• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.773-781
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional and health status of women industrial workers by working fields. One hundred forty eight (105 lead and 43 office) workers were recruited from March 2005 to October 2005. Information on age, education, smoking and drinking status were collected using questionnaire and nutrient intake and diet quality of workers were assessed by average of two-day 24 hr recall method. Biochemical indexes including blood lead level (PbB), indexes for iron status, serum calcium (Ca) and serum lipid profiles were analyzed from fasting venous blood or serum. Results showed that education level of lead workers was lower than that of office workers (p<0.05), but nutrient intake levels were not significantly different by working fields. Overall nutritional status of the subject were good except for calcium, vitamin $B_2$, C and folic acid intakes. PbB of lead workers were significantly higher than that of office workers while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and serum Ca levels were significantly lower in lead workers. MCHC was positively correlated with zinc intake (r=0.166) and serum Ca was positively correlated with vitamin C intake (r=0.179). This study confirms that lead workers need extra care to keep their health and nutritional management especially for the nutrients known to interact with lead. Tailored nutrition education for workers at specific working fields needs to be more focused for the improvement of health status of industrial workers.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.156-167
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권4호
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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.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.449-459
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• 1998

This study was started to find out if plasma malondialdehyde(MDA), $\alpha-tocopherol$ and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity could be markers of biological activity resulting from exposed to lead in workers. Blood samples were randomly obtained from lead-exposed workers(n=29), $CO_2$, welders(n=60) and office workers(n=60). We used whole blood to analyse blood lead with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocyte was measured with spetrophotometer. MDA and $\alpha-tocopherol$ in plasma were measured with high performance liquid chromatography. Lead-exposed workers was significantly high in blood lead concentration$(29.37{\mu}g/d\ell)$ compared with welders$(6.42{\mu}g/d\ell)$ and office workers$(5.01{\mu}g/d\ell)$. The level of plasma MDA was significantly higher in the lead-exposed workers($1.87{\mu}mol/g$ cholesterol) than the welders($1.41{\mu}mol/g$ cholesterol) and office workers($1.41{\mu}mol/g$ cholesterol). Erythrocyte SOD activity in lead-exposed workers(56.80 U/g Hb) was significantly increased than those of welders(37.63 U/g Hb) and office workers(20.47 U/g Hb). The plasma $\alpha-tocopherol$ level of lead-exposed workers($4.93{\mu}g/g$ cholesterol) was statistically different from welders($4.25{\mu}g/g$ cholesterol) and office workers$4.28{\mu}g/g$ cholesterol). Neither age nor smoking was related to SOD or MDA level. Blood lead was significantly correlated with erythrocyte SOD activity(r=0.405), plasma MDA(r=0.296) and $\alpha-tocopherol$ (r=0.207). Plasma MDA was also significantly correlated with SOD (r=0.217). In multiple regression analysis, the change of MDA and SOD activity level related to the blood lead concentration. These results suggested that the increase of plasma MDA and erythrocyte SOD activity in lead-exposed workers had a close relationship with the oxidative stress induced by lead.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.216-223
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• 2012

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the lead levels in blood samples from nielloware workers, to determine airborne lead levels, to describe the workers' hygiene behaviors, and to ascertain and describe any correlations between lead levels in blood samples and lead levels in airborne samples. Methods: Blood samples and airborne samples from 45 nielloware workers were collected from nielloware workplaces in Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province, Thailand. Lead levels were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), at a wavelength of 283.3 nm. FAAS was used especially adequate for metals at relatively high concentration levels. Results: The geometric mean of the 45 airborne lead levels was 81.14 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range 9.0-677.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The geometric mean blood lead level of the 45 workers was 16.25 ${\mu}g/dL$ (range 4.59-39.33 ${\mu}g/dL$). No worker had a blood lead level > 60 ${\mu}g/dL$. A statistically significantly positive correlation was found between airborne lead level and blood lead levels (r = 0.747, p < 0.01). It was observed that personal hygiene was poor; workers smoked and did not wash their hands before drinking or eating. It was concluded that these behaviors had a significant correlation with blood lead levels (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Improvements in working conditions and occupational health education are required due to the correlation found between blood leads and airborne lead levels.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.421-432
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• 1995

The influence of lead exposure on renal function was studied. Eighty nine lead exposed workers who worked in 2 storage battery factories, and seventy one control workers were chosen for this study. Blood lead(PbB) and zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP) were selected as indicators of lead exposure. As indicators of renal function, urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase(NAG), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine(S-Cr), total protein in urine(U-TP),and serum uric acid(S-Ua) were selected. The results obtained were as follows: 1. While the mean values of lead exposure indicators of lead workers were significantly different from non-exposed ones, the mean values of NAG, U-TP, BUN and S-Cr of renal function indicators of exposed were also significantly different from non-exposed but their mean values were all within normal limits. 2. BUN, logarithmic U-TP, logarithmic NAG and S-Cr showed statistically significant correlation with PbB. 3. The proportion of workers whose values of renal function indicators were over the normal limits(NAG7.5 U/g Cr ; U-TP10.9 mg/dl ; BUN20 mg/dl ; S-Crl.2 mg/dl ; S-Ua7.0 mg/dl) by the level of lead absorption in terms of PbB and ZPP were calculated. The proportion of workers with over the normal limits of U-TP among total workers showed the dose-response relationship. When age is adjusted, U-TP showed significantly strong dose-response relationship with the level of PbB and ZPP.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2009

In order to provide basic data for the prevention of adverse effects of lead on health, we examined lead levels in the blood of 30 handicapped workers employed in manufacturing electronic components in Seoul from 2002 to 2008. The average lead level in the blood of all the subjects was $4.79{\pm}4.32{\mu}g/dL$ in females, $2.64{\pm}2.31{\mu}g/dL$ in males, and $3.88{\pm}3.75{\mu}g/dL$ in total. Lead levels examined in this study were significantly lower than other investigators study have reported. The average lead level from personal exposure of the subjects was $1.44{\pm}0.91mg/m^3$ in the workplace. The relation between blood lead levels and personal exposure was a simple linear regression; it's equation was "Lead level in blood = 6.04 - 1.92 lead level by personal exposure".

