• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.147-159
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• 2000

The NIOSH health hazard evaluation program (HHE program) was created in response to the mandate to determine the toxic effect and potential health hazard of workplace exposure, which is found in Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, A primary benefit of HHE program is its ability to provide current health hazard data to employers and employees, which assists them in identifying solutions to occupational health and safety problems in their workplaces, The HHE program also stimulates research in the development and review of sampling methods and diagnostic tests and may prompt additional exposure assesment efforts and toxicological and epidemiological studies. HHE projects also provide human exposure-toxicity data that are used to asses the validity of existing occupational health standards and to support criteria for new standards of recommendation, The HHE request is classified into four categories: 1) category 1: As a administratively invalid, 2) category 2: These are valid requests for which a site visit is not essential to an appropriate response, 3) Category 3 : These are valid requests for which a site visit is necessary for an adequate evaluation, 4) These are valid request which present a complex problem or an opportunity for research, To carry out HHE program one or methods of investigation might be used: 1) direct observation and evaluation of production processes and employee work practices 2) employees exposure level and air contamination level 3) medical test or physical examinations of employees 4) private, confidential interviews with employees 5) review of employer's record of injuries and illness, employee exposure data, medical tests and job histories. After investigation and analysing the data, NIOSH issues a final report, giving finding and recommendation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.125-133
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• 2000

Objectives : This study uses meta-analysis methodology to examine the statistical consistency and importance of random variation among results of epidemiologic studies of occupational electromagnetic field exposure and leukemia. Methods : Studies for this meta-analysis were identified from previous reviews and by asking researcher active in this field for recommendations. Overall, 27 studies of occupational electromagnetic field exposures and leukemia were reviewed. A variety of meta-analysis statistical methods have been used to assess combined effects, to identify heterogeneity, and to provide a single summary risk estimate based on a set of simiar epidemiologic studies. In this study, classification of exposure metircs on occupational epidemiologic studies are reported for (1) job classification (20 individual studies); (2) leukemia subtypes (13 individual studies); and (3) country (27 individual studies). Results : Results of this study, an inverse-variance weighted pooling of all the data leads to a small but significant elevation in risk of f 1% (OR=1.11, 95% CI : $1.06\sim1.16$) among 27 occupational epidemiologic studies. Publication bias was assessed by the 'fail-safe n' that may be not influence for all combined results exception a few categories, ie, 'power station operators' and 'electric utility workers' by job classification on occupational study. And ail combined odds ratio results were similar for fixed-effects models and random-effects models, with slightly higher risk estimates for the random-effects model in situations where there was significant heterogeneity, ie, Q-statistic significant (p<.05). Conclusions : We found a small elevation in risk of leukemia, but the ubiquitous nature of exposure to electromagnetic fields from workplace makes even a weak association a public health issue of substantial power to influence the present overall conclusion about relationship between electromagnetic fields exposure and leukemia.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.156-165
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of a gasoline vapor recovery system on personal exposure levels of gasoline vapor constituents including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene(BTEX), and methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE) among gas station workers in a metropolitan area. Methods: Thirty-one gas station workers at ten gas stations in a metropolitan area were selected as subjects for this study. Test method PV2028 as recommended in the OSHA process was used for sampling and analysis. Results: The personal exposure levels of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, MTBE and gasoline vapor in the gas station workers were $0.0018{\pm}0.0069ppm$, $0.0077{\pm}0.0137ppm$, $0.0002{\pm}0.0008ppm$, $0.0016{\pm}0.0084ppm$, $0.2619{\pm}0.3340ppm$, and $1.4940{\pm}1.7984ppm$, respectively. After adjustment for refueling frequency and volume, personal exposure levelswere higher in the gas stations where gasoline vapor recovery systems(Stage II) were not installed, but the results were not statistically significant. Gasoline vapor concentrations showed a positive correlation to the level of MTBE, a gasoline additive. Conclusions: Vapor recovery systems(Stage II) were effective not only in reducing emissions of air pollutants, but also in reducing exposure to hazardous substances among gas station workers. In addition, acorrelation between gasoline vapors and MTBE concentration was confirmed.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.272-280
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of worker exposure to hazardous chemical substances and propose the direction of work environment management for protecting worker's health in the semiconductor assembly process. Methods: Four assembly lines at two semiconductor manufacturing companies were selected for this study. We investigated the types of chemicals that were used and generated during the assembly process, and evaluated the workers' exposure levels to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde and the current work environment management in the semiconductor assembly process. Results: Most of the chemicals used at the assembly process are complex mixtures with high molecular weight such as adhesives and epoxy molding compounds(EMCs). These complex mixtures are stable when they are used at room temperature. However workers can be exposed to volatile organic compounds(VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde when they are used at high temperature over $100^{\circ}C$. The concentration levels of benzene and formaldehyde in chip molding process were higher than other processes. The reason was that by-products were generated during the mold process due to thermal decomposition of EMC and machine cleaner at the process temperature($180^{\circ}C$). Conclusions: Most of the employees working at semiconductor assembly process are exposed directly or indirectly to various chemicals. Although the concentration levels are very lower than occupational exposure limits, workers can be exposed to carcinogens such as benzene and formaldehyde. Therefore, workers employed in the semiconductor assembly process should be informed of these exposure characteristics.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2023

