• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation exposure to the eye and thyroid in pain physicians during the fluoroscopy-guided cervical epidural block (CEB). Methods: Two pain physicians (a fellow and a professor) who regularly performed C-arm fluoroscopy-guided CEBs were included. Seven dosimeters were used to measure radiation exposure, five of which were placed on the physician (forehead, inside and outside of the thyroid protector, and inside and outside of the lead apron) and two were used as controls. Patient age, sex, height, and weight were noted, as were radiation exposure time, absorbed radiation dose, and distance from the X-ray field center to the physician. Results: One hundred CEB procedures using C-arm fluoroscopy were performed on comparable patients. Only the distance from the X-ray field center to the physician was significantly different between the two physicians (fellow: 37.5 ± 2.1 cm, professor: 41.2 ± 3.6 cm, P = 0.03). The use of lead-based protection effectively decreased the absorbed radiation dose by up to 35%. Conclusions: Although there was no difference in radiation exposure between the professor and the fellow, there was a difference in the distance from the X-ray field during the CEBs. Further, radiation exposure can be minimized if proper protection (thyroid protector, leaded apron, and eyewear) is used, even if the distance between the X-ray beam and the pain physician is small. Damage from frequent, low-dose radiation exposure is not yet fully understood. Therefore, safety measures, including lead-based protection, should always be enforced.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.23.1-23.14
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to heavy metals is a public health concern worldwide. Previous studies on the association between heavy metal exposure and neurobehavioral functions in children have focused on single exposures and clinical manifestations. However, the present study evaluated the effects of heavy metal complex exposure on subclinical neurobehavioral function using a Korean Computerized Neurobehavior Test (KCNT). Methods: Urinary mercury, lead, cadmium analyses as well as symbol digit substitution (SDS) and choice reaction time (CRT) tests of the KCNT were conducted in children aged between 10 and 12 years. Reaction time and urinary heavy metal levels were analyzed using partial correlation, linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), the weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and quantile G-computation analysis. Results: Participants of 203 SDS tests and 198 CRT tests were analyzed, excluding poor cooperation and inappropriate urine sample. Partial correlation analysis revealed no association between neurobehavioral function and exposure to individual heavy metals. The result of multiple linear regression shows significant positive association between urinary lead, mercury, and CRT. BMKR, WQS regression and quantile G-computation analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between complex urinary heavy metal concentrations, especially lead and mercury, and reaction time. Conclusions: Assuming complex exposures, urinary heavy metal concentrations showed a statistically significant positive association with CRT. These results suggest that heavy metal complex exposure during childhood should be evaluated and managed strictly.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.273-281
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• 2021

The radiological safety of the spent resin treatment facility with a¹⁴C treatment capacity of 1 ton/day was evaluated in terms of the external and internal exposure of worker according to operation scenario. In terms of external dose, the annual dose for close work for 1 h/day at a distance of more than 1 m (19.8 mSv) satisfied the annual dose limit. For 8 h of close work per day, the annual dose exceeded the dose limit. For remote work of 2000 h/year, the annual dose was 14.4 mSv. Lead shielding was considered to reduce exposure dose, and the highest annual dose during close work for 1 h/day corresponded to 6.75 mSv. For close work of 2000 h/year and lead thickness exceeding 1.5 cm, the highest value of annual dose was derived as 13.2 mSv. In terms of internal exposure, the initial year dose was estimated to be 1.14E+03 mSv when conservatively 100% of the nuclides were assumed to leak. The allowable outflow rate was derived as 7.77E-02% and 2.00E-01% for the average limit of 20 mSv and the maximum limit of 50 mSv, respectively, where the annual replacement of the worker was required for 50 mSv.

• 대한디지털의료영상학회논문지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2012

In EVAR procedure using long time C-arm, we studied exposure dose reduction and effeciency through measuring surgical staff's ESD by installing lead curtain operating table next to. The height 3 the spot (50cm, 100cm, 150cm) dose was measured on 2 locations for 600sec in the X-ray radiation considering the surgical staff's movement. To install the curtains, we compared before and after the dose. As a result, it can confirm that dose of the installation former of 50cm height and after is reduced about 75% and 91% in 2 locations. In 100cm height, the reduction of the dose was a bit confirmed. There as to dose value, measured on 150cm height the installation former and after was nearly no change. This research examined the exposure dose about the radiation of the surgical staff during EVAR procedure in which the operation time is the long time. It was implemented in the object that it reduces the radiation exposure. It could confirm the certain effect of the experimental result exposure dose reduction In EVAR procedure using long time C-arm, we studied exposure dose reduction and effeciency through measuring surgical staff's ESD by installing lead curtain operating table next to. The height 3 the spot (50cm, 100cm, 150cm) dose was measured on 2 locations for 600sec in the X-ray radiation considering the surgical staff's movement. To install the curtains, we compared before and after the dose. As a result, it can confirm that dose of the installation former of 50cm height and after is reduced about 75% and 91% in 2 locations. In 100cm height, the reduction of the dose was a bit confirmed. There as to dose value, measured on 150cm height the installation former and after was nearly no change. This research examined the exposure dose about the radiation of the surgical staff during EVAR procedure in which the operation time is the long time. It was implemented in the object that it reduces the radiation exposure. It could confirm the certain effect of the experimental result exposure dose reduction.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 1994년도 교수 연수회(환경)
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• pp.561-575
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• 1994

