• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Background: The global shift toward greener societies demands new technologies and work operations in the waste-management sector. However, progressive industrial methods do not necessarily consider workers' health. This study characterized workers' exposure to bioaerosols and investigated the bioaerosols' potential to engage the immune system in vitro. Methods: Full shift personal aerosol sampling was conducted over three consecutive days. Dust load was analyzed by gravimetry, fungal and actinobacterial spores were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and endotoxin by limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. In vitro exposure of HEK cells to airborne dust samples was used to investigate the potential of inducing an inflammatory reaction. Results: The total dust exposure level exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 5.0 mg/m³ in 3 out of 15 samples. The inhalable endotoxin level exceeded the recommended exposure level by a 7-fold, whereas the fungal spore level exceeded the recommended exposure level by an 11-fold. Actinobacterial spores were identified in 8 out of 14 samples. In vitro experiments revealed significant TLR2 activation in 9 out of 14 samples vs. significant TLR4 activation in all samples. Conclusion: The present study showed that the dust samples contained potentially health-impairing endotoxin, fungi, and actinobacterial levels. Furthermore, the sampled dust contained microbial components capable of inducing TLR activation and thus have the potential to evoke an inflammatory response in exposed individuals.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to occupational hazards and the metabolic syndrome. A secondary objective was to analyze the additive and multiplicative effects of exposure to risk factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort was based on 31,615 health examinees at the Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital in Republic of Korea from 2012-2021. Demographic and behavior-related risk factors were treated as confounding factors, whereas three physical factors, 19 organic solvents and aerosols, and 13 metals and dust were considered occupational risk factors. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios. Results: The risk of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in night shift workers (hazard ratio = 1.45: 95% confidence interval = 1.36-1.54) and workers who were exposed to noise (1.15:1.07-1.24). Exposure to some other risk factors was also significantly associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. They were dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, trichloroethylene, xylene, styrene, toluene, dichloromethane, copper, antimony, lead, copper, iron, welding fume, and manganese. Among the 28 significant pairs, 19 exhibited both positive additive and multiplicative effects. Conclusions: Exposure to single or combined occupational risk factors may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Working conditions should be monitored and improved to reduce exposure to occupational hazards and prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2024

Background: Silicosis among workers who fabricate engineered stone products in micro or small-sized enterprises (MSEs) was reported from several countries. Workplace exposure data of these workers at high risk of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust are limited. Methods: We surveyed workers performing cutting, shaping and polishing tasks at 6 engineered stone fabricating MSEs in Sydney, Australia prior to regulatory intervention. Personal exposure to airborne RCS dust in 34 workers was measured, work practices were observed using a checklist and worker demography recorded. Results: Personal respirable dust measurements showed exposures above the Australian workplace exposure standard (WES) of 0.1 mg/m³ TWA-8 hours for RCS in 85% of workers who performed dry tasks and amongst 71% using water-fed tools. Dust exposure controls were inadequate with ineffective ventilation and inappropriate respiratory protection. All 34 workers sampled were identified as overseas-born migrants, mostly from three linguistic groups. Conclusions: Workplace exposure data from this survey showed that workers in engineered stone fabricating MSEs were exposed to RCS dust levels which may be associated with a high risk of developing silicosis. The survey findings were useful to inform a comprehensive regulatory intervention program involving diverse hazard communication tools and enforcing improved exposure controls. We conclude that modest occupational hygiene surveys in MSEs, with attention to workers' demographic factors can influence the effectiveness of intervention programs. Occupational health practitioners should address these potential determinants of hazardous exposures in their workplace surveys to prevent illness such as silicosis in vulnerable workers.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.5.1-5.10
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• 2022