Background: This study evaluated occupational exposure levels of doxorubicin in healthcare workers performing rotational intraperitoneal pressurized aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) procedures. Methods: All samples were collected during PIPAC procedures applying doxorubicin to an experimental animal model (pigs). All procedures were applied to seven pigs, each for approximately 44 min. Surface samples (n = 51) were obtained from substances contaminating the PIPAC devices, surrounding objects, and protective equipment. Airborne samples were also collected around the operating table (n = 39). All samples were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Among the surface samples, doxorubicin was detected in only five samples (9.8%) that were directly exposed to antineoplastic drug aerosols in the abdominal cavity originating from PIPAC devices. The telescopes showed concentrations of 0.48-5.44 ng/cm² and the trocar showed 0.98 ng/cm² in the region where the spraying nozzles were inserted. The syringe line connector showed a maximum concentration of 181.07 ng/cm², following a leakage. Contamination was not detected on the surgeons' gloves or shoes. Objects surrounding the operating table, including tables, operating lights, entrance doors, and trocar holders, were found to be uncontaminated. All air samples collected at locations where healthcare workers performed procedures were found to be uncontaminated. Conclusions: Most air and surface samples were uncontaminated or showed very low doxorubicin concentrations during PIPAC procedures. However, there remains a potential for leakage, in which case dermal exposure may occur. Safety protocols related to leakage accidents, selection of appropriate protective equipment, and the use of disposable devices are necessary to prevent occupational exposure.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.385-394
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• 2023

