• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.66-72
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• 2024

Background: This study examines the relationship between functional disability and work ability in workers affected by low back pain (LBP) through an analysis of correlations between the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Work Ability Index (WAI). The role of personal and work factors on functional disability/work ability levels has also been studied. LBP is the most common musculoskeletal problem and a major disabling health problem worldwide. Its etiology is multifactorial. Multidisciplinary approaches may help reduce the burden of pain and disability and improve job continuity and reintegration at work. Methods: A cohort of 264 patients affected by LBP from an Italian outpatient clinic were included in a clinical diagnostic/therapeutic trial aiming at rehabilitation and return to work through an integrated investigation protocol. Data were collected during the first medical examination using anamnestic and clinical tools. The final sample is composed of 252 patients, 57.1% man, 44.0 % blue collars, 46.4% with the high school degree, 45.6% married. Results: WAI and ODI reported a negative and fair correlation (r = -0.454; p = .000). Workers with acute LBP symptoms have a higher probability of severe disability than those with chronic LBP symptoms. White collars without depressive symptoms reported higher work ability - even in chronic disability conditions-than those with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The study found that ODI and WAI have a convergent validity and this suggests that the two tools measure capture distinctive aspects of disability related to personal, environmental, and occupational characteristics. The most important and modifiable prognostic factors found for ODI and WAI were depressive symptoms, workday absence, and intensity of back pain. The study also found a mild association between age and ODI. The study's findings highlight the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to manage and prevent disability due to LBP.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.37-57
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hair Ampoules with Malva Verticillata Seed Extract in alopecia patients. Methods : This 24-week clinical study enrolled 70 patients with Alopecia. A series of clinical examinations, subjects were evaluated at 0, 8, 16 and 24-week, counting of the number of hairs on the crown, and subject survey after using the Ampoules. Results : The clinical evaluation showed a significantly difference (p<0.05) after 24 weeks of product use compared to the baseline in the change in hair count in the treatment group compared to the control group within and between groups. It showed greater improvement in the treatment group than in the control group in hair count, hair thickness, and hair loss symptoms in the top of the head and forehead. No severe adverse events were observed during the clinical trial. Counclusions : This suggests that this hair ampoules containing Malva Verticillata Seed Extract could help prevent hair loss in alopecia patients without inducing side effects.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.457-466
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• 2023

Background: During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods: 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28℃, and the weight, inhalation resistance (R_f), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results: All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the R_f and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (P_t) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the R_f, P_t, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions: This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.390-397
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• 2023

Introduction: Biological risks are a major global problem in the workplace. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the biological risks at work. This study presents data on both communicable infectious biological agents and noncommunicable factors leading to death and disability for the year 2021. Methods: We followed the methodology established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in their past global estimates on occupational accidents and work-related diseases. We used relevant ILO estimates for hazardous substances and related population attributable fractions derived from literature, which were then applied to World Health Organization mortality data. The communicable diseases included in the estimates were tuberculosis, pneumococcal diseases, malaria, diarrheal diseases, other infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, influenza associated respiratory diseases and COVID-19. Noncommunicable diseases and injuries considered were Chronic Obstructive Diseases (COPD) due to organic dusts, asthma, allergic reactions and risks related to animal contact. We estimated death attributable to biological risk at work and disability in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: We estimated that in 2022, 550,819 deaths were caused by biological risk factors, with 476,000 deaths attributed to communicable infectious diseases and 74,000 deaths caused by noncommunicable factors. Among these, there were 223,650 deaths attributed to COVID-19 at work. We calculated the rate of 584 DALYs per 100,000 workers, representing an 11% increase from the previous estimate of the global burden of work-related disabilities measured by DALYs. Conclusion: This is a first update since previous 2007 ILO estimates, which has now increased by 74% and covers most biological risks factors. However, it is important to note that there may be other diseases and deaths are missing from the data, which need to be included when new information becomes available. It is also worth mentioning that while deaths caused by major communicable diseases including COVID-19 are relatively rare within the working population, absences from work due to these diseases are likely to be very common within the active workforce.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.451-456
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• 2023

