• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.239-248
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• 2009

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science in the United States concluded in its 2004 report that excessive indoor dampness is a public health hazard and that its prevention should be a public health goal. Water damage in buildings, such as leaks from roofs, walls, or windows, may increase indoor moisture levels. Excessive dampness may promote microbial proliferation in indoor environments, increase occupants' exposure to microbial agents, and eventually produce adverse health effects in building occupants. Epidemiological studies to demonstrate the causal association between exposure to indoor microbial agents and health effects require reliable exposure assessment tools. In this review, I discuss various sampling and analytical methods to assess human exposure to biological agents in indoor environments, their strengths and weaknesses, and recent trends in research and practice in the USA.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.437-444
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• 2019

Background: Headache/eyestrain symptoms are common health problems that people experience in daily life. Various studies have examined risk factors contributing to headache/eyestrains, and physicochemical exposure was found to be a leading risk factor in causing such symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of headache/eyestrain symptoms with physicochemical exposure among Korean construction workers depended on worksite. Methods: This study used data from the 4th Korean Workers Conditions Survey and selected 1,945 Korean construction workers as participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship. Results: Exposure to vibrations among all construction workers affected the moderate exposure group [odds ratio (OR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-2.32], the high exposure group (OR 1.77 95%CI 1.17-2.67), and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.02-2.55) and among outdoor construction workers, the moderate group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 15.4-28.48) and the high group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 1.56-27.98). When exposed to mist, dust, and fumes, the indoor high exposure group was significantly affected (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.07-2.47). All construction workers exposed to organic solvents were affected, high exposure group (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.15-2.49) and indoor high exposure group (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.08-2.89). The high exposure group in all construction worker (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.20-2.42) and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.17-2.89) also were affected by secondhand smoking exposure. Conclusion: Many physicochemical exposure factors affect headache/eyestrain symptoms among construction workers, especially indoor construction workers, suggesting a deficiency in occupational hygiene and health environments at indoor construction worksites.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.33-55
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• 2016

This paper examines the role of adverse working environments in the determination of workers' compensation in South Korean. I use the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey(2011), Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute that provide relevant variables in objective and subjective compensation and workers of diverse working environment. I find that risk factors in adverse working environments have a very minor role in the determination of individual wages. In contrast, adverse working environments have significant relationship with the level of compensation satisfaction. In addition, the results show that workers are more likely to receive compensation from psychological risk than physical risk. And women receive much more compensation in the psychological risk. These results provide useful information for improvement of working environments.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.825-836
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• 2019

One of the most challenging safety precautions for workers in dynamic, radioactive environments is avoiding radiation sources and sustaining low exposure. This paper presents a sampling-based algorithm, DL-RRT*, for minimum dose walk-path re-planning in radioactive environments, expedient for occupational workers in nuclear facilities to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. The method combines the principle of random tree star ($RRT^*$) and $D^*$ Lite, and uses the expansion strength of grid search strategy from $D^*$ Lite to quickly find a high-quality initial path to accelerate convergence rate in $RRT^*$. The algorithm inherits probabilistic completeness and asymptotic optimality from $RRT^*$ to refine the existing paths continually by sampling the search-graph obtained from the grid search process. It can not only be applied to continuous cost spaces, but also make full use of the last planning information to avoid global re-planning, so as to improve the efficiency of path planning in frequently changing environments. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method was verified by simulating radiation field under varying obstacles and radioactive environments, and the results were compared with $RRT^*$ algorithm output.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.27-41
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• 2018

Objective : This study implemented occupation-based practice as a group program for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and investigated the quality of occupational performance, performance and satisfaction, and efficacy levels of the program. Methods : ADOC-S(Aid for Decision making in Occupation Choice-School) and COPM(Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) were used to establish common meaningful occupational goals for 10 children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. After occupational analysis of the 'subway use', the Performance Quality Rating Scale(PQRS) were used to evaluate the quality of occupational performance. Occupation-based interventions were implemented by participants individually performing meaningful occupations in the most natural and real-life environments as possible. The trial consisted of 1 session of pre-intervention assessments, 8 sessions of intervention, where a single session of 100 minutes is provided once a week. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted over one session. Results : The quality of occupational performance by PQRS was 38.10 higher than before intervention. The occupation-based intervention as a group program used the maintain and modify(compensation, adaptation) approaches and acquisition model. In the early stages of intervention (1 to 4 sessions), the occupational performance was greatly improved. The performance level of COPM increased by 5.80 and the satisfaction level was increased by 7.00. In addition, high scores were found in program satisfaction through parental interview. Conclusion : The results of implementing occupation-based interventions to children with neurodevelopmental disabilities showed increase in quality of occupational performance, performance, and satisfaction along with positive effects of satisfaction levels for the program.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.54-68
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to explore the clinical experiences of occupational therapists who have transitioned from adult to child occupational therapy to provide a basis for developing programs to facilitate rapid clinical adjustment for transitioning occupational therapists. Method : Telephone interviews and Colaizzi's phenomenological research method were employed. The interviewees were six occupational therapists with at least three years of clinical experience who had transitioned from hospital-based adult occupational therapy to sensory integration-focused children's occupational therapy. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with the participants' consent. Results : The analysis of the interview transcripts yielded 3 categories, 7 themes, and 17 meanings. The three categories were the challenges facing transitioning occupational therapists in clinical practice, the strengths gained from their post-transition clinical experiences, and the facilitators needed before the transition to ensure quick clinical adjustment. Conclusion : Training and institutional arrangements must be in place to ensure that adult occupational therapists transitioning to sensory integration-focused child occupational therapy can quickly adapt clinically and professionally to their new environments.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2013