Objectives: Firefighters could be exposed to a range of toxic chemicals during firefighting. When tyre burns, various toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds(VOCs) could be emitted. In this study, the researchers assessed the VOC exposure of firefighters during tyre fire suppression through biomonitoring. Methods: There was a big tyre fire on 12 March 2023. Of the responding firefighters, we recruited 14 participants to collect their urine after firefighting. One week later, researchers collected firefighters' urine again right after their off-duty period. We analyzed each metabolite of benzene, toluene, xylene, and styrene in urine and compared their exposure level based on sampling time. Results: The detection rate for metabolite of benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene in urine sampled at each time was 43%-64%, 100%, 86%-100%, and 100%, respectively. Except for the benzene, metabolite levels measured in urine after firefighting were similar to that from off-duty period. However, the median concentration of benzene metabolite in urine sampled after firefighting was three times higher compared to that from off-duty period(34.2 ㎍/g crea. and 10.9 ㎍/g crea., respectively.) The estimated airborne concentration of benzene calculated from metabolite level in urine was 0.16 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure level set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Conclusions: This study shows that firefighters could be exposed to the high level of VOCs including benzene during their firefighting especially at tyre fire. These results could be used as a valuable data to prove firefighters' exposure to hazardous chemicals during their duty.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to low dose organic solvents on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Study design was retrospective cohort study subjected on 191 exposures and 118 controls working in a petrochemical manufacture company. The eight indicators related to CVD risk were followed up for five years from 2008 to 2012. The risk level was compared during the follow up years and subject's characteristics, and the change of risk level were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the start year 2008, the rate over cutoff value (ROCV) of BS (p<.001) and mean systolic BP (p=.017) were higher in organic solvent exposure group and the others showed no difference. And by the subject's characteristics, odds ratio of the ROCV of BS were higher in organic solvent exposure group and work shift group as 2.51 and 3.07. Comparing the results in 2012 to those of 2008, cardiovascular disease risk in organic solvent exposure group was about 1.5 times higher than that of in the control group. Conclusion: Gradual increase in the CVD risk was identified in organic solvent exposure group. However, the risk might be influenced by shift work and bad behaviors rather than organic solvent exposure.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.26-33
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the relationship between exposure of Korean workers to petrochemicals in the refinery/petrochemical industry and lymphohematopoietic cancers. Methods: The cohort consisted of 8,866 male workers who had worked from the 1960s to 2007 at one refinery and six petrochemical companies located in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea that produce benzene or use benzene as a raw material. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for 1992-2007 and 1997-2005 based on the death rate and cancer incidence rate of the Korean male population according to job title (production, maintenance, laboratory, and office workers). Results: The overall mortality and most cause-specific mortalities were lower among these workers than those of the general Korean population. Increased SMRs were observed for leukemia (4/1.45; SMR 2.77, 95% CI: 0.75-7.09) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/2.51; SMR 2, 95% CI: 0.65-4.66) in production workers, and increased SIRs were also observed in leukemia (3/1.34; SIR 2.24, 95% CI: 0.46-6.54) and lymphohematopoietic cancers (5/3.39; SIR 1.47, 95% CI: 0.48-3.44) in production workers, but the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results showed a potential relationship between leukemia and lymphohematopoietic cancers and exposure to benzene in refinery/petrochemical complex workers. This study yielded limited results due to a short observational period; therefore, a follow-up study must be performed to elucidate the relationship between petrochemical exposure and cancer rates.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.17-30
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• 2023

The human reproductive system can be affected by occupational exposure to many physical and chemical risk factors. This study was carried out to review the studies conducted on the issue of the pathophysiological effects of occupational physical and chemical risk factors on the reproductive system of females and males. In this systematic review, the databases such as "Google Scholar," "Pub-Med," "Scopus," and "Web of Science" were used. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020), the studies included in our study were published between 2000 and 2021. In order to extract the required data, all sections of the articles were reviewed. Out of 57 articles we reviewed, 34 articles were related to field studies and 23 articles to clinical studies. Among them, 43 studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of chemical agents, six studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of physical factors, and 8 studies dealt with the pathophysiological effects of physicochemical factors on the human reproductive system. Physical (noise, heat, and radiofrequency radiation) and chemical (such as carbamate and organophosphate pesticides, benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, NO2, CS2, manganese, lead, nickel, and n-hexane) risk factors had pathophysiological effects on the human reproductive system. The presence of these risk factors in the workplace caused damage to the human reproductive system. The rate of these negative pathophysiological effects can be reduced by performing appropriate managerial, technical, and engineering measures in work environments.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.148-155
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to compare the average levels and similarity of occupational exposure limits in South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan and Finland. Methods: In this study, occupational exposure limits (OELs) for one hundred and seventy seven hazardous substances which are managed in the workplace by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea were matched with those of other countries. The units for the exposure limits of the same substance (identical CAS number) were unified and the exposure limits in each country were compared with threshold limit values (TLVs) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) using a geometric mean method. Geometric similarity was calculated to assess the association by each country. Results: The exposure limits according to ACGIH TLVs in South Korea, the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland were 148, 37, 76, 90, and 110, respectively. When using TLVs of ACGIH as a standard, the geometric mean ratios of Germany, Finland, the E.U., South Korea, and Japan were 0.79, 0.80, 0.82, 1.19, and 1.27, respectively. Geometric similarity with TLVs of ACGIH was highest in South Korea (0.75) followed by Japan (0.56), the E.U. (0.52), Finland (0.50), and Germany (0.46). Conclusions: Through the comparison of levels of OELs and similarities among South Korea, the U.S., the E.U., Germany, Japan, and Finland, we could better understand the characteristics of occupational exposure limits by country.