Background: We conducted a case-control study to identify high-risk occupations and exposure to occupational hazards for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: When patients with AML admitted to the Department of Hematology in the study hospital for the first time are referred to the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, data on occupation are collected by investigators to evaluate work-relatedness. Community-based controls were recruited through an online survey agency, and four controls per case were matched. Occupational information was estimated using structured questionnaires covering 27 specific occupations and 32 exposure agents. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed by pairing cases and controls. Results: In the analysis of the risk of AML according to occupational classification, a significant association was found in paint manufacturing or painting work (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.03-4.81) and aircrew (OR = 6.00, 95% CI: 1.00-35.91) in males, and in pesticide industry (OR = 6.89, 95% CI: 1.69-28.07) and cokes and steel industry (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.18-22.06) in ≥60 years old. Moreover, the risk of AML increased significantly as the cumulative exposure to thinners increased. In the analyses stratified by sex and age, the association between pesticide exposure and AML was significant in males (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.10-9.77) and in ≥60 years old (OR = 6.22, 95% CI: 1.48-26.08). Conclusion: This case-control study identified high-risk occupational groups in the Republic of Korea including paint manufacturers and painters, aircrew, and those who are occupationally exposed to pesticides or paint thinners.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.406-414
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• 2023

Background: This study examined age-group differences in the rate, severity, and cost of injuries among construction workers to support evidence-based worker safety and health interventions in the construction industry. Methods: Ohio workers' compensation claims for construction workers were used to estimate claim rates and costs by age group. We analyzed claims data auto-coded into five event/exposure categories: transportation incidents; slips, trips, and falls (STFs); exposure to harmful substances and environments; contact with objects and equipment (COB); overexertion and bodily reaction. American Community Survey data were used to determine the percentage of workers in each age group. Results: From 2007-2017, among 72,416 accepted injury claims for ~166,000 construction full-time equivalent (FTE) per year, nearly half were caused by COB, followed by STFs (20%) and overexertion (20%). Claim rates related to COB and exposure to harmful substances and environments were highest among those 18-24 years old, with claim rates of 313.5 and 25.9 per 10,000 FTE, respectively. STFs increased with age, with the highest claim rates for those 55-64 years old (94.2 claims per 10,000 FTE). Overexertion claim rates increased and then declined with age, with the highest claim rate for those 35-44 years old (87.3 per 10,000 FTE). While younger workers had higher injury rates, older workers had higher proportions of lost-time claims and higher costs per claim. The total cost per FTE was highest for those 45-54 years old ($1,122 per FTE). Conclusion: The variation in rates of injury types by age suggests that age-specific prevention strategies may be useful.

• 재활치료과학
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.85-94
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• 2024

목적 : 본 연구는 성인 발달장애인을 대상으로 수단적 일상생활활동 프로그램을 제공하였을 때 일상생활활동 및 삶의 질에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 단일집단 사전-사후 실험설계로, E 장애인복지관의 성인 발달장애인 17명을 대상으로 시행하였다. 프로그램은 사전-사후 평가를 포함하여 총 10회기로 이루어졌으며, 장보기, 식사준비 및 정리, 가정관리, 안전 및 응급관리와 관련된 훈련 및 교육을 제공하였다. 평가도구는 삶의 질 설문지(Quality of Life: QOL), 한국어판 생활공간 평가(Korean version of the Life Space Assessment: K-LSA), 한국어판 수단적 일상생활활동(Korean version of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: K-IADL)을 사용하였다. 결과 : 수단적 일상생활활동 작업치료 프로그램 전과 후의 QOL과 K-IADL 점수에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 나타났으며, K-LSA 점수는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론 : 본 연구는 성인 발달장애인 대상으로 수단적 일상생활활동 프로그램을 시행함으로써 수단적 일상생활활동 수행도와 삶의 질에 긍정적인 영향을 주는 것을 확인하였다. 성인 발달장애인의 일상생활 및 사회참여를 영위하기 위해 일상생활활동 훈련을 포함한 작업참여의 중재가 확대되어야 한다.

• 지식경영연구
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.121-143
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• 2024

코로나 팬데믹은 아동·청소년의 학습, 건강, 심리·정서, 일상생활 등 삶의 많은 영역에 영향을 미쳤다. 특히 아동·청소년의 우울감이나 스트레스, 이와 관련한 상담 건수가 지속해서 증가하고 있어 이들에 대한 정서관리가 시급하다. 본 연구에서는 한국 아동·청소년 정신건강 관련 환경과 현행 관리체계를 분석하고 개선 서비스 방향을 제시하였다. 특히, 증거기반 행정 차원에서 교육부, 보건복지부, 행정안전부 등 공공기관에서 관리하고 있는 데이터를 중심으로 아동·청소년의 정서관리 현황을 살펴보고, 데이터 확보, 연계, 통합을 고려하여 1단계-데이터기반 아동·청소년 정서관리 서비스, 2단계-취약계층 아동·청소년 특화 정서관리 서비스, 3단계-아동·청소년 맞춤형 정서관리 마이데이터 서비스를 제안하였다. 또한, 제안한 데이터기반 정서관리 서비스의 실현을 위해 관련 법적 근거와 쟁점을 검토하고 개선 방향을 제안하였다. 제안한 서비스와 법적 과제는 향후 아동·청소년 정서관리 정책 실현에 실무적으로 기여할 것으로 기대한다.