Williams, M K., King, E., and Walford, Joan (1969). Brit. J. industr. Med., 26, 202-216. An investigation of lead absorption in an electric accumulator factory with the use of personal samplers. Thirty-nine lead workers and controls, in stable conditions of exposure, each wore personal lead-in-air samplers daily for two weeks. During the second week samples for blood lead, urinary lead, urinary coproporphyrin, urinary $\gamma$-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the punctate basophil count, and haemoglobin were taken daily. Duplicate estimations were made on one day. The lead exposures of men doing almost identical jobs differed by ratios of up to four to one. This could be attributed on y to personal differences in working habits. The correlation coefficients and regression equations of the biochemical tests with lead-in-air and with each other were determined. The mean values and $95\%$ confidence limits of single determinations of some of the biochemical tests corresponding to the two commonly accepted TLVs of lead-in-air (0-20 and 0-15 mg./$m^{3}$) were calculated from the regression equations. For each biochemical test the variation due to analytical error, the variation from day to day within subjects and the residual variation about the regression on lead-in-air were calculated. Previous estimates of the latter are not known. Excessive confidence may be placed in an index of exposure due to its low coefficient of variation within subjects unless the coefficient of variation between subjects about regression is taken into account. The correction for specific gravity of estimations of lead and ALA in spot samples of urine was found to reduce slightly the residual variation between subjects about the regression on lead-in-air and to increase the correlations with lead-in-air and with the other biochemical tests, but these changes were not statistically significant. The modified method used for estimating blood lead and urinary lead is described and validated.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제17권
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• pp.135-138
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• 2001

Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control, received distilled water; Low lead, received 0.5 g/ιlead (as acetate) in drinking water; High lead, received 2.0 g/ιlead; Low lead + Minerals, received 0.5 g/ιlead in drinking water and received minerals (Ca$^{2+}$, 25 mg/kg/day; Fe$^{3+}$, 0.47 mg/ kg/day; Zn$^{2+}$, 0.33 mg/kg/day; Se, 0.83 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg/day) by gavage; High lead + Minerals, received 2.0 g/ιlead and received the same minerals. Animals exposure to lead was from 10 days before mating till postnatal day 21; and the minerals was administered from the first day of pregnancy and during lactation. No statistical difference was found either in body weights or in blood lead levels between the pups received minerals and those only exposed to lead at the same dose. The developmental and behavioral teratological effects of lead on pups, such as time-lag of eye opening, pinna detachment, fur developing, incisor eruption, ear unfolding, and surface righting were observed in this study; and the minerals decreased the toxicity of lead either in low or in high lead exposure pups. The numbers of step-down were significantly increased in lead exposed animals, and the effect of intervention by the minerals was appeared only in the pups exposed to low lead. The ChAT activity and levels of glutamate and aspartate in hippocampus decreased in treated animals compared to control animals, no effect of intervention by the minerals was found. The results of this study indicate that the applied multi-minerals can alter the outcome of develop-mental lead poisoning in rats.s.s.s.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.153-161
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• 2009

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate 1) blood lead levels of workers at auto repair shops as Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) of toxic substances such as lead and toluene that are produced during automotive painting process, 2) the differences depending on personal characteristics of workers who have been exposed to toluene by using urine hippuric acid concentration as a marker and 3) the correlation between the concentration of hazardous chemicals in each workplace and the BEL. All subjects were male with a mean age of 36.2 years. In terms of age, most were in the 30 to 40 age group (13 persons, 48.1%). In relation to the length of work experience, the highest proportion had experience of 10 years of less (18 persons, 66.7%). Twenty three workers were cigarette smokers (85.2%) while 4 (14.8%) were non-smokers. In addition, more than 80% of the workers drank alcohol. Dust concentration and toluene exposure during automotive painting showed no significant difference with age, length of work experience, smoking and drinking while a significant difference (p<0.05) has been detected between lead concentration and smoking. The geometric mean of dust concentration, lead concentration and toluene concentration were $0.38mg/m^3,\;0.0021mg/m^3$ and 1.08ppm respectively. In addition, the geometric mean of blood lead levels and urine hippuric acid concentration were $1.70{\mu}g/dl$ and 0.25g/g respectively, which were lower than the standard levels suggested by the Ministry of Labor. To determine the influential factors on blood lead and urine hippuric acid concentrations, a correlation analysis has been conducted with variables of air, lead and toluene concentrations, age, length of work experience and amount of cigarette smoking. According to the analysis, a relatively high correlation (p<0.01) has been observed between air lead concentration and biological sample concentration.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.152-160
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• 2006

