Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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Knowledge, Awareness and Health Risk Concerns on Occupational Exposure to Radiation among Firefighters in Korea

소방공무원의 직업적 방사선노출에 대한 지식, 자각 및 건강피해 우려

  • Lee, Hyeongyeong (National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration) ;
  • Yoon, Hyeongwan (Department of Emergency Medical Technology, Jeonju Vision University) ;
  • Park, Jeongim (Department of Environmental Health, SoonChunHyang University)
  • 이현경 (농촌진흥청 국립농업과학원 농업공학부 재해예방공학과) ;
  • 윤형완 (전주비전대학교 응급구조학과) ;
  • 박정임 (순천향대학교 환경보건학과)
  • Received : 2015.04.21
  • Accepted : 2015.12.03
  • Published : 2015.12.31
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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the current status of knowledge, awareness and health risk concerns on occupational radiation exposures among firefighters in Korea. The results will provide basic information for developing a prevention program to minimize adverse health effects relating to radiation exposure among firefighters. Methods: A questionnaire was composed of general characteristics of participants, and their knowledge, awareness, health risk concerns relating to occupational radiation exposure. It was distributed by email to all of 307 firefighters in Jeollabukdo in April 2014 and 259 of them (response rate 84.3%) were responded. Answers were analyzed for descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages. SPSS/WIN 18.0 program was utilized for statistical analysis of t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Results: The average score of radiation protection knowledge was $5.83{\pm}1.77$ ($average{\pm}SD$) out of 10. The score of awareness and health risk concerns on radiation exposure were 4.27, 3.94 out of 5, respectively. The results indicated that the knowledge on the characteristics of radiation was marginal among the firefighters, while the awareness and health risk concerns relating to radiation exposures were relatively higher comparing to other professions. Conclusions: Knowing the characteristics of potential risks is the first step for minimizing the adverse health effects relating to the risks. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate training and information on radiation and exposure protection methods for firefighters.

Keywords

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