• 환경생물
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.116-122
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• 2017

말라카이트 그린과 메틸렌 블루 같은 기본 염료는 1930년대부터 물 곰팡이 감염을 통제하는 소독제로 사용되었다. 하지만 이 염료의 발암성 및 생체 내부 축적이 보고된 후 공중보건을 위해 이 염료의 사용이 금지되었다. 본 연구에서는 천연유황수의 Saprolegnia parasitica의 감염에 대한 치료 효과와 어류에서의 안전성을 평가하고자 하였다. 천연유황수의 항진균성 시험에서 S. parasitica 균사체의 성장이 50 ppm 또는 그 이상의 농도에서 억제되었다. 미꾸라지의 치어와 미성어에 대한 천연유황수의 급성 독성 시험에서 무 영향농도(NOEC)는 100 ppm, 최저 영향농도(LOEC)는 125 ppm 그리고 반수치사농도($LC_{50}$)는 치어에서 125 ppm, 미성어에서 250 ppm으로 측정되었다. 또한, 물벼룩을 이용한 천연유황수의 생태 독성 시험에서는 100 ppm 이하의 농도에서 물벼룩의 유영저해가 나타나지 않았다. 결론적으로, 천연유황수는 50 ppm 농도에서 미꾸라지에 대한 S. parasitica의 감염을 방지하였을 뿐만 아니라 100 ppm 농도까지 미꾸라지에 급성독성 그리고 물벼룩에 생태독성을 나타내지 않았다. 그러므로 미꾸라지 양식에서 많은 문제를 일으키는 수생균을 제거하기 위하여 말라카이트 그린 및 메틸렌 블루 같은 발암성 소독제를 대신하여 천연유황수를 유용하게 사용할 수 있으며 잠재적으로 다른 어종 양식에서도 천연유황수를 친환경 소독제로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 자원환경지질
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.627-635
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• 2019

슬레이트는 석면을 이용한 대표적인 건축자재 중 하나로써 백석면(10~20%)과 시멘트 성분을 결합하여 만든 제품이다. 슬레이트에 포함되어 있는 석면은 인체에 유입되면 세포 손상이나 변형을 일으키고 체외로 잘 배출되지 않아 폐암, 석면폐, 악성중피종 및 흉막비후 등과 같은 질병을 일으키는 원인이 되는 것으로 입증되어 1977년 세계보건기구(WHO) 산하 국제암연구소(IARC)에서는 1군 발암물질로 지정하였다. 현재 이러한 슬레이트는 대부분 지정매립장에 매립하여 처리하고 있으나 매립용량이 한계에 다다르고 있고 매립한다고 하여도 추후 외부환경으로 노출될 수 있는 잠재적인 위험성이 있어 매립 처리방법 이외에 슬레이트에 포함된 석면을 무해화하여 안전하게 처리할 수 있는 방법이 필요하다. 따라서 이 연구에서는 발열반응 촉매제와 열처리를 이용하여 슬레이트에 함유된 석면 무해화 가능성을 확인하고자 하였다. 실험은 석면해체·제거 사업장에서 발생한 석면함유 슬레이트를 이용하였고 발열반응 촉매제는 염화칼슘(CaCl₂), 염화마그네슘(MgCl₂), 수산화나트륨(NaOH), 규산소듐(Na₂SiO₃), 카올린[Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄)], 활석[Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂]을 이용하여 총 6가지의 촉매제를 제조하였다. 6가지의 촉매제를 슬레이트에 각각 도포한 후 열중량-시차열분석(TG-DTA)을 실시하여 분석결과를 토대로 슬레이트 무해화를 위한 열처리 온도를 750℃로 결정하였다. 슬레이트에 6가지 촉매제를 각각 도포한 후 750℃에서 2시간 열처리하여 X-선 회절 분석(XRD), 주사전자현미경 분석(SEM-EDS), 투과전자현미경 분석(TEM-EDS)을 한 결과 슬레이트 내 백석면[chrysotile, Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH₅)]이 주상의 고토감람석(forsterite, Mg₂SiO₄)으로 상전이 됨을 확인하였다. 또한, 슬레이트 원시료와 발열반응 촉매제 도포 후 열처리한 시료에 물리적인 힘을 가하여 광물의 형상 변화를 비교 관찰한 결과, 슬레이트 내 백석면은 섬유형을 유지하였으나 촉매제 도포 및 열처리를 한 시료는 무정형 형태로 깨지는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 발열반응 촉매제와 열처리를 통하여 낮은 온도에서 경제적으로 석면함유 슬레이트를 안전하게 처리할 수 있는 하나의 방안을 제시할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.