Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
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Respiratory Symptoms, Pulmonary Function Tests, and Asbestos Related Chest Radiograph Abnormalities of Former Asbestos Textile Factory Workers

석면방직공장 퇴직자의 호흡기 증상, 폐기능 및 흉부방사선 상 석면관련 이상

  • Bae, Hyun-Sook (Department of Preventive and Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kang, Dong-Mug (Department of Preventive and Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kim, Young-Ki (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Jong-Eun (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Yun-Seong (Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Kun-Il (Department of Radiology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Kun-Hyung (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA)
  • 배현숙 (부산대학교 의학전문대학원 예방의학 및 산업의학교실) ;
  • 강동묵 (부산대학교 의학전문대학원 예방의학 및 산업의학교실) ;
  • 김영기 (양산부산대학교병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 김종은 (양산부산대학교병원 산업의학과) ;
  • 김윤성 (양산부산대학교병원 호흡기내과) ;
  • 김건일 (양산부산대학교병원 영상의학과) ;
  • 김건형 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원)
  • Received : 2010.08.03
  • Accepted : 2010.10.08
  • Published : 2010.12.31
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Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asbestos-related chest radiograph abnormalities and abnormal pulmonary function tests among former asbestos textile factory workers and to reveal the related factors of these abnormal findings. Methods: There were 119 persons former asbestos textile industry workers registered in the health management pocketbook. Of 97 retired asbestos workers living in Busan, Yangsan and Gimhae, 63(64.9%) retired asbestos workers were enrolled into this study. The researchers administered questionnaires, and performed chest radiographys, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) on participants. The survey was conducted during July, 2009. Results: Among former workers the number of lung fibrosis, pleural plaque, pleural calcification, and pleural thickening was 13(20.6%), 6(9.5%), 3(4.8%), and 1(1.6%) in chest radiography, respectively. Asbestos-related disorders and abnormal pulmonary function test groups had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Participants with crocidolite exposure or long latency period had higher asbestos-related x-ray findings or abnormal PFT findings. Conclusions: Former asbestos textile workers had a high rate of asbestos-related disorders. Workers with crocidolite exposure or having had a longer latency period had more asbestos-related disorders. Because gradual increase of asbestos related disorders among high asbestos exposure group is expected, sustained, and intensive management is needed for these former workers.

목적: 본 연구는 일개 석면방직공장 퇴직자의 호흡기 증상, 흉부방사선 상의 석면관련 폐질환, 폐기능 이상의 유병률을 알아보고, 이에 영향을 미치는 일반적, 직업적 특성이 무엇인지 알아보고자 하였다. 방법: 일개 석면방직 공장 퇴직자 중에서 건강관리수첩을 발급받은 사람은 119명이었고, 이 중 2명은 사망자로 확인되었다. 부산, 양산, 김해에 거주하는 생존자 97명 중에서 최종적으로 63명(64.9%)이 연구에 참여하였다. 2009년 7월 한 달간 설문조사, 단순흉부촬영 및 폐기능 검사를 실시하였다. 결과: 석면관련 흉부방사선 이상은 폐실질섬유화 13명(20.6%), 흉막반 6명(9.5%), 흉막석회화 3명(4.8%), 흉막 비후 1명(1.6%)으로 중복되는 사람을 제외하고 총 18명(28.6%)이었다. 입사년도가 빠른 군, 잠복기간이 긴 군, 청석면을 사용하는 군에서 각각 흉부방사선 상에 석면관련 폐질환이 증가하였고, 폐기능 검사 이상자가 많았다(p<0.05). 석면방직관련 작업을 한 군에서 흉부방사선 상에 석면관련 폐질환이 많았다(p<0.05). 흉부방사선상 석면관련 폐질환 유소견군과 폐기능 이상을 보이는 군에서 정상군에 비해 호흡기 증상을 호소하는 빈도가 높았다. 다중 로지스틱 분석에서, 청석면에 노출된 경우 흉부 방사선 상에 석면관련 폐질환의 비차비가 5.10(95% CI 0.81-32.28)으로 경계적인 유의성을 보였다. 잠복기간이 30년 이상인 경우 폐기능 이상이 5.70(95% CI 1.08~30.17)배 유의하게 증가하였다. 결론: 호흡기 증상이 있는 석면노출자에 대해서 임상 검사를 통한 건강 이상 확인이 필요하며, 시간이 지날 수록 석면관련 폐질환의 증가 가능성이 있으므로 과거 석면 고노출 근로자들에 대한 지속적이고 집중적인 관리가 필요하다.

Keywords

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