Background: Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is increasingly used in electric vehicle battery production; however, its health effects in the work environment remain underreported. This study characterizes the acute health effects on workers following accidental occupational exposure to LiOH at a Korean lithium plant in March 2024. Methods: We analyzed health effects from two LiOH exposure accidents on March 6 and 9, 2024, involving 50–100 kg powder spills. Two datasets were examined: acute symptoms from 115 workers who visited hospitals immediately after exposure, and a symptom severity survey from 474 workers conducted 2 weeks post-exposure. Workers were stratified by distance from the leak source (<10 m, 10–20 m, >20 m) and respirator use. Univariate general linear modeling was applied to analyze the relationship between symptom occurrence and both the distance from the exposure source and respirator use. Results: Among workers visiting hospitals immediately, local irritation symptoms predominated: sore throat (58.3%), cough (28.7%), and skin dermatoses (17.4%). Systemic symptoms included headache (45.2%), nausea (18.3%), chest tightness (12.2%), and dizziness (9.6%). Two-week follow-up revealed overall symptom improvement; severe cough decreased from 22.2% to 10.1%. However, despite general improvement, a significant portion of workers reported persistent respiratory issues, including cough (28.7%) and sputum production (31.0%). Symptom severity showed a significant dose-response relationship with proximity to the source (p < 0.001). While respirator use offered initial protection (p = 0.021), this effect was not statistically significant after 2 weeks. Conclusions Occupational LiOH exposure caused acute irritation and systemic symptoms, demonstrating immediate tissue damage consistent with its alkalinity and systemic toxicity upon absorption. As lithium battery production expands globally, these results emphasize the necessity for developing specific occupational exposure limits and medical surveillance guidelines for lithium compounds.

Background: Indoor firing ranges are globally recognized as high-risk settings for occupational and recreational lead exposure due to the use of lead-based ammunition and frequently inadequate ventilation systems. In Korea, however, public health surveillance and regulatory oversight have remained limited. This case series empirically demonstrates that in high-emission settings like indoor firing ranges, ventilation upgrades are insufficient. Source substitution with lead-free primer ammunition proved to be the only definitive intervention.Case presentation: In late 2023, an index case presenting with abdominal pain was found to have a blood lead level (BLL) of 55 μg/dL, prompting a government-mandated investigation. Nine male shooting instructors (tenure: 4–65 months) were subsequently identified with BLLs ranging from 38.2–73.2 μg/dL, while airborne lead concentrations (ALC) reached 0.51 mg/m³—10 times the occupational exposure limit (OEL: 0.05 mg/m³).During a 3-month closure to upgrade ventilation, workers received chelation therapy (CaNa₂EDTA and D-penicillamine), which reduced their BLLs to 3.2–25.7 μg/dL. However, 2 months after reopening, post-intervention ALC remained elevated at 0.0797 mg/m³, still exceeding the OEL, and BLLs rebounded to 16.2–53.3 μg/dL. A substitution strategy was then implemented, replacing lead-based ammunition with copper-clad, lead-free primer rounds. This intervention decreased ALC to <0.003 mg/m³ and lowered BLLs to 4.9–23.1 μg/dL. Despite the reduced airborne concentrations, several workers continued to exhibit BLLs around 20 μg/dL, suggesting subtle ongoing exposure and mobilization of bone-stored lead. Conclusions This cluster demonstrates that in environments where hazardous agents are continuously generated, such as indoor firing ranges, engineering controls alone, such as improved ventilation, may not provide adequate protection. Substitution—the most effective intervention within the hierarchy of controls—was essential for eliminating exposure. Furthermore, the toxicokinetics of bone lead in chronically exposed adults highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and cautious decision-making regarding treatment and return-to-work planning.

Background: This study examined the relationship between work-related physical workload and knee cartilage loss using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among farmers and fishers in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Bilateral knee MRI and questionnaire data from 545 farmers and 204 fishers aged 40—79 years were analyzed. Cartilage damage was evaluated using the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS). Mean cartilage loss scores were compared by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess associations of cumulative squatting work time (CSWT, hours) and cumulative lifting work time (CLWT, hours) with cartilage loss, adjusting for age and BMI, and stratified by sex. Results: Age was the most significant factor associated with cartilage loss, whereas BMI was not. In women, CSWT was significantly associated with medial cartilage loss in the tibiofemoral (TF) joint after adjusting for age and BMI (right: p = 0.036; left: p = 0.021). The CLWT was significantly associated with cartilage loss in the right patellofemoral joint (right: p = 0.005; left: p = 0.051). In men, CLWT showed a significant association only in the right medial TF joint (p = 0.046). Conclusion Among Korean farmers and fishers, cumulative squatting and lifting workloads were associated with knee cartilage damage in a compartment- and sex-specific manner.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Occupational neck disability is a prevalent issue, especially among line workers, who are often exposed to elevated levels of cervical ergonomic stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of neck posture and insulating stick use on neck disability in a specific occupational group in Korea.

Ectopic breast tissue can develop along the mammary ridge from the axilla to the groin, and the most common site is the axillae. Primary carcinoma of ectopic breast tissue is extremely rare. We report a rare case of a 61-year-old woman with a palpable mass in her left axilla who had a history of surgical excision of accessory breast tissue in the same area. Mammography (MMG), including axillary tail view, ultrasound (US), and breast MRI were performed. We evaluated the extent and characteristics of the microcalcifications in the axillary tail view. A US-guided biopsy was done, and histopathology revealed an invasive ductal carcinoma. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed multiple hepatic masses consistent with metastases, and the patient received palliative chemotherapy. Herein, we present a rare case of breast cancer arising from accessory breast tissue in the axilla, best appreciated on the axillary tail view of the patient’s MMG.