• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.356-363
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• 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate which physical and psychosocial work demands were associated with excellent work ability in individuals with neck pain, and to investigate age and sex differences in these associations. Methods: The study sample was obtained from the Statistics Sweden cross-sectional Work Environment survey and consisted of workers who reported neck pain after work (N = 3,212). Results: The findings showed an association between excellent work ability and self-reported low exposure to lifting, twisted work posture, working with hands in shoulder level or higher, and leaning forward without support and combination of exposures containing these work demands. Low exposure to seated work and high demands showed a reversed association. The associations were present mainly among older workers and were generally stronger for men than for women. Conclusion: This study indicates that a lower level of physically demanding work is an important element to maintain excellent work ability, especially for the older worker with neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2019

The optimal treatments of carcinoma in situ of glottis include radiotherapy, laser surgery and vertical partial laryngectomy. Conventional surgical treatments need general anesthesia and radiotherapy has several complications. Recently, the effectiveness of 532 nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser has been proven and widely used in vocal fold diseases even some cases of vocal fold dysplasia. A patient with difficult laryngeal exposure underwent fiberoptic laryngeal laser surgery using KTP laser under local anesthesia, showed improved voice outcome and the glottic lesion was removed successfully without local recurrence and regional metastasis 18 months after surgery.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the assertive behavior of asking smokers not to smoke and investigate the factors related to assertive behavior in patients with vascular diseases. Methods: Participants were 203 adult Korean patients with vascular diseases such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction. Data were collected using questionnaires that included the characteristics of secondhand smoke (SHS), secondhand smoke-related variables (Health belief model factors, health promotion model factors) and level of assertive behavior. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 18.0 were performed. Results: Participants who never ask smokers not to smoke was 39.9%, whereas participants who always ask was 7.4%. There was a weak positive relationship between assertive behavior and susceptibility to disease (r=.18), severity of disease (r=.19), benefit of assertive behavior to SHS exposure (r=.10), barrier of assertive behavior to SHS exposure (r=.24), and self-rated health (r=.21) respectively. There was a moderate positive relationship between assertive behavior and self-efficacy of assertive behavior to SHS exposure (r=.49). Health belief model factors explained 15.7% variance and health promotion model factors explained 27.0% of assertive behavior. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that self-efficacy of assertive behavior to SHS exposure is a very important factor. Therefore the development of a program to foster self-efficacy of assertive behavior regarding SHS exposure in patients with vascular diseases is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the relations between the exposure level of organophosphates (OPs) pesticide and application factors among rural farmers. The urinary dialkylphosphates, metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides, including DMP, DEP, DMTP and DETP were analyzed by GC/MSD and GC/MS/MS. The DMP and DMTP were detected more in the use of a speed sprayer without cap than with a capped one. Also, the less farmers wore the personal protective equipment (PPE), the more these were detected. The amount of organophosphorus exposure was the highest in the use of a power sprayer. However, it was low when a farmer applied pesticides with a speed sprayer with cap and wore more PPE. In this study, the detection rate was analyzed by chi-square test, the exposure level of OPs was analyzed by a generalized linear model.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the toxicologic profiles and outcome of poisoned patients by comparing the data obtained through telephone counselling, each provided by emergency medical information center (1339) and emergency dispatch center (119). Methods: We analyzed the telephone-based poison exposure data before and after Seoul 1339 merged to 119. We compared the Seoul 1339 call response data in 2008 with Seoul and Busan 119 call response data between 2014 and 2016. We analyzed the changes in the trend and quality of data obtained, as well as the quality of service provided by each center before and after this reallocation, by comparing the data each obtained through telephone counselling. Results: The data was collected for a total of 2260 toxin exposure related calls made to Seoul 1339 in 2009, and 1657 calls to 119 in Seoul and Busan between 2014 and 2016. Significant difference was observed for age, sex, and reason for exposure to toxic substance between the two groups. Conclusion: After the integration of 1339 with 119, 119 focused on role of field dispatch and hospital transfer, lacking the consulting on drug poisoning. Moreover, data on exposure to toxic substances at the pre-hospital stage indicate that drug information and counseling are missing or unknown. In addition, first aid or follow-up instructions are not provided. Thus, systematic approach and management are required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.68-86
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• 1995

This study was conducted at five Ethylene Oxide(EO) sterilizing processes in hospitals located in Seoul from August 8 to August 30, 1994. The main purposes of this study were to assess the TWA(Time Weighted Average) and short term exposures to EO and to evaluate factors affecting EO concentrations in sterilizing room. Results are summarized as follows. 1. The TWA concentrations of the sterilizing operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 3.04ppm and those of two sterilizing rooms out of five exceeded 1ppm, the Korean and ACGIH standards. 2. When the door of the sterilizer is opened at the end of the sterilization cycle, the short term concentrations of operators ranged from <0.005ppm to 11.4ppm, and those of three sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm, the ACGIH short term exposure limit(STEL). The short term concentrations of area samples ranged from 0.24ppm to 49.2ppm and those of four sterilizing room out of five exceeded 5ppm. 3. Factors affecting EO exposure level were aeration type, the location of storage site for sterilized item, amount of gas, use period of sterilizer(p<0.005). 4. Following recommendations are suggested to minimize exposure to EO. The use of EO gas should be reduced by using another available sterilization methods, and the sterilizers and gas tank storage site should be isolated from, other work areas. Combination of local and general ventilation system should be installed. Metal carts or baskets for sterilization load should be used, and work environment and medical monitoring should be performed regularly.

