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.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction derived from Sargassum pallidum extract against particulate matter (PM)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in HaCaT cells and zebrafish. Methods: HaCaT cells and zebrafish were used to evaluate the protective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. The production of nitric oxide (NO), intracellular ROS, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the expression levels of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB were evaluated in PM-induced HaCaT cells. Furthermore, the levels of ROS, NO, and lipid peroxidation were assessed in the PM-exposed zebrafish model. Results: The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract significantly decreased the production of NO, intracellular ROS, and PGE2 in PM-induced HaCaT cells. In addition, the fraction markedly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the expression levels of COX-2, iNOS, and NF-κB. Furthermore, it displayed remarkable protective effects against PM-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, represented by the reduction of NO, ROS, and lipid peroxidation in zebrafish. Conclusions: The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract exhibits a protective effect against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential as a candidate for the development of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.

Objectives: Presenteeism is known to be a much more economically damaging social cost than disease rest while going to work despite physical pain. Since COVID-19, social discussions on the sickness benefit have been taking place as a countermeasure against presenteeism, and in particular, farmers and fishermen do not have an institutional mechanism for livelihood support when a disease other than work occurs. This study attempted to examine the relationship between agricultural, fishing, and forestry workers and presenteeism using the 6th Korean Work Conditions Survey. Methods: From October 2020 to January 2021, data from the 6th working conditions survey conducted on 17 cities and provinces in Korea were used, and a total of 34,981 people were studied. Control variables were gender, age, self-health assessment, education level, night work, shift work, monthly income, occupation, working hours per week, and employment status. Results: As a result of the analysis, farmers and fishermen showed the characteristics of the self-employed and the elderly, and as a result of the regression analysis, when farmers and fishermen analyzed the relationship with presenteeism tendency compared to other industry workers, farmers and fishermen increased by 23% compared to other industry groups. Conclusion This study is significant in that it has representation by utilizing the 6th working conditions survey and objectively suggests the need for a sickness benefit for farmers and fishermen who may be overlooked in the sickness benefit.

Tattooing is an invasive procedure that involves the introduction of permanent pigments into the dermis, and is categorized as a medical procedure in Korea. Despite the medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic purposes of tattooing, legislative proposals to allow non-medical personnel to perform tattooing have consistently been rejected on public health grounds, prioritizing health and safety considerations. Professional organizations have maintained a consistent position, highlighting the risks of allowing non-medical individuals to perform tattooing. These risks include procedural complications, use of unsafe practices, and inadequate legal frameworks to ensure accountability.Addressing such issues requires careful consideration beyond economic or convenience factors, with an emphasis on public health policies. To address these concerns, the Korean Dermatological Research Foundation convened its 1st Policy Forum on October 6, 2024. The forum discussed the safety aspects, medical complications, and legal implications of tattooing performed by non-medical personnel. These findings highlight the significant risks and regulatory gaps associated with such practices, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review and stringent regulations to protect public health.

Objectives: Presenteeism is known to be a much more economically damaging social cost than disease rest while going to work despite physical pain. Since COVID-19, social discussions on the sickness benefit have been taking place as a countermeasure against presenteeism, and in particular, farmers and fishermen do not have an institutional mechanism for livelihood support when a disease other than work occurs. This study attempted to examine the relationship between agricultural, fishing, and forestry workers and presenteeism using the 6th Korean Work Conditions Survey. Methods: From October 2020 to January 2021, data from the 6th working conditions survey conducted on 17 cities and provinces in Korea were used, and a total of 34,981 people were studied. Control variables were gender, age, self-health assessment, education level, night work, shift work, monthly income, occupation, working hours per week, and employment status. Results: As a result of the analysis, farmers and fishermen showed the characteristics of the self-employed and the elderly, and as a result of the regression analysis, when farmers and fishermen analyzed the relationship with presenteeism tendency compared to other industry workers, farmers and fishermen increased by 23% compared to other industry groups. Conclusion This study is significant in that it has representation by utilizing the 6th working conditions survey and objectively suggests the need for a sickness benefit for farmers and fishermen who may be overlooked in the sickness benefit.

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome (AINS) is typically characterized by dysfunction of the pure motor branch of the median nerve, primarily affecting the flexor pollicis longus and the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) of the index finger, and occasionally involving the FDP of the middle finger and the pronator quadratus. Although various etiologies such as compressive neuropathy and isolated neuritis have been proposed, the most recent review describes AINS as a form of neuralgic amyotrophy. Its treatment remains a matter of debate; the most frequently discussed approach is conservative treatment followed by surgical intervention above the medial epicondyle level if recovery is not achieved. In the case described herein, a hematoma resulting from blunt trauma at the forearm level compressed the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), with clinical features and diagnostic findings very similar to those of typical AINS. Early surgical removal of the hematoma led to complete recovery without complications. Despite the current understanding of AINS pathophysiology and treatment, this case emphasizes the need to consider the possibility of AIN palsy due to forearm lesions. We report on the clinical course and successful treatment of this case to highlight this important consideration.

