrant Workers.

Myung Hee LEE ; Chung Yill PARK ; Jung Wan KOO ; Hyeon Woo YIM

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.1997;9(2):309-319.

The number of foreign workers, which has increased since 1989, can be classified into industrial trainees and illegal migratory workers. As of January 1995, the official number of foreign workers reached 49,805 according to the Ministry of Labor. But the real number is estimated to be around 100,000 and industrial trainees are 22,583 among them. The stress induced by the culture shock, 3D (dirty, difficult and dangerous) working conditions, and illegal status of the foreign workers is greater than that of regular Korean workers. By using a psychological well-being index (PWI) measuring stress on 144 foreign workers, it was revealed that 68 people experienced "high risk stress", 76 "latent stress", and the average score was 62.8. The overall stress level was very high. Considering the distribution of high risk stress group and latent stress group by socio-demographic factors, the percentage of high risk stress group was higher among workers whose contract periods are less than 2 years than among workers whose contract periods are longer than 2 years. And the percentage of high risk stress group was higher when the number of workers at factory becoming larger, and also higher among workers who can not communicate well than among workers communicate well. After having a multiple stepwise regression analysis to find the socio-demographic factors which influence the PWI score, we found that the PWI score goes higher when the contract period is becoming shorter and the work hours is becoming longer, and these two factors are able to explain the score to the level 16.3%.
Humans ; Shock ; Transients and Migrants*

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