• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.28 no.1 s.49
• /
• pp.43-57
• /
• 1995

In order to study the effect of welding fume exposure upon the pulmonary function test, we examined 131 shielded arc welding workers, and 152 $CO_2$ arc welding workers as cases and 177 control workers for their general characteristics, and forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second $(FEV_{1.0})$, forced expiratory volume in one second as a percent of FVC $(FEV_{1.0}%)$, and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMF) were obtained from the spirogram. In shielded arc welding group and $CO_2$ arc welding group, FVC, $FEV_{1.0},\;FEV_{1.0}%$, and MMF were significantly decreased than control group, especially marked in the MMF finding. The distribution of workers below normal range was as follows. in the shielded arc welding group, 2 workers(1.5%) for FVC, 17 workers(13.0%) for $FEV_{1.0}$, 5 workers(3.8%) for $FEV_{1.0}%$, 28 workers(21.4%) for MMF, and in the $CO_2$ arc welding group, 3 workers(2.0%) for FVC, 25 workers(16.4%) for $FEV_{1.0}$, 8 workers(5.3%) for $FEV_{1.0}%$, and 37 workers(24.3%) for MMF, and significant increase by exposure duration was found in MMF. The distribution of workers who had ventilation impairment was as follows: 5 workers(3.8%) for obstructive type, 2 workers(1.5%) for restrictive type in the shielded arc welding group, and 7 workers(4.6%) for obstructive type, 2 workers(1.3%) for restrictive type, and 1 worker(0.6%) was combined type of the $CO_2$ arc welding group. In the respect of these results, the significant pulmonary function and ventilatory impairment were observed in welding fume exposed workers who had not abnormal finding in chest X-ray, and MMF considered as the most sensitive pulmonary function index by welding fume exposure. Therefore even if it is hard to doing pulmonary function test in the first health examination of workers according to the Industrial Safety Health Act in the welding fume exposure workers, it is desirable to consider doing PFT. Also evaluating the ventilation impairment, it is necessary, to observe the change of MMF that marker of effort-independent portion.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.157-170
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This prospective study was conducted to reveal the haematological index change by low level radiation exposure in radiological environment our hospital workers. Materials and Method: We gathered the cumulative dose by Thermoluminenscent Dosimeters (TLD) over 9-yr period and examined hematological index counts change (RBC, Hb, Platelet, WBC, Monocyte, Lymphocyte, Neutrophilic, Basophilic, Eosinophilic) both occupational workers and controls. Of a total 370 occupational workers and 335 controls were compared. Results: This analysis has led to the following general observations 1) The average cumulative dose in male and female were $9.65{\pm}15.2\;mSv$, $4.82{\pm}5.55\;mSv$ respectively. 2) In both male and female, there were very low relationship between occupation period and cumulative dose (r< ${\pm}0.25$). 3) Occupation period was more increased, in male, WBC counts decreased and increased workers, RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, WBC counts decreased and increased workers and W-eosino counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.01). 4) Cumulative dose was more increased, in male, W-Lympho counts decreased workers and Platelet counts deceased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, W-lympho counts decreased workers and RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We can find some kinds of blood index abnormal distribution in occupational radiation workers by comparing with controls. Occupational workers cannot avoid radiation exposure, in spite of the control it. Actually low level radiation adverse effect occurred not dose but probability. So workers must always try to reduce exposure by ourselves, furthermore as long as possible the government should provide rapidly that national system on radiation control for worker's health.