• Toxicological Research
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.269-277
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to understand the mechanism of cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals. We investigated changes in the symptoms of metabolic syndrome, which is strongly related to CVD, and in levels of other CVD risk factors, with a special emphasis on the roles of catecholamines and oxidative stress. The results revealed that neither body mass index (BMI) nor waist and hip circumferences were associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals. Among metabolic syndrome criteria, only HDL-cholesterol level increased on exposure to hazardous chemicals. Levels of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) were not influenced by exposure to hazardous chemicals; however, the total antioxidative capacity (TAC) reduced because of increased oxidative stress. Both hazardous chemical exposure level and metabolite excretion were related to EP, NEP, and the oxidative stress index (OSI). Logistic regression analysis with these factors as independent variables and metabolic syndrome criteria as dependent variables revealed that EP was associated with blood pressure, and NEP with metabolic syndrome in the chemical-exposed group. In conclusion, the results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated and oxidative stress due to exposure to hazardous chemicals act as mediators and cause changes in the physiological levels of EP and NEP to increase blood pressure. This ultimately leads to the development of CVD through increase in cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels by lipid peroxidation.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.170-179
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• 2022

Background: The vulnerability of international migrant workers is on the rise, affecting the frequency of occupational accidents at workplaces worldwide. If migrant workers are managed in the same way as native workers, the consequences on safety assurance and risk management will be significant. This study aimed to develop the vulnerability factor model for migrant workers in seafood processing industries because of significant risk-laden labor of Thailand, which could be a solution to control the risk effectively. Methods: A total of 569 migrant workers were surveyed (432 Burmese and 137 Cambodian), beginning with 40 initial vulnerability factors identified in the questionnaire established from experts. The data were analyzed through descriptive analysis; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to ascertain the model. Results: The result of content validity >0.67 and the Cronbach's alpha of 0.957 specified the high reliability of 40 factors. The EFA indicated a total variance of 65.49%. The final CFA validated the model and had an empirical fitting; chi-square = 85.34, Adjust Goodness-of-Fit Index = 0.96, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.016. The structure concluded with three dimensions and 18 factors. Dimension 1 of the structure, "multicultural safety operation," contained 12 factors; Dimension 2, "wellbeing," contained four factors; and Dimension 3, "communication technology," contained two factors. Conclusion: The vulnerability factor structure developed in this study included three dimensions and 18 factors that were significantly empirical. The knowledge enhanced safety management in the context of vulnerability factor structure for migrant workers at the workplace.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.600-608
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• 2017

산업현장에서 취급되거나 가공되는 원료의약품 분진의 폭발 위험성은 항상 존재하며, 이로 인한 폭발사고가 자주 발생되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 원료의약품 시료 3종의 분진폭발특성을 측정하였다. 주요 폭발특성 측정값은 록소프로펜산은 평균 입경이 $5.31{\mu}m$이며, $P_{max}$는 8.4 bar, 최소점화에너지는 1 mJ < MIE < 3 mJ이며 최소점화온도는 $550^{\circ}C$이다. 클로피도그렐 캄포르술폰산염은 평균 입경이 $95.63{\mu}m$이며, $P_{max}$는 7.9 bar, 최소점화에너지는 30 mJ < MIE < 100 mJ이며 최소점화온도는 $510^{\circ}C$이었다. 리팜피신은 평균 입경이 $26.48{\mu}m$이며 $P_{max}$는 7.9 bar, 최소점화에너지는 1 mJ < MIE < 3 mJ이며 최소점화온도는 $470^{\circ}C$로 나타났다. 이들 값을 적용하여 폭연지수($K_{st}$)와 폭발지수(EI)의 폭발위험등급을 구하고, 원료의약품 분진의 폭발 위험성을 비교 검토하였다. 그 결과 폭발 위험성은 록소프로펜산과 리팜피신의 폭발등급은 St 2이고 폭발위험등급은 severe이며, 클로피도그렐 캄포르술폰산염의 폭발등급은 St 1이고 폭발위험등급은 strong으로 나타났다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.230-246
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• 2023

Objectives: The climate crisis has arrived and heat-related illnesses are increasing. It is necessary to discover new high-heat risk industries and understand the environment . It is also necessary to prioritize risks of industries that have not been included in the management target to date. The study was intended to monitor and evaluate the thermal risk of high-priority workplaces. Methods: A prioritization method was developed based on five factors: occurrence of and death due to heat-related illnesses, work environment monitoring, indoor work rate, small heat source, and limited heat dissipation. it, was applied to industrial accidents caused by heat-related illnesses. Wet bulb temperature index and apparent temperature were measured in July and August at 24 workplaces in seven industries and assessed for thermal risk. Results: The wet bulb temperature index was in the range of 23.8~31.9℃, and exposure limits were exceeded in the growing of crops, food services activities and accommodation, and building construction. The apparent temperature was in the range of 26.8~36.7℃, and exceeded the temperature standard for issuing heatwave warnings in growing of crops, food services activities and accommodation, warehousing, welding, and building construction. Both temperature index in growing of crops and building construction were higher than the outside air temperature. Conclusions: In the workplace, risks in industries that have not be controlled and recognized through existing systems was identified. it is necessary to provide break times according to the work-rest time ratio required during dangerous time period.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.52-57
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• 2012