Objective: Building materials can generate radon in indoor environments. This study aims to assess the radon concentrations of studio apartments around a university. Methods: 25 studio apartments around a University in Gyoungsan, Korea were measured for concentrations of radon. We evaluated the radon concentrations by using short-term continuous radon monitors at the studio apartments around the university, and analyzed the correlation between indoor radon concentration and factors affecting it, such as year of construction. Results: The average concentration of radon was 2.03 pCi/L(75.11 $Bq/m^3$)${\pm}1.34$ in the studio apartments. This radon level was lower than the radon standard for public use facilities in Korea and US EPA's standard of 4 pCi/L. However the measured radon levels were much higher than those previously reported in conventional dwellings. There was a statistically correlation between year of construction and radon concentrations in studio apartment buildings. Conclusion: It is suggested that recently built studio apartments might be constructed with phosphogypsum board that features higher radon emissions, and occupants are highly exposed to radon.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2017

A huge number of chemicals are produced and used in the world, and some of them can have negative effects on the reproductive health of workers. To date, most chemicals and work environments have not been studied for their potential to have damaging effects on the workers' reproductive system. Because of the lack of information, many workers may not be aware that such problems can be related to occupational exposures. Newly industrialized countries such as Republic of Korea have rapidly amassed chemicals and other toxicants that pose health hazards, especially to the reproductive systems of workers. This literature review provides an overview of peer-reviewed literature regarding the teratogenic impact and need for safe handling of chemicals. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Search strategies were narrowed based on author expertise and 100 articles were chosen for detailed analysis. A total of 47 articles met prespecified inclusion criteria. The majority of papers contained studies that were descriptive in nature with respect to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords: "reproductive and heath or hazard and/or workplace or workers or occupations." In the absence of complete information about the safe occupational handling of chemicals in Republic of Korea (other than a material safety data sheet), this review serves as a valuable reference for identifying and remedying potential gaps in relevant regulations. The review also proposes other public health actions including hazard surveillance and primary prevention activities such as reduction, substitution, ventilation, as well as protective equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.78-82
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to review the labor force partitpation rate and work environment characteristics of female workers to provide basic information for establishment and implementation of effective policies related to accident prevention and workers health protection for female workers. It was analyzed employment status, work environment and injuries and illnesses based on economic activity census results, compensation of industrial injury and the second working condition survey. According to economic activity census results, female labor force participation rate has been steadily increased, whereas male labor force participation rate has been decreased since 1970. Industrial accident rate has been declined in male workers but that in female workers has been steadily increased even though male workers were higher accident rate than female workers. It was evaluated that female workers are vulnerable to industrial injuries and illnesses in the aspect of their working environment and employment status. Also, Substantial differences between female and male workers in occupational exposure patterns, occupational disease and occupational environments were observed. Therefore it was recommended that special care programs for female workers such as a specialized monitoring and management program should be introduced in the near future.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of occupational hazards and personal protective equipment use among dental hygienists (DHs). Methods: A total of 271 self-administered questionnaires were obtained from 280 DHs working at dental hospitals or clinics in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. Results: The occupational hazards included work involving dust (94.1%), volatile substances (86.0%), noise (97.0%), and light-curing units (96.7%). The proportion of dental hygiene tasks that participants perceived as harmful were 42.4%, 51.7%, 9.2%, and 31.4% in the same order as above. The proportion of participants who used dust-proof masks during work involving dust was 1.1%. Those who wore gas-proof masks and gloves for work using volatile substances were 0.7% and 31.2%, respectively. Participants who used goggles for work involving light-curing units were 31.0%. None of the participants used ear plugs for work involving noise. A total of 22.9% of the participants recognized the Material Safety Data Sheet, while 79.7% had never been educated about harmful work environments. Conclusion: When compared to exposure status and perception of occupational hazards, the level of protective equipment use was very low. Extra measures to increase DHs' use of personal protective equipment are necessary.