Background: Some epidemiological studies have estimated exposure among flight attendants with and without breast cancer. However, it is difficult to find a quantitative evaluation of occupational exposure factors related to cancer development individually in the case of breast cancer in flight attendants. That is, most, if not all, epidemiological studies of breast cancer in flight attendants with quantitative exposure estimates have estimated exposure in the absence of individual flight history data. Case presentation: A 41-year-old woman visited the hospital due to a left breast mass after a regular check-up. Breast cancer was suspected on ultrasonography. Following core biopsy, she underwent various imaging modalities. She was diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type (estrogen receptor positive in 90%, progesterone receptor positive in 3%, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu equivocal) with histologic grade 3 and nuclear grade 3 in the left breast. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to reduce the tumor size before surgery. However, due to serious chemotherapy side effects, the patient opted for alternative and integrative therapies. She joined the airline in January, 1996. Out of all flights, international flights and night flights accounted for 94.9% and 26.2, respectively. Night flights were conducted at least four times per month. Moreover, based on the virtual computer program CARI-6M, the estimated dose of cosmic radiation exposure was 78.81 mSv. There were no other personal triggers or family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: This case report shows that the potentially causal relationship between occupational harmful factors and the incidence of breast cancer may become more pronounced when night shift workers who work continuously are exposed to cosmic ionizing radiation. Therefore, close attention and efforts are needed to adjust night shift work schedules and regulate cosmic ionizing radiation exposure.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.43.1-43.11
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• 2022

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have become common pollutants with industrial development. Although the effect of exposure to PAHs on allergic disease in humans has been evaluated, evidence of an association is sparse. The association between PAH exposure and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels was evaluated in Korean adults. Methods: In total, this study included 3,269 participants in the Third Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2015-2017). Four urinary PAH metabolites were used to assessed exposure to PAHs: 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-naphthol, and 2-hydroxyfluorene. The analyses were performed on 3 cutoff levels (100 IU/mL, 114 IU/mL, and 150 IU/mL) set as the total IgE elevation. Prevalence of total IgE elevation by PAH exposure group and general characteristics (age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol drinking, and occupation) were analyzed using the Rao-Scott χ² test. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for total IgE elevation by PAH exposure groups. Results: Total IgE elevation differed significantly by age, sex, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, and occupation. For 2-hydroxyfluorene, the fourth quartile showed a significant association with IgE elevation compared to the first quartile in the analyses of cutoff-level 100 IU/mL (OR: 1.372, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007-1.869) and 114 IU/mL (OR: 1.643, 95% CI: 1.167-2.312). In the analysis of cutoff-level 150 IU/mL, the adjusted ORs of the third and fourth quartile of 2-hydroxyfluorene were significantly higher than the first quartile (3rd quartile: OR: 1.478, 95% CI: 1.034-2.113; 4th quartile: OR: 1.715, 95% CI: 1.161-2.534). However, there were no significant positive associations for the other metabolites. Conclusions: This study implied that PAHs exposure is associated with total IgE elevation in Korean adults. More research is needed to confirm the effect of exposure to PAHs on serum IgE and allergic diseases.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.360-367
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• 2024