Objectives: Lifting heavy weights involves the Valsalva manoeuvre, which leads to intraocular pressure spikes. We used data from a case-control study to further investigate the hypothesis that occupational lifting is a risk factor for retinal detachment. Methods: The study population included 48 cases (patients operated for retinal detachment) and 84 controls (outpatients attending an eye clinic). The odds ratios (OR) of idiopathic retinal detachment were estimated with a logistic regression model (adjusted for age, sex and body mass index). Three indexes were used to examine exposure to lifting; 1) maximum load lifted, 2) average weekly lifting, 3) lifelong cumulative lifting. Results: For all indexes, the most exposed subjects showed an increased risk of retinal detachment compared with the unexposed (index 1: OR 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-10.48; index 2: OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.32-7.97; index 3: OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.27-8.74) and dose-response relationships were apparent. Conclusion: These results reinforce the hypothesis that heavy occupational lifting may be a relevant risk factor for retinal detachment.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.44-54
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of obesity on the physiological levels of adiponectin, leptin and components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in male workers, aged 30-40 years. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) was measured with Anthropometric equipment. Blood pressure and serum parameters were measured with an automatic digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer, respectively. Adiponectin and leptin were analysed by ELISA kits and MS was defined based on the NCEP-ATP III. Results: Body fat mass of waist and hip, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher, as expected, in the BMI>25kg/$m^2$ in comparison with the $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$. While fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin in the BMI>25kg/$m^2$ were also significantly higher compared with $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$, HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin were significantly higher in $BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the components of MS, exercise, adiponectin and leptin were an only independent factor for MS in non-obese male workers($BMI{\leq}25kg/m^2$) after adjustment for age, cigarette smoking and drinking habits. Conclusion: These results suggested that the obesity in men was associated with physiological levels of adiponectin and leptin contributing to feedback control of MS and that dysfunction and/or declination in feedback control system associated with changes in physiological levels of neurptrophics: adiponectin and leptin might ultimately induce MS.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.897-905
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to identify relationships between safety and health indices in a shipbuilding industry. From the results of periodical health examination, job stress test, and health questionnaire for musculoskeletal disorders, the author stratified the 704 shipbuilding workers into categories of smoking, drinking frequency, the amount of exercise per week, obesity, blood pressure, diabetic symptoms, liver function, audibility, job stress, fatigued condition, musculoskeletal symptom, and accident. The results show that occupational injuries are highly related to smoking, drinking frequency, auditory capacity, fatigued condition, and musculoskeletal symptoms. These results can be used to develop more effective accidental occupational injury prevention programs for shipbuilding industries.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.599-605
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• 2021

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62494-1 has defined the exposure index (EI) that have a proportional relationship with the dose incident on the image receptor, and target exposure index (EI_T), deviation index (DI). In this study, an appropriate EI_T for skull radiography was established through the diagnostic reference level (DRL) and changes in DI were confirmed. Entrance surface dose (ESD) and EI were obtained using the computed radiography system displayed the EI as per IEC on console and skull phantom by experiment based on the national average exposure conditions announced in 2012 and 2019. And appropriate EI_T was established by applying the DRL in 2012 and 2019. As a results, the EI_T is changed according to the change in the DRL, and the exposure condition that becomes the ideal DI according to the change in the EI_T also has a difference of about 1.41 times. DRL is recommended to optimize the patient dose, however it is difficult to measure in real time at medical institutions whereas EI and DI are displayed on the console at the same time as exposure. When the EI_T is set based on the DRL and the DI is closed to an ideal value, it is useful as a patient dose management tool. Therefore, when the EI_T is periodically managed along with the revision of the DRLs, the patient dose can be optimized through the EI, EI_T and DI.

• 한국지역사회생활과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.749-760
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• 2015

This study establishes a safe and healthy farm certification system for Korean farmers and presents the certification system and assessment items. Existing certification systems for safety and health were compared through a review of local and international studies as well as an examination of advanced examples. Then the certification system and assessment items were objectively verified through an expert evaluation process. As a result, four domains of certification participation, implementation, certification evaluation, and post management were identified as components of the certification system. For assessment measures, 6 categories, 21 factors, and 96 items were derived. The results are expected to be used as basic data in establishing a foundation for the implementation and operation of a certification system appropriate for distinct characteristics of the Korean agricultural sector.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.111-119
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• 2016

Background: Shift work and/or sleep quality may affect health. We investigated whether shift work and sleep quality, separately and jointly, were associated with abnormal levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), and low-and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 360 police officers (27.5% women). Methods: Triglycerides, TC, and high-density lipoprotein were analyzed on the Abbott Architect; low-density lipoprotein was calculated. Shift work was assessed using City of Buffalo payroll work history records. Sleep quality (good, ${\leq}5$; intermediate, 6-8; poor, ${\geq}9$) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A shift work + sleep quality variable was created: day plus good sleep; day plus poor sleep; afternoon/night plus good; and poor sleep quality. Mean values of lipid biomarkers were compared across categories of the exposures using analysis of variance/analysis of covariance. Results: Shift work was not significantly associated with lipids. However, as sleep quality worsened, mean levels of triglycerides and TC gradually increased but only among female officers (age- and race-adjusted p = 0.013 and 0.030, respectively). Age significantly modified the association between sleep quality and TC. Among officers ${\geq}40$ years old, those reporting poor sleep quality had a significantly higher mean level of TC ($202.9{\pm}3.7mg/dL$) compared with those reporting good sleep quality ($190.6{\pm}4.0mg/dL$) (gender- and race-adjusted p = 0.010). Female officers who worked the day shift and also reported good sleep quality had the lowest mean level of TC compared with women in the other three categories (p = 0.014). Conclusion: Sleep quality and its combined influence with shift work may play a role in the alteration of some lipid measures.