• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational health and safety

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Overweight of Korean Male Workers and Genetic Polymorphism of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1) Gene

  • Kim, Ki-Woong;Heo, Kyung-Hwa;Won, Yong-Lim;Ko, Kyung-Sun;Kim, Tae-Gyun;Lee, Mi-Young;Park, Jung-Sun;Paik, Sang-Gi
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.13 no.2
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    • pp.127-132
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    • 2009
  • We have examined the hypothesis that the Gly972Arg variant of the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) gene is associated with the components contributing to overweight (obesity) and metabolic syndrome. We describe IRS1 genotype frequencies in 274 Korean men. The frequencies of Gly972Gly (GIG) and Gly972Arg (G/A variant) of the IRS1 gene were 88.3% and 11.7%, respectively, and the differences in frequencies between the overweight (BMI$\geq$25kg/m$^2$) group and non-overweight (BMI<25kg/m$^2$) group were statistically significant. The subjects with G/A variant of IRS1 gene in non-overweight had significantly higher level of visceral fat thickness and adiponectin/leptin ratio than those with GIG alleles. In overweight group, the subjects with G/A variant of IRS1 gene also showed significantly higher level of insulin than those with GIG alleles. These results suggest that the IRS1 genetic polymorphism is involved in the occurrence of overweight, as well as metabolic syndrome.

A Study of Mammalian Erythrocyte Micronucleus Induction with Aluminum Oxide, Calcium Oxide, Sodium Tetraborate (Aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, sodium tetraborate 처리에 의한 설치류 골수세포의 소핵유발 연구)

  • Rim, Kyung-Taek;Kim, Soo-Jin;Kim, Jong-Kyu;Kang, Min-Gu;Kim, Hyeon-Yeong;Yang, Jeong-Sun
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.127-136
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    • 2009
  • We have investigated the genotoxicity of 3 chemicals, aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, sodium tetraborate using mammalian erythrocyte with micronucleus induction. It was performed using 9 week male ICR mice. At 24 hours after treatment with 3 chemicals with oral route, mice were sacrificed and bone marrow cells were prepared for smear slides. As a result of counting the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCE) of 2,000 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE), all treatment groups did not show statistically significant increase than negative control group. And there was no clinical sign related with injection of the 3 chemicals. It was concluded that the 3 chemicals did not induce micronucleus in the bone marrow cells of ICR mice, and these results indicate that the 3 chemicals have no mutagenic potential under the condition in each studies.

The Comparison of Activities of Occupational Safety and Health among Sub-Sectors of Manufacturing Industry (제조업의 업종별 안전보건활동 수준 비교)

  • Kim, Ki-Sik;Rhee, Kyung Yong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.29 no.5
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    • pp.136-145
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    • 2014
  • This article has compared the level of activities of occupational safety and health in workplace among sub-sectors of manufacturing industry in order to set the priority for policy intervention. Data of manufacturing industry in the survey on the current status of occupational safety and health was used with factor analysis and radar graphic method. Authors have categorized sub-sectors of manufacturing industry into four categories, attained group, active group, neglected group, and passive group based on injury rate, level of safety and health activities. The neglected group may be the first target group for occupational safety and health policy guiding some detailed occupational safety and health activities. Limitation of this study is that cross sectional data was analyzed. The long term effect could not be analyzed.

Selection of Candidate Materials and their Prioritization for Chronic Inhalation and Carcinogenicity Test (흡입노출에 의한 만성·발암성시험 대상물질 및 우선순위 선정 연구)

  • Rim, Kyung-Taek;Lim, Cheol-Hong;Ahn, Byung-Joon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.587-612
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: There is requirement to select candidate materials for chronic inhalation/carcinogenicity testing, so we would like to set the priority of candidate materials. Methods and Results: We recommend the priorities for candidate materials based on the chemicals stipulated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHAct) and the Toxic Chemicals Control Act(TCCA) in Korea. Conclusions: We presented candidate chemicals consisting of solids(powders), gases and liquids(Such as organic solvents) with priorities.

Cases Series of Malignant Lymphohematopoietic Disorder in Korean Semiconductor Industry

  • Kim, Eun-A;Lee, Hye-Eun;Ryu, Hyung-Woo;Park, Seung-Hyun;Kang, Seong-Kyu
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.122-134
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: Seven cases of malignant lymphohematopoietic (LHP) disorder were claimed to have developed from occupational exposure at two plants of a semiconductor company from 2007 to 2010. This study evaluated the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents for the cases. Methods: Clinical courses were reviewed with assessing possible exposure to carcinogenic agents related to LHP cancers. Chemicals used at six major semiconductor companies in Korea were reviewed. Airborne monitoring for chemicals, including benzene, was conducted and the ionizing radiation dose was measured from 2008 to 2010. Results: The latency of seven cases (five leukemiae, a Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and an aplastic anemia) ranged from 16 months to 15 years and 5 months. Most chemical measurements were at levels of less than 10% of the Korean Occupational Exposure Limit value. No carcinogens related to LHP cancers were used or detected. Complete-shielded radiation-generating devices were used, but the ionizing radiation doses were 0.20-0.22 uSv/hr (background level: 0.21 ${\mu}Sv/hr$). Airborne benzene was detected at 0.31 ppb when the detection limit was lowered as low as possible. Ethylene oxide and formaldehyde were not found in the cases' processes, while these two were determined to be among the 263 chemicals in the list that was used at the six semiconductor companies at levels lower than 0.1%. Exposures occurring before 2002 could not be assessed because of the lack of information. Conclusion: Considering the possibility of exposure to carcinogenic agents, we could not find any convincing evidence for occupational exposure in all investigated cases. However, further study is needed because the semiconductor industry is a newly developing one.

A study on the status of asbestos use on ships (선박에서의 석면 사용실태 연구)

  • Park, Seung-Hyun;Chung, Eun-Kyo;Kwon, Ji-Woon;Kim, Kab-Bae;Chung, Kwang-Jae;Yi, Gwang-Yong;Shin, Jung-Ah;Lee, In-Seop;Kang, Seong-Kyu
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.123-127
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) used on ships and to consider measures for preventing worker exposure to asbestos fibers. Methods: A total of 17 ships including 16 ships under repair and a ship under construction at shipyards in Korea were investigated. Bulk samples were collected from suspected ACMs on engine exhaust pipes, boiler steam pipes, generator exhaust pipes, and etc. in ships in order to identify the presence of ACMs. Types and contents of asbestos were determined using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Results: ACMs were found from 14 ships out of 17 ships investigated. Only chrysotile asbestos was found from all samples. ACMs were mainly found from samples collected at the exhaust pipes of the engine, generator and incinerator, and boiler steam pipes where exhaust gases or steam of high temperature pass through. In most cases, types of ACMs were asbestos-containing fabrics such as asbestos tape. Friable ACMs were also found in some cases. Use of ACMs on ships was relevant to built time and owner of the ships rather than type and tonnage of the ships. Conclusions: ACMs were found from most ships built prior to 2000s. Therefore, measures for preventing asbestos-related diseases such as preparation of asbestos map on the ship and installation of warning signs, hazard communication with workers (ship-repairing workers, engine room workers and etc.), and follow-up for worker's health management are needed.