• Research in Vestibular Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.134-141
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• 2018

Objectives: We aimed to study the role of vestibular input on spatial memory performance in mice that had undergone bilateral surgical labyrinthectomy, semicircular canal (SCC) occlusion and 4G hypergravity exposure. Methods: Twelve to 16 weeks old ICR mice (n=30) were used for the experiment. The experimental group divided into 3 groups. One group had undergone bilateral chemical labyrinthectomy, and the other group had performed SCC occlusion surgery, and the last group was exposed to 4G hypergravity for 2 weeks. The movement of mice was recorded using camera in Y maze which had 3 radial arms (35 cm long, 7 cm high, 10 cm wide). We counted the number of visiting arms and analyzed the information of arm selection using program we developed before and after procedure. Results: The bilateral labyrinthectomy group which semicircular canal and otolithic function was impaired showed low behavioral performance and spacial memory. The semicircular canal occlusion with $CO_2$ laser group which only semicircular canal function was impaired showed no difference in performance activity and spatial memory. However the hypergravity exposure group in which only otolithic function impaired showed spatial memory function was affected but the behavioral performance was spared. The impairment of spatial memory recovered after a few days after exposure in hypergravity group. Conclusions: This spatial memory function was affected by bilateral vestibular loss. Space-related information processing seems to be determined by otolithic organ information rather than semicircular canals. Due to otolithic function impairment, spatial learning was impaired after exposure to gravity changes in animals and this impaired performance was compensated after normal gravity exposure.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2022

Fine dust threatens human health in various forms, depending on the particle size, such as by causing respiratory, cardiovascular, and brain diseases, after entering the body via the lungs. The aim of this study was to correlate fine dust exposure with changes in brain blood flow in Sprague Dawley rats by using micro-positron emission tomography and elucidate the possibility of developing cerebrovascular diseases caused by fine dust. The subjects were exposured to an average fine dust (particulate matter 2.5) of 206.2 ± 7.74 to ten rats four times a day, twice a day for 90 min. Before the experiment, they were maintained at NPO to the maximize the intake of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy glucose(¹⁸F-FDG) and minimize changes in the ¹⁸F-FDG biomass depending on the ambient environment and body temperature of the rats. PET images were acquired in the list mode 40 min after injecting ¹⁸F-FDG 44.4 MBq into the rats tail vein using a micro-PET scanner pre and post exposure to fine dust. We found that the whole brain level of ¹⁸F-FDG standardized uptake value in rats averaged 5.21 ± 0.52 g/mL pre and 4.22 ± 0.48 g/mL post exposure to fine dust, resulting in a statistically significant difference. Fine dust was able to alter brain activity after entering the body via the lungs in various forms depending on the particle size.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.2
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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.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.10-16
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• 2009

Purpose: As the number of patients has increased since the installation of a PET/CT, we are now examining about 2500-3000 annually. We have realized that if we properly adjust a pitch under the same condition of a CT during a PET/CT exam, radiation quantity that reaches the patient can change. In order to reduce the exposure dose of a patient, the research examines a method of reducing the exposure dose of a patient by controlling the pitch during a PET/CT exam, viewing whether the adjustment of the pitch influences CT image and PET SUV. Methods: The equipment used is a Biograph Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanner (CT type: TRCT-240-130 (WCT-240-130)) of Siemens company. For the evaluation of exposure dose of a patient, we measured radiation quantities using a PTW-DIADOS 11003/1383, which is a CT radiation measurement instrument used by Siemens. We measured and analyzed the space resolutions of CT images caused by the change of pitches using an AAPM Standard Phantom in order to see how the adjustment of pitches influenced the CT images. In addition, in order to obtain SUVs caused by each change of pitches using a PET source made with a solid radioactive cylinder phantom, we confirmed whether the SUVs changed in the PET/CT images by calculating the SUVs of the fusion images caused by the change of pitches after obtaining CT and PET images and finishing the test. Results: 2slice CT scanner showed that radiation quantities largely dropped when pitches ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 and that the reduction of radiation quantities were smaller when pitches ranged from 1.5 to 1.9. That is, we found that the bigger pitch values are the smaller the radiation quantities of a patient are. Moreover, we realized that there is no change of SUVs caused by the increase of pitches and that pitch values do not influence PET SUVs and the quality of CT images. It is judged that using 1.5 as a pitch value contributes to the reduction of exposure dose of a patient as long as there is no problem in the quality of an image. Conclusions: When seeing the result of the research, hospital using a PET/CT should make an effort to reduce the exposure dose of a patient seeking pitch values appropriate for their hospital within the range in which there is no image distortion and PET SUVs are not influenced from pitches. We think that the research can apply to all multi-detectors having a CT scanner and that such a research will be needed for other equipments in the future.