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.88-96
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• 1996

This study was conducted to establish model between lead and ZPP concentration in blood of workers exposed to lead. Workers employed in secondary smelting manufacturing industry showed $85.1{\mu}g/dl$ of blood lead level, exceeding $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal defined by Occupational Safety and Health Act of Korea. Average blood lead level of workers in the battery manufacturing industry was $51.3{\mu}g/dl$, locating between $40{\mu}g/dl$ and $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. Blood lead level of in the litharge and radiator manufacturing industry was below $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal. Blood lead levels of workers by industry were Significantly different(p<0.05). 50(21 %) showed blood lead levels above $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal and 66(27.7 %) showed blood lead levels between the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal, $40-60{\mu}g/dl$. Thus, approximately 50 percent of workers indicated blood lead levels above $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal and should receive medical examination and consultation including biological monitoring. Average ZPP level of workers employed in the secondary smelting industry was $186.2{\mu}g/dl$, exceeding above $150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal. Seventy seven of all workers(32.3 %) showed ZPP level above $100-150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. The most appropriate model for predicting ZPP in blood was log-linear regression model. Log linear regression models between lead and ZPP concentrations in blood was Log ZPP(${\mu}g/dl$) = -0.2340 + 1.2270 Log Pb-B(${\mu}g/dl$)(standard error of estimate: 0,089, ${\gamma}^2=0.4456$, n=238, P=0.0001), Blood-in-lead explained 44.56 % of the variance in log(ZPP in blood).

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.293-302
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• 2008

Lead chromate is made by sodium dichromate and lead acetate, and has being used widely in the part of pigment, paints, inks, plastics and so on. Even though lead chromate has health hazards which like both lead and chromium, there are a few study about pigment workplaces using lead chromate in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate workers' exposure levels and airborne lead and chromium concentration in the pigment workplaces using lead chromate. There are 20 workers in the total 5 workplaces. 10 workers(50%) have been exposed to lead and 3 workers(15%) have been exposed to chromium, which exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (Pb: $0.05\;mg/m^3$, Cr: $0.012\;mg/m^3$) and Korean Ministry of Labor's Standard. Geometric mean (GM) of airborne lead was highest in pigment ($0.0421\;mg/m^3$), paint ($0.0020\;mg/m^3$) and PVC coloring ($0.0007\;mg/m^3$), respectively(p<0.05). The result of airborne chromium concentration was paint ($0.0033\;mg/m^3$), paint ($0.0004\;mg/m^3$) and PVC coloring ($0.0003\;mg/m^3$). Also the lead and chromium concentration in the manual process is each 30 times and 10 times higher than the value in automatic process(p<0.01). In the classified process by detail, the concentration of airborne lead was $0.0638\;mg/m^3$ in grinding & packaging, mixture & after-measuring ($0.0436\;mg/m^3$), filtration & drying ($0.0402\;mg/m^3$), lead nitrate & dissolution($0.0129\;mg/m^3$), pigment commitment & mixture ($0.0013\;mg/m^3$) and dispersion & grinding ($0.0010\;mg/m^3$) (p<0.05). Moreover the concentration of a sample in weighting & packaging was $0.0023\;mg/m^3$. The concentration of lead in workers' blood was pigment (15.12 ug/dl), paint (4.74 ug/dl) and PVC coloring (2.50 ug/dl), and some samples have exceeded biological exposure limit. In conclusion, the depending on their work industry and process, workers have been exposed to the high lead chromate.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.111-117
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• 2001

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate associations between lead biomarkers, lead-related symptoms, and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) genotype among 598 lead workers and 144 control office workers in storage battery industries, secondary smelting and litharge making industries. Lead inhibits the second enzymes, ALAD, in the heme synthesis pathway. ALAD gene, which codes for one of three isozymic proteins (termed ALAD1-1, ALAD1-2, and ALAD2-2), seems to modify the toxicokinetics of lead. The result as follows; The percents of total workers whose genotype of ALAD1-1 and ALAD1-2 were 88.4% and 11.6%, respectively. The zinc protoporphyrin in blood (ZPP) and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU) of lead workers with ALAD1-2 were significantly lower than those of lead workers with ALAD1-1, but there were no significant difference between two genotype for blood lead, age, and work duration. The proportion of ALAD1-2 genotype in control office workers was 13.2%. The proportions of ALAD1-2 genotype of lead workers were 14.0%(their mean air lead level below $0.024mg/m^3$), 10.4%($0.025-0.049mg/m^3$), 11.8%($0.050-0.099mg/m^3$), and 9.4%(above $0.100mg/m^3$), respectively. In the logistic analysis of 15 lead related symptoms, 'arthralgia'(S7) symptom of ALAD1-2 was significantly lower (OR=0.481; 95% CI=0.248-0.932) than that of ALAD1-1, but 'feeling of irritation'(S11) of ALAD1-2 was significantly higher(OR=1.636; 95% CI=1.035-2.586) than that of ALAD1-1 after controlling possible confounder (blood lead, work duration, smoking and drinking habit).