Background: In the food manufacturing industry, exposure to inhalable aerosols contributes to respiratory illnesses such as occupational asthma and rhinitis. However, there is a lack of comprehensive exposure assessment studies. This study evaluated occupational exposure to inhalable aerosols in an instant powdered food manufacturing plant during work operations involving dried food and powders. Methods: In total, 50 workers from an instant powdered food manufacturing plant were recruited. Personal inhalable aerosol exposure measurements were taken for both full-shift and task-based activities. The concentrations of inhalable aerosols were analyzed to identify any variation within and across departments, as well as between seasons, handedness, and sex. Results: In total, 134 personal air samples were collected, and the particulate mass was determined gravimetrically. The concentrations of inhalable aerosols ranged from 0.1 to 27 mg/m³ for full-shift exposure measurements and 3.1 to 73 mg/m³ for task-based measurements. Statistically significant differences in mean aerosol concentrations were found across departments (A:B p < 0.001, A:C p < 0.05, B:C p < 0.001) and between seasons (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed high exposure to inhalable aerosols among workers, particularly those involved in manual weighing, mixing, and adding powders. The significant differences between departments highlight the specific activities contributing to increased inhalable aerosol concentrations. Seasonal variations were also evident, with autumn showing higher concentrations of inhalable aerosols in all departments compared with summer. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the distribution of aerosol concentrations across different work tasks and departments, particularly during different seasons.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Purpose: Unlike the existing linear accelerator with photon, proton therapy produces a number of second radiation due to the kinds of nuclide including neutron that is produced from the interaction with matter, and more attention must be paid on the exposure level of radiation workers for this reason. Therefore, thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) that is being widely used to measure radiation was utilized to analyze the exposure level of the radiation workers and propose a basic data about the radiation exposure level during the proton therapy. Materials and Methods: The subjects were radiation workers who worked at the proton therapy center of National Cancer Center and TLD Badge was used to compare the measured data of exposure level. In order to check the dispersion of exposure dose on body parts from the second radiation coming out surrounding the beam line of proton, TLD (width and length: 3 mm each) was attached to on the body spots (lateral canthi, neck, nipples, umbilicus, back, wrists) and retained them for 8 working hours, and the average data was obtained after measuring them for 80 hours. Moreover, in order to look into the dispersion of spatial exposure in the treatment room, TLD was attached on the snout, PPS (Patient Positioning System), Pendant, block closet, DIPS (Digital Image Positioning System), Console, doors and measured its exposure dose level during the working hours per day. Results: As a result of measuring exposure level of TLD Badge of radiation workers, quarterly average was 0.174 mSv, yearly average was 0.543 mSv, and after measuring the exposure level of body spots, it showed that the highest exposed body spot was neck and the lowest exposed body spot was back (the middle point of a line connecting both scapula superior angles). Investigation into the spatial exposure according to the workers' movement revealed that the exposure level was highest near the snout and as the distance becomes distant, it went lower. Conclusion: Even a small amount of exposure will eventually increase cumulative dose and exposure dose on a specific body part can bring health risks if one works in a same location for a long period. Therefore, radiation workers must thoroughly manage exposure dose and try their best to minimize it according to ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.286-293
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: 18% of difenoconazole+iminoctadin triacetate microemulsion (3%+15%) formulation were mixed and sprayed as closely as possible to normal practice on the ten of farms located in the Youngju of South Korea. Patches, cotton gloves, socks, masks and XAD-2 resin were used to measure the potential exposure for applicators wearing standardized whole-body outer and inner dosimeter (WBD). This study has been carried out to determine the dermal and inhalation exposure to difenoconazole during preparation of spray suspension and application with a power sprayer on a grape orchard. METHODS AND RESULTS: A personal air monitor equipped with an air pump IOM sampler and cassette and glass fiber filter were used for inhalation exposure. The field studies were carried out in a grape orchard. The temperature and relative humidity were monitored with a thermometer and a hygrometer. Wind speed was measured using a pocket weather meter. All mean field fortification recoveries were between 97.3% and 119.6% in the level of 100 LOQ (limit of quantification) while the LOQ for difenoconazole was $0.025{\mu}g/mL$ using HPLC-UVD. The arms exposure to difenoconazole for the mixer/loader (0.0794 mg) was higher than other body parts (head, hands, upper body, legs). The exposure to difenoconazole in the legs for applicator (3.78 mg) was highest in the parts of body. The dermal exposure for mixer/loader and applicator were 0.02 and 2.28 mg on a grape orchard, respectively. The inhalation exposure during application was estimated as 0.02 mg. The ratio of inhalation exposure to dermal exposure was equivalent to 0.9% of the dermal exposure. CONCLUSION: The inhalation exposure for applicator indicated $18.8{\times}10^{-3}mg$, which was level of 0.9% of the dermal exposure (2.28 mg). Operator exposure (0.004 mg/kg bw/day) to difenoconazole during treatment for grape is calculated as 2.5% of the established AOEL (0.16 mg/kg bw/day).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.42-58
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• 2002

Acute Cd exposure produces hepatotoxicity, whereas chronic Cd exposure produces nephrotoxicity, hematotoxicity, immunotoxicity and bone damage. Previous experiments suggest that the low-molecular-weight, metal-binding protein metallothionein (MT) in liver protects against liver injury, but is responsible for the kidney injury observed after chronic Cd exposure.(omitted)

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2005

The health risks from the magnetic fields exposure have been brought out difficulties in the construction of transformer substation. According to several epidemiologic studies and the relevant international organizations, magnetic fields should not exceed the exposure limits of 3mG for the people living near electric power lines. The rigid regulation of the exposure levels for the elementary school and residental areas has been established already in Switzerland and Italy. Since 1998, the environmental impact assessment system in Korea has been reviewed for power-frequency magnetic field by precautionary policies. In this study, the possible application of Prior Environmental Performance Review System for the transformer substation was reviewed from the points of the properties of the powerfrequency magnetic fields. The ranges and survey methods of the assessment for the transformer substation were proposed. The ranges of magnetic fields was between 300m to 500m for the 345kV transformer substation. It is necessary to develop further specific assessment methods for various high-voltage transformer substations.