Purpose: This study presents the outcomes of a modified loop-locking suture technique for repairing complete flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon divisions at the terminal level. Traditional methods, such as pullout sutures or tendon fixation, are commonly used; however, this paper explores the reliability of the loop-locking suture technique. Methods: From June 2011 to January 2024, the modified loop-locking suture technique was performed in 21 cases of FDP tendon division in which the distal stump was less than 1 cm in length. Core and epitendinous sutures were made using polydioxanone 4-0 and poliglecaprone 25 4-0. The study focused on 13 patients aged 24 to 68 years, with an average tendon stump length of 0.61 cm. Ten cases necessitated microsurgical repair involving both arterial and nerve repair. A dorsal protective splint was used for an average of 5 weeks. The outcomes measured included active and passive range of motion, grip strength, and key and pulp pinch. Results: The mean follow-up period was 12 months. No re-ruptures occurred, although two cases required tenolysis. The average active range of motion at the distal interphalangeal joint was 61.5°. Grip strength and pulp pinch averaged 95.3% and 86.8%, respectively, compared to the contralateral side. Flexion contracture was observed in three cases, with no quadriga effect. Conclusion The modified loop-locking suture technique provides sufficient functional recovery for FDP tendon divisions in Zone 1a and distal Zone 1b, even with a short tendon stump.

Tattooing is an invasive procedure that involves the introduction of permanent pigments into the dermis, and is categorized as a medical procedure in Korea. Despite the medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic purposes of tattooing, legislative proposals to allow non-medical personnel to perform tattooing have consistently been rejected on public health grounds, prioritizing health and safety considerations. Professional organizations have maintained a consistent position, highlighting the risks of allowing non-medical individuals to perform tattooing. These risks include procedural complications, use of unsafe practices, and inadequate legal frameworks to ensure accountability.Addressing such issues requires careful consideration beyond economic or convenience factors, with an emphasis on public health policies. To address these concerns, the Korean Dermatological Research Foundation convened its 1st Policy Forum on October 6, 2024. The forum discussed the safety aspects, medical complications, and legal implications of tattooing performed by non-medical personnel. These findings highlight the significant risks and regulatory gaps associated with such practices, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review and stringent regulations to protect public health.

Tattooing is an invasive procedure that involves the introduction of permanent pigments into the dermis, and is categorized as a medical procedure in Korea. Despite the medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic purposes of tattooing, legislative proposals to allow non-medical personnel to perform tattooing have consistently been rejected on public health grounds, prioritizing health and safety considerations. Professional organizations have maintained a consistent position, highlighting the risks of allowing non-medical individuals to perform tattooing. These risks include procedural complications, use of unsafe practices, and inadequate legal frameworks to ensure accountability.Addressing such issues requires careful consideration beyond economic or convenience factors, with an emphasis on public health policies. To address these concerns, the Korean Dermatological Research Foundation convened its 1st Policy Forum on October 6, 2024. The forum discussed the safety aspects, medical complications, and legal implications of tattooing performed by non-medical personnel. These findings highlight the significant risks and regulatory gaps associated with such practices, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review and stringent regulations to protect public health.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether the clinical outcomes of antegrade and retrograde extra-articular Kirschner wire (K-wire) pinning differed in proximal phalanx base fractures. Methods: This retrospective study investigated 73 patients aged ≥18 years with extra-articular proximal phalanx base fractures that were treated by closed K-wire pinning between January 2014 and June 2023. Patients were analyzed according to whether the K-wire fixation was antegrade or retrograde. We analyzed demographics, injury characteristics, the number of K-wires applied, surgical duration, the interval before implant removal, and when physical therapy was started. Radiological outcomes included the amount of time required for radiographically confirmed bone union. Clinical outcomes consisted of complications, total active motion (TAM), and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). Results: We treated 29 and 44 patients using antegrade and retrograde K-wire fixation, respectively. The overall complication rate was higher in the antegrade group than in the retrograde group (13.8% vs. 9.1%), although this difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant between-group differences were detected in the length of time required for bone union and implant removal, TAM, and MHQ scores. Conclusion Proximal phalanx base fractures were equally and effectively treated by antegrade and retrograde K-wire fixation. Therefore, the direction of K-wire fixation can be chosen based on surgeons’ preferences and experience.