• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational medicine

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Relationship of Follow-up Management, Trend of Possible Occupational Disease and Probable Occupational Disease: Focusing on Lead or Cadmium Workers (직업병 유소견자 및 요관찰자 추이 및 사후관리와의 관련성: 납 및 카드뮴 취급근로자를 중심으로)

  • Kim, Nam-Soo;Kim, Yong-Bae
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.376-386
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: This study identifies the trend of possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease in lead or cadmium workers. It is also required to check the usefulness of follow-up management in lead or cadmium workers by reviewing the relevance between the results of follow-up management and the trend of possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease. Methods: From 2009 to 2018, the results of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's special health-screening program for hazard agents for workers were used. The correlation between the ratio of possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease of lead or cadmium workers and the ratio of those who observed were and underwent observed follow-up management was analyzed to confirm the usefulness of follow-up management. Results: Over the past decade, the average annual proportion of possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease among lead workers has been on the decline. Among cadmium workers, it has generally shown a trend of increasing and decreasing. After the implementation of follow-up management, possible occupational disease in lead workers showed significant relevance to work prohibitions and restrictions, and probable occupational disease in lead workers showed significant relevance to the work prohibitions and restrictions, on-duty treatment, and boundary lines. However, there was no significant correlation between persons involved in cadmium workers. Conclusion: In this study, more active managements such as work ban and restrictions, on-duty treatment among follow-up management of possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease of lead worker and observers are related to a decrease in the ratio of those who have been diagnosed with possible occupational disease and probable occupational disease.

Concentration of PFOA and PFOS in Whole Blood and Factors Controlling Their Exposure Among Koreans (한국인의 혈 중 PFOA와 PFOS 농도와 노출요인)

  • Suh, Chun-Hui;Lee, Chae-Kwan;Lee, So-Ryong;Park, Mi-Hee;Lee, Jong-Tae;Son, Byung-Chul;Kim, Jeong-Ho;Kim, Kun-Hyung
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.38 no.2
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    • pp.105-117
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in blood and factors controlling their exposure among Koreans. Methods: Study subjects were selected to include 718 members of the general population residing in five metropolitan cities and the Gangwon Province area from August 2008 to January 2009. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle, socio-demographic characteristics, and other related factors. Blood samples were collected and extracted using solid-phase extraction and anion-exchange methods, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC, Agilent 1200 Series) coupled with a Triple Quad LC-MS/MS system (Agilent 6410). Results: Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the blood were measured as 1.82 and 6.06 ng/ml, respectively. Mean PFOA and PFOS concentrations generally increased with age in both genders. Blood PFOA concentration was significantly different according to such variables as age, family income, residential district, and province. Blood PFOS concentration was significantly different by such variables as gender, age, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Also, family income, hazardous facilities, job classification, and province contributed significantly to differences in blood PFOS concentration levels. Conclusions: Blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations in Koreans were similar with those found in Japan, the USA, and Germany, but less than those in Australia. PFOA and PFOS exposure seems to be affected by a variety of factors in Korea. Therefore, investigation is required for each factor to assess the relative contribution of different variables.

Factors associated with Respiratory Usage of Manufacturing Workers Based on the Reasoned Action Theory (이성적 행동이론에 의한 제조업 근로자들의 호흡보호구착용에 영향을 주는 요인분석)

  • Koh, Sang Baek;Chang, Sei Jin;Cho, Young Bong;Choi, Hong Ryul;An, Jae Soon;Heo, Jeong Cheol;Wang, Seung Ho;Park, Ki Woo;Lee, Wang Ro;Cha, Bong Suk
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.27-39
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    • 2000
  • Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors associated with respirator usage on the basis of reasoned action theory. Methods : The data were collected from August 1 to September 30 1999, and study subjects consisted of 303 workers who were employed in the manufacturing industries. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure the attitude, subjective norm and related factors. Results : In bivariate analysis, the variables related to protector usage were prevention of occupational disease, protection of toxic material, disturbance during working, troublesome of usage, proper exchange of protector. Multivariate logit analysis was used to estimate factors associated with respirator usage. Significant predictors that are related to respirator usage were attitude toward the behavior, size of industry and proper exchange of protector. Conclusions : The results suggest that it is strongly required to focus on attitude toward the behavior in order to improve workers' usage of respirator.

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Occupational Diseases among Health Workers (보건업 종사자의 업무상 질병)

  • An, SeonA;Ham, Seunghon;Lee, Wanhyung;Choi, Won-Jun;Kang, Seong-Kyu
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.353-363
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: Occupational diseases that occur due to or aggravated by work have commonly been recognized in the manufacturing industry, but there are now more incidences happening in the service industry due to changes in the industrial structure. Health workers are exposed to direct factors and various other causes of occupational disease at work, such as physical, chemical, biological, and psyco-social factors. This study aims to identify work-related diseases affecting health workers that are recognized as occupational diseases. Methods: The research is based on the data of workers whose diseases were accepted as work-related by the Industrial Accidents Compensation Insurance, and filed by the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Amongst the approved claims during 2011 to 2015, we focused on healthcare workers and health-related workers of the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: The number of health workers(HWs) with approved work-related disease was 1,707 over 5 years. The number of healthcare workers(HCWs) excluding caregivers was 370 (21.7%) and of health-related workers (HRWs) it was 736 (43.1%). Out of HWs who were approved for their illnesses, females were 80% of HCWs and 88% of HRWs. The most common occupational disease in HWs was musculoskeletal diseases, while that of nurses was infectious disease. Conclusions: HWs are exposed to various risks from their profession and are affected by occupational diseases. It is necessary to focus on this issue and provide preventive measures.