Genotype of ALAD and VDR yields two alleles, respectively and it has been implicated in susceptibility to lead toxicity. Also genotype known to variety by race. To evaluate the genetic susceptibility of ALAD and VDR gene on health effect of lead exposure, this study was done with new workers who entered lead industries from 1992 to 2001. Among database of lead industries of Soonchunhyang University Institute of Industrial Medicine, only new workers were selected for this study. The total of eligible workers for this category was 3,540 workers including non lead exposed workers of same lead industries. Genotype of ALAD and VDR were measured from stored blood in specimen bank of Soonchunhyang University, blood lead and other relevant information were obtained from database of each workers which were gathered at their first year of employment. Among 3,540 new employed study subjects during period of 1992-2001, 3204 workers(90.5%) had ALAD genotype 1-1; whereas 336 workers(9.5%) had variant type of ALAD (1-2 or 2-2). Lead exposed workers, 9.8%(n=243) male and 8.1%(n=16) female were heterozygous for the ALAD allele. Also non lead exposed workers, 8.9%(n=67) male and 9.3%(n=10) female were heterozygous for the ALAD allele. For VDR genotype, 2,903 workers(89.7%) out of total tested 3,238 workers were belonged to type bb and 335 workers(10.3%) were type bB or BB. Lead exposed workers, 10.4%(n=235) male and 12.2%(n=24) female were heterozygous for the VDR allele. Also non lead exposed workers, 9.2%(n=64) male and 12.5%(n=12) female were heterozygous for the VDR allele. No significant differences were seen in mean blood lead levels by ALAD and VDR genotype, nor was significantly associated with blood lead except age in multiple regression analysis.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.213-223
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the level of physical exposure to heavy metals among residents who live around a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex and to provide baseline data on the effects and harms of heavy metals on the human body by comparing their exposure levels to those of people from control regions. Methods: We measured blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury and chromium levels and conducted a survey among 559 residents from the affected area and 347 residents of other areas. Results: Blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury levels were significantly higher in the case region than among those in the control region (p=0.013, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the thermoelectric power plant area, blood cadmium and urine mercury levels were significantly higher than in the control region (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the steel mill and petrochemical industry areas, blood cadmium level was significantly higher than that in the control region (p<0.001). Dividing groups by the reference level of blood cadmium ($2{\mu}g/L$), the odds ratios between the case and control regions were 2.56 (95% CI=1.83-3.58), 3.11 (95% CI=2.06-4.71) for the thermoelectric power plant area, 1.78 (95% CI=1.19-2.65) for the steel mill area and 4.07 (95% CI=2.40-6.89) for petrochemical industry area. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of exposure to heavy metals among residents living near a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex were significantly higher than those in the control region. This seems to be attributable to exposure to heavy metals emissions from the industrial complex. Further research and safety measures are required to protect residents' health.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.699-707
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• 1996

This study was designed to examine the involvement of lead in function of target organ, and the protective effect of selenium in lead-treated guinea pigs for 8 weeks. The effects of exposure to 0.5% lead acetate(lead) and/or 4ppm sodium selenite(selenium) in feed on serveral aspects were evaluated by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH), triiodothyronine($T_3$), thyroxine($T_4$), serum biochemical activities, organ weights, and serum and organ lead concentrations in growing animals. The many indicators of endocrine function(TSH, $T_3$, and $T_4$ in serum), enzyme and biochemical activities(${\alpha}$-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, creatinine, $Ca^{2+}$ in serum), and organ weights(kidney, spleen and testis) were correlated with lead exposure or showed significantly different mean values between the exposed and controls. These changes on some aspects were reversed by combination-fed of selenium, but did not statistically significant. The organ(kidney, liver, spleen, testis and brain) and serum lead concentrations of lead-fed group were clearly higher than that of controls. Selenium supplementation resulted in a significant protection against lead accumulation in liver and testis. These results suggest that lead can cause a toxic effect on several organ and that selenium seems to has a protective effect on specific reaction by lead-induced organic function toxicity.